Dental Blog - Orpington Dental Care

Four million and counting

Since it first came on the market in 1997, Invisalign has had more than four million happy users; people whose smiles are now beautiful and straight and in use all day, every day.

At Orpington Dental, we love seeing how happy our patients are when they find out there is a way to get their teeth straightened that doesn’t involve having to give up their favourite foods or walk round looking like a railway station for a couple of years.

Invisalign in Orpington They also love the whole digital age process, from the scanning to produce pinpoint accurate pictures of their teeth on the screen to how they can actually watch how their teeth will move to reach alignment. There’s nothing like seeing the end-point before you begin to inspire you to make this commitment to yourself.

More than looking lovely

Committing to straightening your teeth is about a whole lot more than looking fabulous. Straight teeth are also much easier to keep clean. There are fewer nooks and crannies for plaque to hide away and build up, causing decay and gum disease. When you have straight teeth, you have a much higher chance of being able to hang on to them for your whole life and avoid the hassles and expense of replacement teeth in later life.

How Invisalign in Orpington works

Invisalign uses mouth guard-like aligners that are 3D printed from clear, rigid plastic. You snap them into place over your top or bottom teeth, or both. Precisely placed pressure bumps inside the aligners gently press on your teeth, persuading them to shift out of the way to relieve the pressure. You wear each set of aligners for 7-10 days, by which time the pressure will have worn off. When it has, you put the next set of aligners in. These nudge your teeth a bit further along the path to alignment, and so on, until your teeth are straight. This takes, on average, a year.

You take your aligners out to eat and to clean your teeth, and as you must wear them for 20-22 hours a day, you’ll probably find you cut out a lot of snacking and may even lose weight. A double bonus.

Ways to straighten your teeth without braces in Orpington

Braces are a popular and effective treatment but not everyone looks forward to wearing them. Braces are very common for children and teenagers, but adults would rather not have a mouthful of metal brackets and wires. Luckily, dentistry has advanced and teeth straightening treatment can be accomplished through alternative methods.

At Orpington Dental Care, we care about comfort, aesthetics and efficiency, when it comes to braces in Orpington. You probably have friends with regular braces who aren’t allowed to eat their favourite foods and need to visit the dentist regularly for adjustments. With Invisalign, you can enjoy all your favourite foods without altering your lifestyle. Six Month Smiles, on the other hand, helps you gain beautifully straight teeth discreetly.

Invisalign – no one needs to know

Invisalign is a discreet teeth straightening treatment, which consists of plastic, removable aligners. These aligners are customised to fit over your teeth and help them move into their optimal position over a specific period of time. If you opt for Invisalign, you need to ensure that you wear your aligners at least 22 hours per day for best results. Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating and brushing your teeth and they are easy to keep clean and hygienic. Last, but not least they are more comfortable than regular braces and require fewer adjustments.

Six Month Smiles – smile confidently

Just like regular braces, Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington are fixed to the teeth. However, these braces only focus on the front teeth and do not move the tooth roots, therefore they cannot affect your bite. Six Month Smiles braces have taken the technology of regular braces and modified the treatment to offer patients a cosmetic solution in only six months (or less!). These braces are ideal for patients who want to straighten their teeth for a special event, like a wedding or a graduation.

If you are not completely confident about your smile, and you would like to look into your options, contact us today and we will book a consultation appointment for you. With our discreet braces in Orpington, you can focus on doing what you do best – being yourself and keep smiling.

Have you recently discovered you are in need of dental implants?

Perhaps you have lost one, or a number of teeth and are wondering what the best route forward is. This can be a daunting and confusing time as there are a number of options available for replacing missing teeth. Now is the time to consider dental implants in Orpington.

Dental Implants in Orpington Here at Orpington Dental Care, our friendly team can advise you on the best solution. With missing teeth, usually the most reliable and healthy option will be dental implants. These really are the next best thing to your own healthy, natural teeth. They are stable and strong when looked after well and your body will actually adopt the implants as if they were your own teeth.

