FACT: EARLY DISCOVERY OF ANY DENTAL PROBLEM IS HTE KEY TO QUICKER, EASIER AND COST EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION.
During a dental examination, the teeth, gums and soft tissues are checked for any abnormalities.
We might want some xrays to check areas we cant see clearly in the mouth, such as, in between teeth and underneath fillings.
“Skye Dental, we care about your Smile……….”
Teeth cleaning involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gum disease and bad breath. We emphasize the importance of routinely cleaning one’s teeth by brushing and flossing. Our dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning. Oral hygiene is something that can and should be taken care of by both you and your Dental Professional.
It is often difficult, even with regular brushing and flossing, to clean all the plaque build up on your teeth which hardens into tartar over time. Even conscientious brushers have areas that are difficult to clean and are regularly missed. Plaque and tartar build up can lead to gum disease and eventually tooth loss. That is why it is important to have a regular full mouth cleaning at least once per year and more often as our Dental Hygienist will advise you.
What are fissure sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
Which teeth should be sealed?
Sealants are only applied to the back teeth – the molars and premolars. These are the teeth that have pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. The pits and fissures harbor bacteria that cause decay and are too deep and narrow for even one tooth brush fibre to reach. Its best to seal these teeth as soon as they grow into the mouth, usually from around six years old.
What is involved?
The process is usually quick and straightforward taking only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining a bright light onto it. (see diagrams)
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. The dentist first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).
Which Type of Filling is Best?
No one type of filling is best for everyone. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. Considerations for different materials include:
- Gold fillings are made to order in a laboratory and then cemented into place. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues, and may last more than 20 years. For these reasons, many professionals consider gold the best filling material, although a little more costly and requiring multiple dental visits.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
- Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip /wear over time or become stained. They do not last as long as other types of fillings ; generally from three to 10 years.
- Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to gold.
Bridges
A dental bridge is used to fill the space where a tooth is missing. A typical dental bridge consists of a pontic (a false tooth or teeth) that is attached to crowns on either side and permanently bonded in place.
Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause surrounding teeth to shift, twist or tip leading to chewing and/or jaw alignment problems. The poor position of these teeth may cause cleaning problems and lead to gum disease. Dental bridges safeguard the position of the existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant and functional smile.
Dental veneers (also referred to as porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth coloured materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their colour, shape, size or length resulting in an improved appearance. Dental veneers can achieve results similar to crowns but the preparation of the tooth to accommodate the veneer is much less than that of a crown preparation. This means it is a much less invasive solution if you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Dental veneers are not as strong as crowns and are not suitable for everyone.
Porcelain dental veneers are made in the laboratory and require a second ‘fitting’ appointment. Less expensive alternatives are resin composite veneers. Composite veneers are applied by your Dentist in a single visit and consist of the same tooth coloured material used for fillings. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than composite veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.
“Discuss the options with your Dentist and they will advise you on the method which will best suit your individual needs”
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Different types of dentures are available: complete and partial, plastic and metal framed.
Dentures are a quick and cost effective way of replacing teeth.
What is 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. You may not feel any pain in the early stages of the infection. In some cases, your tooth could darken in colour, which may mean that the nerve of the tooth has died (or is dying). This would need root canal treatment.
Why is root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. An abscess is an inflamed area in which pus collects and can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of an abscess can range from a dull ache to severe pain and the tooth may be tender when you bite. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Does it hurt?
No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done. There may be some tenderness afterwards but this should gradually get less over time.
What does it involve?
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any 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.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed, and any abscesses can be drained. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
Wisdom teeth are the last of your adult teeth to grow into the mouth. If they do so in the correct position they usually cause no problem. However, lack of space often causes these teeth to grow in sideways, only partially grow out of the gum or even remain completely submerged.
These problems can result in infections under the overlaying gum, decay and problems disrupting the course of your orthodontic treatment (braces). When these issues are identified, early removal is recommended.
Removal of your wisdom teeth is possible under both general and local anesthetics. Your dentist will discuss and advise the most appropriate method.
The surgical removal of wisdom teeth, is performed in our practice.
Other surgical procedures include surgical endodontic treatment. Surgery can also be performed in an attempt to stabilise gum disease that has failed to respond to the initial less invasive procedures.
People lose teeth all the time, either through trauma (when teeth are knocked out) or due to decay, gum disease or old age. Whatever the reason for losing your teeth, they need to be replaced, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. Dental implants are now becoming a more popular treatment option to replace missing teeth, as they provide a longer-term solution, slow down bone loss and preserve nearby healthy tooth tissue.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It is made of a specially coated titanium that a dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or teeth bridge. Simple placement requires that enough depth and thickness of bone remains after the extraction area has healed. Our specialist will advise you if this is the case.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework. Since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, there is no need to trim down or touch any of the teeth nearby.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Do you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth? Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure? Perhaps you have difficulty chewing……….
