Archives for October, 2011

Vampire teeth for a scary Halloween in Chiswick

October 31st, 2011

Halloween has always been about two things in Chiswick: binging on sweets and dressing up as your favourite monster or bad guy. Iconic vampire characters such as Dracula and Nosferatu have always been exceptionally popular and today’s teen vampire movies mean the undead trend will continue.

We all know that no vampire outfit is complete without the compulsory long cloak, slicked back hair, pale skin and, most of all, a set of scary vampire fangs. While most people are happy to wear a set of fake gnashers for the night, others have turned to the rather extreme method of vampire dental implants!

While this form of dental surgery will may make your Halloween come alive it might seem like a bad idea after the 31st of October has come and gone.

Despite this, the procedure, which converts the canine teeth into a more ‘vampiric’ form, may be more common than you think.

Whether you want to be the new Edward on the block or just want a missing tooth replaced, a dental implant can produce permanent and life-like results. The implant is placed into the gum and jawbone to create a root for a new false tooth. After the area has healed the patient will be fitted with a brand new tooth, which looks and feels like a natural tooth.

However, if you do opt for the vampire fang attachment, this natural tooth may look like it belongs to Dracula, rather than yourself. We recommend you stick with something more natural-looking!

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Your Acton dentist looks at alternatives to sugar-filled sweets this Halloween

October 27th, 2011

We all know sweets and sugary snacks can cause cavities and tooth decay and most parents usually make the effort to ration their child’s intake of sugar to protect them from this damage. However, as Halloween approaches many parents will find it hard to put a stop to the sugar binge when the trick or treating begins on the 31st of October.

Many Acton dentists are urging the use of alternatives to the usual sugar filled chocolates and candies, in order to help prevent the development of dental damage on Halloween night.

Obvious alternatives may be to hand out fruit such as apples, bananas or oranges, but apart from instantly making you unpopular with the local kids, it is not advised because the food will not normally come pre-packaged.

One alternative may be to use toys and other such treats, as an unorthodox alternative to bags upon bags of sweets. Small simple toys are popular with most kids and picking up packs of cheap Silly Bands, glow stick bracelets, stickers or bubbles can be just as much a hit with the kids and make the dental health nightmare that is Halloween just a little less nightmarish!

If you still feel committed to delivering a Halloween involving sweets, then you may consider organic or health snacks. Certified organic products contain natural sugar, which – while it can still be  damaging – does less harm when compared to mass-produced traditional sweets. Things such as home-made juice, ice-lollies and farm yard ice cream are also often much less damaging to teeth than their supermarket counterparts and are just as delicious.

So this Halloween take charge of your child’s Halloween and make sure they don’t need to fix their Acton dentist for dental decay or missing teeth.

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Can You Ever Be Too Old For Braces Treatment From Your Brentford Dentist?

October 25th, 2011

It is a common opinion amongst dental patients within the United Kingdom that braces are a treatment specifically designed for children and younger people. However, despite these misconceptions, braces are a superb method of treating various dental problems whatever your age.

Naturally, there is an upper limit to what age a person is able to get braces, however, this is far, far older than many people initially think and practically all of the adult population are able to benefit from what braces have to offer. It is therefore best to check with your dentist to see which options would work best for you.

Adult braces in Brentford are becoming increasingly more commonplace and are used to correct a number of dental problems, meaning that adult patients no longer have to carry on believing that they have ‘missed the boat’ by not having braces when they were younger.

Among the common dental complaints that adult braces can help fix are:

  • jaw alignment problems
  • crooked teeth
  • overcrowding of teeth
  • bite problems (e.g. overbites and underbites)

One of the most common misunderstandings made about braces for adults is the actual range available, with most people believing that train tracks are the only option. Often, people can be put off by the idea of getting braces fitted as an adult, as they believe they will have to endure ‘a mouthful of metal’. However, thanks to advances within modern dentistry there are plenty of options available for patients, which are much more subtle and discreet. This includes treatments such as ‘Six Months Smiles’ and other barely visible, tooth-coloured treatments. There are also ‘lingual’ braces which fit on the back of teeth, enabling them to remain virtually hidden.

