Archive for December, 2009

Well fitting dentures from Everton dentist replace teeth

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Loosing some or all of your teeth can be a very traumatic experience. Whether it happens due to tooth decay, gum disease or even some kind of head trauma it can be painful and very embarrassing. Missing teeth can also have further consequences for your health. Some missing teeth can cause remaining teeth to lean, altering the bite of the patient. This can cause complications with the jaw joint and lead to a painful condition called TMJ. Gaps left by missing teeth are also breeding grounds for bacteria and infection leading to further dental problems. Teeth act as rigid supports for facial muscles, which will be inclined to sag and hollow if they are missing. This can cause patients to appear older and unwell and can be irreversible if not corrected in time.

If several or all the teeth are missing, the best option is to have a denture fitted. Dentures, or partial dentures, act as a genuine alternative for real teeth. They are specially designed to fit your mouth and appear like your teeth. The days of ill-fitting and unrealistic dentures are in the past and with recent advancement in dentistry no one need ever know that they are not your real teeth.

Most modern dentures are made form acrylic resins and can be constructed to a stunning degree of accuracy. A well fitting set of dentures should require no further support than suction alone but many patients opt to use denture adhesive or strips for extra security. A loose denture can be a cause of great anxiety for patients who are worried they might become dislodged, but there is no reason this should be the case. Dentures that are prone to falling out are dentures that do not fit properly and need to be refitted. Many patients recently have opted to have mini-implants attached to their jaw to which they can solidly fix their dentures. This provides an extra degree of security and can put their mind at ease. It also means that some foods which are a problem for normal dentures, can be eaten without anxiety or mess.

Patients who wear dentures should make regular visits to their dentist as they can suffer from gum erosion. After years of denture wearing the gums tend to disappear, which can often be the cause of a loose denture and gum irritation.

Dentures can last a long time if properly maintained and kept clean. They should be removed at night and cleaned twice a day with a regular toothbrush. Visit an Everton dentist if you have any questions about having dentures fitted or if you think you might need your existing set adjusted.

Dental implant from Merseyside dentist restores perfect smile

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

One of the most realistic replacements for a missing tooth is a dental implant. Because it is anchored into the jawbone itself, it provides a degree of stability that can be lacking in other artificial dental substitutes.

Missing teeth, caused by head trauma or dental decay, can not only be embarrassing but can also be the cause of further dental and general health complications. Missing teeth can allow space for bacteria to build up in places difficult to clean with regular brushes. The bacteria turns into plaque which causes tooth decay and gum disease which leads to further tooth loss.

Teeth also act as rigid supports for facial tissue so if a tooth or teeth are missing the facial muscles can begin to sag leaving a sunken expression on the patient’s face. Unless corrected this can permanently alter the appearance and profile of the patient. Missing teeth can also cause existing teeth to shift leading to further complications with bite and jaw alignment.

There are several options to replace missing teeth, including partial dentures and dental bridges, but the most popular and most secure is a dental implant. These take the form of cylindrical screws that are anchored directly in the jawbone. Crowns can then be attached to the screws to offer a sturdy and realistic alternative to a real tooth.

A dental implant will usually take several visits to the dentist to install. When the screw is initially implanted, it will need several weeks to fuse with the bone and the gums in a process called osseointergration. When secure, a post will be attached to the screw which will then be the base for a realistic ceramic crown.

Small dental implants can also be used to attach dentures. In this process, half a dozen small implants will be secured to which dentures can snap on and off. This allows denture wearers the comfort of knowing their false teeth are secure and unlikely to fall out.

Dental implants can provide a genuine long-term replacement for a missing tooth and if cared for properly can last up to fifteen years. If you are suffering from a missing tooth and desire a rigid substitute, ask a Merseyside dentist about dental implants.

Dental crown from Bootle dentist saves tooth

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Dental injuries like chipped, cracked or broken teeth can be very painful. They can also be very troublesome to repair. The dentist will first try to fix the damage using composite dental bonding, which is usually made form tooth-coloured resin. However, if the damage is too severe, dental bonding may not be enough to preserve the functionality of the tooth. To prevent further damage and even loss of the tooth the dentist may have to secure it using a dental crown.

