Author: Aura Dental

Learn more about the tooth-saving procedure: dental implants in St John’s Wood

Have you lost one or multiple teeth lately due to mouth trauma or as a result of years of neglect? While exploring your options for replacing your teeth, or tooth, add dental implants in St John’s Wood.

dental-implants-st-johns-wood

Losing teeth and not replacing them won’t just affect your confidence but your general lifestyle.  Book a consultation with our experienced dental practitioner at Aura Dental to chat about dental implants in St John’s Wood.

Why should I choose dental implants in St John’s Wood?

Many people are dissuaded from using tooth implants because they cost more than dentures and bridges. While they are valued at a higher price, you must take into account what you are paying for.

So, what are implants? To answer this question, we must look at the anatomy of a tooth. Every tooth in your mouth has a root, which is part of the tooth below your gums, and the crown, which is the visible part.

Dental implants are tiny screws that replace your missing tooth at the root, which are inserted into your bone. Over time, we connect an abutment to the metal post and a prosthesis to the abutment.

What is the process of getting tooth implants?

Obtaining implants is a lengthy process that takes up to six months. There are two minor surgical procedures and a hefty recovery involved. However, if you are looking for a quick fix, implants are not for you.

Before the process can even begin, you must be deemed fit for the procedure, and unfortunately, not everyone is. To be considered a suitable candidate, you must have healthy gums and enough density and volume of bone in the area of your missing tooth. 

You may need to undergo a root scale and panning if you have gingivitis, which is a disease of the gum, before your implant procedure can be administered.

If you have insufficient bone, you will need to undergo bone augmentation surgery, such as bone grafts which is the transplant of bone from other parts of your body to your mouth.

Undergoing surgeries like the one above can make implants possible. However, you will have to wait, and endure extensive recoveries, before you can flaunt your new tooth.

How do implants stay in your mouth?

Another reason why implants are popular is that they are firmly lodged into your bone and can only be removed by your dental practitioner.

The metal fuses with the surrounding tissue in a biological process called ‘osseointegration’. Osseointegration is the successful integration between bone and metal, which occurs because the body regards the metal (titanium), as part of the body.

Will you need to replace implants in the future?

With the proper care implants are a lifelong investment and because implants are securely lodged into your jaw, you will not have to worry about them slipping out at inopportune moments.

Subtly fix your crooked teeth with Invisalign in St John’s Wood

Straightening your teeth won’t just improve your confidence but has become crucial for obtaining excellent dental health and hygiene.

If you are on the fence about Invisalign in St John’s Wood and braces in general, knowing that straightening aids could fix your teeth issues permanently could be the push you need to begin your straightening journey today.

crooked-teeth

Visit our practice, Aura Dental, for a consultation and learn more about Invisalign in St John’s Wood, an invisible device that provides outstanding results.

Facts about Invisalign

Braces have been a wonderful invention that have created beautifully formed teeth for people not born with a desirable set of teeth.

That said, there are pitfalls to wearing braces, despite improvements being made to them since their inception.

Firstly, while the design of your wiring system on your braces is sleeker, it is still a noticeable device. Secondly, while you adjust to the wires that place pressure on your teeth with regular braces, they can cause you pain and discomfort. This can occur when you have your wires altered by your orthodontist during check-ups, or when wire rubs against your skin.

Invisalign in St John’s Wood is a nearly invisible device. Additionally, your treatment involves less pain. You may experience some discomfort at times, but cuts and abrasions will be a thing of the past because smooth plastic will cover your teeth.

Your journey to straighter teeth must not be regarded as a means to an end, but should be a generally comfortable and pleasant experience – which is something that you can expect from Invisalign in St John’s Wood.

How does Invisalign work?

The accuracy of invisible braces is, in part, thanks to the advanced technology we use in your treatment. Using 3-D digital imaging, we customise a treatment plan for you, which is highly accurate and closely fashions the results. This way, we can accurately show you how your teeth will look at the end of treatment.

During your check-ups, we will use our technology to monitor your progress closely. If ever you feel disheartened or unsure whether your teeth are improving, ask your dentist for a progress assessment.

