General and routine dentistry
Healthy teeth and gums are the foundation of a beautiful smile. We offer a range of cosmetic treatments that can straighten, whiten or restore your teeth, but all of these require strong, healthy teeth and gums to begin with. At Dentist@W2, our dentists work hard to help all of our patients improve routine oral hygiene at home, and encourage regular check-ups to spot early signs of decay and ensure that your teeth will stay in good shape.
What is general and routine dentistry?
Routine dentistry
It is important to see your dentist regularly for routine check-ups. We also invite all new patients to attend an initial check-up. During these appointments, our skilled and highly-experienced dentists are not only looking for any decay or build-up of plaque and tartar, but for early signs of oral cancer.
Oral cancer symptoms are often not noticeable to the patient but can be detected through careful examination during your routine appointment using our specialist equipment.
Using examinations and, if necessary, x-rays, we can check the full overall health of your teeth, gums and mouth. If any flaws are discovered, we will discuss with you the range of treatment options available and work out a plan of care with you.
General dentistry
We offer several treatments that we categorise as general dentistry. These are treatments that aim to correct any imperfections in the health or structure of your teeth. These include:
Fillings
Regular check-ups with our dentists will allow us to detect if decay has led to a cavity, in which case you may need a filling. As cosmetic dentists, we try to avoid amalgam fillings as they can affect the colour of your teeth and detract from the natural beauty of your smile. We therefore offer white fillings, which are strong, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Applied under local anaesthetic, the procedure does not hurt.
Root canal treatment
Untreated tooth decay or trauma can lead to an infection of the ‘pulp’ of your tooth, which can cause an abscess to form, with all the associated pain and discomfort that this can create. To resolve the problem, the pulp may need to be removed and the root canal system filled. If your dentist has identified that root canal treatment is necessary, they will remove the pulp under local anaesthetic. A temporary filling may be placed until the infection and inflammation have subsided. At that point, the root canal filling can be applied. If necessary, your dentist may also recommend the application of a crown after the root canal treatment. This will protect the tooth from breaking and will also restore the appearance of your tooth afterwards.
Extractions
We try wherever possible to retain your natural teeth. However, sometimes it is necessary to remove unhealthy or damaged teeth and replace them with natural-looking, custom-made replacements such as bridges, implants or dentures. Similarly, if you are experiencing pain from wisdom teeth, these may need to be extracted. All extractions are done with the utmost care: anaesthetic will ensure that you will feel no pain and our dentists’ skill and experience mean that your tooth will be gently eased out of position, with no uncomfortable or distressing tugging. If an extraction is necessary, your dentist will discuss with you the options available for replacing your tooth (if necessary) and agree a treatment plan that suits your preferences and budget.
How do general and routine dentist appointments work?
We are currently welcoming new patients to our practice in central London. We invite all new patients to attend an initial appointment where you will be given an examination to check the state of your teeth and oral health, and to see whether any treatments would be of benefit to you. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, this will also be addressed.
All of our new and existing patients are encouraged to attend six-monthly or annual routine appointments so that we can keep a close eye on the health of your teeth. Our aim is to prevent the need for major treatment by keeping your teeth strong and healthy through good-quality oral hygiene and routine maintenance.
We understand that patients sometimes feel anxious about dental treatment, perhaps because of negative childhood experiences. If you are worried about having any form of dental treatment, for any reason, please let us know when you contact us to arrange your appointment. We can offer a range of effective, gentle sedation options that will help you to relax during your appointment.
Will general and routine dentistry work for me?
All of our patients will benefit from having regular check-ups and, where necessary, having minor dental issues addressed by our experienced, proficient dentists.
How long do general and routine dental appointments take?
A routine appointment should take no longer than 30 minutes. Appointments for general dentistry treatments such as fillings, extractions and root canal surgery can last 45 minutes or longer – your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate time estimate at your consultation.
Contact us
To arrange a routine check-up, whether you are a new or existing patient, please call us on 0207 402 4024 or use our contact form and we will organise an appointment at a time to suit you.
If you are in pain or discomfort, or if an issue is identified by your dentist at a routine appointment that needs to be addressed, call us or complete our contact form and we can arrange a suitable appointment. We also offer out-of-hours or same-day appointments for emergencies.