Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
It may shock you to know that 90 per cent of people will have gum disease at some point in their lifetime.
But before that statistic scares you, dear reader, it’s important to know that when caught early enough, periodontitis and gingivitis are highly predictable if you take on board all the advice given.
Gingivitis is a totally reversible form of gum disease and periodontitis (which 90% of us will get at some point) is an irreversible gum disease. In this blog I’ll be exploring the differences and sharing everything you need to know to protect your healthy and beautiful smile.
In short, gum disease is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria in your mouth. But dependent on the type of gum disease, the way in which this occurs is very different.
Let’s dive in.
Gingivitis is a reversible gum disease. In this case, the immune system reacts to bacteria around the teeth; however, this reaction is restricted to the gums alone and does not affect the bone. There is no loss of supporting structures of the teeth, rather issues are restricted to the soft tissue. Resultant inflammation in the gums causes redness, swelling, and bleeding. Left untreated, gingivitis may – but not always – become periodontitis over a number of years.
Periodontitis is irreversible. In this case, the supporting structures of the teeth are destroyed. The rate of this destruction varies wildly between patients due to factors such as genetic makeup, smoking history, oral hygiene and other medical issues – for example, diabetes. Periodontitis occurs when the immune system tries to fight off bacteria in the mouth. As the body tries to defend itself, toxic by-products are released that destroy the connection between the gums and the teeth and can stimulate loss of bone structure.
90% of human beings get periodontitis at some point in their life!!! Nobody knows why there is so much variation about when gingivitis becomes periodontitis. It is, however, important to point out that periodontitis is a more extreme version of gingivitis. It is always a result of untreated gingivitis.
In fact, a study conducted in the 1970s to the mid-80s aimed to understand the initiation and rate of progression of periodontal disease and subsequent tooth loss. The study was conducted on a group of 480 male labourers at two Sri Lankan tea plantations. The participants were between 14 and 46 years old, and did not practise any form of oral hygiene.
Interestingly, despite the fact that all participants lived very similar lifestyles and did not use any oral hygiene techniques at all, the results varied massively. They all had gingivitis, but some had more aggressive gum disease too.
If all participants didn’t brush their teeth and lived very similar lifestyles, why were the results so varied? This study goes some way towards proving the importance of brushing your teeth, but it’s also important to remember that there are other factors at play that increase your risk of contracting gum disease.
Whilst there’s no hard evidence that gives us an exact list of what these other factors are, we can make some reasonable assumptions, such as:
Let’s explore in more detail what you need to be aware of regarding the two forms of gum disease, and what you should do about it if you’re worried you’re showing symptoms.
Bleeding gums must never be ignored. We’ve all seen the scary Cordodyl mouthwash or toothpaste adverts that claim a small sign of blood when you’re brushing your teeth could be a sign of gum disease. Unfortunately, whilst those adverts do tend towards hyperbole, they aren’t all scaremongering. If you’re seeing blood when you brush your teeth, you should absolutely see your hygienist or periodontist. Treating gum disease early increases your chances of protecting your healthy and beautiful smile.
The shocking statistic I shared at the start of this blog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Gum disease is serious, but in my blog series I’m aiming to reassure patients and make them feel confident, not make them more scared of dental professionals!
A dental professional can help you to figure out whether you’re experiencing gingivitis or periodontitis, and get started on a treatment plan that will minimise the negative symptoms. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t ignore it if your eye was bleeding! You certainly shouldn’t be ignoring bleeding from your mouth, either – assuming you’re planning on keeping your teeth for the rest of your life, that is!
Statistics for the prevalence of periodontitis in adults vary from 19 per cent in adults over 30 to more than 70 per cent in adults over 65. Unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult to predict when periodontitis is going to occur. Periodontitis can only be diagnosed after destruction has occurred. This is why it’s so important to see an appropriately trained dental hygienist regularly, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease, so that treatment can begin before it gets worse.