Whatever your concern about braces as an adult the best policy is to contact your dentist, as more often than not they will be able to find a treatment that can be perfectly customised to your needs.

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Why are People Really Scared of Their Chiswick Dentist?

October 20th, 2011

A phobia of going to the dentist is extremely common and many people simply refuse to make a dentist appointment through genuine fear.  There are many different parts of the dental experience that affect those with a phobia.  From embarrassment, gagging, pain, needles, right through to the dentist drill, all forms of dental phobia incite fear.

The misconception that going to see your Chiswick dentist will automatically result in pain is one of the biggest phobias. Enhanced by dental horror stories the fiction is now believed to be fact and many refuse to visit the dentist for fear that they will suffer the same fate. In reality, however, modern dentistry includes minimal pain with all types of anaesthetics available.  There will be some discomfort with certain treatments, but certainly nothing to fear.

The use of needles, drills and other various instruments is very frightening for those with a phobia.  The idea of needles is too much to bear for some, however, they are essential to relieving pain during dental treatments.  Dentists now apply a numbing gel before using a needle, so patients won’t feel a thing.  In relation to the use of instruments, many people will gag when a dentist goes near their mouth as part of their panic. It is important to breathe through your nose to stop this, with throat numbing sprays and nasal sprays also recommended.

One main cause of dental phobia is the feeling of a complete lack of control that the patient feels whilst undergoing treatment.  Not knowing what is going on and being unable to change anything may strike fear and panic into some patients.  However, should you speak to your dentist about this, they will do everything possible to keep everything calm and comfortable for you.  From taking things slowly, explaining the procedures and even arranging stop signals – all will be taken care of.

Embarrassment is often an excuse for not going to the dentist, and many who feel their teeth are particularly bad won’t want to be treated.  It is important to know that professional dentists will not make you feel uncomfortable in any way and all they do is best for the patient’s health and comfort.

As you can see the phobia of dentists is a diverse problem.  Every person that suffers with the phobia is different in terms of what makes him or her fear the dentist. Discussing your problems with your dentist is always the best option and they can tailor treatment to your needs and requirements.

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Same Day Teeth in Acton is The New Star Treatment for People With Missing Teeth

October 18th, 2011

Among the many advances in dentistry within the past decade perhaps the most impressive is the concept of Same Day Teeth. Same Day Teeth in Acton allow patients who have suffered the loss of most, or all of their teeth, to have a natural looking smile once again; often, in just a single day.

Dentures can be a trial for those who wear them. A poorly designed and ill-fitting denture can serve to drastically hinder their wearer’s day to day life, which could be through restricting the food they eat, making it difficult for them to talk with their normal clarity and fluency, or even simply lowering a wearer’s self confidence.

Same Day Teeth makes use of an innovative new procedure known as the ‘All-on-4′ technique, which has been praised as being the ‘ultimate dental solution’ available to those who wear dentures. As the name suggests, this clever little procedure allows denture wearers to have a whole new set of teeth implanted, using just four implant sites in the mouth. This means a whole new set of teeth without the need to replace every single one individually.

This system has been proven to offer patients a whole host of benefits over traditional dentures, such as removing the troublesome denture adhesives and allowing speech and bite to return to normal. Many patients find that not having to worry about a loose fitting denture falling out of their mouth is reason enough to give this revolutionary procedure a go.

In addition to the benefits of taking traditional dentures out of the equation, patients can also breathe a sign of relief that long, conventional and sometimes painful procedures are also gone. Thanks to the all-on-4 technique, patients will find that there is far less likelihood of expensive and uncomfortable bone graft procedures. Same Day Teeth are currently providing superb results for patients all over the United Kingdom!

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What Treatment Can You Have For Crooked Teeth at Your Kew Dentist?

