Author: Aura Dental
Poor oral hygiene – an introduction
Are you suffering from poor oral hygiene and in need of treatment? Then look no further than Aura Dental London in St Johns Wood where our expert dentists will be able to see to your needs and requirements in a professional and friendly manner.
What do we do?
At our dentist in St Johns Wood we offer expert treatment together with general dentistry which is often overlooked by a lot of people who get busy with their work and social lives and end up neglecting proper care for their teeth. If you think you are one of those people who need to get back into the routine of caring for your teeth then the best way to start is by making an appointment with your dentist in St Johns Wood and ask for an initial check up. This will enable the dentist in St Johns Wood to be able to provide you with accurate advice and guidance on the best way to maintain dental health and oral hygiene.
What treatments do we offer?
We find that one of the most common forms of treatment required within the UK as a whole is fillings. You may have had at least one filling in your lifetime as it is a very common occurrence. Fillings are needed when you get holes in your teeth and are made up of material that gets placed in the teeth to replace parts of the natural tooth that are now missing.
Dental decay
You may need fillings if you suffer from dental decay as this is one of the main causes of damaged teeth. This happens when people eat too much sugary and fatty foods and drink and do not take care of their diet. This causes bacteria to form in the teeth and the gums which ends up causing erosion and holes to form. Another cause of holes and damage to teeth is caused by poor technique in brushing teeth. This will eventually cause you to suffer tooth pain which can cause discomfort and cause you to struggle to go about your day-to-day life.
What are your options?
If you feel that you are suffering with a hole or pain and discomfort in your teeth and you may require fillings then visit your dentist where the experts will be able to have a thorough consultation and check up so that they can see what the issue is and quickly resolve it for you in a professional and friendly manner. Fillings can be performed on the day and is a quick and easy procedure. The filling will get drilled into the hole and filled with white substance and this will treat the broken tooth and relieve you of the pain. You will not suffer any pain when the dentist inserts the filling into your tooth but if you do feel any slight discomfort your dentist will be able to give you local anaesthetic and some painkillers after the procedure. It will be best to avoid eating and drinking hot foods and drinks for the first 24 hours so that the filling remains in place. After 24 hours you will be able to eat and drink as normal.
Invisalign for a happy and more beautiful smile
There are many different issues that may affect the way you feel about your smile and rest assured that you are not alone. Many people are sitting at home looking at before and after pictures on dental websites and daydreaming about how they can improve the look of their smile. Does that sound like you? Don’t worry, we have all done it! In response to the increasing demand in dental cosmetics and in line with advances in technology, dentists have developed Invisalign. Invisalign is a modern and revolutionary method of addressing the issues with your smile at your comfort, convenience and discretion. If your teeth are clean and healthy then this is the perfect treatment for you, speak to us at Aura Dental and find out about Invisalign in St. John’s Wood today.
How does Invisalign work?
Dentists have been using Invisalign in St. Johns Wood since 1998, there is no need for you to settle with the way your teeth look any longer. Many hundreds and thousands of patients have undergone treatment using Invisalign in St. Johns Wood, so speak to us at Aura dental today, we are here to help you. At the first appointment, your dentist will carry out a full examination of your mouth to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy and you do not have any underlying issues which may affect the invisalign treatment or get worse with invisalign treatment. Once this has been verified then x-rays and scans will be carried out of your teeth which will be used to help tailor your invisalign treatment. A 3D scan of your mouth will show you what a successful course of Invisalign can do for your teeth, those all important before and after pictures that you have been dreaming about! Once you and the dentist come to an agreement about your expectations and what you are looking for then the x-rays and scans of your mouth will be sent off to the laboratory to have the Invisalign aligners created specifically for you. The Invisalign aligners come in a series and each aligner is designed to move your teeth gradually into the correct positions so that once you have worked your way through the whole set of aligners that have been designed for you then you will reach the final look that you were hoping for.
Advantages of Invisalign
The Invisalign aligners are invisible as hinted in the name, which makes them extremely convenient if you are self-conscious or embarrassed by conventional metal braces. You can take them out whenever you need to, which means they do not hinder any of your daily activities and you can eat and drink whatever you like when you like as you just take them out before your meal and then put them back into your mouth when you have finished. They are also very easy to clean and they are comfortable to wear as they have been specifically made to fit your mouth precisely.
Speak to us at Aura Dental today to find out how you can address the aesthetic issues of your teeth and find out more about how Invisalign in St, John’s Wood can help you.
