Author: James

It might be a little intimidating to arrange an appointment with a new dentist in Southgate. It may have been several years since a patient’s last consultation with a dentist and they have finally taken the plunge to face the music and get things sorted.

They may have had a bad experience with a dentist or a procedure and are seeking an environment that is more understanding, welcoming and accepting. There are numerous reasons why people are afraid of the dentist and they need to seek support to help them overcome these concerns. They even may have simply moved town and are looking for their new regular check-up team.

Whatever the reason, dentists see new patients all the time. The right dental practice is non-judgmental and understanding of all kinds of fears, concerns and queries. Their aim is to assist their patients in achieving the smile of their dreams. By providing them with informative preventive care, supportive restorative care and innovative cosmetic care, patients are made to feel more welcome, relaxed and comfortable with their dental professional.

Modern dental practices are adopting a new mentality that observes the holistic relationship that exists throughout the body. By acknowledging that the mouth is not a separate entity from the rest of the body, dentists are able to provide care to the entire well-being of the patient. This approach can recognise and understand the symptoms and causes of concerns that may otherwise be overlooked.

When patients themselves take control of their body and understand this holistic connection, their health and well-being can be better monitored and understood by the people who dedicate themselves to caring for their community,

What happens when a new patient visits a dentist?

A 30-minute appointment with one of the dental team gives patients an opportunity to meet with their new dentist and to get to know them. The dentist will want to listen to their patient’s medical and dental history, as well as have the chance to understand current concerns and desires for their oral health.

An intraoral and extraoral examination of the mouth will take place where an oral cancer screening can educate people on the early signs and ways to reduce the risk of oral cancer. Examination of the teeth and gums will also take place including placement of the teeth and the jaw, health of the teeth and gums and providing information on how to prevent further wear and tear.

A bespoke treatment plan can be arranged during this time as well, where dentists can recommend some treatment options that are suitable for their patient. When applicable, they will provide several options and explain the advantages and potential risks that are associated with each procedure so as to give their patient the opportunity to make an informed decision about which choice would be best for them.

Should a patient be hesitant or anxious about a procedure, they can rest assured knowing that their dentist is well experienced in helping their patients cope with dental fear. There are a range of options available that allow a patient to get through their procedure calmly and peacefully.

Having a healthy smile is more than just making sure teeth are brushed daily and checked over every so often by a dentist. When a person has crooked or cramped teeth, there are a whole range of negative complications that can arise because of them.

Due to patients not being able to access every part of each tooth as some are overlapping or crossing, food can get trapped in these places and cause bad breath, plaque build-up and decay. This can lead to a host of other complications if not professionally dealt with on a regular basis.

Should the concern be serious enough, patients may present with a misaligned bite, which needs to be dealt with so that the patient is able to speak, eat and chew correctly. They can experience severe pain in their jaw, wear down their teeth and have trouble eating if their bite is not aligned correctly.

By taking a look at the options of invisible braces in Clapham, patients can see what different treatments are available to them in order to allow them to have a healthier mouth. There are many different devices available and their dentist will provide them with the advantages and disadvantages of each option so that they can make the best decision for themselves.

Innovative technology has allowed for dentists to be able to provide their patients with a range of discreet and comfortable devices that they can use to quickly and effectively straighten their teeth and perfect their smile.

What are some of these devices available?

It all really depends on the condition of a person’s mouth as to what options will be available to them. A vast array of different designs has been created to specifically target common issues that people are presented with.

Traditional methods are still used frequently for people who have complex issues as dentists are given the control by manipulating teeth with the use of wires and brackets. Newer methods for discreet considerations have been put in place that allow for tooth coloured brackets and wires or the placement of them to be behind teeth so that they are not seen when a patient smiles.

Other kinds of devices that are frequently used are removable. These are limited to the kinds of conditions that they can treat but are perfect for minor misalignments in both teenagers and adults.

These removable and clear aligners need to be worn for more than 20 hours a day to be effective but can be taken out for eating which means that patients do not have to alter their lifestyle habits in order to receive the treatment. They simply need to brush their teeth before replacing the aligners in their mouth so that food does not get stuck on their teeth causing decay issues or bad breath. Food is usually washed away when drinking but cannot be when a person has trapped the food under the aligner.

Whatever option a patient chooses, the discreet options that are available appeal to both teenagers and adults alike. Now they can comfortably straighten their teeth without having to let everyone else know they are doing it as well.

