Fillings can be either amalgam (silver) or composite (tooth coloured). Amalgam fillings have been used to fill tooth cavities for around 150 years and are still in use today. This material is strong, durable and cheap but is aesthetically displeasing. However, tooth coloured fillings have now become the fillings of choice because of their better aesthetics and are now stronger and more durable than previous composite materials.
Tooth Coloured Fillings
At Croxley Dental Clinic, Watford, our dental surgeons are accomplished in composite fillings (or tooth coloured fillings) and cosmetic dentistry. Composite fillings can be used for various restoration purposes. They are ideal for aesthetic fillings for the front and back teeth.
Composite filling materials are available in a variety of shades matched to your tooth, making the restoration blend in seamlessly and appear like your natural tooth. Composite fillings can restore the function and appearance of teeth that may be chipped, broken or on teeth which have been affected with dental decay.Composite fillings are chemically bonded to the natural tooth surface and therefore requires minimal preparations, making this treatment less destructive and preserving more of the healthy tooth structure.
For cosmetics, composite fillings can be used to replace unsightly amalgam fillings, which can even be visible in the back molar teeth, especially when laughing.
Dental crowns are commonly used to entirely cover a damaged tooth or cover an implant. These restorations are made in a dental laboratory and customised to fit over a natural tooth (which has to be prepared by one of our experienced dentists) or an implant. Dental crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, which have their own particular properties to aid function and appearance. At Croxley Dental Clinic, Watford our dental surgeons will discuss your options with you depending on your individual requirements.
Crowns are recommended for the following reasons:
The types of crowns available at the Croxley Dental Clinic include the following:
ZIRCONIA
EMAX
ALL PORCELAIN
PORCELIAn BONDED TO METAL
ALL METAL CROWNS
A Dental Bridge is a restoration which replaces a missing tooth with an artificial one, this artificial tooth is fixed in place by using the natural teeth on either side as anchors. Replacing missing teeth with bridges will restore the appearance and functionality.
There are a variety of bridge designs and the dentists at Croxley Dental Clinic, Watford, will advise you on the options available and which option best suits your needs. Resin Bonded Bridges or Maryland Bridges have metal wings either side of the false tooth. These are cemented on the back surface of the supporting teeth. Resin Bonded Bridges are the most conservative of Dental Bridges as they do not involve removing tooth structure to the supporting teeth. The false tooth is matched in colour, size and shape to your surrounding teeth will so appear as natural as your own teeth.
Fixed Bridges are stronger in support & maintaining function. They involve preparing the supporting teeth for crowns and the false tooth replacing the gap is fixed in between the crowns. Fixed bridges are ideal if you wish to improve the aesthetics of your teeth or existing crown either side of the gap. There are various types of materials which are used to construct the units of the bridge.
Dentures are removable prosthesis to replace missing teeth. Modern designs make dentures far more comfortable, functional and acceptable to wear. The aesthetics of modern materials for Partial Dentures allow them to blend with your natural teeth and surround gum tissue – far from looking false!
If you only have a few missing teeth, our Dental Surgeons at Croxley Dental Clinic, Watford can offer the latest modern designs for Partial Dentures. They are usually made from highly durable acrylic material. In some cases, small clips or clasps are incorporated in specific areas of the appliance which grip onto surrounding teeth to aid with securing it firmly in place.
It is important to ensure you have good quality dentures. Cheaper, substandard & ill-fitting dentures tend to rub against the gum causing irritation and ulcers to your soft tissues.
Types of dentures available at Croxley Dental Clinic
Acrylic Partial Dentures
Cobalt chrome partial dentures
FLEXIBLE partial dentures
IMMEDIATE partial dentures
How do I look after my denture?
The simple rule is: Brush, soak, brush. Brushing your denture with either a toothbrush or denture brush removes any debris before soaking. Soak your denture overnight or for a period once removed then brush again before placing them in. Always try to clean your denture over a bowl full of water to prevent damaging the denture in case its dropped. Seek advice from your dentist or hygienist with regards to the best products to use to clean and soak your denture as this will vary depending on which type of appliance you have.
Should I take my denture out at night?
You should remove your dentures at night unless advised otherwise by your dentist. This gives your mouth and soft tissues a chance to rest. When you remove your dentures, it is important to leave them in water to prevent any distortion or cracking.
Dentures can be retained very securely in the mouth with the help of dental implants. This treatment choice is ideal in cases where multiple teeth require replaced or dentures need to be stabilised. The number of dental implants necessary for these procedures can be reduced making treatment more cost effective.
Your dentist at Croxley Dental Clinic will confirm the number of implants required to provide the desired result following your assessment. With implant retained dentures, much fewer implants are required to support the restoration.
The advantages of an implant retained denture are:
How do I look after my denture?
The simple rule is: Brush, soak, brush. Brushing your denture with either a toothbrush or denture brush removes any debris before soaking. Soak your denture overnight or for a period once removed then brush again before placing them in. Always try to clean your denture over a bowl full of water to prevent damaging the denture in case its dropped. Seek advice from your dentist or hygienist with regards to the best products to use to clean and soak your denture as this will vary depending on which type of appliance you have.
Should I take my denture out at night?
You should remove your dentures at night unless advised otherwise by your dentist. This gives your mouth and soft tissues a chance to rest. When you remove your dentures, it is important to leave them in water to prevent any distortion or cracking.
Root canal treatment is a procedure which does the following:
Why is this required?
The main reason to carry out this treatment is irreversible damage to the pulp caused by bacteria entering the pulp via a large cavity. This damage leads to pulp death and then the formation of an abscess (pus filled cavity). This results in pain and swelling around the affected tooth. You may get dull ache to severe pain and the tooth may be tender when you bite.
If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread, and the tooth may need to be taken out. The infection can cause severe pain and facial swelling. The tissues around the tooth can be damaged if the infection spreads.The root canal system is an intricate structure which gets more complex as the teeth get bigger. As a result, the treatment gets more complicated for the back teeth compared to the front teeth.
What is required after this treatment has been done?Sometimes the tooth can discolour after root canal treatment. If this happens to a front tooth, the experienced dentists at Croxley Dental Clinic Watford, can give advice on non-invasive methods of restoring the original colour of the tooth. After this type of treatment, the tooth becomes brittle and more likely to crack or fracture; to prevent this from happening, it is recommended to either place a crown or an onlay on the affected tooth to prevent this from happening.
