Services
Regular dental care
Checkups
A check-up allows us to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated could make them more difficult to treat in the future, so it's best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them altogether.
At each check-up, we will
- examine your teeth, gums and mouth
- ask about your general health and any problems you've had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
- ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits
- discuss a date for your next visit
Hygienist sessions
Our Hygienist offer a professional teeth cleaning service, a process called scaling and polishing. During the appointment they will carry out an initial dental hygiene examination and then:
- Scale your teeth to remove any plaque or tartar build-up in those areas brushing cannot reach
- Perform a clean and polish to remove any superficial stains on your teeth
- Offer tailored advice on how to maintain good dental health and demonstrate techniques you can use at home
The hygienist will also provide advice about diet and preventing tooth decay. They can spot signs of gum disease and will refer you to a dentist or periodontist if they see anything that needs further treatment.
General Dentistry
Gum Disease
Symptoms of gum disease include:
- your gums bleeding when you brush your teeth, floss or eat hard foods such as apples
- your gums becoming swollen, red and sore
Gum disease can lead to:
- bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth
- your gums shrinking
- your teeth becoming loose or falling out
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms make an appointment to see us and we will advise of of possible options and treatments.
Bridge Work
A bridge is a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth. It's made by taking an impression of the surrounding teeth, which will eventually support the bridge.
A bridge is usually created from precious metal and porcelain and will be fixed in your mouth (unlike dentures, which can be removed).
Dentures
More commonly known as false teeth, dentures are fitted in place of natural teeth.
A full set is used to replace all your teeth. A partial set is used to replace 1 or more missing teeth.
Dentures are custom-made using impressions (mouldings) from your gums. They're usually made from metal or plastic.
They're removable, and you can clean them by soaking them in a cleaning solution.
Dentures are important if you lose your natural teeth, as losing your teeth makes it difficult to chew your food, which will adversely affect your diet and may cause your facial muscles to sag.
Sometimes all the teeth need to be removed and replaced.
You may therefore need either:
- complete dentures (a full set) – which replace all your upper or lower teeth, or
- partial dentures – which replace just 1 tooth or a few missing teeth
Dentures may help prevent problems with eating and speech. If you need complete dentures, they may also improve the appearance of your smile and give you confidence.
It's also possible that dentures might not give you the result you hope for. We can provide you with the best solution to meet your needs and circumstances.
Fillings
Fillings are used to repair a hole in a tooth caused by decay. The most common type of filling is an amalgam made from a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin and copper.
Your dentist will offer the most appropriate type of filling according to your clinical needs. This includes white fillings, if appropriate.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) Treatment
Bruxism is grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw and can lead to a number of debilitating side effects if left untreated.
We can help you with this condition using the The Sleep Clench Inhibitor (SCi) developed by S4S Dental Laboratory.
Call us today on 01558 824604 to discuss your condition or see the S4S website for more details.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Crowns
A crown is a type of cap that completely covers a real tooth. It's usually made from metal, porcelain fused to metal, or ceramic and is fixed in your mouth.
Crowns can be fitted where a tooth has broken, decayed or been damaged, or just to make a tooth look better.
To fit a crown, the old tooth will need to be drilled down so it's like a small peg the crown will be fixed on to.
It can take some time for the lab to prepare a new crown, so you probably will not have the crown fitted on the same day.
Dental veneers
Veneers are new facings for teeth that disguise a discoloured or chipped tooth.
To fit a veneer, the front of the tooth is drilled away a little.
An impression is taken, and a thin layer of porcelain is fitted over the front of the tooth (similar to how a false fingernail is applied).
Call 01558 824604 today to find out how we can help.
Teeth Whitening
We offer teeth whitening by Boutique
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes. Teeth whitening systems have been shown by independent clinical studies not to cause damage or structural changes to the teeth. Only properly trained dental professionals may perform the in-surgery procedure, which further ensures your safety.
How long will it last?
The results usually last up to two years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke or eat and drink products that can stain your teeth. We suggest that you maintain your new smile by re-applying the gel every two to three months. We sell ‘top-up’ gel for this purpose.
Will I experience side-effects?
Teeth whitening is normally completely painless. A very small number of people may experience a minor dull ache or sensitivity to cold during or after treatment. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing. If any of these side-effects continue, then you should stop using the bleach and consult your dentist. Taking a ‘pain-killer’ such as ibuprofen or paracetamol easily resolves the feeling.
When might teeth whitening not work?
Teeth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. It will not work on any types of ‘false’ teeth such as dentures, crowns and veneers.
Can a single tooth be whitened?
Yes, in some cases it can. Many dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. In this case the canal of the tooth can be re-opened, the whitening product is placed inside the canal and the effects will work from inside out.
How much does it cost?
The cost of whitening will be discussed with you before your treatment starts. You will also be provided with a written treatment plan which details the cost of your treatment. Please refer to our Price Guide for an up to date price list for Teeth Whitening. These prices are subject to change.
How can I pay?
Payment can be made in cash or cheque or by debit or credit card. A supplement of 2% is added to the cost if you choose to pay by credit card.
A monthly 0% interest payment plan is available for treatments costing £400 or more.
Orthodontics / teeth straightening
Orthodontic treatment (usually with braces) is most often used to improve the appearance and alignment of crooked, protruding or crowded teeth, and to correct problems with the bite of the teeth.
The benefits of orthodontics can include:
- correction of dental crowding and straightening of your teeth
- correction of your bite so the front and back teeth meet evenly
- reducing the chance of damage to prominent teeth
Many people have crowded or crooked teeth, or their teeth do not meet correctly when they bite. These problems can mean it's harder to keep your teeth and gums clean and your teeth are more likely to become damaged.
In some cases, abnormal positioning of your teeth and jaw can affect the shape of your face.
We offer teeth alignment using smilelign and can advise on the benefits and costs of this system.