Check-up
The dentist will count around your teeth and make a note of any fillings that
are present, any teeth that are missing and teeth which might need treatment. The charting will start at one side of
your mouth, say top right at the back, and count around until they reach top left at the back, then they will move to lower
left at the back and count around until they reach lower right at the back ,this means that they don't miss any teeth.
As
part of a routine check of your mouth, the dentist will also want to have a look at the foundations of your teeth. The dentist
has a small probe with a special tiny ball on the end of it; this is used gently to measure around the necks of your teeth
where they meet the gum to see the extent of any potential gum disease that you may have.
X-rays
X-rays are still an important part of any dental examination to help diagnose
any problems under the surface or around the foundation of the teeth. These are usually taken by having you bite on a small
tab which steadies the x-ray film in your mouth while the dentist positions the x-ray beam so that they can take the picture.
White Fillings tooth coloured fillings
Tooth coloured fillings can be chosen to match
the colour of the teeth, making them a natural looking alternative to amalgam fillings. Tooth coloured fillings are often
used in teeth that show during smiling or talking, they aren't as durable as amalgam and so they aren't always suitable for
the grinding and chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Root Canal Treatment
An
injection of local anaesthetic can be used to numb the area and then the dentist will remove any decay using a drill. For
compliant patients, a rubber dam will be placed over the tooth to keep it dry, disinfected and thin instruments are used to
remove bacteria and dead cells from the root canals. There can be up to four roots in each tooth, and they all need to be
cleaned out in this way. Root fillings are complicated to perform, and may take two or more appointments to complete. A number
of x-rays needs to be taken during root canal treatment, when completed a root filling should feel no different to an ordinary
filling.
Scale & Polish
The dental hygienist or dentist uses
specialized instrument or an ultrasonic machine to gently remove deposits around the teeth and gum margin without harming
the teeth.
Extractions
Before a tooth is removed, the dentist will
thoroughly review your medical and dental history and take the appropriate x-rays. X-rays reveal the length, shape and position
of the tooth and surrounding bone and any disease that may be present. Before removal the area around your tooth will be anaesthetized,
dentists use a local anaesthetic to numb the area of the mouth, where the extraction will take place. The tooth is loosened
with the help of a tool called an elevator, then extracted with dental forceps, they may choose to close the area with a stitch.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They are made out of
an acrylic resin and normally porcelain or metal will be added for additional structural support.
Crowns/Veneers
If a tooth has been broken, or weakened by a lot of decay or a large
filling, a crown/veneer can be fitted to strengthen it. Crowns and veneers are shaped like natural teeth. For teeth near the
front of the mouth, crowns/veneers are usually made of porcelain like materials. Crowns on back teeth may be made of porcelain
or precious metal or a combination of both.
