Restorative Dentistry

 White fillings, also known as composite fillings, offer a natural-looking way to repair teeth affected by decay, wear, small fractures or other minor damage.

The composite material is carefully matched to the shade of your natural teeth before being shaped and polished, helping the restoration blend beautifully with your smile.

White fillings can:

• Create a discreet, natural-looking result
• Restore the shape and function of a damaged tooth
• Bond directly to the remaining tooth structure
• Be used to restore both front and back teeth
• Preserve more of the natural tooth in suitable cases

The expected lifespan of a filling will depend on its size and position, as well as your bite, diet and oral hygiene. Your dentist will advise whether a white filling is the most suitable choice for your tooth.

 A dental crown is a custom-made restoration designed to fit securely over a damaged or weakened tooth. It can restore the tooth’s strength, shape and appearance while protecting the remaining natural structure.

A crown may be recommended when a tooth:

• Has a particularly large filling
• Is cracked, fractured or heavily worn
• Has been weakened by decay
• Has undergone root canal treatment
• Would benefit from an improvement in shape or appearance

Crowns can be created using a range of materials, including ceramic, porcelain and metal-based options. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate material based on the position of the tooth, your bite and the result you would like to achieve.

To prepare the tooth, it is carefully shaped before an impression or digital scan is taken. A temporary crown may be fitted to protect the tooth while your final, bespoke restoration is created.

 Root canal treatment can save a natural tooth when the soft tissue inside it, known as the dental pulp, becomes inflamed or infected.

This may be caused by deep decay, a crack or injury to the tooth, or previous dental treatment.

Symptoms can include:

• Persistent toothache
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Swelling around the tooth or gum
• Darkening or discolouration of the tooth
• A small spot or swelling on the gum

Some infected teeth cause few or no noticeable symptoms and are only identified during a dental examination or X-ray.

What does treatment involve?

The inflamed or infected tissue is carefully removed before the inside of the tooth is cleaned, shaped and sealed.

Treatment may take place over more than one appointment. In some cases, a crown may be recommended afterwards to provide additional strength and protection.

Local anaesthetic is used to keep you comfortable, and many patients find the experience similar to having a filling.

Root canal treatment can help to relieve discomfort, remove infection and preserve a tooth that may otherwise need to be extracted. However, as with any dental procedure, the outcome cannot be guaranteed. Your dentist will explain the expected result and any alternative options before treatment begins.

  Preserving your natural teeth will always be our priority. Occasionally, however, removing a tooth may be the most appropriate way to protect your comfort and oral health.

An extraction may be recommended when a tooth is:

• Severely decayed or infected
• Broken beyond repair
• Affected by advanced gum disease
• Impacted or unable to erupt normally
• Causing repeated pain or infection
• Being removed as part of orthodontic treatment

What happens during an extraction?

The area is carefully numbed with local anaesthetic before the tooth is removed. You may notice some pressure or movement during the procedure, but the anaesthetic is used to prevent pain.

Afterwards, we will provide clear advice to support healing and reduce the risk of complications. More complex extractions may require treatment by a dentist with additional surgical experience, an oral surgeon or a hospital department.

Where appropriate, we can also discuss ways to replace the missing tooth, including dental implants, bridges and dentures.