General Dentistry
St. Pauls Dental Care offer patients of all ages a comprehensive range of general dentistry services in a relaxed but immaculately professional environment. You can be sure of the highest quality treatment, whether it’s a regular check-up or something more complex like dental surgery – and many of our clients enjoy the benefits of our helpful payment plans. Why not ask about them when you come and see us?
As a private practice, we’re able to see you more promptly and at times to suit you wherever possible. Appointment times aren’t just more flexible, they’re longer too. On your first visit, you’ll be introduced to your new dentist who will listen to your needs and concerns and make a full assessment of your oral health. We’ll look at all the options open to you and develop a tailored plan focussed on your specific needs.
Our policy is to ensure that you see the same dentist consistently, so you develop a long-term trusting relationship. We have a strong preventative philosophy, too – so we encourage regular check-ups and visits to our hygienists, to establish a healthy teeth and gum regime.
- Extended opening times with evening and weekend appointments to suit you
- Longer appointment times, so there’s plenty of time to talk to you and treat you
- Emergency appointments – we’ll aim to see you the same day if you need us quickly
At St. Pauls, in almost every case where fillings are needed, we use white or tooth-coloured filling materials (composites). Composite materials make it is much easier to find a perfect match for the shade of a particular tooth. In fact, in most cases, it is almost impossible to see that the tooth even has a filling.
Composite materials combine excellent aesthetics and cosmetic improvement with high flexural and tensile strength, fracture toughness and wear resistance.
Some patients request that all their metal fillings be replaced with tooth-coloured restorations, while others decide to have a metal filling replaced with composite only when it is clinically necessary to do a filling.
Not every case is suitable for white fillings – at St. Paul’s we will advise you if they are appropriate for you.
Root Canal Treatment is required when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth – the pulp – is infected through decay or injury, most often in teeth with very large or deep fillings, or deep decay.
If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth eventually leading to an abscess. If Root Canal Treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Root Canal Treatment usually involves two or more appointments.
- Firstly the infected pulp is removed and any infection is drained.
- The root canals are then cleaned, disinfected and shaped until ready for the permanent root-filling. Once we’re confident that the infection is gone, the root filling can be placed into the root canals.
- The root filling is a rubber material which is compressed into the root to permanently seal it. A normal filling is then needed on top of the root filling to restore and seal the tooth.
- A local anaesthetic is used and the whole procedure should feel little different to that of having a normal filling although the appointment will usually be longer.
- There will usually be some pain or discomfort for 3-4 days following the treatment. This is normally relieved by over-the-counter painkillers but can occasionally be more severe. If infection has spread from the tooth we usually prescribe antibiotics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the treatment?
The alternative is to have your tooth extracted. Once the pulp is damaged, it cannot heal without treatment and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth.
What will my tooth look like after the treatment?
It should look completely normal – if any discolouration should take place, there are several cosmetic treatments available to restore the natural appearance of the tooth.
What if the infection comes back?
Root canal treatment is usually successful in 80-90% of cases. If infection recurs the treatment can sometimes be repeated. If the treatment fails, extraction becomes the only option.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the number of roots the tooth has. Back teeth have more than front teeth.
Will the tooth be safe after treatment?
Root filled teeth are weaker and more brittle than live teeth, so it is often advisable to restore the root-filled tooth with a crown or inlay to reinforce the tooth. We normally wait a few months after treatment so that we can be sure that the root canal treatment has worked before assessing whether crowning is advisable.
When a tooth can’t be repaired tooth extraction may be the best option, however we will talk you through this.
A tooth may need to be removed for the below reasons:
- Gum disease
- Severe tooth decay
- An abscess
- Impacted wisdom teeth
Dentures can be a great option when crowns, bridges or implants are impractical or inadvisable due to medical or dental complications. They’re made to look just like your natural teeth so that little change in appearance is noticeable (unless you ask for it, to make your teeth look better!).
- Dentures can be used to replace one tooth or any number up to a full set.
- Having a technician on site enables us to tackle complex treatments and aesthetic issues.
- We also offer a same day denture repair service. If time is pressing, we can even arrange a one hour service.
