Dental

Teeth Whitening – Home vs Professional

Dental procedures, whether essential, or done for cosmetic reasons, can be very expensive. Whilst A-list movie stars and entertainers can afford cosmetic dentistry running into thousands of pounds, other people have to explore more cost-effective ways of making the best of the teeth they have. This is why, over the last decade, there has been an explosion in the demand for teeth whitening and teeth whitening products. But how do the different options available compare?

Home Treatments

There is a range of teeth whitening products that can be used at home without dental supervision. These include, whitening rinses, whitening toothpaste and gel strips, all of which bring results only after prolonged use. More expensive kits, such as whitening trays, mirror techniques used by dentists. The trays are filled with whitening solution and attached to the teeth. The trays have to be worn for a specified period each day for several weeks and are reported to give good results.

Dentist Supervised Treatment

Treatments used by dentists are based on whitening trays, however, unlike those for home use, a mould is made of the persons teeth so that the trays fit comfortably without the irritation and chaffing sometimes associated with do-it-yourself kits. The whitening chemical used by dentists (carbon peroxide or hydrogen based peroxide) is stronger than in solutions designed for home use. The treatment is usually carried out over one to four visits lasting a couple of hours each before teeth are lighter by 4-8 shades.

Accelerated Treatment

For the fastest results the teeth are exposed to halogen light during the whitening process. This is the most expensive option, but depending on the severity and type of staining, an 8 shade improvement is achievable in only one or two treatments lasting an hour each.

The Advantage Of Using A Dentist

Teeth whitening is not as straightforward as it might seem. The chemical used is effectively a type of bleach and should be used with caution, particularly where there is gum sensitivity. Teeth can become stained for many reasons and a dentist will advise on how best to remove the staining, carry out treatment while protecting gums and other dental work, like crowns and implants, and make sure treatment is not taken too far. Using the services of a dentist is much quicker than applying home methods, is safer and less messy.

 

Veneers

What Are Dental Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are used to help recreate the natural look of teeth. The veneers are constructed from small but robust porcelain pieces, which gives strength and resilience that is very similar to a tooth’s natural enamel. Dental veneers are often chosen by patients that want to make slight positional, shape size, or colour changes.

What Exactly Are Dental Veneers?

Laminated porcelain veneers consist of a compilation of a number of thin ceramic layers. These have been designed to replace the original tooth enamel and an adhesive coating. The dental veneer is applied after a small amount of the natural tooth enamel has been removed. This is usually no more than a millimetre but is necessary to create space for the dental veneer to fit. The end result will put back all of the natural functions of the tooth, at the same time creating an appearance which is much better than the original tooth.

The bond that exists between the original tooth and the porcelain veneer is vital. This is because it provides not only the desired ‘look,’ but also the strength for the mouth to function normally. To obtain this effect, light-sensitive resin is put between the veneer and the original tooth, and quickly hardened using a specialist curing light.

The Uses Of Dental Veneers

Fitting dental veneers can be done to help with teeth that are in poor condition or discoloured. They are the ideal solution for patients that have discolouration problems, which have not responded well to bleaching or whitening. Veneers are also perfect for compromised tooth positions, gaps, or fractures.

 The Benefits Of Dental Veneers

Because veneers are sculptured individually for every patient, it is impossible to tell the difference between the natural tooth and the fitted veneer. The veneer has advantages over nature, as it has been designed to be stain resistant. The difference between a veneer and crown is that the tooth is almost kept intact. The treatment is not reversible because a portion of the tooth has been removed. However, new veneers can be fitted and adjustments carried out.

 The Cost Of Porcelain Veneers In The UK

The price for have a porcelain veneer fitted is variable and will be between £ 450 and £ 850. No-brand veneers may be fitted for as little as £300 upwards. A cosmetic dentist may well charge up to £2000 per tooth for a fitting.

 

 

Implants

Dental Implants – The Facts

 

Teeth are a very essential feature in the human body. Due to unavoidable circumstance like, diseases, old age and accidents one may lose a tooth or more.  This may make some miserable but it can be resolved by using dental implants.  These are artificial teeth roots placed within the jaw so as to hold replacement teeth.  They are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth.

