What our Consultation Involves

At this appointment we will examine and record the condition of your teeth and gums usually with the help of some x-rays. We will also ask you to fill in a comprehensive medical history to ensure your safety.

We shall discuss with you any treatment required, give you all of the options available and provide any details of costs that you require. We will advise on the most appropriate oral hygiene product to use.

X-rays

If we are to help you it is absolutely essential to know exactly what is going on beneath the gum line and inside the teeth, where we cannot see. As a health precaution we advocate that the x-rays taken are kept to the minimal amount clinically possible and prescribed on an individual basis.

We carefully follow the current national guidelines for dental radiography and use modern, low radiation dose dental x-ray machines. The health and safety of our patients is paramount.

Your gums are designed to act as a barrier to keep bacteria out. If your gums bleed, this could indicate gum disease. The latest research shows that plaque (which builds up on the surface of your teeth) and bacteria are the cause of gum disease, especially when your immune level is low.

At your regular visits we will carefully examine your mouth and associated structures for any signs that could be associated with a medical condition. The mouth can show signs of many important general illnesses long before symptoms start. This can give us a good early warning system so that any necessary medical treatment can be commenced whilst the prognosis for most human illnesses is at its best.

When any teeth are missing this places more strain on the remaining teeth and the supporting structures of these teeth – teeth tend to drift and tilt when they are lacking the mutual support of the neighbouring teeth. Imagine a car with 4 wheels – if one is missing or flat then the whole system is thrown out of balance.

Preventative treatment is paramount

To properly develop into a healthy adult it is essential for children to have a healthy mouth. To prevent tooth decay and gum disease it is necessary to have regular dental visits. Where it affects the dentition we can advise the young patients on dietary problems.

Fissure sealants can play an important role in preventing decay.

Full monitoring of the developing dentition is carried out to ensure that timely advice is sought from a Consultant Orthodontist if there is tooth crowding or positioning problems.

There are many ways facial appearance can be changed by improving the aesthetics of your teeth. These include crowns, veneers, bridges, implants and bleaching. After a careful assessment by your Dentist he can advise you on treatment.

The picture to the right shows a case requiring extensive cosmetic work and control of gum disease.

Modern dentistry is largely painless. We do everything in our power to achieve this and allow you to make an informed choice. However prevention is always better than cure.

Mouth cleanliness is the greatest single factor in prevention of dental disease. We will teach you how to control any active disease, and this will be coupled with a thorough diagnosis and a planned corrective programme to avoid future disease.