Regular Examination
We recommend that patients visit regularly for a dental examination. This allows us to keep a careful watch on your oral health working with you to monitor any improvements or pick up any pending problems. If your Dentist finds you need any treatment they will give you a detailed printout of any treatment you need and a personal estimate.
The interval between examinations will be determined depending on your individual circumstances.
At each regular examination your dentist will:-
Check your medical history
Address any concerns or questions you may have
Check your mouth for:
- Signs of decay
- Signs of wear
- Signs of periodontal disease
- Bleeding
- Indication of any Oral cancer in soft tissue
- Signs of infection.
- Mobile teeth
- Food traps Risk factors
Scaling
Your Dentist and hygienist are specially trained to scale and polish your teeth allowing a through cleaning that you would not be able to achieve using just a tooth brush. Scaling removes hard plaque from your teeth along with trapped food that harbour the bacteria which cause tooth decay and gum disease.Scaling & Polishing
Cosmetic Dentistry
We don't want you to have to hide your smile and so we offer a number of cosmetic treatments to improve the look of your teeth which can have a profound effect on your confidence and happiness.
Your teeth can be whitened, straightened, crowned, veneered, you can have implants and we have a number of methods to correct unsightly fillings or crowns to mention just a few of your options. Your dentist will assess your personal situation and help you chose the best way to achieve a smile you are happy with.
Tooth Whitening
The appearance of your teeth can make a huge difference to your confidence and happiness. Some teeth are discoloured despite being healthy. Tooth whitening can improve the appearance of your tooth colour without removing the surface of the tooth and is a better option than crowning or veneering healthy teeth.
Professional take home kits*
Professional take home whitening kits using custom made trays. This achieves an excellent result using a lower concentrate of peroxide and has the advantage that you can top up your whitening as you like.
The response to whitening varies from person to person. We generally achieve excellent results and this is our most popular cosmetic procedure. We use the latest technological gel to minimise the risk of sensitivity of teeth to the gel.
Please see our fees page for current whitening charges - The kit comprises of custom made Upper and lower whitening trays and 6 tubes of whitening solution
The number of tubes needed per patient depends on the severity of staining and discolouration (it may require 6 or more tubes). Your dentist will advise which kit will suit your needs best for optimum results. Additional tubes can be purchased at reception if you have had your tooth whitening kit from us here at Miller and Issacs.
In extreme cases, for example teeth stained by antibiotics such as tetracycline, a patient may need to use up to 30 tubes to whiten and on occasion, this will mean whitening results will not be as noticeable.
When comparing whitening prices between practices, always check how many tubes of gel are being supplied and the strength of the solution.
*New patients to the practice must have a consultation first.
X-Rays
X-rays are of great help to your dentist as they show what is happening inside the tooth as well as on hidden surfaces. They can reveal decay, gum disease and bone loss that your dentist could not detect by just looking into your mouth. X-rays allow your dentist to view any previous treatment as well as pick up any new concerns.
Periapical X-Rays
Periapical x-rays are placed next to the tooth and show the whole of the tooth and its root. These are especially useful when investigating for root canal treatment.
Although some patients have been concerned about a risk of radiation, the radiation level for dental x-rays is very low. Your dentist will only take x-rays if they are needed.
Bitewing X-rays
A bitewing X-ray will show the areas in between your teeth but not the root of the tooth. Your dentist will take this x-ray for you. They are of particular value in identifying early caries. Although some patients have been concerned about a risk of radiation, the radiation level for dental x-rays is very low. Your dentist will only take x-rays if they are needed.
OPG Xrays
This is a specialist x-ray view. If we require this view we will refer to you another local practice for this to be done.
Fillings
Amalgam
An amalgam filling is very strong. Using this as a filling, especially in back teeth can be an ideal material as its strength can cope with the wear and tear that chewing causes.
A filling will only be used in your tooth if you have damaged the tooth or to replace a cavity or decay present. If decay is not removed it may progress to cause you pain and even spread into and damage the root of your tooth, this results in root canal treatment or an extraction.
Tooth Coloured (Composite)
These fillings are colour matched to your natural teeth and are known as composite fillings. A composite filling can be used to repair a tooth that has been chipped because unlike an amalgam filling it can be stuck to an adjoining surface of an existing tooth. Composites can also be used to replace decay. Patients who have composite fillings are pleasantly surprised with how good they look.
Sonic Fill
A new material called Sonic Fill is available to fill larger cavities in back teeth that were previously unsuitable for tooth coloured filling materials. We are now getting some excellent results with this material for our patients.
Crowns
The name is not a coincidence. A crown is cemented on top of a weak, heavily filled or unsightly tooth, making it stronger and more pleasing in appearance. Your crown may be made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both depending on the position in the mouth and how you feel about the appearance.
If the tooth underneath the crown is strong and you take good care of the crown it can last for many years.
Root Canal treatment
Occasionally due to damage or severe decay in a tooth, the pulp tissue inside a tooth (which people often refer to as the 'nerve') can be attacked by bacteria. Your body cannot effectively fight bacteria in these cavities so infection often flourishes and can cause you pain. Your dentist has been specifically trained to gain access to these root canals, using tailor made equipment to remove bacteria, damaged tissue and decay. It is then replaced with a sterile filling material, creating a result that will protect the remaining tissue surrounding the root of your tooth and relieve you from pain.
We frequently refer root fillings in molar (back) teeth to an endodontic (root filling) specialist. The reason for this is that molar teeth can have complicated root curvatures and can be very difficult to access.
For complex cases we will refer you to a specialist endodontist in the local area.
Gum Disease treatment
At Miller and Isaacs we are very proactive at screening for and treating gum disease. Periodontal disease – commonly known as gum disease – is a widespread health problem estimated to affect up to half of the adult population.
This disease destroys the healthy gum attachment to the roots of the teeth, leading to gum infection, sensitivity to temperature, pain on eating, bone loss around the teeth and halitosis (bad breath). If untreated it will lead to tooth loosening, drifting and eventually tooth loss.
At every examination your dentist will screen for gum disease and if we find signs such as red and swollen gums(gingivitis), bleeding on brushing, deep pockets( between a tooth and the gum next to it), we go on to take detailed measurements known as periodontal charting.
At this stage we recommend a treatment plan which can involve ultrasonic root cleaning, 3 monthly visits of ultrasonic scaling and intensive oral hygiene instruction (including tooth brushing and the correct use of inter-dental brushes and floss), empowering patients to improve and maintain their gum health.
We re-measure and re-evaluate gum health at appropriate intervals and assess whether patients should still be actively treated or can go on a maintenance regime. We can refer patients to a specialist periodontist if necessary.
Extractions
There may come a time when you and your dentist realise a tooth needs to be extracted. Extractions can be for a number of reasons such as decay, gum disease, a tooth broken in a manner that makes it beyond repair or bad positioning in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom tooth). Whatever the reason for your needed extraction, your dentist will make sure it happens with the least discomfort possible.
Dentures
Dentures come in all shapes and sizes, and in two main materials, plastic (acrylic) and metal (chrome cobalt). Metal dentures are generally lighter, stronger, thinner and stay in better.
"Full" dentures replace all the teeth either in one or both arches. "Partial" dentures replace some missing teeth in one or both jaws and may be worn to improve biting ability, appearance or both.
Your dentist will discuss appropriate materials with you.
Dentures usually take four weeks to make but this can be accelerated in emergencies.
Sometimes we make what are called "immediate" dentures. This is when we fit dentures straight after teeth have been taken out.
Your dentist and his technician will work together to custom make your denture and will consult you at every stage.