December 24th, 2010
If you have undergone the painful experience of losing a tooth through an accident or as a result of tooth decay or gum disease you should get it replaced as a matter of urgency. Eating, drinking and talking can become more difficult and you might find that you are embarrassed about your smile. Your cheeks can begin to sag and your remaining teeth might start to shift into the gaps left behind. A long term solution to tooth loss is getting a mini implant placed in your jaw to house a replacement.
Mini implants are basically a substitute for the root part of your missing tooth. They are made of titanium, an extremely durable yet lightweight metal that is perfectly suited to your mouth. A replacement tooth can then be screwed into the socket which will eventually fuse with the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration.
An x-ray or CT scan will be necessary so that your dentist can find out exactly where the mini implant needs to be placed. Then the area will be cleaned of debris and a small incision will be made in the gum. It is into this incision that the mini implant will be placed, tight against the jaw bone to aid the osseointegration process. As the area is healing, you will most likely wear a temporary denture.
Your permanent replacement denture can be attached to the mini implant once the area is healed. The replacement teeth attached to mini implants are extremely natural looking and can be treated just like normal teeth. They truly represent a life long solution to lost teeth and will not slip and become messy like removable dentures. If you require more information about mini implants, contact your City of London dentist today.
December 23rd, 2010
If you have been put off having your teeth straightened by the lengthy processes involved with wearing traditional braces, there is a new product that might change your opinion and encourage you to achieve the perfectly aligned smile. Inman aligners can straighten your teeth in only six weeks and far more discreet than the unsightly metal bracket system of traditional braces.
The average time of treatment involved with Inman aligners is less than six months and the fact that the product is completely removable means that it is far more convenient too. Traditional braces can trap food and their permanence mean that they are difficult to clean. Inman aligners can be removed when cleaning and taken out for social occasions if you feel that doing so will boost your self confidence.
Inman aligners can be so discreet because the working parts are inside your mouth. There a coiled spring gently pushed out your teeth against a special straightening bar which runs in front of your front teeth. This is the only part of the Inman aligner which is visible. Inman aligners are not suitable for all teeth alignment jobs and cannot rotate teeth but small alignment issues are easily solved using Inman.
The cost is roughly the same as most other orthodontic treatments even though it is so much speedier. If you have problems with the alignment of your teeth and want to solve it quickly and discreetly, speak to your Central London dentist today about the solutions offered by Inman aligners.
December 22nd, 2010
Metal braces have been relied upon in dentistry for many years to correct problems with tooth alignment. The system of metal brackets are wires are extremely effective but look unsightly and can be messy and difficult to clean, making eating difficult and social occasions awkward. The incredible new brace from Invisalign allows patients to have their teeth straightened effectively but with a product that is discreet and removable.
Invisalign braces are virtually see-through, leaving you smiling with confidence throughout the treatment time. Using 3D technology and digital x-rays, Invisalign braces are constructed individually for your unique mouth and gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Eating and drinking can be done without the Invisalign being worn. Just so long as the brace is worn for twenty two hours every day then straightening can be achieved.
Instead of using metal wires threaded through brackets which need to be tightened, your dentist will simply provide you with a new Invisalign when the last one has done its work. As your bite changes, regular appointments at the dentist will be necessary, in order for the new Invisalign to be constructed.
The increased aesthetic appeal of a brace that is virtually invisible is a huge bonus, especially for younger people who might feel awkward enough in social situations with metal brackets on their teeth. The removability makes cleaning, eating and drinking so much easier and Invisaligns are much more comfortable given that there is no more tightening of wires.
If you have alignment issues with your teeth, ask at your London W1 dentist to see if they are registered with Invisalign and take the first step towards improving your smile.
December 18th, 2010
The greatest cause of tooth loss in Britain is not actually tooth decay itself. You are more likely to lose a tooth if you contract and don’t effectively deal with gum disease. It is estimated that about three quarters of Britons offer thirty five years old currently have one form of gum disease or another. If you want to avoid the nasty effects of gum disease you should see your West London dentist who will be trained to diagnose and treat the condition.
