Author: Aura Dental
Dental implants: answers to common questions
Dental implants are an excellent way for a dentist to replace your missing teeth. At Aura Dental in North London we can replace one, some, or even all of your natural teeth with the help of implants. If you have missing or failing teeth, get in touch to discover how we can help you.
An investment in dental implants is more than just an investment in your smile. They have numerous benefits when compared with traditional tooth replacement options such as standard dentures, and can have a positive impact on your general as well as your oral health. However, we understand that electing to have oral surgery may be a daunting decision, which is why we’ve collected together some common questions and answers about implant treatment here.
If you are unable to find a suitable answer to your question here, get in touch with a member of staff at our North Londondental practice. They will be more than happy to help you.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants are bionic tooth roots, made from titanium and placed directly in your jaw bone in a small operation, carried out here under local anaesthetic or sedation here at our North London clinic. They form a strong bond with the bone and support one or more false teeth.
Will I get new teeth straight away?
Sometimes permanent new teeth can be fitted straight away, while in other cases a healing period is required. In the latter case your dentist may fit temporary teeth in the interim.
What are my options for dental implants in North London?
At Aura Dental we offer two treatment options for implant patients: for one missing tooth, your dentist will place a single implant and will attach a crown. For multiple or all missing teeth, we’ll use several dental implants and an implant-retained bridge.
Braces for all faces: discreet orthodontics in North London
Braces as you might picture them – obvious metal “train-track” appliances worn by your peers at school – are not the only option by which a dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth. At Aura Dental in North London we embrace 21st Century orthodontics, understanding that wearing traditional metal appliances can be just as embarrassing, or more so, than having crooked teeth.
Fortunately, there are many discreet alternatives available. At our North Londondental practice we use both fixed appliances – braces – and removable appliances – aligners – to straighten the teeth of men and women young and old. The best way to find the perfect option for your needs and lifestyle is to book an appointment at Aura.
North Londonbraces and aligners
Different orthodontic appliances work best in different situations, and the ideal one for you will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and type of correction that is required. At Aura DentalNorth London we also take lifestyle factors into account, because we believe that whatever treatment you require, it should have the minimum of impact on your day-to-day life.
Your dentist will discuss the plus and minus points of all relevant treatments during your initial consultation.
Braces
We offer treatment with Cfast and Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces at our North London clinic. These devices are designed for quick correction of issues with the front six to eight teeth, and comprise clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires.
Aligners
We use Invisalign and the Inman Aligner at Aura. The Inman Aligner is designed to correct adult relapse and protrusion or crowding issues with the front teeth, acting in between six and 18 weeks, whilst Invisalign often takes longer, but can correct a larger number of issues. Aligners are both clear and removable, affording you maximum discretion during treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry: a wealth of ways to a million-dollar smile
Cosmetic dentistry deals with the aesthetic elements of a smile, using a range of simple and more complex treatments to give patients the smile they’ve so long dreamt of. At North Londondental clinic Aura, we have a skilled cosmetic team who enjoy nothing more than seeing the confidence boost given to people who come in for a smile makeover.
There has been a huge increase in demand for cosmetic dentistry in North London and indeed in the whole of the UK. Coupled with advances in techniques and materials, this means that aesthetic dental treatment is now available to more people than ever before, no longer reserved for celebrities.
If you are interested in finding out more about how cosmetic dentistry can boost your smile, and with it your self-esteem, come in for a smile makeover consultation with a cosmetic dentist at Aura in North London.
What can cosmetic dentistry do for me?
Cosmetic dentistry, put simply, can create your dream smile. The term encompasses a huge number of treatments, from discreet orthodontics using tooth-coloured braces or clear aligners to teeth whitening treatment, replacement of old metal crowns with strong, aesthetically appealing alternatives to crown lengthening to treat a gummy smile. The choice is yours, and the team at Aura DentalNorth London will be there to assist you every step of the way.
The first thing your cosmetic dentist will do when you come in for a consultation is to ascertain what you like or dislike about your current smile, and what you want to achieve from treatment. They will then undertake a detailed clinical examination, before recommending the best way to achieve your smile goals. A personalised treatment plan will be drawn up for you at the end of your consultation.
Dental implants to replace failing teeth
Dental implants are an excellent option for people who have lost some or all of their natural teeth, or whose teeth are failing. North London clinic Aura Dental offers two options for implant treatment: a single implant with a crown for one missing tooth (£2300.00+), and implant-retained bridges for several or all missing teeth (£2750.00+).
Teeth are designed to last us a lifetime, but lifestyle factors often lead to tooth failure. As the general population lives longer, some people are also finding that they are out-living their teeth. Dental implants are the only permanent way to replace teeth that are failing or lost.
