TOOTH CLEANING

With the small mirror to guide them, the dental hygienist uses a Scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around your gum line, as well as in between your teeth. You'll hear scraping, but this is normal. Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease
 

TOOTH WHITENING

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces.

Our teeth become more discolored as we get older. Our teeth can be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth. ‘Calculus' or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.

 Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks’ time.

There is now laser whitening or ‘power whitening' .The light speeds up the reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved more quickly. Laser whitening is said to make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.
 

FILLINGS AND RESTORATIONS
 

A restoration, or “filling”, is the replacement of tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture.

There are a number of different fillings, including:

• Amalgam (silver coloured).

• Composite fillings (tooth coloured).

• Gold inlays and onlays (gold coloured).

• Porcelain inlays (tooth coloured).

NON TOOTH COLOURED FILLING

1. AMALGAM:

Amalgam fillings are silver coloured. They are made by combining mercury and a silver alloy (50% mercury, 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper and other metals). Amalgam is long lasting and hard wearing and has been used in fillings for at least 150 years. It is economical to use and it is not unusual for an amalgam filling to last 15 to 20 years.

This kind of filling is usually used on the back 'chewing' teeth. Before the filling can be placed, the dentist must prepare the area by removing all the decay and shaping the cavity to hold the filling in place. If the tooth is badly broken, a small stainless steel pin is used to help secure the filling.