Initial Consultation
All new adult patients are given a thorough thirty minute examination and consultation appointment, which includes comprehensive medical and dental histories, all necessary x rays, a gum health check and cancer screening. In most cases, at the end of this appointment, a plan of treatment will be given to you together with an estimate of costs.

In cases of complicated treatment a written treatment plan and quote will be sent on to you later and in certain circumstances, a second visit will be arranged to gather more detailed information.

Any treatment requirements will be discussed and explained in detail and the treatment plan and fees will be agreed in advance with you. We do not wish to proceed with treatment unless you are completely happy with all aspects of it.

X-rays
If we are to help you it is absolutely essential to know exactly what is going on beneath the gum line and inside the teeth, where we cannot see. As a health precaution we advocate that the x-rays taken are kept to the minimal amount clinically possible and prescribed on an individual basis.

We carefully follow the current national guidelines for dental radiography and use modern, low radiation dose dental x-ray machines. The health and safety of our patients is paramount.

Gums
Your gums are designed to keep the blood in and the bacteria out. If your gums bleed then the bacteria can get into your body and disease will surely develop. The latest research shows that plaque (which builds up on the surface of your teeth) and bacteria are the cause of gum disease, when your immune level is low.

Your DENTIST is trained to monitor the condition of your gums and together we will teach you how to keep your own gums bacteria free. There is no place for bleeding gums. This is a warning signal – do not overlook it.

Cancer Screen
At your regular visits we will carefully examine your mouth and associated structures for any signs of early cancer. The mouth can also show signs of many other important general illnesses long before symptoms start. This can give us a good early warning system so that any necessary medical treatment can be commenced whilst the prognosis for most human illnesses is at its best.

Missing Teeth
When any teeth are missing this places more strain on the remaining teeth and the supporting structures of these teeth – teeth tend to drift and tilt when they are lacking the mutual support of the neighbouring teeth. Imagine a car with 4 wheels – if one is missing or flat then the whole system is thrown out of balance.

Headaches
You may not realise that the way that your teeth meet is linked to the balance of the rest of your body and vice versa. Your posture can affect your jaws and their correct working. The jaws work by the action of muscles and any dysfunction may result in pains around the head and teeth. These may affect your head (as headaches), your neck (stiff neck), your back (back pain). You may also get a ringing noise in your ears. All these can have an origin in imbalance of your teeth.

Children
To properly develop into a healthy adult it is essential for children to have a healthy mouth. To prevent tooth decay and gum disease it is necessary to have regular dental visits. Where it affects the dentition we can advise the young patients on dietary problems.

Recall examinations
Your 'recall' examination is an important part of your dental health regime and we attach particular importance to regular check-up examinations. At this practice we routinely check all aspects of your dental health and we keep a record of the following:

• Signs of changes in the mouth lining, tongue etc. which may become cancerous
• Gum condition, by active probing
• Tooth wear due to heavy bite or too much acid in the diet
• Imbalances in the bite which might cause jaw joint problems
• Any new areas of decay in the teeth
• Leakage or other failure in existing fillings, crowns, bridges etc..
• The stability and quality of fit of any dentures worn