PERIODONTICS (Gum Treatment)

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth.

Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Bacteria found in plaque produce toxins or poisons, which irritate the gums. They may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily.

If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. Plaque can also harden into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar). This can form on the supporting gum tissue and bone both above and below the gum line. If left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss.

Early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease is vital to prevent tooth loss. All periodontal techniques are founded on the basis of excellent and ongoing prevention if they are to be successful.

The management of periodontal problems, which are often both genetically and environmentally determined is critical if damage is to be minimised through life and teeth are to be retained long-term.

ENDODONTICS (Root Canal Treatment)

Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or dies. With effective local anaesthetic, root canal treatment is a painless procedure. It is a very important procedure as it preserves the tooth saving it from extraction.

Root canal treatment can often be done in one session, or you may need to have treatment over more than one session. How long your treatment takes will depend on how severe your dental problem is and the type of tooth in question. If your affected tooth is a molar with two or three root canals, the treatment may be more difficult and involve more sessions.

Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.

As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root canal treatment.

Crown & Bridgework

Missing teeth impact on your ability to chew and often alter the way you look, giving your cheeks a sunken appearance. Our dentists will do their utmost to prevent you losing a tooth, and will explain your options and tailor the best treatment plan for you.

Sometimes a tooth can no longer be filled, so a crown is required, or it has to be removed (and a bridge or implant is fitted).

Crowns

Crowns become necessary when there is insufficient tooth structure to support a filling. Teeth that are severely broken down from decay or fracture can be fully restored to proper appearance and function with a crown restoration.

Crowns have traditionally been fabricated using porcelain bonded to metal. This can lead to a dark line appearing over time at the gum level around the crown. To avoid this, all ceramic restorations with no metal can be used. We generally use this type of crown when aesthetics are important (for example at the front of the mouth or where teeth are visible when you smile)

Bridgework

They are an ideal alternative to partial dentures and offer a permanent solution.

Bridges can be made of porcelain bonded to precious metal however the newer materials are now much more popular. There is also an alternative ‘adhesive’ bridge that is less intrusive but can only be used in certain situations.

We will be happy to advise you further during your examination

Dentures

At High Street Dental Care we offer the options of partial and full dentures.

Our range of denture services includes:

Acrylic dentures
Cobalt chrome partial denture
Full dentures
Implant retained dentures

Smile Makeovers

Smile makeovers use porcelain veneers to rejuvenate a smile. Porcelain veneers are a strong and natural looking way to change the shape, colour and alignment of the teeth.

Veneers can be described like false fingernails and are thin pieces of porcelain which are bonded to the front surface of your own teeth.

Porcelain veneers can be used to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, to close gaps between teeth, or to address the problems of short or small teeth.

Veneers can also be used to provide more support for the upper lip and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the mouth area. In that case veneers are made slightly thicker at the gum level on the upper teeth.

The use of Porcelain Veneers is usually minimally invasive to the natural tooth and provided a good oral hygiene routine is followed after your smile makeover they are a long-term solution to a number of problems.