Even though periodontitis is irreversible, it is extremely beneficial to identify the disease before it causes looseness or movement of the teeth. This happens because the gaps between the teeth and the gums get too big. These are called periodontal pockets, and ideally they should measure four millimetres or less so that the immune system isn’t triggered to cause destruction.
In basic terms, this happens because if the pocket measures five millimetres or above, the good bacteria found in these spaces changes into bad bacteria. But fear not! There are steps that can be taken to minimise the negative effects of these bad bacteria.
The first thing to do in this case is to clean the periodontal pocket. Our job as dental professionals is to keep underneath the gum clean, and your job as the patient is to keep above the gum clean so that nothing gets back in!
If cleaning the periodontal pockets isn’t enough to reverse the immune response, there are more advanced surgical gum treatments to regenerate the bone that has been lost and cut away excess soft tissue.
However, this does not mean periodontitis has been cured. It cannot be cured because a cure would involve the suppression of the immune system (which is akin to using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut). Periodontitis is a chronic condition and maintenance is still required, but it can be controlled with regular cleaning of the gum pockets and practising good oral hygiene.
Keeping the plan simple is always best namely:
Have a read of my previous blog where I explore in more detail how to maintain a good oral hygiene routine, and don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list so you can be notified every time a new informative blog post goes out. If you’re worried about early signs of gum disease or are just seeking some reassurance please complete the form below and we will contact you promptly.
A practice full of specialists is a one-stop shop for having a beautiful and healthy smile, where everything can be done under one roof. But not all dental practices are full of specialists.
Broadly speaking, there are three different types of dental practices. One type are general practices with practitioners that carry out general dentistry such as diagnosing and treating gum disease, offering treatments for missing teeth, and fitting dentures. The second are single specialty practices that focus on one niche, such as teeth straightening, and the third type, like London Dental Specialists, are multidisciplinary. Multidisciplinary dentists treat all sorts of patients with all sorts of problems, and they’re equipped to handle all of them.
The main reason it is so beneficial to go to a practice that has specialists from multiple disciplines is, quite simply, because of communication. Most patients, whether they’re undergoing a procedure as simple as a single implant or as complex as a reconstruction, require the input of at least two specialists from different areas. In these cases, how will you know that those two specialists are working together as efficiently as possible?
When you visit a practice that is focused on one speciality, they may have to consult other external professionals. When these specialists have not worked together before or are not part of the same team, there is greater risk of friction or miscommunication. There isn’t the interpersonal relationship which is so crucial for providing you with that healthy, beautiful smile.
For example, many hospital services are full of professionals who have specialised in different backgrounds. They’re designed around multidisciplinary teams. You know as well as I do that when those teams are not communicating with one another across different specialities, patients suffer. The same exists in dentistry.
Wouldn’t it be better to be in a practice where there are multiple inhouse specialists who can communicate with one another and enjoy each other’s company? The personal relationship between your service providers is what is going to create the most wonderful treatment plan to care for you.
There are many areas a dentist can specialise in, and none should be overlooked as being less important than the others. At London Dental Specialists, we are fortunate enough to be made up of professionals in many different areas of expertise.
Let’s break down what those roles are and how they contribute to patient outcomes:
A periodontist – like myself – creates the foundations of a healthy mouth, whether that be ensuring that the gums are correct or that we have decent dental implants. In Ancient Greek, “peri” means “around” and “odont” means tooth. Periodontists work outside the root of the tooth and supporting structures. Periodontists are crucial in treating periodontal disease (gum disease) and installing dental implants.
An endodontist works on the foundations alongside the periodontist, but more internally. Their job is to ensure that the internal aspects of the tooth, such as the nerve canal, are healthy. Toothache arises when the nerve canal gets infected, so the role of an endodontist is crucial in ensuring that internal aspects of the teeth don’t get infected, leading to issues down the road.
An orthodontist has a different role entirely. Their job is to move teeth from the wrong position to the right position. The movement of teeth into the right position is usually enough to create both a beautiful (because the teeth are in the right place) and healthy (because the bite is balanced) smile.
