Pearl News

Crown and Bridge

Although it might sound like something from medieval times, crown and bridge are just a simple method of fixing damaged or broken down teeth. A crown or cap is made in a dental lab from the impressions of the your teeth taken by the dentist. Dental crowns are generally made of three materials, metal, porcelain fused to metal and all porcelain/ ceramic.

We would recommend a crown in the following circumstances:
– To cover a dental implant
– To protect a tooth that has had a root canal
– To cover a fractured, cracked or discoloured tooth

A dental bridge is so called as it bridges a gap between your teeth. There are generally two types – a removable dental bridge and a permanent dental bridge, the main difference is that one can be removed and cleaned like a denture, where the other one cannot be removed. The teeth beside your gap serve as the anchors for the bridge. They are usually trimmed down and capped with a crown, and then a replacement tooth called a pontic, is attached to those crowns to form the bridge. The bridge is securely fixed to your teeth and your smile and ability to chew food and speak is enhanced. Like a crown, a bridge can be made of several materials, this is determined by the location of the gap in the mouth and the complexity of the case that the dentist is trying to fix.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk about the crown and bridge service we provide. Our dentist will be happy to talk you through the treatment during a consultation in the practice. You can make an appointment by contacting reception on 01 6790625 or by email: reception@pearltreatments.ie

DentalBridgeDental Crown

             Dental Bridge                                                    Dental Crown

Teeth Straightening Dublin City Centre

What is Fastbraces?

Fastbraces is a relatively new, exciting orthodontic treatment, which straightens the teeth much quicker than traditional fixed braces. Fastbraces are a fixed brace treatment, but they work in a different way, which shortens treatment time considerably.

Who are Fastbraces for?

We recommend Fast braces for patients who have crooked or misaligned teeth, along with people who are unhappy with the aesthetic appearance of their smile.

How does this differ from traditional metal braces?

– Traditional braces need to be worn for an absolute minimum period of 18 months, with Fastbraces some patients complete treatment in as little as 3 months.
– The materials used for Fastbraces treatment are lighter and finer than square metal brackets making it easier to clean the teeth, reducing the risk of oral disease.
– The Fastbraces system means less visits to the dentist so can be more suitable for patients who suffer from dental anxiety or nervous patients.
– With traditional braces the teeth are moved in a two step process over a period of around 2 years. First of all the crown of the tooth (The white visible part) is corrected, and then the root (The piece below the gum line) is moved.  Using Fastbraces both parts of the tooth are moved together, dramatically reducing treatment time.

If you would like to know more about Fastbraces, or would like to find out if you are a suitable candidate contact reception@pearltreatments.ie or call us on 01 679 0625

Lets talk about Veneers

What are Veneers?
Veneers are a thin piece of composite or dental porcelain that is used to cover the front surface of a tooth in order to improve its position, shape or colour. Much like false fingernails fit over nails, they are attached to your own teeth using a bonding material and generally last for several years.

Who are Veneers for?
We would recommend Veneers for patients who have small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be easily closed by orthodontics or where people have worn away the edges of their teeth. They are also effective in cases when patients suffer with crooked or badly stained teeth that cannot be corrected with other dental treatments.

What is involved in getting Veneers?
1. Getting a veneer generally takes two visits to our clinic
2. On the first visit the tooth is prepared to receive the veneer, and your dentist will take an impression of the tooth to ensure that the new veneer fits perfectly. A shade guide is used to make sure it matches the surrounding teeth and blends into your smile.
3. At your second visit the dentist will bond the veneer to your tooth using a special adhesive, much like super glue to make sure it stays in place.

Please see below one of our successful patient veneer cases. Please contact the clinic on 01 6790625 or reception@pearltreatments.ie if you would like to discuss veneers with one of our dentists.

PearlDentaPatientVeneers

Back to School – Dental Tips

BacktoschoolOralHealth

With the return to school taking place around the country in the next week or so, we thought we would take the opportunity to highlight the importance of creating good oral health habits with children and offer parents some tips for school lunches.

Going back to school is a great time to put a new oral health routine in place, alongside the usual process of getting ready for school. We recommend that school-goers brush their teeth after breakfast each morning, and if possible around the same time each day so its not overlooked. Putting this in place will establish a habit of lifetime, and make cleaning teeth a natural part of the day rather than a chore.

When children are brushing their teeth it is important that parents help them up until the age of 6, and then supervise them to around ten years of age, to ensure that it is done properly. Children should use a toothpaste containing fluoride and a pea-sized amount is more than adequate. It is also recommended that children do not rinse the toothpaste out of their mouth, as it removes the remaining fluoride which will help to fight tooth decay.

School Lunches for Healthy Teeth

– Swap fizzy drinks or juice for milk and water, they will more than sufficiently quench your child’s thirst while reducing their daily sugar intake.
– Fresh fruit is a better choice than dried fruit, although dried fruit can be easier to eat, it contains more sugar and can stick to teeth.
– Try to avoid processed starchy crackers and crisps that will stick to teeth and turn to sugars very quickly.

Make sure that your child has at least one visit to the dentist during the school year to see that their teeth are progressing as expected and there are no problems developing. If you need an appointment or some help with your child’s oral health please contact us on 01 6790625 or email reception@pearldental.ie

Sweet As Sugar

Sugar is in the food and drinks we consume every day, but how many of us are aware of the quantity we consume and the consequences for our teeth.

