General dental treatments / what do these treatments involve?
This section of the website is intended to give you an idea of what will happen at a typical appointment for each of the following types of treatment :
During a regular check up appointment your dentist will assess the overall health of your mouth, this may include taking x-rays.
Your dentist will record any existing restorations, your current oral hygiene levels, the health of your gums and the health of your soft tissues (tongue, cheeks, palate etc).
Any questions or concerns you may have will be discussed on this appointment.
If your dentist finds any areas which require further treatment, a full explanation, treatment options and a printed estimate will be provided.
Despite regular brushing most adults gradually develop build up tartar on their teeth especially behind the lower front teeth. This is a hard substance which harbours bacteria and can cause gum disease if allowed to reach significant levels. It can also produce bleeding gums, bad breath and sensitivity. For these reasons your dentist will remove it using an ultra sonic scaler. This instrument gently and efficiently removes the tartar. At Ribble Dental we use branded EMS scaling tips which provide the most comfortable scaling experience.
A polish is used after your thorough clean to remove slight staining and gently brighten your teeth.
White fillings are called composite fillings as they are a combination of a resin and minute particles of glass. They can be used to replace existing silver fillings, correct enamel defects or replace decay especially if the cavity is of a small to medium size.
White fillings are mainly used for cosmetic reasons as they look just like natural teeth.
What is the procedure when having a white filling?
-
A local anaesthetic is normally given to ensure that the procedure is comfortable
-
The decay, defect or previous restoration is removed and your tooth is shaped to receive the new filling.
-
A shade guide is used so the dentist can match the filling to the colour of your natural teeth.
-
Your tooth is then prepared using an etching gel; this is left for 15-30seconds, rinsed away and your tooth dried thoroughly.
-
A liquid bonding agent is then placed on the tooth and set using a special light for approximately 20seconds.
-
A layer of composite material is placed within the tooth and set using a special light for approximately 20seconds.
-
This procedure is repeated until your tooth is fully restored.
-
Your bite and the appearance of the tooth is checked by your dentist and the restoration adjusted if necessary.
These fillings are used for your back teeth as they are easily placed and highly durable. This material contains silver, copper, tin and mercury.
Although silver fillings are accepted by most research to be safe and function well, for improved aesthetics some patients prefer white fillings in back teeth. We can provide white composite fillings as well as composite or porcelain inlays instead of silver fillings in back teeth.
What is the procedure for a silver/ amalgam filling?
-
A local anaesthetic is normally given to ensure that the procedure is comfortable
-
The decay or previous restoration is removed and your tooth is shaped to accommodate the filling material.
-
The filling material is the placed and packed tightly within the tooth.
-
Your bite is then checked and the restoration adjusted if necessary.
How long is it before I can have something to eat after a filling?
A root canal treatment is a very common procedure performed by specialists called endodontists as well as general dental practitioners.
This treatment is recommended when the pulp/nerves within your tooth have become inflamed causing you severe pain or the pulp/ nerves have died and you have developed an abscess. It is usually the only way of saving a tooth with these problems.
What is the procedure for root canal treatment ?
N.B. This treatment has an undeserved reputation for being painful to undergo. This comes from when anaesthetics were much less effective than today and also from America where it is sometimes carried out without anaesthetic.
-
A local anaesthetic is given to ensure that the procedure is comfortable
-
The root canal is accessed by removing any decay or making a small hole in existing restorations where possible.
-
Small files are used by the dentist to remove any infected/ inflamed tissue. The canals are also shaped using this method.
-
The root canal is cleaned using a disinfectant and dried.
-
The root canals are filled and sealed.
-
At the end of this treatment other restorative treatments are used as appropriate such as fillings, inlays or crowns.
At Ribble Dental we believe in preventative treatment and preserving your teeth for as long as reasonably possible. We only remove teeth as a last resort, or if recommended for orthodontic reasons.
An extraction is a permanent procedure. Your tooth is taken out if other restorations are not possible and if it is deemed beneficial for your general health.
A local anaesthetic is placed before your tooth is removed ensuring the procedure is comfortable for you
You will still be able to feel pressure and hear some noises from the tooth perhaps but that is nothing to worry about.
When the tooth has been removed the dentist will check everything is ok and then go through the aftercare sheet with you.
Aftercare following a Tooth Extraction
-
It is usually recommended that you avoid exercise for approximately 24 hours after your extraction.
-
Do not drink alcohol or smoke for at least 24 hours following an extraction as this can affect the healing process and may lead to infections.
-
It is important to avoid hot food and drink before your anaesthetic has worn off, as you may accidentally burn your mouth or bite your cheek while it is numb.
-
You can gently rinse your mouth out approximately 6 hours after your extraction with warm salt water.
-
Try to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where you have had the tooth removed for a few days afterwards
-
It is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort in the affected area for two or three days following extraction. If symptoms worsen after a few days contact your dentist.
-
Over the counter painkillers such as paracetemol should be sufficient to control any pain you are feeling but make sure to avoid aspirin as this can encourage the socket to bleed.
-
If you had stitches following an extraction, you may need to return to your dentist to have them removed. If this is not the case, then a follow-up visit is not usually necessary unless you are experiencing problems.
If excessive bleeding occurs…
-
Avoid lying down
-
Gently wipe away any loose blood clots with a clean tissue/ linen.
-
Use some clean linen or thick gauze and roll it into a firm pad.
-
Place the pad over the bleeding socket and bite down firmly for approximately 10 minutes.
-
Inspect the socket again and replace the pad if the area is still bleeding.
-
If after a couple of hours the socket is still bleeding. Please contact your dentist for advice.