On top of being able to track the gradual movement of your teeth, our high-tech scanners are advantageous for other reasons. Our scanners take thousands of images of your teeth per minute, removing the need for using moulding material to create your aligners.

Throughout your treatment, you will receive multiple aligner trays that are slightly different versions of each other, which will slowly pull your teeth into place.

What are the benefits of Invisalign in St John’s Wood?

One of the primary reasons people choose Invisalign is because the aligners you wear, which are made from high-quality plastic, are clear. This makes them invisible to the untrained eye.

Other surprising benefits include maintaining your current teeth-cleaning schedule and not having to worry about having spinach stuck in your teeth. Why? Because you can remove your brace when you need to.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

We have had a lot of enquiries recently from local parents in and around St Johns Wood asking about when and how to check whether their children are ready for braces.

Many parents realise their children have crooked or gappy teeth which will need braces at some point, but just not sure when the best time is to start the process.

Usually kids or young teens have braces once all their adult teeth have come out. The dentist can then correct any misalignment/crowding, gaps or bite issues with teeth that the child will have for life. Advances in technology mean there are more options for orthodontic treatment beyond just the ‘train tracks’ (fixed braces) we used to all know and hate. These days, brackets on teeth can be discreet or even more flamboyant with coloured bands. There are also removable aligners which are very convenient for eating and cleaning your teeth, but require discipline to ensure they are being worn for enough time every day so as to not prolong the overall treatment.

Types of Kids Orthodontics
Advancements in orthodontic technology mean dentists may recommend different orthodontic appliances depending on the complexity of the case and/or lifestyle choices. 

Early orthodontic treatment has the aim of preventing issues with the teeth or mouth from developing as the child grows up. These can include misaligned bite and crowded/crooked baby or adult teeth. In some cases early intervention can help avoid or minimise more complex treatment later on.

So what are some of the signs to look out for that will tell you if your child’s teeth or bite are not quite right?

  • Crowded or crooked teeth
  • Large gaps between teeth
  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
  • Difficulties chewing or biting into food
  • Often biting into their cheek or tongue
Examples of the kids’ teeth that could benefit from early intervention

If you see any of these with your child, it would be best to take them in to see the dentist. The dentist will be able to assess your child’s teeth, bite and overall oral condition and then advise you on the best course of action.

It is always best to get kids into a regular check up and hygiene routine at an early age so the dentist can spot changes to your child’s mouth that may cause problems later down the line.

At Aura Dental, our dentists will guide you and your child through the entire orthodontic journey. If you are worried or unsure about your child’s teeth, book in for a check up and chat with the dentist to explore the options available.

Dr Korosh Majidi is our resident kids orthodontic dentist. Korosh has extensive experience in kids and teens orthodontic treatment and strongly believes in finding the least invasive course of action for child and young adult cases.

You can read more information about kids orthodontics at https://www.auradentallondon.co.uk/kids-orthodontics.html

Korosh Majidi
DDS DipDCSc MFDS LDS (Eng 2016) MFGDP Pg(Ortho)
GDC No. 108283

What are the signs you may need dental implants in St John’s Wood?

When it comes to repairing the damage inflicted on your teeth by your diet, injury, overzealous or poorly maintained oral health routine, our team may recommend you try implants to give your smile a makeover.

dental-implants

Sadly some patients still miss out on this confidence boosting and smile strengthening procedure, so that is why we’ve come up with a short list of a few reasons you may be better off with dental implants in St John’s Wood.

 What are they?

Here is a little background information on this unique treatment.

Implants are basically porcelain or ceramic teeth that are inserted beneath your gum line and into your jawbone using an artificial tooth root. They are held in place with a small, solid titanium screw that is sterilised beforehand, in order to limit the spread of any bacteria whilst you are healing after the treatment.

Over time the bone in the implantation site should start to heal back over the screw, to provide a stable and sturdy platform for the new tooth to rest on and stop it from becoming loose or dislodged.

