Priory Dental Practice
38 Bromham Road, Bedford,
Bedfordshire, MK40 2QD
PRIVATE DENTISTRY
Private Dentistry at Priory Dental Practice
Your Private dentist in Bedford
Priory Dental Practice offers a comprehensive range of private dental treatments for all age groups. These include Fillings, Crowns & Bridges, Root Canal Treatment, Gum Disease & Hygiene Treatment, Dentures, Implants and Whitening Treatments.
Crowns & Bridges at Priory Dental Practice
Restore your damaged or broken teeth
Dental Crowns
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.
A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling.
They can be made of porcelain, precious and non-precious metals or a combination of these materials. We offer several different treatment options that we can discuss in greater detail with you.
Dental Bridges
A bridge cannot be removed from your mouth for cleaning as it is permanently fixed in your mouth.
The majority of bridges are made by putting crowns on the teeth at either side of the space and then joining these two crowns together by placing one or more false teeth in the space.
Another option is an adhesive bridge, which is bonded to the back of supporting teeth with very little drilling involved.
Bridges are only possible if you have enough strong teeth with good bone support. We will help you to decide which is the best way of replacing missing teeth.
What is a dental Bridge?
Fillings at Priory Dental Practice
Amalgam & tooth coloured fillings
What types of tooth fillings does Priory Dental Practice offer?
Our dentists can offer the cavity filling that best suits their patient’s preference, including:
Why are most tooth fillings silver?
A silver tooth filling is made from dental amalgam. This has been the traditional standard of care in NHS dentistry for many years, because of its cheap cost and durability, and therefore its affordability when compared to other cavity filling materials (dental composites and ceramics).
The durability of silver amalgam fillings make them the best choice for large cavities or cavities that occur in the back teeth. These molar teeth are used significantly during chewing, and a lot of force is needed.
Amalgam fillings can be capable of withstanding chewing forces but do not provide any support to the natural tooth so amalgam filled teeth have a greater chance of tooth fracture. Due to the metal content they can conduct heat and cold so the tooth may have sensitivity. Recent government guidelines have stated the ban of mercury amalgam filling in children so please speak to the dentist regarding an alternative.
What are cavities & fillings?
Is the mercury in silver tooth fillings safe?
Dental amalgam includes mercury content, but when combined with the other metals it offers a safe, stable material for filling cavities but it is now banned to be used in children.
UK law states that dental amalgam should not be used in the treatment of deciduous teeth, in children under 15 years-old, and in pregnant or breastfeeding women, except when deemed strictly necessary by a dentist based on the specific medical needs of the patient.
Where we can, we will offer an alternative to mercury amalgam fillings.
Are tooth-coloured fillings available?
Tooth-coloured fillings have grown in popularity over recent years because they are aesthetically more pleasing when compared with silver fillings.
Made from composite resins, natural-coloured fillings are most suited for small-to-medium-sized fillings that do not require the strength to withstand as much chewing pressure as molar teeth. Compared to mercury amalgam fillings the composite fillings do take a little longer but also greatly reinforce the tooth so that fractures of filled teeth are less likely.
For larger restoration and larger cavities dental onlays and crowns are recommended.
Root Canal Treatment at Priory Dental Practice
Repair your damaged tooth
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.
Why is root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth.
This may eventually lead to an abscess. If root canal treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Does it hurt?
No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done.
What does it involve?
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling.
A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
What if I don’t have the treatment?
The alternative is to have the tooth out. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can’t heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth.
Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.
Where can this treatment be carried out?
Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure, which your dentist will be happy to do for you. However, in some cases for best outcome referral to a specialist may be advised.
What about aftercare?
Root-treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste.
Cut down on sugary snacks, and keep them only to mealtimes if possible.
See your dentist for regular check-ups.
Gum Disease & Hygiene at Priory Dental Practice
Diagnosing and treating gum disease
If you have gum disease, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and you may also suffer from bad breath. If the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) are not treated, a condition called periodontitis can develop.
This affects the tissues that support teeth and hold them in place. As periodontitis progresses your teeth may become wobbly or fall out.
Each and every dentist at our practice will carry out a gum screening at your check up. This will play an important role in diagnosing and treating any form of gum disease.
Dental hygiene treatment will include professionally cleaning your teeth so that plaque retentive factors are eradicated, this is usually called scaling and polishing.
Our philosophy to focus on prevention will guarantee that we educate you on the best way to keep your teeth free from plaque and tartar thus helping you to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
In some cases for best outcome referral to a specialist may be advised.
Dentures at Priory Dental Practice
Removable replacements for missing teeth
The loss of your teeth can have negative effects on your self-confidence, your ability to chew food and your bite.
Since your teeth provide structure and support to your cheeks, tooth loss can result in the sagging of your cheeks and make you appear older than you are. It is essential that your missing teeth are replaced as soon as possible.
Dentures are removable replacements for your teeth, designed to look and function like your own natural teeth and surrounding gum tissues.
Modern-day dentures can look very realistic and natural and feel comfortable.
Types of Dentures
When all your teeth are missing, a complete denture is used to replace them, whereas if only a few teeth need replacing, a partial denture or overdenture is used.
Partial dentures can prevent your existing healthy teeth from shifting following tooth loss.
With advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, there are a wide variety of materials available for dentures, and your dentist may give you some options, including the latest flexible Valplast cosmetic dentures.