Crowns are usually carried out when a tooth is too damaged or weak to have a filling. Crowns are also used to change the appearance of teeth which are uneven.
Crowns can be made of types of metal, porcelain or a combination of the two. At Ribble Dental we can provide Lava and Procera crowns which give a beautiful natural appearance.
What is the procedure for providing a crown?
-
A local anaesthetic is normally given to ensure the procedure is comfortable
-
The tooth requiring a crown is firstly prepared and shaped to act as an anchor for the crown. This may include adding a post.
-
Various impressions are taken of both the upper and lower teeth. The impressions are then sent to our technicians with detailed instructions with regards to creating a crown to your specific requirements.
-
A high quality temporary crown is placed at the preparation appointment to avoid sensitivity and return the tooth to its previous appearance.
At your second appointment the crown will be fitted as follows…
-
Your temporary crown is removed and any remaining temporary cement is removed
-
The fit and appearance of your new crown is checked by your dentist and yourself prior to cementation.
-
The crown is cemented in place using appropriate highly durable cement. The dentist removes any excess cement and evaluates the crown again to ensure the way you bite together is accurate.
How to care for a new crown?
-
Avoid eating for a couple of hours after the crown preparation or until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
-
A good oral hygiene routine including using dental floss and eating a healthy diet will increase the longevity of your new crown.
-
Crowns are fine to eat with in a normal way but very sticky foodstuffs such as toffees/caramels run a small risk of loosening crowns particularly older ones.
A bridge is used to replace a tooth which is missing.
The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are prepared to allow them to carry the bridge. Bridges can be made of porcelain or metal or a combination of both. At Ribble Dental we can provide LAVA bridgework which looks extremely natural.
What is the procedure for bridgework?
-
The teeth either side of the space are prepared using the same procedure as a crown preparation treatment, this provides a very secure platform for the bridge.
-
A cantilever dental bridge is used in certain circumstances when only one adjacent tooth needs preparing.
-
Various impressions are taken of both the upper and lower teeth. The impressions are then sent to our technicians with detailed instructions with regards to creating a bridge to your specific requirements.
-
Within a dental laboratory a false tooth is attached to the crowns, this tooth fits within the space to look like your natural tooth.
-
A high quality temporary crown is placed at the preparation appointment over each prepared tooth to avoid sensitivity and return the prepared teeth to their previous appearance.
At your second appointment the bridge will be fitted as follows…
-
Your temporary bridge is removed along with any remaining temporary cement.
-
The fit and appearance of your new bridge is checked by your dentist and yourself prior to cementation.
-
The bridge is cemented in place using appropriate highly durable cement. The dentist removes any excess cement and evaluates the bridge again to ensure the way you bite together is accurate.
How do I care for my new bridge?
-
Avoid eating for a couple of hours after the bridge preparation or until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
-
A Bridge can last many years if you take good care of it and maintain a good hygiene regime and a healthy diet.
-
The use of specialist flosses such as ‘super floss’ which is specifically designed for bridges is highly recommended.
-
Whilst modern bridges are extremely strong, the crunching of extremely hard or sticky foodstuffs is best avoided.
Dentures are made when a patient is missing several or all their teeth and wishes to have a full smile. They are able to be taken out for cleaning or at night time and are a good solution in some circumstances. However, poorly made dentures can look artificial due to the shade and extremely uniform appearance of cheap/badly placed teeth.
Here at Ribble dental centre we make high quality dentures with natural looking teeth and gums, personalised tooth positioning which results in improved lip support. This is essential to provide natural and attractive looking dentures with excellent function.
What is the procedure for providing new dentures?
-
It usually takes 5 appointments (one per week) to provide new dentures
-
During these appointments impressions are taken, and extremely accurate models of your teeth and gums are made.
-
Details of your preferred shade of tooth colour, the shape of your teeth or any modifications required are taken into consideration and a prototype denture is created by our technicians.
-
The model is assessed for appearance and fit by your dentist and yourself before it is returned to the laboratory to be finished.
-
The dentist evaluates the fit and appearance of your denture again to ensure the way you bite together is accurate and you are happy with the result.
Caring for your new denture
-
After your denture is fitted it is usual to experience areas which become sore. This is normal and a quick visit to your dentist to adjust any areas which are rubbing will ease this problem.
-
You may use ulcer relief products to ease your symptoms but do not place your denture immediately over the area as this may irritate the gum further. It can take several weeks to become used to a new denture in the same way as with a new pair of shoes. It is important to persevere as the more you wear the new denture the sooner you will become used to it.
-
Initially your speech may be affected this will settle after a couple of weeks.
-
Eating may also feel uncomfortable at first but this will also improve in time.
-
Eat a reasonably soft diet initially to enable you to feel comfortable eating with your new denture and avoid biting into anything too tough.
-
We usually recommend that you clean your denture thoroughly twice a day, and after eating when necessary. This should be done over a bowl of water to avoid it breaking if you accidentally drop it.
-
You can clean your dentures using a denture brush or a medium headed toothbrush and denture cream/toothpaste.
-
Ensure you clean all surfaces of your denture and your gums or any remaining teeth you may have.
-
Most dentists recommend removing your dentures at night to give your mouth a chance to rest. If you remove your dentures, it is important to leave them in water to prevent the possibility of them warping.
-
Some people have sensitive gums and may need a softer lining made for their dentures. If you have one of these special linings, it is important to check with your dentist before using any cleaning products or fixatives as some products can damage the lining.
-
It is important to visit your dentist approximately every year even if you don’t have any of your natural teeth. Your dentist will check any remaining teeth and the soft parts of the mouth, including the tongue and cheeks. These examinations are important, so the dentist can spot any infections, mouth conditions or even oral cancer at the earliest stages.