Author: James

When you have a missing tooth or teeth, it can be tempting and easier to let the area stay dormant. 

After all, how much can having a few gaps in your smile hurt?

Sadly, they can do quite a lot of harm and have been linked to lower bone density in the jaw, higher rates of tooth decay and incidents of recurrent gum disease. 

 

Luckily, there is a way to replace missing teeth without the hassle of dental glues or dentures; oral implants! Affixed to your jaw, implants offer a more stable alternative to dentures or bridges and can provide long-term aesthetic benefits too. 

 

In this article, you will be introduced to one of the lesser-known types of oral implants, the mini or micro implant. 

 

What are mini implants?

An endosteal implant (the most commonly used type of dental implant) has a width of 3.2 to 5.2 millimetres. Mini dental implants Melbourne have a width of 1.8 to 3.3 millimetres, so they are a smaller version of an endosteal implant. 

They are suitable for patients who, for whatever reason, have a thinner jawbone and may be suffering from a degenerative bone disorder such as osteoporosis. Due to the size of the implants, they are not often suitable as a base for heavier prosthetics such as larger bridges or dentures, and so many dental teams only use them to secure a single tooth or crown. 

 

Fitting

The fitting of a mini implant is also much less invasive than that of an endosteal implant. 

While your dental team will still have to make some incisions into your gum line (after numbing it of course!), the process of fitting the implant will be much shorter and simpler, with smaller holes being drilled as needed. 

Once the implants have been fitted, the gums will be sewn together and you will have to wait for around 2 weeks to have the prosthetic tooth or teeth fitted. Due to the size of the implant and the weight it will be supporting, it requires less time to fuse than a standard implant and so, you may be able to have your new smile within a month of the initial fitting. 

Maintenance

Maintaining oral implants is much the same as maintaining other kinds of oral implants. 

You will need to brush your teeth (and your implants!) twice a day, floss the area, keep an eye out for signs of tooth decay and aim to see your dentist twice a year for check-ups. 

Oral implants can have their lifespan significantly shortened through the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol and cigarette usage, so if you want to keep your oral implants in your mouth for as long as possible, aim to reduce these activities, with medical supervision if needed. 

 

Longevity

Oral implants can last up to and over 15 years with correct care and studies have found that mini implants have an average lifespan of 20 years, provided that they are cared for properly. 

Should you have concerns that your oral implants are failing prematurely, please seek advice from your dental team. 

 

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Are you eager to have your teeth straightened as an adult but don’t want to draw unwanted attention to your smile? Is there a way to do this with modern orthodontic treatments? 

 

In this article, common questions surrounding clear braces W1 or Invisalign are answered, allowing you to learn more about this popular aligner brand before you decide whether it is the right aligner for you. So read on to learn more!

 

What are Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners are visually similar to a sports guard except that they are made from clear plastic, which can be custom-fitted to your teeth. Thus, they are visually discreet and can be suitable for adults and teenagers who want to straighten their teeth without drawing unwanted attention or for those who need to straighten their teeth without requiring extensive work. 

 

How do they work?

Unlike traditional fitted braces, Invisalign works via being a totally customised set of aligners. 

Your dentist will take images of the inside of your mouth before making the aligners and will use the associated computer technology to predict the force required for your teeth to move to the desired position. 

Once determined, the aligners will be printed; typically, there are 14 aligners in a set of Invisalign treatments. The custom-fitted design will allow the aligners to push your teeth at every step of the process, gently correcting the underlying orthodontic issue. 

Even if you feel that an aligner is not needed, you should not cut it out of the treatment process without discussing it with your dentist first. 

 

What can they correct?

Invisalign aligners can correct a myriad of dental misalignments and other issues, such as mild to moderate spacing between teeth. 

They can also alleviate issues associated with mild to moderate overcrowding, general misalignment, asymmetry and, depending on the severity, problems linked to overbites, underbites and crossbites.

However, your suitability for Invisalign will be determined by your dentist during your initial consultation. 

How long does it take to correct misalignments?