Dental Implant Procedure

To start the process, a consultation has to take place between the dentist and the patient in order to determine how the implant will be put in place.  The dental condition and the type of implant chosen will determine the treatment plan that will be used.  For instance, replacement of a single tooth can be done by use of a crown and one implant.  Osseointegration is the biological method used to put in place a modern dental implant.  The fixture is placed first then the prosthetic is added.  Afterwards, some time will be required for healing of the gum surrounding the implant.

Types Of Dental Implants

They are two different ways in which as implant can be inserted.  Endosteal implants are inserted into the jawbone using cylinders, screws or blades.  Subperiosteal implants are inserted under the gum line but not in the jawbone.  With both types, the metal abutments protrude through gum to hold the prosthesis.

Advantages Of Dental Implants

There is almost always an improvement in appearance since they look like natural teeth.  A single tooth implant will look just like your natural teeth as the colour will be matched as closely as possible to your own.  They are also more comfortable than the dentures alternative which can make eating and speaking difficult.  There is no age restrictions in getting this procedure done although it is recommended for the patient to be fully matured.   Moreover, implants are long lasting especially when well cared for.  They definitely improve self-esteem as a perfect smile can go a long way to inspire confidence in yourself.

What To Expect From An Implant

Contemporary dental implants have been used for many decades and have proved safe and effective.  Implanted teeth don’t get cavities or decay like natural teeth.  Many options exist to replace missing teeth but implants have proven to be the best. Intense research by experts in the field of dentistry has been conducted so as to rate dental implants. It has been concluded that it has a success rate of up to ninety eight percent.

Veneers

Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Veneers

Your veneers can last for a long time, retaining their sheen and giving you a bright, winning smile. But you have to make sure you’re taking care of them. A big part of that is to keep them free from stains. That not only means avoiding foods and beverages that will stain your teeth, but it also means cleaning your veneers regularly with toothpaste.

You do need to be careful about which kinds of toothpaste you use. Your veneers are a bit more fragile than natural teeth, and you ought to use toothpaste that will be gentle on them. While it may seem like a good idea to use toothpaste with whitening agents, those added chemicals be harmful to your veneers. They can cause the veneers to deteriorate more quickly over time and to need replacement sooner than they normally would. It’s better to just avoid the kinds of things that would stain your teeth than to rely on whitening toothpaste to do the job for you.

You also want to avoid abrasive toothpaste. These are really gritty toothpastes and ones with powerful cleaning agents. Each toothpaste manufacturer is required to test their toothpaste for abrasiveness and assign it what is called an RDA value. The higher that value, the more abrasive the toothpaste is. The gentlest dental cleaners have an RDA value of O, while the maximum recommended limit is 250.You may not find an RDA rating on each brand of toothpaste you look at, but you can check the company’s website or contact them directly to find what the RDA value is for the toothpaste you are interested.

You can usually get a good idea of how abrasive a toothpaste is by looking at its marketing and packaging. If it says anything about whitening power or promotes any kind of power or superior effectiveness, then it is likely high on the abrasiveness scale.

If you are having trouble finding a toothpaste that you are sure is gentle enough for your veneers, the you can always consult with your dentist and get a recommendation there about what you should be using. Until that time, you can simply clean your veneers with a toothbrush and water.

Veneers don’t require the powerful cleaning products that are often required for teeth to stay healthy. Simple, no-frills toothpaste will usually be enough to keep them in great shape and ensure that they last for a while so long as you use it regularly. Also, when you brush, be sure you aren’t using your toothbrush too roughly. Gentle cleaning is the key to getting the most out of your veneers.

Veneers

How To Care For Your Dental Veneers

You have got your new dental veneers. Your teeth are now white and perfectly aligned without bleaching or the need to wear aligners. However, no matter how perfectly they fit, these veneers aren’t a natural part of your body and you need to familiarise with some basics on how to live with and look after them.

You don’t need to drastically change the way you care for your teeth once you get veneers. The width of each tooth will not be excessively increased, so flossing will not be a problem at all. Veneers are thicker than your natural tooth enamel, though you should use only non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Abrasive ones may sand out the shiny surface of the veneer and make it change colour over a long term. For the same reason you should only choose soft brushes, but it’s not as important as the choice of the toothpaste.

Porcelain veneers are very tightly bound to the surface of your teeth, though the bonding agent isn’t stronger than the veneer itself, so a part of it can be chipped, with or without parts of your natural teeth. Basically the only way for that to happen is a mechanical trauma. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth you have to report it to your dentist even before you commence with veneer smile design. Perhaps the dentist will recommend you to wear a mouthguard while sleeping.

