General Treatments in Strood

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the pulp (nerve) inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system and could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be taken out.

Root canal therapy involves the following:

First, local anaesthetic will be administered to ensure no discomfort is felt during treatment.
The tooth will be prepared with a drill, allowing access to the root canal system.
The root canal system will be thoroughly cleaned out to remove all infection and pulp.
The root canal system is filled and the tooth restored.
It is likely, once all the infection has resolved, that the tooth will need a crown.

Life Benefits

Preservation of remaining healthy tooth structure.
Prevention of infection spreading any further.
Restoration of tooth to its natural look and feel.

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Emergency Dental Care

If you have chipped or broken a tooth as a result of an accident or injury, it is very important that you see a dentist as soon as possible. The same goes for one or more knocked out teeth. The sooner you are seen by a dental professional the better the chances that the teeth can be saved, depending on the severity of your injury.

If you have knocked a tooth out - Don't panic!

Here's what to do to help save your tooth

Step 1: Pick the tooth up by the crown only (do not touch the root)
Step 2: Lick the tooth clean if it is dirty, or rinse it in water
Step 3: Stick the tooth back in position (adult teeth only)
*** Never try to re-insert a baby tooth ***
Step 4: Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in place
Step 5: Go straight to a dentist – try and call us first so we know you are on your way.

If it's not possible to put the tooth back in position, put the tooth in milk and go straight to a dentist (out of hours go to A&E).

Here are some of the steps an emergency dental appointment will cover:

A thorough examination of the injured area will be undertaken. This may include dental x-rays to determine the extent of the damage.
Depending on the severity of the damage, the area will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
The damaged teeth will be restored temporarily or permanently, depending on the case.
In severe cases, the affected tooth may require extraction and options for its replacement will be discussed. We will always try not to leave you with a gap in your smile

At our practice, we offer appointments for all dental emergencies from toothache to lost or broken crowns, chipped teeth and fillings, abscesses, trauma, and facial swelling. Our helpful reception team are trained to assess and prioritise all patients who have suffered an accident or injury or have swelling or severe dental pain. We can take care of your injuries to ensure you heal quicker and more effectively, ensuring that you avoid additional dental problems and complications in the future.

Life Benefits

Preservation of remaining tooth structure.
Reduced risk of infection.
Improved long-term oral health overall.

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Jaw Problems

The way your teeth meet when your top and bottom jaws close down on top of each other is known as your 'bite'. If your teeth don't fit together properly, you could have malocclusion or 'bad bite', which can cause problems with your teeth, gums, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles in your face.

This misalignment, often referred to as TMJ disorder, can also cause some people to clench the jaw and grind their teeth at night. This can lead to facial pain, headaches, discomfort and clicking when biting or chewing, migraines as well as neck and shoulder pain, and even back pain.

If you recognise any of these symptoms or suffer with these on a daily basis, you will need to see a dentist to treat your problems or to refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Treatment can include the following:

Impressions of your teeth are taken to create a customised plastic appliance that fits over your teeth and is worn at night.
When the device is worn, your teeth are in a position where your facial muscles are relaxed, preventing grinding and taking the pressure off your TMJ.
The device also protects the teeth, preventing them from becoming worn down by grinding.

Depending on the origin and severity of your problem, you may need orthodontic treatment or maxillofacial surgery. Other solutions may include replacing missing teeth or adjusting any ill-fitting bridgework that you may have. The most important thing to do is to see your dentist as soon as possible so that your problem does not become worse over time and require more drastic measures to correct.

Life Benefits

Alleviated facial and TMJ pain, including a reduction in headaches.
Prevention of extensive tooth wear.
Enhanced quality of sleep.

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Extractions & Oral Surgery

In cases of advanced gum disease and tooth decay, teeth may need to be extracted. Some patients may also develop impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause intense pain. This is alleviated by having them removed surgically. One area in which it is possible for dentists to specialise is oral surgery, an umbrella term for all dental procedures involving surgery, such as the extraction of teeth or wisdom teeth. It is always important to get the advice of a dental professional if you are worried about any of your teeth. Never attempt to pull out your own tooth at home as this could cause a more serious problem for you.

Tooth extractions typically involve the following:

Before the procedure you may require an x-ray of your teeth.
You will be given a local anaesthetic and offered sedation if you are anxious.
Dentists have the right equipment and sterile environment to extract teeth with the utmost care and your recovery can be surprisingly quick.
In the case of wisdom tooth extractions, you may have some swelling after the procedure and discomfort that can be eased with over-the-counter painkillers. In cases of advanced gum disease or periodontitis, antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of further infection.

Life Benefits

Safe and sterile procedure.
Quick recovery and healing time with reduced infection risk.
Sustained good oral health.

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Snoring Management

Do you or your partner suffer from breathing difficulties during sleep such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea? You might be pleased to know that dentistry may have a solution for you. A variety of oral devices or mouthpieces are now available that will address your snoring problems. By preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep, these devices can prevent the closure of your airways, which will stop you from snoring. Your dentist can fit one of these for you.

Here is how the treatment works:

A custom-made mouth piece is made from impressions taken of your teeth to ensure they fit you comfortably.
Made from a hard wearing plastic, the mouthpiece is worn at night and works by holding the bottom jaw in a slightly forward position.
This position opens up your airway significantly, allowing you to breathe better and as a result sleep better too.

Life Benefits