Tooth Coloured Fillings
Most people want their fillings to be tooth coloured nowadays and with the advancements made in the materials available , we are able to accommodate your aesthetic needs without compromising on the longevity of the filling or the strength of the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment
This is the process of removing a dead or dying nerve from a tooth that has become decayed beyond self-repair or as a result of trauma. Root canal treatment is a 3 stage process.
Stage 1 – Removal of infected nerve tissue and placement of medicament.
Stage 2 – Clean and remove any remaining debris in canal and shape canals preparing it for stage 3.
Stage 3 – Root canal is filled and sealed.
Finally the tooth needs to be restored in a manner to prevent any fractures as a result of the general weakening of the tooth. There are many restorative options available ranging from standard filling to a full crown.
Crowns, Bridges, Implants & Dentures
Traditionally called a “cap”, crowns cover the entire biting surface and circumference of the tooth. They serve to restore heavily filled, root canal treated or trauma related injuries to teeth. Crowns can be made in gold for strength and durability or in porcelain for strength and aesthetic purposes. Now days we try to minimise how much of the tooth we actually cut away (the biomimetic approach to dentistry). This means that we would regularly restore a broken down tooth with an only or inlay or a veneer rather than a fully covering crown.
Bridges are used to restore a missing tooth space by using support/anchor teeth on either side of the space. Crown preparations on these support teeth are necessary, so ideally, they should “need” a crown, and not be perfectly virgin. The materials used for bridges can be all ceramic, all metal or porcelain fused to metal. Bridges are cemented permanently in the mouth. Virgin neighbouring teeth would obviate this option and a dental implant should be chosen instead.
Implants are independent tooth or teeth replacements not affected any other tooth in the mouth. They are the single, strongest, most predictable restoration for missing teeth. Featuring up to a 98% 5 year survival rate in the lower arch, it is stronger and more practical than a porcelain or composite bridge. It is more expensive, but may have an indefinite life expectancy if you effectively care for it. A dental implant is a two stage process where a metal screw is placed in the jawbone by a Periodontist (gum specialist). This is then given time to heal and a crown or bridge can be placed on top of the implant. Implants can also be used to support a removable denture.
Veneers are ceramic/porcelain restorations which cover the visible (labial) surface of a tooth or teeth. They are mostly placed for cosmetic purposes; they can help fill in gaps or even-out mild crowding without the need for braces. They are also part of our armamentarium for providing a comprehensive and biomimetic approach to restoring the broken down mouth.
Dentures are removable prostheses that are designed to replace missing teeth.
They can be used as provisional solution until a fixed, more permanent solution is completed such as implanted teeth. They can also be the final solution to replacing the missing dentition. It is also a more affordable option if your finances are stretched.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Many patients have more than just one dental issue they’d like to address.
In circumstances where there is a history of extensive dental disease from tooth decay, periodontitis (gum disease), acid erosion, tooth wear and fractures, or you just didn’t win the genetic lottery in the great teeth and smile category, a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach to the successful rehabilitation of your smile is usually warranted.
In most cases there are various options which can be taken to achieve the desired outcome. We take the time to consult with you to help you decide which of these options would best suit your needs from a functional, aesthetic and budgetary perspective. Once we know what you’re looking for and what goals you might have, we can then begin to work with you on developing a complete treatment plan, customised specifically for you, that will address your concerns while ensuring that your smile will be at its healthiest.
We want to help you be happy with your smile, all while preventing problems and helping you stay healthy for many years to come.
Your full mouth rehabilitation begins with you: examine yourself in the mirror, make a list of all the concerns and oral problems you experience, then let us know what you do and don’t like about your smile.
We look forward to hearing from you and how we can help you achieve your best smile yet!
