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Posts Tagged ‘Dental fillings City of Leeds’

Three Ways we can restore a broken tooth

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

shutterstock_621876419You’d be amazed at how strong the teeth are, but they’re not immune to damage. If you’ve got a broken tooth, there are various treatments and restorative techniques we can use to repair your damaged tooth and restore your smile to its former glory. These include:

  1. Dental bonding: in cases where the tooth is chipped, rather than broken, we can use a technique known as dental bonding. Bonding involves using a tooth-coloured resin material called composite to fill in the broken part of the tooth and reshape the tooth. This treatment offers both restorative and cosmetic benefits, and it only takes around one hour. There’s no pain involved, and you’ll notice the difference immediately.
  2. Crowns: dental crowns are types of restoration that are used to repair broken and decayed teeth. Crowns are sometimes called caps because they are placed over the top of the remaining tooth structure. Before a crown is fitted, the tooth will be shaped and cleaned and any damaged tissue will be removed. Every crown is custom-made to ensure a perfect fit and we can use ceramics to produce very natural aesthetics.
  3. Filling: if the tooth has a very minor fracture, it may be possible to restore it using a white filling. These fillings are made from a mixture of dental composite and resins. Your dentist will match the shade of the composite to your tooth colour so that you won’t be able to tell the difference between the composite and the natural tooth tissue.

If you have a broken or chipped tooth, we recommend getting in touch as soon as possible.

Wonderful White Fillings!

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

2823674_blogThe best course of action to treat a cavity is usually to fill the tooth. We offer durable, aesthetically pleasing white fillings to strengthen and protect your teeth, without impacting on the look of your smile. We are able to fit new white fillings, as well as replacements for mercury amalgam fillings.

The benefits of white fillings

White fillings offer a range of benefits for patients who want to replace old fillings, as well as those who need a new one. Fillings help to protect decayed teeth from further damage and they also make the teeth stronger once they have been weakened by a cavity. Cavities are holes that form as a result of the enamel layer of the tooth being penetrated by harmful bacteria. Once a cavity forms it will grow in size, the tooth will get weaker and the risk of infection spreading through the tooth will increase.

White fillings are mainly made from dental composite, which is strong and durable yet also discreet, as it matches the shade of your teeth. Composite fillings last for many years and they are better for the environment and safer than traditional mercury fillings. Although mercury amalgam fillings are approved for use in the UK, many patients have concerns over their safety and we are proud to offer mercury-free treatment.

How is a filling placed?

If you need a filling, you will undergo a simple procedure that involves cleaning the cavity and then filling it with composite. The tooth will be numbed first to ensure you don’t feel any pain and the cavity will be cleared and cleaned thoroughly. The composite will then be put into the cavity and your dentist will spread it through the cavity to ensure that it is full. Once the cavity has been filled, it will be set firm with the use of a curing light. The light does not hurt at all and the process takes only a few seconds. Once the filling has had chance to harden, we will trim it to make sure it looks and feels perfect and then the procedure is complete.

New and Discreet Fillings for Patients in Leeds

Monday, January 18th, 2016

2904341_blogIf you’ve ever heard the dreaded words from the dentist that you need a filling, you’ve probably done the same thing as most people: fret and sigh at the thought of having a grey chunk sat between your teeth, reminding you of your visit.

However, at City Dental Leeds, the days of this experience could be over as they offer discreet white fillings.

White fillings

White fillings have become extremely popular in recent years for a number of reasons, such as being more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional amalgam filling and for a number of environmental reasons.

Although like many other dental procedures, there are various options when it comes to white fillings, that all depend on the size and location of the cavity.

Firstly there’s the white filling made of dental composite that look natural and can be fitted in one appointment. These fillings can be used on both the front and the back teeth, with some designed for the back teeth being made to withstand great force to help when eating, and they come in different shades in order to blend well with your other teeth.

There is also a composite or porcelain inlay white filling, which is usually used for larger fillings as they are much more durable than the normal composite. These are also used for aesthetic purposes, but do require two appointments, as the inlays have to be manufactured in a lab.

How the procedure works

These fillings are bonded to the teeth and once this is done an intensive light is used to help harden the filling, which takes less than a minute. The best thing is – you can eat as soon as it’s finished as the filling will be set straight away.

So next time you need a filling, enquire about white fillings so you don’t have to see grey next time you open your mouth!

Terrific Treatment for Tooth Decay

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

Happy buddies laughingThe dissolving of the outer layer of the teeth by the acids in the mouth is called tooth decay. Luckily there are multiple techniques available for patients in Leeds that can be used to deal with this condition.

Fluoride

Fluoride is the best option when it comes to preventing and stopping tooth decay. Fluoride can be found naturally in food such as tea and fish. It can also be manufactured and good toothpastes contain synthetic fluoride. If the decay is caught in the initial stage then the dentist will apply some concentrated fluoride varnish or paste to the affected area, which will stop the decay from spreading. However, if the decay has worn out the enamel then the dentist will remove the decay and use a filling to restore the tooth and prevent further decay.