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-sugar-image18751962

Recently, The World Health Organization (WHO) published new guidelines suggesting that reducing the amount of sugar we eat from the current recommended limit of 10% of daily energy intake to 5% would be a positive step. Based on an adult of normal weight, that’s around 25g every day (approximately 6 teaspoons).

To put this in perspective, look at the brief list below and the quantity of sugar. All measurements are based on 1 teaspoon = 5 grams of sugar

– Bag of Natural Confectionary Jelly Snakes – 27 teaspoons
– Can of Coke – 9 teaspoons, Bottle of Coke – 16 teaspoons
– Mars Bar – 6 teaspoons
– Apple – 4/5 teaspoons

When we consume sugar it mixes with the bacteria in our mouth forming acid, this acid attacks the hard outer surface of the tooth called enamel and can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

Our Advice
– Read labels on food
– Have sugary treats at meal times only
– Use a straw with drinks
– Brush and floss daily
– Visit your dentist

If you have questions on the information above please contact reception on 01 6790625 or email reception@pearltreatments.ie

A Simple Guide to Flossing

FlossingTeeth

Flossing involves the use of a dental cord or dental floss tape to remove food particles from in-between teeth. It should be an integral part of any oral healthcare routine and involves gently moving the floss in-between and below the gum line of each tooth in the mouth.

5 Key Steps involved in Flossing

– Use 18″ of floss, wind most of it around the same finger on both hands, leaving around 1″ in the middle to start with
– Draw floss down in-between teeth with a gentle sawing motion
– Bend the floss into a ‘C’ shape and continue below the gum line
– Make sure to floss between and beside every tooth
– Rinse your mouth to remove debris before brushing

3 Key Advantages of Flossing

– Flossing removes food debris and plaque from places that a toothbrush cannot reach
– Flossing prevents tooth decay and gum disease
– It helps you to maintain healthy gums, which in turn lead to healthy teeth

We come across patients all the time who dislike the idea of flossing due to the temporary discomfort they experience in their gums. The good news is that after a couple of days this discomfort subsides and you get to a stage where you don’t even realise you are doing it. If you need any help or advice with your flossing technique ask the dentist on your next visit. Appointments can be made by calling our practice reception on 01 6790625.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

RootCanal

Root Canal Treatment, also known as Endodontics is the treatment of an infection in the middle of a tooth. This infection occurs when bacteria that live in the mouth gain access to the tooth through a cavity (hole in the tooth), a damaged filling or when a trauma happens. The bacteria attack the pulp, which is the soft tissue of nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive.

Once this infection takes place the patient will experience symptoms such as painful gums, and in more serious cases dental abscess causing a swelling of the face. Therefore it is imperative that the patient receives treatment as soon as possible, either in the form of a tooth extraction or Root Canal Treatment to prevent the bacteria spreading any further in the mouth.

Root Canal Treatment is very straightforward and is carried out under local anaesthetic to ensure the comfort of the patient. As per our diagram above the process involves 3 steps:

1. Gain access to the affected area of the tooth
2. Remove infected pulp using a special dental instrument
3. Fill the area with a sealant and then cover with a filling or a crown to seal the tooth.

At Pearl Dental we have significant experience with Root Canal Treatment having provided it to several patients over the years, you can be assured that if you require this treatment you are in the best possible hands.

If you have any questions regarding Root Canal Treatment please feel free to contact the clinic and we will be happy to clarify any queries for you. You can call us on 01 6790625 or email reception@pearltreatments.ie

Improve your smile with White Fillings

PearlDentalWhiteFillings

Most patients we see in Pearl Dental have fillings of one kind or another in their mouth, used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. In most cases it tends to me amalgam which is a metal coloured filling material – a proven and time tested method to solve this problem.

Up until recently white fillings were considered less long lasting than silver fillings, and as a result most dentists used amalgam to fill holes in teeth. Due to the progress of modern dental materials, most of the fillings we now complete tend to be either composite or porcelain white materials, which can be blended to match the rest of your teeth.

In terms of cost for this service, due to the increasing popularity of white fillings the prices have come down significantly and white fillings are only marginally more expensive than amalgam. Similar to metal fillings the main factors determining price are the size of the cavity, the materials used and the length of time the treatment takes.

We would recommend considering white fillings when your existing ones need replacing. Talk to our dentists on your next visit about how you can improve your smile with white fillings.

As always if you would like to contact our dentist please ring the practice on 01 6790625 or email: reception@pearltreatments.ie

Orthodontic Treatment in Dublin 2

Teeth Straightening for Adults and Children

It is a known fact that if teeth are cared for and looked after from an early age, they will last longer and cause less problems over time. The same can be said for patients who get treated for misaligned or crooked teeth, the sooner the issue is addressed the better.

Most people know braces as the ‘train tracks’ or metal wires that are placed across teeth, that seem to stay on for a very long period of time. Thankfully with the advances in modern dentistry there are now alternative options, which are more aesthetically pleasing and can give results in a much shorter period of time.

Here at Pearl Dental we offer two cosmetic teeth straightening systems – CFast and Fastbraces. We provide both of these options to our patients as we believe they are the best systems on the market, and we have had great results with several of our patients.

For a short time only we are pleased to offer new and existing patients a free assessment to see if they are suitable for these advanced teeth straightening systems. Call the practice directly on 01 6790625 or email reception@pearltreatments.ie to book your appointment today.

Our clinic is centrally located on Nassau Street, making it convenient for patients who live and work around Dublin City Centre.