A crown is a type of dental restoration used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or have a very large filling. The crown fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. It will also be tooth coloured, giving the restoration a more natural appearance so it fits in with the rest of your teeth.
A crown could be a good solution for you if you have some discoloured fillings and would like to improve their appearance. Crowns can be used to replace these to give you a more aesthetic smile. Also, if you have had root canal treatment you will need a crown to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth. Crowns are also used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.
Root canal treatment (also called Endodontics) is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system, which could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be taken out.
Our dentists can perform root canal treatment to stop the infection from spreading and will preserve as much of your tooth as possible. Using specific techniques and advanced equipment, you will receive a local anaesthetic and the treatment overall should feel no different to having an ordinary filling placed. The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.
To keep your mouth in tip top shape we recommend you come in for regular hygiene appointments and dental check-ups.
If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth as a result of an accident or an injury, it can be a traumatic experience. It’s very important that you seek an emergency dental care immediately, even if the tooth is just slightly chipped. And if you have knocked out a tooth or several teeth, the sooner you are seen by a dental professional the better because there is a chance that the teeth could be re-implanted, depending on the severity of your injury.
It’s very important that you keep the knocked out tooth clean and avoid handling the root. In some cases you may be able to put the tooth back into the socket by biting down on a clean paper towel for around 15-20 minutes.
If you have a chipped tooth then your dentist may be able to smooth down the uneven edge and replace the missing part with a tooth-coloured filling. If you break a back molar then this may have to be replaced with a crown.
If you require an emergency dental treatment, you should ask to see a dentist as soon as possible. At our practice we offer a same day service for all dental emergencies from toothache to lost or broken crowns, chipped teeth and fillings to abscesses, trauma, avulsed teeth and a swollen face. We can take care of your injuries to ensure you heal quicker and more effectively, so you avoid additional dental problems in the future.
Pregnancy can be an exciting time and while you have so much to plan for, your oral health may be one of the last things you’re thinking about. But it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to your dental health in this time.
That’s because hormone changes during pregnancy can affect your oral health and many pregnant women notice that their gums are red, inflamed and sometimes bleed when they brush their teeth. The swelling and inflamed gums are referred to as ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ and can start as soon as the second month of pregnancy. The hormone progesterone can be around 10 times higher than normal during pregnancy, affecting the body’s response to toxins as a result of plaque build-up. Women are therefore more susceptible to developing periodontal disease when these hormonal fluctuations occur.
Some women also experience a growth on their gums known as a pregnancy granuloma which are red nodules, usually found on the upper gums. While they are not dangerous, they can cause discomfort. Other oral health problems may include tooth erosion as a result of constant exposure to acid from severe morning sickness. Dry mouth is another major complaint, but can be easily remedied by drinking plenty of water and using sugarless candies to stimulate saliva flow.
If you are pregnant we recommend that you come to the practice for a thorough check up so we can help you to have a healthy and happy pregnancy.
The way your teeth meet when your top and bottom jaws close down on top of each other is known as your ‘bite’. If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you could have malocclusion or ‘bad bite’, which can cause problems with your teeth, gums, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles in your face.
This misalignment, often referred to as TMJ disorder, can also cause some people to clench the jaw and grind their teeth at night. This can lead to facial pain, headaches, discomfort and clicking when biting or chewing, migraines as well as neck and shoulder pain, even back pain.
If you recognise any of these symptoms or suffer with these on a daily basis, you will need to see a dentist to treat your problems or refer you to a specialist if necessary.
In some cases, the treatment includes wearing a hard plastic appliance at night. This is made to measure and fitted onto your bite accurately, so that when you bite on it, your teeth are in a position where your muscles are relaxed. This also stops your teeth from becoming worn down by grinding and protects them. Depending on the origin and severity of your problem, you may need orthodontic treatment or maxillofacial surgery. Other solutions may include replacing missing teeth or adjusting any ill-fitting bridgework that you may have.
The important thing to do is see your dentist as soon as possible so your jaw problems do not become worse over time and require more drastic measures to correct.
Do you or your partner suffer from breathing difficulties during sleep such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea? You might be pleased to know that dentistry may have a solution for you. A series of oral devices or mouthpieces are now available and can be fitted by a dentist that will address your snoring problems by preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep thereby preventing the closure of your airways, which will stop you from snoring.
Such a custom-made mouth piece is made from impressions taken of your teeth to ensure they fit you comfortably. Made from a hard wearing plastic, the mouthpiece is worn at night and works by holding the bottom jaw in a slightly forward position. This position opens up your airway significantly allowing you to breathe better and as a result sleep better too.
Speak to your dentist today about how your snoring problem can be addressed.
One area of speciality areas within dentistry is known as oral surgery and this applies to procedures of a surgical nature, such as the extraction of teeth or wisdom teeth. Oral surgery requires additional training in techniques to perform procedures with care, helping patients to be able to use their teeth and mouths again.
If you have advanced tooth decay or an impacted wisdom tooth, you may require oral surgery to have them safely extracted. Depending on your particular case and the severity of your problem, you will be given anaesthetic and offered sedation if you are anxious.
It is important to always get the advice of a dental professional if you are worried about any of your teeth. Never attempt to pull out your own tooth out at home as this could cause a more serious problem for you. Dentists have the right equipment and sterile environment in which to perform this type of procedure with the utmost care and your recovery can be fairly quick. In the case of wisdom teeth extractions you may have some swelling after the procedure and discomfort that can be eased with over the counter painkillers.
Many patients feel self-conscious about dental treatment and nervous about visiting the dentist. We offer special care to our anxious patients through a form of sedation to make their appointments more comfortable and relaxing.
During IV sedation, the sedative drug is injected in a controlled manner, so that you feel relaxed during the dental treatment. You remain awake and aware while receiving the sedation, but you will experience a deep sensation of peace and relaxation, while the team work on your teeth.
Our team of dentists and nurses are specially trained to deliver this type of sedation and will make sure you are safe and comfortable at all times during your visit.
Don’t let your fear of the dentist stop you from looking after your teeth.