Orthodontists are also key in the fight against gum disease (stay tuned for future blog posts!) when it causes the teeth to move into a different position. The orthodontist can, where possible, move the teeth back to the correct position, which will remove or reduce the need for more potentially destructive dental implants.
Whilst not a specialist, a dental therapist, within the UK context, is a relatively new and exciting role. Many dental therapists began as hygienists, until it was realised that these roles could be expanded. It made sense for hygienists to take on more responsibilities in a practice, and ultimately to become what is now recognised as dental therapists.
Various training programmes now mean that dental therapists can, broadly speaking, carry out 60–70 per cent of the work a general dentist is trained to do. This means they can take care of dental check-ups and be a service provider for children’s teeth before they fall out.
This work covers a lot of what happens within general practices. In our specialist practice, a dental therapist is a vital role and crucial to the workings of the practice. One thing I’m particularly proud of at London Dental Specialists is that the clinical roles of all the dental professionals are clearly defined when it comes to the care of the patient. My team are experts in their niche and, importantly, are able to communicate efficiently across specialities.
The main reasons are:
Let’s imagine it this way: periodontists and endodontists work together to lay the building foundations and ensure that the blueprint for the smile is technically brilliant. Orthodontists are responsible for ensuring the building is structurally sound. Cosmetic dentistry is all about the painting and internal decorations. That painting and internal decoration to make the house look beautiful is going to be much easier and more lasting if the structure and groundwork has been done correctly.
When we’re talking about beautiful and healthy smiles, it’s vital that we start with the foundations. You could have a beautiful looking house, but if it hasn’t been built properly and with great care and expertise from the ground up, it might start falling apart once you’ve lived in it for a few years. When my team and I are prescribing treatment plans, it is really important to us that we have confidence our work is going to last ten plus years.
If you have any questions, please complete the form below and one of the team will contact you within 24 hours.
Contrary to popular belief, a great dentist isn’t just someone who can fix your teeth. A great dentist is someone who really cares about their patients.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing why it’s so important to have a dentist who cares not just about giving their patients a beautiful smile, but also a healthy one that will last.
The lists of specialist dentists are "designed to protect the public from unwarranted claims of specialist skills and experience". UK General Dental Council.
Therefore, patients are able to trust all the advice given because they have independent verification, from the General Dental Council, that the specialist dentist they are seeing is an expert in their field of study. Specialist dentists offer a very high standard of clinical dentistry and they are therefore not the cheapest option out there.
There absolutely is a difference in the qualifications a specialist provider holds versus a general practitioner. For example, periodontists like myself do an additional 3–6 years of postgraduate study after becoming qualified as a dentist. This means that we can give you the most in-depth, thorough, and expert care possible, and that we’re creating beautiful and healthy smiles.
However, this is not to say that all specialist dentists are good and all general dentists are bad – far from it! As you can imagine, there’s more than one way of achieving excellence. But before receiving treatment, you aren’t able to know who is truly excellent and who is not.
It’s no surprise that you want to make sure you are going to be treated by the very best person for the job. In the UK, the General Dental Council offers a list of specialists so that, by checking the provider against this list, you’re able to answer that most important question – does this provider have the clinical expertise to provide the service I want?
Being a technical expert at something does NOT automatically make someone a great dentist. A great dentist is a technical expert AND someone who also understands and cares about the lives of their patients and looks after them.
Technical skill is important, yes, but a great dentist is someone who understands that fantastic customer service both from the dentist and the support staff is equally important. Does your provider really look after you? Do they reassure your worries and concerns? Do you feel safe in their care and expertise? Is their customer service as good as their technical skill?
SmileDirectClub Aligners and teeth whitening services are the most common teledentistry offerings. Many people can be tempted into taking up their service because of their lower price point and promises of convenience. However, they might regret this later.
We spend a lot of time examining our patients – both their oral health and their lifestyle – to ensure that whatever treatment we recommend actually suits them. With direct-to-consumer aligners there is very little in the way of clinical examination and understanding of the patient before the treatment starts.
