Dental Health Assesment

A Dental Health Assessment is a comprehensive examination of both outside and inside the mouth.
It includes:

• Analysis of the neck glands, this enables us to be sure that there is no evidence of infections anywhere in the mouth and face.  Inflamed or enlarged glands can be a sign of colds, flu, dental abscesses and more seriously oral cancer.
• Analysis of the salivary glands to ensure there is no likely upset to the flow of saliva into the mouth.  Saliva is essential for a healthy mouth and a reduced amount of saliva can lead to an increased risk of dental decay and gum disease.
• Inside the mouth is checked using magnifying glasses with a dedicated high intensity light so all areas can be seen very clearly.
• The teeth are checked for their health and current restoration.  If we locate decay at an early stage the treatment can be totally preventative - so avoiding the drill!
• The gums are checked with a special probe which locates any calculus (tartar) deposits and any gum disease present in the form of pockets between the teeth and gums.  You may hear the dentist read out a sequence of numbers between 0 -4.  this gives a 'score' for the gum health and helps us to determine any treatment required to achieve optimal gum health.
• The soft tissues around the mouth are checked carefully to look for any infections / gum boils requiring treatment.
• Finally a comprehensive mouth cancer examination is carried out especially under, behind and around the tongue.  Cancer can show as a change in colour of the tissues, it is often painless so will often not be something the patient is aware of.  Early diagnosis of any cancers is essential to greatly increase the ease of treatment and prognosis.
• Any suspicious areas can be photographed with the 'intro oral' camera which can instantly show the image on our computer screen.  This allows it to be enlarged to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.  We can also email any photos directly to the specialist at the Borders General Hospital for advice / urgent treatment.

Fillings

Composite Fillings:
Natural coloured white fillings, just as durable and long lasting as amalgam, wont show when laughing or smiling.

Amalgam fillings:
Silver metal coloured fillings used only in the back teeth, traditional material used for years.  Now the more preferable natural composite filling is more popular.

Crowns & Bridges

What is a crown?
Crowns are an ideal way to rebuild teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling.  The crown fits right over the remaining part of the tooth. Crowns are sometimes also known as 'caps'. 

What is a bridge?
A bridge is replacing one or more teeth using the surrounding 'sound' teeth to hold the false tooth/teeth in place. Bridges are made of a precious metal base.  It the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce cost.

Bridges

Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy is needed when the blood or nerve supply (pulp) of the tooth is infected through decay or injury.  If the pulp becomes infected the infection may spread through the canal leading to infection causing an abscess.  If the root treatment does not take place, the infection may spread and the tooth may need taken out.
This process of root therapy should not hurt as a local anesthetic will be used and therefore should feel no different to having an ordinary filling. 

Dentures