Dental implants are a reliable solution

For patients in Orpington, dental implants are a popular and reliable solution to missing teeth that look, feel, fit and function like your own original teeth. In the long run, alternative options, for example, dentures or bridges, can lead to face-altering bone deterioration. As you can imagine, this commonly interferes with eating, smiling, speaking and other activities of everyday life.

Here in Orpington, dental implants are our first recommendation for replacing lost teeth. They allow you to enjoy your life without worrying about your teeth. What more could you ask for from a tooth replacement solution? Forget the idea of removable dentures or tooth-supported replacement teeth. These traditional alternatives can loosen and even fall out when you talk, eat or laugh. Dental implant technology today allows you to have a better standard of tooth replacement. One that can let you lead your life without fear of embarrassment.

Dental implants protect your jawbone

Did you know that some tooth replacement options have the side effect of allowing your appearance to change over time? When your natural tooth is lost, your jawbone knows and reacts. Loss of vibrations and stimulation from chewing mean that your jawbone has no work to do. The bone will gradually deteriorate and shrink without essential stimulation. Dental implants actually protect your jawbone. They stimulate your jawbone, actually helping to maintain bone growth and prevent loss. Give is a call to find out how we can help you.

The lowdown on Invisalign braces

Let’s face it, crooked, misaligned teeth are not teeth at their best. Individually your teeth may be perfect, but if they are not neatly lined up their beauty is lost. Not only that but your misaligned teeth be difficult to clean, which can lead to all sorts of unwanted dental hygiene issues.

Choosing your alignment method

So, you have decided that braces are your route forward. Now it’s time to choose which type of braces to run with. There are many different types of braces out there that will properly align your teeth. However, traditional metal braces can be unattractive, uncomfortable and sometimes painful to wear. This is where we can help you. Having had years of experience with braces and tooth alignment, we have seen the results of many different types of Braces. Here in Orpington, braces are in high demand and the type we recommend is Invisalign in most cases. They are clear, discreet, easy to keep clean and manage, results are fantastic and long lasting when cared for properly. Of course, they may not be suitable in all cases, for instance people who have drastic tooth misalignment.

Here are a couple of factors to consider when choosing your tooth alignment programme.

Maximum comfort and safety

Choosing Invisalign clear braces in Orpington is the right option for reducing damage to your teeth. Invisalign aligners are smooth and custom-made to fit your teeth. When properly fitted, your gums and other sensitive areas in your mouth will not hurt when wearing them. The brackets of traditional wire and metal braces are attached to the surface of your teeth, which can lead to demineralisation and damage to the tooth surface. Invisalign aligners will not do this. So long as you remember to brush and floss after each meal your teeth are at no risk of damage.

Visability

Invisalign aligners are so thin, 0.3mm, that they disappear from view once they are snapped on over your teeth.

When you choose Invisalign braces in Orpington, you will receive a comprehensive, computerised treatment plan. This means you know exactly what to expect and how long you will need to wear your braces.

Uses of dental implants

We all wish for a healthy and beautiful smile, but most people experience tooth loss at some point in their life. Missing teeth not only affect the way you look, but can also leave the surrounding teeth in your mouth vulnerable to other dental problems, including further tooth loss. Luckily, dental implants are a solution if you are missing one or more teeth.

At Orpington Dental, dental implants are our preferred choice of treatment for tooth loss. This is because, unlike conventional dentures and bridges, dental implants replace the missing tooth roots and create a strong and stable foundation for replacement teeth.

How are dental implants used?

Dental implants are small, screw-shaped, titanium posts, which are surgically embedded into the jawbone. Once they are in place, they are used as anchors for artificial teeth. The restorations used with dental implants include dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures.

Crowns are ideal for patients who wish to replace only one missing tooth. They are attached to the dental implants through an abutment, a connecting fixture that joins the implant and the crown. Crowns are commonly made of porcelain or composite materials and they are customised to match the colour of your natural teeth.

Dental bridges are used for groups of two or three missing teeth in a row. A bridge consists of two crowns, which are secured to dental implants on either side of the gap. The central piece of a dental bridge looks like your natural teeth but is made of one solid piece.