Let me put it this way: you wouldn’t decide to build a house on a patch of land without having surveys carried out and architectural designs drawn up. I’m sure nobody would dream of doing that! For exactly the same reason, you need a clinical assessment and full survey of the mouth alongside the design of a product or service before you go any further. This just doesn’t happen with direct-to-consumer clinical aligner systems.
If you do start to treat an issue using direct-to-consumer products without doing the groundwork, you will be risking the health of your mouth. To highlight the mission of our practice, which can be seen in each and every one of our patients, we create beautiful and healthy smiles.
It’s very easy to make a smile beautiful. What is difficult for patients – and even some dentists – to identify is whether or not that beautiful smile is actually healthy. The only way to know this is to be extremely observant of any tell-tale signs that might point to disease as a result of treatment. That’s what we mean when we say beautiful and healthy smiles: we’re working from the root up and missing nothing along the way.
When you carry out examinations beforehand, you can identify these potential threats. If you skip this crucial step – as with direct-to-consumer aligners, for instance – you could find yourself spending a lot of money to build a house on quicksand. This puts you at risk for:
These are the main issues we have noticed with patients who haven’t received the right treatment plans prior to coming to us. Our mission to create beautiful and healthy smiles extends to patients who may have gone down the direct-to-consumer route before and who need some help in correcting issues as a result.
Through our upcoming blog series, I aim to give you a better understanding of what a beautiful and healthy smile really is, and why it is of crucial importance to have both. I want patients, both current and future, to have a better understanding of the intricacies and complexities that both myself and my team bring to bear in the care of each and every one of our patients.
At London Dental Specialists, we have one overarching goal in mind: to make sure our patients are well cared for. Our practice is a safe and reassuring space where patients know that we are here to help, irrespective of any past treatments they’ve had or what they’re genetically predisposed to.
The way we achieve that feeling in our practice is through our core values, which are fundamental in everything we do:
These things are important because they come up time and time again in our patient feedback. Our patients regularly comment on our excellence and professionalism. They know we will put our blood, sweat, and tears into ensuring they get the very best possible care – and that’s what a specialist dentist does.
If you’d like to keep up to date with new blog posts, sign up to our mailing list by completing the form below! If you’ve got a dental problem that’s affecting your life, we’d love to show you how we can help. Please also complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch by the next working day. We look forward to hearing from you!
Teeth whitening is far from a new concept, but these days it seems to have become a behemoth of its own, turning into a status symbol of sorts.
It seems we can track this new craze to a common culprit: the media. The rise of pearly white smiles online and in adverts has made people feel obliged to seek whiter and whiter teeth no matter the cost.
There is an overwhelming number of options for teeth whitening kits and services online. Usually, the marketing for these products seems pretty great, with them all claiming to be the UK’s #1 kit, offering all sorts of benefits with none of the risks.
But heed this warning: whitening products can be extremely harmful and cause lasting damage to your teeth. It’s really important you choose the right provider – but how? The answer lies in understanding what teeth whitening actually involves.
Hydrogen Peroxide (or Carbamide Peroxide) is a natural bleaching agent that works by breaking down the molecules in your teeth that cause staining. Used safely (by which I mean prescribed by a dentist), it can be a great way of achieving that pearly white smile.
Broadly speaking there are two types of teeth whitening kits: those prescribed by dentists, and those available online or in the supermarket.
With the latter two I suggest you exercise extreme caution. The EU passed new legislation in 2007 concluding that a limit of 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide is safe for products sold directly to consumers. Products containing more than this (up to 6 per cent) should be administered by dentists only.
Research suggests that the level required for effective whitening is higher than 0.1 per cent, meaning it can only be prescribed by dentists. I use prescribed teeth whitening kits myself and the results are fantastic, safe, and lasting. It doesn’t take long to read the ingredients list, but it could take a long time to fix damage caused by using products that are too strong for your teeth.
If you were to use a kit that wasn’t prescribed by a dentist but had a peroxide concentration higher than 0.1 per cent, you could risk burning your gums. Whilst this is something specialist dentists like myself can fix, prevention is always better than cure.
