Is your smile missing something?

Losing your teeth can be make eating and speaking difficult and can also have a negative impact on how you feel about yourself. If you feel self-conscious in social situations or find yourself hiding your smile, then you know how missing teeth can affect your confidence. You may have considered dentures, bridges or crowns, but worried that they would be uncomfortable or hard to get used to. At Orpington Dental Care, we are proud to offer dental implants in Orpington, which offer a stable, long-term solution to the problem of missing teeth.

Dental Implants in OrpingtonHow do implants work?

Dental implants are small metal screws that are placed into the jaw during a minor operation. Over time, the bones and blood vessels mesh around the implants and stabilise them. They can then be used as a base for crowns, bridges or dentures. If the structure of the jaw is sound, your replacement teeth can be fitted the same day. Otherwise you may have to wait for a short time while the implants become stable. For our patients in Orpington, dental implants offer a flexible solution as they can be used to replace single or multiple teeth. One implant can support a bridge of up to four teeth or more implants can provide a secure base for a whole set of dentures.

What are the benefits?

Apart from restoring your smile, having dental implants in Orpington will enable you to eat your favourite foods again without difficulty. This improves quality of life but also contributes to enhanced nutrition and better overall health. They also avoid any of the difficulties associated with removeable dentures, such as poor fitting, inconvenient cleaning regimes, discomfort or problems speaking. The implants behave in the same way as the roots of natural teeth, which means that they help to keep the jaw healthy. If you have dentures, the jaw is not stimulated in the same way, causing the tissues to shrink back.

We have many years of experience in carrying out restorations for missing teeth in Orpington. Dental implants could give you a new lease of life and a beautiful new smile. Make an appointment with us today to discuss how we can help.

Straighter teeth mean happier smiles

Having crooked teeth is not just an aesthetic problem. If your teeth are misaligned, crowded or have large gaps then it can affect how you eat and speak as well as the overall health of your jaw. Excessive spacing between the teeth can undermine their stability and uneven teeth are generally harder to clean as there are more places for plaque to accumulate. This can cause gum inflammation, discomfort and eventually infection if left unresolved. At Orpington Dental Care, we fit braces in Orpington to realign your teeth, improve your appearance and enhance your health.

Braces in OrpingtonSolutions for all ages

Ideally, at our practice in Orpington, braces are fitted during childhood when there is still a mixture of baby and adult teeth. This means that the teeth can be realigned as the jaw is developing to avoid problems in the future. However, if you are an adult who has missed out on treatment then it is not too late. You may have considered corrective procedures but worried about traditional metal braces, which are often seen as uncomfortable, unsightly or inconvenient. Advances in technology mean that we are now able to offer our patients in Orpington braces which are more discreet, faster and more comfortable than before.

Modern techniques

We are pleased to offer braces in Orpington which fit into your lifestyle. Invisalign is a system which uses a series of clear plastic aligners that are changed every two weeks to gently guide your teeth into place. The aligners are almost invisible and very comfortable, as they are made to fit your mouth exactly. They are removeable for eating and cleaning so are simple and do not interfere with everyday life. We also use clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires, which are unobtrusive and work quickly to ensure that you get the results you want within months. In many cases, your new smile could be a reality within six months.

Having braces in Orpington has benefitted so many of our patients and we would like you to share their experiences. Give yourself the gift of a more attractive smile and a healthier mouth by contacting us today to discuss your options.

Making dental implants work for you – preparation and adaptation

Dental treatments can be as individual as you are. Although the general goal might be the same from patient to patient – replacing teeth for example – the way that this is achieved can vary.

With a procedure like dental implants, there is no way to tell exactly what course your treatment will take without consulting a dentist for advice.

Dental Implants in OrpingtonConsultation

When you have dental implants in Orpington with Orpington Dental, the first thing that will happen is a detailed consultation and examination. This is so that one of our team can check what you need. It may include x-rays of the teeth and jawbone to check for health and density.

You are asked a series of questions to determine whether any historical, medical or lifestyle factors are likely to affect your capacity to support implants. If there are any issues, your dentist will discuss them with you.

Preparation

There are two main procedures that might be used to prepare for dental implants, if required.

You may need to have the remains of old teeth removed in order to make way for your new set. Your dentist will also talk to you about any remaining teeth that look like they might deteriorate in the near future and cannot be saved in any other way. It could be easier to replace these at the same time as your others. Any healthy teeth will be unaffected and can stay where they are.

Dental implants are supported in your jawbone. They need a certain amount of height and thickness in order to be able to do the work you want them to do. If you do not have the necessary composition in your jaw, you can have material added to create it. This is achieved by means of a bone graft or sinus lift.

A bone graft is where material is taken from elsewhere in your body and applied to the area. This then knits with the existing bone. If you prefer, you may be able to consider a bone donor or animal source instead. This process extends the overall treatment time but makes dental implants accessible for many people who have deterioration in the jawbone.