Last but not least, implant-supported dentures are securely attached to strategically placed dental implant posts through special fixtures. Implant-supported dentures are stable and do not require the use of dental adhesives. This treatment is a great and cost-effective option for patients who are missing all of their teeth.

Restore your oral health and function

If you have one or several missing teeth, do not let them compromise your health and quality of life. If you can benefit from dental implants, our experienced dentists will examine your teeth thoroughly and create a customised plan for your dental needs. To learn more about dental implants in Orpington, schedule an appointment today.

A new smile with dental implants

Missing teeth can have the potential of bringing down your mood, making you feel self-conscious, being afraid to smile, becoming less sociable and losing the confidence to speak in public. If any or all of these apply to you then don’t hold back any longer in turning your life around, just make yourself an appointment for dental implants in Orpington. At Orpington Dental Care, we can help you feel confident again.

Benefits of dental implants in Orpington

Dental implants are a long-lasting fixture which look, feel and function like normal teeth, so after a while you will not even realise you have had them inserted. There is no need for removal when cleaning or eating or sleeping. There is no chance of any embarrassing accidents and if you practice a continuous thorough dental hygiene routine, then your dental implants will last for many, many years.

Missing teeth can deteriorate the strength of your jawbone. It is a common condition called jawbone absorption. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement procedure thatstrengthens your jawbone over time. With all this in mind, it is no wonder dental implants are a popular choice for patients deciding on which tooth replacement procedure to go for.

How do dental implants work?

At our practice in Orpington, dental implants are inserted during a quick surgical procedure. They are basically a copy of the natural root of a tooth. Initially there will be a tiny titanium screw inserted into the jawbone which will then over time fuse with the bone causing it to strengthen. Your new tooth or teeth can either be added straight away or, depending on the assessment of your mouth and jawbone, may be added at a later date after the jawbone has been given time to heal. It is possible to insert a single new tooth, several teeth or even anupper or lower arch set of teeth. The implant treatment may sound daunting but in fact it is a straightforward procedure. We can assure you that we will endeavour to make you as relaxed and comfortable as possible during the treatment.

A new smile in just six months

Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington are becoming one of the most popular methods of straightening teeth in the UK. This is largely due to the speed with which the system works, with many cases being finished in around six months (hence the name). Even Tom Cruise, the A-list celebrity has benefitted from this treatment.

Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington is a fixed brace system, meaning it is bonded on to your teeth in a safe and reversible manner. During the treatment the brace remains in place at all times and cannot be removed at home. Some of our patients here at Orpington Dental Care find this is a much easier option as they may not be as inclined to wear a removable brace as much as is needed.

How does Six Month Smiles work?

Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington use the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely. The key to the treatment is the use of the unique clear bracket and wire system. Plus having the focus on moving only the teeth that are visible when you smile makes the treatment faster.

Do they hurt?

Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington use low force to move teeth more comfortably. However, as with any dental appliance, there may be some discomfort. Many people assume that with the short treatment time that more force will be used on the teeth, but this is not true. As the treatment focuses on the teeth most seen when you smile, it can be done using a much lower force, which is much more comfortable for the wearer.

How visible are Six Month Smiles?

The Six Month Smiles brace is made up of clear brackets that are fixed to your teeth and a tooth-coloured wire. They can be a little more visible than some other forms of cosmetic braces, but are one of the most discreet fixed brace systems used today. Most of our patients find that the short amount of time the treatment is completed in is preferable to a system that is more undetectable.

Why choose us?

Here at Orpington Dental Care, we have a genuine passion for providing high quality, extensive and complex dental treatments, including dental implants and top quality cosmetic dentistry procedures. We constantly focus on keeping up to date with the latest technologies and modern techniques and always strive for the highest standards of care possible for your dental implants in Orpington.

Our highly committed dental team is continuously training to help you look after your new smile for years to come. Our staff educate patients on maintaining excellent oral health and will provide you with affordable and durable treatment options for your dental implants in Orpington.

Do I need dental implants?

Do you have a missing tooth? Do you have several missing teeth or have been unfortunate enough to have lost all your natural teeth? If you answer yes to any of the above questions, then dental implants in Orpington could be the answer.