You might think such kits are easy to avoid, but the news is full of horror stories. In fact, Which? tested 36 teeth whitening kits and found that 21 of them contained levels of hydrogen peroxide that exceeded the legal limit.
The vast majority of whitening toothpastes are completely useless – not to mention ridiculously expensive.
Some whitening toothpastes can only be prescribed by dentists, and it is these that are the exception to the rule. Most people, however, don’t need to worry about this. As long as toothpaste has enough fluoride in it (1,400 parts per million fluoride), the brand and the price tag are irrelevant. It’s yet another marketing tactic to encourage people to think they need to spend ridiculous amounts of money to achieve white teeth. You don’t!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: simple is best. If you’re keeping your mouth healthy and as bacteria-free as possible, you really don’t need to concern yourself – or your wallet – with fads and scams.
If you do have any concerns about your oral health, please complete the form below and one of the team will contact you by the next working day. We’re able to offer you reassurance and advice for all your dental worries and we’d be happy to hear from you.
There are billions of bacteria in your mouth, with some estimates even putting that number at 20 billion on average! As a dentist, I’m always stressing the importance of brushing your teeth to my patients, but it’s safe to say that this figure speaks for itself.
One of the latest crazes in oral hygiene is the water flosser. Water flossers have been around for a long time – in fact, the first “oral irrigator” was invented in 1962! Since then, we’ve seen them look increasingly more impressive as technology advances. But are they really all that great?
The short answer is no. Water flossers are essentially just devices that shoot jets of water. They’re marketed as an alternative to interdental cleaning, but the problem with this is that they’re pretty useless when it comes to interdental cleaning of any kind!
In 2010 the University of Michigan conducted a study where they grew some bacterial biofilm in lab conditions; a biofilm is a layer of bacteria that accumulates inside or on your body. An example of dental biofilm is plaque.
The researchers wanted to see what happened to the biofilm when subjecting it to the jet from a water flosser. Under control conditions, they measured the amount of force – or water pressure – that was required from a water flosser to disrupt, disorganise, or remove entirely the community of bacteria (the biofilm) in the sample.
As a periodontist, part of my job is disrupting this bacterial biofilm around the teeth. It’s not necessary to remove it completely – effective disruption is enough to keep your mouth healthy and free from plaque.
However, the study showed that the water pressure from the water flosser required to effectively disrupt the biofilm would cause extreme, intolerable pain, which tells us that the pressure within water flossers is not high enough to effectively disorganise the biofilm for any kind of long-term and lasting positive effects.
The best way to prevent gum disease around dental implants or teeth is with the humble toothbrush! It may surprise you to learn that most people – myself included before I began my career path – don’t know how to use a toothbrush properly. It’s easy enough: hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line and brush in small circular motions.
If you consistently use them correctly and don’t cause any damage to the gums or enamel, toothbrushes work really well! It’s also important that we brush for the recommended amount of time – there is mountains of evidence that proves brushing your teeth for less than two minutes a day can have negative consequences. I spend a lot of time thinking about teeth, and I am the first to admit I still struggle with this sometimes!
Electric toothbrushes with a timer, such as those made by Oral B, are great for holding yourself accountable and making sure you’re hitting that two minute mark.
To boost your oral hygiene even further, I recommend using cylindrical TePe brushes. These are great as opposed to the ones with tapered shapes because they clean your teeth properly on both sides. When it comes to interdental brushes, you might be one of many people who think your teeth aren’t wide enough to accept the brush.
In fact, there are many different sizes of interdental brushes, and it’s really important that you use them correctly. In almost all cases I find that with a bit of education, people are able to clean their teeth well. At London Dental Specialists, we instruct our patients to insert the brush ensuring that there is a snug fit. There should be some resistance when you insert each brush and gently between the teeth (if you find you’re having to force it, choose a smaller size) and move the full length of the brush back and forth once a few times. Adding this to your routine is going to help prevent plaque build up and remove bits of food from between the teeth.