It’s not easy to damage a veneer, though you should not try to bite things that are particularly hard. There are no widely used foods which can cause veneer failure through applying excess mechanical force nor through excess acidification. On the other hand, using your teeth as a tool is not recommended.

Do not use your bite to screw or unscrew bottles and things alike, or forcibly pull something. Owing to the anatomy of your incisors, the veneers will cover the top, biting edge. You will be practically applying force using the veneer – not the actual tooth (tooth enamel). Porcelain is glass, and any excessive bending by pressure can make it break.

Despite the fact veneers are highly resistant to acidification, calcification and other chemical impacts, it’s your natural teeth that remain under the veneers, so you have to keep up with your regular dental care.

How long veneers can hold on your teeth tightly varies greatly. It may be anywhere between seven and 30 years. This primarily depends on the choice of a good dentist, rather than some special maintenance you can undertake. If veneers are done poorly, no maintenance tasks will help extend their life beyond just several years.

Implants

All on 4 Implants – Replace Your Teeth in a Day

Losing a single tooth is not a big deal for dental implant surgeons. The implant surgery for such cases is a relatively short outpatient procedure, i.e. the patient returns home the same day and is able to carry on with his or her normal daily routine. But what about edentulous people, those who are missing a whole set of teeth due to a gum disease or another detrimental health condition?

The All-on-4 procedure is an advanced technique in dental implantology. As the name suggests, it means that the entire set of lost teeth is replaced with a whole new prosthesis connected to the jawbone with four implants. The number of teeth supported is up to 14, and the surgery itself is also an outpatient procedure which lasts several hours, even in cases when both arches need to be fixed with it.

This technique saves much time for the surgeon and other staff, and allows the patients to recover much faster than they would need to if multiple surgeries were carried out. Thanks to ease of the procedure and the fact that only four implants can support for an entire arch, the financial saving is substantial.

The quality of living of edentulous people is highly deteriorated. They are unable to eat many foods, and often avoid appearance in public since they feel ashamed due to the lack of teeth. For them, the all-on-4 technique is like a magic wand: it’s fast, convenient, relatively inexpensive, and most importantly, resolves their dental issues entirely.

Edentulism is usually accompanied by other oral health issues. The lack of teeth speeds up deterioration of gums and other tissues in oral cavity, even if they were healthy when the teeth started to fall off. While some cheaper prosthetic solutions like dentures can improve the patient’s life quality a bit, these can’t help with the oral health. In fact, dentures can easily even speed up  further oral deterioration, especially when used inappropriately.

On the day of the surgery , the patient receives his or her implants and a temporary set of teeth. These teeth have a primary function to support for osseointegration and recovery. Several months afterwards, when osseointegration proves to be complete, these temporary, acrylic teeth are replaced with permanent ones made of titanium.

Once you get the permanent set(s) of teeth using your All-on-4 implants, you will be able to recover the quality of life and oral habits just as it was back in time you had all natural teeth.

Orthodontics

How to Clean Your Braces at Home

Despite being made to align teeth in a way which improves form and function, the presence of fixed braces in your mouth requires a greater amount of oral care and hygiene. Generally, patients with braces should go to in-clinic cleaning once every three months, but the home care needs to change as well.

You need to know that the metal parts of your brace can cause collection of plaque, which in the long term causes cavities and teeth deterioration. Your food can be stuck between the wires and the teeth, and it’s a real feast for pathogenic germs which will lead to gum or tooth diseases. This is why you need to brush your teeth after every single meal and do it thoroughly, just to make sure there’s no trapped food.

The general advice for brushing can be called “soft brush hard”. That means you use a very soft brush, and apply more pressure than you did before braces. Brushing is done in the morning, evening and after every meal. Foods that can get stuck between the braces include meat, bread and dough, nuts, as well as some fruits and vegetables. After such meals you should pay a closer attention and dedicate more time to brushing.

Flossing is even more important when you have fixed braces. Of course’ there’s a question – how? You need to floss the tooth between the gum and the brace wire, which would normally require high levels of skill. Luckily, you can buy a floss threader which will help you put the floss in the gap between two adjacent teeth and the wire. Your dentist will explain detains on how to thread your floss under the braces. The beginning may be hard, but you will quickly develop the skill.