Cracked, broken or damaged teeth

One of the most common situations within which our dental implants in St John’s Wood are used is when there are cracked or badly damaged teeth. This type of damage can happen for a number of reasons, but it tends to happen more often in those with a lot of sports related hobbies or physical activities, as they are more prone to accidental damage or injury.

At Aura Dental our team will provide a quick and long lasting repair for any damaged or cracked teeth with an implant that has been professionally shaped and shaded, to provide you with a natural looking replacement.

Gap filled smile

Having a gap in your smile can take quite a toll on your self-confidence and make you a little less eager to smile in photographs, so filling out those spaces with an implant would be our recommendation.

Weakening of the surrounding teeth

Having damaged or missing teeth can, over time, start to negatively impact the surrounding teeth. This is because when we bite our jaws exert a certain amount of force that is normally spread evenly throughout our mouth. However when there are gaps or spaces caused by damage that pressure can start to build and build, to the point where the surrounding teeth can start to crack, flatten or wear down from all this weight.

To counter this our dentists would insert an implant into your gum line to essentially even out your smile and lessen the pressure being placed on your existing teeth. It can also help to prevent your remaining teeth from becoming loose, as it pins them in just like the previous occupant of their new home used to.

These are just a few reasons that might indicate you should stop by the practice for an appointment for implants. If you would like to learn more about how this treatment can help restore your smile or to schedule your own fitting, then just get in touch with our team at the practice.

Straighten out that smile with braces in St John’s Wood

When someone brings up the subject of braces a lot of older patients are not overly keen on the idea, because of the unfortunate social stigma attached to wearing them. But there are actually a number of benefits to wearing a brace as an adult,  we can use them to help straighten out any crooked teeth you may have to improve your smile, but also to improve dental hygiene. Straight teeth make it easier to keep teeth clean and also help to minimise many problems associated with misalignment.

straighten-teeth

If this procedure has piqued your curiosity, then here is a little extra information on how we use braces in St John’s Wood to help you get that straight looking smile.

What are they?

For some an appointment for braces in St John’s Wood might mean being fitted with the stereotypical bracket and wire setup, but depending on your case, we may also offer an almost invisible alternative.

Known as clear braces, they can be fixed or removable depending on the degree of rectification required. The fixed type of clear braces can have clear or tooth-coloured brackets and wires. However the most popular types of clear braces are see-through plastic aligners that are custom moulded to fit only your mouth and over time help straighten out any troublesome crooked teeth. What makes this particular piece of corrective device different is that it can be removed at any time.

How they can straighten out your smile

The practice of using braces to correct crooked teeth is fairly common and simple. The idea is that the brace will exert a small, gentle and direct amount of pressure on specific areas of your mouth over an extended period of treatment time, with the goal of slowly realigning them to a straighter position.

Generally it can take several months for the desired results to start appearing, although the length of time can depend on the specific patient situation and age, as those that are younger tend to have a shorter turnaround for this procedure. But your dentist will usually discuss this with you and provide an estimate for your particular case.  

What does the fitting involve?

The fitting of the brace is fairly straightforward and depending on the type of appliance being used it can take a matter of minutes. The bracket and wire setup of clear brace is normally attached with a special dental adhesive through a simple procedure. This brace, also known as a ceramic brace, is also very unobtrusive whilst giving your dentist greater control over movement of teeth. The removable see-through types of braces involve a short non-invasive scanning session to get the measurements for your aligner as accurate as possible. At Aura Dental our team will fit you with a brace that has been created with a high level of detail and accuracy to provide a comfortable and efficiently fitted aligner.

Is it painful?

A pretty common question that crops up when treatments are being discussed is whether it’s going to be painful at all.

The process of fitting a brace isn’t overly invasive or particularly uncomfortable, although you may start to experience some mild aches in your teeth after wearing them for a few days. This is because your teeth are being forcibly moved, so naturally your body isn’t too happy about that. To counter this just use painkillers if things start to get a little too much.

Hopefully this has helped to clear up a few things about our braces and how we can use them to make your smile a little straighter. For further information about this treatment or to schedule your own appointment, just contact the practice and have a chat with our team.

