Treatments
Regaining Lost Health
T R E A T M E N T S
Dental treatments are varied and there most definitely isn't a 'one size fits all', even when it comes to how often you should see your dentist. Dr Ahiaku will ensure that you receive the best treatment for you. The best way to start this journey is to come in for an oral health assessment.
Oral Health Assessment
Regular assessments of your mouth are an important part of maintaining good oral health. In addition to looking for new decay or gum disease, at an assessment we also check for early signs of oral cancer and suggest things that you may be able to do to make your oral health even better.
Scale & Polish
A scale and polish may be the most common thing most people expect at the dentist. This procedure removes hard debris (or calculus) which have become stuck to your teeth over time allowing you to clean effectively again. Sometimes, this can even improve the appearance of your teeth.
Maintaining Health
Dental Imaging
As part of an oral health assessment, I sometimes take X-rays or scans. These images help me see under the surface of the tooth and the bone, helping me to reach a diagnosis. The images that I take are safe and enable me to provide you with the most appropriate care.
Clinical photos of your face and/or teeth are sometimes helpful too in planning your treatment. I will always ask your permission before using your pictures for anything other than your dental care.
Please Click Each Photo to find out more...
Aesthetic Options
Fillings
Fillings are often the way to treat decay in teeth. We fill teeth with a range of different materials, ranging from amalgam (metal or 'black' fillings) to composite (white fillings). If you need a filling and aren't sure which one to choose, please ask me and I will explain which one is most appropriate for you.
Routine Treatment
When a tooth gets very infected we need to remove the nerve from the tooth. This is called root canal treatment and is an alternative to havinf the tooth out. It is like a deep filling that goes all the way to the end of the tooth's root.
Root Canal
Extractions
In some cases, saving a tooth with a filling or a root canal treatment is not possible. In these situations, removing a tooth becomes a viable option. The idea of having a tooth out can be scary to start off with but I will do my best to make it as pain free and quick as I possibly can.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns can be used to protect teeth which have had large fillings or a root canal treatment. They can also be used to change the shape and colour of a tooth. Not all crowns are the same and it's worth discussing what options are available to you.
There are several types of bridges too. Essentialy bridges will help fill a gap with one missing tooth or more.
Dentures
Dentures are a great way of replacing spaces in your mouth in addition to replacing all your teeth if you've lost them over the years. Dentures don't have to avoided, they can be a practical way to help stabilise your bite and improve your appearance.
Sedation
Does the sound of having dental treatment when you're awake make you feel very anxious? If that is you, come and speak to me about sedation. Sedation is a nice way to relieve your anxiety during dental treatment.