Ipswich Dental Care

At Ipswich Dental Care we are all really enthusiastic about providing dental care for children and young people. We aim to reduce the number of holes that children and young people get in their teeth by preventative means. Education in the way children clean their teeth and promotion of healthy diets play a critical part in achieving this. We also seek to identify at the earliest stage any conditions that may require treatment or correction - this can mean simpler procedures and less inconvenience.

We also strive to keep our young patients safe, even when it is nothing to do with teeth. Our cheerful, friendly and attentive staff help to ensure that children feel relaxed and at ease whilst in our surgery.

Childens' Dentistry in Wikipedia

Whitening

Your smile is important. It's one of the first things someone will notice when you meet them. Your lifestyle and the ageing process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking. Whitening can get your smile looking its best. We provide two approaches to whitening:

Zoom whitening is fast and convenient, long lasting, low sensitivity, proven to be safe and effective and is carried out by dental professionals while you relax in our surgery. The in-chair treatment uses a special light to activate the whitening gel for rapid results - one hour-long treatment provides whitening of up to eight shades.

Home whitening is a lower cost option and utilises custom fitted trays which hold the whitening gel in place on your teeth overnight while you sleep. Treatment takes up to fourteen days and typically achieves a whitening of up to six shades.

Veneers

With the use of veneers it is possible to transform crooked, stained, damaged or badly worn teeth into a brand new, straight, white smile. So which are better - composite veneers or porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are the most popular. They are the strongest and most durable and tend to provide the most natural appearance, albeit at a higher price. They require two or more patient consultations and are manufactured off site. Composite veneers are more prone to staining. They are much cheaper and quicker to fit (just one visit is required) but as they need replacing more recently could cost more over a longer term.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Wikipedia

Crowns and bridges are fixed prosthodontics (dental procedures) designed to return a patient's missing or broken teeth to a normal appearance and function. A crown replaces the top of a tooth whereas a bridge replaces a missing tooth. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown could also be used if you have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth, have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth, or to help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place

Other than for cosmetic reasons, it is important that a missing tooth is replaced because without it greater strain is put on the teeth at either side. Also a gap can alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together leading to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease. Modern techniques using adhesives are available to provide a bridge without drilling or the need for anaesthetic.

Crowns in Wikipedia Bridges in Wikipedia

Dentures are removable prosthetics designed to replace a number of missing teeth. Partial dentures replace some of the teeth and may be fastened to your natural teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments whereas full dentures are a complete replacement for all the natural teeth in either upper or lower jaw. Replacing lost or missing teeth is very good for your health and appearance, giving support to your cheeks and lips. This helps avoid and ageing appearance and assists you in eating and talking properly.

Of relatively low cost, dentures are made from either acrylic (plastic) or metal. Disadvantages are the potential for wear and tear over time and impairment of taste function due to the palate being covered.

Dentures in Wikipedia

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on gum disease, tissues near to the teeth and bone structure of the mouth. The main goal is to prevent disease.

There are several types of gum disease but they are all usually due to build up of plaque around the gums and teeth in conjunction with other risk factors. Loss of teeth and bone infection can occur as a result of gum diseases.

Prevention of any gum disease is preferential to and easier than cure. We achieve this through teaching good brushing technique, flossing and the need for good oral hygiene. Periodontics tend to deal with problem cases when there is a problem that needs acute attention.

Periodontic Dentistry in Wikipedia

Implants are a means of replacing missing teeth, either alone or in combination with dentures. Compared to bridges and dentures implants provide better support and usually result in more comfortable and stable replacement teeth. Chewing efficiency and confidence are improved and implants can also slow down the shrinkage of our jawbone which occurs as a result of tooth loss.

A titanium screw fixes into the jawbone. The screw then fuses biologically with the living bone to form a strong foundation upon which a crown or bridge can be placed. Although certain medical conditions or other considerations may make implants unsuitable for certain people, your age (once adulthood is reached) is not a factor.

Implants in Wikipedia

Orthodontics literally means ‘to straighten teeth’ and is a type of treatment to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth. Mechanical devices such as a braces are used over a certain period of time (usually 18 to 24 months) to correct the position of the teeth.

Orthodontic problems can lead to oral health problems or cause difficulties with speech and eating. In this case treating the condition as early as possible is advisable, usually during teenage years. Cosmetics are also a good reason to have orthodontic treatment, correcting poorly aligned teeth will make your smile look more attractive and give you increased confidence.

Invisalign Braces - these are clear braces which are virtually invisible, removable, comfortable to wear and easy to clean. With Invisalign you can get a great and healthy smile without people even noticing you're going through treatment. Invisalign aligners can be taken out at any time which means you can eat and drink anything you want, whenever you want. Custom aligners are made for you and have to be worn for approximately two weeks before you switch to the next set. A typical treatment will require 18-36 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth and will take approximately 9-18 months.

Orthodontics in Wikipedia

Endodontic dentistry involves removing infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth to save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed. Called the pulp, this tissue contains nerves and blood vessels that help nourish the tooth. After removal of the pulp the chamber and root canals are cleaned, disinfected, filled and sealed. The treated tooth remains alive, nourished by the surrounding tissues. The most common cause of pulp damage is severe decay or a fracture that exposes the pulp to bacteria that may cause infection. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic injury such as a blow to the mouth, a cracked or loose filling or repeated fillings in a tooth, and occasionally periodontal disease.

Ipswich Dental Care is one of few East Anglian dental practices with an operating microscope. This provides proper illumination and magnification in order to facilitate accurate treatment with a high rate of success.

Endodontics in Wikipedia

Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss. A lot of patients do not realise that have gum disease, although they may be aware of some of the clinical signs at some stage of their life. Signs of gum disease are bleeding gums, gum recession, teeth sensitivity and mobility of teeth. If treated early by our hygienist, we can help to halt the progress of gum disease.

We will tailor your treatment need to your gum condition, after an initial assessment by our dentist. Increasingly patients are seeking out hygiene treatment without resorting to our dentist in the first instance and we are happy with that. Obviously, the hygienist will refer you back to the dentist if she noticed you have other dental needs. Hygienist can also carry stain removal from your teeth for a whiter/brighter smile.

Ipswich Dental Care now offer a new periodontal therapy using a device called Air-Flow Perio Plus. This is used to reduce inflammation and eliminate periodontal pockets.

Hygienist in Wikipedia