Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

General

What are Crowns?

A crown is a type of cap that completely covers a real tooth. It’s made from either metal, or porcelain and metal, and is fixed in your mouth. Crowns can be fitted where a tooth has broken, decayed or been damaged, or just to make a tooth look better.

To fit a crown, the old tooth will need to be prepared so it’s like a small peg onto which the crown will be fixed. It can take a few weeks for the lab to prepare a new crown, so you will have a temporary crown placed until the new crown is ready.

What are bridges?

A bridge is a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth. It’s made by taking an impression of the surrounding teeth, which will eventually support the bridge. A bridge is usually created from precious metal and porcelain and will be fixed in your mouth (unlike dentures, which can be removed)

What are fillings?

Fillings are used to repair a hole in a tooth caused by decay. The most common type of filling is an amalgam, made from a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, copper and zinc. Your dentist will offer the most appropriate type of filling according to your clinical needs. This includes white fillings, if appropriate.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is required after bacteria enter the tooth, causing the pulpal tissues in the centre of the tooth to become inflamed or infected. This often, but not always, results in pain, and in more severe cases, swelling. In some cases however, this process causes few symptoms and the problem tooth may only be picked up incidentally when your dentist takes an x-ray.

The treatment options for such teeth are either root canal treatment or extraction. Root canal treatment is the only option to save and retain your own natural tooth.

Root canal treatment involves the removal of the inflamed or infected dental pulp tissue, shaping, disinfection and filling of the root canals and restoration of the tooth. A crown or onlay is often advised subsequently, to provide a seal against recontamination and to protect the tooth from fracture

What are dentures?

More commonly known as false teeth, dentures are fitted in place of natural teeth. A full set is used to replace all your teeth. A part set is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dentures are custom-made using impressions (mouldings) from your gums. They’re usually made from metal or plastic.

They’re removable so you can clean them, although part dentures can be brushed at the same time as your other teeth. A full set needs to be removed and soaked in a cleaning solution.

Dentures are important if you lose your natural teeth as losing your teeth makes it difficult to chew your food, which will adversely affect your diet and may cause your facial muscles to sag.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are new facings for teeth which disguise a discoloured (rather than a damaged) tooth. To fit a veneer, the front of the tooth is drilled away a little. An impression is taken, and a thin layer of porcelain is fitted over the front of the tooth (similar to how a false fingernail is applied).

Veneers are generally only available privately unless you can show a clinical need for them.