Author: Aura Dental
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.
Ways your dentist can straighten your teeth – discreetly
As a dentist, one of the most common complaints you hear from patients of all ages is that they would like straighter teeth. At Aura Dental in North London, we know that there are more than just aesthetic benefits to improving the alignment of your teeth. Straighter teeth are, generally speaking, healthier teeth, because they are easier to keep clean. With fewer gaps for food particles and plaque bacteria to build up in, your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease are reduced – so long as you pay regular visits to your dentist and hygienist, and maintain a good home cleaning routine, of course.
Discreet orthodontics – a thoroughly modern treatment
One of the main barriers faced by adults who want straighter teeth is the thought of wearing traditional metal braces. Metal train-track style wire and bracket braces are often thought to be synonymous with orthodontic treatment.
Whist it’s true that these traditional metal devices are very effective at treating a full spectrum of orthodontic problems, they are not particularly compatible with a hectic professional lifestyle. Discreet orthodontics have seen enormous advances in recent years, giving your dentist or orthodontist many subtler ways of straightening your teeth. At our North London dental practice we offer both fixed and removable devices designed to give you straighter teeth without a metallic glint in sight.
What’s best for me?
The best treatment option for you will depend on your clinical need and your personal preference. When you come for a consultation at our North London dental practice, your dentist will examine you and will explain all the options available to you, letting you know the pros, cons, and projected length of each option.
Among the discreet orthodontic devices available at our North London clinic are:
Six Month Smiles
These fast-acting cosmetic braces work quickly on the teeth that show when you smile. They comprise clear and tooth-coloured components.
Clear aligners
We offer a range of removable clear aligners to collect a wide range of problems.
Using dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth
You may have heard of dental implants if you have lost one or more of your natural teeth. Here at North London’s Aura Dental our skilled team of implant dentists can replace one, several or all of your teeth with the help of implants.
How treatment works
Dental implants are little titanium screws that are placed directly in your jaw bone by your dentist here at our North London clinic. This requires a small surgical procedure, which in most cases can be carried out under local anaesthetic, and is, according to many patients, more bearable than having a tooth extracted.
The dental implants will mesh with your jaw bone over a period of a few months, because titanium is very compatible with human bodies and is osteoconductive – supportive of bone growth. Bone loss is a common complaint in patients who have lost all or most of their natural teeth, and happens when the tooth roots are lost. Because implants replace the root part of a missing tooth, they help to stop this from happening.
Tooth replacement options
At Aura Dental in North London, we offer two options for implant patients. If you have lost one tooth, the most common solution is to replace that tooth with a single dental implant and a crown, which will be made to look very much like the rest of your natural teeth.
For patients who have lost more than one tooth, the most common treatment is to attach an implant-retained bridge. This can replace several or all teeth in one jaw.
Advantages of implants
Dental implants and the new teeth attached to them create a realistic and beautiful smile. Implants also help to give you back full functionality to your mouth, which means you can eat a healthy diet and smile and laugh with confidence.
Why a dentist is vital for tooth whitening treatment
A dentist should always be consulted by anyone looking for teeth whitening treatment. At Aura Dental in North London, our skilled team offer a number of tooth-whitening options, which can be carried out at home or here in the dental practice.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular treatments available from a cosmetic dentist. When done properly by a qualified dental professional, it is a safe, reliable and predictable way to boost the appearance of your smile, quickly and painlessly.
When you think about it, it’s not hard to see why our teeth get stained by everyday activities. Drinks including red wine, coffee and tea, habits such as smoking, and some medicines, medicated mouthwashes and even medical conditions can cause staining of the teeth. Many people also find that as they age their teeth lose some of their natural sparkle. Teeth whitening treatments such as those available at our North London dental practice are designed to get rid of these everyday stains and leave you with a brighter, whiter smile.
If you have been searching the internet for teeth whitening options, you are likely to have come across numerous products that claim to whiten teeth. Some beauty salons and high street shops also sell whitening products. However, these should be avoided.
The whitening products available from your dentist have been extensively tested for both safety and efficiency. The chances are that other products, available from the internet or the high street, will not have been tested this rigorously, and will be of inferior quality. While this may simply mean they don’t work, unregulated products also have the potential to cause serious discomfort and even damage to your teeth and gums.
Like any cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening should also only be carried out on a healthy mouth. At Aura Dental in North London, we use several techniques, including laser whitening, Zoom teeth whitening, home whitening and internal bleaching for deeper stains.
Dental implants: the only permanent way to replace missing teeth
Dental implants are one of the most exciting developments in modern dentistry, with some 30 years of research behind them and many happy patients who have used them to restore their smile. At Aura Dental in North London our implantology team has helped to improve both the aesthetic appearance and the functionality of scores of patient’s smiles with the help of implants.
How dental implants work
Teeth are made up of two parts – the visible crowns and the roots below the gum line. Dental implants replace the root part of one or more missing teeth, enabling your dentist to attach realistic-looking, realistic-acting restorations on top.
At our North London dental practice, we offer two options for patients interested in replacing missing teeth with dental implants: a single implant with a single crown to replace one missing tooth, or an implant-retained bridge for patients with more than one missing tooth.
Dental implants are placed straight into your jaw bone in a small surgical procedure, carried out here in the comfort of our North London practice by an experienced implant dentist. Once in position, the implants mesh with the bone and provide a strong anchor for new teeth.
Because they are made from titanium, which is supportive of bone growth, implants also help to support the common side-effect of tooth loss which is bone resorbtion – the jaw bone is prone to shrink back when the tooth roots are missing.
In most cases, when dental implants are placed, a healing period of a few months is required before your permanent new teeth can be attached. For a single tooth, one implant can support one crown, but the good news is that if you have several missing teeth, a single implant can often support more than one new tooth in the form of an implant-retained bridge.
What are discreet braces?
Braces are the original and in many cases still the best way to correct alignment issues with your teeth. At Aura Dental in North London our skilled cosmetic dental team offer a number of discreet orthodontic options so that patients can straighten their teeth without everybody knowing about it.
A lot of adults who would like to straighten their teeth are put off by the prospect of wearing traditional metal braces. The cosmetic dentists at our North London dental practice understand this concern; whilst traditional braces are very effective, they are also very obvious, and this isn’t compatible with adults who have busy personal and professional lives.
So, what are the other options for orthodontic treatment? We invite all patients who are interested in cosmetic teeth straightening to join us for an orthodontic consultation here at our North London practice. Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums and will discuss the pros and cons of all appropriate treatments, so you can make an educated choice about treatment going forward.
Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles aren’t just discreet – they’re quick, too. As you may have guessed from the name, the average treatment time is just six months.
Six Month Smiles are fixed braces with a considerably shorter treatment time than their traditional counterparts. They work so quickly because they focus only on the “social six” teeth – those on display when you smile.
Another huge benefit of Six Month Smiles braces is that they are designed to blend into your mouth. The wires are tooth-coloured and the brackets are clear, meaning many people will not notice you are wearing them.
Clear aligners
Your dentist may recommend clear aligners as an alternative to braces. These aligners are made of clear plastic and fit over your teeth to gently move them to a new position. They have the additional benefit of being removable for eating and cleaning.