October 13th, 2011

Various forms of crooked teeth are among the most common dental complaints heard of within Kew and the rest of the United Kingdom. Luckily, there are a myriad of ways in which your dentist is able to tackle the problem.

In order to assess which of these treatments is going to be best for your mouth it will be necessary to undergo an orthodontic assessment. This will help narrow down which of the treatments is right for you, as well as the best way to proceed.

Among the most popular methods of straightening teeth is with the use of braces and aligners.

Braces come in two kinds: removable and fixed. Removable braces, as you may have already guessed, can be taken out and are commonly made of plastic, with wire clips and springs in order to manipulate specific teeth. Fixed braces, on the other hand, cannot be removed from the mouth and are made with the use of small brackets fixed to the teeth using filling material, which are then joined together using wires. Nowadays there are a number of fixed brace options available to patients, which are incredibly subtle and barely noticeable.

Aligners are somewhat different to braces and are comprised of plastic moulds that fit over teeth in order to move them into position. They are usually changed for a new set every fortnight as the teeth change position and although they are removable they should be left in for at least 22 hours a day (removed only for eating/drinking/cleaning). As with braces, aligners have come a long way in style and design and can often be virtually undetectable on a person.

It is recommended that people tackle the problem of crooked teeth wherever possible, as it is proven that straight teeth are much easier to clean and are less susceptible to gum diseases and tooth decay.

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How Root Canal Treatment Could Save the Smile of Countless Residents in Brentford

October 11th, 2011

An Emnid survey of 2,000 people showed that over 80% of participants valued a healthy smile.  So when it comes to having teeth removed this is one of the worst things that can happen when trying to preserve your smile.  However, in many cases, there is the option of root canal treatment which can save your tooth instead of removing it.

Lots of patients in Brentford are just not sure what root canal treatment actually is, believing that tooth removal is the only way to go – this is not true.  On the other hand those who do know what it entails decide against having the treatment, through the belief that it is a painful experience. In actual fact it is relatively pain-free with the addition of properly administered anaesthetic, much like a simple filling procedure.

Teeth can become infected through injury and general decay. When a tooth becomes infected the soft tissue inside becomes inflamed and if left untreated can lead to an abscess, which will cause you pain and discomfort.

So what exactly is root canal treatment?

The procedure is completed within one or two visits to the dentist.  Firstly, the infected tissue is removed and the root canal is then cleaned using very fine instruments to prepare it for filling.  On your second visit to the dentist the dentist will then fit the filling into the tooth and a crown may also be fitted, to give the tooth some extra protection if needed.  After the root canal treatment is complete the newly fixed tooth may feel slightly tender for a few days after.  This discomfort can be treated with normal painkillers before the pain eventually subsides.

The treatment has a hugely impressive success rate of around 95% when performed by a qualified dentist and is certainly a viable alternative to having your teeth removed should they become infected.  It is a now simple and effective procedure in modern dentistry, so next time you think you have to get that tooth removed – remember that root canal treatment could save your smile.

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6 month smiles in Ealing can prepare your teeth quickly for any upcoming social event

October 6th, 2011

The British Dental Journal has estimated that 75% of us need, or at least, could benefit from some orthodontic work on our teeth.  However, when it comes to teeth straightening many are put off by the length of time it takes braces to complete the work, as well as how they will look when fitted.  These worries are now a thing of the past because of a revolutionary new cosmetic dentistry treatment called Six Month Smiles.  The treatment allows you to straighten your crooked or misaligned teeth in as little as six month’s time.  So if you want a natural looking, perfect smile in time for a special event this is the right treatment for you.

The Six Month Smiles treatment available at your Ealing dentist works by focusing on the upper and lower six teeth only, which are the teeth that show when you smile. This drastically cuts down the amount of time traditional braces usually take.  The brace uses low forces to move the teeth much more rapidly, gently moving them into a straighter, correct position.  To combat the aesthetic problem of traditional fixed braces, the brackets and wires used for the Six Month Smiles treatment are tooth coloured, so are barely visible whilst you wear them.

