Dental A- Z
A
Air Abrasions
If your teeth are slightly discoloured your dentist may be able to remove stains within the top surface (enamel) of the tooth, with air abrasion. The procedure is a little like ‘scuffing’ the enamel but no long term damage is done as the area re-mineralises very quickly. This is a simple approach and can give a dramatic change.
Amalgam Fillings (also known as “Silver Fillings”)
This is a good long term filling material which will give many years of satisfactory service. The main disadvantage is the silvery grey appearance which darkens with age. Amalgam fillings contain mercury, which some people believe is harmful.
Anti- Snoring Device
Snoring is a common symptom of many overall health disorders. There is now a range of effective anti-snoring devices only available from trained professionals which can help to prevent snoring and the associated discomfort and health problems.
B
Bridges
To replace lost front teeth we can offer all ceramic bridges for an optimal aesthetic result. If a tooth has been lost, crowns can be prepared on either side of the gap and a bridge manufactured by the laboratory. The bridge consists of two crowns with the replacement tooth attached to them and suspended in the gap. This is cemented into the mouth eliminating the need for a plate (denture).
C
Crowns
As modern dentistry is moving away from metal restoration we can also offer a wider range of ceramic crowns. When a tooth is very broken down it is necessary to provide a crown. This involves trimming the tooth down to a cylindrical shape, taking an impression, and asking a laboratory to manufacture a crown, which is subsequently cemented in place with a special adhesive. You could choose to have a gold crown, which is particularly suitable for back teeth which do not show, as gold is hard wearing and very kind to the mouth.
D
Dentures
Dentures have been used to replace teeth since the days of the building of the Pyramids. Well-made dentures will make you look good, allow you to eat almost all foods without embarrassment, and will restore the facial contour around the mouth. It is worth considering dental implants alongside dentures. Very often any movement of a denture can be prevented by simple placement of a couple of implants to “lock” the denture into position. Dentures last for many years, but they and the mouth should be checked once a year. Dentures will need to be replaced after about five years.
De-sensitisation
Your dentist may treat sensitive teeth with special de-sensitising products such as fluoride gels, rinses or varnishes. These can be painted on to the teeth at regular appointments one or two weeks apart, to build up protection. If this still does not help, your dentist may seal or fill around the neck of the tooth, and in very serious cases it may be necessary to root fill the tooth.
Diet
It is very difficult to have complete control of your or your family’s sugar intake, but you can aim to follow a few simple guidelines. For example, eating three healthy meals a day may help to reduce a tendency to snack on sugary foods. It is important to keep consumption of carbonated sweetened drinks to a minimum, and to limit confectionery to mealtimes, or just to one day a week. Try to drink water and to finish meals with cheese rather than puddings.
E
Endodontics (also known as Root Canal Treatment)
Root canal treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply to the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury, which may spread and eventually lead to an abscess. The aim of this treatment is to remove all infection, after which the root is cleaned and filled to prevent further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
Extractions
Teeth sometimes need to be extracted, although this is quite rare these days. Some of the main reasons teeth may need to be extracted are:
To relieve over-crowding
If a tooth is broken and cannot be repaired
If a tooth is so badly decayed it cannot be repaired
If a tooth has an abscess and the patient for whatever reason does not wish to save it
If a tooth has severe gum disease and is very loose
Extractions are normally carried out under local anaesthetic and are usually quick and painless. Occasionally they are more difficult and a small surgical procedure is required to remove the tooth.
F
Fillings
A filling replaces part of a tooth that has been lost or removed because of dental decay. Most people are familiar with traditional metal fillings called amalgam, however, white fillings are much more natural looking and virtually invisible. Many people prefer white fillings rather than metal ones, and some people choose to replace existing fillings with white alternatives.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of back teeth, as a plastic tooth-coloured sealant which can help to prevent decay. The plastic protects the fissures of the tooth where a toothbrush cannot reach. This is a painless procedure which requires conditioning of the tooth surface and then the application of the plastic covering, which is then hardened with a light. The sealant can be checked at each examination and repaired if there are any signs of breakage.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which strengthens the structure of the tooth and helps to fight tooth decay. Tooth decay in children has greatly reduced over the past 20 years due to naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water in many areas of the UK, and the use of fluoride toothpastes. Ask your dentist or hygienist about the amount of fluoride in the water supply of your local area, and whether your child would benefit from additional fluoride supplements.
G
Gum Disease
If gum disease is revealed to be in evidence initially your dentist will give your teeth a thorough clean. You will be shown how to remove plaque yourself, successfully cleaning all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively. Once your teeth are clean, your dentist may decide to carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth to make sure that the last pockets of bacteria are removed. For this procedure you may need the treatment area to be numbed beforehand, and you may feel a degree of discomfort for up to 48 hours afterwards.
