ROUTINE EXAMINATIONS
Having a regular dental check-up every six months is very important. It is important to do so because dental examinations help to detect early signs of gum disease or decay before it develops into more serious dental problems.
During your routine check-up, your dentist will check to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.
They can also check for disorders such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint, which is pain in your jaw joint and muscle), or even signs of teeth grinding.
You can always book your appointments with us so that you can see both a dentist and a dental hygienist on the same day to save you time. Please let the team know if this is what you would like to do.
CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY
Children are always welcome at the Dental Touch. We provide dental care to children aged 18 and under, free of charge under the NHS. It is important for children to get into the habit of going for regular dental appointments at an early age, so that they are aware of how to care for their teeth.
Once their adult teeth start to come through, our dentists can keep an eye on how their teeth are developing and look out for signs of dental decay early on. As children get older, we can also advise on orthodontic teeth straightening options if necessary. On occasions, our children’s dentist may find it necessary to apply topical fluoride and a fissure sealant (a tooth coloured sealant) to the biting surfaces as a further aid to help prevent children’s tooth decay.
OTHER GENERAL TREATMENT
TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are times when a tooth is badly decayed or infected that it needs to be removed.
These extractions can be done the same day if your dentist deems it necessary.
Having a tooth out requires some aftercare in order to speed up its healing and to reduce the risk of infection.
There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort for the first two to three days, so painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin can be taken to help with the pain.
In any case, your dentist will advise of the best care after any tooth extraction.
DENTAL FILLINGS
Having dental fillings is a procedure that around 75% of adults will have had treatment for. It is the best method of trying to preserve teeth before the problem becomes severe.
Dental fillings provide a seal over the damaged tooth so that you can continue to use your teeth without fear of further damage.
In some cases, dental fillings can become necessary, even if you have a very good oral hygiene routine at home.
We provide two types of fillings at the Dental Touch; amalgam fillings are silver and more obvious to see in your mouth.
And there are composite fillings, which are tooth coloured and can last longer.
The price of fillings depends on the difficulty of the procedure, and the type and amount of material used. As a guide, dental fillings costs start from £75.
ROOT CANAL
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (pulp) is infected through decay or injury, or a cracked/chipped tooth.
This may lead to an abscess, where the symptoms can range from a dull ache to severe pain and tenderness when biting. If left untreated, the infection will spread, resulting in the tooth having to be removed.
Root canal treatment normally takes two appointments to complete. At the first appointment, the root canal is cleaned and shaped, and the infection is treated.
A temporary filling is then placed in the tooth. At the second appointment, the temporary filling is removed and the tooth checked to ensure that the infection has cleared, before filling the tooth permanently.
A crown may be required to give the tooth added strength and protection, and to prevent future fracturing of the tooth.
DENTAL BRIDGES
A bridge is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining it to the adjacent teeth. The adjacent teeth are prepared (shaped) and the bridge is custom-made in the dental laboratory. It is then permanently cemented into place.
There are many different types of bridges. Each design is subject to an individual’s mouth, and they can be made of different materials.