Although they may feel slightly strange when the brace is first fitted, it is by no means painful or uncomfortable.  In fact it is much more comfortable than traditional braces, as only light forces are placed on the teeth.  Your dentist will also supply you with a retainer after the procedure to prevent the teeth from reverting back to their previous positions.

This procedure has put an end to the need for unsightly traditional braces and the long treatment times that come with them.  They are ideal for anyone looking for a relatively quick fix before a special event such as a wedding or birthday party and will leave you with straight teeth, a perfect smile and a new found confidence.

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What treatment can you have for missing teeth at your Hounslow dentist?

October 4th, 2011

Missing teeth can be a real barrier towards confidence for many people within Hounslow. Not only do many people find them unsightly, but they can also cause genuine problems to the way in which the rest of a person’s teeth bite together.

Fortunately, dentistry has come a long way within the last decade and people who suffer from missing teeth no longer have to do so in silence. There are various different treatments available which can help to restore a smile to a patient’s face in no time at all.

The main treatments can be categorised into:

  • Dentures
  • Dental Bridge
  • Dental Implants

Dentures are the first option available for a patient, which is then split further into three categories: ‘temporary’ dentures, ‘partial’ dentures and ‘full’ dentures.

As the name suggests temporary dentures are a short-term solution that can be used by a dentist to give a patient’s mouth time to heal if they have recently had teeth removed. Partial dentures feature a metal (or sometimes plastic) plate which contains false teeth. These teeth have hidden clasps which attach to other teeth for stability. Finally, full dentures can be worn when a patient has no remaining teeth in their upper or lower jaw. A good fitting denture should mean a patient has no need for any adhesive cream or powder.

Bridges

A dentist usually suggests a bridge if there are only one or two teeth missing. This procedure entails securing a false tooth (or teeth) via those teeth either side of the gap. The natural teeth are then prepared for the bridge and crowns of the bridge to sit on. Bridges are an excellent solution for missing teeth and can usually last a patient anywhere between five and ten years.

Dental Implants

Lastly, dental implants involve implanting a metal rod into a patient’s jawbone using minor surgery. This rod then becomes fused to the jawbone and a denture or bridge is then fixed to it using a clip or screw. Dental implants provide excellent stability and can last a patient at least ten years.

Although some people believe that they must simply accept missing teeth there are treatments to suit all patients at affordable costs, meaning a confident smile is never too far out of reach.

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Invisalign Teen at Your Hanwell Dentist to Straighten Your Mouths

October 3rd, 2011

Teenagers are shy, awkward and self-conscious at the best of times, so if their Hanwell dentist tells them that they are going to have to wear a brace for the next three years, then it is clearly going to be the worst thing in the world for them.  Step forward, Invisalign Teen.  The treatment works in the same way as the standard Invisalign brace, but with some added features to make it suitable for teenagers.

The fact is that Invisalign braces are – quite conveniently – removable, which is an advantage for adult wearers. However, teens will do anything to avoid wearing braces, so it is quite possible that they won’t wear them at all or even ‘lose’ them.  Dentists cannot monitor their patients 24/7, so they have developed Invisalign Teen with ‘marker tabs,’ which gradually change colour for when they need to be replaced.  This allows both parents and dentists to keep an eye on the progress of the treatment and quickly notice if they are not wearing them. Invisalign Teen also comes with six free replacements so there is no excuse if they are misplaced or damaged.

The actual brace is discreet, so there is no lack of confidence once fitted.  The treatment time is also far quicker – on average, around 6 to 15 months – so it is far more appealing than three years of metal braces.  Much like the adult version, Invisalign Teen can treat many kinds of orthodontic problems, such as over-crowded teeth, widely-spaced teeth, overbite, crossbite and underbite.

With this treatment, teenagers no longer have to dread braces and Invisalign Teen is by far the best option for teenagers who are in need of orthodontic treatment, but do not want the inevitable embarrassment that comes with the traditional brace.

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