Dental crowns can also be used when the integrity of a tooth has been undermined by tooth decay. If a significant proportion of the tooth has been destroyed by decay, the tooth may be so weak it can be at risk of cracking or breaking off all together. To sure up the tooth and prevent further damage, a crown will be place over the tooth and cemented in place. A similar process is needed when a patient has undergone a root canal procedure. Not only will the crown protect the tooth, but it can also preserve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth as a whole.

As dental technology has progressed over the last twenty years, dental crowns have become stronger and more realistic. The crowns of the past were often poorly made and unrealistic in appearance. With modern methods, crowns can be designed and manufactured with help of 3D imaging, digital x-rays and computer aided manufacture to look completely lifelike and fit incredibly well.

Crowns are slightly thicker than veneers and so require a portion of the existing tooth to be ground away so that they can be fitted. This will take place under anaesthetic to minimise the discomfort experienced by the patient. The crown will then be cemented into place on top of the existing tooth.

If properly cared for and maintained with good oral hygiene a well fitted crown should last between ten and fifteen years. A dental crown can cost anything between £250 and £2,000 depending on which tooth it is and the extent of treatment necessary. If you think you may require a dental crown, consult your Bootle dentist at your next dental check up. They will be able to offer advice on the best course of action.

Remove wrinkles with Botox from Aintree dentist

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

More and more people these days are using Botox injections to retain a youthful appearance. Once the preserve of the rich and famous, Botox is now more widely available and an accepted treatment on a par with going for a hair cut. But what exactly is Botox? It is a safe to use bacterial toxin which relaxes the facial muscles lessening the appearance of wrinkles when injected. The injections are very simple and fast and only need topping up once every few months, when the Botox is broken down by the body.

When injected into the muscles in minute quantities, Botox blocks signals between nerve endings and the muscles into which it is injected. This temporarily reduces the activities of these muscles which usually cause impression lines to form. The procedure is relatively painless and patients should start to see results after three or four days. Results continue to improve for up to a month after the initial injection and can last for up to four months. 90 per cent of men and women who took part in clinical trials rated the improvement in appearance as moderate to better after only one Botox treatment.

Botox was approved for use in the U.S by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 and is now one of the most commonly used forms of cosmetic treatment. Facial rejuvenation from Botox offers a non-surgical alternative to a face-lift and is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Because of its associated benefits for smiling and cosmetic oral appearance i.e plump and wrinkle free lips, it is now being offered by cosmetic dentists as part of a general smile makeover process. Ask an Aintree dentist about the benefits and costing of Botox and you could experience a safe, surgery and pain-free way to get rid of your facial wrinkles.

Full beam confidence with smile makeover from Aintree dentist

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Smiling is crucial to how people perceive you. It is one of the most important methods of human communication and is fundamental to forming relationships, making people feel comfortable and welcome and succeeding at work. It reveals more about you than any other physical and even verbal form of expression.

A beautiful smile tells people that you are happy and confident with yourself and in your surroundings. A smile makeover can enhance the quality of your smile by utilizing various cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, whitening and composite bonding. A combination of these procedures will make a radical difference to the appearance of your smile and one that everyone will be sure to notice.

Your existing individual features will be taken into account when undergoing a smile makeover. For example, the dentist will factor in the shape and size of your facial features, lips, gums and teeth. Your skin tone and hair colour will also be assessed before work begins so that your new smile will look as natural as possible. If necessary, existing teeth can be altered in size, colour and positioning to fit with the smile blueprint you and your dentist have agreed upon. Positive improvements in profile are also possible by making small adjustments to the structure of the teeth which leads to fuller cheeks and lips.

Teeth that have become discoloured over the years because of staining from food, drink and smoking can be bleached white and any cracks or cavities will be bonded or filled, all as part of the wider smile makeover process. An Aintree dentist will also be able to use the very latest CAD/CAM technology to project a 3D image of how the resulting smile will look. It is also possible to use the 3D imaging apparatus to analyse bite and profile projections. Finally, gum contouring can be used to finish off the procedure by making teeth look even sized and shaped. A smile makeover really does include a full survey and repair of the mouth and teeth.

Smile makeovers can be expensive depending on the level of treatment needed but the results can be simply stunning. Even small procedures can make a big difference to your smile and a makeover can be an ongoing process. Ask your Aintree dentist how you could makeover your smile and give yourself the full beam confidence you’ve always wanted.