Oral Health Assessment
A full oral health assessment includes carefully examining outside the mouth as well as inside the mouth. We check the skin and tissues around your mouth and neck, looking for any abnormalities. We then check the soft tissues inside the mouth again looking for any tissue changes; inside the cheek, the tongue, under the tongue, the throat area and around the gums. Oral Cancer generally doesn’t have symptoms until a late stage but we can spot early lesion. We then check your teeth. We may or may not take x-rays, depending whether or not the dentist feels you need them.
Dental disease (tooth decay / gum disease / oral cancer) tends to NOT show symptoms until its a big problem. That’s why regular dental health assessments are essential to identify and treat disease before it becomes a bigger problem. We take photos of any problems noted so we can show you and discuss a solution. Our patients are actively involved in all decisions.
Our teeth naturally darken with age. And lets face it; no one wants to look older! Teeth also darken for other reasons, many of which can be treated effectively with Dental Whitening Treatments. Tooth whitening is a safe and effective way to help combat the signs of ageing and treat discolouration. It is the most widely sought cosmetic dental treatment. It is safe, effective and affordable. By whitening the teeth using a gradual process we can achieve a brilliant painless result.
We offer affordable tooth whitening, perfect for a special occasion or just to brighten your smile.
All of our tooth whitening treatments are carried out by a registered dental practitioner under the guidelines of the dental council of Ireland.
A crown is a “jacket” for a tooth. It allows an aesthetic result and restores function. Crowns can be made of metal or porcelain. They are made in a laboratory where a specialist lab technician uses the latest technology to create a perfect replica of your tooth or the ideal tooth. Crowns can be used to restore function and aesthetic perfection to previously broken down and unsightly teeth.
Veneers are a cover over the natural tooth, they are an excellent method of improving the smile profile. A very thin shell of porcelain which looks extremely natural is placed over the front of the tooth. Veneers are a great way to cover up previously discoloured and unsightly teeth giving you the smile you always wanted.
Teeth can become discoloured for several reasons:
- A tooth that has had trauma and requires a root canal treatment can “go dark”; A veneer is a great way to bring it back to its former glory.
- Teeth that have intrinsic staining from; tetracyline treatment in childhood (dark coloured teeth); fluorosis (white spots on teeth) or just discoloured and mishaped naturally.
All of the above can be very effectively treated with veneers.
Bridges are an excellent way of replacing a missing tooth. The adjacent teeth to the gap are used to support a false tooth which fills the gap. This is a great way to restore aesthetics and function whilst avoiding dentures.
Not everyone is suitable to get dental implants, there are many reasons for opting for a bridge rather than implants; personal preference, not everyone likes the idea of surgery or placement may not be possible. For these people a bridge may be a very favourable option.
Gum Disease Treatments
Keeping your gums healthy is the fundamentals of a healthy mouth.Gum Disease is an inflammatory response to plaque in the mouth. The gums become red and swollen and will bleed easily. Healthy gums should be firm and pale pink, they should not bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is gum disease is completely reversible and full oral health is possible once treated.
However when gum disease becomes advanced the bone supporting the teeth can become affected which in turn can cause your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. We call this periodontal disease.
When the toothpaste and mouthwash ads on the telly talk about gum disease being the leading cause of tooth loss, this is what they are talking about.
Unfortunately once bone loss occurs its gone. That’s why prevention is key.
Regular hygiene visits and a good home oral hygiene regime are paramount to good oral dental health.
Where gums are inflamed and infected we offer extensive gum treatments to restore health.
The truth is that many people never learn how to brush their teeth properly. We give patient training to prevent them becoming infected again.
Composite is the white filling material. This allows an aesthetic tooth coloured result which is strong and durable. Latest advances in dental materials means that white fillings can be placed anywhere is the mouth. They follow the principles of minimally invasive dentistry.
Only the diseased tooth tissues has to be removed as the composite bonds to the tooth. We can fabricate white fillings so that they are completely unnoticeable in the mouth,
Traditional amalgam fillings have been around for over 100 years! They are tried and tested offering functional results. However, amalgam contains mercury which is toxic to the environment. With advances in dentistry and the development of superior materials, we don’t need to use amalgam anymore; white fillings can perform just as well. That is why at D4Dentist we are amalgam free. We care about the environment 🙂 Don’t worry if you already have amalgam fillings, the are perfectly safe in the mouth.
Root Canal Treatment
Sometimes the blood and nerve supply (the pulp) of a tooth becomes infected. This can happen for a number of reasons, but most commonly because of decay. When this happens it can cause pain and swelling. Tooth ache is usually caused when the pulp becomes infected, this is why keeping up to date with your dental health checks is so important! Teeth only really cause pain when the problem has become serious.But it’s not the end of the world! Infected teeth can be treated effectively to relieve pain and restore function.
A Root Canal treatment is where the infection in the pulp of the tooth is cleaned out using specialised technique and medicament to clear the infection. The canals are then filled with a special root filling material. It allows pain relief and restores dental health. Different teeth have different numbers of canals, front teeth having one to two canals where as back teeth can have up to four. This accounts for the difference in fees for such treatment.
TMJD / Head Aches and Tooth Grinding
Do you suffer from jaw joint pain or headaches? Do you know if you grind your teeth? Bruxism (tooth grinding and clenching) is all too common. Your dentist will spot this by abnormal wear to your teeth. The tooth damage caused from grinding can be extreme in cases. As it happens over a long period of time, repairing it is very difficult because your jaw adjusts to the new tooth height. Prevention is everything.
Bruxism can cause pain in the temperomandibular joint (jaw joint) and the muscles involved in eating. It can also cause headaches.
There are different options; a simple bite guard/splint which simply protects the teeth and offers some cushioning between the teeth.
Cerezen is the latest device for TMJD and bruxisn. A customised impression of the ear canal is taken. The Cerezen device is 3D printed and seats in your ear. It is extremely discrete and comfortable. As the TMJ is in close proximity to your ear canal, when you start grinding the device is engaged and stops you. We’ve had great success with this device. You can read more about it here.
Do you snore? (or does your partner!) Did you know that snoring is the most common symptom of a much more serious condition – Sleep Apnoea. Sleep Apnoea is a very serious condition with links to several serious conditions. If you snore you could be at risk of sleep apnoea. We can assess your risk and if needed refer you to a sleep specialist. You can find out more about it here or here.
If you snore and you (or your partner) want to get a better nights sleep, we can fit you with a customised mandibular repositioning device (MRD). Just ask about it in the surgery and we can investigate further.
At D4Dentist we cater for nervous patients. We take special care and time to make sure you are comfortable with your dental treatment. Dental anxiety is not to be taken lightly. We exercise patience and understanding, we will teach you the techniques you need to overcome your dental anxiety so that all future dental treatment can be stress free.We can also offer mild sedation for people who just need a little help to overcome their fears. However, we find that in nearly every case, sedation is not needed.
We understand some people are nervous and uncomfortable. We offer our patients Bose bluetooth noise cancelling headphones so our patients can listen to their favourite music instead of all the not so nice dental sounds. Our patients just love it! Our aim is to bring you to a point where you enjoy your appointments!