H
Home Care
It is important that you understand fully and complete your own dental care regime at home. Principally you should:
Spend three minutes at least once a day cleaning your teeth, removing plaque from the teeth and gums with a toothbrush.
Clean between all the teeth with floss, tape or inter-dental brushes.
Use fluoride toothpaste.
Clean your teeth at other times for social reasons.
Have sugary drinks only with meals and try to avoid carbonated drinks. Substitute sugar in drinks with sweeteners.
Visit the dental team regularly to monitor the effectiveness of your home care.
Home Tooth Whitening
Perhaps the most common tooth-whitening procedure, involves two initial visits with further review appointments as necessary. At the first visit your dentist will take impressions of your upper and/or lower jaws (depending on whether you are having one or both arches of the mouth whitened).
These will be sent to a dental technician to make trays that fit your mouth. At the second visit your dentist will ensure that the tray(s) fit comfortably and demonstrate how to dispense whitening gel into the trays. You will be given a number of the syringes containing whitening gel to take away with you, and your dentist will give full instructions on how to wear the trays and apply the gel. It may be possible to achieve a change in the colour of your teeth by up to eight shades with home whitening.
Hygienists
Your hygienist has been specially trained to remove all hard deposits (called calculus and tartar) from your teeth. This is achieved with the use of instruments called scalers, after which teeth are polished to a very smooth and shiny finish. Sometimes your hygienist may need to anaesthetise an area of your mouth when carrying out root planning. Occasionally you may need special drugs and mouthwashes to help to reduce infection and these will be prescribed where required.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis can be very helpful for very nervous and anxious patients. Hypnosis is a form of deep relaxation that helps patients overcome any anxieties they may have about having dental treatment. It is very safe and there are no side effects. Dentists who use hypnosis will have undergone training to enable them to use the techniques.
I
Implants
Implants have now become the preferred option when replacing lost teeth. They can be used to replace the loss of a single tooth or the loss of a complete set of teeth. Implants are made from metal (Titanium) cylinders, which are placed into prepared sites in the jawbone where they become solidly integrated with the bone. These cylinders (or rods) can then be used to support crowns, bridges and dentures, eliminating the need for conventional dental plates or dentures.
Inlays
Inlays are a type of filling made in a dental laboratory. They can be made of porcelain or composite, both of which are tooth coloured or gold. They are custom-made to fit a specific tooth for a specific patient and involve a minimum of two visits. At the first visit, the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken of the preparation. The laboratory then make the inlay and the dentist fits it for the patient at the next visit.
In-surgery Whitening
In-surgery whitening lightens the teeth using a photosensitive gel painted on to the teeth. The whole process may take as little as just over one hour. For best results your teeth and gums must be healthy and plaque free. Not all dentists currently offer this particular type of treatment. Like home-whitening it may be possible to achieve a change in the colour of your teeth of up to eight shades, however, the main benefit of in-surgery whitening is the speed with which results are achieved.
M
Micro-abrasion
If your teeth are slightly discoloured your dentist may be able to remove stains within the top surface (enamel) of the tooth, with air abrasion. The procedure is a little like ‘scuffing’ the enamel but no long term damage is done as the area re-mineralises very quickly. This is a simple approach and can give a dramatic change.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards should be worn when taking part in most sports, but especially perhaps rugby, hockey and horse riding, as the best insurance against accidentally broken teeth. They are custom made for each individual, and fitted by the dentist. Bring your mouthguard to each examination so that its effectiveness can be checked.
N
Night Bite Guides
A great many people grind their teeth in their sleep. This is often worse when someone feels tense or stressed. Often tooth-grinding causes no particular problems for the patient; however, it can contribute to aching jaw joints and headaches. If severe it can also cause teeth to become very worn down and even to break. A night bite guard is an appliance that is worn at night and just props the teeth open slightly. This has two main benefits – firstly it prevents the patient from grinding their teeth and can help alleviate symptoms, and secondly it can help to break or reduce the grinding habit.
O
Onlays
An onlay is similar to an inlay except that it covers the whole of the biting surface of the tooth in addition to filling any holes in the tooth.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is all to do with cleaning your teeth. It is concerned with finding the best way for a patient to clean their teeth and gums and instructing the patient in how to use things like electric and manual toothbrushes, floss and inter-dental cleaning brushes. It can also be concerned with the use of mouthwash.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is a term used to encompass a range of minor surgical procedures that can sometimes be necessary, such as removal of buried teeth or retained roots following an extraction, removal of wisdom teeth, removal of cysts in the mouth and apicectomies.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the art and science of straightening teeth in children and adults. Dentists who carry out this work are usually specially trained, and many of them treat only patients needing orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can help to improve the appearance of a smile and aid facial development, leading to an improved contour and profile of the face. It can also result in better, more efficient chewing when the upper and lower jaws are re-aligned.
