Foods that contain sugars and starches trigger the build up of acids within the bacteria of plaque which then go onto attack tooth enamel. After constant attack, the tooth enamel eventually breaks down to form a hole or a cavity.
Birch Dental Practice will detect where tooth enamel is at its weakest and provide a high quality filling to seal each cavity from further damage, making it stronger.
Birch Dental Practice uses as a local anaesthetic to numb the surrounding gum to provide a pain free procedure that will allow us to apply the filling. As the anaesthetic wears off, patients may experience a tingly sensation in the area as the feeling returns. It is advisable to avoid drinking and chewing a few hours after treatment.
Made up of two or more crowns, dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are supported or anchored by natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap to maintain a firm grip once in place.
Following the placement of a bridge, there can be soreness from the gum or slight sensitivity to hot or cold food & drinks which will only last a few days. Initially, the position of the new teeth may feel unnatural, regular chewing will gradually reposition the teeth in line with the natural bite of the entire row.
An artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a tooth, a crown (also known as a cap) makes the tooth stronger and take the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is the ideal way to repair teeth that have been broken or been weakened by decay.
A crown can be used for a number of reasons which include:
- Discoloured fillings
- Protect a root filling
- Hold a bridge or denture firmly in place
Crowns can be made of different material and bonded in many different ways. The 4 most popular materials include:
Crowns are made entirely out of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns but can look natural and hence most often used for front teeth.
A modern technique that offers a metal free (precious metals) alternative. Ceramics can give the same strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown and can therefore be used in all areas of the mouth
A crown that looks very natural and can be used anywhere in the mouth.
Gold, silver and platinum being one of the oldest filling materials, it is today used with other metal alloys to increase its strength making it very hard-wearing.
Birch Dental Practice has the restorative skills to use any material to bring that smile back. Contact us for further information on how we can help you.
A thin layer of porcelain, a veneer is made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Sometimes a natural colour composite material is used instead of porcelain.
Whether a chipped tooth or to improve the colour of your teeth, Birch Dental Practice can offer the best solutions to perfect your smile. With a chipped tooth or small gaps between teeth, a veneer can make teeth look whole again by applying a thicker layer to the missing section.
Removing the outer layer of the enamel, a special adhesive is applied to the tooth to bond the veneer with a more natural look. This can be done to give teeth the appearance of a natural and healthy shine.
Perfecting your smile, if one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.
Ask Birch Dental Practice and how we can bring back your smile.
Inlays and Onlays
Taking dental impressions of the tooth, an inlay is a filling usually consisting of gold or porcelain which is fitted and then cemented to the cavity of the tooth that has decayed.
An onlay is essentially the same as an inlay except that it replaces the tooth cusp in its entirety. This is done by covering the area with a crown where the cusp was originally. The crown covers the whole surface of where the the tooth is situated.
If a tooth is decayed or damaged beyond repair, the best form of treatment is to extract it from the existing eco-system within the mouth.
Tooth extraction can be considered an invasive form of treatment, and Birch Dental Practice want their patients experience to remain a relaxed one. Should our patients feel anxious, we have many forms of sedatives to alleviate both discomfort and anxiety.
Following the removal of a tooth, it is normal for the site to be sore for a few days. This discomfort can be relieved by over-the-counter medication such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
In some cases, where infections have spread and causing further tooth decay, a more intensive procedure is required called a Root Canal. Birch Dental Practice has the expertise to make the procedure seamless and non-invasive as possible.
During the procedure, the nerve and the pulp are removed allowing access to clean and seal the inside of the tooth.
For the first few days, the tooth may feel sensitive due to the natural soft tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This can be controlled and managed with over-the-counter pain medication such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
Birch Dental will always provide the best advice to maintain the health integratory of the tooth and how to avoid re-contamination.
Dentures, also known as false teeth. These are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth; they are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures and partial dentures are also removable.
Maintenance of any kind of denture is relative to increasing the longevity of the denture itself. The general rule of thumb is to brush, soak, and brush again. Always clean your denture over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop it. Brush your denture before soaking them, to help remove any bits of food. Using an effervescent (fizzy) denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling
If you notice a build-up of stains or scale, contact Birch Dental Practice and we will provide your dentures with a deep clean, bringing back your smile.