How do dental bridges help?

Dental bridges are used to replace a missing or extracted tooth or teeth. If you have lost teeth, then a dental bridge can make a dramatic difference, allowing you to enjoy a full range of foods again, restoring your smile and improving your speech.

How do dental bridges work?

When you come to Ardmillan Dental Practice, your dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and decide on the best treatment options to offer you. He or she will then talk through the choices that are available and advise on the best way forward. Dental bridges are often used to replace one or more teeth. They work by using the teeth on either side of gap that needs to be filled as anchors for new crowns and artificial teeth.

These new elements comprise the dental bridge. The base of a bridge is usually made from precious metal and the crowns and artificial teeth are constructed out of substances such as porcelain, which is also often used to cover the bridge base to give an attractive cosmetic finish. Dental bridges must be specially prepared to ensure a perfect fit and a natural look. They provide an excellent cosmetic solution that, with good oral care, can last for many years.

FAQs

What are crowns?

Crowns are often known as caps and this description gives a good indication of what they look like and how they work – crowns fit on top of a tooth, giving it back its strength, shape and function. Crowns are made from a variety of materials and can provide a very effective cosmetic treatment.

What are your options with crowns?

Crowns are used to treat teeth that have been affected by decay or which are misshapen. They can also be used to cover a large or discoloured filling and to protect a root filling. When you come to Ardmillan Dental Practice, your dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and decide if a crown is the best treatment option for you. He or she will then discuss the different types of caps available and the pros and cons of each. For example, metal crowns can provide a very strong solution for back teeth, while porcelain or ceramic crowns can provide a durable, natural look.

When your crown is put in place you will be given a local anaesthetic, your tooth will be prepared and a mould will be taken to create the crown. You should feel the same level of discomfort that you experience with a filling. Crowns are long lasting, but must be looked after using good oral hygiene and regular check-ups.

FAQs

When do you need a filling?

Fillings are amongst the most common dental treatments. They are used to repair part of the tooth that has been damaged or lost due to tooth decay or other types of damage. At Real Good Dental we offer a range of fillings, including tooth-coloured options that restore the look of the treated tooth.

When is the best time for a filling?

Dental decay is caused when bacteria in your mouth feed off trapped food, create a film of plaque and produce acid that affects the enamel covering of your teeth. Tooth decay can cause toothache, sensitivity and bad breath. It can be prevented through good oral hygiene (brushing your teeth and flossing). It is easier to treat the sooner it is detected, so regular visits to a dentist are highly recommended. When you come to a Real Dental surgery, your dentist will inspect your teeth, assess the level of decay, remove the affected portion and fill in the cavity.

How do we keep fillings as painless as possible?

This will be done under anaesthetic and you should only experience mild discomfort. Your dentist will discuss with you the best option for your filling and will highlight the pros and cons of the different choices. For example, composite (tooth coloured) fillings provide an excellent aesthetic result but can be less durable than amalgam (silver-coloured fillings) which, although they change the look of a tooth, offer a high degree of strength and durability.

FAQs

What is scale and polish?

Gum disease is often caused by a build up of plaque bacteria, the best way to remove this is by twice daily tooth brushing. But no matter how well you clean your teeth there will always be hard to reach areas that are tricky to keep clean. In these areas, plaque bacteria can accumulate and may eventually mineralise to form a tough, crusty deposit called calculus or tartar, which is impossible to remove by brushing alone. If not removed, more plaque can build up around the tooth and potentially under the gum line, leading to the progression of gum disease.

To reduce the risk of gum disease or to help stop it from becoming more serious, your dentist may recommend that you have a professional clean, called a scale and polish, to get your teeth properly clean.

What to expect at a scale and polish?

A scale and polish can be done by your dentist or hygienist.

The first ‘scrape’ stage removes the deposits of plaque and tartar. Often an ultrasound scraper is used first to get rid of the bulk of the tartar, followed by specialised hand held instruments to scrape away any stubborn remains.

The next step is to 'polish' the teeth to make the surface really smooth. While polishing removes stains leaving teeth bright and shiny, it is not just a cosmetic procedure. It also smoothes away minor imperfections and patches of rough texture on the teeth to protect against further plaque build up.

Your dentist will advise you how often you should have a scale and polish. It's important to remember that professional cleaning is an addition to a good daily oral health routine, and should never replace twice daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. They may recommend using a toothpaste such as Corsodyl Toothpaste to help remove plaque between visits to the dentist.