MOral Examination including Oral Cancer Screen . 

Your examination will begin with a discussion regarding your medical history and about any issues or problems you may have or any issues you may like to bring up regarding your dental health. You will be asked to sign a medical history questionnaire and consent form.  You may be asked about previous dental treatment. If you are a nervous dental patient, we will do everything we can to ease your fears, ensuring you are comfortable. For you to understand that you are in control at all times is my main goal.   

At the examination, we will be looking for any cavities or cracks in your teeth, any signs of gum disease or progression of gum disease. We will also be looking at the overall health of your mouth and surrounding tissues, including your jaw joint. The examination will also include an oral cancer screen where we will be checking for any signs of pathology inside your cheeks, under your tongue, below your jawline and at the back of your mouth.  


​Fillings

There are two main types of fillings; amalgam, which is the traditional grey or silver filling and composite, which is a tooth-coloured filling. Both types of fillings are now very strong and long-lasting, although each has advantages and disadvantages over the other. A White filling may need to be replaced or repaired sooner than an amalgam. Very large white fillings are best considered to be long term temporary restorations and discussions often take place that a crown or onlay would be an alternative option.  Amalgam fillings are gradually being phased out of dentistry but are still available and being placed if there is no suitable alternative. At your appointment we can discuss the various options so please do not hesitate to ask any questions. Sometimes a temporary filling will be placed as an emergency treatment or to relieve immediate pain in the tooth, or if the decay in the tooth is very deep. This filling will then be replaced at a later date with a more long-term solution.  

Dentures

There are two main types of dentures.  Acrylic dentures are used to replace a full set of teeth or can be used for just a few teeth. They are easy to add to and are often used when a tooth needs to be taken out and a replacement fitted immediately. This is organised with a dental laboratory. Acrylic dentures need to be replaced every 6-7 years on average but immediate dentures / temporary dentures may need to be replaced after six months.  

A cobalt chrome denture is used to replace a number of teeth and it relies on the remaining teeth for retention.  A cobalt chrome denture can feel very secure in the mouth as it uses clasps which wrap around the existing teeth to keep the denture in place. It can also be more hygienic and feels less bulky in the mouth, however it is the more costly option. That said, a cobalt chrome denture often lasts for a very long time. 

Dentures can take an average of 4 - 5 visits with a week or two between each visit to complete.   

Crown

Crowns are used when large parts of the tooth are missing due to decay or fracture. They are also highly recommended on root-canal treated teeth, particularly in the back of the mouth. Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of existing teeth although bleaching and bonding is often a better option in cosmetic cases. Crowns can be constructed from a number of materials, examples are porcelain bonded to metal or ceramic, or,  fully cast metal. If you are having a procedure done to have a crown made you will be fitted with a temporary crown which is made from an acrylic type material until the laboratory has your crown made. 
 
 A typical appointment sequence for a crown would be:
1. Assessment and planning.  If the tooth needs to have a permanent filling  before the crown this will be done at another appointment. 

2. The next appointment is to prepare the tooth for the crown, this means reducing the tooth to a size and dimension whereby the crown can fit accurately, ensuring comfort when biting down and a smooth finish along where it meets your natural remaining tooth. 
 An impression of your teeth is taken once the preparation of your tooth is complete and sent to a laboratory. 

3.Your permanent crown usually returns in two weeks and is fitted. 

In the interim the temporary crown is worn and you will be asked to call the surgery should the temporary crown fall off. 

Further information will follow regarding root canal treatment, extractions and other procedures as the website is developed, thank you for your patience.

Tooth Whitening (commonly known as bleaching)

Tooth whitening for most, an easy and relatively quick method of brightening or even transforming a smile.
It's quite simple. Impressions are taken of your teeth, sent to a laboratory and usually within a week we are fitting a customized soft and comfortable 'tray' that you seat onto your teeth every day for up to two weeks (or more depending on how bright you want your teeth)  You have full control over your whitening as it a a progressive process. You simply load a little whitening gel into the tray and wear the tray that fits neatly over your teeth, for just a half an hour each day.  Some people prefer a lighter gel that they wear at night time whilst asleep.  Tooth whitening can cause sensitivity in the short term.    


Flouride treatment 

Flouride  varnish is recommended for children or adults who have teeth that are especially vulnerable to cavities for example due to a lack of mineralisation during development or due to excessively acidic or sugary diets. Flouride varnish can be applied easily for a multitude of reasons in order to restrengthen a tooth or prevent the progression of enamel or dentine demineralisation. It is often prescribed for children with applications of three times a year. 
 MIH (molar incisor hypomineralisation) is a increasingly common condition among children that affects front teeth and molars and causes white or brown spots or lines on teeth and can affect the structure, rendering the tooth weaker and more vulnerable to decay. Identification, treatment and monitoring, coupled with good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, are of great importance to reduce the risks of dental decay and early loss of affected teeth. In general early dental intervention for children has life long benefit and reduces the potential need for new generations to need root canals, crowns, extractions and dentures later in life.