Posts tagged “missing teeth”

Tooth Extraction Information And Advice For Patients In London

December 8th, 2012

Tooth extraction is an often undesirable, but sometimes necessary, treatment. Knowing when one might need an extraction may, in some way, lessen the shock of requiring the treatment. Here are a collection of typical scenarios in which oral surgery will most likely be required.

Repair is not viable

Your tooth may have suffered a fracture so severe, or been the focus of such extensive decay, that extracting the tooth will be far more practical than any attempts to restore it. Sometimes it is other obstacles than the tooth itself which cause the problem; medical, physical and, sadly, financial issues all play a role in how appropriate a surgery is deemed for a patient.

Gum disease

In the later stages of gum disease, your tooth can come loose due to a lack of support from surrounding bone. In these instances, tooth extraction may be required.

Preparing for braces

Believe it or not, you can sometimes have too many teeth. Orthodontic work tries to correct an improper bite or realign a smile for ornamental reasons. If you have too many teeth, then there may not be enough room for all of your teeth to align properly! In such instances, extraction is a practical surgery choice.

Aftercare

Most extraction surgeries will use an anaesthetic, so avoid chewing anything until the numbness wears off. If you suffer from aches or pains shortly after the surgery, take some over the counter pain killers (like ibuprofen) and apply an ice pack to the source of the pain. A blood clot will develop on the site of the extraction and it is vital that it is left alone while it forms. To help it form, avoid touching it, do not drink through a straw, do not spit forcefully, try not to sneeze too hard and avoid smoking or letting food particles near your tooth’s socket. Avoid exerting yourself in the 24 hours following surgery. After two days, rinse your mouth gently with a salt water solution and continue to do this 2 – 3 times a day for a week. Drink a lot of water or fruit juice and try to keep your head raised in order to control bleeding. For more information on tooth extractions contact the team at Devonshire Square Dental Studio in the very heart of London.

 

 

 

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People from London Who Smoke Need to Think Again About Their Priorities

March 20th, 2012

Despite smokers having more issues with their teeth than people who don’t smoke, the latest research from a US government study indicates that they also visit their dentist less frequently. This goes for many patients from London and the UK as well. Smoking leads to poor dental health in a whole variety of ways. In addition to bad breath, oral cancer and gum disease, the habit can also lead to tooth discolouration and a build-up of plaque and tartar on teeth.

Smokers also lose more teeth than non-smokers. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US found that around 20 per cent of non-smokers over 65 are toothless whereas the figure jumps to 41 per cent in daily smokers over 65. There are also indications that smokers do not heal as well as non-smokers following periodontal treatment. Of course, it is not just cigarettes that have this effect and cigar and pipe smokers experience a similar level of tooth loss and degradation of the alveolar bones, which hold your teeth in place.

The 2008 survey from the U.S. government, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at feedback from greater than 16,000 adults aged 18 to 64. The survey found that greater than 1/3 of smokers had 3 or more issues with dental health, such as aching teeth or gum infections. This level was twice that of people who didn’t smoke.

In spite of this, 20% of smokers surveyed claimed they hadn’t been to a dentist in a minimum of five years. A mere 10% of people who didn’t smoke and people who used to smoke had left it that long.  The main reason put forward for this is that smokers have less income.

A separate study from the same organisation found that 30 per cent of Americans with incomes below the poverty line are smokers, while that figure drops to 19 per cent in people with higher incomes. 1/2 of those surveyed who smoked said they couldn’t afford the costs of a dental visit, which was quite an increase compared to non-smokers not visiting the dentist.

However, while financial factors are important, you do not have a limitless supply of teeth. The most sensible course of action is to stop smoking and damaging your teeth in this manner and use the money saved to visit your dentist more frequently.

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Straumann dental implants are the implant of choice at City of London dentists

January 21st, 2012

Dental decay can cause damage to teeth and infection in the roots. In some cases, it is necessary for a dentist to treat infected teeth and replace the tooth root with a titanium or titanium zirconium implant to serve as a tooth root base onto which artificial teeth, such as crowns or bridges, are fixed. The implants also serve to anchor dental prostheses and act as a natural set of teeth.

What are Straumann Dental Implants?