At Aura we urge you not to be embarrassed about coming to see us with failing or missing teeth; we will never judge you no matter how your teeth have come to fail. All we want to do is get you back to full dental health, and to restore not just your beautiful smile, but also full functionality to your jaw so that you can enjoy a healthy diet that isn’t limited to just soft foods.
Dental implants in North London
If you come to see us at our North London practice with failing teeth, your dentist will first assess your suitability for dental implants. More people than ever before are able to have implant treatment these days, thanks to advances in techniques and materials. If you have conditions such as gum disease that have caused your teeth to fail, we’ll also work out the best way to treat that, to maximise the chances of implant treatment being successful.
Sometimes it is possible to remove failing teeth and place dental implants at the same appointment. Your dentist may fit temporary teeth whilst the implants are bonding with your jaw bone, meaning you won’t have to worry about being left without teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry: so many ways to make over your smile
Cosmetic dentistry offers a huge number of ways for a dentist to make over your smile. At North Londondental practice Aura, our skilled cosmetic team provides treatments large and small, every one tailor-made to suit your personal needs.
Once upon a time, cosmetic dentistry was only available to celebrities and the super-rich. Now, things are different and thanks to advances in techniques and materials, as well as an increase in demand, aesthetic treatments are available to more people than ever before.
If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry in North London, we invite you to join us at Aura Dental for a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist. They will listen to what your aspirations for your smile are, and will conduct a thorough clinical examination, before talking you through the relevant treatment options to achieve your smile goals. In many cases treatment takes far less time than you might imagine; depending on your requirements, your dream smile could be just a few appointments away.
North Londoncosmetic dentistry
The cosmetic dentistry menu at our North London dental practice is extensive. You may require one treatment, or a combination of two or more – your cosmetic dentist will discuss all possible treatment combinations when you come in for your first consultation.
Among the most popular items on our cosmetic dentistry menu are:
Teeth whitening
A safe and effective way to remove common stains from your teeth, when carried out by a dentist this is a fast way to boost the appearance of your smile – perfect before a graduation, wedding, or other special occasion.
Invisible orthodontics
Teeth straightening isn’t just for kids; our North London clinic offers discreet braces and aligners for adults.
Veneers
These micro-thin shells of porcelain are one of the fastest ways to create a natural-looking, beautiful white smile.
What a dentist can do during a smile makeover
A smile makeover consultation with a cosmetic dentist at our North London clinic is an excellent option if you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, but unsure what the best treatment options are for your specific needs.
The team at Aura Dental in North London comprises highly-experienced cosmetic dentists and dental professionals, all of whom have one goal: to create a beautiful, unique smile for you, one that you will be keen to show off. A cosmetic dentist likes nothing more than seeing a patient’s confidence – indeed, their life – transformed with the help of a smile makeover.
Cosmetic dentistry means different things to different people. At our North London clinic your dentist will use the latest technology, materials, and techniques, and will work with you to create the gorgeous, individual smile you’ve always wanted.
We use intra-oral 3D scanning at Aura Dental North London, which creates a precise three-dimensional image of your teeth instantly (and is much more pleasant that the traditional method of taking tooth impressions). Combined with digital smile design, this enables your dentist to show you what results you can expect before you start treatment.
Because cosmetic dentistry is a vast field, you may benefit from combining two or more of the aesthetic options at our North London practice. Your dentist will take the time to find out what you like and dislike about your current smile, and what you want to achieve from treatment, in addition to conducting a thorough clinical examination.
Depending on your personal needs, your dentist may recommend:
- Porcelain veneers
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic crowns
- Discreet teeth straightening (using braces or aligners)
- Replacing metal amalgam fillings with white fillings, onlays or inlays
- Gum contouring
- Bridge work
- Composite bonding
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth
21st Century braces: why orthodontic treatment doesn’t need to be obvious
Braces equal a mouth full of metal, right? Wrong. At North Londondental practice Aura Dental we understand that traditional orthodontic appliances just aren’t compatible with modern adult lifestyles. However, we believe that teeth straightening treatment is beneficial to your health as well as your confidence, which is why we offer some subtler methods to realign your teeth.
It’s easier to keep teeth clean when they are properly aligned, because there are fewer gaps for food particles to get trapped in and bacteria to build up. So long as you have a good home care routine, with regular brushing and flossing twice a day, and you visit your dentist and hygienist as often as your practitioner advises, straightening your teeth can help to preserve your oral health by minimising your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
At our North Londondental practice we appreciate that choosing to have orthodontic treatment later in life is a big decision, which is why we invite you to join us for a consultation. Here you will find out about the most suitable treatments for your specific needs, including the pros and cons of all relevant options. We offer both fixed appliances – braces – and removable appliances – aligners.