Invisalign was designed primarily to correct mild to moderate misalignments, and so, the treatment time may be faster than you expect. 

Even as the technology surrounding invisible aligners has become more sophisticated, the standard treatment time for most patients is between 3-6 months. Of course, this may vary depending on how complex your dental misalignment is and how regularly you wear your aligner. If you fail to wear your aligner for a minimum of 22 hours a day, the process can take longer and may even cause your teeth to revert to their former positions. 

 

Will I need a retainer afterwards?

Once you have undertaken any kind of orthodontic treatment, you will likely need to wear a retainer afterwards to prevent your teeth from relapsing into their former positions. 

One of the leading causes of teeth reverting to their former positions relates to patients skipping over this crucial part of the treatment. So, if you want your teeth to stay where they are, wear a retainer for as long as your dentist recommends.

Many different factors affect the appearance of your teeth and influence the way you feel about your smile. Yellow or discoloured teeth, crooked teeth, misaligned teeth, pointy and uneven teeth, gaps in your teeth and cracked and broken teeth can all affect the appearance of your smile. These issues may have occurred due to several different reasons including lifestyle choices such as smoking and consuming sugary foods, coffee, red wines and cola. An important factor that can affect the appearance of your teeth is poor oral hygiene or avoiding the dentist over a long time. The appearance of your teeth can alter with age, as a result of certain illnesses and medication or by trauma to your mouth.

Over the last few decades, it has become more accessible and convenient to address such issues at the dentist Dublin thanks to significant advances in dental technology amongst all fields of dentistry.

Whether you require restorative treatment or cosmetic dentistry to address the issues affecting the aesthetics of your smile, by speaking to your dentist and booking an examination and consultation, the dentist will be able to find out whether you have any underlying dental conditions that may need to be treated. Or, if your teeth are clean and healthy, then your dentist could recommend which forms of cosmetic treatment may be suitable to help you improve the aesthetics of your teeth.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a highly popular form of cosmetic dentistry which is commonly carried out either in the dental practice itself or in the comfort of your own home, depending on the treatment type that you are looking for and the extent of treatment that you require.

Teeth whitening kits which are made up of a combination of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide can be prescribed by your dentist. They are usually in the form of a gel that works as a bleaching agent and is worn in your mouth using whitening trays. This has to be worn for a certain amount of time during the day and also overnight whilst you sleep. In this way, you can gradually improve the colour of your teeth until you have reached the shade you are looking for or the saturation point of whitening your teeth. If you have a special occasion coming up and need your teeth whitened quicker, then you could consider teeth whitening at your dental practice which involves a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and is carried out carefully by your dentist providing instant results.

If the appearance of your teeth cannot be improved by teeth whitening procedures alone, there are many other options that you may like to consider including veneers which are a popular form of transforming the smile. Veneers are porcelain shells that cover the entire surface of your teeth and help address all types of imperfections which may be affecting the way you feel about your teeth. Find out more about the different types of cosmetic dentistry that can help improve the aesthetics of your teeth so that you can smile happily and confidently again very soon.

When most people think of orthodontic work, they picture a straighter smile and all of the social graces that such a thing brings. And, while it is important to not undermine the advantages that having a straighter smile can bring you, such as better social skills, more confidence and a better sense of wellbeing, other things can be obtained by straightening your teeth.

In your adult years, many physical health benefits can be gained by undertaking orthodontic work, even if it is with an aligner like Invisalign.

What are some of the most overlooked health benefits of wearing Invisalign or other invisible braces Clapham? Read on to find out!

 

Better digestion

Yes, you read that correctly!

Having misaligned teeth can create havoc with your digestion.

Why? Because teeth that do not mesh together are less likely to be able to bite into and break down food as needed. This means that when the food reaches your stomach, it is less broken down, usually larger than it needs to be and digestion becomes less efficient.

To compensate, your stomach will create excessive amounts of stomach acid, causing acid reflux, heartburn and even nutrition issues.

By straightening your teeth, you are less likely to suffer from any of these problems and will be able to throw out those after dinner antacids!