Straumann dental implants are Swiss-designed implants made with intensive international research, to develop high quality and safe options for missing teeth replacements. The company is the worldwide leader for oral tissue regeneration and dental implantology solutions. With a collaborative approach to research and “simply doing more,” patients will feel the benefit of Straumann dental implants, which can last a lifetime.

What are the benefits of Straumann Dental Implants?

Missing teeth can affect your mouth function, oral health, smile and your confidence. Straumann dental implants restore gaps caused by tooth loss or damage and give you a secure set of restorations without the need for adhesives. Using Straumann implants means a second chance for your smile.

Other benefits include strengthening the jawbone and teeth and providing additional tone to your facial structure.

Why choose Straumann Dental Implants?

Straumann dental implants give you a lot more than a new healthy set of teeth. These implants are designed to:

  • Improve and secure your dental function.
  • Enhance your visual appearance naturally.
  • Eliminate the need for dental plates for more comfort.
  • Preserve your jawbone structure for proper bite.
  • Support tooth form and maintain healthy tooth surface.
  • Give you a quality smile that makes you feel beautiful.
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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a perfect smile from City of London dentists

December 25th, 2011

New Year’s Eve usually involves glamorous partying and just a bit of glitz. A perfect accompaniment to a dazzlingly evening is a dazzlingly smile, so why not add some razz-a-ma-tazz to your smile for this New Year’s with a smile makeover.

A smile makeover may involve dental, cosmetic and facial rejuvenation procedures and will vary from person to person depending upon their needs and expectations. While some might want their smile to match Hollywood standards using pearly white porcelain veneers, others may just want little improvements using teeth whitening and braces.

Following are a few ways to improve your smile with a smile makeover:

Crooked teeth

There are many who are dissatisfied with their smile due to crooked teeth. This can be easily fixed using conventional orthodontics or clear braces. If you are looking for a faster solution, then you can also use porcelain veneers.

Broken or chipped teeth

Some people have their teeth broken or chipped due to accidents. This can be fixed with porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding, depending on the extent of damage.

Missing teeth

Many have their smile spoiled due to missing teeth and, in some cases, due to gaps between the teeth, which could also cause functional problems. Dental implants, dentures or dental bridges can be used to make your smile glamorous again.  The gaps can be filled with the help of porcelain veneers, including da Vinci veneers or Lumineers. Orthodontics can also be used to close tooth gaps. Other options that can be used are the Inman aligner, Invisalign invisible braces, lingual braces, fixed orthodontics and Damon braces.

Gummy Smile

A smile that reveals too much of the gums can severely spoil your facial looks. There are many who hide their smile due to this reason. This can be easily fixed by laser gum contouring or surgical procedures.

Stained teeth

Teeth can be stained due to regular use of tobacco. Cola, tea and coffee can also cause stained teeth, which can severely damage the look of your smile. Laser teeth whitening and other professional teeth whitening techniques can be used to remove the stains from your teeth. A smile with perfect white teeth can surely add to your confidence and make you very attractive.

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Your London dentist tells of the affects of periodontal disease on one’s health

September 16th, 2011

Periodontal disease can cause a number of problems to oral health, often leading to the need for treatment like dental implants if not properly taken care of. It leads to bad breath and a growing number of studies have found that it can also cause a loosened hold on teeth from the gums and the eventual loss of teeth.

The disease is usually brought on by poor dental health and is becoming an increasingly common risk to oral health worldwide. It can be hindered from both the dental studio and at home and many dentists are urging patients at risk of the disease or who already suffer from it to use additional oral cleaning equipment such as rinses, floss and tongue scrapers.

A recent study in Kyushu Dental College in Japan attempted to answer the question: “Does periodontitis cause halitosis or does it occur alongside oral odour?” Halitosis is another word for bad breath and can be caused by a number of things, including dry mouth or particular foods and potentially periodontitis.

The study was conducted by observing the oral health of those with periodontal disease and those without. 101 adults volunteered for the experiment and their oral health was inspected. The volunteers included those with good oral health and those with periodontal disease. Saliva samples were taken from each patient in an attempt to discover exactly how periodontitis and bad breath are related.