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile again, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!
Here at Skye Dental we have a consultant implants specialist. Call now to book your consultation.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of Dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a “bad bite.” This condition, known as a malocclusion, involves teeth that are crowded or crooked. In some cases, the upper and lower jaws may not meet properly and although the teeth may appear straight, the individual may have an uneven bite.
Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more important, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. That’s because crooked and crowded teeth make cleaning the mouth difficult, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and possibly tooth loss.
Orthodontic irregularities are generally treated with braces. The best results are achieved with children when their teeth are still growing, but orthodontic treatment has also grown popular among many adults.
Here at Skye Dental, we have a Specialist Orthodontist (UK), who will assess the teeth that need to be aligned and create either a fixed or removable brace, which can be adjusted during the course of the treatment to achieve the desired effect. The fixed braces, as their name implies, are permanent fixtures and are removed at the end of the treatment period, whereas removable braces can be taken off for eating and cleaning but are generally worn at all other times.
We have three basic types of braces available, namely:
Here at Skye Dental we offer different tooth whitening procedures, this allows us to meet all our patients needs.
It is highly recommended that prior to any bleaching a consultation and a full mouth scale & polish is carried out – please book an appointment with our Dental Hygienist for this. Bleaching is not suitable for everyone, your mouth will be assessed and you will be told if you are a good candidate. You will be able to discuss which procedure is most suitable for you during this appointment.
Tooth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide which gently penetrates the surface layer of the tooth ‘bleaching’ out any discolouration. However, temperature sensitivity is a common side effect lasting 24-48 hours after bleaching. This can be minimised by using de-sensitising toothpaste – you can try Colgate Sensitive/Sensodyne F or Gel for a few days prior to and after bleaching. NOT rinsing with water after brushing will enhance the desensitising effect.
- CONSULTATION
-
FACT: EARLY DISCOVERY OF ANY DENTAL PROBLEM IS HTE KEY TO QUICKER, EASIER AND COST EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION.
During a dental examination, the teeth, gums and soft tissues are checked for any abnormalities.
We might want some xrays to check areas we cant see clearly in the mouth, such as, in between teeth and underneath fillings.
“Skye Dental, we care about your Smile……….”
- TEETH CLEANING
-
Teeth cleaning involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gum disease and bad breath. We emphasize the importance of routinely cleaning one’s teeth by brushing and flossing. Our dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning. Oral hygiene is something that can and should be taken care of by both you and your Dental Professional.
It is often difficult, even with regular brushing and flossing, to clean all the plaque build up on your teeth which hardens into tartar over time. Even conscientious brushers have areas that are difficult to clean and are regularly missed. Plaque and tartar build up can lead to gum disease and eventually tooth loss. That is why it is important to have a regular full mouth cleaning at least once per year and more often as our Dental Hygienist will advise you.
- FISSURE SEALANTS
-
What are fissure sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
Which teeth should be sealed?
Sealants are only applied to the back teeth – the molars and premolars. These are the teeth that have pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. The pits and fissures harbor bacteria that cause decay and are too deep and narrow for even one tooth brush fibre to reach. Its best to seal these teeth as soon as they grow into the mouth, usually from around six years old.
What is involved?
The process is usually quick and straightforward taking only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining a bright light onto it. (see diagrams)
- FILLINGS
-
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. The dentist first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).
Which Type of Filling is Best?
No one type of filling is best for everyone. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. Considerations for different materials include:- Gold fillings are made to order in a laboratory and then cemented into place. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues, and may last more than 20 years. For these reasons, many professionals consider gold the best filling material, although a little more costly and requiring multiple dental visits.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
- Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip /wear over time or become stained. They do not last as long as other types of fillings ; generally from three to 10 years.
- Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to gold.
- CROWNS AND BRIDGES
-
Bridges
A dental bridge is used to fill the space where a tooth is missing. A typical dental bridge consists of a pontic (a false tooth or teeth) that is attached to crowns on either side and permanently bonded in place.
Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause surrounding teeth to shift, twist or tip leading to chewing and/or jaw alignment problems. The poor position of these teeth may cause cleaning problems and lead to gum disease. Dental bridges safeguard the position of the existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant and functional smile.
CrownsWhen a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a dental crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A dental crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Permanent crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals.Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance, although they tend to be less durable than other materials. For your incisors, canines and premolars white crowns are the best choice. However, when crowning back molar teeth the material of choice is gold. It is strong and it has a similar wear resistance to your own enamel. Compared to a metal/ceramic (white) crown it requires less preparation of the existing tooth to fit a gold crown. - VENEERS
-
Dental veneers (also referred to as porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth coloured materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their colour, shape, size or length resulting in an improved appearance. Dental veneers can achieve results similar to crowns but the preparation of the tooth to accommodate the veneer is much less than that of a crown preparation. This means it is a much less invasive solution if you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Dental veneers are not as strong as crowns and are not suitable for everyone.
