Author: Aura Dental
Dental implants: common questions and answers
If you have lost one or more teeth, dental implants may already be on your radar. They are a popular and permanent tooth replacement option and at North West London clinic Aura Dental, we can use them to replace one, some, or all of your natural teeth.
Dental implants might initially seem more expensive than other tooth replacements – think traditional dentures or bridges. However, at our North West London dental practice we believe that by choosing implants you are choosing to invest in you smile, and indeed in your future health and well-being.
We understand that choosing treatment with dental implants is a big decision, and you are likely to have many questions. Below are some common questions and answers on the subject of implants; if you still have any queries or concerns, get in touch with our North West London dental practice and we will be happy to help you.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants replace the roots of any teeth you have lost. Small titanium screws that your dentist places in direct contact with your jaw bone in a small surgical procedure, they will anchor your new teeth firmly in place. At Aura Dental in North West London, we offer either a single implant with a crown attached, or multiple implants with a bridge attached.
Surgery? Does it hurt? And do I need to take time off work?
Implant placement won’t hurt at all – we offer local anaesthetic or sedation at our North West London clinic. Any post-operative discomfort or swelling is usually managed by over-the-counter painkillers. Many people return to work the very next day.
How long will my dental implants last?
Implants are designed as a permanent solution to tooth loss. With good aftercare and regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, your implants and the teeth attached should last for many years to come.
Can I have new teeth right away?
Dental implants need time to mesh with your jaw bone – a process called osseointegration. This takes a few months and will ensure your teeth have firm support. Temporary teeth are sometimes fitted during the healing period.
Using cosmetic dentistry to lighten your teeth
Cosmetic dentistry offers a huge number of ways to alter and improve the appearance of your smile. At Aura Dental in North London one of the most commonly-heard requests from patients is to have lighter, brighter, or whiter teeth. Thanks to our extensive cosmetic dentistry menu, we are confident that we will find the perfect teeth lightening option to suit your needs.
Whilst the most common cause of stained teeth is bad dental hygiene practices that allow unsightly brown plaque to coat the teeth, there are numerous other reasons that smiles don’t look as bright as they could.
If you are currently struggling with your dental hygiene, come in for an appointment with the hygienist at our North London clinic. As well as professionally cleaning your teeth to eliminate all traces of plaque, your hygienist will help you to develop a more effective home routine to help keep your teeth plaque-free for good. This can be particularly beneficial if you have special cleaning requirements, such as if you are wearing a fixed brace and need to know how to clean around it properly.
For other cases of tooth discolouration, our cosmetic dentistry team can help. The solution will depend on the cause of the problem, so your North London cosmetic dentist will complete a thorough clinical examination before recommending treatment.
Teeth whitening
The most popular procedure in cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening is good for removing everyday stains such as those caused by tea, coffee, or cigarettes from the teeth. It involves using special dental bleaching gel to get rid of stains, and must only be carried out by a dentist.
Porcelain veneers
Veneers are a popular choice at our North London clinic for patients with permanently discoloured teeth, as well as those looking for a complete smile makeover. Thin porcelain shells are placed over the surfaces of the teeth to improve their appearance.
Replacing metal fillings or crowns
If you have old metal or discoloured crowns or metal amalgam fillings, your dentist can safely remove them and replace them with tooth-coloured alternatives.
With a cosmetic dentistry consultation, a brighter, whiter smile is just a few appointments away.
The benefits of braces as an adult
Treatment with braces can benefit people of all ages. North London clinic Aura Dental offers a number of discreet brace solutions, as well as clear aligners, to correct a wide range of orthodontic problems. If you are interested in improving the alignment of your teeth, why not come in for a consultation to learn more about how we could help you?
While treatment with braces is seen as standard for children and teenagers these days, a lot of adults are also taking an interest in teeth straightening treatment. As more people begin to realise the true value of a beautiful smile, so the demand for adult orthodontics is growing.