P
Periodontal Examination
A periodontal examination is an examination of the gums and should form an integral part of all ‘check-up’ appointments. The gums are examined using a ball-ended periodontal probe that is gently inserted just under the gum margin. Only very gentle pressure is used and the procedure is generally no more than slightly uncomfortable at worst. Where gums are healthy there should be no discomfort at all. Where gums are very inflamed or infected, there will be more discomfort.
Periodontal Treatments
Periodontal treatments are designed to treat gum (periodontal disease). They are very common treatments because the majority of adults suffer from some form of gum disease ranging from very mild through to severe. Periodontal treatments include scaling the teeth to remove tartar and plaque, deeper scaling of the root surfaces (called root planing), surgical procedures to lift back the gums to allow the dentist to clean out deep gum pockets, grafting of gum tissue.
Power Tooth Whitening
In-surgery whitening lightens the teeth using a photosensitive gel painted on to the teeth. The whole process may take as little as just over one hour. For best results your teeth and gums must be healthy and plaque free. Not all dentists currently offer this particular type of treatment. Like home-whitening it may be possible to achieve a change in the colour of your teeth of up to eight shades, however, the main benefit of in-surgery whitening is the speed with which results are achieved.
Preventive Treatments
Most dental disease falls into one of two categories, gum disease and tooth decay, both of which are caused by dental plaque. Gum disease and tooth decay are both preventable and preventive treatments and advice are geared to the best way of doing this. Preventive treatments and advice include:
Advice on the best and most effective way to clean the teeth and gums
Advice on how to reduce tooth decay through diet
Sealing teeth as they come through to prevent decay
The importance of using a fluoride toothpaste in the fight against decay
The consumption of fizzy or acidic drinks
R
Root Canal Treatments
Root canal treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply to the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury, which may spread and eventually lead to an abscess. The aim of this treatment is to remove all infection, after which the root is cleaned and filled to prevent further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
Root Planing
This is special cleaning of the root surface of the tooth when gum disease has become advanced.
S
Scale and Polish
Scaling and polishing are treatments to remove tartar (the hard deposits that stick to teeth) and plaque (the soft deposits that constantly form on teeth). The treatment is either carried out by a dentist or a hygienist.
Sedation
Sedation involves the use of a drug to reduce awareness of what is happening. There are three main types: intra-venous, inhalation and oral. Intra-venous sedation involves giving an intra-venous injection of a drug that makes the patient very relaxed and induces amnesia. It can only be administered by a suitably trained dentist or doctor. Inhalation sedation involves the patient inhaling a mixture of ‘gas and air’.
Oral sedation involves taking a sedative tablet such as diazepam or temazepam. All patients who have either intra-venous or inhalation sedation must not drive afterwards and must be accompanied by an adult who can escort them home afterwards.
T
Tooth Whitening
In-surgery whitening lightens the teeth using a photosensitive gel painted on to the teeth. The whole process may take as little as just over one hour. For best results your teeth and gums must be healthy and plaque free. Not all dentists currently offer this particular type of treatment. Like home-whitening it may be possible to achieve a change in the colour of your teeth of up to eight shades, however, the main benefit of in-surgery whitening is the speed with which results are achieved.
Tooth Coloured Fillings
Made from a material known as composite resin, the benefit of white fillings over amalgam is that they can be matched to the tooth colour and bonded to the tooth structure, making the tooth almost as strong as it was before the decay. It is best suited to smaller holes (cavities).
V
Veneers
If a stain is very deep within the tooth then porcelain veneers can be considered. Veneers are thin coverings of laboratory-made porcelain which are bonded to the tooth with a special resin. They behave much like a false fingernail which covers the front surface of the tooth. Because they have a glazed surface they feel very smooth and also tend to resist staining. Veneers are often chosen by celebrities to perfect their smile.
W
White Fillings
Made from a material known as composite resin, the benefit of white fillings over amalgam is that they can be matched to the tooth colour and bonded to the tooth structure, making the tooth almost as strong as it was before the decay. It is best suited to smaller holes (cavities).
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are third molars that usually appear between the ages of 18 and 20 (although they may appear when older, or fail to appear at all). They are called “wisdom teeth” because they appear so late — much later than the other teeth, at an age where people are supposedly wiser than as a child, when the other teeth erupt. Often they need to be removed when they impact against other teeth — colloquially known as “coming in sideways.”
X
X-Ray
Used in medicine as a diagnostic aid, a means of examining internal parts of the body, eg to identify damage to bones. An x-ray can provide details of the structure of many organs.
