Restorative Dental Treatments

Composite bonding is a technique used to improve the appearance of your teeth. The term composite bonding refers to any composite material, either a plastic or resin, which is bonded to an existing tooth. Bonding is ideal for fixing chipped or cracked teeth, hiding discolouration on the tooth's surface, or reducing the gaps in between teeth. Whatever the specific intent, composite bonding creates more aesthetically pleasing teeth and a more vibrant smile. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little if any of the original tooth.

Every situation is different and in discussion with you, your dentist will be able to advise you which type of filling best meets your needs. White fillings are a relatively new addition to dentistry and are made of materials including; glass ionomer, composite and compomer. Like amalgam they are placed into the tooth in a soft form but harden either chemically or by activation using a blue light.

Whichever type of filling you have your dentists will usually make the area around the tooth numb, although some small fillings many not require an anaesthetic. Any decay will then be removed along with damaged tooth and old filling material. The hole (or cavity) is then shaped depending on the type of filling material to be used. If the hole is deep then the dentist may place a lining material before putting the filling in.

Root canal treatment (RCT) or also known as a root canal filling is a filling which is placed into the root canal(s) of a tooth to seal it and prevent further infection.

It involves the cleaning and removal of infection from the root canal(s) of a tooth and is required when the pulp of the tooth has become infected through decay or injury.

The aim of root treatment is to remove the infected pulp from the tooth and seal the root canal. This is achieved by cleaning, filing and irrigation using an antibacterial agent inside the root canal. The process is time-consuming and skilled procedure which may involve several visits to the practice and placement of a temporary filling while the tooth is allowed to settle after draining any abscess.

If it is not carried out then the infection may spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.

Even after root filling some teeth with the greatest care & attention the procedure may not be successful. Root fillings are a maximum of 92% successful, this is dependant on many complex factors such as level of infection, type of infection, periodontal condition and tooth/root canal morphology.

When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals, acrylic resin, or an amalgam (a mix) of these materials. Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance, although they tend to be less durable than other materials. Crowns can whiten, eshape, and realign existing teeth, adding to a healthy and vibrant smile.

A bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has fallen out or been removed. A typical bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding crowns (abutments). Once complete, this bridge structure is bonded into the mouth. Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause multiple teeth to shift, lead to occlusion (biting) and/or jaw problems, and may spur periodontal disease. Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

Dentures are available in two main forms:

• Full dentures which replace all your natural teeth once they have been lost.
• Partial dentures which replace missing teeth, where one or more of your natural teeth remain.

Everyone with missing teeth may not be suitable to have dentures. This is a clinical decision and is based on the dentists assessment of your mouth. Each case is different and the dentist will be happy to discuss this option or other possible options with you.

All the clinical stages and decisions are made by the dentist who writes a prescription which is sent to the dental laboratory along with an impression of your mouth. From these the dentures are constructed by skilled technicians.

If you have never had a denture before it may feel quite strange for the first week or so while you adjust to having teeth in a position where previously there was a gap. Some dentures cover most of all of the roof of your mouth which may alter taste sensation as there are a few small taste buds on the roof of your mouth. This is perfectly normal and should not alter taste sensation too much as most taste perception occurs on the tongue.