General Treatments

Root Canal Therapy

Teeth are held in the jaws by their roots. Front teeth normally have one root, but teeth further back have more. At the core of each tooth is a soft mass of tissue called the pulp. In a healthy tooth, the pulp contains living fibres, cells, nerves and a blood supply, extending into the root(s) through the root canal(s).

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 and 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.

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Root canal therapy involves the following:

  1. First, an X-ray can show the number and shape of the root canals, and also signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Teeth can have a number of roots and some roots are easier to fill than others, because of their shape.
  2. Local anaesthetic will be administered to ensure no discomfort is felt during treatment.
  3. The root canal system will be thoroughly cleaned out to remove all infection and pulp.
  4. The dentist fills the root canal(s). A filling is then placed in the remaining cavity in the top of the tooth. Or, if necessary, a crown can be placed on top of the tooth, supported by a post placed inside the filled root canal.
  5. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
  6. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.

Life Benefits

  • Pulp damage can cause toothache but the pain will usually end very quickly when the root canal is cleaned out.
  • Without a root filling, a tooth with a dead pulp would probably have to be taken out in the end. There is also a possibility of infection spreading beyond the tooth itself.
  • Root-fillings are usually successful and can last many years, but re-treatment is also possible if infection recurs. Occasionally, if inflammation persists at the tip of the root, surgery can be carried out to remove part of the root, clean the area and put in a filling. This is known as an ‘apicectomy’.
  • A proportion of root canal treatments fail despite the clinician’s best efforts. In these circumstances a discussion with your dentist will indicate options for the future.

Emergency Dental Care

If you have chipped or broken a tooth as a result of an accident or injury, it is very important that you see a dentist as soon as possible. The same goes for one or more knocked out teeth. The sooner you are seen by a dental professional the better the chances that the teeth could be re-implanted, depending on the severity of your injury.

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Here are some of the steps an emergency dental appointment will cover:

  1. A thorough examination of the injured area will be undertaken. This may include dental x-rays to determine the extent of the damage.
  2. Depending on the severity of the pain, the area will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
  3. The injured area will be sterilised to reduce the risk of infection.
  4. The damaged teeth will be restored temporarily or permanently, depending on the case.
  5. In severe cases the affected tooth may require extraction and implant treatment will be discussed.

If you require emergency dental treatment, you should ask to see a dentist as soon as possible. At our practice we offer appointments for all dental emergencies from toothache to lost or broken crowns, chipped teeth and fillings to abscesses, trauma, avulsed teeth and facial swelling. We can take care of your injuries to ensure you heal quicker and more effectively, ensuring that you avoid additional dental problems and complications in the future.

Life Benefits

  • Preservation of remaining tooth structure.
  • Reduced risk of infection.
  • Improved long-term oral health overall.

Jaw Problems

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.

Medically known as bruxism, many people grind and/or clench their teeth without problem. However, a large number suffer severe symptoms, ranging from headaches to painful jaw and neck ache.

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 to refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Recent clinical studies have suggested that traditional splint methods used to treat grinding and clenching can encourage a subconscious bitedown, increasing the force placed on teeth, escalating symptoms.

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Treatment can include the following:

  1. Impressions of your teeth are taken to create a customised plastic appliance that fits over your teeth and is worn at night.
  2. When the device is worn, your teeth are in a position where your facial muscles are relaxed, preventing grinding and taking the pressure off your TMJ.
  3. The device also protects the teeth, preventing them from becoming worn down by grinding.
  4. 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 most important thing to do is to see your dentist as soon as possible so that your problem does not become worse over time and require more drastic measures to correct.

Life Benefits

  • Alleviated facial and TMJ pain, including a reduction in headaches
  • Prevention of extensive tooth wear
  • Enhanced quality of sleep

Tooth Removal

In cases of advanced gum disease and tooth decay, teeth may need to be extracted.

Wisdom teeth sometimes have to be extracted if they have come through at an awkward angle and are causing problems (such as decay in adjacent teeth or, being difficult to clean, and causing infections).

Teeth are sometimes taken out from children’s mouths to help other teeth which are crowded to grow straight, (usually on the advice of an orthodontist).

One area in which it is possible for dentists to specialise is oral surgery, an umbrella term for all dental procedures involving surgery, such as the extraction of teeth or wisdom teeth. It is always important to get the advice of a dental professional if you are worried about any of your teeth. Never attempt to pull out your own tooth at home as this could cause a more serious problem for you.

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Tooth extractions typically involve the following:

  1. Before the procedure you may require an x-ray of your teeth.
  2. Depending on your particular case and the severity of your problem, you may be given a local anaesthetic and offered sedation if you are anxious. XLA's are always done under LA and if a patient is anxious we offer IV sedation.
  3. Dentists have the right equipment and sterile environment to extract teeth with the utmost care and your recovery can be surprisingly quick.
  4. In the case of wisdom tooth extractions, you may have some swelling after the procedure and discomfort that can be eased with over-the-counter painkillers. In cases of advanced gum disease or periodontitis, antibiotics will be prescribed to reduce the risk of further infection.

After treatment, your dentist will give you advice on:

  1. How to look after the space where the tooth was while it is healing
  2. Which painkillers are suitable to use so you are not in any discomfort when the anaesthetic wears off
  3. How to contact the practice if there are any problems.

Life Benefits

  • Safe procedure
  • Quick recovery and healing time with reduced infection risk
  • Sustained good oral health