The analogy I use when I speak with my patients compares your teeth to the tiles in your bathroom. Allow me to explain: when you have finished cleaning your bathroom tiles, one way to check that they’re properly clean is to do the “squeak test”. If you run your finger along the tile and it squeaks, you can rest assured that you’ve done your job well – that the bathroom is squeaky-clean! This is because you have successfully disrupted the bacterial community on the tile.
Now, it’s pretty obvious that this result would not be achievable if you were to simply spray the tile with cleaner. You have to give the tile a really good scrub with a sponge – it requires a degree of elbow grease. The same thing is true of your teeth when it comes to brushing. This is also a great example of why water flossers don’t work. They are the equivalent of just spraying your cleaner onto the tiles and hoping for the best.
After 18 years in the dental industry, my motto is always the same: simple is best.
To all my patients I only recommend what I use personally. I believe really passionately in keeping things simple, especially when it comes to the health of your mouth. There is a huge amount of fear-marketing out there with dental hygiene tools, and it can be really scary to think that you’re not doing enough to ward off gum disease or bad breath.
In reality, however, your mouth is designed to keep itself clean. And as long as you’re brushing properly for at least two minutes a day and using simple techniques like interdental brushing, your smile will be beautiful and healthy.
If you’d like to talk more about creating or maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile please complete the form below. We’re a multidisciplinary practice equipped to treat any concerns you might have with technical expertise and, most importantly, a smile. It couldn’t be easier to book a free virtual consultation on our website!
Dentophobia, or odontophobia, is a fear of the dentist; and it affects a whopping 53 per cent of the UK public! It really is no surprise when we consider the media’s portrayal of dentists: needle-wielding psychopaths with murderous intent!
Dentistry in the 50s was all about extracting teeth. Dentistry in the 60s was still very treatment based, without much thought for preventative measures. It was in the 70s that we started to see more revolutionary methods and technological advancements, but even then dentistry was rarely a painless experience. This could be why fear-based conversations around dentistry have continued, with parents telling their children all sorts of horror stories about their own dental nightmares.
We all know that dentistry has progressed and that life isn’t like the movies, but it’s undeniable that we’re taught from a very young age to fear the dentist, when that needn’t be the case at all! A truly great dentist knows that a vital part of any procedure is the care, attention, and reassurance they give to their patients.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could visit a dentist with no gnawing anxiety in your stomach? If you truly cannot overcome your fear of the dentist, anaesthetic is a fantastic – and safe – option to calm your nerves and enable your provider to do what they do best: look after you.
For some patients, their anxiety around going to the dentist might be so extreme that conscious sedation is a really necessary for the required work to be carried out.
For patients who are scared of the pain associated with procedures, local anaesthetic in the mouth works fantastically. Intravenous sedation is when a strong Valium-type drug is injected via the veins. It has the benefits of the patient being put to sleep completely but does not pose the same risks as general anaesthetic. When we’re talking about the “risks” of general anaesthetic, though, it’s important to bear in mind that there is a one in 350,000 chance that a patient won’t wake up. It is extremely rare – so rare, in fact, that I myself would confidently undergo general anaesthetic in a heartbeat should I need to.
When patients are put to sleep via intravenous sedation, it is absolutely crucial that the healthcare provider treat those patients with the same respect they would want their family members to be treated with. That’s our philosophy here at London Dental Specialists, and my team and I take the trust and responsibility that patients place in our hands extremely seriously.
Many patients are not only fearful of the procedure itself, but of their recovery post-surgery. For my team and I, one of the crucial things we’re thinking about throughout a patient’s care is not just pain management during a procedure, but also afterwards when the anaesthetic wears off. Over the years, we’ve developed a pain-killing regime post-surgery that really works.
Some further things you can do post-surgery to alleviate pain and anxiety are:
Our upcoming blog posts are going to be full of tips and tricks to help you maintain the health of your mouth, so whether you have a fear of the dentist or not, you can focus on prevention over treatment. It’s still important to visit your dentist regularly, though, and if your provider is unable to reassure your worries and calm your anxiety, you’re likely visiting the wrong practice.