Invisalign in St. Johns Wood
Factors affecting the Aesthetics of your teeth
Everyone knows the importance of good oral health and you may have an excellent dental hygiene routine and visit your dentist on a regular basis, but still be unhappy with the aesthetics of your smile. There are many different factors which affect the aesthetics of your teeth and these can include misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, wonky teeth and protruding teeth. These issues can detrimentally affect the look of your smile and may in turn affect your self-confidence and have a negative impact on other aspects of your life. We at Aura Dental want you to smile beautifully and happily and we are waiting to hear from you.
Many adults have not undergone orthodontic treatment when they were younger, however it is something that they are now considering in their adulthood. There is no need to settle with the way your teeth look anymore as advances in Dental Technology means that orthodontic treatment has become more convenient, comfortable and accessible than ever before. Previously adults have been put off by the thought of conventional braces which are made out of highly visible metal wires and brackets. Because of this reluctance, dentists have developed Invisalign. Speak to us at Aura dental to find out about Invisalign in St. John’s Wood and how this can help you address the aesthetic issues of your teeth and smile.
Invisalign in St. John’s Wood was introduced over two decades ago and has attracted many hundreds and thousands of patients to correct the aesthetic issues of their teeth. Invisalign is an Invisible orthodontic treatment which uses transparent, metal-free aligners to correct the alignment of the teeth. If you have clean and healthy teeth then Invisalign in St. John’s Wood could be the perfect treatment for you. Speak to our team here at Aura Dental to find out more today.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign in St Johns Wood, as suggested in the name, is a discrete form of orthodontic treatment which is why it is an attractive alternative to traditional braces especially in adults who have increased self-consciousness and are put off by the visibility of metal wires and brackets in their mouth. The dentist will carry out a full examination of your mouth to make sure that you have no underlying issues which may affect the treatment procedure or be exacerbated by the treatment itself. Once the dentist is assured that your teeth are clean and healthy they will carry out x-rays and three-dimensional scans of your teeth full stop these will be used to show you what successful treatment can do for your teeth but also to create a series of aligners which are individually tailored to your mouth to to provide comfort and accuracy of the treatment. These aligners are worn 2 weeks at a time, and they will gradually push the teeth into the correct positions as moulded by the aligners.
Visiting the dentist during the treatment procedure will help ensure that your teeth are moving correctly and that no underlying issues are occurring in the meantime. The duration of the treatment will depend on the extent of movement necessary to achieve the smile that you are looking for and speaking to your dentist here at Aura Dental will help you find out more and answer any questions that you may have. Speak to our team today, we are always here to help you.
How can my dentist help with a dental emergency?
Sometimes, unexpected things can happen to your teeth that can be uncomfortable and/or painful. This is why we offer our emergency dentist St John’s Wood service to help our patients in those moments when they are concerned about their oral health.
Reasons for having an emergency dental appointment
There are a few different things that can happen that may cause you to call our emergency dentist St John’s Wood, and we will do all we can to help you at that moment. Our team is highly qualified to deal with the most severe dental cases, and you can have a peace of mind knowing you are in good hands.
Toothache
This is one of the more common reasons that people will come to us for an emergency appointment. Toothache can be unbearably painful, and can stop you from doing your normal day-to-day activities. The pain is usually targeted in one area, causing it to be extremely sensitive, painful and uncomfortable.
When you come to us for an emergency appointment about toothache, we will do what we can to relieve your pain through different types of medicine, depending on the severity of your case. We will then try to find out what the cause of the pain is, and do what we can in that moment to treat it. If further treatment is needed, then we will create a plan to help you with it in the future.
Loose Tooth
If you have knocked a tooth out, then this can be painful, and can put the area at risk of infection. This is why you should contact our emergency dentist St John’s Wood if your tooth gets knocked out or becomes loose. It is especially important to contact us if you have continuous bleeding after it happens. If you still have the whole tooth intact and it is clean, then we may be able to reattach it, but if not, we will discuss options with you for future treatments to replace it.
If your teeth have become loose without knocking them, this could mean that there are bigger problems at play, such as periodontal disease. It is important to not ignore these symptoms, as they will only get worse over time, the quicker you contact us, the easier it will be to treat the problem.
Cracked tooth
Another reason that you may need to contact us for an emergency appointment is if you have cracked your tooth. This can cause sharp pain when you bite down, and when you eat or drink. It can also cause that tooth and the surrounding teeth to weaken at a faster rate. Depending on the severity of your case, there are several things that we can do to help you if you have a cracked tooth.
If you have a minor crack in your tooth, we will most likely just lightly polish the area to smoothen out any rough areas. On the other hand, if your whole tooth is cracked, this may need a root canal to treat it, or sometimes we can just repair it with material used for fillings.
