Bridge

A bridge is a custom device anchored to neighbouring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth.  When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one must be prepared as crowns which will serve as abutments to hold the replacement teeth in place.

Composite resin

Tooth-coloured filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles.

Cosmetic contouring

Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry

Field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.

Crowns

A crown-sometimes called a cap-is a tooth like covering placed over a carefully prepared existing tooth.  Most crowns are made of porcelain, a stain resistant material that closely replicates the appearance and function of your natural teeth.  Used to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth a crown is placed on an individual tooth much like a thimble over your finger.  Crowns are also used to support teeth when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling.

0% APR dental treatment financing

With fast approval over the phone from Clode plc, your payments can be much lower than those available through our office.  Clode plc specialises in helping patients with dental cases to do the treatment they want.  There is no prepayment penalty and we will assist you in contacting them from our office. 

Fissure sealants

A thin plastic protective film painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.  Children receive the greatest benefit from sealants as the chewing surfaces of a child's teeth are most susceptible to cavities and the least benefited by fluoride. 

Flouride treatment

Fluoride treatments help strengthen the teeth externally, while the supplements are more helpful for the internal development of the teeth.  As the teeth do get topical (external) benefit from fluoride-containing toothpastes, the over-the-counter (non prescription) fluoride rinses are generally not necessary.  Dentists may recommend these rinses for children that, for a variety of reasons, may be especially prone to developing cavities.  The non prescription rinses are also helpful in adults who are cavity prone. 

Gum (periodontal) disease

Also known as gingivitis or periodontitis - you may not realize that red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and bad breath are warning signs of gum disease - a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

Gum reshaping

Excessive or uneven gums can be corrected with a simple cosmetic surgical procedure or gingivoplasty resulting in a more even, pleasing smile.

Hygienist

As licensed oral health professionals, dental hygienists focus on preventing and treating oral diseases - both to protect teeth and gums-and also to protect patients' total health.  see oral hygiene.

Inlay

Porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.

Implant

A dental implant is quite simply a synthetic tooth root. This provides the support a crown needs to withstand the pressures of chewing.  Implants help reverse the negative impact of missing teeth in a variety of ways, restores and maintains the natural bite, prevents unnatural stress on the other teeth, keeps opposing teeth in their proper place, prevents tilting and shifting of adjacent teeth and enhances your smile, speech and chewing function. 

'Instant orthodontics'

The art of using ceramic veneers to 'instantly' (sometimes even within one week) align crooked teeth.  See orthodontics.

Invisalign®

The invisible way to straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners.  Because there are no metal wires and brackets, Invisalign is comfortable.  And because it's removable, eating, brushing and flossing are no problem. 

Laminates or veneers

Thin, custom-made mouldings that cover the fronts of unattractive teeth.  They are crafted from lifelike, high-tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile.  If you are looking to improve your smile, custom fitted veneers can provide the answer. 

Malocclusion

A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.

Midline

An imaginary vertical line that divides the face into equal parts.

Occlusion

Please see TMJ/TMD.

Onlay

Porcelain, resin or gold filling that protects a tooth by covering the chewing surface.

Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene, including flossing and/or use of interdental brushes at least once a day and brushing twice daily, is just as important as ever to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy, along with regular (three - six monthly according to health requirements) dental hygiene appointments.

Orthodontics

Addressing a variety of cosmetic and functional problems this specialised branch of dentistry deals with straightening teeth. Through the use of specially designed and fitted appliances constant and gentle pressure is put on the teeth causing them to move into the desired position.

Partial denture

Removable dental appliance that replaces some of the natural teeth.

Periodontal treatment

Treatment for gum disease.  Often performed by gum and implant specialist or periodontist.

Porcelain

Ceramic, tooth-coloured material that fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-like substance.

Posterior - bonded composite resin

Tooth-coloured filling for back teeth.

Resin-bonded bridge

Thin metal or glass fibre-reinforced bridge requiring slight or no reduction of anchor teeth.  Also called a Maryland bridge it is usually used a provisional restoration.

Root canal treatment (Endodontics)

Inside your tooth, running like a thread through the root, is the pulp.  When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies.  If you do not remove it, your tooth gets infected and this causes intense pain and can lead to a dental abscess.  After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it.  Then a crown is placed over your tooth to help make it stronger.

Rubber dam

Thin rubber sheet applied to teeth in order to control moisture during dental procedures.  It also forms a protective barrier for the patient when silver-mercury fillings are removed. 

TMJ/TMD

If a patient's teeth don't fit and slide together in harmony, one or more of the head and neck muscle groups may begin to suffer from fatigue.  This may be felt as headaches, eye pain, shoulder pain.  Stress levels are known to make matters worse. 

Veneers (porcelain or composite)

Are thin, custom-made mouldings that cover the fronts of unattractive teeth.  They are crafted from lifelike, high tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile.  If you are looking to improve your smile, custom-fitted veneers can provide the answer.

Whitening

People with stained or dull teeth will benefit from whitening - a safe, effective means to whiten stained, discoloured or dull teeth (or even a single tooth).  In-office and supervised at-home whitening systems are available.  At-home systems should be individually fitted and monitored by your cosmetic dentist. 

Wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars are the last teeth to erupt.  This occurs usually between the ages of 17 and 25.  If these impacted teeth are in an abnormal position (a dentist can show you this on an x-ray), their potential for harm should be assessed.  When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, food and bacteria collect under the gum causing a local infection.  This may result in bad breath, pain and swelling.  Once the initial episode occurs, each subsequent attack becomes more frequent and more sever.  Impacted wisdom teeth are almost certain to cause problems if left in place.  This is particularly true of the lower wisdom teeth.