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Denture Relines

The rapid shrinkage of bone after having an extraction, means the denture will soon need to have the fitting surface relined once that shrinkage has slowed down enough. This relining maybe done between three and six months after an immediate denture has been fitted.

All dentures lose their fit through natural changes in your mouth. Chewing gum, biting your nails or grinding your teeth can accelerate this. You should see your dentist yearly for a denture check, where Jason can determine when refitting or relining is necessary.

Relining a denture is beneficial in many ways. Having a reline gives a better fit which means fewer sore spots and less irritation. A reline replaces the majority of acrylic (the pink part of your denture) with new unstressed acrylic. This is especially important if you have had fractures and repairs in your dentures as this will make it far stronger.

It Is important to remember that your dentures won’t last forever. As you get older your dentures will start to lose their fit and comfort. Dentures shouldn’t hurt, slip, click, or whistle and should be comfortable all the time. If you are experiencing some issues then it’s probably time to come and see us and get your dentures checked.

Preventative Dental

Our philosophy at Donnybrook Dental Surgery is that prevention is better than cure. We also believe that early intervention in the disease process is a better option than “letting things go” until the problem becomes painful or compounded.

We are a family practice and care for all age groups. We provide a wide range of modern diagnostic, preventative and treatment options using state of the art equipment, materials and treatment modalities at affordable prices. We take the long term view of any treatment carried out and aim for long term functional and aesthetic results for our patients. We strive to provide Functional Cosmetic dentistry.

Missing Teeth

When you have missing teeth, not only does it affect your smile, it also affects how you eat, and the alignment of your remaining teeth. Once a tooth is lost, the other teeth adjacent to the space left by the missing tooth, will eventually shift. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth space will move and tilt and drift into the missing tooth’s space. This can make these teeth more prone to decay and gum disease because it is much harder to keep the teeth clean when they are not aligned properly.

Missing teeth can lead to loss of jaw bone and support for the facial tissues which can ultimately affect your appearance. Missing teeth can also put undue stress on the remaining teeth leading to accelerated wear and tear, which could result in jaw pain.

What are my treatment options?

The following are three options your dentist may suggest, depending on your needs. Replacement teeth should last for years at a time, so it is important to choose a treatment that’s right for you.

Implants

A dental implant is a screw type fixture (resembling a tooth root) made out of titanium. Once surgically placed in the bone, it stimulates bone growth around it and fuses to the bone. Following the implant placement, a crown is constructed and is screwed or cemented on, in order to look like a natural tooth.

Dental implants are recognised as the “gold standard” treatment for replacing a single missing tooth in the front region of the mouth. Placement of an implant to replace a single missing tooth is the least damaging option for the surrounding teeth and gums when compared with dentures or bridge work.

Implants are also commonly used to stabilise lower dentures. This is a particularly popular and successful treatment for patients with uncomfortable and unstable dentures.

Implants can last many years and so can often be the most cost effective option over a period of time.

Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is made by gently reducing the teeth either side of the gap to accept a new Crown. With a new crown on the teeth either side of the gap we can suspend a new tooth and join it to these two new crowns, creating a dental bridge made of three components all joined together – the new Crown on either side and the false tooth suspended in the middle.

Dental bridges have been made for many years and are an exceptionally reliable treatment option to replace missing teeth.

Removable Dentures

Often these are the least preferred option for patients as they are removable. However, they are an extremely good solution for the problem of missing teeth. Dentures tend to be the most cost-effective option and with modern alternatives can be made to look exceptionally good, most people would never know that you are wearing dentures.

Tooth or Gum Abscess

When the inside of your mouth gets hurt or irritated, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes you will see a painful swelling filled with pus (a thick, yellowish fluid). If the pus can’t drain out, the area will get more swollen and painful. This is known as an abscess. The abscess forms a barrier around the infection. This is one way that your body tries to keep a bacterial infection from spreading.

Abscesses can form very quickly and can be either tooth related or gum related or a combination of both. Sometimes they form only one or two days after the infection starts. Abscesses are always serious because the infection may spread to other parts of the body. Call us for so we can arrange for you to see one of our dentists.

What are your options?

Your dentist may give you a prescription to help control the infection and relieve the pain.

If the infection started inside a tooth, your dentist will make a small hole in the tooth. This allows the abscess to drain. The tooth will need root canal treatment, followed by a filling or a crown.

If an abscess is very large or the tooth is badly damaged, you may need to have the tooth removed. A large abscess often will need to be drained.

Sore Gums

Gums play a major role not only in your dental health, but in your overall well-being. In many instances, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. When people don’t practice proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth forms plaque on the teeth. These bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed, which results in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If we treat gingivitis early, it can be reversed and healed with proper oral hygiene. Be sure to see your dentist if you have the following symptoms, even if you don’t have any discomfort:

gums that bleed during and after tooth-brushing
persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
receding gums
red, swollen, or tender gums
loose or shifting teeth

When gingivitis progresses, it develops into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and bone that hold the teeth in place can be severely weakened. The bacteria on the teeth release toxic substances destroying the attachment between the teeth and the bone, leading to infection. The infection and the inflammation that result when your body attacks the bacteria can degrade your gums and the bone in your jaw even further. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

What are your treatment options?

The main goal of treatment is to eliminate and control the cause of the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease.

If on examination you do have gum disease, the dentist will remove the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.

Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home which includes:-

Brushing your teeth twice a day.
Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or using a special brush or wooden or plastic pick recommended by your dentist.
Visiting the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Assessing any systemic disease that may be contributing to the problem, including diabetes.

