Mouth Cancer Screening

We know that cancer is a scary word. Cases of mouth cancer are on the rise and, like any form of cancer, early detection vastly increases the chances of making a full recovery. That’s why we undertake mouth cancer screening as standard during your regular dental check-ups.

mouth cancer screeningAs dentists we have the experience and equipment to spot the early stages of mouth cancer, even before you may have noticed anything yourself. However, if you do find anything suspicious between your regular check-ups, please make an appointment to see us straight away. Remember: the earlier mouth cancer is spotted, the better your chances of recovery are.

Symptoms of mouth cancer include:

  • Lumps in the mouth, tongue or throat
  • Red or white patches in the mouth or throat
  • Ulcers which do not heal
  • Persistent mouth pain or pain/problems swallowing
  • Swollen lymph glands in the neck
  • Changes to speech or voice
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Problems moving the jaw
  • Bleeding/numbness in the mouth
  • Teeth that become loose for no obvious reason

Should you notice any of these signs, or anything else suspicious, book an appointment straight away. One of our dentists will carry out a thorough examination of the whole of your mouth, using a special hand-held device to scan any lesions or lumps they may find. This helps to highlight any risk factors; if we do find anything suspicious, we will refer you to a hospital consultant for further investigation.

In many cases, anything we find may be benign. However, because of late detection, mouth cancers have a higher number of deaths per number of cases than the more widely publicised conditions breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. Currently there about 2,700 deaths from mouth cancer in the UK every year.

For more information about mouth cancer, including diagnosis, treatment and support groups, please visit the Mouth Cancer Foundation website.

Replacing Missing Teeth

If you’ve lost one or more of your natural teeth, you’ll know how distressing an experience it can be. We see patients who have lost teeth for a variety of reasons, from tooth decay or gum disease to accident or injury.

dental implantsWhatever the cause, it can be very traumatic and can lead you to be embarrassed about smiling in public. In addition, it can cause a range of other health problems, from difficulties in maintaining a healthy diet because many foods are suddenly off the menu to further dental health problems as your other teeth move out of position into any gaps, while gums and bone start to recede.

Fortunately, we offer a wide range of options to replace missing teeth. The best treatment for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances, which we’ll discuss with you at an initial consultation. Here are some of the choices:

Bridges

Dental bridges can replace one or two adjacent missing teeth. They are usually made of a precious metal base and may also contain porcelain to make them look natural. Bridges usually use surrounding teeth for support, so these teeth will need to be strong and healthy. They may be attached using crowns or wings on supporting teeth, with a false tooth or teeth in between. Sometimes, bridges are attached to dental implants.

Dentures

Dentures may be fixed with dental implants or be removable. Partial dentures replace a few missing teeth while full dentures replace an entire arch (jaw) worth of teeth. Dentures are made from hard-wearing material and look a lot like natural teeth and gums.

Dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. They are placed directly in the jawbone, where they can support replacement teeth in the form of crowns, bridges or secured dentures. Unlike other tooth replacement options, implants support bone growth, helping to prevent bone loss.

Replacing Old Crowns and Veneers Dental crowns

Dental crowns and veneers are two popular treatment options for patients with missing, damaged or gappy teeth, and those who are otherwise unhappy about how their smile looks.

dental crownsCrowns are used to restore teeth that have been broken, have very large fillings, have been weakened by decay or root canal treatment, are worn or have been otherwise damaged. They act like a cap to your tooth, providing extra strength and building it up to look and act like a natural tooth again.

Veneers are usually used on the top teeth to aesthetically improve their appearance, giving you a smile you want to show off to everyone. They are very thin slivers of porcelain placed on the front of your teeth. A single veneer may be used to, for example, cover one discoloured or badly stained tooth, while a full set (usually between six and eight veneers) can give your whole smile a makeover, closing small gaps, correcting a chipped or slightly misaligned tooth and otherwise disguising imperfections.

With good care and regular dental visits, your crowns and veneers should last you a long time. However, sometimes they can become damaged – just like natural teeth – and in need of replacing. At Orpington Dental Practice, our expert team can restore you smile with new crowns or veneers, using the latest techniques and materials for a completely natural-looking result.

Crowns have been used in dentistry for many years. They were – indeed still are – made from a range of materials, including gold, which was a popular choice as it is very strong and durable. However, it is also very noticeable, meaning many people don’t want a gold crown near the front of their mouth. We can replace old crowns with natural-looking tooth-coloured crowns, which thanks to advances in materials can be matched to the natural shade of your teeth.

If your veneers are damaged or have been badly fitted, we may be able to repair them or can fit a new set that are precisely made to match the shade and shape of your existing teeth, creating a beautiful, natural new smile.