Private Dental Care Available in Crewe

Broken Teeth

A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The porcelain covers the whole front of the tooth, with a thicker section replacing the broken part.

Bonding

Sometimes instead of a porcelain veneer, a natural colour ‘composite’ material is used. We use natural-coloured filling materials for minor teeth repairs, including chipped teeth and broken tooth corners.

Crowns

A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the same shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay, or where there has been a very large filling. Usually, we use porcelain, gold, or a combination of these materials for the crown.

Dental crowns are suitable for the following:

• 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

Bridges

Besides having dental implants, 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. Traditionally, we use dental bridges when there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. We use a precious metal base for our bridges.

If the bridge is visible, we will bond the porcelain to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost.

You should replace missing teeth for several reasons. Your appearance is one reason. Moreover, a gap caused by a missing tooth puts greater strain on both sides of your mouth, thus giving you another reason why you should replace the tooth.

A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease.

Extractions

Removing a tooth is the same as having an operation, therefore you must follow all aftercare advice to ensure your mouth heals properly and to prevent infection. We have devised some aftercare pointers below:

• Following the first 24 hours after the extraction, avoid eating hot food, do not smoke or drink alcohol. Try not to disturb any blood clot which may have formed.
• Refrain from rinsing your mouth for 24 hours after the extraction. After this period, rinse gently with warm salty water (half-a-teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough).
• Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth as you usually would.
• Occasionally small pieces of bone may appear out of the socket (this is normal, so please do not panic).
• You may experience swelling and some discomfort for the first two to three days. We advise taking ordinary painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol for the pain.
• Sometimes when the blood clot has broken down after the tooth extraction, you are left in pain and with an empty hole in your gum. This is otherwise known as a ‘dry socket’ and should be checked out by one of our dentists as soon as possible. Usually, we will pack the wound to alleviate your discomfort.

Root Canal Therapy

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Otherwise known as endodontics, a root canal treatment is required when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) becomes infected by decay or injury.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Needed?

If the pulp becomes infected, the infection is likely to spread through to the root canal of the tooth, which is why treatment is essential.

You may put yourself at a greater risk of developing an abscess if you do not seek treatment. Moreover, if the root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread, and the tooth may need removing.

Does It Hurt?

No. Our dentists use a local anaesthetic, so the procedure should feel no different to having a filling.

What Does It Involve?

The expected outcome of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. We then proceed to clean the root and fill it to prevent further infection. This procedure requires dexterity and is very time-consuming. Therefore, you should expect to visit our practice for at least two appointments.

Upon your first appointment, we will proceed to remove the infected pulp. If your dentist identifies any abscesses, they will drain them. After this, the root canal will be cleaned and shaped to prepare for the filling. A temporary filling is put in, and the tooth is left to settle.

When the infection has cleared, we will proceed to fill the root.

What Will My Tooth Look Like After Treatment?

Usually, a root-filled tooth will darken after treatment, although there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance of the tooth.

What if It Happens Again?

Root canal treatments have a very high success rate. If for whatever reason the infection returns, we can repeat the treatment.

What If I Don’t Have the Treatment?

If you decide not to have a root canal treatment, the only alternative is to remove the tooth. Destroyed pulps cannot heal, and we strongly advise against leaving an infected tooth inside your mouth. Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.

Will the Tooth be Safe After Treatment?

Yes. Although, we advise to restore the tooth with a crown as this provides extra support and strength for the tooth.

Where Can This Treatment Be Carried out?

Our dentists are very skilled in root canal treatments, which we provide at highly competitive prices.

What about Aftercare?

You should treat your root-treated teeth in the same ways as any other tooth. We advise that you clean your teeth at least once a day with a fluoride toothpaste. In addition to this, you should reduce the number of sugary snacks you eat and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.

Nervous Patients

Is There Anything That Can Help Me with My Fear of the Dentist?

Yes. Here at Crewe Dental Care, we are very experienced in treating patients who have a phobia of the dentist. As a company, we are committed to ensuring all patients leave our practice feeling calm and satisfied with the treatment provided. Therefore, we put measures in place to ensure even the most nervous of patients feel comfortable and at ease when visiting us.

When booking your dental appointment, please inform our team about your worries as we will do our best to accommodate all your needs. For example, we will make your first appointment at a time that suits you. You may choose our last appointment of the day, so you do not feel added pressure from other patients, and it also gives you more time to relax. Also, you may decide to bring a friend with you for support which is completely fine with us. Your friend can sit in the room while our dentists carry out the surgery or they can wait outside. 

As a dedicated team, our mission is to ensure you have a positive experience when visiting our practice, and we always go the extra mile to achieve this. Book your appointment with one of our skilled dentists today.