Have you heard invisible braces cost more? 5 myths about Invisalign debunked
When you are looking to straighten your smile as an adult, you may think that the only course of treatment open to you is going to involve traditional metal or orthodontic braces.
And as an adult, you want to avoid that!
But orthodontic technology has come a long way over the last 20 years and today, the majority of dental surgeries are able to offer their patients either clear or invisible braces or aligners. As the names suggest, these are visually discrete and can provide you with the same movement that you would have once only been able to achieve with a metal brace.
At Aura Dental, we have not fallen behind the times and can offer our suitable patients clear braces, while also being able to offer the world-famous Invisalign in St Johns Wood. As the name suggests, this aligner is the closest aligner on the planet to being visually invisible and is custom-fitted to your mouth. Removable, comfortable and easy to clean, it is no wonder why it is so popular!
However, you may have heard some myths about Invisalign in St Johns Wood which make you question its effectiveness. Here, our team breaks down some of the most popular myths about this aligner.
Myth- It’s only suited for adults
Fact- Invisalign in St Johns Wood is used primarily on adult patients. However, this is due to adult patients being more reliable per se, and not taking the aligner out for hours on end, which can delay treatment.
We do offer this brace to teenagers and there is even a set of these aligners being trialled in children, so one day, your child may be able to wear this brace too!
Myth-It can’t treat bite issues
Fact- Invisible braces have become exceedingly powerful over the last few years and now, the majority of them can treat overbites, underbites and indeed crossbites.
However, if there is a misalignment with your jaws, you will probably need a metal brace.
Myth-It takes longer than traditional braces
Fact- Many people remember that one friend in school who wore metal braces for seemingly years on end. And it stands to reason that as invisible aligners provide less force when they are realigning teeth, that the treatment will take longer.
But, as this aligner is best at treating mild to moderate cases of misalignment, the average treatment time is between 3-6 months. So, very short!
Myth- It’s painless
Fact- We truly wish that all orthodontic treatments were comfortable but the fact is that when it comes to moving teeth, there is going to be discomfort.
When wearing an invisible brace, we recommend using over the counter pain relief, such as anti-inflammatories to keep discomfort levels low.
Myth It’s more expensive than traditional braces
Fact- It can be cheaper but this will depend on how long you need to wear it for.
Which is one reason why we advise patients to keep aligners in their mouth’s for 22 hours per day; to keep costs down!
Worried about oral cancer? 5 signs you need to see our dentist for screening
Are you finding it harder to chew and swallow food? Do you have oral ulcers that you cannot get rid of?
If so, you need to see our team.
As scary as it is to consider, the rates of oral cancer are rising in the UK and in fact globally, making it all the more important to see your dental team regularly for check-ups. If you are in a worrying place where you aren’t sure if you have oral cancer, don’t worry! With early detection and treatment, it has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers and so, you should really see a member of our team if you have concerns.
Because at Aura Dental, we know how important it is to screen for oral cancer and so, our dentist in St Johns Wood provides all of our patients with cancer screening as part of our biannual check-ups. If you have concerns about cancer between check-ups, however, please contact us right away so we can help.
But what are some of the signs of oral cancer to look out for at home? Our dentist in St Johns Wood answers that question below.
It’s hard to chew and swallow
If you are having issues biting into food, chewing it or swallowing, then you need to see our dentist in St Johns Wood for a check-up.
If you are suffering from a cold or flu, then these problems could be due to inflammation or may even signify a long-term undiagnosed allergy. However, if they persist for more than 2 weeks, come and see our team.
Weight loss
Unexpected weight loss is always worrying and should always be explored by a medical team.
As before, just because you have lost weight, it doesn’t immediately point to the big c, but may once again highlight an issue with food intolerance, allergies or even stress and mental health issues.
But if you have seen a doctor and all of these issues have been screened for, you may need to see our team for oral cancer screening.
Recurrent ulcers
From time to time, most people get oral ulcers; usually due to stress or illness.
But if you are noticing consistently occurring ulcers in your mouth, on your tongue or on your lips (they can look like a cold sore) then you need to see our team.
If one of the ulcers grows to the size of a 5 pence piece or larger, seek emergency medical assistance.
You can’t move your tongue and jaw correctly
As you may have guessed, if you struggle to stick out your tongue or are having issues with jaw movement, this could point to a hidden tumour underneath your tongue or in the jawline or joint. Of course, it could also indicate nerve issues, but nevertheless, if you notice that your tongue feels heavy, is not as mobile as it once was or is just feeling stiff, then you should contact our team for an oral cancer check.