Are dental implants safe?

Dental implants’ success rate may vary depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate around 98%. With proper care, dental implants in Orpington can last a lifetime.

Once you’ve received your new implants and you’ve healed completely, you’ll be able to take care of your implants just as if they’re real teeth. This means brushing and flossing daily and visiting Orpington Dental Care on a regular basis. Dental implants in Orpington are just like your natural teeth and sometimes they can be considered as better for many reasons, including the fact that dental implants cannot get cavities.

Dental Implants in OrpingtonAdvantages of dental implants

You will benefit from an improved and natural appearance. Since dental implants are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent, making them look and feel like your own teeth.

Compared to other dental procedures to replace teeth, dental implants are the most durable. With the right care, your dental implants could last a lifetime.

Dental implants in Orpington are fixed directly into your jaw and thanks to that, it’s much easier to eat and speak. With dentures, you have to learn to speak clearly without them slipping, but dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

Individual implants allow easier access between teeth. You’ll be able to go back to brushing your teeth, and flossing without any problem, increasing your oral health.

Am I a candidate?

To know if you’re a candidate for dental implants, there are a few requirements you need to meet. Firstly, you need to have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implants. Arrange an appointment with one of our dentists at Orpington Dental Care and they will be able to give you a proper diagnosis, so you can consider the next step of your dental journey.

Also, if you suffer from any chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart disease, you’ll need to be evaluated by one of our dentists to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. If you are considering dental implants in Orpington, talk to one of our dentists to see if they are the right option for you.

Replace your missing teeth

Do you have trouble eating or worry about your appearance due to missing teeth? If you have lost one or more teeth, then you may be experiencing a limited diet or feel that your smile is not as radiant as you would like. At Orpington Dental Care, we can help with tooth replacements in Orpington. Dental implants offer a great alternative to other procedures, enhancing your appearance and giving you confidence in your teeth. This can improve your self-esteem as well as making it easier to eat, speak and live life to the full.

dental-implants-orpingtonHow do implants work?

For many of our patients in Orpington, dental implants have proved a secure solution to missing teeth. Following an initial consultation, small metal screws are placed into the jaw in a minor operation. If the bones in your mouth are in very good condition, then the next stage can take place immediately. Otherwise, we allow time for the implants to become established. In either scenario, the tissues of the jaw meshes around the implants, stabilising them so that they will stay firmly in place. Crowns, bridges and dentures are fixed to the implants for a lasting restoration.

Long-term benefits

Having fully functioning teeth again not only enhances your look, it also means that you can eat a full range of food again. This has a great impact on your nutrition, improving your health well into the future. A further benefit is improved structure in the tissues of your jaw. This is because dental implants act in the same way as natural tooth roots. So, when you bite and chew, the pressure exerted stimulates the bone and blood vessels of the jaw. This strengthens them and prevents their degeneration, which can happen when there are gaps or after years of using traditional dentures. Having dental implants in Orpington is a lasting investment in your health and appearance.

You do not need to restrict your life any longer. Talk to our dedicated team today to find out how dental implants in Orpington can help you. Relish your favourite foods again and enjoy your smile with a long-lasting solution to missing teeth.

Problems due to crooked teeth?

Do you have misaligned, crooked, crowded or overly spaced teeth? You may wish that your smile was straighter or even be experiencing problems with eating or speaking. If your top and bottom jaws are very out of place, you may have what is referred to as a bad bite. This can cause issues with your teeth and gums or the joints and muscles in your face. Some people clench their jaws or grind their teeth which can cause pain, problems with biting or chewing or headaches. At Orpington Dental Care, we can fit braces in Orpington to help you.

braces-in-orpingtonConsidering braces?

If you are looking for tooth realignment in Orpington, braces offer a range of solutions. Thanks to advances in techniques, you are no longer limited to unsightly metal’train track’ braces, which can be uncomfortable and time consuming. Clear plastic aligners, removable clear wire aligners or the use of clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires mean that treatment is more discreet, comfortable and effective than ever before. If you are an adult who missed out on teeth straightening treatment as a child, it is not too late to experience the pleasure of having straighter teeth. Many procedures are very fast and you could have the smile of your dreams in as little as 6 months.

Long-term benefits

Having correctly placed teeth improves your appearance and can contribute to enhanced self-esteem, as you feel better and more confident about how you look. It can also improve the health of your mouth. Straighter teeth are easier to clean as there are fewer gaps for plaque to accumulate in. In addition, if your teeth are properly aligned, they are more stable. This decreases the chances of other teeth moving into the wrong place or even becoming loose. This ensures that you can use your teeth properly and enjoy a full range of food for a lifetime. Having braces in Orpington is a long-term investment in your health and wellbeing.

For our patients in Orpington, braces offer a great way to improve your oral health and the way you look. Do get in touch with our experienced team to discuss your options.

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.