 

Better oral health

 

As your dentist may have told you, having misaligned, spaced or overcrowded teeth can make it harder for you to brush your teeth.

Teeth that are harder to brush are more likely to suffer from plaque accumulation and a whole host of secondary effects such as gum disease and cavities.

Straightening your teeth, even by a few millimetres, can make it much easier to brush, floss and even rinse your teeth with mouthwash, thus improving your overall oral health.

 

Better physical health

Plaque is bad, not only for your teeth but also for your body.

And, if you have too much plaque in your mouth due to poor brushing, you are more likely to suffer from gum disease which will cause your gums to become more sponge-like. This will allow harmful bacteria access to your bloodstream. As you may have read, plaque in the bloodstream has been linked to a myriad of health issues like cardiovascular disorders, cancers and even a heightened risk of strokes.

By wearing an aligner, you reduce these hidden areas of plaque from being unnoticed and may actually save yourself from a lot of secondary health complications.

 

Better nutrition

As mentioned earlier, if you have misaligned teeth, you may have difficulties with digestion.

But, if you are fed up with having bite issues or having bits of food stuck in your teeth after meals, you may be avoiding the consumption of healthy foods altogether, such as corn on the cob or apples.

And, while the results won’t be immediate, as your teeth straighten with the use of an aligner, these issues will occur less often and allow you to consume a wider array of foods, thus resulting in better nutrition and improved health!

 

Whether you have had a dental infection or have just had trauma to your teeth, it can seem less than ideal when a dental team suggests a root canal.

Although they have more than 100 years in standard dental practice, root canals are often viewed by dental patients as a scary treatment, which will lead to discomfort and potentially kill the tooth. Of course, this is not what this procedure does!

So, what are 5 things you probably didn’t know about root canals? Read on to find out!

 

It doesn’t kill the tooth

You may have heard via friends or the internet that having a root canal kills the tooth; this is simply not true!

When your dentist St John’s Wood performs a root canal, it is usually done with the emphasis on restoring the tooth to its former glory. The tooth will not change aesthetically (it won’t turn black), it will no longer cause discomfort and it will be strong enough to eat with.

 

It shouldn’t be uncomfortable

Many dental patients worry that a root canal would be painful but, once again, this is not the case.

Many dental patients report a reduction in the soreness of the tooth and surrounding area following endodontics, making it beneficial for discomfort reduction. Once the treatment is complete and the filling or crown has been fitted, you may notice a slight tenderness to the tooth which should subside in a few days.

If it doesn’t, contact your dental team.

It can sometimes be tricky!

It sounds so simple on paper; your dental team drills down to the roots of your tooth and removes the infected pulp.

But, oftentimes, it can be a bit trickier than that! With genetic variation comes a difference in root shape and depth, meaning that, following an initial assessment for a root canal, your dental team may need to take a different approach. As a result, these kinds of root canals can take longer to fit but should still yield the same defence against infection.

 

It can help with sensitivity

It may not be the first solution that your dental team tries, but if you have an issue with sensitive teeth, it may be an option to attempt a root canal.

Why? Because sensitive teeth are usually caused by microscopic holes that lead from the exterior of the tooth to the pulp, thus causing discomfort when exposed to a hot or cold stimulus.

So, by having the root protected by filling material, a root canal can actually offer protection against oral sensitivity.

 

It should last a long time!

Depending on the complexity of your root canal fitting, you may have concerns that it will fail.

However, if fitted by a trained professional, it should easily last the rest of your life without the filling or crown falling off and, of course, without a recurrence of the infection.

If you notice any discomfort around the tooth where you have had the root canal or are concerned that the infection is coming back, seek immediate medical treatment.

For years, dental researchers around the world have been looking for a way to restore teeth that have been lost through illness, extraction or decay.

And for years, the only options available were things like fitted bridges or dentures, which for a long time, were seen as the crown of restorative dentistry.

In recent years, a jewel has been added to that metaphorical crown in the form of oral implants.

Affixed to the jaw, oral implants are the most permanent solution to missing teeth and once in place, they even feel like regular teeth. And like regular teeth, they require brushing, flossing and biannual trips to your dentist. But they don’t cause sores or ulcers and allow you to laugh, eat and smile with extreme pride.

