As with any emergency, including dental, the important thing is to try and remain calm. Sometimes medical and dental emergencies are one and the same. In such cases, the individual experiencing trauma should receive medical emergency care as soon as possible. Emergency units often have oral surgeons who are trained in managing a dental emergency as part of a medical one.
Dental emergencies may be standalone requiring emergency care provided by a dental professional. Typical dental emergencies include:
Totally or partially knocked out tooth
Broken, chipped or fractured tooth
Persistent toothache
Bleeding teeth and gums
Tooth infection
Dental abscess
Injured lip or tongue
Broken or dislocated jaw
Broken orthodontic device or denture
Any one of these conditions may trigger a dental emergency. Steps that may be taken in handling a dental emergency include:
Staying calm and contacting an emergency dentist for care immediately
Being accompanied as soon as possible to the emergency dentist
Using cotton wool and antiseptic from a dental emergency kit to temporarily stem bleeding
Gently rinsing the mouth with warm water where tooth infection or bleeding is occurring
Applying clove oil to a toothache
Keeping broken off parts of a tooth or a knocked out tooth in the cavity of the mouth for the emergency dentist
If partially knocked out, pressing the tooth back into the tooth socket en-route to the emergency dentist
Emergency dentists may be able to save a tooth if parts of the tooth or the whole tooth are kept for treatment. However, where the lip, tongue or mouth is torn, or the jaw is broken it is advisable to attend a medical emergency unit as soon as possible. Contact Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol for more information on emergency dental treatment.
The renowned philosopher and logician Bertrand Russell once quipped that ‘everything is vague to a degree you do not realise till you have tried to make it precise.’ Despite how familiar and simple sounding a ‘smile makeover’ is, it is precisely Russell’s observation we encounter when trying to define it. In essence, a smile makeover is defined by its end result: You have achieved, by whatever procedures were necessary, the smile you desired. It is an umbrella term for a variety of treatments, all of which end with that. If you’re preparing for a wedding, however, semantics aren’t really first and foremost in your mind, so rest easy dear reader; We at Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol will utilise our expertise to its fullest extent in order to make your desired smile a reality, all you have to do is tell us what you’d want it to look like!
The consultation
Although it will be approached in a relaxed manner, this is perhaps the most significant portion of the treatment as it is where we find out what you want. We are the professionals, however, so don’t worry – we will guide you through and find solutions to any problems that may arise!
Typical treatments: focus on dental veneers
One recommended treatment very popular with celebrities is the application of dental veneers. Veneers are wafer thin shells of material which can be fitted to your teeth, thus covering up any ornamental atrocities or decorative detractions which you may worry are on your teeth. Veneers only require two sessions to be fitted, though it can take a few weeks for the final product to be produced in a lab. In the meantime, you may be fitted with temporary veneers. They are great at covering cracks, chips and stains. Although not ideal, they can also cover upper mildly crooked teeth in a treatment nicknamed ‘instant orthodontics’, thus bypassing lengthy orthodontic treatment.
The total package
A complete smile makeover, in the case of front teeth too crooked for veneers alone, could combine orthodontics with veneers. Equally, you could have a dental implant fitted and your healthy teeth whitened. It’s up to you! Let us know your dream smile and we’ll make it a reality.
When it comes to modern orthodontics, patients are spoiled for choice. Not so long ago, patients who had crooked or crowded teeth or problems with their bite had to wear fixed train-track style braces, but now there are so many options available and solutions suitable for all kinds of different orthodontic issues.
We offer fixed and removable braces and there are pros and cons to each type of treatment.
Fixed braces
Fixed braces have been around for a long time and are very effective. There are various systems, including traditional braces as well as lingual braces. Patients with minor, moderate or complex issues can benefit from fixed brace treatment. The simplicity of fixed brace treatment is appealing to many patients and also the fact that success is guaranteed, rather than hanging on the assumption that the patient will wear their removable brace for the required time each day.
Fixed braces do their have downsides. They are more difficult to clean than removable braces, they can be uncomfortable, especially if they need adjusting, and there is a risk that food can become stuck in the brackets and around the wires.
Removable braces
Removable braces give patients more control during the treatment process and many patients prefer the freedom of being able to take their brace out. This also makes it easy to eat and means that you can clean your teeth properly, which helps to reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities. Many removable braces, such as Invisalign, are also very discreet, which makes for excellent aesthetics during the treatment process.
The cons of removable braces are that the process is more convoluted and you have to remember to swap your aligners or take them in and out. Also, the success of treatment is heavily dependent on the patient. If you neglect to wear your aligners for the required time, treatment may not be as successful as you hoped.
When a tooth is infected, there is a danger of the infection spreading and causing such extensive damage that there is little choice but to extract the tooth. Root canal treatment is a procedure that can be used to save an infected tooth and prevent the need for extraction.
What does the root canal treatment procedure involve?