If you are the kind of person who constantly worries about how your smile will look in photographs due to gaps, you may have thought about getting cosmetic work to improve your smile and confidence.

Oral implants are not a new concept, but due to increase in demand, they are becoming less expensive, with many dental surgeries now offering them to their patients.

As well as improving cosmetic appearance, implants can also help you correct other issues in your mouth which you may have due to loss of teeth.

Hundreds of patients are opting for implants each month across the UK, but the benefits are far more than aesthetic appearance.

Improved bite

One of the key issues with tooth loss is issues related to bite.

If you are missing teeth at the front of your mouth, you will be unable to grip food correctly. While this may not be an issue for softer foods, it prevents you from eating things like apples.

Also, if you are missing a few teeth at the front of your mouth, you may find that food frequently becomes stuck between teeth because of the gap- this can lead to a build-up of bacteria occurring which in turn, can cause issues like gum disease and gingivitis.

As dental implants are fitted to your jaw line with screws, they are completely secure, allowing you to eat all the foods you want without worrying about movement occurring.

Prevents bone loss

When your mouth is full of teeth, all your jawline is being used to help your teeth stay in place and remain healthy.

But when you lose a tooth or multiple teeth, that portion of your jawline is no longer being used and can shrink down, which causes bone loss in that area; when we don’t use a muscle, it wears away and the same is true for bones.

When implants are fitted, they promote the jawbone to regrow if it has shrunken away. This improves the appearance of your face as well, as you will no longer have a ‘shrunken’ look under your cheekbones.

Permanent

As obvious as it sounds, most people have had to go to their dentist because a filling has fallen out and needs to be replaced.

With oral implants, once they are fitted, they will never require replacing and will act just as well as your natural teeth, if not better.

Customised

Everyone in Hollywood has a similar smile; talk about boring. When oral implants are fitted, your mouth is measured and if you have any remaining teeth, the implants are matched perfectly to shape, size and colour, allowing them to fit in with your other teeth perfectly.

Choosing to undergo implants is a big step for most people. When searching for a dentist to perform the procedure, make sure they have experience and are happy to answer any questions you have.

After all it is your smile- you want it to gleam!

Firmly rooted in the city

For over two hundred years, Harley Street in the centre of London has been synonymous with the highest standards of excellence in the fields of cosmetic dentistry and medicine. Initially emerging in 1816 as the place to be in the city for dental and medical work, the large scale Victorian townhouses of the district appealed to early practitioners, as they afforded them the space to house both their practices and lodgings within the same building. One of the most notable early residents who operated out of Harley Street in the early days was Florence Nightingale, who had a practice within the area around 1854. Through the ages, this area has catered to the needs of royals, celebrities, public figures and everyday people alike – and has earned its reputation tenfold as the place to go for a top-quality cosmetic dentistry in Harley Street.

Treatment through the ages

Some of the earliest examples of cosmetic dentistry date as far back as 700 BC, when the Etruscans made rudimentary dentures or replica teeth from ivory or bone. Other materials such as human or animal teeth were also used as early dental implants. Ancient Egyptians hammered sea shells into gaps in patients’ mouths to bridge gaps in their teeth, as well as using a primitive method of toothpaste consisting of ground pumice stone and vinegar to remove stains or discolouration from teeth. Throughout history the importance of having white teeth can be clearly seen through the efforts which were expended to achieve a whiter smile – which has always typically been an indication of good health, wealth and prosperity.

Afraid to smile?

Patients who suffer from superficial damage to their teeth, such as discolourations, stains or chips, can often find their self-esteem suffers as a result. A patient’s teeth form the bedrock of the structure of their face, and healthy teeth are essential to all aspects of healthy living. Teeth which are damaged or unsightly can result in a domino effect and patients can find all aspects of their work and social lives being negatively affected as a result. Nobody wants to have discoloured or damaged teeth, and those who do suffer from cosmetic dental issues can find their self-confidence knocked, and their willingness to smile affected. It is possible that this may have a damaging knock-on effect on their overall mental well-being. It is for this reason that there are a wide array of treatments available today to target superficial damage to teeth and provide patients with a healthier, whiter smile.

An array of treatments

Some of the cosmetic treatments offered which are available today to provide patients with a healthier smile include teeth whitening or bleaching, white fillings, porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns and bridges, smile makeovers, gum lifts, cosmetic dentures and full-mouth rehabilitations. Treatments of this nature are all different in their methods, however they are all ways of achieving a more cohesive and healthier smile and target superficial damage, discolouration or signs of neglect to teeth. Treatment of this nature can be massively beneficial in helping patients smile fully, healthily and without fear of embarrassment by exposing discoloured, damaged or unsightly teeth.