Fillings and crowns

Fillings and crowns are used when the decay becomes extensive. The filling will be used as a replacement for the lost enamel. Various types of fillings are used, such as amalgam, composite, and glass ionomer. Inlays and onlays are also used for fillings.

In certain cases, part of the decayed tooth is drilled out and crowns will be placed on the remaining part of the tooth. Crowns can be made from gold, ceramic, glass and porcelain.

Root canal treatment

If the decay has reached the pulp of the teeth then the dentist will need to replace it with an artificial pulp, which will keep the tooth in place. This process is known as root canal treatment. With the help of modern dental techniques it has become relatively painless to received root canal treatment.

When the decay is in the final stages and the tooth is severely affected, the dentist will need to remove the tooth to protect the remaining teeth from infection. Once the tooth is removed an empty space will be left between the teeth, which can negatively affect the functioning and shape of the remaining teeth. In order to avoid this, the dentist will place a bridge, denture or implant in the empty area.

The Difference Between White and Amalgam Fillings

Monday, August 10th, 2015

3708143_blogFillings are a common treatment and most people will need at least one filling in their lifetime. In the past dentists used metal amalgam fillings. But today, white fillings are much more popular. If you need a filling or need to replace an old one, here is a brief guide to highlight the differences between amalgam and white fillings.

About white fillings

White fillings are made from dental composite combined with resins. Their job is to fill cavities and strengthen teeth without affecting the way your smile looks. White fillings match your individual tooth shade, so nobody will see them when you talk or smile. They provide a safer, more environmentally friendly and more attractive alternative to amalgam fillings. Fillings don’t last forever, but they should last a few years. When you have your routine dental check-ups, your dentist will check your fillings to make sure they’re still in good condition and working as they should.

About amalgam fillings

Amalgam fillings consist of a mixture of metals. They are still used in the UK, but white fillings are much more common now. Amalgam fillings are strong and durable but they are noticeable and can detract from the smile’s beauty. Amalgam fillings tend to be less expensive than the white alternative, but many people are willing to pay a little more for an invisible filling.

If you have an old amalgam filling, you can replace it with a new white filling. We’ll just remove the old one, prepare the tooth and fill it with a white filling. If you’d like to book an appointment, get in touch today.

 

 

Goodbye Metal Fillings, Hello White Fillings!

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

2823674_blogIn the past metal fillings were commonly used to fill cavities, but today white fillings are a much more popular option. If you have an old mercury amalgam filling you would like to replace with a brand new white filling, call us and book an appointment today.

The benefits of white fillings

White fillings are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people choose them as an aesthetically-pleasing solution for tooth decay. White fillings are created using layer of dental composite, a versatile material that comes in an array of tooth-coloured shades. White fillings are designed to match the colour of the natural tooth so we can restore your tooth without impacting on the way it looks in a negative way. Unlike metal fillings, once a composite filling is in place, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the filling and the rest of the tooth structure or see the filling when you smile.

As well as being very discreet, white fillings are also safer and more environmentally friendly than mercury amalgam fillings.

What happens when you have a filling?

Before a filling is placed, the tooth is cleaned thoroughly and any decayed tissue is removed from the cavity. Once the cavity is completely clear, bonding agent will be applied and this helps the composite to stick. The composite, which is soft and malleable at room temperature, is then placed inside the cavity and layered until the cavity is completely full. Your dentist will then shine a curing light onto the tooth and this sets the composite. When the filling is firm, any final adjustments will be made to ensure the filling fits the cavity perfectly. In the case of a replacement filling, where an old mercury filling is replaced with a white filling, the old filling is removed first and disposed of very carefully. The tooth is then cleaned thoroughly before the filling procedure begins.

The Silver Fox Filling in the City of Leeds

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

There is a lot of bad mouthing going on about amalgam filling these days, even in dental circles in the city of Leeds, that has tended err towards outlawing the very thought of using it again. It is because or the lead and mercury content in its chemical mix which yes, are highly toxic. Certain countries inScandinaviahave already banned its use, but let’s take a step back for a second and calm down before we consign the amalgam filling to the gallows. What’s the alternative? Ceramic and resin fillings look beautifully natural and fresh, and they are by no means toxic. However, they still haven’t been able to offer the longevity that is required in a filling just yet and have the annoying habit of falling out. Gold is good, but again, being soft and malleable, it too has the tendency to fall out.  It would be foolhardy, and very traumatic, to start ripping out perfectly good amalgam fillings based on this evidence alone. As for the toxic levels and how they affect people, again a bit of a mystery. Talk to someone from a couple of generations ago who still have their teeth and ask them about their fillings and when they got them, because the chances are, they have been in all their life, and they’re still alive. If by have ceramic fillings you will live forever- fine, but that’s doubtful. So, how about looking at the positives of this silver fox and just how strong it is, maybe adapt it, cover it with white resin, use it for its better qualities and stop hunting it.