Examinations / 6 Month Reminder Calls

We can provide you and your family with regular recall examinations to help maintain oral hygiene and health. We also have onsite our Dental Therapist who can help you with any minor dental hygiene issues.

Scaling & Polishing

Scaling involves the removal of hard calculus deposits or tartar (usually using an ultrasonic scaler) that have built up on the surface of the teeth. Polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Prophy (short for prophylaxis) paste - a special gritty toothpaste-like material - is scooped up like ice cream into the cup and spun around on the teeth to make them shiny smooth. The photo shows our Dental Therapist, Dawn carrying out such a treatment.

If the calculus is allowed to accumulate on teeth, it will provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums. The purpose of scaling and polishing is to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them and there is a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care.

Oral hygiene Instruction

If you have problems maintaining normal oral hygiene or if you have recurring oral health issues, then our Dental Therapist, Dawn can assist you be explaining techniques and practices that can help maintain good oral health.

Advanced Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Untreated gum disease can become very serious, causing teeth to become loose and fall out. Gum disease has recently been linked to heart disease.

We offer a variety of procedures to treat Advanced Gum Disease (AGD) which can include multiple scaling visits to remove unwanted tartar deposits that allow bacteria to stick to your teeth. Dr Martin Jones can also use his hi-tech Waterlase MD laser to reduce pocketing between gum and tooth - this makes cleaning easier.

If the problem needs more specialized attention, then we can also refer you to a specialist periodontist.

Nervous Patients

Both dentists have Nitrous Oxide / Oxygen machines fitted into their surgery – used for Relative Analgesia (RA). This is a very safe procedure which allows patients to be mildly sedated for their treatment.

We also have a specialist sedation doctor who visits the surgery to administer Intravenous Sedation (I.V) giving a much deeper sedation.

Using the Waterlase MD dental laser Dr Martin Jones can do many fillings and carry out minor gum surgery painlessly, without injection.

Teeth Whitening / Bleaching

Dental bleaching, also know as tooth whitening, is a way to improve your smile. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and smoking.

Our preferred bleaching method is to construct close fitting bleaching splints with which the patient can apply the bleaching material to their teeth at home. Professionally made splints are essential as swallowing the bleach material is potentially harmful. We find this home bleaching very successful and gives more flexibility with colour.

Fillings and Inlays

Most fillings are now cosmetically sensitive. White materials are generally used in place of amalgam (mercury) fillings. The materials used may be advanced composites; glass ionomer; or hybrid materials.

Alternatively Dr Martin Jones may use porcelain inlays, which are inert, using his Cerec CAD-Cam technology. These can be constructed and fitted in one visit and are extremely strong. Martin has not used amalgam (mercury) fillings for over 20 years.

Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

Endodontics is the treatment of a dead or dying tooth. The roots of the tooth are cleaned out and packed with gutta perdia and endodontic cement.to prevent further infection. We carry out most endodontic procedures at L.D.C. but may refer complicated cases to a specialist endodontist.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Apart from replacing stained (old) white fillings, cosmetic dentistry includes the use of crowns, bridges and veneers to build up, straighten or replace (missing) front teeth. Some adults prefer to alight a crooked tooth with a crown rather than with protracted orthodontics. The gum line may need adjusting using the Waterlase MD laser.

Orthodontics

Is a specialist field that relates specifically to straightening crooked teeth, reducing overcrowding and correcting the alignment of the upper and lower teeth.

Most orthodontists use minimal visibility braces, and Invisalign is an invisible way to straighten teeth using a series of custom-made nearly undetectable aligners.

Patients who need orthodontics can be referred to the appropriate specialist.

Dental Implants

Are a permanent and fixed solution to missing teeth, and an alternative to a bridge or denture. A titanium screw is placed into the jaw bone to replace the tooth's natural root. This integrates over a period of three to six months as the bone grows around the screw and holds it firmly in place.

A crown is then placed onto the fixed screw to replace the original natural tooth. This field has now become complex and we generally refer to the appropriate specialist.

Dental Technician

We have an associated dental technician whose business is located in close proximity to LDC. Wim Boxma is also a qualified prosthodontist who is able to assist with construction and maintenance of dentures. He is qualified to take impressions in the fourth surgery at L.D.C. which is both convenient and time saving for the patient.

If you need more information regarding our Dental Technicians services then please do not hesitate to call us.

Minor Oral Surgery

Although we carry out most of own extractions, we may refer complicated cases to an oral surgeon.