Private Dentistry in Kent
Whilst treating patients on a private basis allows us to spend more time with our patients and to provide them with a higher quality of care, it does of course mean that the costs involved can become more significant and, understandably, this can be a cause of concern for patients.
We are therefore committed to having a totally transparent pricing policy and all of our fees are fully detailed in a comprehensive fee scale available at reception. In addition, all patients are provided with an itemised treatment plan and estimate detailing all the costs involved as soon as possible after their initial appointment. As there are often a variety of options available, which can vary greatly in cost, these will also be explained and discussed. Our aim is to always ensure that our patients know in advance the precise cost of the treatment proposed so that they can then make a fully informed decision before treatment begins as to how they wish to proceed.
We guarantee that there are absolutely no hidden ‘extras’ or ‘small print’ for patients to worry about at our practice!
ExaminationS
As we emphasise the importance of preventative care we still recommend that patients attend for regular check-ups twice a year so that any problems can be identified as early as possible, often well before the patient is even aware of them.
This in turn helps us to keep any treatment – and costs! – to a minimum. Whilst we aim to provide a very high quality of care for all our patients, if you are ever unhappy with any aspect of the care you receive here please do not hesitate to bring it to our attention.
Unfortunately, a trip to the dentist will rarely be one of life’s great pleasures but we will always endeavour to make the experience as pleasant as possible for you!
Dental Hygiene
The Hygiene Dental treatment at Bearsted Dental will leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh.
Hygiene therapy may reduce the risk of developing several serious medical conditions linked with gum disease. A surprising 90 per cent of us suffer from gum disease at some point in our lives. But with carefully considered dental care, the risks can be easily controlled.
We recommend regular dental visits for examinations and hygiene treatments to ensure your mouth, teeth and gums remain in great condition. Our high quality hygiene treatments include cleaning, gum care, scaling and polishing.
Children's Dentistry
Children are born free from dental disease, yet by adulthood 95% of the population has active gum disease and most people have experienced some tooth decay and even tooth loss.
Seeing a dentist regularly is very important. You should start to bring your child with you to appointments from an early age, even before their teeth have come through, so they can get used to the sights, smells and sounds of the practice.
Once they have their own teeth, we need to see them regularly for their own check-ups so we can keep a close eye on how their teeth are developing, and spot any potential issues early on. We can also advise on other issues such as orthodontics (teeth straightening).
CROWNS
If you have damaged or discoloured or unsightly teeth (it may not be possible to restore them using a filling) then we can make a porcelain or metal cover, called a crown. The crown is strong and can look and feel exactly like a natural tooth. The colour and shape can be matched to your own teeth.
The crown fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. It will also be tooth coloured, giving the restoration a more natural appearance so it fits in with the rest of your teeth.
BRIDGES
Dental bridges can be used to replace one or more missing teeth by using one or both of the neighbouring teeth as anchors.
Bridges are cemented to the anchor teeth and are fixed in place so that you can smile, laugh and eat with confidence. Your bridge will perform much like your natural teeth.
Once you have a bridge fitted, you will have to take extra care of your daily hygiene regime to ensure it stays plaque free and that you can prevent bad breath
Inlay and Onlay
Inlays and onlays are two types of restorations that your dentist can suggest if you have a cavity in your tooth that needs to be filled. An inlay is a small filling that fits into the biting surface of a tooth while an onlay covers a larger area of the tooth and is better suited to bigger cavities.
For many years, gold has been used to make inlays and onlays because it is a hard material and lasts for a long time. Nowadays, tooth-coloured porcelain is also used and gives the restored tooth a more natural look, which many patients prefer.
Tooth Wear
Tooth grinding and clenching - also know as Bruxisim - is an under-diagnosed condition that affects approximately 80% of the population. Many individuals are oblivious to their teeth grinding, or don’t think to mention the symptoms to their dentist because, with the exception of tooth wear, they are not typically dental related. However, if untreated, the condition can have a real impact on your oral and general well being.
There are various treatments proposed to stop or reduce Bruxism, the most common being occlusal splints (dental appliances). In many cases, a simple dental splint - worn whilst sleeping - can reduce the intensity of Bruxism
Dentures
If you have missing teeth, you’re probably busy researching how you can restore your smile and make eating more enjoyable again. With so many options available, it’s often hard to see the wood for the trees. Dental bridges and dental implants often spring to mind, but it’s important not to discount dentures as the solution to your winning smile. When you wear a denture for the first time it may take some getting used to when speaking, eating and chewing. It is important that you take extra care in your hygiene regime so that you can avoid bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Our staff will be able to show you how to best take care of your denture and gums, and will advise you about how to care for your oral health.
Wisdom Tooth & EXTRACTIONS
Many people have to have a tooth removed at some time in their lives. This can be for a number of reasons. Some people have overcrowded mouths, and have some teeth removed as part of their orthodontic (teeth straightening) treatment. Sometimes teeth become too badly decayed or damaged to be repaired, and need to be extracted. Gum disease can, in its later stages, cause teeth to become so loose that they have to be taken out. And some people have to have their wisdom teeth removed, usually because they are growing in the wrong direction and are causing problems.
Should a tooth extraction be needed we will endeavour to make this as comfortable as possible for you. For the extremely nervous patient the treatment can be done under sedation.
Oral surgery is another of our skills. We can extract teeth and carry out surgical procedures in the mouth using local anaesthesia or sedation for difficult extractions or removal of wisdom teeth.
Periodontics
Periodontics is the treatment of periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease. One in every two adults over 30 suffers from periodontal disease. Gum disease can lead to receding gums, bone damage, loss of teeth, and can increase the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.
When the structures of tooth supporting apparatus are damaged, you're more likely to develop bacterial infection, which if left untreated can progress into a more serious condition, called periodontitis.
Despite its prevalence, periodontal disease is underdiagnosed, resulting in a lack of proper gum care. Simple steps like brushing twice a day, flossing, and having a thorough periodontal evaluation from your dentist at least once a year can help detect and prevent gum disease.
Endodontics
Root Canal treatments are carried out when the inside of the tooth (the root or pulp) becomes infected or damaged.
Infection and damage to the root can be very painful, creating inflammation with the risk of severe pain and swelling. Root Canal Treatment eliminates the cause of the pain by completely removing the diseased or damaged tissue from the tooth. The root canal is meticulously cleaned, shaped and decontaminated, before securely filling it back up with a durable, inert material.
This means you can be pain free whilst still keeping your original tooth.