New to invisible braces? Our Invisalign survival guide from Aura Dental
So, you’ve seen our team and have been given the green light to go ahead and have invisible aligners fitted. How exciting!
As you wait for your custom-fitted aligners to be made, you will probably be thinking that, well, there is nothing else to do but wait. However, as is the way with all orthodontic procedures, there are a few things you can do to make your transition into wearing invisible braces a bit easier for yourself.
Why? Because you are probably going to struggle a little bit with wearing your new invisible aligners and to ensure that you don’t give up on your treatment, we have written the following tips.
At Aura Dental, we know all about the struggles that our patients can have with orthodontic pieces and want to help you to achieve that gorgeous smile. While we know that invisible braces like Invisalign in St Johns Wood can be easier for many patients, we also know that they can also create a set of unique challenges that can take some getting used to.
So, here are our top survival tips for those first few weeks with Invisalign in St John’s Wood.
Invest in a small toothbrush
When you take Invisalign in St Johns Wood out to eat food, you are going to need to brush your teeth before putting the aligner back into your mouth.
And to ensure that your teeth stay as clean and healthy during your treatment, we recommend buying a travel toothbrush to carry in your pocket.
You will need dental wax!
OK, so we have already spoken briefly about how invisible braces are more comfortable than regular ones.
But, just like regular ones, we will recommend that you use dental wax to protect your tongue and inner cheeks. Those newly crafted edges of the invisible aligners can be hard, and rough, creating friction against the softer areas of your inner mouth and so, to keep you comfortable, we will provide you with some dental wax.
Pain relief
Back to comfort!
Invisible aligners are comfortable, yes, but they are still moving your teeth. And to ensure that you stick with the treatment as planned, you should invest in pain relief. We recommend anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as Ibuprofen to keep inflammation-based discomfort to a minimum.
If you feel you are experiencing excessive levels of discomfort, however, feel free to call our team for a consultation.
Use the case
A key appeal of this invisible brace is that you can take it out.
And while you are out with friends or family eating in restaurants, we recommend placing them safely within the cases that they came with. This will prevent it from becoming damaged, warped and of course, will keep it clean!
Keep an eye on the time
For invisible braces to be effective, you need to wear them for 22 hours per day.
We advise you to build up a routine of checking your watch until you become acclimated to wearing the aligner correctly.
Need to have endodontics performed? Common FAQS about root canals answered by our dentist
When you are recovering from a dental infection or abscess, you may be curious as to how your dental team will prevent it from recurring.
Historically, the easiest way to get rid of a dental infection was to simply remove the tooth via extraction but, if the tooth was located at the front of the mouth, this would pose an obvious aesthetic issue.
In the last 100 years of dental care, there has been a way to retain any infected teeth while also treating an infection; with a root canal or endodontic procedure!
At Aura Dental, our dentist in St Johns Wood knows all about performing root canals and has helped thousands of people to retain their gorgeous smiles using this technique. But, we are also well aware of the rumours and myths that surround this procedure and are here to assure you that it is perfectly safe!
So, when our dentist in St Johns Wood talks to patients about root canals, what are the most common questions that are asked about the procedure? Read on to find out!
Are they uncomfortable?
In a word, no.
Our dentist in St Johns Wood will numb your gum before beginning any dental procedure, so while in the dental chair, you won’t feel a thing!
But, interestingly, as a root canal removes the infected debris from the inside of the tooth, even when our injectable pain relief wears away, you will likely notice a decrease in discomfort. Great stuff!
Do they cause the infection to spread?
Again, no they do not.
A root canal is performed by our team drilling into the infected tooth and removing the infection, then filling the tooth with a putty-like material to prevent a recurrence. And so, this method actually prevents the infection from spreading to surrounding soft tissues.
How long does it take?
Your root canal can take a single appointment or, if it is being performed on a molar, it can take two. A root canal performed on a single-rooted tooth will usually take between 60-90 minutes to complete.
If we spot, during the diagnostic X-Rays, that you have misshapen roots (very common!) then we may need to refer you to a specialist endodontist to have the root canal performed.
Will the infection come back?
It is highly unlikely that an infection will reoccur in a tooth that has had a root canal.
In fact, endodontics in general have a success rate of over 97%, but if you suspect that an infection is occurring in your mouth, please contact our team for an emergency appointment.
How long does a root canal last?
With proper oral hygiene, a root canal can last for the rest of your life without hassle!
Our team will always check on the condition of any endodontic or restorative work at your biannual check-ups.
If your root canal does fail, we will aim to reapply it. If it continually fails, we will then consider extracting the tooth and will discuss restorative options with you.