Saving your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood

Over time our teeth take quite a battering from the likes of our diet, activities and general oral health routine. This can start to manifest itself in the form of overcrowding, cracks, chips or in some cases an entire tooth falling out or being badly decayed to the point it needs to be removed, leaving you with a gum filled void in your smile.

dental-implants-surgery

To rectify this, our team might suggest that implants may be the right way to go to start reshaping and restoring that grin. Here is how we can save your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood.

What are they?

For those coming for dental implants in St John’s Wood for the first time, here’s a little extra information.

The implants are essentially a manufactured tooth root topped by what is normally a ceramic crown, new teeth that are inserted below the gum line and directly into your jawbone. These new artificial teeth are held in place with a titanium screw that would have been sterilised before the fitting to limit the spread of any bacteria. The goal of the metal screw in your jaw is to provide a sturdy platform for your new tooth crown to rest on whilst the bone heals back around the new addition.

 When are they used?

As mentioned previously, our team may suggest this treatment to you as a way to replace any badly broken, damaged or infected teeth. It can also be used to fill gaps in your smile, or even to rectify extreme cases of overcrowding, by replacing the crooked teeth and it can also be used as a way to strengthen surrounding teeth against further damage.

At Aura Dental our highly trained team of professionals will expertly shape and shade your new implant to ensure that it blends in and provides you with a natural-looking, sturdy replacement for that tooth you have lost.

Is the procedure going to be painful?

One of the most common questions that our team hears from patients is whether an upcoming treatment is going to feature any discomfort or pain.  With implants there may be some mild discomfort as it does involve some minor surgery, but our team would normally use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce the amount of pain you may feel.

Caring for your new implant after treatment

After your new tooth has been fitted your main priority should be to keep it clean and bacteria free, as failure to do so could lead to inflammation and infection setting in, which can cause all sorts of problems in the long run.

So in order to keep your implant sparkling clean we recommend that you give it a light brushing at least once a day as part of your normal oral health routine. Dental floss can still be used to remove stubborn food particles around the implant site, but avoid using mouthwash for a few days after the procedure as the chemicals in some brands can irritate your gums.

These are just a few interesting facts about our implants and how we can use them to restore your smile. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of this procedure then just get in touch with our team at the practice.

What makes Invisalign in St John’s Wood worth it?

As we get older our teeth can start to slowly rotate and change position in our mouths, although extreme cases of misalignment are rare, a crooked tooth or two can put a damper on a once confident smile. To remedy that our team uses a sophisticated invisible brace treatment to help straighten out your smile and restore that dazzle.

invisalign-teeth

So if you have some troublesome teeth you would like taken care of, then here are a few reasons as to why Invisalign in St John’s Wood might be worth a consideration.

What is it?

An appointment for Invisalign in St John’s Wood is fairly straightforward and involves our team fitting you with a custom moulded device that is made from a see-through, plastic material. The goal of this brace is to slowly realign any crooked teeth you may have into a neater and straighter position within your gum line.

This is managed through the gentle application of pressure at specific points in your mouth by the brace. Depending on the treatment you may also have to wear additional braces as your teeth turn in place, to ensure that the amount of force being placed on them is continued at the right time and in the right portions of your mouth. Doing so allows the realignment to progress uninterrupted so you can get that straighter smile you deserve.

At Aura Dental our team will assess your case quickly to find out how we can improve and strengthen your smile, with your very own set of high-quality, professionally-produced transparent braces.

How is it different from a normal brace?

Realigning your teeth can be performed with a normal bracket and wire brace setup just as well as a see-through variety, but there are some minor differences between the two to keep in mind.

For one thing the clear braces are completely see-through, rendering them almost invisible, which is a big plus for those that may feel a little self-conscious about wearing dental gear out in public. Another difference is that the transparent braces are also completely removable, thanks to them being designed like specialised mouthguards that you can pop out for brushing your teeth, eating meals or to give them a clean.