But, as is the way with most things, there are different types of implants, in case patients do not tick all of the boxes for having regular or endosteal options fitted. In this guide, you will be briefly introduced to the most common types of dental implants Bondi Junction, to help you consider which option may be the best for you.

Endosteal implants

Touched upon earlier, the most common of all implants is the endosteal implant.

Physically, this implant looks like a titanium screw. For it to be fitted successfully, you need to have a healthy jawbone and to be in good overall health.

Once attached to your jaw, it takes between 3-6 months to fuse and can be used to support anything from a single tooth to a full set of dentures.

Provided that you take correct care of this type of implant, it can last for up to 20 years.

Subperiosteal implants

A subperiosteal implant is a bit more complicated to explain as none of the structure is implanted into your jaw!

Subperiosteal implants are useful if someone does not have a good amount of jawbone. The structure is fitted over their jaw (but under their gums), with 4 posts protruding above the gum line once fitted. To these posts, your dentist will attach the prosthetic teeth.

If cared for correctly, subperiosteal implants can last for up to 15 years.

Zygomatic implants

Imagine an endosteal implant, make it 3 times longer and you have a zygomatic implant.

These oral implants are used when a patient needs implants fitting to their upper jaw but they do not have a sufficient amount of jaw bone. And so, this implant is attached to their zygoma bone or cheekbone.

It can take up to 9 months to fuse and with correct aftercare, should last up to 15 years.

Mini or micro implants

Imagine an endosteal implant again, shrink it to around 1/3rd of its size and you have the mini implant.

Attached to the jaw, this implant requires no real fusing time and is only used if the patient has a low-density jawbone. These implants can only be used to support one tooth at a time and have a lifespan of 15 years on average.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

It is important that everybody cares for their smile, to ensure they hold on to one of their best assets. Everyone wants to be able to smile with confidence and not have to worry about how their smile looks to others. However, that means patients need the support of a quality dentist Richmond to ensure all dental problems are addressed, often before they even properly arise. Having an excellent working relationship with a dentist can allow patients to smile with confidence for a very long time. Dentists strive to offer their patients the best level of support when it comes to dental treatments. The time is always taken to get to know each individual patient and their own unique dental condition, this way the right level of intervention and prevention can be used to keep patients in good oral health for as long as possible. The results of visiting a well-qualified dental professional at regular intervals will show in the quality of life enjoyed by patients who do not have to undergo a plethora of procedures due to poor dental upkeep.

 

What treatments should I consider?

There are many different treatments that can be offered to patients of a dentist.  A dental professional will work with patients to determine which treatment options could get them to an optimal level of dental health and aesthetics. These different treatments have been formed to give patients the best opportunities when it comes to looking after dentition. If one of the things a patient is looking for is to transform their smile, then a dentist may recommend cosmetic treatments. These could range from white fillings and teeth whitening to gum contouring and porcelain veneers. Smile makeovers are available alongside CEREC. Restorative treatments such as bridges, dentures, denture stabilisation, crowns, inlays and onlays are also very important. Other forms of dentistry which should be accessible for patients are those involved in preventive care. Specific help can be given to those with sensitive teeth, children and pregnant women. All of this is available alongside more traditional dental treatments, used to keep patients’ smiles perpetually wholesome. Patients will be invited to work with their dentist to get the best level of treatment available for themselves, as treatment plans are very often a collaboration.

 

What are my next steps?

Patients looking for a highly trained professional to take care of their smile, should consider contacting the dentist of their choice to organise an appointment. Dental practices want each of their patients to be able to access their dental care with ease. Simple to use websites are on hand so patients know exactly what to expect when they come for their chosen treatment. They should normally have access to their chosen practice either using the website or by calling their reception directly. Everybody should have access to premier dental care and be able to enhance their smile. The choices made surrounding dental treatment can impact oral health at every stage of life, so it is important to make the right choices early on. People thinking about getting the right level of support should make their call today, looking after smiles is what dentists do best.