How important is dental hygiene?

Dental hygiene is an extremely important aspect of general dentistry and is regarded as the ultimate preventive measure for keeping your oral health in top condition.

white-fillings-in-orpingtonMost dentists will tell their patients that the most important dentistry work is done outside the practice. If you can maintain a good level of dental hygiene daily, then your trips to the dentist are far more likely to be trouble-free.

If you are not looking after your teeth, then this will lead to tooth decay. Tooth decay can cause toothache and most of us would do anything to avoid that.

Poor dental health can also cause a host of other problems. It can lead to halitosis, gum disease, teeth failure and gingivitis. There is also some clinical evidence to suggest that people with poor dental health may be more likely to suffer heart problems. Surely regular brushing and flossing is easily done if there’s a chance you can avoid heart disease. It is important to have a good general dentist, such as Orpington Dental, to help show you the way to excellent oral health.

Will having white fillings help my oral health?

White fillings tend to be known as a cosmetic dentistry procedure to provide a more pleasing and natural tooth-like appearance. But, white fillings have the potential advantage of not containing mercury or other metals that may contribute to sensitivity or toxicity, therefore could benefit your overall health.

Most dentists are skilled in traditional silver fillings, but their level of skill may vary. Selecting an appropriate dentist, such as those at Orpington Dental in Orpington, is an important factor in treating tooth decay or similar damage.

White fillings are made up of glass, quartz and other materials mixed with a resin compound. The flexible material means that the dentist at Orpington Dental can better shape and mould the filling to meet the restorative as well as aesthetic needs of the patient.

It can be adapted for different uses, such as a more rugged type to fill a molar tooth that has a higher chewing load or a less rugged version for front teeth. This means white fillings can not only look better, but also actually benefit your oral health.

Dental implants in Orpington

If you wear dentures, are you frustrated that they affect the way you talk or eat? Dentures have traditionally been the best means of replacing missing teeth. Unfortunately they are not the perfect solution to the problem. Over time they may become loose due to the loss of bone from the jaw. They can also cause you difficulties when you talk or eat. Many dentists are now advising their patients about the benefits of dental implants.

dental-implants-in-orpingtonThere are a number of benefits that come from having dental implants. These include providing support to the muscles of the lips and face. Here at Orpington Dental Care in Orpington, dental implants are proving to be an increasingly popular alternative to dentures. The implants can be used in a number of different ways; as a replacement for individual teeth, or as a method of fixing bridges and dentures. You could say that dental implants are almost as good as your own teeth. Once fitted, you may even forget that they are not your own.

Bridging the gap

Missing teeth can make you feel less confident and can also cause longer term problems with your overall oral health. Because the gaps allow the movement of the remaining teeth on either side of the space, they may also become loose and be lost.

Dental implants are made of two parts; a carefully engineered titanium screw and the replacement tooth or teeth. The dental implants can sometimes be fitted at the same time that a tooth is removed, otherwise a minor surgical procedure is required to place the implant into the jaw. Generally it is necessary to allow a few months for the implant to become completely fused with the bone in the jaw. Once healed the replacement tooth or teeth are then fixed in place.

Finding out more about dental implants in Orpington

Dental implants are suitable for adults of any age, as long as you have sufficient bone in your jaw and your overall health is good. Just think how good it would feel to be able to eat, talk and smile with complete confidence because you know your teeth are going to stay exactly where they belong. With proper care dental implants will last a lifetime. To find out more contact us to book an appointment.

Which braces system is best for you?

If you are one of the many adults thinking about having braces in 2017, then why not come in to us at Orpington Dental Care and see if we have the braces system that suits your alignment needs?

braces-in-orpingtonHere in Orpington, braces have come a long way since the train track heavy metal braces of the 1970s and 80s, where you could barely see the teeth for the steel. These days, the teeth are to the fore and with some braces systems, it is almost impossible to tell they are even there.

Braces in Orpington at Orpington Dental Care come in three different systems, each one of which has a slightly different method or aim. Let’s take a look at how each system could help you resolve your crowded, crooked, gappy or misaligned teeth.

Six Month Smiles

These braces use the traditional bracket and wire system, where the wires strung through the brackets pull the teeth into the desired position. But, as these braces are aimed only at correcting mild misalignments on the front six ‘social’ teeth, they do not need to exert such strong pressure as train track braces and are therefore much smaller and finer. Added to that the ceramic brackets are transparent, and the wires are tooth-coloured, so that they almost disappear against the teeth. Six Month Smiles are so called because that is the average length of treatment.