The most common and basic form of gum disease is that which is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is easily avoided by pursuing the recommended home oral hygiene routine but affects many people. It is characterised by reddening of the gums and pain when eating and drinking.
Gingivitis is not particularly harmful in itself, just inconvenient, but it can lead to far worse problems. Periodontitis is what can occur if gingivitis progresses. It is an extremely painful condition involving the inflammation of the bones which hold your teeth in place. Eventually the teeth will loosen and fall out. You should be vigilant for odd, metallic tastes in your mouth, patches of red in your gums or the feeling that your teeth don’t quite fit properly in your mouth.
Gingivitis is easily treatable, sometimes just by tightening up your home oral hygiene routine, sometimes with antibiotics or special mouthwashes. Any suspicion of gum disease ought to be reported to your West London dentist so it can be dealt with early, thus avoiding the pain and inconvenience of losing any of your teeth.
December 17th, 2010
Having perfectly white teeth can give an incredible boost to your confidence and whitening procedures have long been available to achieve that. Some of these involve procedures at the dentist and others are administered at home. The fact is that teeth are likely to lose some of their natural sparkle over time through such activities as drinking tea or coffee or smoking. Just getting older means that teeth are likely to become duller.
The Enlighten method of tooth whitening is already extremely popular in the United States because of its incredible ability to restore teeth to the shade known as B1, which represents the whitest possible for teeth. Using special trays filled with whitening gel, Enlighten can restore the dullest or most stained teeth.
The trays are constructed using dental impressions and moulds to ensure that they fit tightly to your teeth and stop saliva from interfering with the process. The trays need to be worn every night for a full fortnight before a forty minute appointment with your dentist. That is the main treatment over with but the Enlightenment experts recommend that the trays and gel continue to be worn for one night out of forty to maximise the results.
Enlighten teeth whitening is a comfortable and convenient process and the treatment itself will have little discernable impact on your everyday life. However, the incredible results certainly will have an impact as you are able to smile with confidence knowing that your dull, stained teeth are a thing of the past. Ask your City of London dentist for more information.
December 16th, 2010
The invention of the x-ray was incredible leap forward for the whole of medical science, allowing professionals to get views of the body which had been hitherto impossible. The advent of digital x-rays in dentistry has improved on these methods even more and dentists can now use these techniques to speed up procedures and even make savings on costs.
Dental processes using traditional x-rays could be made even lengthier than they had to be because of the need for repeated x-rays. The flat, 2D images that traditional x-rays give, mean that, for dentists to get different views in the mouth, they would have to take a number of them. The wait would often be even longer as the images had to be developed in a lab.
Digital x-rays allow dentists incredible 3D views of the mouth in just one image. They are saved onto the latest computers, giving dentists the chance to ‘explore’ the mouth on screen in three dimensions. These images can be used with other technology for incredible results. For example, having a veneer fitted using CEREC techniques involved your dentist taking a 3D x-ray of your mouth which is sent to an online milling machine. This machine constructs your veneer, ready to be fitted in just six minutes.
The reductions in time needed to be spent at the dentist will be excellent news for anyone who suffers from dental anxiety or is extremely busy and can’t take much time off work. Because lab fees are largely eliminated, processes using digital x-rays don’t cost much more than traditional procedures. Ask your Central London dentist today about how digital x-rays are revolutionising dentistry.
December 15th, 2010
Tooth loss can occur for a number of reasons: be it that you suffered an accident to the mouth or suffered from dental decay or gum disease. It is vital that you always get your missing teeth replaced to enable you to eat, drink, talk and smile with the ease that having teeth allows. Dentures are one option and are especially suitable for people who have lost all their teeth.
If all of your teeth have been lost, you might find that your cheeks begin to sag, giving you an older appearance. Dentures can combat this and make eating, drinking and talking so much easier. Your dentist will take moulds and then impressions of your mouth using dental putty to construct a set of dentures. They are designed to be realistic enough to resemble natural teeth and are far more comfortable than they used to be.
If you have only lost a few teeth, dentures can come as a partial set to stop your remaining teeth from shifting into the gaps left behind. They can be held in place via your gums natural suction properties or you can use a fixing gel.
