Dental Treatments
Your Comfort
We continue to upgrade and improve the service we provide for our patients. Come and relax in our waiting room before your appointment with a magazine, free WiFi and a drink. To help you relax and take your mind off your treatment during your appointment, we have over-head screens in the clinical rooms playing a variety of relaxing scenes. You are free to enjoy calming videos of your choice, or enjoy the music you love on our recently improved digital stereo equipment. Alternatively Bluetooth the music you love onto our digital audio equipment.
Your first appointment
We allow ample time for you to discuss any concerns you may have, conduct a complete and thorough examination to assess your needs, discuss all aspects of proposed treatment, and find solutions to help you achieve better dental health. We will involve you in the decision making process, to keep the treatment tailored to you. We aim to be as helpful and accommodating as we can, and we will work in a mindful way to allow you the time and space to help ease your anxieties.
We use the latest digital technologies and techniques to aid diagnosis.
The Wand
To help make your visit as comfortable as possible and reduce any needle anxieties we routinely use ‘The Wand’ – a computer assisted anaesthesia system – which allows virtually pain-free anaesthesia for people who are anxious about injections.
Adult New Patient Examination
Our relaxed and friendly new patient appointment gives ample time for you to discuss any concerns you may have and to discuss all aspects of proposed treatment and involve you in the decision making. Matthew will perform a thorough assessment of your dental health. He will discuss any dental concerns with you prior to starting, and will take a full confidential medical history. The examination will include a head and neck skin check, an intra-oral skin check, assessment of your teeth and gum health, and an assessment of your jaw function and occlusion (bite). It will also include any x-rays and intra- & extra-oral photographs that will be beneficial to diagnosis*.
The examination lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and assesses your general dental health as well as a brief smile analysis, including possible ways to improve it such as cosmetic work or orthodontics. Matthew will discuss all your treatment options with you. You may need to return to discuss more complicated treatment plans. You will be given a written estimate for any treatment.
Consultation / 2nd Opinion
If you would like to come to us for a 2nd opinion or advice about a specific problem. During the free consultation Matthew will discuss the problem and provide basic advice.
If further diagnostic investigations are necessary then you may need to return for a subsequent chargeable visit.
This is not a new patient check-up, and a full mouth assessment will not be performed. Please note this will not affect your registration with your current dentist as you will not become registered with Manor House Dental Practice.
Child New Patient Examination
Matthew will perform an intra-oral skin check, an assessment of your child’s teeth and gums, and take any necessary x-rays*. He will also perform a basic orthodontic assessment. The team will discuss your child’s diet with you. We endeavour to make your children’s visits as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.
* excludes any radiographs for which a referral will be required.
Children’s Appointments
We firmly believe that caring for children’s teeth and teaching them about good oral health is vital. Families are welcome and we endeavour to make children’s visits as enjoyable and informative as possible. Education is essential to long term dental health.
Simple Home Prevention
We aim to prevent dental disease rather than treat it at a later date. Here are some simple ways to prevent children from tooth decay and gum problems. Children’s dentistry is focused on teaching your child to practice good oral hygiene at home. Also, parents can check their teeth and gums at home.
Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes can remove the dental plaque that causes tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
A good diet is also essential, so avoiding sugary and/or sticky snacks. Also reducing how frequently they have snacks can helps to reduce the risk of decay.
Child New Patient Examination (Check-up)
Matthew will perform an intra-oral skin check, an assessment of your child’s teeth and gums, and take any necessary x-rays*. He will also perform a basic orthodontic assessment. The team will discuss your child’s diet with you. We endeavour to make your children’s visits as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.
* excludes any radiographs for which a referral will be required.
Hygienist visits are not just for adults
A clean mouth is crucial to keeping your children’s gums and teeth healthy. Poor brushing can lead to plaque build up on the teeth, which in turn can cause weakening of the teeth and even decay. Deposits of plaque or calculus can also damage the periodontal tissues (i.e. bone, ligament and gum) which support the teeth. This can cause problems with the gums for life. Poor oral hygiene and gingivitis can also lead to bad breath.