The root canal treatment procedure aims to rid a tooth of infection and stop the infection spreading. It includes removing decayed tissue from the root canals and cleaning, filling and sealing them to prevent bacteria from reaching the rest of the tooth. Root canal treatment is carried out once the tooth has been numbed using local anaesthetic and this ensures that you don’t feel any pain during treatment. We will then clear the decayed tissue from the root canals. Once they have been cleaned thoroughly, they will be filled with gutta percha, a dental filling material, and then sealed. It is then commonplace to fit a crown, although a temporary crown is usually placed over the tooth at this stage. A brand new crown is normally fitted about two weeks later.
Why would I have to have root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is generally recommended when a dental infection has reached the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp contains the living tissue of the tooth, including the blood vessels and nerves and once it is infected, there is a risk that the tooth will die and an increased risk of the infection spreading and contributing to the formation of dental abscesses. Root canal treatment is a means of saving the tooth as well as preventing patients from developing abscesses, which can be extremely painful.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Some patients recoil in terror when you say the words root and canal in the same sentence, but this is actually a very successful procedure and we numb the tooth first, so you won’t feel any discomfort. We endeavor to make you feel comfortable and in the majority of cases, patients leave thinking it was much less scary than they thought!
Tooth loss is a problem that can affect patients of all ages. Losing a single tooth or a number of teeth is distressing and it can have far-reaching implications for your confidence, health and wellbeing. We always recommend replacing missing teeth and one of our options is dental bridges.
About dental bridges
Dental bridges are a popular choice for people who have a missing tooth. The most common type of dental bridge is a traditional fixed bridge, which is made from a false tooth and two crowns. The bridge is supported by the neighbouring teeth and helps to improve the aesthetic of the smile, as well as improving speech and enabling you to eat and enjoy a variety of foods. It is also possible to connect a dental bridge to a dental implant.
We use high quality materials to create durable and functional bridges and we offer a choice of materials to suit your preferences, including precious metals, metal alloys and ceramics. Porcelain bridges are very popular because they create the best aesthetics.
Dental bridges are custom-made to ensure the best fit and the procedure is pain-free.
Will a dental bridge affect my speech?
In some cases, it can take a couple of days to get used to the bridge and this means that your speech may be slightly different during this period. However, most people find that the bridge doesn’t affect the way they speak at all and in cases where a patient has been without a tooth for a long time, a bridge can actually improve speech.
How long do bridges last?
Dental bridges should last for around 5-7 years and with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, the lifespan may even reach over 10 years. Every time you have a routine check-up, your dentist will check your bridge.
If you’re not happy with your smile, you don’t have to put up with hiding it in public and resigning yourself to the back row of photographs. With our amazing cosmetic, restorative and orthodontic treatments, we can create stunning smile makeovers to start your spring with a bang! Whether you’re embarrassed about crooked or missing teeth, you long for bright pearly whites or you’ve been hiding your stained teeth away, we can help!
We have vast experience in creating beautiful smiles using the latest treatments and techniques. Our dentists will guide you through the treatment process, help you to select the treatments you want to and work closely with you to create the smile of your dreams.
About smile makeovers
A smile makeover is achieved using a collection of dental treatments of your choosing. No two smile makeovers are ever the same because all our clients have different ideas and needs. The aim of a smile makeover is to take your dreams and make them a reality using the best services on offer. We can provide restorative, cosmetic and orthodontic treatments to eliminate and address problems from a gummy smile and crooked teeth to staining, gaps between the teeth and missing teeth.
Our most popular smile makeover treatments include porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, white fillings, porcelain crowns, gum and tooth contouring and cosmetic braces.
The treatments you choose will depend on your needs and what you want from your smile makeover. If you have stained and chipped teeth, your makeover will be very different to somebody who has missing teeth or orthodontic problems and our dentists will work with you to determine what needs to be done and which treatments will be best to achieve your goal.
How long does a smile makeover take?
Smile makeovers can take anything from a few days to several months, depending on the list of treatments you choose. Once you have ascertained the components of the makeover, your dentist will be able to give you a very accurate prediction of the treatment time.
If you noticed a cut bleeding on your arm, you’d probably do something to stop it immediately. However, many people ignore bleeding gums and this is why gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in British adults. The reality is that gum disease is preventable, and all you have to do is spend a few minutes each day giving your teeth and gums a bit of TLC to battle bleeding gums and prevent early tooth loss.
About gum disease
Gum disease is a very common oral disease, which is usually caused by plaque. Plaque is the sticky film made when food debris combines with saliva and bacteria. Plaque irritates the gums and when you eat, the acids released by bacteria also erode the enamel, increasing the risk of sensitivity and decay.
Thankfully, there is a very easy way to prevent plaque from forming and this involves devoting just five minutes of your day to your teeth and gums. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day helps to remove bacteria and food deposits from the mouth before plaque can develop, as well as ensuring your teeth look sparkly and clean.
Spotting the signs of gum disease
The most noticeable symptom of gum disease is bleeding when you brush, but you may also notice that your gums feel swollen and sore and they may also look redder.
