At Moretonhampstead Dental Practice, we aim for every patient who comes into the practice to feel at home, no matter what the reason for their visit is. The whole team wants every patient’s journey at the practice to be relaxed, positive, and as unique as they are. We offer a personal service, integrating the highest quality products with the latest proven techniques and protocols.
Routine Visits
Examination
Our oral health consultation includes a thorough look at the teeth, the gums, the skin within the mouth, the jaw joints, the airway and aesthetics.
We record all the required x-rays during this procedure. We record a series of photographs of the teeth which will permit you to see the teeth like you have never seen then before, this will allow us to evaluate the overall health of your mouth and discuss any concerns you may have. If any treatment is required, your options will be discussed with you to enable you to make an informed decision on which treatment is most suited to you.
It is important to attend regular dental examinations, as recommended by your dentist
Hygiene
Dental Hygiene is the key to a lifelong healthy mouth by ensuring your gum health is always kept under control by thoroughly cleaning above and below the gum margins to remove harmful bacteria. At your dental hygiene appointment, the Hygienists will take time to go through your daily oral hygiene routine, they will demonstrate, instruct and guide you in the correct and sometime difficult task of cleaning your mouth.
A healthy mouth will help to protect your body from conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke and Alzheimer’s – disease’s which are all linked to poor gum health.
Routine Treatments
Fillings
Fillings are used to restore broken or decaying teeth. Composite fillings (white fillings) that we offer at our practice use the most up to date materials. Composite fillings are bonded to the tooth to either fill cavities after dental decay or replace parts of a missing tooth after trauma and return it to its normal function.
Endodontics
Also known as root canal treatment, this procedure removes the blood or nerve supply to the tooth (the pulp) that could be infected through decay or injury and if left untreated, a painful infection or abscess can form and the tooth may need to be extracted. This procedure involves one to two appointments, the dentist aims to save the tooth by removing the pulp and thoroughly cleaning the root canal before sealing the tooth with a filling. The tooth will usually require a crown to restore its strength and support.
Crowns
A dental crown is a laboratory made restoration that fits over a tooth that has been broken or weakened by decay or a large filling.
Dental crowns can be made from porcelain, ceramic and gold. The procedure for making a crown involves two appointments two weeks apart. At the first appointment the dentist will reshape the tooth and take a series of impressions which are then sent to the dental technician. At the second appointment the dentist will check the fit and appearance of the new crown before cementing it into place.
Bridges
A dental bridge is to replace a missing tooth. Replacing a missing tooth with a bridge not only improves the appearance but will eliminate the risk of your remaining teeth rotating or shifting into the empty spaces.
The procedure for making a bridge involves two appointments two weeks apart. At the first appointment the dentist will reshape the adjacent teeth and take a series of impressions which are then sent to the dental technician. At the second appointment the dentist will check the fit and appearance of the new bridge before cementing it into place.
Dental bridges come in a variety of designs and materials, your dentist can help you decided which is best to use, based on the location of the missing tooth/teeth, its function, aesthetics and the cost.
Dentures
Dentures are a traditional option for replacing missing teeth. You can either have a full denture to replace a full arch of missing teeth or a partial denture to replace one or multiple missing teeth. Dentures are artificial teeth that are positioned on the gums within the mouth. The teeth are made of either acrylic or porcelain that are matched to the colour of the remaining teeth in your mouth. The base on which the teeth sit can be made of acrylic or dental alloy. In essence dentures are not really replacement teeth, they are replacements to fill the gaps where teeth used to be present.
A partial denture can usually have additional teeth added to it without needing to make a completely new denture.
Sometimes you need immediate dentures, they allow you to have replacement teeth without having to live with a gap. It also allows the gum to heal under the denture after a tooth has been removed. This type of healing denture can be used as an interim measure before a bridge, implant or permanent denture is placed.
Cosmetic Treatments
Whitening
Teeth can become discoloured over time as part of the natural ageing process or as a result of extrinsic staining from factors such as tea, coffee, red wine and smoking. Teeth whitening is a simple and extremely effective way of revitalising the natural look of your teeth and is one of the most popular options for people who want a quick and simple way to change their smile.
The whitening process involves two appointments two weeks apart. At the first appointment the dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower arch, these impressions will be sent to the dental technician. At the second appointment the dentist will check the fit of your whitening trays and explain the process of whitening. The dentist will give you the whitening gel and a set of instructions for you to take home.
Orthodontics
Using a clear, removable, comfortable, customised and predictable form of treatment involving a series of bespoke trays made to suit your needs. These are designed to be:
Clear – no one will be able to tell you are wearing them
Removable – remove your tray to eat, drink and clean your teeth. Oral hygiene is incredibly important
Comfortable – as your tray is removable there are no fixed brackets or wires to irritate your soft tissues and cause trauma
Customised – impressions are taken and sent away for the technicians to create your made-to-measure aligners
Predictable – at your initial consultation the dentist will take some impressions. These impressions will be sent away for scanning them and produce a 3D picture of your teeth before, during and after the treatment. If you are not happy with any of the pictures your treatment can be adjusted or cancelled.
Emergencies
There may come a time when some of our patients will need us out of hours or at short notice, and, as a registered patient we will be able to help you. Any trauma to the mouth or teeth as well as swelling and pain should be seen as soon as possible. If you have a dental emergency and haven’t yet had a chance to register, don’t worry we will see you as soon as we can.