So to keep your child’s mouth in a healthy state ensure they visit our hygienist regularly. They can provide diet advice, oral hygiene instruction, and a scale and polish.
Not registered with us?
Your child can see our hygienist directly without having to see our dentist first.
However we would advise that your child sees a dentist too, as dentists play an important role in keeping your child’s mouth healthy. Screening for gum problems, dental decay and monitoring the development and positioning of your child’s teeth forms an integral part of a routine dental check-up.
Preventative Dental Treatments
Fluoride applications and fissure sealants (tooth coloured sealants) can be applied to biting surfaces of children’s teeth to prevent decay.
Fissure sealants
Molar teeth are most vulnerable to decay in the 2 years after they erupt. Food particles often become lodged. Fissure sealant is applied in droplet form. The sealant is hardened using a bright light forming a barrier protecting against tooth decay.
Fillings
We aim to prevent dental disease occurring in the first place. But if a cavity has occurred then a filling is necessary. This is usually done with a white filling material.
Routine Check-up
Our routine general dentistry check-ups include a head and neck skin check, an intra-oral skin check,and an assessment of your teeth and gum health. It will also include investigation of any particular dental problems that you may have. Matthew will also take any x-rays and intra- & extra-oral photographs that will be beneficial to diagnosis*.
* excludes any radiographs for which a referral will be required
Fillings
When a tooth has been chipped, broken or has a hole in it (tooth decay), it is important to remove the decay and restore the tooth. Often it is possible to restore the tooth using a filling material. Traditionally this was silver in colour (amalgam) but these days we usually use tooth coloured filling materials such as composite resin or glass ionomer cement (GIC) which are more aesthetic and also bond to the tooth structure. Ultimately the decision which material we use is yours but we will advise you which is the most appropriate for your situation.
So if you are concerned that you may have a hole in one of your teeth, please contact us so that we can assess it and advised you appropriately.
Crowns
Sometimes when a tooth is very heavily filled or broken down it is not possible to restore the tooth with a filling and we may have to place a crown. A crown completely covers the tooth to support and strengthen it. Crowns may also help improve the appearance of heavily filled teeth.
Root Fillings (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.
The procedure: The filling is removed to access the cavity. The nerve canals are cleaned out, shaped and disinfected. Then the canals are sealed, before placing a permanent restoration over the top, usually in the form of a crown or similar restoration. We use the WaveOne system for root canal therapy which is a motorised simple effective system.
What is Gum 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. Gum health is crucial to keeping your teeth for life. Deposits of plaque or calculus can damage the periodontal tissues (i.e. bone, ligament and gum), which will affect the support to the teeth making the teeth mobile and could even lead to tooth loss. Visiting our hygienist for debridement of the plaque biofilm and calculus, when combined with good oral hygiene at home, can help to keep the gums healthy and therefore prevent tooth loss.
The process: Plaque builds up on a healthy tooth irritating the gum and may cause the gum and bone to recede. Sometimes the gum recedes with the bone and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way the tooth may become mobile
Bad breath? We can help
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.
We can help to find and treat the causes of bad breath.
Ways to access our Hygienist Services:
New Patient Dental Examination & Registration
Register as a patient of the practice – If you choose to join the practice our new patient examination would assesses your periodontal (gum) health, as well as your general dental health, cancer screening, and a brief smile analysis, including possible ways to improve it such as cosmetic work or orthodontics. Matthew (our dentist) will take radiographs and photographs in order to discuss all your treatment options with you. You may need to return to discuss more complicated treatment plans. You will be given a written estimate for any treatment. The examination lasts between 45 and 60 minutes.
New ‘Direct-Access’ Patient Consultation
Did you know you can now see our York based Hygienist without seeing the Dentist first? It’s called Direct Access. So whether you already have your own dentist, or don’t want to see one at the moment, you can still visit our hygienist.
You would have a New ‘Direct-Access’ Patient Consultation with one of our hygienists prior to commencing your direct access visit. Our hygienist will assess your periodontal (gum) health, screening for gum disease. This allows us to tailor the treatment to you, i.e. option 1, 2 or 3. It does not include radiographs. The consultation lasts 15 minutes.