You can substitute floss with interdental brushes, these require less skill, and will save much time. You use them for the same places, these brushes are thing enough to get everywhere a floss gets, though back teeth may still be hard to reach. You can keep flossing these anyway.

Mouthwash is also important, in fact, it’s very important. You use mouthwash with antibacterial properties to prevent gum inflammation. Mouthwashes can reach to tiny holes which no mechanic device is able to reach, and kills off most germs. If you rinse intensively, you’ll be able to remove the remaining stuck food which survived brushing and flossing.

Uncategorised

A Look at Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are generally used as a quicker and less expensive alternative to traditional dental implants. While implants are starting to take over from traditional dentures as the ideal way to replace a missing tooth, the use of mini implants is also on the rise. Here we’ll take a look at the procedure and how the implants work.

How does the Mini Dental Implants Treatment Work?

Mini implants are so easy to fit that it could easily be done under 3 hours and you could be back to your normal life, eating all those foods you weren’t able to before.

The mini implant consists of an alloy made of titanium that will act like a root for the designated tooth. There is a fixture that is in the base of the denture. The head of the denture is in the shape of a ball while the retaining fixture will act like a socket. A rubber o-ring has been incorporated to make this possible.

The o-ring makes it possible for the denture to easily and securely fit into the implant. The denture will rest gently on your gum tissue causing no pain at all. The diameter of each implant is so small and is around 2mm. This helps broaden the scope for dentist to fit them.

Who will benefit from the mini implants?

Nearly each and every person with dentures will benefit from these implants. It all depends on how much bone is available for the dentist to work on. Suitable candidates include:

  • People who will not be able to complete lengthy hours of dentistry will opt for this form of treatment.
  • Those that don’t have a lot of bone for the standard dentures they will still have a chance to have perfectly fitted dentures.
  • Patients that don’t have thousands of dollars for other procedures- it can be done at a low price

You won’t even need to go into theatre to perform the procedure; it can easily be done in the dentist chair with local anaesthetic. With mini dental implants you will be able to live your life to the fullest!

 

 

Uncategorised

Dental Implants – The process

Though dental care has improved significantly over the years, there are still millions of people who suffer tooth loss.  The loss of teeth can be mostly traced to tooth decay, gum disease/gingivitis, and injury.  In the past, tooth loss treatment options were limited primarily to bridges and dentures, but today missing teeth may be replaced via dental implant surgery. Many thanks to David Cashel, an experienced dental implants practitioner from Glasgow for providing us with the following excellent information.

What Are Dental Implants

A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root that’s purpose is to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.  The implants serve as a strong foundation for either fixed or removable replacement teeth that match the patient’s natural teeth.  It’s a great alternative to dentures or in cases were bridgework doesn’t fit perfectly.  Ideally, dental implant candidates should have good general and oral health.  They should have healthy gums, free from periodontal disease, and their jaw must have adequate bone to support the implant.

singleimplant

There are two types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal.  Endosteal implants are placed in the bone and are the most common type of implant, typically used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.  They come in a variety of forms including screws, cylinders, or blades which are surgically placed into the jawbone, but all perform the same function of holding one or more prosthetic teeth.  Subperiosteal implants are placed on the bone so that the metal framework’s posts come out through the gum to hold the prothesis.  This type of implant is preferred for patients who can’t wear regular dentures and have minimal bone height.

The Dental Implant Process

The surgical procedure for dental implants is dependent on the type of implant that will be used and the patient’s jawbone condition.  Regardless, all dental implant surgeries are done in a series of stages and multiple procedures.  One of the biggest benefits of implants is the solid support for new teeth, however, this requires an extended healing period of several months.

Typically dental implants are done through outpatient surgery in stages.  If a damaged tooth is present it is first removed, the jawbone must then be prepared for surgery, sometimes using a bone graft.  After adequate healing time, the oral surgeon can place the implant into your jawbone which then must heal before completing the last phase of placing the abutment (extension of implant post) and the artificial tooth (crown).  The entire dental implant process from start to finish will usually be three to nine months, sometimes longer, with most of the time dedicated to the healing of the bone around the implant.

When Bone Grafting is Necessary

For patients whose jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, a bone graft is required before surgery and will extend the process as much as nine months.  This is to ensure a solid base for the implant and prevent the pressure from mouth chewing action from pulverizing the new implant.  Bone grafting for implants is done by transplanting bone from another part of your body into your jawbone.