Inman Aligner

The Inman Aligner is designed to correct the front teeth, top or bottom, only. It uses a lingual coil spring, which fits behind the teeth, to put pressure on the back of them. At the same time a wire across the front of the teeth exerts pressure backwards. These two components work in unison to reposition the teeth. The Inman Aligner is great for correcting moderate crowding and rotation, is barely invisible and can be removed for eating, cleaning and important occasions.

Invisalign

These clear plastic aligner trays can treat the whole arch. Treatment involves wearing a series of them over a period of about a year, each one pressuring the teeth to move one step on towards alignment. The plastic is so thin and transparent that the aligners are all but invisible. They can be removed for cleaning, eating and special occasions.

So, as you can see, as far as braces in Orpington go, we have something for everyone here at Orpington Dental Care. Call us and find out what we can do for you.

Food! Glorious food!

Remember those little boys in Oliver! Singing about hot sausage and mustard, peas pudding and saveloys, and the joys of indigestion when you can eat what you like? That’s a bit how it can be if you have just lost one or more teeth, and, with them, your freedom of choice around eating.

dental-implants-in-orpingtonChewy food (toffees, steak), crunchy food (apples, carrots), gloopy foods (nut butters), bitty foods (seeds and nuts) – the list is long. Not being able to eat these things can be severely restrictive for some people. Fortunately, there’s a wonderful solution that can give you back your varied diet, and we have it on hand here at Orpington Dental Care in Orpington-dental implants!

In Orpington, dental implants allow a more varied diet than dentures and other artificial teeth because they replace the root as well as the crown of the tooth. The replacement root is a titanium post that we insert into the jawbone under local anaesthetic. Some anxious patients also choose to receive sedation during this procedure.

The implant becomes a stable and fixed feature in the jawbone, just like a natural root, over the following weeks to months. This is because the titanium from which it is made is able to fuse with bone tissue. When bone and post become one, it creates a stable chewing base. Also, because the titanium catalyses bone growth, the jawbone remains full and strong, and you can avoid sunken aged look often acquired by denture wearers as their jawbones lose density.

Once this integration period is completed, you can come back to us for the remaining part of your dental implants in Orpington. During this appointment, we will fit an abutment into the post. An abutment is an internal screw. It is onto this that your new artificial crown is fitted.

Your crowns are custom-made to blend in with your natural teeth. The material used is porcelain and this comes in a range of shades to match the colour of the surrounding teeth. Because tooth shape and size is also important, technicians are specially trained to hand craft teeth to match impressions or photographs of your natural teeth.

Come in for a consultation today to find out more about how dental implants in Orpington could brighten up your smile.

You choose how to get your teeth whitened

At Orpington Dental Care, teeth whitening is a very important treatment.

Tooth discolouration is a common problem for patients who have had poor dental hygiene. It is also caused by food staining (tea, coffee and smoking are often to blame), fluoride exposure, dental trauma, antibiotics and aging.

teeth-whitening-in-orpingtonHaving badly discoloured teeth can have a big impact on your confidence, causing you to cover your mouth and suppress your smiles. Many people are turning to teeth whitening to improve their smile and confidence, and despite the lure of cheap over-the-counter whitening kits, it is a procedure that is best followed under the guidance of a professional.

Teeth whitening is wrongly thought of as something you can do at home with a kit bought at the chemists. At Orpington Dental Care, we carry out teeth whitening using a system called Zoom! This system can be carried out in two ways. You can have a power whitening treatment at the dental clinic, or you can do it yourself at home with a kit supplied by us.

Good quality, long-lasting teeth whitening can take time. Once you have had an initial consultation with us to assess the condition of your teeth, we take impressions of your teeth, and from those make custom-fit trays in which to put the whitening gel. These trays ensure the maximum contact between tooth and gel, and minimise spillage, which is a common problem with off the shelf kits. We supply you with a teeth whitening gel to apply for two weeks, which should be long enough to see results, if you wear the trays for a few hours every day, or, preferably overnight.

If you would rather, we can do the teeth whitening here at the clinic. The advantages of a power whitening session is that it only takes an hour, so you get instant results rather than having to wait for a couple of weeks and maintain the discipline of doing the whitening yourself. Also, as dental professionals we are able to use a more concentrated gel. We protect your gums and lips before putting the trays over your teeth. The active ingredients in the gel are activated by a UV lamp. You then lie back and relax for an hour while the gel does its work.

