General Dentistry
Your guide to general dentistry in Finnieston
General dentistry is everything that keeps your teeth and gums healthy: regular check-ups, hygiene visits, fillings, root canal treatment, crowns and help when something goes wrong. Our team at St Vincent Smile looks after patients of all ages, from children’s first visits to adults who want to keep their natural teeth for life. The aim is simple: find problems early, treat them comfortably and explain your options clearly.
Our general dentistry team
General care at St Vincent Smile is provided by Dr Jacqueline Eow, whose clinical interests include general dentistry, root canal treatment and crown and bridge work, and Dr Harry Connor, general dentist. Our dental therapists, Bronagh O’Dowd and Anisha Pariyarath, provide hygiene treatment, gum care and preventive advice.
Dental check-ups
A check-up is more than a quick look. We examine your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth, including a check for early signs of mouth cancer. Digital X-rays are taken when needed, using a much lower dose of radiation than traditional film, and the images appear on screen straight away so we can show you exactly what we see. Most patients are seen every six to twelve months, depending on their risk of decay and gum disease.
Hygiene appointments and gum health
Gum disease is the most common reason adults lose teeth, and it is often painless until it is advanced. Bleeding when you brush is the earliest warning sign. In a hygiene appointment our therapists remove hardened tartar, polish away staining and show you the brushing and interdental cleaning that works for your mouth. If you have gum disease, we will plan a course of deeper cleaning and monitor your gums over time. Air polishing is also available to lift coffee, tea and wine staining.
White fillings
When decay is found early it can be treated with a small, tooth-coloured filling. White composite fillings are bonded to the tooth, so less healthy tooth needs to be removed than with older metal fillings, and they are matched to the shade of your teeth so they are hard to spot.
Root canal treatment
If the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment can save the tooth rather than removing it. The tooth is numbed, the infected tissue is cleaned out of the root canals, and the canals are sealed. Modern root canal treatment is usually no more uncomfortable than having a filling, and a back tooth is normally protected with a crown afterwards.
Crowns and bridges
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is heavily filled, cracked or root-treated. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by attaching a false tooth to the teeth on either side. We scan your teeth digitally with our iTero scanner instead of using impression putty, and crowns are shade-matched to your smile. Where a tooth is missing, we will also explain whether a dental implant would be a better long-term option.
Extractions
We always try to save a tooth where we can. When an extraction is the right choice, it is carried out gently under local anaesthetic, and we talk you through the options for replacing the tooth before it is removed.
Children’s dentistry
Children are seen on the NHS at St Vincent Smile with no waiting list. Bringing children from an early age helps them get used to the dentist, and regular visits allow us to apply fluoride varnish and fissure sealants that help protect their teeth against decay.
NHS and private care
We offer NHS dentistry alongside private treatment. Children are seen on the NHS with no waiting list. NHS places for adults are limited, so adult patients join a waiting list by requesting a call back. Private patients can book online, and consultations for implants, Invisalign and cosmetic treatment are free.
Dental membership plans
Our dental membership plans spread the cost of routine care into a monthly payment. Plans are administered by Ident and include access to out-of-hours emergency cover. Ask at reception or at your next visit for details of the plans available.
Dental emergencies
If you have toothache, swelling, a broken tooth or a knocked-out tooth, call us on 0141 248 1183 as early in the day as possible and we will arrange the earliest available appointment. Membership plan patients have access to out-of-hours cover through their plan. If a tooth has been knocked out, keep it moist in milk and contact us straight away.
General dentistry: frequently asked questions
Are you taking on new NHS patients?
Children are seen on the NHS with no waiting list. NHS places for adults are limited, so adults can join our waiting list by requesting a call back.
How often should I see the dentist?
Most people need a check-up every six to twelve months. We will recommend the right interval for you based on your teeth, gums and risk of decay.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque. A hygiene appointment and improved cleaning between the teeth usually help, and we will check for gum disease.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal treatment is carried out with the tooth fully numbed and most patients find it similar to having a filling. It often relieves the pain caused by the infection.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
Call 0141 248 1183 as early as possible and we will arrange the earliest available appointment. Membership plan patients also have out-of-hours cover through their plan.
To book a check-up, hygiene visit or emergency appointment, call 0141 248 1183, message us on WhatsApp on 07761 066850, or book online. We are on the ground floor at 23c St Vincent Crescent, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8LH, with step-free access, an accessible toilet and pay-and-display parking outside.