What’s more, in terms of treatment for teenagers, the criteria for braces on the NHS is very strict, and waiting lists are very long. The teenage years can be a sensitive time and young people can be very image-conscious, so at our North London clinic we also offer options for those who don’t qualify for NHS orthodontics, as well as those who do but either don’t want to wear metal braces or would like to start their treatment as quickly as possible.
Whatever your age, there are more benefits to teeth straightening than just a beautiful smile. Improperly aligned teeth are harder to keep clean, which can increase your risk of dental decay or gum disease developing.
If you are interested in straightening your teeth with braces or aligners, the options at Aura Dental in North London include:
Six Month Smiles
These barely-visible cosmetic braces are designed for rapid mild to moderate correction of issues affecting the teeth that show when you smile. Comprising clear and tooth-coloured parts, the average treatment time is just half a year.
Inman Aligner
This single aligner is excellent for treating cases of adult relapse, as well as for correcting protruding front teeth, helping to protect them from accidental damage. It’s the fastest orthodontic treatment at Aura Dental in North London, acting in between six and 18 weeks.
Invisalign
A popular system of clear aligners, Invisalign can be used to correct a wide range of concerns. This system is removable at home.
Using dental implants to replace lost or failing teeth
Thanks to dental implants, more people than ever before are enjoying a second chance at a healthy jaw of teeth. At Aura Dental in North London we offer two implant treatment options for patients with missing teeth: a single implant with a crown attached, or a series of implants with a bridge attached.
The first option is suitable for patients who have lost one tooth (or more than one tooth in different locations in the mouth) whilst the second option works for patients who have lost either several adjacent teeth, or all the teeth in one jaw. However many teeth you have lost, we invite you to join us at our North London dental practice for a consultation about dental implants.
The benefits of dental implants
Dental implants have several benefits when compared with traditional bridgework or dentures. One of the most important points to remember is that with implants, your dentist can permanently replace your teeth; with proper aftercare, implants and the restorations attached to them will last you many years.
Traditional dental bridges usually require crowns or wings to be placed on adjacent teeth for support, which can result in the loss of healthy tooth structure, and will put additional strain on these teeth. Implant-supported bridges require no work on surrounding teeth, meaning they stay strong and healthy.
Standard dentures have a habit of becoming loose, affecting your ability to eat and speak and also impacting negatively on your confidence. This is often caused by bone loss. Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, which helps to prevent bone loss, and holds your teeth firmly in place. This means you can speak clearly, eat what you like, and smile with confidence.
North London dental implants
When you come into our North London clinic for an implant consultation, your dentist will conduct a thorough clinical examination and will determine how many dental implants you will need. In most cases of multiple tooth replacement, you won’t need as many implants as teeth, because one dental implant can support several new teeth in bridge form.
Implants can be placed under local anaesthetic or sedation.
How an emergency dentist can get you out of pain
If you need an emergency dentist in North London, call Aura Dental on 020 7722 0040 right away. We are based in St John’s Wood, and will try to accommodate emergency patients on the same day whenever possible. The earlier you call us, the more chance there is that we will be able to fit you in on that day, so please get in touch as soon as possible after a dental emergency occurs.
There are many reasons you may require the services of an emergency dentist. Dental pain can come on suddenly and can be severe, making it hard to focus on anything else. When you come to our North London dental practice for an emergency appointment, your dentist’s first priority will be to get you out of pain. In many cases you will require further appointments to fully treat the source of your discomfort, but we will never leave a patient in pain.
What your North London emergency dentist may do
Treatment from an emergency dentist depends on the nature of your condition. Below are some common dental emergencies, along with what your North London emergency dentist may do. . .
Unbearable toothache
There are numerous causes of toothache, and your treatment will depend on the cause. Pain is the body’s indicator that something isn’t right, so you should always see a dentist for toothache. If it is unbearable it may require an emergency appointment.
Toothache may be caused by untreated decay or gum disease, a dental abscess, or problems with teeth erupting (in adults, this is usually the wisdom teeth). After getting you out of pain, your dentist will treat the underlying condition.
