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| Fulwood dentists in Preston offer best private cosmetic dentistry, dental treatments, general dentistry, white dental fillings, dentist practice in Fulwood, Preston. |
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About Us
Dr lan Walsh graduated from Newcastle University in 1997 with a distiction in Child Dental Health. After gaining general practice experience in both Lancaster and Southport, in 2003 he opened “The Dentists@ Watling Street Road” with Dr Hennessy. lan completed a year long course in smile design and aesthetic dentistry at St Anne’s Dental institute in 2005 and has established his reputation as a Restorative/Cosmetic dentist. lan has since become one of only three dentists in Lancaster to qualify as a full member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr Stephen Hennessy graduated from Liverpool University in 1993. Since then he has developed his skills in Cosmetic Dentistry by attending numerous courses nationally and internationally.Since 2001 he has been at the forefront of facial cosmetic procedures and teaches other medical professionals all over the country in the artistry of Botox and Facial Fillers. He is a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, International Academy Of Advanced Facial Aesthetics and International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology. Dr Rosida Dowlut is a graduate of the University of Manchester. Since her graduation in 2003, she has provided a variety of dental treatments and has been attending various courses to keep up to date with the latest dental advances and other aspects of dentistry. She also attended a Botox course and one year Cosmetic course at the St Anne’s Dental Institute. Dr Ranjita Rao graduated from Dr MGR University, Chennai, India in 2001. She then had to undertake a three part rigorous exam conducted by the General Dental Council, UK to enable her to practice dentistry in the UK. Since then, she has worked in the Community Dental Services as a paediatric dentist and then moved to General Practice. Ranjita has also completed a year long course in Restorative Dentistry in 2007 at the St. Annes Dental Institute. Treatments Cosmetic Dentistry Dr Stephen Hennessy and Dr lan Walsh are fully qualified cosmetic Dental Surgeons having over twenty five years of combined experience. With the popularity of ‘extreme make-over’ programmes on the television, people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a healthy looking smile. All our dentists are either full members of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or members of The International Academy of Advanced Facial Aesthetics. Having each completed over 50 hours of Cosmetic Postgraduate Education within the past 2 years. If requested, we can recreate the perfect ‘Hollywood’ smile, however, we passionately believe in trying to recreate a more natural European style smile in which we aim to give you a beautiful smile whilst maintaining the most natural look possible. We have a number of skills that we employ to improve your smile. We aim to keep abreast of all advances in cosmetic dentistry and all the dentists have extensive knowledge and experience in the following areas: Teeth Whitening Brighten your teeth by several shades with our home whitening maintenance kits. Porcelain Veneers A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Veneers are extremely versatile and can be used to align crowded or protruding teeth, close gaps, repair broken or chipped teeth and improve the appearance by lenghtening, reshaping or changing the colour of the teeth. Crowns A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the top of your natural tooth. Crowns are used in situations where the tooth has been broken or weakened by decay or large fillings. Dis-coloured and irregular shaped teeth can be improved using crowns. Bridges A bridge is a fixed restoration similar to a crown that replaces missing teeth, filling the gaps. They are both aesthetic and functional restoring your natural bite and preventing unwanted movement of the adjacent teeth and over eruption of the opposing teeth. White Fillings Remove unsightly metal fillings and replace them with tooth coloured fillings for a whiter smile. Invisible Orthodontics A series of clear orthodontic plastic postitioners are constructed without visible wires that will gently move your teeth. Clearstep™ can be used in both adults and children to straighten teeth. Teeth Whitening Our teeth whitening system can whiten teeth up to several shades lighter, until you achieve a desirable shade. To whiten your teeth we use a special whitening gel in conjuction with custom made mouth trays. impressions of the teeth are taken to ensure that the bespoke tray fits the patient exactly and that the procedure is safe and effective. The gel, which is only available from dentists, is used for either a couple of hours or overmight, depending on the concentration. The gel is very effective at whitening even the darkest of teeth (in fact the darker the teeth the better the result). After trying many techniques, our dental surgeons have found that this whitening procedure provides more effective and long lasting whitening, more consistent than any of the one hour systems currently on the market. As tooth whitening is a cosmetic medical procedure, it needs to be performed by a registered dental professional. Only dentists are suitably trained to assess the health of both your gums and teeth to ensure the procedure is undertaken safely. All patients will have a consultation with the dentist prior to treatment commencing. The whitening only works on natural teeth and does not whiten crowns bridges or fillings. Porcelain Veneers If your front teeth are stained, chipped, or malaligned, veneers will give you a good life-like appearance with minimum tooth adjustment. A veneer is a facing on the front of your teeth usually your top teeth, it is just like a false finger nail. Veneers are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons. Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed. Porcelain veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones) generally. Porcelain veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others. Crowns A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A dental crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance: -you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth -you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it -it may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place. Bridges Besides having dental implants, there are two main ways to replace missing teeth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge. A dental bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base. If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost. You should replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. Your appearance is one reason. Another is that the gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side. A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease. White Fillings If the decay is not too serious, our cosmetic dentist will remove all the decay and restore the tooth with a white (tooth coloured) filling. Our Preston dentists, can safely replace silver amalgam fillings with white tooth coloured fillings. Dental decay happens when the enamel and dentine of a tooth become softened by acid attack, producing a cavity (hole). More about decay detection in our Preventive Dentistry section. Invisible Braces We use the Clearstep invisible braces system to treat a range of orthodontic problems. Initial Clearstep consultations are free of charge. About Clearstep Clearstep is a simple affordable series of clear positioning trays, which gently guide your teeth from their present to the desired position. Its:- Invisible - since the aligners are transparent most people won’t even notice them and so no body will know that you are straightening your teeth. So you will be able to smile more during treatment as well as after. Removable - you take your clear braces out to eat and drink what you want whilst in treatment, also dental hygiene is not problem, something that can be difficult when wearing fixed orthodontic braces. Comfortable - conventional braces can cause irritation to your teeth and gums because of the metal wires and bands, with Clearstep the aligners are comfortable and you shouldn’t experience such problems. Preventive Dentistry Children Fluoride applications and fissure sealants for protection against decay. Dental Hygiene Scale & polishing teeth and teaching you how to keep them clean. Bad Breath Improve your social life with fresh breath. Gum Disease Treatment of swelling, soreness or infection of the gum tissues. Decay Detection Detect early decay and prevent unnecessary discomfort. Mouth Cancer Screening Smoking, drinking and unhealthy diets increases risks of mouth cancer. Early detection increases chances of survival. Children We aim to prevent dental disease rather than treat it at a later date. Fluoride applications and fissure sealants (tooth coloured sealants) are applied to biting surfaces of children's teeth to prevent decay. Dental Hygiene Dental hygiene treatment includes professionally cleaning the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps our most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque. The dentist also plays an important role in treating gum disease. Bad Breath Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. However, strong foods like garlic and onions can add to the problem. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions. Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh. The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems. Gum Disease Screening for gum disease forms an integral part of your routine examination. Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. What is gum disease? Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. What is gingivitis? Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning. What is periodontal disease? Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out. What is the cause of gum disease? All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing. What happens if gum disease is not treated? Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult. How do I know if I have gum disease? The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant. Decay Detection Tooth decay may or may not cause discomfort; even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating. Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat. Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the roots, or any bone loss around the tooth. Mouth Cancer Screening Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat. Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. This is because of late detection. Visit your dentist at once if you notice any abnormal problems or are not sure. Regular dental checkups allow early detection of abnormalities in the mouth. Mouth Cancer Foundation The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity that raises awareness of mouth cancers and proviedes information and support to patients, carers and health professionals. Giving Up Smoking It's not easy... So that's why this web site is here. Giving up smoking requires preparation, determination, and support. This site is here to help you with each of these. If you're thinking about giving up, have a look-in. General Dentistry Oral Surgery Minor extractions for teeth in pain or widsom teeth. Root Canal Treatment Treatment for infected blood or nerve supply of teeth. Sedation for the Nervous Relaxation for anxious and dental phobic patient. Sports Mouthguards Protect your teeth from sports whilst not restrict breathing or speaking. Jaw & Head Aches (TMJ) We also treat patients who suffer from headaches, migraine and facial pain. Oral Surgery Oral surgery can be provided with sedation for nervous patients. Wisdom