GENERAL DENTISTRY

FILLINGS

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.

CROWNS

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

  • Meet the highest standards in both aesthetic and function.
  • Zirconia is a very strong metal free substance which can be used anywhere in the mouth, able to withstand pressure of biting on the front teeth and chewing with the molar teeth.

EMAX

  • EMAX is highly regarded as a crown restoration.
  • It is formed of lithium disilicate glass ceramic which is translucent, durable and strong.
  • EMAX is a composition which was specifically designed to replicate a natural tooth in both aesthetics and strength.

ALL PORCELAIN

  • Pure porcelain gives the natural translucent appearance desired for restorations.
  • Mostly used for treatment on front teeth due to their aesthetic value.

PORCELIAn BONDED TO METAL

  • The substructure is made of metal and porcelain is then bonded to the outer surfaces.
  • These crowns are strong and robust therefore ideal for restorations on patients who present with heavy bites.

ALL METAL CROWNS

  • This is a cheap alternative for the posterior teeth due to the vet poor aesthetics.
  • It requires minimal removal of the natural tooth and is recommended where there is very limited tooth structure left.

BRIDGES

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

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

  • Most cost-effective type of partial denture and have a gum shaded plate with the false tooth or teeth attached.
  • The tooth shade is matched to your surrounding teeth so that it blends in.
  • Small metal clasps are usually attached in discreet places which clip onto selected existing teeth to help with retention.

Cobalt chrome partial dentures

  • Have a slim metal frame with the false tooth or teeth attached to the gum shaded acrylic.
  • The slim metal framework makes the denture strong and robust preventing breakages.
  • Using cobalt chrome enables the design of the framework to be slimmer and thinner than alternative dentures, making it comfortable to wear and aid retention.
  • Clasps are usually attached within the initial custom-made prescription to further aid retention allowing you to talk, eat and drink carefree.

FLEXIBLE partial dentures

  • These have a gum shaded base which is made of a flexible material from the Nylon family.
  • The false tooth or teeth are attached and made of acrylic
  • As the denture base is strong and supple, the construction is very thin ensuring a snug fit and allowing it to move naturally with you.

IMMEDIATE partial dentures

  • Constructed prior to having a tooth or teeth extracted so the denture can be placed immediately after the procedure.
  • Immediate Dentures are usually placed as a temporary restorative treatment whilst the extraction site/s are healing before proceeding with other restorative treatments such as Permanent Partial Dentures, Dental Bridges or Dental Implants.

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.

IMPLANT RETAINED DENTURES

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

Root canal treatment is a procedure which does the following:

  1. Removes the nerves and blood vessels (known as the pulp) from within the tooth.
  2. Disinfects the pulp chamber and root canal system after removal of the pulp.
  3. Fills the pulp cavity and root canal system with a filling material to prevent further ingress of bacteria and re-infection.

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.