Our Treatments
Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dental procedures that we offer include bleaching (Enlighten, Illuminé, Zoom Advanced), veneers, crowns, white fillings, single visit CEREC restorations, orthodontics (Invisalign®), gum reshaping and dental bridges.

When considering cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile we recommend you contact us for a consultation so we can create a treatment plan that best suits you.  We will always promote the most conservative approach to improve your smile.  Small changes can make a big difference, as illustrated by the photos below.  All the cases illustrated were completed at IGDP Limited.

Back to Top

Gum Treatment (Periodontal Treatment)

Periodontal disease affects the gums, bone and other supporting tissues of the teeth. Approximately 80% of the population suffer with moderate forms of the disease and 10% suffer with the more severe forms of the disease. The latter group have a greater risk of losing teeth through the periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria which collect around the teeth.

The bacteria produce toxins which result in the destruction of the supporting tissues. Risk factors, ie. smoking and genetics, have been identified. There are variable signs and symptoms which include bleeding gums, mobility or drifting teeth and it is usually painless. Your general dental practitioner will include an examination of your gums during your routine dental check up. If signs of periodontal disease are identified, your dentist may refer you to our specialist in periodontics. We cover all aspects of periodontology.

Treatments include non surgical and surgical periodontal techniques, including regeneration, muco-gingival soft tissue management, adjunctive antimicrobial therapy and crown lengthening.

Back to Top

Dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that are used in treatment of tooth loss. There are a number of options for the treatment of missing teeth; none have proven to be as effective and durable as implants. Dental implants are sometimes the only logical choice for the restoration of necessary teeth as they leave remaining teeth intact.

Strong, durable and natural in appearance, implants are among the most successful dental procedures performed (95% success with the right after care). People who have lost teeth might feel too self-conscious to smile or talk. Additionally, tooth loss can have a negative effect on eating habits and this can lead to health problems like malnutrition.

Same Day Implants and Teeth - Less surgery, less time and no need for a gap or denture

Sometimes it is possible to remove a tooth and place an implant immediately into the extraction socket and this is often the case near the front of the mouth.

We also make a tooth to place upon the implant, so that no bridges or dentures are needed.

The speed and simplicity of this treatment is fantastic for patients.

Although not possible for every case, you will be told at your implant assessment whether this form of treatment is an option for you.

Single tooth implants

Replacing a missing or failing single tooth with an implant has great benefits over the alternative options of a bridge or denture.

  • Implants look and feel like real teeth
  • Implants are fixed securely in your mouth - you do not remove them at night
  • Implants never get decayed
  • Implants preserve bone by replacing the tooth root
  • There is no damage to adjacent teeth as is caused by a bridge.
  • Implants produce an excellent cosmetic result - it’s usually impossible to tell the difference between implants and real teeth.

In most cases the treatment is very quick (usually taking less time in the chair than a crown or root treatment), is virtually pain free, and the recovery is straightforward. Most patients report less discomfort after an implant is placed than following an extraction by their dentist.

You will not be left with a visible gap during any stage of your treatment and we will discuss your options for filling these gaps carefully with you at your assessment.

The final outcome will be a replacement tooth that looks feels and functions like one of your own teeth.

There is no reason a successful, well-maintained implant should not last a lifetime.

Multiple tooth replacement

Multiple teeth can be replaced by implants to give you back the aesthetics and function you deserve.

  • Implants preserve bone by replacing the tooth root
  • Implants never feel loose and uncomfortable like a denture
  • There is no damage to adjacent teeth as is caused by a bridge

If you are missing a number of teeth, they may either be replaced with individual implants for each missing tooth, or by joining two or more implants together.

The importance of replacing missing back teeth (your molar teeth) cannot be over-emphasised as these are the teeth that are designed to do the chewing of your food.

If you have lost all of your teeth, 4-6 implants joined together may produce a very strong replacement




Implant retained dentures

Many dentures can be improved in a cost effective way by holding them in place with implants.

For a cost-effective way of replacing many missing teeth, dentures can be held securely in place with implants, providing a great improvement from traditional removable dentures.

  • Eliminates the need for denture adhesives
  • Helps preserve the bone and facial structures
  • Minimises wrinkles around the mouth by restoring lost lip-support
  • Markedly improves your ability to chew - you can eat whatever you want and enjoy your food again.

A lower denture can sometimes need only 2 implants to provide stability, which will give a dramatic transformation in the ability to eat.

Back to Top

Root Canal Treatment

Nothing is as good as a natural tooth! And sometimes your natural tooth may need root canal (endodontic) treatment for it to remain a healthy part of your mouth. Most patients report that having root canal treatment today is as unremarkable as having a cavity filled. If you’ve been told you need root canal treatment, you can find the answers to your questions below.

Who performs endodontic treatment?

All dentists, including your general dentist, receive basic training in endodontic treatment in dental school. General dentists often refer patients needing endodontic treatment to endodontists. At IGDP Limited we will refer any compromised cases to Rory Mac Sweeney, who has a special interest in endodontics. He uses a specially designed dental microscope to perform the treatment with great success.

Why would I need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

The dentist/endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards your dentist will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anaesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your dentist’s/endodontist’s instructions carefully. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your dentist/endodontist.

How much will the procedure cost?

The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat and the fee is usually more.
Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?

You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?

New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the dentist/endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.

Can all teeth be treated endodontically?

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

How long will the endodontic treatment last?

Although we have a good idea of the short term success rates for root canal treatment, we do not know what the long term failure rate is. This is because it is very difficult to follow up a sample group of patients for periods of 20-30 years. Any research of this type would be useless unless at least 50% of the patients could be reviewed at the end of the study. In today’s increasingly mobile society, this is a challenge.

Anecdotally, it would appear that in the long term failure of technically good root canal treatments does not seem to occur in well maintained mouths. These teeth are more likely to be lost because they fracture or of gum disease, than because the root treatment fails. The British Endodontic Society reports that past and current studies indicate the success rate to be 83%

What are some of the other possible complications of endodontic treatment?

It might happen that a fine instrument used to do the treatment separates or fractures and have to be left inside the tooth, in which case you will be informed about it. Your dentist/endodontist will then discuss with you what can be done about it. You might experience pain after the root canal treatment, which can have several causes. It is also possible that a root can be perforated or that the root canal filling material is placed beyond the boundaries of a root.

Back to Top

CAD/CAM Procedures

A crown, veneer or inlay in one visit

CEREC 3D is the world’s only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one appointment.

With CEREC 3D you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all ceramic crown, onlay, or veneer.

For you, the patient, this means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule.

CEREC 3D uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument.

The dentist uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a colour computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration.

Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about two hours or less.

What are the advantages of CEREC 3D?
  • The dentist fabricates and fits the restoration in a single session
  • No need for the dentist to take an impression and send it to a lab
  • No temporary crowns or fillings
  • No return visits for the patient
  • The restoration is natural looking, as it is made out of tooth-coloured ceramic material
  • Ceramic material is biocompatible, high-grade, anti-abrasive and plaque-resistant
  • Metal-free: no silver-coloured fillings
  • Allows dentist to save more of the healthy tooth
  • Extremely precise
Back to Top
© Copyright 2012 IGDP LimitedWeb Designers Toolkit Websites