Composite fillings have become more popular in recent years due to their white colour and ability to blend with the tooth structure. Due to the colour, composite fillings are pretty much invisible. Composite fillings are made of the so called material, composite resin. Composite resin is also mercury-free, hence why it’s become a widely preferred treatment by patients. Composite fillings can also preserve the tooth structure and thus require less drilling. The resin is placed easily on the tooth surface with a dental adhesive. Composite resin is also used for the frontal teeth to build the teeth up and provide an aesthetical smile, a treatment known as composite bonding.

Composite fillings require changing between 5-7 years and may stain over time. The composite filling takes longer to place than amalgam filling as the dentist spends longer time to artistically craft the resin onto the tooth and mimic its natural structure.

Fissure sealants are made of plastic coating which is applied on the surface of the tooth. Fissure sealants are a pain-free treatment that protects the tooth from decay. This restoration procedure is often used on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, for example, molars and premolars. Once applied, fissure sealant forms a hard shield which protects the tooth from bacteria and small foods to get inside the grooves of the tooth. In essence, the role of a fissure sealant is to reduce the risk of decay occurring on the biting surface of the tooth.

This treatment does not take long to complete, only a couple of minutes per tooth. The treatment is suitable for children when their first permanent teeth develop (between the ages of 6-14). Fissure sealants not only preserve the tooth surface but they normally last for many years.

A common oral disease is gingivitis, an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque. Gingivitis is reversible- meaning when the plaque and calculus are removed and patient maintains their oral hygiene the gums will heal and become healthy again. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which affects the tissue supporting the teeth. Periodontitis is an inflammatory infection that involves progressive bone loss around the teeth and can eventually lead to the loss of affected teeth. Periodontitis is not reversible and bone cannot grow back once lost.

Our aim in treating gum disease is halt the destructive process and to prevent any further bone loss/ periodontal support loss, achieve a stable gum status with no bleeding when brushing, and prevent further pain / infections.
Treatment involves having regular dental check-up with the dentist, and visiting the dental hygienist regularly for deep cleaning. Not to mention maintaining good oral hygiene at home continuously and between visits.

Decay is the process by which the teeth break down and form cavities. The main cause of dental decay is sugar so cutting down on sugar in your diet is a great preventative measure. To help strengthen the tooth surface and make it less vulnerable to decay use fluoride toothpaste and avoid rinsing your mouth after brushing. This should be at the beginning of the day and last thing at night before bed.

In Ach Dental we may ask you to complete a diet diary to analyse the cause and prescribe you high fluoride toothpaste if we find that you are more susceptible to dental decay.

Toothwear the process via which tooth enamel is worn off exposing the softer dentine. It can lead to sensitivity to hot and cold, reduced tooth height, unattractive appearance and in severe cases tooth loss due to inflammation and infection caused by extensive toothwear. There are many causes such as dietary factors, unfavorable bite, aggressive tooth brushing and night grinding.

Treatment will depend on the cause and degree of toothwear present. It could include a simple custom-made night-guard to prevent grinding while asleep, composite bonding to replace lost tooth tissue, or more advanced composite veneers, crowns and full mouth treatment.
At arch dental, we aim to diagnose the causes of toothwear and provide the ideal treatment for the individual need.

Root canal is an endodontic treatment that is recommended when there is an infection deep within the tooth. The pulp inside the tooth becomes infected with bacteria. The infection can occur as a result of an injury as well as an untreated cavity, trauma, repeated dental treatment on the tooth and more. If left untreated the infection can cause tooth loss and more complicated and extensive root canal treatment. If there is an infection, the root canal treatment will start after a thorough assessment. It involves removing the infected pulp, disinfecting it, filing and sealing it. Patients might be prescribed antibiotics and pain killers if the pain is severe. The treatment is performed under local anaesthetics.