We would still advise that you see a dentist in order to assess your dental health.
Treatment Options Available:
If you suffer from bad breath, bleeding gums or gum disease, or you would just like a brighter, fresher smile, and would like to visit a hygienist in York, please contact us to arrange a visit to our hygienists. See below for details of available treatments and costs.
Option 1 – ‘Classic Clean’
Our ‘classic clean’ will ensure all the unsightly visible calculus and stains are removed from your teeth. Before we begin, we assess your gum health with a periodontal examination. Then plaque and tartar will be removed from all of those difficult to reach areas to help keep your mouth as healthy as possible and keep bad breath at bay. Finally your teeth are polished giving you a brighter,fresher, more confident smile. You will also be given advice on how best to maintain your healthy smile and what the best oral cleaning aids are to use.
Option 2 – Extended Hygiene Treatment
Patients with periodontal problems require more bespoke treatment. Therefore we offer extended appointments to help your mouth on the way to optimal oral health. This treatment offers all the benefits of our classic clean but with benefit of more time being spent to ensure we reach all the difficult and problematic areas.
Option 3 – Extensive Hygiene Therapy
Our Extensive Hygiene Therapy treatment is for patients with advanced periodontal problems that require bespoke treatment.
Options available to replace a missing tooth
There are 4 main options to replace a missing tooth. They are:
- Denture
- Resin bonded bridge
- Conventional bridge
- Implant
Denture
A removable acrylic plate or metal frame holding one or more artificial teeth.
Resin bonded bridge
A fixed artificial tooth held in place by metal wings and bonded to an adjacent tooth with resin.
Conventional bridge
Fixed artificial tooth held in place by cutting the tooth or teeth adjacent to allow it to fit in place.
Implant
Dental implants are titanium posts that are screwed into, and fuse with, bone in order to replace missing teeth or to act as anchors for bridges or dentures. We can offer advice as to when implants are suitable and can refer you to an implantologist
Options available to replace missing teeth
Dentures
For full dentures the BPS system produces very natural looking teeth as well as improving the fit and bite. When several of your own teeth remain we can place metal based dentures to give nice aesthetics and stability.
Improve you smile with our Cosmetic Dental Treatment Options
Do your teeth look too dark to you?
Teeth are stained by the food and drink we consume. Smoking further stains teeth and the natural bright, white shade becomes darkened. Tooth whitening is a successful and simple method of lightening the colour of your teeth. The degree of whiteness achieved will vary from patient to patient and with the type of bleaching process chosen. Used correctly it is safe and causes no damage to the teeth.
The home whitening procedure: One of the methods for whitening teeth uses a ‘tray’. First of all, impressions are taken from which a study model is made. A custom made mouth tray is then made. A whitening gel is placed in the tray into special pockets ensuring that it only comes into contact with the required surfaces and that no damage is done to the soft gums. The trays are the worn while asleep or for short periods during the day. Results are normally seen over 2 weeks.
Uneven teeth?
Chipped and irregular teeth can spoil the ‘smile line’. Small corrections to the length and shape of each tooth can make a big difference. The changes can be made easily and quickly.
Chipped or broken a tooth?
If you have a chipped tooth or broken tooth corners, there are a number of ways of solving this problem. The chipped area could be repaired by bonding a natural-coloured composite filling material.
Alternatively a veneer could be made which is fixed to the front of the tooth and looks very natural. A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again.
If the tooth damage is severe a crown may be needed.
Composite bonding & Anterior white fillings
Tooth-coloured composite restorations are used to restore damaged or decayed teeth, or disguise mis-shapen teeth.
The procedure: A transparent tube is positioned over the broken tooth into which composite material is applied. This is hardened using a bright light and is shaped as necessary.
Do you have ‘Black triangles’ or a large gap between your teeth?