Teeth Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist. Our benfleet dentist in Essex, will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how - or if - your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be. Extractions can also be done under sedation. Extractions Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers: -For the first 24 hours, try to avoid eating hot food, don't smoke, don't drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed. -Don't rinse your mouth for six hours after extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water - half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough. -Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth as clean as possible. -You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket - don't worry, this is perfectly normal. -There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers - aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetomol will be fine. -If you feel pain immediately after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down leaving an empty hole in the gum. -This is called a 'dry socket' and will need to be looked at by your dentist. Simply go back and the dentist will pack the wound to ease your discomfort. Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed - if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue). -Roll it into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm). -Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky. -Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes. -Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist. Root Canal Treatment What is root canal treatment? Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury. Why is root canal treatment needed? If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. If root canal treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out. Does it hurt? No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done. What does it involve? The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist. At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled. What will my tooth look like after treatment? In the past, a root filled tooth would often darken after treatment. However, with modern techniques this does not usually happen. If there is any discolouration, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance. What if it happens again? Root canal treatment is usually very successful. However, if the infection comes back the treatment can be repeated. What if I don’t have the treatment? The alternative is to have the tooth out. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can’t heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth. Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible. Will the tooth be safe after treatment? Yes. However, it is better to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth. Where can this treatment be carried out? Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure, which your dentist will be happy to do for you. What about aftercare? Root-treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste. Cut down on sugary snacks, and keep them only to mealtimes if possible. See your dentist for regular check-ups. Sedation for the Nervous Is there anything that can help me with my fear of the dentist? Yes. Some people are so frightened of the dentist that they will not go for dental treatment. They can overcome their fears with relaxation or sedation. Our dentists are sympathetic about these feelings, and you can ask our dentists about these ways to help. What is sedation? We at Belle Vue Dental Practice, Benfleet, Essex, refer patients for intravenous or IV sedation. This is given by injection, either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and the length of time it will take to complete. How will IV sedation in the surgery affect me? You become drowsy and unaware of any treatment, but you are still able to co-operate with the dentist. The effects of sedative medicine take some time to wear off and your dentist will tell you how long the drugs will take to clear from your body. You won’t be able to drink alcohol, drive or work machinery during this time. How does relaxation work? When we are faced with a challenge or something we’re afraid of, such as a visit to the dentist, our bodies produce substances, which raise our anxiety. However, we can train our bodies to work against this anxiety, by learning to relax. It’s not possible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time, so learning relaxation helps control our anxiety. Sports Mouthguards An incorrectly fitting mouthguard is inefficient, is hard to hold in place and interferes with proper breathing and speaking ability. Mouthguards sold over-the-counter - so called "boil and bite" types - invariably suffer from these disadvantages and provide a false sense of protection due to the dramatic decrease in thickness when bitten into place during their softened state. The advantages of a Playsafe Mouthguard: Name tag and X-ray opaque strip… Within the plastic of each mouthguard you will find the owners name and x-ray opaque strip. Thus there is no risk of confusion if several guards are lost on the field (or in the shower); and if a guard is accidentally swallowed - which is extremely rare - it can be found by x-ray. Enhanced tooth edge protection… A unique feature of the Mouthguard is that it has additional thickness of material surrounding the vulnerable biting edges of the top teeth providing additional protection from a sudden impact. Prevents concussion of the brain… The Mouthguard is supplied with indentation in its biting surface to accommodate the tips of the bottom teeth so that in the event of an impact to the lower jaw it is safely immobilized preventing reverberation of the brain. All these are major safety points often omitted on inferior mouthguards. All our mouthguards are supplied with a protective carry case for your convenience. Jaw & Head Aches (TMJ) We also treat patients who