Anxious Patient

Being anxious of visiting the dentist means different things to different people. Maybe it’s the thought that treatment will hurt, or that the sounds and smells bring back memories of bad experiences as a child. Our dentists understand these fears and with a combination of discussion, kindness and gentleness we can do a lot to make dental treatment less stressful for you.

We have many patients who are nervous about seeing a dentist and we are pleased to say that many of them can now visit us and relax, knowing that everything is discussed with them, and that there are options for oral sedation if required. It is all part of our commitment to ensuring that we listen to you and that we are empathetic and caring at all times. If you haven’t seen a dentist for several years because of fear or anxiety, be assured that you will find the experience more pleasant these days.

Toothache

Maybe you feel a dull, throbbing pain in your jaw. Maybe one side of your mouth hurts when you bite down on something. Maybe you get a sharp pain whenever you drink a cold beverage.

Toothaches can take a lot of different forms, but they usually have one thing in common: they tend to be a symptom of an issue that a dentist will need to address.

Even if the pain subsides on its own, that doesn’t mean the issue has resolved itself. Toothaches often come back (and sometimes with a vengeance!). If your tooth or jaw is hurting, there’s a good chance that your body’s telling you that something is wrong – don’t ignore it.

The most common causes of dental pain include:

tooth decay – if bacteria in plaque erodes the enamel surface of your tooth, this can expose the sensitive nerve endings within the underlying tooth structure (dentine) and can continue to infiltrate into the centre of the tooth reaching the pulp.
gum disease – if plaque remains beneath the gum, it can damage the bone that supports your teeth and the roots of your teeth as well. This causes teeth to loosen and ache.
abscesses – tooth decay and gum disease can cause an abscess to form below or alongside the tooth root, which causes pain and spreads infection.
trauma – if your tooth gets chipped or cracked, this can also expose the pulp and put you at risk of infection.
impaction – if a tooth doesn’t emerge fully from the gums, it can irritate the surrounding nerves, causing pain. This is most common with wisdom teeth and other molars.
bruxism (teeth grinding) – if you grind your teeth at night or during the day, this causes the teeth to wear down over time exposing the sensitive middle layers of teeth and can also strain the surrounding supporting structures.
misaligned teeth – if your teeth are crooked or not properly aligned, this can cause uneven pressure in the mouth and may require orthodontic treatment.

The most important step is to see your dentist as soon as possible, your dentist will take an x-ray to determine the reasons for your toothache and make a plan for treating the tooth.

Sensitive Teeth

When the teeth are worn down or gums have receded, exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and nerve irritation, which affects your eating, drinking, and breathing habits.

Tooth sensitivity may be defined as a short, sharp pain that is usually initiated by eating hot or cold foods or exposure to cold air. Aching often follows. Be sure to clarify exactly what you feel when you discuss the condition with your dentist and tell us what triggers the pain and what alleviates it.

An accurate diagnosis of tooth sensitivity is essential for effective treatment to eliminate pain. As pain symptoms can be similar, some people might think that a tooth is sensitive, when instead, they actually have a cavity or abscess that’s not yet visible. Pain can also be referred pain between adjacent or opposing teeth.

What are your treatment options?

Dentists have a variety of regimens to manage tooth hypersensitivity, including both dental treatments and products for you to use at home. If you are diagnosed with sensitive teeth, your dentist may apply a desensitizing agent or a protective coating. You may also be advised to use a desensitizing toothpaste or gel containing fluoride. The ingredients in these products help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve. It also might help to massage the special paste onto your gums with your finger after brushing.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.

Generally, the treatments above, are fairly noninvasive so discomfort is minimal.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

Cracked Tooth

If you have a crack in a tooth there are a variety of symptoms:

rough or jagged edges which are sharp and irritating on your tongue
which might include erratic pain when chewing
possibly when opening after biting
or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes

In many cases, the pain may come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth is causing the discomfort.

The treatment and outcome for your tooth depends on the type, location and extent of the crack. If you think you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to seek treatment quickly, before the problem gets worse. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing.

What are your treatment options?

The type of treatment depends on the amount of damage to the tooth. Your Dentist will give you advice about the best treatment for you, which might be one of the following options:

Cosmetic contouring: This is done when the chip is very small. The rough edges of the tooth are rounded and polished to blend away the crack.
Resin Fillings: This is when a resin (white filling) is used to fill the crack to restore the biting surface of the tooth
Veneers: These are ideal when there is still a fair amount of tooth remaining, because they are long lasting and need the least amount of tooth removing first. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or resin material made to fit over the front surface of the tooth.
Crowns: These are used for a tooth that is not suitable for a veneer. A crown fits over what is left of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the appearance of a natural tooth. If the nerve has been damaged and becomes infected you may need to have root canal treatment first. This involves removing all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infections. The tooth would then be fitted with a crown to give it extra support.

I don’t like my smile

In today’s world there are lots of options we can consider to help improve your smile. There is a range of cosmetic options that we can assist with to correct a number of teeth issues. These options can be discussed with your dentist to see if they are recommended for you. Options available to you can assist with Teeth whitening, Crooked teeth, Gaps, Teeth shape, Worn teeth, Missing teeth and Damaged teeth.

Options for Treatment:

There are many treatment options available depending on what you want to change about your smile. Come in and see us so we can discuss the best options with you. We can assist with teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, implants, and dentures. You will also find more information on our website specific to your particular concern.