01
Examination
Teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues, plus an oral cancer screening, with any X-rays that are clinically needed.
PREVENTIVE
General and preventive dentistry
Regular, unhurried appointments so small problems stay small — and so most of them never need a drill at all.
What it is
General dentistry is everything that keeps a mouth healthy: examinations, X-rays where they are needed, hygiene appointments, fillings and the occasional repair.
It is unglamorous and it is the most valuable thing we do. Almost every large piece of treatment we carry out started as something small that was missed.
Who it is for
Everybody, from a child’s first visit onwards. If it has been years since you last saw a dentist, that is a reason to come in rather than a reason to put it off.
Why we do it this way
We monitor rather than intervene wherever a tooth can safely be watched, and we treat early and small when it cannot. Removing less tooth today means there is more of it left to work with in twenty years.
What happens at an appointment
02
What we found
We show you on screen what we can see, and explain what is stable, what is worth watching and what needs doing.
03
A written plan
Options and costs in writing before anything is agreed. If nothing needs doing, we will tell you that too.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Things people ask us about General Dentistry
How often should I have a check-up?
Most people are seen every six months. If your gums or your risk of decay need closer watching we may suggest three or four months; if everything is stable, annually can be enough. The interval is a clinical decision, not a policy.
Do you take emergency appointments?
For dental emergencies during our opening hours, please call the practice on 01481 711114.
Are your fillings white?
Yes — we place tooth-coloured composite as standard, shade-matched to the tooth beside it. Where a tooth is too broken down for a filling to be reliable we will talk to you about the alternatives first.
What is included in the new patient examination?
A full clinical examination of teeth, gums, bite and existing work, an oral cancer screening, any X-rays that are clinically needed, and a written treatment plan with costs. The plan is yours to keep whether or not you go ahead.