The study eventually discovered that the presence of the bacteria – bacteroides forsythus – in the main area of the mouth shows positive links to bad breath. The bacteria is usually only found underneath the gums of people suffering from advanced periodontal decay.

The discovery of the exact bacteria present in the mouth of a person suffering from periodontal disease should go a long way towards curing halitosis in those with the disease, with eventual hopes that a prevention of the disease can be found. If this is not the case treatment such as dental implants may be recommended.

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Available treatments for missing teeth

August 3rd, 2011

A lost tooth, either through trauma or poor oral hygiene is something no one wants, but if the worst should happen just what sort of care and treatment is available and where from?

Cosmetic dentistry has the answer and the most popular treatments a cosmetic dentist will use are dental implants and bridges.

Dental Implants

Arguably the better of the two choices, dental implants are anchored into the gum, rather than using nearby teeth, which makes them the only real choice if the patient has a number of missing teeth all next to each other.

The actual implant is the anchor and takes the role of the root of a tooth. The implant is put into a socket by the dentist, who will drill a hole while you are under anaesthetic and then fix the implant into the jawbone. This artificial root is then used to anchor the crown in place. The implant is made of titanium, an ideal choice as the material is easily accepted by the bone and as such is less likely to be rejected by the body.

Dental implants can’t be used on everybody however, and before any treatment is planned the dentist will have to assess the health of the patient. If there are any oral health issues, such as gum disease, these problems must be taken care of first and an x ray will also be needed to assess whether the patient has bone structure of the correct quality and quantity.

Dental Bridges

The second choice is dental bridges. Dental bridges are held in place by anchoring the fake tooth between two neighbouring teeth, in order the use the two other teeth a small amount of dental enamel is taken away in order to create a place for the bridge to sit.

The process is done over two appointments. On the first the patient is given a local anaesthetic and the enamel of the other tooth is chipped away to make room for the artificial crown that will be used to hold the bridge in place. A temporary bridge is also fitted after the dentist takes a mould of the teeth to be sent to the lab to make the permanent bridge.

At the second appointment the permanent bridge is fitted and any slight changes to the fit and bite are made before cementing it into place.

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What your smile says about you

June 24th, 2011

It is one of the most important aspects of when you first meet someone, and for many it is an image which stays with them long after this encounter. When someone smiles, it can mean a number of things and could lead to them making either the right or wrong impression.

The many ways which a smile can help a person

If there are several teeth missing from the person’s mouth, this does not always make a strong impression. Negative impressions can be made about the person and many could frown on the person themselves. Many do not prefer for the teeth to be yellow and, if they see this discolouration present in other people, then they might cast distortions on the person themselves. In all, there are two types of smile.

The Duchenne Smile

This is otherwise known as a natural smile. A smile uses two sets of muscles and a Duchenne smile does cause crow’s feet as one muscle is used rather than another. This is often referred to as a smile which does not mean the person is lying and is sometimes called an “honest smile”.

The non-Duchenne Smile

This is often referred to as a “fake smile”. A person who sports a non-Duchenne smile might be doing it out of courtesy and merely reciprocating what the person they are talking to is doing. It could be done because they are being polite and do not want to anger the person who they are speaking to. Next time you’re talking to someone and you see them smile, check out their eyes as this can tell whether they are genuinely smiling or not.

How your smile can be changed

Here at the City of London Dentist we can provide you with many forms of treatment that can change the colour of your teeth as well as replacing crooked teeth through a number of dental treatments. By contacting 02072 478057 will allow for you to find out first-hand the variety of services available to you.

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Dental implants placed by dentists in the know!

May 9th, 2011

Dental implants have fast become a revelation of modern dentistry. In the past, if you lost a tooth or had a tooth extracted, you either lived with a gap or had a bridge or dentures fitted; however, now, with dental implants, you can replace your missing tooth with a completely natural looking new tooth, which works in exactly the same way as an original tooth.

Dental implants are the most effective long-term treatment for missing or damaged teeth; the implant is a fine titanium rod, which is fitted into a pre-drilled socket in the jaw bone. Once the implant is settled into the jaw, a new crown is fitted to the implant and the new smile is complete.

Dental implants have a range of benefits; they look completely natural, they function as effectively as natural teeth and they reduce bone loss. The implant is made of titanium, meaning that it settles into the bone tissue without having any adverse effects on the healthy surrounding tissue.

