Dental Surgery & Endodontics

Extractions are a lot less common today than they once were, thanks in part to people taking better care of their teeth and advancements made in dental care. However, despite these advances, there are still times when an extraction of a tooth is the only possible option left. Whatever the reason a tooth may need extraction, the dentists here at Abbey Dental Care are highly skilled and will ensure the procedure is comfortable and pain-free.
The dentist will use a strong local anaesthetic to completely numb the tooth and the surrounding tissues. If you are a particularly nervous patient we can also offer you an oral sedation or IV sedation.
We can also advise you on the best treatment to replace any missing teeth.

Symmetry is one of the key components to an attractive smile. An uneven gum line can make an otherwise nice set of teeth appear unattractive. Similarly, an excessive amount of gum on show when smiling can detract from the appearance. A solution to this is to carry out a procedure known as a ‘gingivectomy’, which recontours an uneven or gummy smile. It can just be for one tooth, or for multiple teeth, dependant on the extent of the problem.
The procedure usually involves the removal of a portion of gum from in and around the teeth. As well as treating a gummy smile or uneven gums, it can also be used to treat gum disease

Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) tackles infection at the centre of a tooth (the root canal system).
When the blood or nerve supply of the tooth has become infected, if root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
With careful technique and experience, root canal therapy is quite straightforward. During treatment, all the infection is removed from inside the root canal system. The root canal is filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown to stop it from becoming infected again. Root canal treatment usually requires two or three visits to your dentist.

An apicectomy is a treatment performed when the tip of the root of a tooth becomes infected. It is a minor surgical procedure and is pain free.
The tip of the root of the tooth is removed and the canal of the tooth is sealed to prevent bacteria from entering the canal and causing infection.
An apicectomy is often required after a root canal treatment. While the root canal treatment is used to clean out the inside of the tooth, an apicectomy may follow if infection persists.