If you would like to find out more about teeth whitening in Orpington, please drop in or call us. We love to talk about how our treatments can help you.

Invisalign versus Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington

Are you hesitant to straighten your teeth as an adult because you believe that the only option is metal braces? Healthy teeth can be treated for teeth straightening at any age. Treatment more commonly begins while a child is growing, but that doesn’t mean that adults can not enjoy the benefits of teeth straightening.

braces-in-orpingtonAt Orpington Dental in Orpington, our dentists offer discreet teeth straightening options designed for adults, who find the thought of noticeable metal braces unappealing. To help adults achieve more attractive smiles without the use of traditional braces, we offer Invisalign and Six Month Smiles braces.

What’s the difference?

The main difference between Invisalign and Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington is that the latter integrates a traditional clear bracket and elastic system into its design that helps your teeth move into their right position. Invisalign instead consists of a series of transparent, removable aligners, which gradually move teeth into place. Both treatments are more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing than metal braces.

In terms of treatment length, Six Month Smiles braces work much quicker than Invisalign, because they do not require as many visits to the dentist. Six Month Smiles braces are designed to correct moderate cosmetic issues in a short period of time. Six Month Smiles treatment targets only the teeth which are visible when you smile.

On the other hand, the Invisalign system has the ability to move the posterior teeth and fix a wider range of dental problems. Since the braces are removable, this allows you to maintain better oral hygiene without compromising your daily routine and comfort. Despite the fact that Invisalign aligners have to be worn at least 22 hours a day for guaranteed results, it may be the ideal solution for better oral health over a longer period of time.

Find out more

If you are an adult with crooked or misaligned teeth but do not want to wear braces to achieve straighter teeth, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Orpington Dental. Our dental practice offers both Invisalign and Six Month Smiles braces in Orpington.

There’s a hole in my smile

Every time you smile at someone you know they can see the gap in your teeth. This is a problem that you shouldn’t have to put up with and with advancements in dentistry you no longer have to.

dental-implants-orpingtonAt Orpington Dental Care in Orpington dental implants are provided in many forms. We provide a bespoke service for everyone who comes into the clinic. Even if your jaw itself has degraded we have the power to provide you a solution with our bone graft surgery.

If you are missing just one tooth, several teeth or every single tooth we have the experience and technology to help.

What is involved?

While there are obviously similarities in all procedure everyone has their own wants, and needs. Your treatment will be as individual as you are but we aim to provide the same result for everyone, that smile you’ve been missing and the freedom to eat what you want. So, if you live in Orpington,dental implants from Orpington Dental Care might be exactly what you’re looking for. Once your treatment is finished you may want to find a local bakery for some fresh crusty bread.

The treatment begins with a consultation with your dentist. We examine your teeth in minute detail, take X-rays, photographs and moulds. We also use state of the art computer modelling to show you your treatment path from start to smiley end.

Titanium implants are directly inserted into your jaw, and here’s the amazing part, your bone will naturally mesh with the implant forming a strong artificial root. The attachment is so strong that it may be possible to attach your entire set of teeth with as few as four little titanium screws.

Will the surgery hurt?

If you’re worried about discomfort or are a nervous patient in general, we understand and have ways to help. We offer a range of sedation and we have experienced staff on hand for administration.

I’m thinking about it…

If you want dental implants in Orpington feel free to contact us either by calling or chatting with someone on our website. We understand that it can be a big decision and we are ready to offer you our advice and full support.

Taking care of dental implants

One in four adults in the UK lose teeth. This may be down to an accident or doing something you shouldn’t, like opening a bottle with your teeth! However, most often tooth loss is due to bad dental hygiene. Luckily, due to the advancements in dental care you can have a second chance at the perfect smile!

dental-implants-in-orpingtonWhat is a dental implant and how are they fitted?

Dental implants can replace a lost tooth or even teeth and give you back your perfect smile. The implant is essentially a titanium screw that is embedded into your jawbone. The procedure is relatively simple and you shouldn’t feel any discomfort due to a local anaesthetic being administered. A small hole is then drilled into the jaw and the titanium screw fitted directly into this hole. The gum is then stitched around the screw. The gum and jawbone will then grow around the screw, creating new blood vessels and tissues fully integrating the screw. This creates a ‘false root’ which is strong and will not wobble. The healing period is around 3 to 5 months depending on the person. Once the rod is integrated a crown is then fitted onto the screw. The crown will match the colour of your teeth creating a completely natural look.