As well as being attached to crowns, dental implants can also be used ti support dental bridges and dentures. Many people think of bulky false teeth when they hear the words dentures, but dentures have come a long way and they are now much lighter, more comfortable and more realistic looking. Dentures that are anchored by dental implants improve function and prevent pain and discomfort caused by ill-fitting dentures; you can also rest assured that your dentures will never come loose and you can continue to eat whatever you want.

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

Dental implants are expensive, but they are a long-term solution to missing teeth and they can make a huge difference; gaps in the teeth can create problems with speech and may affect your ability to eat and many people with missing teeth also feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth when they smile.

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London calling restorative dental treatment

March 16th, 2011

A whole branch of dentistry is dedicated to fixing serious problems with your teeth, so that you can smile with confidence.

The phrase “restorative dentistry” covers a whole range of treatments for various conditions, including missing or damaged teeth and even the treatment of damaged bone tissue. Often these repairs are carried out for cosmetic reasons, so that the patient no longer feels embarrassed or ashamed of the gaps in their smile, but often these dental problems can have more serious implications for a person’s oral or even general health.

There are three types of restorative dentistry; prosthodontics, endontics and periodontics. Each offers the patient help for whatever oral health problems they are suffering. Prosthodontics are probably the most common type, as this group includes fillings to repair the damage done by tooth decay and to prevent the tooth from having to be removed. Other types of this treatment include veneers, crowns and bridges, which are considered more of a cosmetic treatment.

Endontics refers to problems inside the tooth; serious problems with the tissue that make up the inner parts of the teeth, rather than the surface enamel. Probably the most well known treatment that is part of the endontics group is root canal treatment, in which damaged or diseased tissue from inside the tooth is removed and then filled again with a suitable synthetic material. Untreated root canal problems can be very painful, so patients are usually very keen to get their condition treated!

Periodontic specialists treat problems with your gums, including the common condition gingivitis or gum disease. This is an uncomfortable condition that can also have serious complications for the health of your teeth, so it’s important that you ask for help if you are suffering any of the symptoms of gingivitis, like bleeding gums. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, which shows you just how important it is not to put off treatment, as by the time you seek help it could be too late to save your teeth.

While some of the problems treated by restorative dentistry are obvious, even to non-professionals, such as missing teeth, the need for fillings, root canal treatment or help with gum disease can be more difficult for the layperson to diagnose. This is why it so important for patients to attend their check-ups regularly and to seek help if they are even the slightest bit worried about any symptoms. Restorative dentistry is much more effective if the condition can be treated as early as possible; plus there is always the risk that you might lose teeth or have to have them extracted if you don’t get treated quickly enough!

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

If you are worried that you might be suffering from a serious dental problem that needs restorative dentistry, then consult a London City Dentist who will be able to advise you on the best course of action. And make sure you don’t miss your next check-up.

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Tooth loss advice with London city dentists

March 2nd, 2011

Let London City dentists offer you professional advice on the facts of tooth loss

Losing a tooth as a child may not seem daunting, as you knew it was going to grow back – as well as get a present under your pillow courtesy of the tooth fairy. But teeth loss in adulthood sadly is no fairytale ending.

Looking after your oral health is more than just brushing your teeth and flossing; it’s about regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure your mouth is in good working condition. Rotting teeth, gum disease – these ailments can be prevented as long as you visit the dentist at least every six months. The secret is not to simply clean – but ‘keep’ clean. Getting into a daily routine and maintaining tip top teeth doesn’t just mean you’re looking after your teeth, but your teeth are looking after you.

However at the first sign of poor oral health, such as painful teeth, make an appointment to see your dentist immediately. Whilst you may have dental products at home that could alleviate your symptoms, your dentist is the expert and will have tools (such as X-rays) to help determine the problem. Not only will you receive professional treatment, but you can talk to your dentist about changing or improving your dental knowledge.

But remember – when it comes to tooth loss, it’s not an overnight problem. This sort of matter is an ongoing problem, which is why it is imperative that excellent oral hygiene is practiced daily and efficiently.

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

Let London City dentists be your modern day tooth fairy, and work their magic on your dental future.

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