Dental dictionary

A new technique to secure a fixed replacement for missing teeth on 4 implants avoiding the need for extensive bone grafting.

Adjacent teeth to a space (called abutment teeth) are used to support a missing tooth (called a pontic). Can be a conventional bridge that involves preparing adjacent teeth for crowns. This is generally quite destructive of natural tooth but if the adjacent tooth is heavily restored this can be beneficial. Alternatively can be an adhesive type bridge that involves much less, if any preparation.

Custom made full coverage restorations to restore heavily filled teeth. Restore damaged or decayed teeth to normal shape and size.

The best way to replace missing teeth. Replace a missing tooth or fill a gap without drilling away the adjacent teeth. Pure titanium is implanted into the jaw bones and the bone fuses to the implant. A new tooth can then be secured to the implant. Can sometimes be immediately loaded with a new tooth or are buried under the gum for approximately 4 months.

The dental term for root canal therapy. Required when a tooth dies from being heavily filled or traumatized. Generally done after an abscess forms to save the tooth. Root filled teeth are best restored with a restoration that reinforces the tooth such as an onlay or crown. Root filled teeth do not make good bridge abutments.

A naturally occurring element known to protect against tooth decay. Can be incorporated into developing teeth as a child via water fluoridation or even supplements in very at risk children but most commonly used topically (on the surface) in toothpastes or mouthrinses or professionally applied by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The goal of a dental hygienist is to assist in the achieving and maintaining of optimal oral health and preventing dental disease Good dental hygiene helps you keep your teeth for life.

Tooth coloured restorations for larger cavities. Inlays are custom made in a laboratory and chemically bonded to help reinforce the teeth. Restores a tooth nearly back to its original strength.

This is a relatively new orthodontic appliance in the UK and offers a faster solution to correcting tooth alignment problems. It is more effective at correcting problems with front teeth and is hybrid between the Invisalign invisible braces system and traditional metal braces. It’s main advantage is that it is a removable appliance.

A revolutionary new way to align your teeth using invisalign invisible braces. This invisible orthodontics system uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-moulded to fit your teeth and gradually apply gentle pressure to your teeth to reposition them over time.

The essential protection for those playing at risk sports.

Straightening of crowded teeth or closing gaps with braces.

Fixed braces
Lingual braces (on the inside of teeth)
Invisalign (series of custom-made, nearly invisible, removable aligners.
Inman Aligner (removable, spring aligner that squeezes teeth into position in approx 6-14 weeks

The dentist term for gum disease. Best prevented by correct dental hygiene but can be successfully treated by the dental team or by a specialist.

A purely preventative measure providing protection for the tooth surface against decay. A protective barrier is bonded into the fissures/ biting surface of the tooth so helping to protect this vulnerable area from the acid attacks that cause decay.

Fixed tooth coloured braces and wires that are worn usually between 4-6 months that gently reposition teeth and usually cost less than traditional braces. They work more quickly as they are generally not aiming to make as many corrections as conventional braces.

Can involve treating anything from a single tooth and whitening the other teeth, through to treating the whole smile (classically 10 teeth as this is how many teeth are seen in a ‘normal’ smile). It can involve a mixture of bonding, crowns, implants and porcelain veneers to change the appearance of the smile.

Face shape, tooth shape and colour, tooth size, bite and the way the jaw works as well as the age of the patient all play an important part in the decisions ensuring the quality, functionality and longevity of your stunning smile.

Our smile makeover service has successfully transformed many of our patients’ lives in as few as 2-4 visits. For someone that is unhappy with their smile this can truly be life changing.

Brighten, whiten and improve your smile using home (tray) whitening or in chair whitening at the practice.

Thin porcelain facings, bonded to the teeth. They can be used to correct the shape, colour and arrangement of teeth. Wafer-thin, yet incredibly strong, restorations that can change the shape and colour of teeth, as well as sometimes the way the teeth function. Should only involve very minimal tooth preparation and can sometimes involve ZERO tooth preparation (prepless veneers). However due to the strength of the bond to the teeth they should not really be considered reversible even if no preparation is done.

Directly placed tooth coloured restorations, artistically crafted to match the front teeth or to fill smaller cavities in the back teeth. Tooth-coloured restorations are most suitable for new areas of small decay.

Long implants placed into the cheek bone that avoids the need for extensive bone grafting.