Our Treatments

What is a Crown?
A crown (also known as a cap) is a restoration for a tooth that has weakened due to decay, and has been heavily restores. They are also used to improve the appearance of a tooth due to discolouration. The crown will encircle your natural tooth giving it back its function and improving its appearance.

Why would I need a crown?
Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:

• You may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth.
• You may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it.
• It may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.

What is a crown made of?
Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials. Some of the most popular options are:

• Porcelain bonded to precious metal:
  The base of the crown is made of precious metal to give it its strength and layers of porcelain are applied over it for appearance.
• Porcelain crowns:
  Are made entirely of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns, but they look more natural and are mostly used on front teeth.
• All ceramic crowns:
  Are metal free and have the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown therefore they are suitable for use in all areas of the mouth.

Preparation of the crown?
Your dentist will take a shading of your teeth so the crown blends in with your natural teeth. It will involve making adjustments to your natural tooth to make room for the crown. Impressions will be taken which will be sent to the laboratory. A temporary crown will be placed to protect your natural tooth until the new crown is made.

Fitting of the crown?
Your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the colour, shape and fit. If both your dentist and you are happy the crown will be cemented in place.

What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small screw shaped attachment usually made from titanium. It is inserted within the jawbone to take the place of a missing tooth root. Once the bone attaches firmly to the implant a replacement tooth can be secured to the top of the implant. This new tooth looks, feels and performs just like a natural tooth. It is also possible to use multiple implants to support a denture or bridge.

What are the advantages of implants?

• Replacement teeth that are secure or stabilised with implants are more comfortable than conventional dentures because there is no slipping or movement. This eliminates some of the key worries of the denture and improves self-confidence.
• Dental implants are the alternative to bridgework for permanently missing teeth, eliminating the need to remove healthy tooth substance.
• When teeth are missing the surrounding bone begins to shrink. Dental implants can help maintain the shape and structure of the jaw bone.

Implant treatment
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic or I.V. sedation if desired. The process is comprised of several stages which usually takes between 3-6 months.

AN INITIAL CONSULTATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Tooth whitening is an easy and effective way to improve the appearance of your smile.

At Home Tooth Whitening:

Firstly you will require a free consultation (or this can be done when you are having your routine dental health check if you are already a patient of the practice) to determine if your teeth and gums are suitable for tooth whitening treatment. If suitable we will take impressions of your teeth, which will be sent to the laboratory to make your custom made whitening trays.

A second appointment will be made for you about one week later where the dentist will fit the trays and instruct you on how to use them and the whitening gel.

You are now ready to start whitening your teeth in the comfort of your own home and this usually takes 14-16 days to achieve the best result.

You can purchase whitening gel at the practice to top up when required

It is illegal for tooth whitening to be carried out by anyone other than a dentist.

Sometimes a simple filling will not solve the problem and a root canal filling is a necessary procedure which can often extend the life of a natural tooth, which has, or is developing an abscess. during a root filling the internal structure of the entire tooth is painlessly cleaned, shaped and filled before the part of the tooth seen above the gum level is restored leaving a tooth which appears and functions normally.
Many teeth are saved from extraction using this procedure.

Bruxism (tooth grinding/clenching) is a common condition seen in many patients but especially those under stress. It can also occur habitually while undertaking repetitive tasks. Besides the obvious enamel loss and tooth fractures that occur due to bruxism, patients often experience facial pain.
This can be eliminated by the use of a bite guard.

Bridges are an ideal option to replace missing teeth.
This is done by attaching a flase tooth or teeth to the one or more teeth beside the space.
Bridges are constructed in a very similar way to crowns. They have a strong metal core, covered with a porcelain coating to provide the natural appearance.

There are different types of bridges and your dentist will discuss with you, the most suitable options for your mouth.
With the procedure you can possibly eliminate the need for a denture.

How are missing teeth replaced?
This depends on the number of teeth missing and on where they are in the mouth. The condition
of the other teeth also affects the decision. There are two main ways to replace missing teeth.
The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture.
The second is with a fixed
bridge. A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing
teeth are only on one side of the mouth.