Known as the birthplace of the Rubik’s cube, ballpoint pen and matches, Hungary is quickly becoming the world’s number one hotspot for dental implants abroad. Each year thousands make the journey to Budapest to soak up the sunshine, colourful culture and their steadily growing number of high-quality dental clinics.

So, if you’re looking to get some work done to make your smile look its absolute best, then here’s a few reasons as to why you should book a flight to Hungary instead of using your local practice.

Why Hungary?

One of the main reasons this lovely part of Eastern Europe has gained such a booming dental trade is that it’s located in the perfect place. It’s landlocked and surrounded by seven different nations with transport links directly to Budapest, so it’s relatively easy and quick to get there.

The other reason is that Hungary has the highest VAT in Europe, which causes Hungarian dental practices to offer significantly lower prices than anywhere else, which brings people in droves.

Benefits of dental implants abroad

As mentioned above, the price is one of the more unique selling points of having dentistry done in Eastern Europe, the other is the quality of the work. Most universities in Hungary provide dental training in several languages as well as the chance to work abroad to learn new skills. Which in turn means their dentists are better trained in their techniques as well as other languages.

Another benefit to signing yourself up for some dental work abroad is that various practices often provide free services for choosing them. These can come in the form of things like help with airport transfers, accommodation booking and the correct medical documentation. A few places even partner up with hotel chains to give you a discount on your stay.

How to find a dentist abroad

Finding a practice may seem like a difficult task, but there are numerous websites that can point you in the right way, you just need to keep a few key criteria in mind when making your choice.

For example, you should take into account things like how many years the dentist has been working for, what languages the staff speak, how easy is it to get to the clinic and what type of rates they offer on treatments.

A cursory Google search will usually answer most of these, but what will help the most is if you take some time to contact the practice. This enables you to get to know the staff and what services they offer, as well as helping to relax you about the long journey to the dentist chair ahead of you.

These are just a few reasons why you should consider going abroad for your dental treatments, so if you’re on the fence hopefully this gave you the nudge you needed. Hungary is a beautiful country with a welcoming people and it’s worth experiencing all that whilst you make your smile look its absolute best.

There are several situations when having a heavy wheelchair could worsen the condition of a person and lead to numerous complications and problems for the user. By taking advantage of the benefits that a lightweight wheelchair has to offer, these people are able to get back a freedom of movement that they may have thought was no longer possible.

A huge group of people who would find that these models of chairs are more beneficial to them would surely be the elderly. Senior citizens still love to enjoy quality of life, but with ageing comes illness and complications, which can mean that getting around like one used to can get difficult.

By providing those a little older with a wheelchair that is foldable, portable and convenient, they do not need to feel tied to a cumbersome chair. They are free to get up and walk around when they wish to. They do not need to avoid going anywhere as the chair can be folded away and stored in the boot of a car for convenience when it is needed.

By allowing a person to choose when they need the assistance of a chair rather than forcing the issue, they are able to exercise when they wish, rest when they need to and stay healthy.

What other benefits are there with these models?

As they are not heavy to handle, many users find that they have greater control over these wheelchairs meaning they can travel longer distances and manoeuvre in places that previously they might have thought twice about doing. A great opportunity for people who want to keep an active lifestyle, but are temporarily unable to, due to illness or injury, these chairs are a welcome addition to a normal life.

With the chair’s ability to be customised to a degree, people who have specific considerations or desires regarding the shape, style, height and width of their chair can get a model built specifically for them,

By simply discussing their desires with a retailer or a healthcare professional, customers can be pointed in the right direction and assisted every step of the way in customising their own wheelchair that is perfect for them.

Some people find that these chairs even though they are light, are manual and therefore can be tiring to move around all of the time. In these instances, it might be necessary for a person to have two wheelchairs for different occasions and terrains.

A lighter model is great for around the home or for quick trips to the shops. However, a heavier model that is designed more for sturdiness and with additional comfort can be used for longer excursions.

It is great to have a model in place that provides customers with an opportunity to quickly hop in and out of a chair. This maintains their independence and freedom as they do not need assistance to lift the chair or to store it away.

By customising some parts of the chairs to suit each potential user, adjustments to comfort, handling, and shape can make each wheelchair specifically adapted for every individual.