Want to learn more about Invisalign? Your top 5 FAQs answered by our team at Aura Dental
Want straighter teeth as an adult, but don’t want the hassle of metal braces?
In the last 10 years, orthodontists have designed an array of new appliances to help adult patients get straighter teeth, without the undertaking of a traditional metal brace, via clear and invisible aligners.
At Aura Dental, we have helped hundreds of our adult patients get the straighter teeth they want using Invisalign in St John’s Wood. An innovation of design and functionality, this aligner provides you with a discreet way to straighten your teeth, without the need for metal brackets.
Curious to learn more about Invisalign in St John’s Wood? Read on for answers to 5 popular invisible brace related FAQs.
How do they work without attachments?
Invisalign in St Johns Wood works due to its custom-fitted design.
When you come to us to begin using this aligner, we will take a 3D scan of your teeth to begin making the aligners. Using digital technology, we will plot the required movements that the aligners will need to make to straighten your teeth.
When you wear your first aligner (and every one in the sequence thereafter), you will notice that they feel tight; this is what helps them to move your teeth into their new positions. When the aligner feels loose, (usually 14 days later) move on to the next one!
Can they treat an underbite?
They can, but remember, this aligner cannot be used to treat severe or complex cases. So, if you have a more complicated underbite, then our team may recommend you undertake treatment with a clear aligner or even with metal braces.
Are they uncomfortable?
Sadly, there is no such thing as completely comfortable orthodontics.
While this aligner is more bearable for many patients, many report feeling pressure on their teeth when they change between aligners; this is normal and is part of the orthodontic process.
But if you have worn metal braces in the past, you may be in for a pleasant surprise relating to how agreeable these aligners are in daily life.
How long do most people wear them?
The average treatment time for wearing an invisible aligner is between 3-6 months.
But you must remember that the length of time you wear these aligners will depend on how severe the misalignment is and if you stick to the regime set down by our team. We know it can be tempting to leave any removable orthodontic treatment out, but to see the desired effects in the set time frame, please keep them in for a minimum of 22 hours per day.
Aren’t they expensive?
It is a concern for many patients that this aligner is going to be outside of their price range.
However, our team at Aura Dental is aware that most people will need a bit of help spreading the cost of orthodontics as adults, and so, we are able to offer our suitable patients’ financing options.
Talk to our team today to see if you are applicable.
Worried about wearing a metal brace as an adult? 5 benefits from Aura Dental
When you visit an orthodontist as an adult, it can feel like a bit of a let down to be told that, despite all the different aligners available, that you need a fitted orthodontic retainer.
Known to many as ‘metal’ or ‘full’ appliances, these are often associated with younger children and teenagers, thus making many adults who wear them feel a bit, well, odd.
But it is a fact that sometimes as we age, our teeth move and with other things such as extractions and trauma, this can cause our smiles to fall out of perfect alignment. Or, perhaps you weren’t given access to orthodontics as a child and are looking to set it right as an adult (which we applaud!).
At Aura Dental, we have helped thousands of adults who have worn traditional braces in St John’s Wood to get the smiles that they deserve. We provide everything from the initial consultation up to the customised retainers, to ensure that your teeth move exactly the way you want them to, and give you the confidence boost that comes with straighter teeth. Perfect!
So, what are the other advantages of wearing traditional braces in St John’s Wood?
They work!
OK, this may sound a bit obvious but in every case where fitted braces in St Johns Wood have been applied, the teeth will move as our team or any other dental professional wants them to.
And while this may take a bit longer in an adult due to the teeth being more set in position, we can assure you that when your teeth move, your smile will be transformed for the better.
Simple
In your search for adult orthodontics, you may have read about the different types of aligners that are available and while it sounds ideal to have removable appliances, it can make treatments complicated.
An invisible aligner has to be worn for so many hours a day, it has to be worn in succession and the wearer has to invest in a toothbrush to carry with them to clean their teeth after they eat.
With regular appliances, none of this is needed, allowing you to simply have them in your mouth and for our team to make the adjustments as required.
Oral health
Once again, you may have concerns that your teeth will become rotten if you wear a fitted appliance.
But, with the regularity of check-ups and visits to the hygienist to keep them clean, the majority of adults who wear fitted orthodontics improves. So once they are off, your smile will glisten!
Preventive
Wearing an appliance to straighten your teeth at any age can have a dramatic impact on your health; with gaps being closed and your teeth becoming straighter, this can prevent decay and allow for correct brushing.
Confidence
OK, so you may not feel over the moon when they are first fitted, but as your teeth move, you will feel your confidence grow and once they are off, well, your smile will be stunning!