From “drill and fill” to prevention: how modern dentistry helps you keep your natural teeth for life

From “drill and fill” to prevention: how modern dentistry helps you keep your natural teeth for life

26th March 2026

Dentistry has changed – and that’s good news for patients at Bicton Place Dental

For many people, memories of visiting the dentist involve waiting until something hurt, then having a filling or extraction to fix the problem. This approach, often described as “drill and fill” dentistry, focused on repairing damage after it had already occurred.

Modern dentistry at Bicton Place Dental in Exmouth is very different. Today, the emphasis is on prevention, early detection and long-term oral health, helping patients avoid invasive treatment wherever possible and keep their natural teeth for life.

What was “drill and fill” dentistry?

Traditionally, dental care was reactive. Patients would attend only when they had pain or visible problems. Dentists would then treat the damage – often with fillings, crowns or extractions.

While these treatments are still important when needed, they do not address the underlying causes of dental disease, such as:

• plaque build-up

• gum inflammation

• diet and sugar intake

• missed early signs of decay or gum disease

As a result, many patients entered a cycle of repeated treatment over the years.

The modern approach: prevention first

Today’s dental care focuses on stopping problems before they start. This preventative approach includes:

• regular dental examinations

• professional hygiene appointments

• routine x-rays to detect hidden issues

• personalised oral hygiene advice

• monitoring changes over time

By identifying small problems early, we can often treat them more simply, more comfortably and at lower cost than waiting until they become serious.

Why regular hygiene visits are so important

Professional hygiene appointments play a crucial role in preventative dentistry. Even with excellent brushing and flossing at home, plaque and tartar can build up in areas that are difficult to reach.

Regular hygiene care helps to:

• reduce the risk of gum disease

• prevent bad breath

• protect teeth from decay

• support overall health, as gum disease is linked to wider medical conditions

Patients who attend regular hygiene appointments are far more likely to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout life.

Making prevention simple with dental membership plans

To help patients stay on track with their oral health, we offer a range of dental membership plans that spread the cost of routine care and make preventative dentistry easy to maintain.

Our plans are designed around your clinical needs and include:

1 plus 2 plan

• 1 dental health examination per year

• 2 hygiene appointments per year

2 plus 2 plan

• 2 dental health examinations per year

• 2 hygiene appointments per year

2 plus 4 plan

• 2 dental health examinations per year

• 4 hygiene appointments per year

These plans ensure that you receive regular professional care without needing to remember to book or budget for each visit individually.

What else is included in our membership plans?

In addition to regular check-ups and hygiene visits, our membership plans also include:

• routine x-rays where clinically required

• 10% discount on many treatments
  (excluding clear aligners, implants and cosmetic treatments)

This means that if treatment is ever needed, you benefit from reduced costs as well as early detection.

Prevention is better for your health – and your wallet

Preventative dentistry is not only better for your comfort and long-term oral health, it can also be more cost-effective. Treating a small cavity or early gum disease is far simpler and less expensive than managing advanced decay, root canal treatment or tooth loss.

By attending regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene, many patients significantly reduce the amount of dental treatment they need over their lifetime.

A partnership in your long-term oral health

Modern dentistry is about partnership between patient and dental team. Our role is to provide professional care, early diagnosis and guidance. Your role is to maintain daily oral hygiene and attend regularly.

Together, this approach allows us to move away from the old “drill and fill” cycle and towards a future where your teeth can remain healthy, comfortable and functional for life.

Interested in joining a membership plan?

If you would like to make your dental care more predictable, preventative and cost-effective, our team would be happy to explain which membership plan is best suited to you.

Please contact the practice on 01395 272027 or email info@bictondental.co.uk to learn more or to enrol.