What is a partial denture?
This is a plate with a number of false teeth on it. It may be all plastic or a mixture of metal and
plastic. Both types may have clips (clasps), to help keep the denture in place in the mouth.
Depending on where they are, some of these clasps may show when you smile or open your
mouth.

What is the difference between a plastic partial denture and one that contains metal?
Plastic partial dentures are less expensive to make. But unless they are designed very carefully
they can damage the teeth they fit against. Metal partial dentures are usually made from an
alloy of cobalt and chromium and they are much stronger. They are lighter to wear and can be
supported by the remaining teeth. Although the base is metal, they have gum coloured plastic
and natural looking teeth fixed to them. They are more expensive than the plastic ones.

How do I choose the best type for me?
You will be guided by your dentist. They will know by the condition of your remaining teeth.
In most cases a metal based partial denture will give the best results.

Full dentures
We can provide full dentures for patients with no teeth to enhance your smile and eating ability.

An incredibly popular treatment for fine lines and wrinkles around the face, is the use of Botulinum Toxin. It has proven safe and predictable over many years and commonly addresses concerns with crow’s feet, brow lines and forehead wrinkles.

Following assessment, small doses of the product are injected at key sites. It works by weakening the pull of the muscles below the skin that cause the folds or wrinkles. Results take about two weeks for full effect, and typically last 3-4 months.

• During the treatment your dentist will inject a very small amount of toxin using a tiny needle directly into the muscles that cause the expression lines.
• The treatment usually takes about 30 minutes, it is pretty painless and there is no recovery time needed afterwards.
• You should begin to see a marked improvement in frown lines in two to three days and the lines continue to improve for up to a month, with your skin appearing smoother.
• The results last for up to four months, as toxin is broken down naturally by the body.

We offer pre-treatment consultation and then a review two weeks later to be sure of your satisfaction.

Snoring is more than just an irritating noise. It can lead to broken sleep for the snorer and sleepless nights for their partner. This can cause daytime tiredness for the snorer and their partner.

What is snoring?
Snoring is caused by partial closure of your airways due to relaxed muscles in your neck, seriously restricting the passage of air. Your body compensates for this by forcing air through. This causes vibrations of the soft tissues lining the airway which in turn generates the noise of snoring.
This affects the snorer and their partner in the following ways:

• Daytime tiredness
• Lack of energy
• No motivation
• Become more accident prone due to poor concentration
• High stress levels to fatigue
• Short tempt due to lack of sleep
• Less productive at work

What can we do to help?
We can make you a snoring appliance which positions the mandible (lower jaw) in such a way that it promotes breathing through the nose and reduces the amount of obstruction caused by the soft palate encroaching on the airway. These appliances are custom made that the snorer would wear overnight.
The snorer would first have a consultation appointment with the dentist and an impression would be taken of their teeth and sent to the dental laboratory where the appliance will be made.
When the appliance is ready the patient will return to the practice to have a demonstration on how to fit the appliance each evening.

In our profession, we often see children and adults who have damaged of lost teeth while playing sports which involve physical contact. A sports mouth guard can ensure that a person’s teeth and oral cavity are protected from blows that result in serious dental injuries.

A custom made sports mouth guard will involve two visits to the dentist. The first visit will be for dental impressions which will be sent to the laboratory for fabrication and the second visit will be to fit the sports mouth guard.

Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain which are added to the front surface of a tooth to improve its colour, shape and alignment.
They are a useful tool for improving a smile. A veneer is like a false nail added to enhance what lies beneath. But they are not the answer for everyone. Sometimes another solution is more appropriate.
Each case needs individual consideration.

We are now providing simple orthodontic treatment at Tumelty Dental Practice.

Invisalign is a discrete way to straighten teeth, using a series of (nearly) invisible aligners. Depending on the position of your teeth, these aligners are changed every 1-2weeks and can result in straighter teeth in as little at 3 months! We are offering an introductory discount of 15% to all patients who start their Invisalign journey in 2023. Please contact the practice for more information.