Porcelain dental veneers are made in the laboratory and require a second ‘fitting’ appointment. Less expensive alternatives are resin composite veneers. Composite veneers are applied by your Dentist in a single visit and consist of the same tooth coloured material used for fillings. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than composite veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.
“Discuss the options with your Dentist and they will advise you on the method which will best suit your individual needs”
- DENTURES
-
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Different types of dentures are available: complete and partial, plastic and metal framed.
Dentures are a quick and cost effective way of replacing teeth.
- ROOT CANAL TREATMENTS
-
What is 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. You may not feel any pain in the early stages of the infection. In some cases, your tooth could darken in colour, which may mean that the nerve of the tooth has died (or is dying). This would need root canal treatment.
Why is root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. An abscess is an inflamed area in which pus collects and can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of an abscess can range from a dull ache to severe pain and the tooth may be tender when you bite. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Does it hurt?
No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done. There may be some tenderness afterwards but this should gradually get less over time.
What does it involve?
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any 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.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed, and any abscesses can be drained. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
- ORAL SURGERY
-
Wisdom teeth are the last of your adult teeth to grow into the mouth. If they do so in the correct position they usually cause no problem. However, lack of space often causes these teeth to grow in sideways, only partially grow out of the gum or even remain completely submerged.
These problems can result in infections under the overlaying gum, decay and problems disrupting the course of your orthodontic treatment (braces). When these issues are identified, early removal is recommended.
Removal of your wisdom teeth is possible under both general and local anesthetics. Your dentist will discuss and advise the most appropriate method.
The surgical removal of wisdom teeth, is performed in our practice.
Other surgical procedures include surgical endodontic treatment. Surgery can also be performed in an attempt to stabilise gum disease that has failed to respond to the initial less invasive procedures.
- DENTAL IMPLANTS
-
People lose teeth all the time, either through trauma (when teeth are knocked out) or due to decay, gum disease or old age. Whatever the reason for losing your teeth, they need to be replaced, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. Dental implants are now becoming a more popular treatment option to replace missing teeth, as they provide a longer-term solution, slow down bone loss and preserve nearby healthy tooth tissue.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It is made of a specially coated titanium that a dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or teeth bridge. Simple placement requires that enough depth and thickness of bone remains after the extraction area has healed. Our specialist will advise you if this is the case.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework. Since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, there is no need to trim down or touch any of the teeth nearby.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Do you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth? Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure? Perhaps you have difficulty chewing……….
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile again, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!
Here at Skye Dental we have a consultant implants specialist. Call now to book your consultation.
- ORTHODONTICS
-
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of Dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a “bad bite.” This condition, known as a malocclusion, involves teeth that are crowded or crooked. In some cases, the upper and lower jaws may not meet properly and although the teeth may appear straight, the individual may have an uneven bite.
Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more important, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. That’s because crooked and crowded teeth make cleaning the mouth difficult, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and possibly tooth loss.
Orthodontic irregularities are generally treated with braces. The best results are achieved with children when their teeth are still growing, but orthodontic treatment has also grown popular among many adults.
Here at Skye Dental, we have a Specialist Orthodontist (UK), who will assess the teeth that need to be aligned and create either a fixed or removable brace, which can be adjusted during the course of the treatment to achieve the desired effect. The fixed braces, as their name implies, are permanent fixtures and are removed at the end of the treatment period, whereas removable braces can be taken off for eating and cleaning but are generally worn at all other times.
We have three basic types of braces available, namely:
- TOOTH WHITENING
-
Here at Skye Dental we offer different tooth whitening procedures, this allows us to meet all our patients needs.
It is highly recommended that prior to any bleaching a consultation and a full mouth scale & polish is carried out – please book an appointment with our Dental Hygienist for this. Bleaching is not suitable for everyone, your mouth will be assessed and you will be told if you are a good candidate. You will be able to discuss which procedure is most suitable for you during this appointment.
Tooth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide which gently penetrates the surface layer of the tooth ‘bleaching’ out any discolouration. However, temperature sensitivity is a common side effect lasting 24-48 hours after bleaching. This can be minimised by using de-sensitising toothpaste – you can try Colgate Sensitive/Sensodyne F or Gel for a few days prior to and after bleaching. NOT rinsing with water after brushing will enhance the desensitising effect.
It is highly recommended that during Home bleaching (Opalescence) and for 24 hours after In -Surgery bleaching (BriteSmile), anything that may stain the teeth is avoided (e.g Smoking, red wine, coffee, curry……etc) Failure to comply with this advice may result in premature staining of the newly bleached teeth.