Although most dental clinics offer dental implants, it is always good to find a specialist in the area. If you are living in Orpington, dental implants couldn’t be easier as you have a clinic on your doorstep. Orpington Dental Care fits dental implants, dedicated in providing the best possible care for its patients. They offer a range of options to suit your budget including financial plans to fit your wallet.

After care!

After care of your ‘new’ tooth is also incredibly important. Much like a natural tooth an implant must be kept clean with good oral hygiene. Since food can get trapped around your crown it is possible for your gum to be infected so it’s important to create a good dental hygiene routine. Brushing effectively with a good brush, applying dental floss to all your teeth and using a good mouth rinse will take care of your implant as it does your natural teeth. Specialist dental floss and inter dental tooth brushes may also prove to be effective, your dentist or implantologist can advise you on the best routine.

What is the invisible secret in cosmetic orthodontics?

If it has been a while since you explored options for enhancing your smile then it may be time to pay a visit to Orpington Dental. We want to talk to you about the many options we have for getting you closer to the look you want.

invisalign-in-OrpingtonWhen it comes to teeth straightening, there is one treatment in particular that has now been used to treat over four million people. While we don’t want to keep it a secret, you could if you wanted to because it is so discreet. We offer Invisalign in Orpington to clients who want to align their teeth for good without compromising their look in the meantime.

How does Invisalign in Orpington work?

One of our team is waiting to go through the full process with you and show you just what Invisalign looks like. However, there is some general information we can tell you about it right now.

When you first decide to get Invisalign, your dentist will take an accurate picture of your mouth to allow your braces to be custom made for you. We send the details off to our partners and they send a set of aligners back to our clinic in Orpington. Invisalign ensure that your series of aligners will make the adjustments you want gently and slowly but in a shorter overall time than you might imagine.

Gradual movement

You take the aligners home and wear your first one for two weeks ensuring that you have it in place for a minimum of 22 hours per day. When you wear it, you might initially experience some mild discomfort. This is an inevitable part of moving teeth and it will subside. In the meantime, you can take painkillers to mitigate the effect if you wish to.

After the required interval, you can then swap this aligner for the next one in the series. Your teeth will have adapted to the first one by moving almost imperceptibly. The next one will cause them to move again. In this way, and with regular visits to the dentist, you will gradually move towards to the result you want.

Open the door to a new smile in Orpington

Maybe you always wanted the perfect white smile. Or your teeth have become more yellow over time. Or you are simply not content with the staining that results from drinking coffee, tea or smoking. Whatever your reason for desiring whiter teeth, it is now possible to achieve the perfect teeth whitening in Orpington through the treatments offered at Orpington Dental Care.

teeth-whitening-in-orpingtonJust like we all have different characteristics, people also have different tooth colour. Some people have more yellow teeth than others naturally, while others experience yellowing with aging. Generally, the optimal, most natural-looking tooth shade is always the one that equals the whiteness of the teeth and the whites of a person’s eye, but one’s natural tooth colour can be affected by many factors such as the natural aging process, the use of staining substances, the accumulation of plaque and tartar deposits as well as teeth trauma. Professional teeth whitening in Orpington can help you achieve a brighter and white smile.

What are the different procedures used to whiten teeth?

Teeth whitening in Orpington can be achieved in two ways: in-surgery whitening with laser technology and at-home bleaching with custom-made flexible plastic trays.

In each of these treatments, the technique and the duration of the treatment varies. If you opt for power teeth whitening in Orpington, then a protective barrier will be placed on your gums and lips followed by a bleaching gel on your teeth. The bleaching process will be activated as soon as the light source is positioned over your teeth. At Orpington Dental Care, power whitening is a non-invasive treatment which can produce great results in less than an hour.

On the other hand, at-home bleaching isa complete home teeth whitening system which involves taking impressions of your teeth so that custom-made trays can be created. These trays resemble very thin, clear gum shields which you can comfortably wear along with bleaching gel either awake or while sleeping. With his method, you can see results in approximately two weeks.

With Orpington Dental Care, teeth whitening in Orpington is only a step away. Book your appointment today and anticipate a brighter and whiter smile.