At London Dental Specialists, we exercise diligence in everything we do and treat all our patients with empathy, understanding, and respect, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. Please complete the form below and one of the team will contact you by the next working day. If you’d like to get in touch, please complete the form below and the team will contact you within 24 hours.
Cosmetic dentistry is highly sought after in London. But with a myriad of options at your disposal, how can you determine which procedure will deliver the results you crave? Worry not, esteemed reader! Your pursuit of the perfect smile concludes here, as I reveal the top cosmetic dentistry treatments in London and their awe-inspiring outcomes.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are offered by London's top clinics, to eradicate stubborn stains and dramatically brighten your smile. And the best part? You'll witness results in as little as 2 weeks! Now that's something worth smiling about.
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells over the front surface of your teeth to create a flawless and uniform appearance. Porcelain veneers can address various dental imperfections, such as chipped, misshapen, or discoloured teeth, and can even close minor gaps. So, if you've been yearning for a dazzling Hollywood smile, veneers might just be your ticket to red carpet glory (click here to learn more).
Cosmetic bonding, also known as dental bonding is a versatile and cost-effective cosmetic dentistry procedure that can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. This treatment involves the application of a tooth-coloured resin material to the surface of the tooth, which is then sculpted, hardened, and polished to create a seamless, natural-looking finish.
Cosmetic bonding can be used to correct a variety of dental imperfections, such as chipped or cracked teeth, discolouration, gaps, and even misshapen teeth. One of the significant advantages of cosmetic bonding is that it can be completed in a single visit, making it a popular choice for those seeking a quick and affordable smile makeover (click here to learn more).
Invisible orthodontics is the ideal option for treating crooked or misaligned teeth. From nearly imperceptible clear aligners like Invisalign and Spark to discreet lingual braces (like Incognito), London offers an abundance of orthodontic solutions tailored to each individual's needs and preferences. Bid farewell to clunky, unsightly braces; today's orthodontic options are sleek, inconspicuous, and highly efficient in straightening your teeth to perfection. With a little patience and dedication, you'll soon be beaming with pride and flaunting your beautifully aligned smile (click here to learn more).
Dental implants provide a permanent and natural-looking replacement for your missing teeth. These titanium posts are implanted into the jawbone, and once healed, a custom-made crown is attached to replace the missing tooth. Not only do dental implants restore your smile, but they also preserve your facial structure and prevent bone loss. If you're seeking a long-lasting solution to fill those gaps, look no further than dental implants (click here to learn more).
Gum recession surgery, also known as gingival grafting, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can effectively treat gum recession and enhance the aesthetics of your smile (click here to learn more).
During gum recession surgery, a periodontist will graft healthy gum tissue from another part of your mouth or use a tissue bank to cover the exposed tooth root. This procedure not only improves the appearance of your smile but also protects your teeth from sensitivity, decay, and further gum recession.
Last but certainly not least, gum contouring can work wonders for those who feel self-conscious about their "gummy" smile. This procedure involves reshaping and sculpting the gum line to reveal more of the tooth's surface, creating a balanced and visually appealing smile. Gum contouring can produce truly remarkable results in the hands of a skilled specialist and will ensure you are never afraid to smile again.
And there you have it! The top cosmetic dentistry treatments in London and the jaw-dropping results they can achieve. Now that you're well-informed, why not take the first step towards the smile of your dreams? Go on, fill out the form below and unlock the true power of your beautiful and healthy smile!
Dental implants are like a modern-day magic trick. Simply put, they're artificial tooth roots that serve as a foundation for replacement teeth. Losing a tooth can be a real bummer, but dental implants offer a stable, long-lasting solution that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.
There are 6 main types of dental implants, each with its own unique set of features and benefits.
Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant, and for good reason. These implants are typically made of titanium, shaped like tiny screws, and inserted directly into the jawbone. They're a favourite among dentists and patients alike, thanks to their high success rate and compatibility with various jaw structures. If you have a healthy jawbone and are looking for a reliable, tried-and-tested implant, endosteal implants might just be your new best friend.
