Fillings, Crowns, Root Canal Treatments and Periodontal health
General dentistry covers the routine care, diagnosis and treatment provided by a General Dental Practitioner (GDP). This includes treating tooth decay, repairing broken teeth, managing dental pain, carrying out root canal treatment, providing crowns, and helping patients prevent and manage gum disease. Our aim is to keep your teeth healthy, functional and comfortable for the long term.
Fillings
A filling is used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay or minor fracture. The damaged area is carefully removed and replaced with a restorative material to rebuild the tooth and protect it from further breakdown.
Fillings can be made from:
- Dental amalgam (silver-coloured metal filling)
- Composite (white, tooth-coloured filling)
- Glass ionomer
- Inlays (laboratory-made fillings)
Fillings and Tooth Repair
If a tooth becomes damaged or develops decay, we provide strong and natural-looking fillings to restore its shape and function. Our aim is always to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible while providing a long-lasting result. We use modern materials that blend naturally with your teeth.
What is an amalgam filling?
Dental amalgam is a strong, silver-coloured filling material that has been used safely in dentistry for over 100 years. It is robust, hard-wearing and can perform very well in back teeth where biting forces are greatest. Although amalgam has many proven advantages, it is now used less often, as white composite fillings are usually preferred for their more natural appearance.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are tooth-coloured restorations designed to blend in naturally with your smile. With modern materials and techniques, they have become increasingly reliable and can now offer a life expectancy similar to that of traditional metal fillings in many cases.
Advantages of composite fillings
- Tooth coloured and highly aesthetic
- Bonds directly to the tooth
- Can be used to repair decay, chips and worn teeth
- Long-lasting with modern techniques
Disadvantages of composite fillings
- Can occasionally cause temporary sensitivity after treatment, especially in deeper fillings
- Technique sensitive and may not be suitable in every situation
- In some larger restorations, other options such as inlays or crowns may be more appropriate
Inlay Fillings
An inlay is a custom-made filling designed outside the mouth, usually in a dental laboratory. After the tooth is prepared, we take a digital scan or impression, and the inlay is made to fit precisely. It is then bonded into place at a separate visit. Inlays can be a very durable and accurate option where a standard filling may not be ideal.
Crowns
A crown is a laboratory-made restoration that covers and protects the top part of a tooth. Some people refer to crowns as a “cap”. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that are heavily broken down, weakened by large fillings, cracked, or have had root canal treatment.
You may need a crown if:
- A tooth is heavily damaged or broken down
- A large filling has weakened the remaining tooth
- A tooth is cracked and needs reinforcement
- A root-treated tooth needs extra protection
- We want to reduce the risk of future fracture and tooth loss
Crowns are commonly made from:
- All metal
- Porcelain bonded to metal
- All-ceramic materials
Metal crowns in particularly all metal (precious metal) are great lasting, hard wearing, but are often poor aesthetically. Often see as the workhorse in the back of the mouth.
Porcelain bonded to metal crowns have a metal substructure with a tooth-coloured outer layer and can look very natural.
However, all-ceramic crowns have become increasingly popular due to their excellent aesthetics and the reduced use of metal in modern dentistry.
A post crown is used when very little healthy tooth structure remains. A post is placed inside the root of the tooth to help support the final restoration. This usually requires the tooth to have had root canal treatment already, or for root canal treatment to be carried out first. A crown is then fitted over the post to rebuild and restore the tooth.
Preparing a crown involves shaping the tooth so there is enough space for the final restoration to fit properly. Once the tooth is prepared, we record its shape using a digital scan or impression. This information is sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians make the crown.
A temporary crown is often fitted while your final crown is being made. This is usually worn for around two weeks, after which the final crown is fitted and adjusted for comfort and appearance.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is used to save a tooth when the nerve inside has become inflamed or infected. This can happen because of deep decay, a crack, trauma, or a leaking filling. When bacteria reach the pulp or nerve of the tooth, pain and infection can develop.
Root canal treatment involves removing the damaged or infected nerve tissue, cleaning and shaping the root canals, and sealing the space to help prevent reinfection. Once the tooth has been treated, it can often be restored and kept in function for many years.
What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess can occur when a tooth has already died and infection develops at the end of the root. In many cases, this infection can be treated through root canal treatment rather than removing the tooth. Once the canals are disinfected and sealed, the tooth can often be preserved.
How long does root canal treatment last?
The long-term success of root canal treatment depends on factors such as the extent of infection, the quality of the treatment, and how well the tooth is restored afterwards. In general, root canal treatment is highly successful, and many treated teeth can last for many years. Protecting the tooth afterwards with a crown or inlay can often improve its long-term prognosis.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
This is one of the most common questions we are asked. With effective local anaesthetic, root canal treatment is usually no more uncomfortable than having a filling. If the tooth is very inflamed or infected, there can occasionally be some discomfort during or after treatment, but this usually settles within a few days and can often be managed with normal pain relief.
Will my tooth go dark after root canal treatment?
A properly treated tooth will not usually turn black. Discolouration is more likely when there has been previous bleeding inside the tooth or incomplete removal of damaged tissue. If a tooth does darken over time, cosmetic options may still be available to improve its appearance.
What happens if root canal treatment is unsuccessful?
If root canal treatment does not heal as expected, it may sometimes need to be repeated. In other cases, if the tooth cannot be predictably saved, extraction may be the best option. The main advantage of root canal treatment is that it gives us the opportunity to preserve your natural tooth and keep it functioning for as long as possible.
Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal treatment focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and management of gum disease. Gum disease is caused primarily by bacteria in plaque and tartar around the teeth. The body reacts to this bacteria with inflammation, and over time this can damage the gums, supporting tissues and bone around the teeth. If left untreated, this may eventually lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.
All of our dentists are trained to recognise the signs of gum disease and provide treatment and support to help manage it.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. It causes inflammation of the gums, which may appear red, swollen or bleed when brushing or flossing. At this stage, the bone supporting the teeth has not yet been lost, and the condition is usually reversible with good oral hygiene and professional care.
Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease where the inflammation begins to damage the bone and tissues supporting the teeth. This can lead to pockets around the teeth, gum recession, loose teeth, bad breath, pus discharge and, in severe cases, tooth loss. Periodontitis cannot usually be completely reversed, but it can often be stabilised and managed successfully.
We look for signs such as:
- Bleeding gums
- Redness and swelling
- Bad breath
- Pus discharge
- Gum recession
- Deep pockets around the teeth
- Tooth mobility
We also take detailed measurements around the teeth to assess gum health and identify any loss of gum or bone support.
Treatment for gum disease may include:
- Careful assessment and diagnosis
- Professional cleaning and deep cleaning where needed
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Support from our hygiene team
- Ongoing monitoring and maintenance
- Advice on reducing risk factors
We also assess wider factors that can affect gum health, including smoking , stress, and diabetes. One of the most important modifiable risk factors is smoking.
Our dentists work closely with patients to help control gum disease, reduce its effects, and maintain the teeth for as long as possible. Where teeth have already been lost as a result of gum disease, we can also discuss suitable replacement options.
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