Unfortunately, tooth loss can affect anyone at any age. Be it through disease, surgery, illness, accident, or tooth decay. Tooth loss is distressing, but simplants mean you don’t have to have gaps in your smile forever. Implants offer a permanent fixed solution to missing teeth and restore the beauty to your smile.

Is it a problem that I smoke?

A non-smoker has a much better outcome long term for implants. However, if you are a smoker, please don’t be put off from booking a consultation for your dental implants in Orpington. The ideal mouth for dental implants is a mouth with little or no bone loss, with no evidence of gum disease.

That said, just because bone loss has occurred, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not suitable for dental implants. It may just take an additional procedure to get you there. Therefore, the consultation process is fundamental prior to commencing with dental implants in Orpington.

A full and comprehensive treatment plan including costs will be given to you after your initial appointment. Here, at Orpington Dental Care, you are under no obligation to commit to treatment. We understand completely that every patient needs to consider every aspect before starting treatment with us.

The foundation for a great smile

In the past couple of decades, there has been an explosion in cosmetic dentistry, thanks to all the advances in dental techniques, materials and equipment. More and more people are focussed on having the best smile possible.

And we love this. A good smile can make such a difference to your life. But even so, here at Orpington Dental Care, we are also firm believers in providing an excellent level of care in general dentistry in Orpington.

General Dentistry in Orpington After all, there would be no point in letting you go ahead with spending your hard-earned money on treatments to provide beautifully white, straight teeth, if those teeth were housed in diseased gums, or on the verge of decay or infection.

That’s why we will only offer you cosmetic dentistry if your mouth is in really good shape, health-wise. Fortunately, it easy to stay on top of your oral health. You just need the discipline to clean your teeth twice a day and come for a check-up twice a year. Coming to us for check-ups allows us to spot any issues before they turn into a crisis. Decay and gum disease are sneaky and you probably won’t notice either in your mouth until they are already quite advanced. For example, you probably won’t realise you have decay in a back tooth, until it starts to give you toothache. And by the time that happens, it means the decay is into the pulp of your tooth, where the nerves are.

What things get to the pain stage, it means that treatment is going to take longer, cost more and be more stressful. It could even result in you having to have root canal therapy, or a tooth extraction. Losing a tooth brings you into a whole new level of dentistry seriousness. You need to start looking at tooth replacement, which could involve spending a great deal of money. There is a way out of this scenario: take great care when brushing and flossing and come to us every six months for a check-up, then you may not need to lose a tooth at all.

Braces in Orpington: your options

Say braces and the mind immediately turns to the metal ‘train tracks’ seen so often on teenagers. Most treatment with braces is carried out on children and teenagers, as it is ideal to make these readjustments while the jaw is still growing.

However, if you’ve made it to adulthood without having braces in Orpington and you still have wonky teeth, it’s not too late. And you may be excited to learn that these days, there are many different options if you want straighter teeth, including discreet, hidden and invisible braces. You don’t have to broadcast to the world that you are having treatment, which is great news if you work in a public-facing job such as teaching, reception work or sales.

Braces in Orpington At Orpington Dental Care, we offer two discreet brace systems for cosmetic adjustments. These won’t work for serious misalignments of the jaw, but can help you to a more winning smile by working on the teeth that you show most clearly when you grin.

Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington

As the name suggests, these can bring results in just six months by working on the ‘social six’ front teeth that show when you smile. Six Month Smiles are made from clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires so they are discreet and blend into the teeth.

These braces use low forces to realign the teeth, making treatment comfortable and quick. This also makes them more affordable, needing less time in the dentist’s chair.

Orpington braces: Invisalign

Invisalign braces work with more complex cases than Six Months Smiles. They can treat some cases of misalignment of the jaw, as well as straightening the teeth.

And they are even more discreet! Invisalign is made up of a series of clear, plastic aligners. They are custom-made to fit snugly over the teeth and gums and once on, can’t be seen unless someone is close up and examining your teeth. And because they are also removable, you can even take them out for the odd special occasion for an hour or two. This also makes cleaning and eating easy – no chance of food getting stuck or having to work a toothbrush around brackets and wires.

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