The fact that dentures are removable is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Cleaning is easy because you can take them out at any time but they do have a tendency to slip when you are talking or eating and they can become messy.
Dentures are increasingly durable as they are made from acrylic resins but, even with the best of care, it is likely that you will have to be fitted with a replacement set eventually as they get worn down and your mouth changes shape. Contact your London W1 dentist for more information about dentures.
December 14th, 2010
Everybody knows how important it is to keep up a routine of regularly visiting their dentist. Letting a trained professional examine your mouth is a crucial part of ensuring long term oral hygiene and avoiding painful conditions and invasive surgery. For those who suffer from dental phobia, it is not easy to book that appointment to see the dentist. Dental phobia can take many forms but should be overcome so that your Central London dentist can keep a track on your mouth.
Deep seated fears such as that of needles are hard to get through and can put you off going to the dentist. Such phobias might stem from childhood and these memories easily persist but the fact is that putting off going to the dentist might mean that any problems you have can get worse. The advent of pain free gels means that injections are not nearly as uncomfortable as they used to be. Modern technology allows a number of procedures to be carried out far quicker than they used to be and lengthy sessions at the surgery are just not as common as they used to be.
Personality clashes can put you off from making a trip to the dentist as well. If you had a disagreement with a member of staff in the past, it is easy to avoid making an appointment. You might even feel embarrassed about the state of your teeth if it has been a while since you last saw your dentist but it is worth noting that dentists have seen it all.
The important thing to remember is that there are plenty of dentists out there and if you feel that yours was not sympathetic to your needs then you should register with another one. Modern dentists are more concerned than ever about putting patients at ease and strive to create a relaxed atmosphere with soothing music.
December 13th, 2010
Dental pain or tooth ache takes a number of forms and can indicate a variety of ailments. It is vital that you report any dental pain to your West London dentist as soon as it occurs because it might be a sign that a serious condition is developing in your mouth. Having dental pain can make activities that you take for granted, like eating, drinking and talking that little bit more difficult and so is best dealt with swiftly.
Eating or drinking food or liquids which are unusually hot or cold can bring on temporary bouts of tooth ache. If you experience this it is possible that the hard substance which protects your teeth – called enamel – has been worn away and the nerves in your teeth are being affected. If this problem is not dealt with then permanent tooth ache might ensue as a result of the enamel being worn away to the extent that your nerves have been compromised.
Excruciating pain can occur in your teeth if you have had an accident which affected your mouth. If an abscess forms then you might have a swelling in the face too. Needless to say, any problems of such magnitude should be reported immediately to your dentist. Accidents can also cause teeth to crack, leaving nerves exposed and causing you pain. A further incentive to keep your dentist informed of dental pain is the recent research showing that tooth ache can be a sign that you have a serious, underlying health issue that has nothing to do with the painful tooth itself.
Your West London dentist is trained to spot the signs of oral hygiene problems and you should report to your surgery if you are experiencing dental pain in any of its forms.
December 12th, 2010
One of the most amazing recent advances in dental technologies has been that of digital x-rays. In order for your dentist to properly examine your teeth and decide on correct action, it is vital that he or she can visualize your teeth well. Digital x-rays have revolutionized the manner in which dentists can look at your teeth. These techniques are widely practiced by City of London dentists today.
In the past, the traditional x-ray only allowed dentists to view the mouth in two dimensions. A number of these flat, 2D images would need to be taken for your dentist to have a complete view of all the angles of your mouth. This could mean expensive bills for the patient. By contrast, only one digital image needs to be taken for your dentist to have a complete, 3D view of your mouth using the latest in computer technology.
When digital x-rays are used in conjunction with other technologies, the results can be amazing. For instance, CEREC techniques mean that 3D images can be sent over the internet to online milling machines which can use the data to fabricate crowns, veneers and more in just minutes. For anyone nervous about spending a long time in the dentist’s chair, digital x-rays mean that lengthy visits to the dentist are a thing of the past
Despite the use of such cutting edge technology, digital x-rays are actually reducing the cost of many dental practices because lab fees to develop traditional x-rays are done away with and the length of time spent at the dentist is dramatically reduced. Ask your City of London dentist about what digital x-rays can do for you.
