General dentistry and preventive dentistry is no longer just a case of filling and extracting teeth, as it was for many years. From delicate changes to major repairs, our dentists can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile and maintain healthy gum. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discoloured, chipped, misshapen or missing. Our dentists can straighten, lighten, reshape and repair your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include root canal treatment, periodontal gum treatment, tooth extraction, veneers, crowns, bridges and tooth-coloured composite fillings.
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is a frequently performed dental procedure to treat a tooth with infected or dead pulp tissue or when the tooth is badly decayed. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and the infected pulp tissues are removed then the inside of the tooth which is called pulp chamber is cleaned and shaped and then finally sealed with special root filling.
Post & core may be placed in the root for additional strength to hold the final crown. This depends on the amount of decay and tooth tissue needed to be removed in the process.
This is a very important procedure to save a tooth before it gets further infected, leading to sharp and prolonged pain for the patient. If left untreated, the tooth may need to be removed.
Periodontal treatment (curettage)
We can provide extensive periodontal treatment, which is called closed curettage, for patients with an existing gum condition. This is to clean the roots of the teeth and gum from bacterial infections to prevent more serious gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
What is a curettage?
- This treatment is the cleaning of dental pockets. Both type the open and closed curettage are very important steps to treat gums and stop gum recession.
- Closed curettage is a simple procedure during which the dentist or the periodontist cleans the surrounding tissue with special instruments. This treatment consists of eliminating the tartar and infection causing bacteria and irritants that have built up on and just below the gum line. There is no need to open the gum in this treatment.
- The many benefits of Periodontal treatment include fresh breath, the ability to chew your food more easily, healthy gums that are free from infection and most importantly help you retain your natural teeth.
Composite tooth filling
Smaller cavities are treated with tooth-coloured fillings. After your dentist has removed the decay and thoroughly cleaned the area, the composite resin material is applied and built up in several layers. Next, a special light that “cures” or hardens each layer is applied. When the multi-layering process is completed, your dentist will shape the composite material to the desired form, trim off any excess material, and polish the final restoration. One or more fillings may be performed during the same treatment session.
Tooth extraction
If a tooth cannot be saved by root canal treatment, due to severe infection or any other reason, it may need to be removed. Extractions are made completely painless during and immediately after the procedure by local anaesthetic, which completely blocks any feeling in the treated area. After the local anaesthetic has taken effect, your dentist will slightly widen the socket (the area your tooth sits in), then gently move the tooth from side to side until it is loose enough to be removed completely. During the procedure you will feel some pressure in your mouth, may hear some noise but should not feel any pain. The dental surgeon can offer dental implants to replace missing teeth or a bridge option may also provide a good alternative.
