Author: Aura Dental
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.
A children’s dentist can help your young ones have good oral health for life
Fear of the dentist can sometimes be sparked by a bad experience during childhood. At Aura Dental in North London, our entire team is experienced in working with children and young patients. We believe that bringing your child into the dental practice from a young age will help them to learn that it is nothing to be scared of, and will hopefully establish habits that promote good oral health for life.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
You should bring your child to our North London dental clinic soon after their first teeth start to appear. By attending an appointment at the same time as a parent, guardian, or sibling, a young child can learn to observe and copy what they see – sitting in the chair and opening their mouth for the dentist to look at their teeth.
The level of dental decay among UK children is still shockingly high. At our North London dental practice we believe that no child should have to suffer from untreated decay. We focus on preventative dentistry, helping to teach your child about the importance of cleaning their teeth in a fun and engaging manner, and spotting any signs of decay early. If they do have any decay, this will be treated promptly and gently without any pain, avoiding the need for more traumatic treatment such as extractions.
We provide fluoride varnish and fissure sealant at our North London clinic, both of which are designed to help prevent decay. Your child’s dentist will also be on the lookout for early signs of orthodontic problems such as underbites, overbites, or cross bites. As with most dental issues, the earlier they are spotted the easier treatment is.
Our North London dental team also provide special oral health advice for teenagers, helping them to keep their smile healthy.
Dental implants: the next best thing to natural teeth
Dental implants are an excellent option for patients who need to replace missing teeth. At Aura Dental in North London we offer two implant treatment options – a single implant with a crown, which is ideal for people who have lost one tooth, and an implant-retained bridge, which is an excellent option for those with more than one missing tooth.
Why we lose teeth, and why we must replace them
Whilst our teeth are meant to last a lifetime, sometimes life gets in the way. Trauma from accidents and injuries, plus conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease, can all lead to tooth loss. This can make you embarrassed to smile or laugh in public, but also has further implications for your general and dental health.
Losing your teeth can cause difficulties with biting and chewing food, which can make it difficult to enjoy a healthy diet. Your remaining teeth have a tendency to become misaligned as they move into any gaps, putting you at risk of further tooth loss. When many teeth are missing, your jaw bone is also likely to start shrinking.
Dental implants are the only permanent way to replace missing teeth, and the only tooth replacement option that helps to combat bone loss. They do this because they are placed in direct contact with your jaw bone in a small surgical procedure, carried out at our North London dental practice.
Because they are made from titanium, which is osteoconductive, dental implants integrate with your bone and encourage bone growth.
Dental implants in North London
The skilled implant dentists at Aura Dental in North London have helped many patients just like you to restore their smile with dental implants. There is no need to stress about a toothless future – book an implant consultation with one of our skilled dentists today.
How your dentist can repair broken teeth
One of the most common reasons for requiring an emergency dentist is cracked, chipped or otherwise broken teeth. The skilled team at Aura Dental in North London have many techniques with which they can restore damaged or broken teeth, and we would always advise you to visit a dental practice as soon as possible after damage occurs.
Why you need to see a dentist
Broken teeth can be extremely painful, but that’s not the only reason to get them fixed as soon as you can. Even small cracks and chips in teeth can allow bacteria to pass into the pulp of the tooth and the root canal system, which can cause infection. If this happens, you will need root canal treatment to get rid of the infection. Without it, a dental abscess could arise and you could eventually lose your tooth.
Cracked and broken teeth near the front of your mouth can make you self-conscious about smiling, and at Aura Dental in North London we believe everyone deserves a smile to be proud of. Rough edges to the tooth can also catch your lips, tongue, or cheeks, leading to discomfort. You might find your diet is affected too.
What can my dentist do?
We offer a number of ways to treat broken teeth at our North London dental practice. Every case is individual, and your dentist will recommend the best options to suit your needs. Things your dentist will take into consideration include:
- Where the broken tooth is in your mouth
- The extent of damage
- Whether the tooth contained a filling
- Your personal preference
Among the options available from your dentist at our North London clinic are:
- A crown (porcelain, metal and porcelain, or full gold)
- Porcelain veneers
- White filling/composite bonding material
- Inlays or onlays
- Tooth replacement with a dental implant and/or dental bridge for extensive damage
Using dental implants to rebuild your smile
Dental implants are a modern, permanent way for people who have lost teeth to replace them. At Aura Dental in North London we have successfully used implant treatment to help many of our patients to rebuild their smile.
How implant treatment works
You can think of dental implants as bionic tooth roots. They are small titanium screws that a dentist places straight into your jaw bone in a small operation, carried out under local anaesthetic here at our North London dental clinic.
After your dental implants have been placed, they are left to heal for a couple of months. During this time they form a strong bond with your jaw bone, creating an excellent foundation on to which your dentist will then attach permanent new teeth.
Aura Dental in North London offers two options for patients interested in implant treatment; one implant and a single crown can replace one missing tooth, whilst one or more implants supporting a dental bridge can replace more than one missing tooth.
The advantages of dental implants
Dental implants have numerous advantages over other tooth replacement products, not least their permanence. Because titanium supports bone growth, implants also help to prevent bone loss, which is a common side effect of losing teeth, and can cause a sagging appearance in the facial skin.
Bone loss is also often the reason that traditional dentures become loose with the passing of time, meaning you may find yourself struggling with messy pastes and needing to get your dentures adjusted regularly. Poorly-fitting dentures affect your ability to eat a healthy diet, can impact on your speech, and of course can have a devastating effect on your self-confidence as you worry they might fall out in public. Dental implants will hold your new teeth firmly in position, enabling you to eat, speak, and smile with renewed confidence.
Discreet braces and aligners – a subtler approach to straighter teeth
In 2016, braces don’t have to mean having a mouth full of metal. At Aura Dental in North London, we understand that many patients, particularly adults, who would like to straighten their teeth are put off at the thought of traditional metal train-track braces – after all, these aren’t particularly compatible with a busy professional lifestyle. Fortunately, modern orthodontics has some far more discreet options on offer. . .
Braces or aligners?
Discreet orthodontics is one of the fastest-growing areas of 21st Century dentistry. At our North London dental practice we offer treatment with both tooth-coloured braces and near-invisible clear aligners. Each have their individual benefits, and will be discussed at your initial orthodontics consultation.
Here at Aura Dental in North London, we have transformed hundreds of patients’ smiles with the help of orthodontics treatments. Whether you have a simple case of crowding or a more serious condition requiring more complex treatment, we will find the perfect orthodontic solution for you.
We understand that choosing to have orthodontic treatment is a big decision, so we invite you to join us at our North London dental practice for an orthodontic consultation. You can see how we’ve helped other patients and discover the ways in which we can help you. We will go through the pros and cons of all treatment options, as well as how long your treatment is expected to take.
Among the options available at our North London dental clinic are:
Six Month Smiles
These cosmetic braces are tooth-coloured and designed to work on those teeth that show when you smile. Six Months is the average length of treatment.
Inman Aligner
This single, removable aligner is designed to correct issues with the front teeth in as little as six weeks.
Invisalign
Invisalign comprises a series of clear aligners, made to fit tightly over your teeth. You change your aligner every two weeks as your teeth move.