Services

Restorative Services

Many patients we see require no more than a check, scale and clean, and fluoride treatment every 6 months.

If it’s been awhile since you last saw a dentist, if you have been nervous about showing your face at a dentist, or are particularly unhappy with your ability to smile, chew or speak – take heart!

Dental technology has been developing in leaps and bounds. Dental treatment does not have the same discomfort it has been associated with in the bad ol’ days. We now have solutions for many dental problems which we could not resolve.

If you require extensive work, we will recommend a two-visit consultation to enable us to know you and your needs better, and to allow you plenty of time to ask questions.

The following are some of the treatments we can offer to address your needs.

Fillings

We think you know what these are.

A cavity left by tooth decay needs to have the decay (soft mush) removed and the hole plugged up.

Most of the fillings we place are tooth-coloured but we’ll ask you first if it’s anything else.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays are fillings which are constructed out of the mouth and cemented (glued) in place. Traditionally made of gold, they are now constructed out of other materials such as porcelain, ceramic and composite resins. Whilst they won’t cinch you that beauty pageant title you’ve always craved, they are a beautiful and precisely-fitting restoration.

Onlays are constructed in the same manner as inlays, but extend over the cusps of teeth. They may be a more conservative restoration than crowns in certain situations.

Whilst more costly than conventional fillings, inlays and onlays are very durable restorations. However, more than one visit is required.

Crowns

Teeth are made of pretty tough stuff.

Just as life often throws the odd curveball at you, the same sort of thing happens with teeth too.

Crowns are custom-made caps to fit over your existing tooth. They can be made of:

  • porcelain
  • combination of porcelain and metal (gold or other alloy)
  • or metal (gold or other alloy)

Crowns can:

  • protect a weak tooth that’s breaking
  • fix a tooth that’s already broken

Teeth have to put up with a lot. Sometimes it’s necessary to reinforce a tooth if it’s been dealt with:

  • extensive decay
  • extensive previous restorative treatment
  • trauma
  • extreme wear
  • cracking or fracturing
  • previous root canal treatment

Or sometimes you just want the tooth to look like the way it should. Crowns can help to restore a tooth to its normal shape and size.

Bridges

We often get asked if a manual or electric toothbrush is better.

If used with a proper brushing technique, both clean teeth well.

An electric toothbrush is particularly useful if your hand just doesn’t work as well as it should e.g. arthritis or other injury. We can make a customised handle for your toothbrush to fit your hand if it’s suitable.

Electric toothbrushes are also easier to use if you are caring for someone and cleaning their teeth for them.

Care needs to be taken with electric toothbrushes – brushing should be done gently as damage can be done to the gums exposing roots, which can lead to tooth sensitivity.

Depending on how your dentist sees you are going with your cleaning, they may recommend one or the other.

Dentures

Options for replacing missing teeth have come a long way.

We often see how frustrating loose dentures can be. It can be difficult to chew. The dentures may be causing you pain.

If you have a denture which you find is not working as well as it did, we can discuss options with you and find something which will suit your needs.

Implant supported crowns and bridges

Perhaps you’ve been missing teeth for a while, or you’re just about to have a tooth taken out. You may be self-conscious and want something to fill the gap.

Perhaps you’ve had uncomfortable dentures, or don’t like the idea of something which you can remove. Perhaps you want something fixed, but you don’t want to have good tooth structure cut down to accommodate a bridge.

Dental implants may be a solution.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots (made of titanium) which are inserted in the jawbone. Crowns and bridges may be attached to them to mimic your natural teeth.

Make an appointment with us, and we can discuss what you would like to replace your missing teeth.