A gap between the front teeth (a diastema) can appear unsightly. To improve the appearance composite filling material can be added to the teeth to close the space. The BioClear system (Clark matrix in UK) achieves a great result without problematic ledges which can irritate the gum.
The procedure: Tubes are placed over the two teeth and filled with composite material. This builds up the teeth, closing the gap. The material is hardened with a bright light.
Do you have unsightly silver fillings?
Amalgam fillings are silver coloured fillings which are very strong and are sometimes the treatment of choice. But they may be more visible than white fillings and can often be seen when we talk or laugh. These can be unsightly and can also discolour the tooth. To improve this we can safely replace silver amalgam fillings with white tooth coloured fillings. New methods have helped to overcome the drawbacks of composite filings and can even help to strengthen the teeth.
Veneers
Discoloured, chipped or cracked teeth can benefit from a veneer. They can either be placed directly in composite or made by a dental laboratory in porcelain.
The choice of material will depend on the situation and what would be best for you. Veneers can be placed using composite, either placed freehand or using preformed veneers (Edelwiess), or using porcelain. The material covers part, or the whole, of the front of the tooth.
Freehand Composite Veneers are placed using tooth coloured composite filling material.
Edelweiss Veneers are thin tooth coloured composite wafers that are bonded to your teeth (in a similar way to false nails) to create a beautiful smile in only one appointment, making them very affordable. They require minimal, if any, tooth preparation.
Porcelain Veneers are a very aesthetic and durable material. They require slightly more tooth preparation than the direct veneers and usually require 2 visits to place.
The procedure: A thin layer of the tooth surface is shaved off. A veneer is made to fit perfectly, protecting the tooth underneath.
Orthodontic treatment (braces) can be used at any age to improve your smile by straightening out twisted or crowded teeth, or teeth that are out of line. There are many different types of orthodontic appliance.
Matthew is a dentist with a special interest in orthodontics. He has been doing orthodontics for over 25 years, including having worked as an orthodontic assistant at Hull Royal Infirmary and York Hospital:
- Clinical Attachment & Assistant at Hull Royal Infirmary Orthodontic Dept. (Hull) 2001-2004
- Visiting GDP at York Hospital Orthodontic Dept (York) – since 2009
He is happy to advise you about your orthodontics options and can carry out straight forward cases, or work to a specialist orthodontist’s treatment plan if you have a more complicated problem. In some situations he may either refer you to the Orthodontic Department at York Hospital, or to a local specialist orthodontist.
So contact us to book a consultation to discuss which method could work best for you.
Fixed braces
The most readily controlled and quickest appliance is the fixed appliance. It consists of brackets on the teeth and progressively thicker wires connecting them which bring the teeth into alignment. There are various types of fixed appliance including standard metal brackets and modern tooth coloured brackets.
Clear Aligners
If you do not want to look like you are wearing braces we can now use modern clear ‘aligners’. Aligners are small, discreet thin plastic appliances which you almost can’t feel or even see. They are also removable for eating and cleaning. These braces are comfortable to wear as there are no metal wires. We use the Quick Straight Teeth clear aligner system.
Other braces
Other types of brace include removable braces, functional appliances and lingual braces. Contact us for more information about these methods.
Bruxism and TMD
Stress and discrepancies in the way that your teeth bite together can trigger bruxism (clenching and grinding). This can cause damage to the teeth (wear to, or even broken, teeth) and jaw joint (noise and clicking), leading to pain or even regular headaches, commonly known as TMD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Grinding the teeth can cause tooth wear as they are ground from side to side, particularly during sleep, this can wear down the front teeth and the molar cusps can be chipped and damaged. It can also lead to damage to the necks of the teeth (abfraction). If the soft dentine underneath the enamel becomes exposed it can lead to tooth sensitivity.
Clenching also tenses the jaw muscles and creates impact within the skull. There may also be associated symptoms in the muscles of the jaw, and the jaw joint itself, such as aching, pain, clicking and headaches. It is often linked to people being stressed, hence the expression ‘grit your teeth and get on with it’.
