Comprehensive & Preventative Care
We concentrate our practice on Patient-Centred, Minimal Intervention (MI) dentistry. As such, you can expect that your well-being is paramount and that your care is about much more than being simply educated about a diagnosis, potential treatment, or healthy behaviour – we believe you’d want guidance from us, and that you should expect to be provided with full and unbiased information about options, benefits, and risks.
Regular Oral Health Visits
We are committed to preventive MI dentistry and central to this philosophy are regular examinations at the practice. A ‘check-up’ will ensure your long term oral health, so that you can enjoy your smile for many years to come.
General Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
It has made such a difference to my life, I am no longer afraid to smile and can eat normally again. For the first time in my life I am not afraid to visit the dentist!
I had a gap in my front teeth for many years and all previous dentists told me nothing could be done. But hooray for West Terrace – in such a short time and painlessly you performed what only could be described as magic. No more gap and no more embarrassing looks when I smile!
I am pleased with the result: am in my mid-60’s and my teeth are far from perfectly aligned. I was prompted to ask about treatment when I saw a photo of myself. Too much black coffee, red wine had taken their toll. Your advice gave me a realistic expectation of some improvement – and it has happened. The effect has been that I feel able to smile more – and it has helped my self-confidence about the way 1-look.
I had a gap in my front teeth for many years and all previous dentists told me nothing could be done. But hooray for West Terrace – in such a short time and painlessly you performed what only could be described as magic. No more gap and no more embarrassing looks when I smile!
I am delighted with my implant treatment and the fact that the implants go completely un-noticed by me or anyone else is just perfect!
The hygienist Natasha has been very helpful in getting my gums into a much better stare of health and preventing any further deterioration of bone density. She is much gentler than a lot of hygienists I’ve come across and has given good up-to-date advice.
I wasn’t only given a complete treatment plan – I was also given the confidence to move ahead with absolute faith. Not only that, I wasn’t being conned into spending more than] could afford. It really is hard to put into words what a difference it has all made to me. Now a few years later yes I have dentures (top set only but I can eat, smile and enjoy myself without wondering what will fall out next!
The work was excellent in every way – technical, human, aesthetic. I had confidence in it from the beginning, which made it easy to go through/he whole course of treatment
Crowns
What is a crown?
A crown is a cap that is placed over a tooth and held in place by dental adhesive or cement. Crowns are used for several reasons:
- As a protective cover for badly decayed teeth or fractured teeth
- As a permanent restoration for teeth with large fillings
- To correct minor problems in natural teeth like spacing and irregular shape or severe discolouration.
Examination
When you attend the practice for a check-up, a full examination of your teeth, gums and soft tissues will be undertaken and early detection of any problems should prevent later extensive (and expensive) dental treatment.
Composite Fillings
Most people have fillings of one sort or another but today, because we are much more conscious of our smile, we can choose a natural looking alternative – the composite or tooth-coloured filling. The life expectancy of your composite filling can depend on the depth of cavity and its position in the mouth; your dentist will advise what’s best for you.
Fissure Sealants
Little pits and grooves can be found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are termed ‘fissures’ and are usually so narrow that toothbrush bristles are not able to clean them effectively. These form a favourable environment for bacteria to flourish, sometimes resulting in tooth decay. Fissure sealants can be applied to the teeth. The sealants are special materials used to seal off pits and fissures from the oral environment. Sealing the tooth surface protects fissures
Gum Disease
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, a condition which can often go unnoticed. Symptoms include red, swollen gums which can bleed, especially when brushing your teeth. Gums may be pain free, or very sore, depending on type or severity of the condition. This condition may lead to the more serious Periodontitis, which is a destructive disease of the supporting structures of the teeth ‘gum ligament and bone’, if left untreated it may lead to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is caused by ineffective removal of bacterial plaque, a substance which forms on the teeth daily. Susceptability may be increased with a family history of gum problems, smoking, or other underlying health problems including diabetes & osteoporosis.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis may effect various conditions including diabetes, heart & lung problems. Many people are unaware of the early stages of the disease. A current Adult Dental Health survey showed that only 17% of us have healthy gums – equating to 83% of us having unhealthy gums!
Treatment
Most forms of this disease can be controlled, especially if treated in the early stages. Our dedicated team work closely with patients to achieve good oral health.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary when the tooth’s nerve dies (or is expected to die). The dead nerve in the centre of a tooth is removed, the canal space is filled with a special material, and the access hole in the tooth is sealed with a filling, or more usually, a crown. A tooth with a root canal can last for many years.
Wand (Pain-Relief)
The Wand was developed to replace the traditional syringe in dentistry. As much of a revolution as an evolution, this computer-controlled ‘anaesthetic delivery system’ is a logical progression from the syringe, (which has seen little change since its invention more than 150 years ago). With The Wand, dentists can bring one of dentistry’s last remaining antiquated designs into the 21st century.
Here at West Terrace, we’re confident that If you’re nervous about pain – or have awful memories of painful dentistry as a child – you’ll be very reassured to discover a pain-free dental experience with The Wand. It makes visiting the dentist easier and very much more comfortable for you, and your family.
Well-Being
Well-being is a general term for the condition of an individual’s spiritual or medical state; high well-being means that, in some sense, the individual’s experience is positive, while low well-being is associated with the negative.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a false tooth or teeth which is fused to one or two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth or teeth. The crowns holding it in place are cemented onto your teeth next to the gap. This is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges do not have to be taken out of your mouth as you might do with a partial denture. Although a bridge may seem costly they can be a wise investment that will give many years of good service.
Dentures
A denture is a removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth. Commonly referred to as ‘false teeth’, a denture is usually made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. A partial denture is fitted to replace some missing teeth whilst a complete denture is indicated when all natural teeth are missing. A good set of dentures helps you to eat, speak, function, and often improves a person’s appearance.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that integrates with bone to act as an artificial tooth root. Being made of titanium, it is completely “biocompatible” – there is no rejection per se. Over a period of time, your own bone becomes attached to the surface of the implant and it becomes part of your body. This implant can then be used by the dentist to replace one or multiple missing teeth using a crown, a bridge or a denture. For more information or to arrange a consultation please contact the practice.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-coloured materials specially designed to cover the front (visible) side of teeth, improving the overall appearance of teeth.
They are made of either thin plastic resin or porcelain and can be placed to:
- Correct poorly formed or mildly mal-positioned teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Mask internal stains
- Restore partially broken-down teeth
You may have heard about the new ‘invisible brace’ and wondered what the fuss is about. If you have teeth that are crowded or too far apart, invisalign® may give you a new reason to smile!
Because it is nearly invisible almost no one can tell you are wearing invisalign®, so you can smile more during as well as after your treatment. You can remove invisalign® so you can eat and drink what you like, and studies have shown that it can be better for your dental hygiene during treatment. With no metal or sharp edges, invisalign® is comfortable to wear and does not cause allergies. The convenience and ease of use have made it the choice of over half a million people, giving hundreds of thousands of people amazing new smiles.
Click here to view or download a PDF of Invisalign’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Whitening
Teeth whitening can be performed to reduce discolouration and staining, or simply to provide you with whiter, brighter teeth. It is a safe procedure when carried out under professional supervision. Treatment results usually depend on the severity of the discolouration.
*results may vary from person to person.