Placement of Dental Implants

The oral surgeon makes a cut to open gums and expose the bone where the implant will be put.  Holes are then drilled into the bone where the implant post will be deeply buried in the bone, imitating a tooth root.  Though you still have a gap from the missing tooth, it is possible at this stage to place a removable temporary denture.  From here osseointegration, the process of healing and bone growth that integrates the artificial implant with your natural jawbone, begins and may take up to half a year.

The Abutment and New Artificial Teeth

After osseointegration is completed, the oral surgeon places the abutment, the attachment piece for the crown, in a minor procedure.  The abutment is often placed in the same procedure as the actual implant, but because it protrudes from the gumline some people choose to have it placed afterwards for appearances.  Healing time is usually one to two weeks before the final tooth placement.

When gums have fully healed, several impressions are made of the patient’s mouth and remaining teeth to create a realistic-looking artificial tooth (the crown).  There are two main types, a removable implant that functions similarly to the conventional denture and a fixed implant prosthesis that is either permanently screwed of cemented to the abutment.  The latter are the more expensive option.

Post-Surgery Expectations

Similar to other dental surgeries, the healing process immediately following surgery may include typical discomforts such as swelling of gums and face, bruising on skin and gums, pain, and minor bleeding.  If symptoms worsen, it’s important to consult your surgeon.  Post-surgery diet usually involves liquids and soft foods for as long as 10 t0 14 days.  Oral surgeons will typically use self-dissolving stitches, but if not, stitches are usually removed about 10 days after surgery.

 

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20009052

https://www.perio.org/consumer/dental-implants

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants#3

Uncategorised

Dental Implants – What You Should Know

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Do you have damaged teeth or one or more that are missing? Have you decided it’s time to do something about it? If so, the good news is that there is a whole industry dedicated to helping you get the help you want. However, the bad news is that, with so many options to choose from, you could wind up picking the wrong one. To help with your decision, click the link to visit the Association of Dental Implantologists – you should also think about the following reasons why so many people love dental implants.

Second Only to the Real Thing

In just about every way that matters, dental implants are basically the best option besides actual teeth. Dental implants are stable, strong and durable. Best of all, though, it looks and feels the part perfectly. No one will notice your implant is fake and you’ll quickly start treating it like the real thing: talking, eating, laughing, etc. without issue.

picture of dental implant retained dentures

Long Lasting

Dental implants need very little maintenance from you. Every once in a while, they may need an adjustment, but that’s hard from an emergency procedure and the same dentist who helped with the implant can take care of it for you. However, with proper care, your implants will be with you for your entire life.

Now compare that to some of the best alternatives. For example, traditional bridges that rely on your other teeth need to be replaced ever five years or so. If you take great care of them, they may make it closer to seven to 10, but that’s it.

Stay in Place

No matter how good they look or real they feel, no one wants to deal with fake teeth that are going to run the risk of exposing themselves at some point. Most of us have heard horror stories from people who had their teeth fall out or click around while they were in a social situation. This is embarrassing in the moment and sometimes lasts for minutes until you can get them back into place.

You’ll never have to worry about dental implants causing this kind of problem for you though. Once they’re in place, they literally become a part of your body. It’s virtually impossible for them to come loose. In fact, if you did decided you wanted them removed, you’d have to have a professional do the procedure for you.

As a result, people with dental implants tend to be far more confident. They don’t dodge social situations or have problems being outgoing and expressing themselves.

Stay in the Entire Time

Along the same lines, you’re never needing to take out dental implants to drop them in a cup at night so you can wake up to a fresh smile. Never again worry about running out of solution to keep your teeth in or the fact that you knocked the glass over at night. Don’t ever worry that someone will notice the utensils in your room and realize your smile isn’t real.

When you go to sleep at night, the dental implants join you.

Protect the Rest of Your Mouth

Going with dental implants ensures that the hole in your mouth where the other tooth used to be is now covered. This helps in a big way by ensuring that diseases like gingivitis can no longer sneak in and cause serious problems for you.

Plus, as implants don’t depend on other teeth in your mouth like dental bridges, you don’t have to worry about a real tooth having to get ground down or otherwise adjusted to prepare them for the procedure.

For all these reasons and more, dental implants make a great solution for those who would like a smile free of missing teeth.