suffer from any of these problems: -Headaches -Shoulder pain -Pain behind the eyes -Painful or clicking jaw joints -Pain from the temples or the back of the neck -Migraine -Facial pain after a car accident or assault -Fillings which keep on breaking -Tooth clenching or tooth grinding at night -Crowns which keep falling out Dr Gardiner aims to educate patients so that they better understand their pain problem as well as explain how their problems can be treated. What is Occlusion? (courtesy of the BSOS web site) The way that our teeth meet and slide against each other is like a suit that fits it's owner rather than the owner having to fit the suit. A lot of patients have small errors in their bite which make them put their teeth together in a position of comfort rather than the right position. These tiny interferences have precisely the same effect as a nail protruding from a shoe. Instead of limping, patients jaw muscles are left to take up the strain of keeping their jaw in a comfortable position and it is usually in these muscles that the pain begins simply because the muscles can never relax. Some muscles close the jaw, other open it, move it back or forwards and another group allows for sideways jaw movement. Neck, back and shoulder muscles also contribute as bracing muscles which allow our jaws to move smoothly and efficiently. If a patient's teeth don't fit and slide together in harmony, one or more of these muscle groups may begin to suffer from fatigue. This may be felt as headaches, eye pain, shoulder pain - or pain from any of the muscle groups described above. Stress levels are known to make matters worse. Patient's under pressure at work, at home or in their personal lives are more likely to suffer from these problems as are those who have recently changed job, had a death in the family, moved house, divorced or been put into a job that they cannot cope with. We also know that each individual can cope with some bite errors without getting symptoms at all. These patients are living within their own limitations without problems. Adding a certain amount of stress to those patients lives, damaging any of the supporting muscles as in a car accident or adding new errors such as a dental crown which does not fit properly, can push these patients from having no problems at all to having lots of problems. Sometimes it is a partner who knows that something is wrong. Many spouses can hear their partner grinding their teeth all night long. The patient only knows that they do not wake refreshed. What is going on here is that even when we are asleep our brain is trying to position our jaw into a comfortable position. The problem here is that this comfortable position cannot be maintained - so the jaws grind against each other in a never ending search for a good night's sleep for their owner. Facial Aesthetics Dr. Hennessy has established himself as one of the leading facial cosmetic practitioners in the North West. Having studied in the UK and USA since 2000 he has gained a wealth of knowledge in order to be able to offer his patients the safest, most tried and tested and advanced techniques available in facial rejuvenation. As such Dr Hennessy is called upon as a teacher to the other members of the medical profession for organisations such as Aliegan (the makers of Botox), C.O.D.E. and Conmetology UK. he is the resident Cosmetic dentistry/Facial Cosmetic expert for BBC Radio Lancashire, has appeared on Channel 5 and in numerous press and magazine features. Botox Botox has been used for cosmetic treatments since the late 1980’s. It is purified protein produced by Clostidium Botulinum bacteria. This induces long term relaxation of concentrated muscles. It was originally used to treat eye spasms and central nervous system disorders. As we age, muscle movement gradually wears away the collagen in the skin, causing the skin to crease and wrinkles to appear. Botox is an anti-wrinkle treatment and works by relaxing the facial muscles that cause forehead lines, frown lines between the eyes and crows feet. The Botox is injected into specific muscles and offer 3-7 days these muscles no longer contract as efficiently, therefore allowing the wrinkles to fade away. This effect lasts approximately 3-6 months. The procedure is painless with no obvious signs of treatment, allowing the patient to resume their daily routine immediately afterwards. Dr Hennessy is a renowned lecturer in Botox techinques for Aliergan (the manufactures of Botox) and as such is also able to use advanced techniques in Botox treatment for brow lifting, lower face treatments and hyperhidrosis (used to reduce excess perspiration). Dermal Fillers Dermal Fillers are a quick, non surgical procedure for a youthful look. They are used to smooth the lines and creases on the lower parts of the face. The most appropriate lines to treat with fillers are those that are described as static, this means that the lines that you can see when your face is still. Restylane, hydrafill and juvederm are the main products used to smooth lines around your mouth and nose. They are used to redefine or enhance the size and shape of your lips. They can reduce laughter lines and fill out your cheeks. Please ring for a FREE consultation. Late night available. Consultations Your initial consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss directly with our dentists any concerns you may have with your teeth or smile and the outcome you would hope to achieve from your treatment. This aims to be a relaxed visit where any appropriate treatments are discussed, all the pros, cons and realistic expectations explained. Prior to your appointment our receptionist will welcome you and ask you to complete a confidential medical history. As all treatments are tailored to an individual's needs and budget we will present you with an estimate of our costs after your consultation. We will also discuss payment methods with you. Please don't hesitate to contact us, however small the query is, we are here to help. |