February 3rd, 2011
Broken down or damaged teeth can ruin your image and leave you embarrassed about your smile. You may feel uncomfortable in social situations and find it hard to relax around people. A simple way to deal with this is to get a dental crown fitted over the unsightly tooth to conceal it and leav you feeling at ease.
Dental crowns are suitable for most situations of damaged teeth, whether they have been chipped, cracked or broken. If you are suffering from dental decay and have painful cavities, a dental crown, made from hard wearing porcelain can be fitted over the tooth, protecting it from the food and drink which used to make it feel so sensitive.
In order for the crown to be successfully fitted into a mouth full of teeth, some of the surrounding teeth might have to be removed. In this case, dental crowns are not especially recommended for discoloured teeth. A dental veneer or simply treatment with a teeth whitening kit might be preferable in this case.
Many patients are finding that dental crowns can be fitted with astonishing ease these days and the procedure is so convenient that it can be fitted into even the busiest of schedules. Digital x-rays and computer technologies mean that crowns can be constructed in just minutes, without the need for repeated and expensive traditional x-rays.
Talk to your West London dentist about dental crowns if you have a broken down or damaged tooth that you want concealing. Dental crowns can restore the brilliance of your smile and give your mouth back its ability to function effectively again.
January 16th, 2011
Dental implants are a widely used procedure that involves replacing missing, bad, or damaged teeth. To discuss implants and whether they are an option for you talk with a city of London dental professional. 90% of modern implants last for at least 15 years so are a very good investment to improve the physical appearance of the teeth. The dental implant is made of a titanium rod which is placed in the jaw bone which then supports one or more false teeth. This implant procedure can be used to replace as many teeth as the patient requires even a whole set. There is a small operation that is required which is carried out using anaesthetic with the option of sedation if the patient requires. Obviously when the procedure is taking place you will not feel anything or discomfort, however as part of the normal healing process after the operation there will be some general discomfort. Typically the procedure is quite a long winded affair taking up to a year in the majority of cases sometimes longer depending on the complexity of the dental implants. In addition there is a waiting period as time is required for the implants to integrate or bond with the bone after their placement which takes quite a while, on average taking at least 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw.
April 15th, 2010
Teeth can be damaged in many ways. Chips, cracks and breaks can occur as the result of sporting injury, motor vehicle accidents or from any other kind of head trauma. Broken teeth can be very painful and also expose the sensitive inside parts of the tooth to the risk of infection and disease. Teeth can also be damaged by dental decay and enamel erosion. This again leaves them vulnerable to attack from disease, which could eventually lead to tooth loss. When teeth are damaged in this way it is necessary to protect them from further injury and also to restore the cosmetic appearance.
One of the oldest and most effective ways of protecting teeth is to fit a dental crown over the top. A dental crown is a ceramic or metal and ceramic cap that is designed to fit over the damaged tooth, covering all parts of the tooth above the gum line to act as a barrier to further damage. A Central London dentist will first need to remove some of the existing enamel so that the crown can fit comfortably over the top. The crown, which will have been made in laboratory conditions to be the same size and shape as the original tooth, will then be cemented over the top using composite bonding.
Crowns are made from metal and ceramic as these are very versatile and strong materials. Ceramics such as porcelain also have a very similar appearance to tooth enamel, giving an improved aesthetic appearance. Once firmly in place the crown will perform all the functions of the original tooth.
Crowns are also used after certain dental surgeries and treatments to add a dimension of protection to the teeth. If dental decay has causes significant damage that a filling is not sufficient to protect the tooth, then a crown may be used to offer greater protection. Crowns are also used after root canal treatments to prevent further infection
December 10th, 2009
Wafer-thin porcelain veneers are one of cosmetic dentistry’s more recent inventions. The veneers are bonded onto the front of existing teeth with composite resin to restore the appearance of cracked, chipped or badly discoloured teeth. They are rapidly becoming one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments with Central London dentists because of the stunning results they produce and the incredible speed and minimal fuss of treatment.
The science behind veneers is quite simple. Although the porcelain veneer itself is quite brittle, when bonded onto the surface of the tooth it becomes incredibly strong. Just like if you tried to snap one twig it would be simple but if you tried to snap twenty bound together it becomes almost impossible. The veneers are bonded using tooth coloured dental bonding, a substance that has been used for many years by dentists to repair damaged teeth and fill dental cavities. The bonding firmly secures the veneer and also adds another layer of protection to the tooth underneath.
Porcelain veneers have several very important advantages. Firstly, they appear very life-like as porcelain is very similar to tooth enamel with its slightly translucent appearance. Secondly, porcelain veneers resist staining because its surface is ceramic, like glass.