Among the discreet orthodontic products available at Aura Dental in North London are:
Inman Aligner
This clear aligner is specifically designed to work quickly and comfortably on problems affecting the front teeth. Conditions the Inman Aligner can be used to treat include protruding or crooked front teeth, as well as adult relapse. At the end of treatment, the Inman Aligner functions as a retainer.
Six Month Smiles
These cosmetic braces comprise tooth-coloured wires and clear brackets, and focus on the front teeth. Six months is the average treatment time, with some cases complete in just three.
Dental implants: the perfect way to restore your smile and your ability to eat a healthy diet
Dental implants give people who have lost some natural teeth a second chance. These small titanium screws replace the roots of missing teeth. At North London dental practice Aura Dental, your dentist can then attach either a single crown or an implant-retained bridge on top.
Replacing missing teeth is vital, and not just for aesthetic reasons. Of course, if you have lost one or more of your natural teeth you may feel self-conscious about smiling, which can leave a serious dent in your self-esteem. However, missing teeth also cause health problems.
Any remaining teeth have a tendency to move into gaps, becoming crooked and harder to keep clean in the process. Additional strain is also put on these teeth when you bite and chew. If you have lost several of your teeth, your jaw bone may also start to shrink back, and you may struggle to eat anything but soft foods.
At our North London practice, our implant team has successfully restored both the smile and full jaw functionality to scores of patients using dental implants. If you have gaps in your mouth we invite you to join us for a consultation with an implant dentist.
Dental implants are placed in direct contact with your jaw bone by a skilled dentist here at our North London clinic. In most cases this requires only local anaesthesia, although if you are nervous or dental phobic we offer treatment under conscious sedation, as well as providing the services of a hypnotist.
Because they are in direct contact with the bone, and because they are made from titanium – which is very compatible with the body – dental implants help to prevent bone loss, as well as ensuring that your teeth remain stable and secure at all times.
Don’t let fear of the dentist stop you having the smile you deserve
Fear of the dentist is very common, and ranges from mild anxiety to full-blown dental phobia. At Aura Dental in North London, we understand and empathise with nervous patients, but do not believe that in the 21st Century it should be a barrier to getting the treatment you need, and the smile you deserve.
Dental phobia and fear has many causes. It may be that you had a negative experience of the dentist in the past, or you may have specific triggers such as the sound of the drill. Other people fear being out of control, whilst others still are ashamed at the condition of their teeth because fear has prevented them getting dental treatment for years or even decades.
Whatever the reason for your fear of the dentist, the team at Aura Dental in North London can help. We have designed our practice to be a soothing, peaceful and calm environment, with relaxation and patient comfort in mind. We will never judge you if your teeth are less than perfect; our only concern is to help you back to full oral health.
At our North London clinic you have the option of listening to your favourite music during treatment to help you relax. If you need a little more help, we offer the services of fully-qualified hypnotist, who will provide you with techniques designed to overcome your fears.
We also offer treatment under conscious sedation. Oral sedation involves the use of tablets, and is an excellent option for those who find needles a trigger for their fear. The other option is intravenous or IV sedation, which is stronger.
Whilst you will not be asleep, so will be able to cooperate with your dentist, you will be highly relaxed and will remember little to nothing about treatment afterwards. Most importantly, you will not experience any pain.
Dental implants – your tooth replacement options
At North London dental practice Aura Dental, we offer two ways to use dental implants to replace your missing teeth: a single implant with a crown to replace one missing tooth, or an implant-retained bridge to replace more than one missing teeth.
How dental implants work
Dental implants have several benefits over traditional tooth replacement products such as standard bridges or dentures. Not least, implants are the only permanent way for your dentist to restore your smile. They are made from titanium and are placed straight into your jaw bone in a small operation, usually carried out under local an aesthetic at our North London practice.
If you are nervous about treatment, or suffer from dental phobia, our North London practice also has the full facilities to offer treatment under conscious sedation or hypnosis. Both of these options are carried out by highly-experienced, fully-qualified professionals, and you will be closely monitored at all stages of treatment, so you can rest assured you are in safe hands.
After your dentist has placed your dental implants in your jaw, a healing period of a couple of months is required, during which time they form a strong bond with the bone. Implants are made out of titanium, chosen for its high degree of compatibility with the human body. Titanium encourages bone growth, ensuring your implants remain firmly in place and preventing bone loss from occurring.
Once sufficient integrating has occurred between your jaw bone and your dental implants, you will be called back to our North London implant clinic to have your permanent new teeth attached. For one missing tooth, one crown will be attached to a single dental implant, while for several teeth, an implant-retained bridge will be used. One implant can support several new teeth, thanks to precision planning and angling of the implants to withstand the forces of biting and chewing.