Broken teeth
Injuries to the face and head often result in broken teeth. Sometimes teeth are also broken by biting something very hard, or by using your teeth for something other than which they are intended (such as opening a bottle – which you should never do with your mouth). Depending on where the broken tooth is and how badly damaged it is, your North London dentist may repair it with a crown, a white filling, composite bonding, or a porcelain veneer.
A guide to dental implants
Dental implants are bionic tooth roots that your dentist can use to support permanent new teeth. At Aura Dental in North London, we offer two options for implant treatment: a single implant with a crown attached (£2300.00+) and a series of implants supporting an implant-retained bridge (£2750.00+).
There are many advantages to choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth. Because they are the only permanent way that a dentist can do this, implants should be seen not just as an investment in your smile, but also as an investment in your future. If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, we invite you to join us at our North London dental practice for a consultation with an implant dentist.
Whilst standard dentures and bridges replace the crowns of teeth, without anything to replace the tooth roots bone loss is a common consequence. This can result in sagging of the facial skin, a loss of shape around the lips, and difficulty in placing dental implants in the future. The gums have a tendency to recede, too.
Bone loss and gum recession are the primary reason that traditional dentures tend to get loose over the years. This can affect your ability to eat solid foods, to speak clearly, and can have a detrimental effect on your self-confidence.
At Aura Dental in North London, we can use dental implants to prevent these common denture worries. Because they are made from titanium, which supports bone growth, and because they are in direct contact with your jaw bone, implants actively prevent the issue of bone loss, ensuring that your new teeth will stay exactly where they should be.
Placement of dental implants involves minor oral surgery, carried out here at our North London dental practice. Most patients only require local anaesthetic for this operation. Your implants will heal and mesh with your jaw bone over the following couple of months, after which you will be called back to our North London practice so that your dentist can attach your permanent crown or bridge.
Why it pays to visit your dentist regularly
Visiting your dentist regularly is as much a part of staying healthy as going to the gym or eating a healthy diet. At Aura Dental in North London we welcome new patients of all ages for the highest quality private dental care.
A recent survey, conducted by the Oral Health Foundation as part of National Smile Month 2016, showed that in general UK residents are good about visiting the dentist for regular check-ups. In fact, the UK was ranked second most likely to go for timely check-ups, with 72% of adults saying that they attend regularly, second only to the Netherlands at 79%.
How often to visit the dentist
The general advice is to visit your dentist for a check-up every six months. Of course, every patient’s needs are different, and some people need to visit more frequently, particularly if there is a condition such as gum disease that needs monitoring. You should always follow your dentist’s advice, and should also book regular appointments with the hygienist for a professional tooth clean.
At our North London dental practice, we understand that many of our patients have very busy lifestyles, which is why we make it as easy as possible for you to see a dentist at the most convenient time for you.
Our North London clinic is open until 6pm Monday-Friday, and also offers Saturday appointments between 9am and 1pm on alternate Saturdays (please contact us for details and availability). To ensure that you never forget an appointment again, we send out email and SMS reminders prior to your visit.
Your North London dental check-up
If you are a first-time patient at Aura Dental North London, a member of our reception team will be in touch prior to your first appointment to get to know a bit about you. You will also be asked to complete a medical history form.
At your consultation, your dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination, including an oral cancer check as standard. X-rays, scans, and photographs will be taken as necessary to aid with diagnosis, and any treatment requirements will be detailed in your personal treatment plan.
Dental Implants in North London: Why you should replace your missing teeth
Dental implants are rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth. At Aura Dental in North London we think this is a good thing, and can replace one, some, or even all of your natural teeth with the help of implants.
Why you should replace missing teeth
Whatever way you choose to do it, every dentist will agree that missing teeth should be replaced – preferably sooner rather than later. As well as the obvious aesthetic issues that are raised when teeth are missing near the front of the mouth, particularly in the smile line, having missing teeth for any length of time can impact negatively on your dental and general health.
