Services

Check Ups

At High Street Dental we encourage you and your family to drop in for regular dental examinations, usually every 6 months. It’s nothing scary- just a check to make sure your teeth and gums are in the best possible condition.

We’ll be checking for things like:

Tooth decay
Cracking
Periodontal (gum) disease
Oral cancers
Damage or deterioration of existing dental work

If we spot something unusual, we’ll let you know and draw up a personalised treatment plan to address the problem. We recommend radiographs and occasionally photographs to help us make a better diagnosis.

Hygiene

Did you know up to 90% of the UK adult population has some degree of gingivitis (bleeding gums when brushing). Failure to control plaque and tartar build up can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and eventually tooth loss. After your check up we will professionally clean your teeth, removing all the plaque and tartar and finish by polishing the teeth to lift surface staining leaving your teeth feeling cleaner and looking whiter. In addition, we will provide tailored advice on how you may improve and maintain your oral health care at home.

Fillings

Image of Woman receiving a tooth filling

Fillings are required to restore cavities or correct any cosmetic damage to teeth. The main filling materials used are amalgam (metal fillings) and composite (white/tooth coloured fillings).

Amalgam
Amalgam has been used for over 150 years in dentistry and has good strength and durability when used in back teeth. Amalgam is used widely on the NHS to restore decay in back teeth, it is a metal alloy of mercury with sliver and tin.

Composite
Tooth coloured/white fillings are an alternative to amalgam. Composite fillings are considered a cosmetic treatment so are not available on the NHS. The main advantage is their cosmetic appeal however they also bond to the tooth meaning less healthy tooth needs to be removed for them to stay in place.

Crowns

A crown may be required if a tooth is heavily restored, has been root treated or you wish to change the appearance of a tooth. A crown is custom made for your tooth by a dental technician and fits over the tooth like a “cap”.

Metal crowns
NHS option for back molar teeth to restore function.

Metal/porcelain
Metal core coated with porcelain to provide a more natural appearance. These can be provided on NHS up to the premolars.

Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are incredibly strong and have no metal core (meaning no more grey line at the gum margin) so great aesthetics. They are only available privately.

Dentures

Dentures are an option to restore gaps after a tooth has been lost. Dentures can be acrylic (plastic) or chrome (metal and plastic). Private options include flexible dentures and Solvay.

Root Treatment

Root treatment or endodontic treatment is required to treat an infected or dead tooth. This may be as the result of trauma or disease (decay). Extraction of the tooth is the only alternative to root canal treatment.

Air flow polish

Teeth pick up staining from smoking, food, drinks and even certain types of mouthwash. This can be easily removed with an air flow polish. The air polisher uses a fine powder and water spray to lift staining quickly and effectively from the teeth. The process is pain free and can usually be completed at your check up appointment.

Tooth Whitening

A beautiful bright smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet you. When you have clean, white, bright teeth it will boost your confidence and your mood. Over time food, drinks, medications and even lifestyle choices can discolour and stain our teeth. Bring back the vibrancy of your smile with High Street Dental’s tooth whitening procedure.

Boutique Whitening is a professional tooth whitening system that can only be prescribed by a dentist. These tooth whitening kits are a gentle and convenient way to a brighter smile.

After your dentist has completed a check of your teeth impressions are taken in order to make your customised bleaching trays. A second appointment is required to fit the trays and provide you with instructions on the best bleaching regime for your teeth.

Children’s dentistry

One of our aims is to encourage families, especially children, to embrace a regular oral hygiene routine to ensure they maintain optimal dental health throughout their life. We encourage families to attend for their check ups together and welcome children of all ages; as a rule of thumb aim to register your baby soon after birth or by the time they are 6 months old.

Introducing your child to our practice from and early age will help build a trusting relationship with your dentist, these regular visits will help your child feel more comfortable when attending. Preventive dentistry can create the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. With a reasonable level of care, children today should expect to keep their natural teeth for life and avoid complex and costly procedures in future.

Childsmile
Childsmile is a national program designed to improve the oral health of children in Scotland. High Street Dental is a Childsmile practice and we are committed to promoting good oral health and forming good habits in children from a young age.

As part of the Childsmile program we will:

Give information on the growth and development of your child’s teeth
Carry out regular dental checks
Demonstrate and explain correct toothbrushing technique and advise on the correct toothpaste to use
Provide advice on weaning and healthy snacks
Provide resources such as free flow cups, toothpaste, toothbrushes and tooth brushing charts.
From the age of 2 we can apply Fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth twice yearly. Research shows Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing.

Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are preventive treatments often applied to the biting surface of back teeth, where decay is most common. A tooth coloured resin is applied to the biting surface to fill any deep grooves in the teeth making them easier to clean.

Orthodontic screening
Early detection of tooth or jaw alignment problems can mean more orthodontic treatment options are available and may be completed in a shorter time frame.