Where possible the photos below have been reproduced with kind permission of the patients at this surgery.

Fillings

A filling is required when tooth decay has resulted in a cavity (hole). The decay is removed to prevent it from spreading and a filling inserted to restore the tooth to its natural shape. The filling can either be amalgam (silver) or composite (white).

Inlays/Onlays

An inlay or onlay is used where the cavity in the tooth is too large for a routine filling. An inlay fits inside the tooth or an onlay sits on top. The materials used are different to a normal filling because they need to bond to the remaining tooth rather than just fill the hole. The inlay or onlay is custom made in a laboratory to ensure it fits in the tooth and matches the tooth in colour.

Crowns

A crown is a cap that fits over a tooth. It is used to restore teeth that have been broken or weakened by decay. The damaged tooth is filed down so that the crown fits neatly over the top, protecting it from further damage. A crown is recommended where a tooth has become brittle after root canal treatment.

Bridges

As its name would suggest, a bridge quite literally bridges the gap created by missing teeth. A bridge is formed by two crowns on either side of the gap and false teeth (attached to the bridge) then sit in between. The difference between a bridge and denture is that a bridge is cemented into place so that it cannot be removed whereas a denture can be taken in and out.

Root Canal

Root canal treatment is necessary if the nerve and blood vessels in the middle of the root (dental pulp) are inflamed or degenerating due to deep decay.

If the dental pulp degenerates completely the root canal is left empty and can become infected causing an abscess in the bone. The dentist will clean out the canal and seal it to prevent further infection. Usually after a root canal the tooth becomes brittle making it necessary to crown the tooth to protect it from further damage.

We carry out simple to complex cases of root canal treatment at this practice.

Veneers

If teeth are chipped or discoloured a solution may be to have veneers fitted. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth, similar to how a false fingernail fits over a nail. Veneers can improve the appearance of your smile and can also be used to close spaces between front teeth.

Clearstep Braces

A Clearstep Brace is an invisible, wafer thin, plastic brace. It can be removed for eating and is easy to wear. It works to move teeth into their desired position in a series of steps. It is suitable for all ages and can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic problems.

It is important to have straight teeth for more than just cosmetic reasons. Crooked teeth can be difficult to keep clean, leading to potential gum disease and tooth loss.

Visit Clearstep for more details

The Inman Aligner

The Inman Aligner is a plastic spring loaded retainer like device which works by applying gentle pressure to the teeth to move them to the desired position. Results may be seen within a matter of weeks.

As above, having straight teeth is important for dental health as it can be difficult to keep crooked teeth clean, which could lead to gum disease and tooth loss.

Visit Inman Aligner for more details

Teeth Whitening

There are two methods of teeth whitening:

Zoom - plus home whitening kit ? this is the use of a laser to whiten the teeth coupled with plastic teeth moulds for home whitening. The laser treatment is done in a 2 hour appointment and the patient is also fitted with the plastic moulds of the upper and lower teeth. The moulds are then taken home and the patient fills them with whitening gel to continue the process in the comfort of their own home. They can be worn over night or during the day.

Home whitening kit - as above but without the laser treatment. This process takes longer but can have equally successful results in time.

Dentures

A denture is a removable appliance fitted with false teeth. People wear dentures to replace lost or missing teeth. Dentures are made of either acrylic or metal. A full denture is one which replaces all the natural teeth and a partial denture fills in the gaps left by missing teeth.

Implants

An implant is similar to a screw and is inserted directly into the bone under local anaesthetic. The bone grows up naturally around the implant and a crown is then attached to the ?screw? so that it looks and feels like a normal tooth. Dental implants can be the solution for patients who have lost all their teeth and do not want dentures.

We are pleased to be able to offer implants at a very competitive rate.

Anti-Snore Guard (Sleepwell)

The Sleepwell anti-snore guard works to stop people snoring by preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep so that the airways remain open. The guard is custom made to fit your teeth and is produced in a specialist laboratory. It has a soft inner lining and allows side to side movement of the lower jaw. It is also adjustable to maximize effectiveness and comfort.

Visit S4S Dental for more details

Dental Hygiene

If plaque is left to build up around the teeth it can harden into tartar. The tartar can lead to inflammation of the gums which in turn makes the gums recede. Once the gums have receded, tartar can start to spread down the tooth and pus can form. If this condition is not treated the infection can result in bone loss around the tooth and the tooth may eventually fall out.

Seeing the hygienist regularly can help to prevent such problems and may also help to maintain your overall well being as some health problems may be caused or worsened by poor dental health.