At P.R.Jones and Associates we are committed to providing quality dental care for the entire family. Our friendly staff work hard to make sure that your dental visit is comfortable and relaxing, whilst ensuring treatment is tailored with you in mind. We fully understand the importance of a healthy and attractive smile. Our dentists provide treatments ranging from routine examinations and preventive treatment to cosmetic procedures, including porcelain veneers, crowns, white fillings and whitening, to help you make the most of your smile.
Restorations (fillings)
A filling is used to restore a hole, or cavity, in a tooth. To repair a cavity, a dentist removes the decayed tooth tissue and then fills the space with a filling material. Cavities are usually the result of tooth decay but other causes include cracked or broken teeth, or teeth that have been damaged by nail-biting, tooth grinding or trauma. Fillings can be carried out using different dental materials and therefore it is important to discuss these with your dentist. It is important to discuss your preference with the dentist as certain materials are more appropriate for particular situations. Every case is different and it is important to discuss this to ensure the best treatment is carried out.
Crowns
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, protecting it from biting forces giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a 'cap'. Crowns can be made of different materials and therefore it is important to discuss each individual case with the dentist.
- All metal (such as gold or another alloy)
- Porcelain fused to metal
- All resin
- All ceramic
bridges
Bridges are a fixed solution to replace missing teeth. These are usually used when there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Not all cases are suitable for a bridge and it is dependent on the arrangement and health of surrounding teeth as the teeth supporting the bridge need to be strong enough with good bone support. Your dentist will be able to discuss each individual case with you to ensure that you are receiving the most appropriate treatment. A dental bridge is made by putting a crown on the tooth at the side of the gap, and placing a false tooth in the space. This is all made in the laboratory and then the pieces are cemented into place with special adhesives. Another option is an adhesive bridge. This has a ‘wing' that is bonded to the back of the supporting teeth, with very little drilling needed. Bridges can be fitted at the time of an extraction but generally are fitted up to 6 months after a tooth has been removed to allow for the gums to heal properly. This may mean that a temporary denture is required before this time for aesthetic reasons.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the internal blood and nerve tissue supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any 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.
We are delighted that in our practice we have up to date technology to be able to complete root canal treatments to a high standard. Our 3D scanner can be used for challenging cases to give more detail about the tooth prior to commencing treatment. Our dentists have completed post graduate qualifications to develop skills in root canal treatments.
Dentures (false teeth)
Dentures are removable false teeth made of acrylic (plastic), nylon or metal. They fit snugly over the gums to replace missing teeth and eliminate potential problems caused by gaps. Gaps left by missing teeth can cause problems with eating and speech, and teeth either side of the gap may grow into the space at an angle. Sometimes all the teeth need to be removed and replaced. You may therefore need either:
- Complete dentures (a full set) – which replace all your upper or lower teeth
- Partial dentures – which replace just 1 tooth or a few missing teeth
- Chrome dentures use existing teeth for support and can be more retentive and functional