If you notice the warning signs of gum disease, contact us so that you can see your dentist as quickly as possible.
Often, it will turn out to be nothing, but if you do have gum disease, seeing a dentist early ensures that it can be treated as early as possible. Gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease, is much easier to treat than periodontal disease, the advanced form of gum disease.
The giddy thrill of a perfected smile, the culmination of several years of work: It is easy to see why, following brace treatment, a patient may forget to wear a retainer. Whether it is purposeful or accidental, not wearing a retainer tends to lead to the same frustrating conclusion – a dental relapse. Thankfully, rather than starting again from scratch, it is now possible, thanks to the Inman Aligner, to receive treatment specifically for a dental relapse. The Inman Aligner is also appropriate for fixing minor issues with your front teeth, regardless of if you have previously received orthodontic treatment.
So what is this Inman Aligner?
It is a removable device, similar to a brace, which aligns your teeth and is particularly appropriate for fixing your front teeth.
The pros of the Inman Aligner
In today’s fast paced, hectic world, nothing is more valuable than time. Thankfully, time is what the Inman Aligner saves. The Inman Aligner will have your teeth in position after six to eighteen weeks, a morsel of a fraction of a fragment of the time which typical fixed brace treatment would take getting the job done. Aside from its ‘quick as a flash’ treatment time, the Inman Aligner also comes with all the advantages typical of removable braces: It can be removed prior to eating, thus preventing the aligner from being affected by hard foods, and it can also be taken out for cleaning purposes, meaning you’ll have no obstructions when brushing; removing the aligner before cleaning will also prevent plaque from building up in hard to reach areas.
Is it suitable for all?
Much as we wish it was, sadly it isn’t. During your initial consultation, we should be able to tell you if you are suitable for treatment with the Inman Aligner.
How it gets the job done
The Inman Aligner contains two nickel titanium coil springs in its makeup, and these then command two aligner bows. These bows lightly go up against each other and accordingly move your teeth to the position you would prefer them to be in. The rapid results arise from the reason that the mild force created by the aligner works over a tremendously large range of movement. For more information about the Inman Aligner why not contact the team at Clifton Dental Studio in the Bristol for more information.
Composite bonding, also known as cosmetic bonding, is a very effective treatment used to repair damaged teeth. This treatment is simple, quick and affordable, yet it can make a massive difference to the look of your smile. If you’ve put up with chipped or worn teeth for too long, now is the perfect time to call us and find out more about composite bonding.
What is composite bonding?
Composite bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that also has restorative benefits for your teeth. Dental composite is used to repair damaged teeth. In its putty-like form, it can be shaped and moulded to repair chipped teeth, build-up worn tooth surfaces and even close the gap between two teeth. Our dentists will use their creative flair and experience to create amazing results using dental composite and once you are happy with the look of your new smile, the composite will be hardened before final touches are made.
Before bonding, your dentist will clean the affected teeth, roughen the edges and apply resin and bonding agent to ensure that the composite will bond properly. The composite is then added and it is set hard using a curing light. After final adjustments have been made, your dentist will give your teeth a polish to ensure you leave with a gleaming smile.
Composite bonding usually takes less than an hour and only a single appointment is required; the procedure is painless and most patients do not require local anaesthetic.
Who can benefit from composite bonding?
Composite bonding is an ideal treatment for patients who have chipped teeth, worn teeth or a small gap between two of their teeth; this is a more affordable option than veneers and it is also quicker and more straight-forward.
Tooth loss is an issue faced by patients of all ages, but thankfully there are some excellent tooth replacement treatments available on the market. Whether you’ve lost a single tooth or have a number of missing teeth, there are effective solutions out there and there are numerous advantages to replacing lost teeth. One popular option for a single missing tooth is a dental bridge.
What is a dental bridge?
Dental bridges are restorations designed to fill gaps in the smile by replacing a missing tooth with a false tooth. There are various different types of bridge and the most common is the traditional fixed bridge. This appliance is made from a false tooth supported by a crown on either side. Bridges are versatile, durable and can be designed to match the natural teeth perfectly. It is possible to make bridges from ceramics including porcelain, as well as precious and non-precious metals. Porcelain bridges are very popular because they produce beautiful, natural looking aesthetics.
Bridges are a great option for patients with a missing tooth because they are easy to maintain, last for up to 15 years and are more affordable than dental implants. The procedure to fit a bridge is straightforward and treatment is usually complete within 2 weeks. All our bridges are custom-made for the individual patient and once they have been made, they are fixed into position in a simple procedure.
What are the alternatives to a dental bridge?
Dentures and dental implants are alternatives to dental bridges. Dentures are a very popular option for patients who have lost a number of teeth, while dental implants can be beneficial for patients with one, several or a whole arch of missing teeth. Implants last a lifetime and have many benefits for patients of all ages. Dentures are effective and affordable, and modern dentures also look very natural. The best way to decide which option is best for you is to arrange a consultation where we will examine your mouth and then discuss the different treatments with you to help you make a well-informed decision.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
