White Fillings
Composite resin fillings are tooth-coloured restorations often used to replace amalgam (silver) fillings. These restorations are bonded to the surrounding tooth material making them suitable for both front and back teeth.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are an essential item for people playing sport and can save your teeth from damage. Professionally fitted mouthguards are prepared in a Dental Laboratory from impressions made by your dentist.
Crown and Bridge
Trauma, decay or root canal treatment may severely weaken a tooth. A crown is often required to save a tooth and to strengthen it. A crown will fit over the existing tooth and replaces the crown ie. the part of the tooth you can see above your gums. Crowns are usually made of either porcelain or porcelain fused to gold and are made to match the colour of your natural teeth. Crowns may also be made of Gold.
Missing teeth can be replaced by using your natural teeth to anchor a bridge with artificial teeth suspended in the gap. When a tooth is lost through trauma or cannot be saved by root canal treatment, a bridge is one of the possible solutions as are permanent implants.
Grinding or Clenching Teeth
Grinding of your teeth can lead to wear and may even cause permanent damage to your teeth. This often occurs at night when you have no conscious control over the grinding. Treatment is aimed at either removing the cause of the grinding or to minimise the damage by making a customised splint to protect the teeth.
Root Canal Treatment
The objective of root canal treatment is to save a tooth that has been severely damaged because of decay, disease or injury. It is preferred to save your own tooth, where this is possible, as it will generally be better than an artificial tooth. Your own tooth is likely to be stronger and better for biting and chewing.
It may be necessary to have several visits to the dentist to have the root canals cleaned and the infected pulp to be removed. After each visit the dentist will place a temporary filling. A root treated tooth is at increased risk of fracture and your dentist will usually recommend the protection of an artificial crown.
Dental Implants
A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root that is submerged into the jawbone. When dental work such as a crown, fixed bridge or a full set of dentures is added, one or more missing teeth can be replaced.
A dental implant is fabricated from a very strong, biocompatible material placed in a simple procedure that, generally, is as convenient as a tooth extraction. After an initial healing period, during which the implant is buried in bone and left undisturbed under gum tissue, it is uncovered and connected to a small metal post that secures and supports the artificial tooth.
The implant material is extremely biocompatible. The bone grows to the implant and bonds to it. This makes the implant very strong. The process is called ‘osseointegration’.
