• Fillings, which are available in several different materials, both tooth-coloured and metallic. All have their advantages and disadvantages, but are useful in differing circumstances.
  
  
• Periodontal Care – it is very important to keep a close watch on the symptoms of potential gum disease and to combat its development. Many teeth are lost due to the damage caused to the bone which supports them. Prevention involves a scrupulous daily cleaning routine combined with careful monitoring and regular professional scaling.
  
  
• Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment) – this treatment may be required if the blood/nerve supply of a tooth becomes infected by bacteria. This situation usually occurs because of tooth decay, traumatic injury or stress damage to a tooth, and very often presents as a painful tooth, with or without an abscess. Root canal treatment consists of cleaning and filling the inside of the root or roots of the tooth to clear the infection, thereby frequently saving a tooth from extraction. We carry out this treatment using high-quality nickel-titanium instruments, which are used for individual treatments only, as required by current regulations.
  
  
• Crowns and onlays are often used to strengthen badly damaged teeth, or for cosmetic reasons. We offer the full range of crown types, from gold through to the most natural-looking all-ceramic (porcelain) crowns. An onlay is a filling which is cast of gold or constructed of porcelain to restore a tooth cavity and protect the surrounding tooth enamel from further damage.
  
  
• Bridges and Dentures are devices for replacement of missing teeth. Dentures are removable for cleaning, whereas bridges are permanently fixed to teeth adjacent to the gap. The most affordable dentures are those made of acrylic, but the cast metal type of denture is normally less noticeable in the mouth and less damaging to the supporting teeth and gums. A bridge will often look and feel very natural indeed.
  
  
• Implants – if teeth have been lost, a modern replacement option is to insert dental implants. These are sturdy titanium posts which are anchored directly into the jawbone and topped with realistic artificial teeth. This treatment will produce a very natural feel and appearance, and is a vast improvement over conventional dentures. However, some medical circumstances will lower the success rate, so patients must undergo a careful screening process before treatment can be undertaken. An implant requires healthy gums and sufficient bone for support, so a thorough assessment for suitability will be carried out in every case.
  
  
• Teeth Whitening is a cosmetic procedure which brightens the natural pigmentation of teeth. The degree of lightening depends on how severely stained the teeth are as well as on the nature of the stains. The whitening procedure we offer gives our patients full control over the result. With any treatment of this type, the effect will normally fade over time and our method gives patients the facility to top-up whenever required.

X-rays are frequently essential for diagnosis and treatment in dentistry. Dental X-rays are safe and effective, delivering a much smaller dose of radiation than is used for most medical X-rays. They are therefore safe to use during pregnancy. Our X-ray system, which is digital, requires around 80% less exposure to radiation compared with systems using normal X-ray film. The digital plates send the images directly to the computer for storage and display, and use of computer imaging software allows enhanced visibility to make the X-ray information even more valuable to the dentist.

We have recently installed a digital OPG (orthopantomogram) facility which takes a panoramic X-ray image by scanning around the face from the outside. This type of image is very useful to provide information on unerupted or impacted wisdom teeth, bone levels in periodontal disease, diagnosing dental pain and assessing implant cases.

We very much want to help children form good dental habits. Parents are encouraged to bring their children for regular check-ups from an early age to help them grow up free from dental disease. Currently, we offer treatment under the NHS for children and young people. Orthodontic cases are referred locally when treatment is necessary.

We can also arrange appointments with our Dental Health Educator, who can assist with oral hygiene techniques and give dietary advice to patients of any age.

To help you look after your teeth and prevent dental decay or periodontal disease, we offer a good range of recommended dental care products, available from reception staff. Please ask your dentist to advise you regarding the right products for you.