Portobello Dental FAQs

A) As a general guideline we would recommend visiting the dentist at least twice a year along with visiting the hygienist twice a year. This would insure any issues that might arise are looked after quickly. On your first visit your dentist will give you their recommendations for how often you should visit.

A) A dental hygienist specialises in prevention, as opposed to treatment of dental disease. Your dentist will treat dental disease, such as dental caries (decay) for example by restoring a tooth using filling materials or crowns. A hygienist’s role is to try to prevent the progress of all types of dental disease.

A) It is possible for us to remove these stains, and brighten your teeth in a matter of weeks by using a home whitening kit. The active ingredient we use to whiten teeth at Portobello Dental Clinic is 10% carbamide peroxide; it has been in use since the 1970s, and it has been shown to be both safe and effective in numerous studies in the intervening 40 years. Visit our page under Teeth Whitening for more information on the process we use here in the clinic.

A) There is no way to treat a cracked tooth at home. You need to see us. Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but it hurts only when you eat or when the temperature in your mouth changes (because you drank something hot or cold, for example). If your tooth hurts all the time, it may have a damaged nerve or blood vessels. This is a serious warning sign.

A) Some people love the gap in their front teeth similarly some dislike it. Cosmetic bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to a natural tooth and hardened with a special light which ultimately “bonds” (sticks) the material to the tooth to restore or close the gap on the front teeth.

A) If you suspect you do – you might! Only a dentist can tell you. There are many different types of braces we do here at the clinic, we have a section on the website detailing the different types and how long each are generally worn for. Your dentist (ortho) will give you the best options for you based on your particular needs.

A) Yes, we treat many nervous patients here at the clinic- we like to think of ourselves as being experts in the area…

For especially nervous patients we have the option Conscious Sedation. Conscious sedation is where the patient is brought down to a deeply relaxed state and only once they have reached a certain level often referred to as “twilight state” where patients are neither awake nor sleep will the dentist commence work. If you feel you may require your dental treatment under sedation, please let us know and we can talk you through the full process.
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A) The simplest answer is that Crowns cover more of the tooths surface whereas veneers cover mainly just the front part.

Crowns are most frequently used to repair teeth which are moderately to severely cracked or broken or where instances of decay cannot be repaired by a filling. They match the size and shade of your natural tooth.

Veneers are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons. Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond, very little enamel removal is needed.

A) In a word, yes we can. We are one of the few practices in Ireland who have a Cerec Machine. Cerec is a highly advanced (dentist and computer guided) tooth restoration system that allows us to accurately strengthen and rebuild your decayed, broken or weakened tooth/teeth in just one visit, resulting in less time spent in the dental chair, and less disruption to your schedule.

A) When describing dental implants, the best comparison is to your natural teeth. A natural tooth consists of two parts, the root of the tooth buried below the gum line, and the white enamel that is visible above it. Similarly, a dental implant has the titanium component buried invisibly below the gum, and on top of it the porcelain crown which is matched to the colour of your own teeth.

A) Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. If you find treating your bad breath with a good mouth wash. If flossing and regular brushing is not fixing the problem, it is always advisable to visit your dentist to take a closer look.

A) Yes, we have the wonderful Anne Marie here in the clinic who is Head of Patient Care, she is a fountain full of knowledge and can talk you through your treatment plan and all the dentistry terms in easy to understand terminology. You can book a meeting with her or just give her a call on T: 01 4542022

Periodontal disease is an infectious process classified according to how much damage has been done to the structures surrounding the teeth, namely the gingiva (gums) and bone. It is an infection in your mouth that is normally completely painless. It can happen anytime, around any teeth, affecting some or many of your teeth to varying degrees. There are genetic predisposing factors to periodontal disease, and our immune systems play a role in gum health, but it is often related to how well you are able to keep your teeth clean through proper oral self-care. The better you clean your teeth to remove all the plaque bacteria, the less likely you will be to develop periodontal disease.

Since the jaw is too small (for most people) to accommodate the third molars (Wisdoms), they come into the mouth partially, poorly positioned, or not at all. They can be fully erupted, partially erupted, a soft tissue impaction, partial bony impaction, or full bony impaction. If teeth come in well and you are able to keep them clean, we leave them alone. If they are crowded or poorly positioned and cannot be kept clean, they are like an accident waiting to happen. Decay and gum infection are likely to result. These teeth are usually removed, ideally before they begin to cause big problems with the second molars that are directly ahead of them. Teeth that are partially erupted should normally be removed: there is too much opportunity for gum infection to begin. If the teeth cannot be cleaned, chronic painful inflammation may occur (pericoronitis). The earlier they are removed, the better your healing will be.

Certain types of extractions (fully erupted teeth or partial soft tissue impactions) can be done by a general dentist. We may sometimes refer extractions to an oral surgeon for treatment. Depending on the type of extraction and the medical history of the patient, the extractions may be done in surgery or in the hospital. This will be determined after viewing x-rays of the teeth. Having all four wisdom teeth out at the same time is a common practice. Postoperative discomfort can be minimal to extreme in the case of difficult full bony impactions. Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications are prescribed appropriately.

We do not need always wisdom teeth to eat well. If you need to have one wisdom tooth taken out, we would sometimes suggest having the opposing wisdom tooth removed. When a tooth does not meet an opposing tooth, it “super erupts” or continues to grow out of the normal position. When left for some time, the remaining tooth can develop decay and gum disease and cause the same thing to happen to the tooth in front of it.