Restoring A Long Lost Smile

Restoration options for patients whose teeth are in very poor condition.

The health and general condition of our teeth and gums depends on a number of factors. These include whether we have looked after them or neglected them, whether we have seen a dentist on a regular basis as well as our age and general health, which can also be factors. Whatever the reason, it is fair to say that some of us will be unhappy with the state of our teeth and may feel that it is already too late to do anything significant to improve them.

At Alexandra Dental Care, we believe that there is no ‘point of no return’ where a patient will have to live with poor quality teeth that make it difficult to eat, or make them reluctant to smile or laugh out loud because of their poor condition. Modern dentistry now offers many  procedures that can restore your teeth to good health and also improve the way that they look.

Get them checked

The chances are that if your teeth are in a poor state of health, you won’t have seen a dentist for some time. This is the first step that you should take. If you live in the Ashby or Swadlincote area, giving us a call on 01283 216347 is a great place to start. We will arrange an initial consultation with you to assess the health of your teeth and gums and discuss a suitable treatment plan.

Restorative treatments

What treatments you undergo will obviously depend on what is needed to restore your teeth. We will advise procedures that we feel are necessary, as well as some which we feel would be beneficial from an aesthetic viewpoint if you want to have the best looking smile possible. These ‘cosmetic’ treatments may include the likes of modern orthodontics such as Invisalign, along with teeth whitening to bring out the whiteness of your new smile. You will not be ‘pressured’ into having these treatments though and they are purely a beneficial option.

For the purpose of this blog, we will take a look at some possible treatments that could be used to restore your teeth, rather than to specifically improve their appearance.

Gum disease treatment

The aim of restoring your teeth is to enable you to have a fully functional and healthy mouth. In addition to your teeth, this means ensuring that you have healthy gums. At some point in the treatment plan, a full scale and polish will be given to remove tartar (calculus) from your teeth and gums to minimise the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. A programme of such treatments could be needed depending on the condition of your gums.

Fillings

This is the most common dental treatment of all, and most of us will have had at least one filling during our lifetime. These are now also available as white fillings, made to match the natural colour of your teeth.

Veneers

Veneers can be used to restore the whiteness of badly stained teeth. They are also useful though, where the teeth have suffered from chips or cracks as well as where the enamel is worn away. Compromised enamel can lead to sensitive teeth and can cause significant discomfort when eating hot or cold food or drinks.

Crowns

Dental crowns can be used to restore a badly damaged tooth. We also have the benefit of a CEREC facility at our practice which means that restorations can be produced and fitted on the same day, without the usual 2 weeks wait for them to be produced at an external dental laboratory.

Inlays and onlays

These can also be produced by CEREC and are mostly used on rear teeth where there is a large cavity or other damage. Whilst fillings can be used on these teeth in many cases,  the use of an inlay or onlay provides additional strength where there is more damage present.

Dental implants

Where a tooth, or several teeth, have been lost, dental implants offer the best option to replace them for most patients. Dentures are available but some patients find these both inconvenient and uncomfortable; even with modern versions. Although the implant procedure is lengthier, implants, once fully integrated with the jawbone, typically offer 20 years of service (and often more providing they are looked after). They are as strong and natural looking as a natural tooth.

Through the use of one or more of these treatments, and perhaps with the addition of a tooth whitening procedure to complete the work, there are few challenges that we can’t meet to help our patients have a functional set of teeth, however poor they were initially. It is never too late to turn the tide but just thinking about it will not change anything. Please don’t feel embarrassed if you have neglected your teeth; our team of friendly dentists are here to help you, not to criticise. We are always happy to discuss any treatments that we recommend, in depth, should you wish to, and we also offer a range of payment plans to help you spread the cost of your treatment.

If you would like to take the first step to a healthier mouth, why not call Alexandra Dental Care for an appointment on 01283 216347 today?

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