How your jaw-joint moves
When the jaw opens, there are two movements involved; a rotation and a sliding movement. Within the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ), cartilage between the bones smoothes the movement. Clicks can occur when the cartilage wears or if it buckles. Sometimes the disc can become wedged in front of the joint and prevent opening of the jaw. Clicks can either be symptom free or painful. There can also be a knock on effect involving the muscles of the jaw leading to spasm and pain. This is often referred to as TMD (Temporo-Mandibular Disorder).
Canine build ups
When we grind our teeth from side to side the back teeth are protected to some extent by the canines. The back teeth are ‘separated’ as the canine meet. If the canines wear away then the back teeth will come together. This can cause fracturing of the sides of the back teeth particularly those that already have fillings and are weak. Restoring the canines can help prevent further damage.
Occlusal therapy (Splint)
Occlusal therapy in the form of an occlusal splint can help to alleviate the bruxism and stop the damage it causes. It will also protect the teeth and prevent excessively heavy contact causing damage to the teeth and jaw.
Click below to read an article about how TMD can affect your sleep, alternatively visit the British Society for Occlusal Studies for more information
Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea – Oral devices are acknowledged by experts to be one of the most effective treatments for snoring and sleep apnoea. The airway between the mouth/nose and the lungs can be considered as a tube. As the air passes over the soft tissues, these vibrate and cause snoring. Obstruction or constriction of the airway gives rise to obstructive sleep apnoea (a more serious condition). This affects the quality of the air supply during sleep, leading to broken sleep. These conditions are chronic, may worsen with age, weight gain, muscle-relaxing medication, and are lifelong. They can affect the quality of sleep, or a partner’s sleep leading to day time drowsiness, fatigue and general feeling of tiredness.
Mandibular advancement appliances are a simple, non-invasive complementary treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. They work by posturing the lower jaw forward. As the jaw comes forward so the tongue follows the inner surface of the lower teeth drawing the tongue forward. The muscles and soft tissues below the jaw are also stretched. This gives a widened airway at the back of the throat. Since the muscles are stretched and the jaw is forward, it is almost impossible to snore. There are many designs of mandibular advancement appliance on the market. We use the Somnowell chrome cobalt appliance for superior comfort. Plastic appliances are also available, such as the Tap appliance (as seen in the animation below).
Please click here for a PDF giving further information.
The process: During sleep the soft pallet relaxes and restricts the airflow. It then vibrates, causing the snore. The epiglottis may also restrict the airflow and may even cause sleep apnoea. When a mandibular advancement appliance is introduced (pre-positioned and adjusted) it brings the lower soft tissue forward, opening up the airway allowing for easier breathing and stopping vibration of the soft tissue.
For registered patients of the practice
If you have a dental problem and you want to be seen quickly, please contact the emergency dentist in York as early as possible during working hours. We aim to see our emergencies as soon as possible, usually the same day. Please be prepared to accept the appointment time offered.
Post-Operative advice for patients
If you have any concerns about your recent dental treatment, including local anaesthetic, fillings, root canal treatment, crowns and bridges, periodontal treatment or extractions. Please click on the link below.
Out of hours service (for registered patients only)
We have an out of hours service for severe dental emergencies for our regular patients which operates between 6pm & 8pm on weekdays and 10am & 12pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Please note that you may not be seen by your regular dentist and a call-out charge will be incurred.
The Out of Hours Emergency Number is 01904 783194.
Please leave a message and the on-call dentist will return your call.
Denplan Emergency Support
Denplan members pay a reduced emergency call-out fee. There is also an emergency service for when you are abroad and when more than 40 miles away from the practice.
Unregistered patients with a dental problem
We are happy to see patients that are not registered with the practice. If you have a dental problem, such as a broken tooth or are in pain, and need to see a dentist for an emergency dental appointment, then contact the practice during working hours and we will be happy to make you pain-free again and restore your smile as soon as we can.
The Wand
To help make your visit as comfortable as possible and reduce any needle anxieties we routinely use ‘The Wand’ – a computer assisted anaesthesia system – which allows virtually pain-free anaesthesia for people who are anxious about injections.