Additional strain is instantly put on your remaining teeth, which may also shift position into the gaps left behind, becoming crooked, more difficult to clean, even loose in the process. Depending on how many of your natural teeth are missing, your ability to eat a wide range of foods, and your ability to speak could even be affected. When the root parts of the teeth are missing, the jaw bone starts to shrink back, too, which can ultimately alter your whole facial structure (and make placing dental implants in the future more complex).
If you have lost one or more teeth, we invite you to join us at Aura Dental in North London for a consultation as soon as possible. Whether you choose to go down the root of dental implants or you opt for a traditional bridge or denture, it is always best to replace missing teeth.
Advantages of dental implants
At our North London clinic, we believe that dental implants have several advantages. These include the fact that they are the only way for a dentist to replace your tooth roots, helping preserve bone structure and anchoring your new teeth firmly in place.
With implants you can eat whatever you choose, smile and speak with confidence. They are in effect a second chance at a healthy jaw of teeth.
We offer one implant with a crown, or multiple implants with a bridge at our North London practice.
The many ways that cosmetic dentistry can create your dream smile
Cosmetic dentistry is increasingly popular with men and women in the UK. At Aura Dental in North London we have an extensive cosmetic menu, offering a wide range of treatments that will be tailored to suit your individual wants and needs – no matter how large, or small, they may be.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, a quarter of British adults are unhappy with their smile. Three quarters of those surveyed believe that improving their smile would improve their confidence, whilst 70% dislike their current smile to the extent that they hate smiling in photographs – not ideal in the Instagram and selfie age in which we live.
Thanks to advances in techniques and materials, coupled with an increase in demand, cosmetic dentistry can help no matter what you dislike about your current smile. We welcome both men and women at our North London dental practice for a consultation with a cosmetic dentist.
The key thing to remember when considering cosmetic dentistry is that it is an investment not just in your current happiness and wellbeing, but in your future. The treatments on offer from the cosmetic dentistry menu at Aura Dental North London are designed to be three things:
- Beautiful
- Natural
- Long-lasting.
One thing cosmetic dentistry doesn’t offer is a one-size-suits-all solution. Whilst many patients are inspired by their favourite celebrities to seek treatment, it’s worth remembering that what works for them might not be the same thing that works for you.
At our North London dental practice we believe smiles should be as unique and individual as the person who is wearing them. So, if your favourite star has achieved a beautifully bright, white smile with the help of veneers, it may be better to use, for example, Six Month Smiles and a course of teeth whitening in your case.
Your dentist will find out what you want to achieve and will perform an in-depth clinical examination, before talking you through all the appropriate ways to reach your smile goal. Only when you are entirely happy will a treatment plan be created.
Why visiting the dentist is so important for children and teenagers
At Aura Dental in North London we believe children should visit the dentist from an early age. Regular visits to a dental practice help to maximise the chances of your child maintaining good oral health habits for life, as well as enabling us to spot any problems early so that they can be treated promptly and, in most cases, with minimal intervention.
Teenagers also require special dental care to ensure that they maintain good health and habits as they mature. The teenage years are often when orthodontic treatment is carried out, which sometimes clashes with a time at which young people start to feel increasingly self-conscious and anxious about their appearance. At our North London dental practice we offer a number of discreet orthodontic treatments that are invisible or nigh-invisible to the untrained eye. In some cases these will be the best option for teenagers.
When your child should start to visit the dentist
At Aura Dental in North London we recommend bringing your children in to see the dentist as soon as their first teeth start to appear, which is on average at the age of 12 months. Of course, some babies are born with teeth, and your dentist will be happy to advise you on how to care for a very young baby’s teeth.
By bringing your child to our North London dental practice from an early age, you will help them to see the dentist as a friendly face, which can help to prevent dental fear and phobia in later life. It also means that we can carry out a range of preventative treatments to stop common problems before they start. If we do find any treatment is required, the earlier it is carried out the better, as it is likely to be less stressful for both you and your child.
At our North London dental clinic your child’s dentist will offer fissure sealants and fluoride varnish, which are preventative treatments designed to strengthen and protect the teeth. We can also spot any potential orthodontic problems (such as issues with the bite) early, which makes treatment easier.