Veneers are increasingly being made using the latest computer aided technology, which has significantly reduced manufacturing time. Each veneer can now be made in as little as six minutes and fitted in only a little longer. It is possible to fix a whole dental arc of veneers in only one appointment, meaning you could have a brand new, healthy looking smile in just one afternoon with no pain and no fuss
October 7th, 2009
Cosmetic bonding is one of the most widely used and versatile of the cosmetic dentistry procedures. It can be used to repair damage to teeth such as chips and cracks but it can also be used to fix aesthetic problems such as worn or discoloured teeth. Bonding is also very useful for constructing artificial barriers to protect sensitive or exposed areas of the teeth.
Dental bonding is a relatively straightforward procedure and as such is therefore one of the least expensive. Unlike some of the more complex dental procedures composite bonding can be mixed up on the spot by the dentist and does not require laboratory conditions. This means that patients who require dental bonding can have the necessary procedures carried out in one visit. This is of course unless extensive bonding requires one application to dry before another can be applied. Another significant advantage is that unless dental bonding is being applied to particularly sensitive areas of the teeth, such as an exposed cavity, it is usually a pain-free procedure.
Dental bonding is made form a composite resin that can be mixed up to closely match the colour of the patient’s existing teeth. It is therefore used by dentists as filling material and also to replace any old unseemly metal amalgam fillings. Dental bonding’s great versatility makes it a very popular tool for dentists and its affordability makes it a popular choice for patients.
The application process is very simple. First the dentist will mix up the bonding to the appropriate shade. Then it will be applied and moulded to the desired shape. When satisfied, the dentist will then set the bonding using the very intense heat of a dental laser.
Dental bonding is very durable and fairly resistant to stains. If properly maintained it can last up to ten years before it needs replacing and can be instrumental in protecting a patient’s dental health. If you are suffering from broken or chipped teeth or any cosmetic condition such as discolouration, ask a West London dentist about dental bonding at your next appointment.
November 8th, 2008
At the London W1 dental clinic, Lumineers are now being offered. These are ultra thin veneers, about the thickness of contact lenses, and require minimal or no tooth preparation. This ultra-thin strong porcelain is patented by Cerinate, and is used to whiten and reshape your smile, by covering discoloured teeth and worn down teeth, respectively. They can even be used to close gaps between your teeth. .Due to the thinness of Lumineers and no to minimal preparation required, this can be considered a reversible dental procedure. That is, your dentist can remove them, and repolish your original teeth, and it will be like nothing was ever done at all. Lumineers are a very good choice for stained, slightly chipped or damaged, and mal-positioned teeth. Amazingly, they can also be placed over crowns and bridges that you already have in your mouth.
London W1 dentists are Cerinate registered and certified, and these are the only dentists that can order these Lumineers. These Lumineers can only be made by a certain dental laboratories, so Lumineers are not offered everywhere. Lumineers can be made and inserted for you in two dental appointments, and have a very good success rate. Make an appointment at your London W1 dental clinic and improve your smile!
September 6th, 2008
Porcelain veneers are now available at our Central London Dental Clinic. There are many uses for porcelain veneers in dentistry including severely discoloured, worn or damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers, are thin porcelain coverings fabricated in the dental laboratory specifically for a specific patient and tooth, and give excellent cosmetics in the right situation. Tooth preparation for porcelain veneers involve minimal to moderate removal of tooth enamel (the outer shell of the tooth), and when indicated the dentin tooth layer; depending on each individual situation.
Two to three visits are usually required to have the porcelain veneers made. A smile analysis is usually performed using a camera, and stone models of your teeth. The proposed final mock up of your teeth are usually performed via computer analysis or white dental wax being placed on the models of your teeth. Alterations to your proposed smile should be discussed and made with your dentist during this visit. Once you and your dentist have agreed on the result that can be obtained, your teeth are anaesthetised and portions removed using a diamond bur. Temporary acrylic or composite shells are fabricated by the dentist or his in-house laboratory to prevent tooth sensitively and shifting. Impressions are then made, and the stone models are sent to a laboratory that specialises in porcelain veneer fabrication. At the following visit, the porcelain veneers will be bonded in place. When the porcelain veneers are delivered to your dental office, they will appear very delicate. However, once securely bonded into place, they become much more rugged.
The cosmetic result depends both upon the dental laboratory’s and your dentist’s artistic natures. The bonding materials, and other intrinsic colouring, make a world of difference in certain cases. It is helpful to have a dentist that has a lot of experience with porcelain veneers!
