Preventive care is the primary role of the hygienist. She can treat and prevent periodontal (gum) disease, which is commonest cause of
tooth loss in adults. Teaching people how to look after their teeth and gums means that with reasonable effort most people can keep their teeth for life.
Fissure Sealants
A plastic covering can be applied to the surface of molar or pre-molar teeth to prevent decay. This is a totally painless procedure without any drilling particularly appropriate
for children.
Root Filling (endodontics)
The nerve inside a tooth can die because of decay or trauma. The tooth can be retained by cleaning out the damaged
nerve and filling up the empty space with a root filling.
Tooth Whitening (Bleaching)
This method of lightening teeth involves using a thin plastic tray
which fits your mouth. A small amount of bleaching gel is applied inside the tray that when inserted into the mouth holds the gel onto the teeth. It has proved to be a successful method over a
number of years in the U.S.A. and has the advantage of being non-destructive as no preparation (drilling) of the teeth is required.
Veneers
This is a thin layer of specialised
porcelain, roughly as thick as a thumbnail, which is bonded onto the teeth to improve the colour or shape of the teeth..
Crowns
A crown (often called a cap) is a
cover which protects a damaged or ugly tooth. By using a high strength ceramic the natural colour of the tooth can be copied to give a natural appearance.
Bridges
This is a way of replacing a missing tooth by using the adjacent teeth either side of the gap to support a replacement. The supporting teeth and the replacement are joined together as
one unit so that in use the other teeth take the load of the missing tooth. The bridge is permanently cemented into place so it is part of the mouth.
Dentures
Where a number of teeth are missing replacement via a denture may be required. These are removable appliances which can have either a plastic or metal framework with plastic
replacement teeth.
Implants
An implant is titanium metal replacement for the root of the tooth placed in the jaw bone. It can be used as a support for a
replacement tooth or bridge.
