Re-opening For Routine Care

To our valued patients,

Firstly I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well.

We are pleased to inform you that we will be returning to routine dental care as of Monday the 20th of July including provision of dental health examinations and hygiene appointments. We look forward to welcoming all of you back to the practice over the coming months!

All of the staff here at One Two Three Dental are looking forward to seeing you all, and hopefully the start of things returning to normal. While many things have changed, our commitment to you and delivering exemplary patient care has remained steadfast.

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Is It Better to Use an Electric or a Manual Toothbrush?

Brushing our teeth is one of the most fundamental things that we can do in order to keep our teeth and gums clean and healthy. How and when we do this can also make a real difference, as can the type of toothbrush that we use and how frequently it is replaced.

Patients often ask which of the two is better: electric or manual toothbrushes? Actually, both have their own advantages. Whilst both types of brushes can be extremely effective in keeping the teeth clean, healthy and shiny, each of them has some distinctive advantages, which we discuss further in this blog.

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Filling vs. Inlay vs. Onlay vs. Crown: What’s The Difference And Which Is The Right One For You?

What is a dental inlay? What about a dental onlay? What is a crown? And when might your dentist recommend either one of them? Fillings and cavities are part of the equation, both of which you may be more familiar with. We’ve put together an infographic to provide you some more information to fill in the gaps and get a better idea of what type of treatment your dentist may recommend if you have a cavity.

The Dental Filling Vs The Inlay

In theory, these two can often be used interchangeably, but inlays are typically reserved for much larger cavities. They both involve removing the existing cavity with a drill and filling that empty space, but how that space is filled is where they primarily differ. With a filling, an amalgam or composite material is used to fill the space, and it’s a much quicker process, involving only a single visit.

With an inlay, the space is filled with a single, solid piece that is usually fabricated in a lab and they are typically made out of a material like gold or ceramic. The inlay must be made precisely to the shape and size of the empty space, otherwise food and bacteria will enter the space, resulting in further decay. The upside to an inlay is that they do not contract to the same degree as a filling after being placed, so there is less chance of the restoration failing for that reason, or creating a gap between the filling and the surrounding tooth structure. Inlays also create a tougher and theoretically more durable surface for use when chewing, and as such, an inlay should be more reliable long term, although the data on that is mixed and inconclusive.

Onlays Vs Dental Crowns

These are your more major single-tooth restorations, reserved for larger areas of decay where a filling or inlay won’t work due to the amount of tooth structure that must be removed. The primary distinction between an onlay and an inlay is that an onlay will cover a cusp of the tooth, whereas an inlay only fills the area between the cusps. The cavity is still drilled from the tooth, and an onlay is fabricated to the exact size and shape of the space. Conversely, a crown will cover the entire biting surface of the tooth, as well as the tooth structure above the gum line.

Compared to a crown, an onlay is a less aggressive restoration when one can be performed, as less tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place the onlay. The costs are similar, but an onlay is a little cheaper than a crown. As such, an onlay is actually the preferred restoration when possible. However, the caveat here is that an onlay is more difficult to do correctly and more reliant on the skill of the dentist.

Your dentist will talk through the various options available with you and will consider a number of factors including extent of the repair, where in your mouth the filling is needed and the cost, before advising you which type of filling material is best suited for you.

For more information, book a consultation by calling 01943 874476 today.

Making losing baby teeth extra special!

Losing baby teeth can be troubling for a young child, so here’s some special (and simple!) ideas from OhHonestly.net to help celebrate the loss of  your child’s baby teeth. These ideas are something you can do in addition to the Tooth Fairy (or without her) . We do hope you find one or several that you can incorporate into your celebration.  Continue reading “Making losing baby teeth extra special!”