Sometimes dental conditions arise that require immediate treatment from your dentist. Whether this is due to a missing tooth, gum disease or another dental problem our friendly team can help. We offer a full range of general dental treatments including extractions, dentures and many more.
Fillings have commonly been made from either gold or a silver-coloured alloy called amalgam. These materials are extremely durable, however, the main disadvantage is that they don’t match the natural white colour of teeth in appearance. At Westbrook House Dental Practice we offer white fillings, also known as composite fillings. These are made from tooth-coloured material that provide the same benefits of amalgam fillings whilst restoring the appearance of a previously filled tooth, giving your teeth a more natural look.
Using composite is a completely safe procedure and can be used for new fillings or to replace any old metal fillings you may have to give your teeth a more natural overall appearance.
Root canal treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply to the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury, which may spread and eventually lead to an abscess.
The aim of this treatment is to remove all infection, after which the root is cleaned and filled to prevent 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.
Dentures have been used to replace teeth since the days of the building of the Pyramids! Well-made dentures will make you look good, allow you to eat almost all foods without embarrassment, and will restore the facial contour around the mouth. It is worth considering dental implants alongside dentures. Very often any movement of a denture can be prevented by simple placement of a couple of implants to “lock” the denture into position. Dentures can last for many years, but you should have a full denture check annually.
Dentures remain a cost effective method of replacing missing teeth by providing the patient with a removable appliance. Dentures give reliable biting and chewing functionality and acceptable appearance. The main disadvantages with dentures are they are sometimes subject to slippage during speech and normal movement of the mouth. Also, the bone in the jaw surrounding the missing tooth or teeth will continue to recede, and this can lead to a gradual collapse of the lower profile of the face.
A dental crown is used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or have a very large filling.
The crown fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. It will also be tooth coloured, giving the restoration a more natural appearance, fitting in with the rest of your teeth.
A crown could be a good solution for you if you have some discoloured fillings and would like to improve their appearance. Also, if you have had root canal treatment , a crown will be needed to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth. Crowns can also be used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.
Crowns are made from many different materials, including metal, porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal.
A dental bridge fixes an artificial tooth (or teeth) to natural teeth on one or both sides of a gap.
Some bridges have crowns at each end that fit over the natural teeth; others are fixed to the surface of the teeth next to the gap. Each bridge is carefully hand crafted by a skilled technician to emulate the natural teeth as closely as possible.
A dental bridge may take the place of one or more missing teeth and the results can be excellent with good function and aesthetic results. With careful maintenance, a well-made bridge can last many years.