Although, if you do plan on taking out your brace we recommend that you only do so for short periods, as extended removal of it could negatively impact your realignment. If possible, try to keep it in your mouth for at least 22 hours a day

Advice for keeping your brace clean

To keep your new brace sparkling we recommend that you give it a light scrubbing with a recommended cleaning solution at least once every second day. Doing so will clear out plaque, kill bacteria and help reduce any staining that might be building up.

Hopefully this short list has helped to clear up a few facts about our invisible braces treatment. If you would like to learn more about this particular procedure, or to schedule an appointment for your own set of aligners, then just get in touch with our team at the practice.

Essential information about implant-retained dentures and dental implants in St John’s Wood

Have you become accustomed to wearing dentures? Then you are probably not thrilled at the thought of changing over to a new device.

Despite any inconveniences, dentures have served you well for the most part. So why not give them an upgrade so you can continue to wear a prosthesis you can trust?

dental-implant-retained-denturesImplant-supported dentures provide the stability that standard versions sometimes lack, with a similar frame that you have always used.

If you want to improve your dentures without having to switch to another prosthesis, come and have a chat with one of our highly skilled and experienced dentists at our clinic, Aura Dental.

In what cases can this variation of dental implants in St John’s Wood be worn?

If you do not have teeth but possess bone in your jaw, then denture-supported implants could be a possibility for you.

These types of implants are typically used for the lower jaw, which is more prone to becoming unstable over time, but can also be used for the upper jaw.

Is the device permanent?

It is up to you whether you want dentures that are permanent or removable. If you are not sure about which type is better for your needs, our dental practitioner will provide you with all the information you need to assist you in making an informed choice.

If you choose detachable dentures, you should remove them as you would with standard dentures and soak them in a solution overnight to prevent them from drying out.

More people are opting for dental implants in St John’s Wood that are permanent; that way, they do not have to remember to take out their device before bed.

Do I have to incorporate new steps into my teeth-cleaning regime?

If you choose removable implant-supported dentures, then you probably are no stranger to the rigorous cleaning routine that comes with a device of this kind.

To keep the device from getting dirty, stained or to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, you must remove old food particles after eating.

Before you go to sleep, pop the device in a cleaning solution or water to ensure it does not dry out; never use hot water because the heat can warp its shape.

Permanently attaching dentures onto dental implants in St John’s Wood is bound to simplify your teeth cleaning routine. Remember to brush and floss daily, and then enjoy life unimpeded by a faulty tooth restoration device.

How do you attach the device?

This depends on whether your dentist uses bar-retained or ball-retained dentures.

Bar-retained dentures comprise of a thin wire, which follows the shape of your jaw and is attached to your implants. Clips are added to the wire to which the set of dentures are fastened.

Ball-retained dentures work differently. An implant holds an attachment which fits into another attachment affixed to the denture.

Is there anything else that I should know?

Dentures are made from a durable material, but they are susceptible to wear and tear. If they crack or gradually loosen, resist fixing the device yourself and come and pay us an urgent visit.

Improve your dentures with us to better your quality of life!

Straighten your teeth with an array of modern braces in St John’s Wood

Braces are not as stigmatised now as they were in the past, when adults wearing straightening aids seemed unthinkable.

straighten-teethWhy this might now be the case is that there are several different types and methods of correcting crooked teeth that take account of people’s unique issues, as well as their lifestyle needs.

If you hate the way your teeth look, why not step into our practice at Aura Dental for a consultation regarding braces in St John’s Wood?

Taking a closer look at our methods of treatment

  • Invisalign

Invisalign should need no form of introduction. But in case you have not heard about it, Invisalign is a device that straightens teeth without wires – clear, BPA-approved plastic retainers are used in their place.

Invisalign corrects overbites and realigns overlapping, rotated, and irregularly-shaped teeth invisibly. Friends, family, and work colleagues will not know that you are wearing braces, yet the device is hard at work, pulling your teeth into their desired position.

Another reason for its popularity may be due to the technology we use for invisible braces in St John’s Wood. Utilising our digital imaging machine, you can see the predicted results, even before you have started treatment.

