Root Canal Treatment

When   the   nerve   of   a   tooth   becomes   infected   or   dies then   the   only   way   of   saving   the   tooth   is   with   root   canal treatment.    An    alternative    is    to    extract    (remove)    the tooth. Root canal treatment involves: • numbing the area with local anaesthetic • isolating the tooth and finding the canal(s) • disinfecting and shaping the canal(s) • filling the canal(s) • placing    a    filling    or    crown    to    protect    the    tooth from fracture • monitoring   the   tooth   to   ensure   that   no   infection recurs The   process   is   often   done   over   2   visits   but   depends   on how    long    the    infection    has    been    present    and    other factors.    Root    canal    treatment    can    often    save    your tooth    but    infection    can    recur    and    extraction    may eventually     be     necessary.     However,     keeping     your natural tooth is always the least invasive option.

Fissure   

Sealants   

&   

Fluoride

Application

Fissure sealants are applied to the unfilled biting surfaces of the teeth, often in the back of the mouth. This is to prevent plaque getting stuck in areas where your tooth brush bristles cannot clean and decay developing. The fissures are cleaned and sealed with a tooth coloured resin and the procedure is painless. Fluoride varnish can also be applied by the dentist to all teeth surfaces periodically. The fluoride is absorbed by the tooth and makes it more resistant to decay. You can expose your teeth to additional fluoride by using fluoride mouthrinses and toothpastes containing more than the usual amount of fluoride. We also recommend just spitting out after brushing or rinsing and not rinsing your mouth with water after brushing so that your teeth remain exposed to fluoride for longer.

General Dentistry

Scaling & Polishing

This   is   a   procedure   that   removes   plaque   and   tartar   (the hard,   calcified   plaque   that   you   cannot   remove   with   a toothbrush)   using   hand   instruments   and   an   ultrasonic cleaner.   Superficial   surface   stain   is   also   removed   with   a polishing   brush   and   your   teeth   can   then   look   a   little lighter.   We   recommend   that   you   do   not   consume   any foods   or   drinks   for   90   minutes   afterwards   to   prevent rapid     re-staining.     Most     people     benefit     from     this procedure   every   6   months.   To   keep   your   gums   and teeth   healthy   it   is   up   to   you   to   clean   thoroughly   and regularly in between visits.