Your dentist has invested in an important new dental treatment that kills the bacteria that cause tooth and gum decay.

Yes, all of us do! Bacteria live in our mouths. When we eat food that contains sugars - even fruit and vegetables - the bacteria feed on them and produce acids which cause decay in our teeth and gums.

First your dentist needs to remove the bacterial infection in the tooth. Normally this is done by drilling away the decayed portion of your tooth and filling it. This may only stop the decay for a limited time and further damage to your tooth may result from the removal of tooth enamel.

In some cases removing all the decay may risk exposing a nerve so you would require root canal treatment. Happily there is now a better way to deal with bacteria and possibly prevent this.

Photo Activated Disinfection, or PAD™ for short, is a far better dental treatment. It is painless and kills all harmful bacteria without damaging the surrounding tooth. Furthermore, PAD™ does not encourage the development of resistant bacterial species.

PAD™ is one of the most important scientific advances in dentistry for many years. In a very simple procedure, a special liquid is applied to the decay and together with a special light, kills all the bacteria on a tooth surface, in a cavity, in a root canal, in infected gums and around infected implants

• Less tooth material is removed, so if fillings are needed these are smaller, leaving a strong, healthier tooth.
• Drilling is reduced (sometimes avoided altogether) and anaesthetic may not be necessary.
• The filling lasts longer because decay is less likely to recur. The decayed part of the tooth can also recover (known as remineralisation).
• Where there is deep decay, the risk of exposing the nerve is reduced so root canal work may not be necessary.
• Tooth loss may be avoided.
• Gum (periodontal) disease can be treated very effectively helping to retain healthy teeth 
• Especially suitable for children and patients worried about dental treatment.

No. There is no significant heat, and no vibration or pain caused by the PAD™ procedure. Indeed, because less tooth material is removed, drilling is reduced and an anaesthetic may be avoided.

In the past, root canal treatment has relied on mechanical and chemical cleaning to remove the infection, but where bacteria remain infection recurs so the root canal treatment may fail. PAD™ kills the bacteria so effectively that the chance of failure is reduced and rapid healing begins.

The PAD™ liquid is non-toxic, the light is safe and there are no known side effects.

PAD treatment is quick and simple so the cost is minimal. Ask your dentist for a treatment plan.