We also use it to check the progress of your teeth and to ascertain whether you are on course with your treatment.

  • Six month smiles

One complaint that we hear all the time is about the longevity of treatment, people do not want to wait for one to two years before they can flaunt perfectly straight teeth.

‘Six month smiles’ might be a more fitting solution for you if you are impatient and want to fix your teeth quickly.

However, bear in mind that the braces in St John’s Wood we use do not work more rapidly than the conventional types but only partially straighten your teeth. Only the teeth that are visible when you smile are corrected.

  • Inman aligner

An Inman aligner is similar to six month smiles in that only targeted teeth, such as protruding front teeth and overcrowding is addressed. However, you can enjoy the freedom of removing the device when you see fit.

  • Damon

Not everyone likes the detachable nature of Invisalign, and some people’s dental issues cannot be adequately fixed with six month smiles. Damon braces are a permanent orthodontic device that differs from traditional braces in that a clip mechanism replaces the ligatures and archwires.

Its users have reported the clip mechanism as being more efficient than the original wiring system of braces, because it allows for hassle-free adjustment. Not only that, but without the ligatures, the brace is less noticeable.

  • Removable orthodontic retainers

People forget how important it is to maintain newly straightened teeth, this requires a retainer.

Like braces and other straightening devices, the device might feel unfamiliar, bulky, or uncomfortable at first, but your mouth and teeth will eventually adapt to its presence.

For the first three months after wearing your braces, you need to wear the retainer for at least sixteen hours a day, and after that, keep it in at night.

There are various ways to straighten your teeth – why not find out from us!

Your options considering dental implants in St John’s Wood

You have probably heard about dental implants in St John’s Wood and might even know people whose lives have changed for the better because of them.

However, what you might not know is that there is more than one type of implant available. The implant you can have depends on the extent of your dental issues and your preferences.

dental-implants-st-johns-woodWhether you need replacement teeth, want to make the switch from dentures to implants, or your natural teeth are rotten, we can help you achieve a smile makeover.

Single and multiple dental implants in St John’s Wood

Have you knocked your tooth out whilst playing football or eating an apple? As anxious as you might feel about losing your tooth you can have it replaced.

Tooth implants not only look identical to your natural teeth, but also function like real ones, something you will notice when you eat, chew and talk.

If you have worn dentures for ages, you will know that while these devices do have their merits, there are times when they are inconvenient and ill-fitting.

The good news is that a single tooth implant can hold up to four adjacent crowns, making the prosthesis a considerable time and money saver.

Are there circumstances where implants are not a viable form of treatment for patients?

Unfortunately, there are restrictions on getting implants, which could delay the process of sporting new teeth.

The first requirement is that you must have healthy gums. If you are suffering with diseases, such as gingivitis, we will need to treat the condition before we can move ahead with your implant surgery.

One way of reversing the effects of gingivitis is with scaling and root planing, which removes harmful plaque and hardened tartar deposits between your teeth, and above and below your gum line.

A deep clean of this type takes one or two sessions to complete and does require a local anaesthetic to numb any pain and discomfort.

You also need to have enough bone in your jaw in which to embed the implant. Generally, if you have put off replacing your missing tooth for a while or have worn other types of replacement teeth for an extended time, you may possess insufficient bone to support implants.

Telltale signs that you lack bone is a shrunken facial appearance around the jaw area.

If you still want tooth implants despite this, a bone graft is an option available to you that can regenerate the growth of bone. A bone graft involves transplanting bone from other areas of the body and grafting it to your jaw. Over time, the graft creates new bone, which can take months to achieve.

Teeth-in-a-day

Waiting for months on end is not an option for some people, because they do not want to sport a gummy smile or unpredictable prosthesis for an indeterminate amount of time.

Teeth-in-a-day can replace teeth in the upper or lower jaw using only four to six implants. We will drill the implants wherever there is bone, thus rendering bone grafts unnecessary.

Are you embarrassed by the gaps between your teeth or a prosthesis that has stopped giving your mouth support? Dental implants in St John’s Wood might be the answer for which you have been looking.