Subperiosteal implants come to the rescue when your jawbone is too shallow for endosteal implants. These implants consist of a metal framework that sits on top of the jawbone, beneath the gum tissue. While not as common as endosteal implants, they're a fantastic option for those who may not be suitable candidates for traditional dental implant procedures (read more here).
Zygomatic implants are anchored in the zygomatic bone rather than the maxilla in patients who have insufficient maxillary bone volume. While the procedure is more complex, it could be your saving grace if other options are off the table. They are also sometimes the only option for patients with certain types of cancer and after road traffic accidents.
Pterygoid implants are used in conjunction with zygomatic implants in patients that have no bone left. These implants are anchored in the medial pterygoid plate. They are typically required when we aim to provide a full set (14) of upper teeth.
Zirconia (white in colour) implants are the newbies in the dental world, but they've been making quite a splash. They, too, are biocompatible, and their white colouration makes them less conspicuous than their titanium counterparts. Perfect for those who prefer to avoid the use of metal in their mouth. They are not as tried and tested as the endosteal dental implants.
Same-day dental implants live up to their name and provide implants and teeth in a single day!! They therefore provide the ultimate convenience for individuals who desire a new smile tout de suite.
This decision ultimately depends on your individual oral health, bone structure, and personal preferences. A comprehensive examination by a specialist dentist is crucial for determining which type of implant suits you best. They'll assess your jawbone's quality and density, as well as any potential risk factors, before presenting you with the most suitable options.
So, what are you waiting for? If you're ready to take the plunge and invest in a stunning, implant-supported smile, don't hesitate! Fill out the form below, and one of our dental implant experts will be in touch faster than you can say, "Abraca-dental-implant!"
Finding the perfect dental implant clinic in London can be really daunting. This guide will arm you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Convenience is key, but a central location may also denote a clinic's prestige and reputation.
The only way you can be sure that the person treating you has the required expertise is to make sure that they are on the General Dental Council register of specialists in periodontics, prosthodontics or oral surgery.
A clinic with the latest dental implant technology can offer you a smoother, more efficient treatment experience. After all, you wouldn't want to navigate London in a horse-drawn carriage, would you?
Genuine reviews from satisfied patients can provide invaluable insights into a clinic's quality of care, service, and results. Google reviews are the most unadulterated in my opinion.
It is essential to find a clinic that offers reasonable pricing without any hidden costs whilst ensuring you do not compromise on quality. Also look for warranties on treatment.
Finding the ideal dental implant clinic in London doesn't have to be as nerve-wracking as a cricket match between England and Australia. Simply fill out the form below, and we'll send you a personalised list of top dental implant clinics in London to get you one step closer to that winning smile!
Congratulations on completing your cosmetic dentistry treatment in London. Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep your teeth looking great for years to come (read more).
Good oral hygiene is the foundation of a healthy mouth, and it's especially important after cosmetic dentistry treatment. Your teeth may be more vulnerable to decay and damage, so it's essential to maintain a regular brushing and flossing routine.
It's recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, using a fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces. Don't forget to brush your tongue, too - it can harbour bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and gums. Floss at least once a day, taking care to reach all the way to the gum line.
Certain foods and drinks can stain or damage your teeth, so it's best to avoid or limit them (read more). These include:
If you do consume these items, rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help minimize staining. You may also want to consider using a straw when drinking acidic beverages, as this can help reduce their contact with your teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments can make your teeth more susceptible to damage, so it's important to take steps to protect them. Here are some tips:
Regular check-ups with your dentist are crucial to maintaining your oral health and your new smile. During these appointments, your dentist can check for any signs of decay or damage and provide treatment as needed. They can also give you advice on how to maintain your oral hygiene and protect your teeth from damage (read more).
Don't wait until it's too late to take care of your teeth! Fill out the form below to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic hygienists. We'll help you achieve the smile of your dreams and keep it looking great for years to come.
