Our Services

White Fillings

We now have much improved materials to restore teeth. They can be carefully matched to the existing tooth colour and will bond to the enamel and dentine of the tooth.

We use the ceramic filling technology for larger restorations and crowns, which restore teeth with an accurate, enamel-like material that is strong and durable. For smaller fillings, we use top quality resin based tooth coloured fillings that are bonded to the tooth and set instantly with a blue wavelength light.

We no longer have to put up with ugly metal amalgam fillings since we are now in the age of modern, advanced and improved aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
 

HYGIENIST / DENTAL THERAPIST

Not all practices have a hygienist , we are very lucky to have Kathryn Harris as part of the team. Kathryn trained at  at the Bristol Dental Hospital as a dental hygienist. Kathryn plays a vital role in your dental health care and is mainly concerned with preventive dental health, treating gum disease , showing you correct home care and helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  

Here to help you

Kathryn's main work is to prevent and treat gum disease. This includes professionally cleaning your teeth by removing plaque and tartar (usually called a ‘scale and polish' or a prophylaxis). However, perhaps ther most important role is showing you the best way to keep your teeth free of plaque. Plaque is a sticky coating that forms constantly on your teeth. She can also give advice about diet and about preventing tooth decay. In addition,  Kathryn is able to place fissure sealants and administer preventative fluoride treatments.  Kathryn has a special interest in cosmetic tooth whitening and offers the ZOOM professional whitening system.

Can your hygienist help prevent dental disease?

Your hygienist will carefully remove the hard deposits of tartar (or ‘calculus') that build up on the teeth and teach you how to prevent them coming back. This will do a lot to slow the progress of gum disease.

By talking to you about your diet, and recommending other preventive measures, the hygienist can help you keep to a routine that will slow down tooth decay. Regular visits and advice will help build your confidence in keeping your mouth healthy

What other help can be given to adults?

Adults who have a lot of decay can benefit from having fluoride applied. They can also have anti-bacterial gels and solutions applied under the gum to kill the bacteria causing gum disease. Another very important part of the hygienist's work is showing you and telling you how to look after your mouth at home. The hygienist may also suggest giving up smoking, as this will reduce staining and improve your general health. Research has also shown that smokers have more gum disease and lose more teeth than non-smokers. Your hygienist will be able to advise you on various ways of giving up smoking. They can also give you special advice for home care if you have dental implants or orthodontic appliances.

The permanent (or ‘adult') back teeth can also benefit from having the biting surfaces sealed. This is done by applying a special plastic coating to the biting surface soon after the teeth come through.Scaling and polishing is usually pain free. However, if you do have any discomfort the hygienist can use anaesthetic creams, or give you some local anaesthetic. It is important that you let the hygienist know at the time so they can help with your discomfort.
 

 Kathryn's Top Tips

• Use a quality electric or power toothbrush and change the head on a regular basis (every three months)
• Use quality toothpaste, mouthwashes and interdental brushes if I have recommended them
• Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day
• Try to cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
• Chewing sugar free gum for 10minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay

Home tooth whitening involves taking impressions of your teeth and then custom made bleaching trays are made in the laboratory. After instructions for use are given in the practice, you are given a supply of tooth whitening gel. This is placed in the tray and this is worn over the teeth for 30 minutes twice a day or overnight The teeth will gradually lighten over a period of 2 to 6 weeks.

In surgery we use Philips zoom power tooth whitening system for those of you who want instant results- however we do recommend you have the home kit as well to keep the whitening topped up.

In surgery ZOOM power tooth whitening is available for those patients who want instant results and a quick start.

The procedure involves applying tooth whitening gel to the teeth and shining a special blue activating light on the teeth. This accelerates the tooth whitening process and after three twenty minute sessions, the whitening produces fantastic results.

Tooth whitening is safe and does not damage the teeth and the only side effect is short lived sensitivity in some people.

Denture Services

What is a denture?

People wear dentures to replace lost or missing teeth so they can enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. Dentures are either made of acrylic or metal frames. They can either be full (replacing all teeth in Upper or lower jaw) or partial (just filling in spaces left by lost or missing teeth). Metal frames are much stronger and can be a better solution as they are supported by the teeth you have left - they are much smaller than acrylic dentures helping you to speak and eat more easily.

How long will dentures last?

Treated well they should last many years. As time goes by they may have to be relined or replaced to improve the appearance and fit. Loose dentures can cause discomfort and make eating and talking more difficult. It is therefore important to have your dentures checked on a regular basis before they cause problems.

Anxious Patients

Why am I afraid of the dentist?

Being afraid of the dentist may mean different things to different people. It will help us greatly if you can tell us what worries you most. We will do our utmost to make your dental treatment as pleasant as possible and make it an acceptable, normal part of life. The good news is that dental techniques have improvedso much over the last few years that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless. Before we start any treatment we will explain what to expect and how long it will take. During your treatment if you need a break just raise your hand and we can stop for a few minutes until you are ready to start again. Once you know you are in control of the situation you will feel more confident.