Archive for the “cosmetic dentist” Category

The Earlier, The Better

A child’s facial and dental development can begin to look misaligned from as early as the age of six, however parents are encouraged to wait until the ages of up to thirteen before having an orthodontic consultation, and subsequently treatment to correct crooked and crowded teeth. However, with modern dental technology, it should not be necessary for patients to have to wait until their mid-teen years to receive treatment. (more…)

Posted in: cosmetic dentist
| July 30, 2010 at 11:12 am | No comment

Surgary Drinks Not Always The Right Choice

Cosmetic DentistThe latest step in the government’s never ending quest to make sure we know what is good and bad for our health is a series of adverts highlighting the various illnesses that can be brought on by excessive alcohol consumption. This isn’t the first time that the dangers of alcohol have been pointed out to the general public and revellers on nights out are often encouraged to drink soft drinks rather than vast quantities of alcohol. Of course, this will make sure that you don’t get too drunk and end up making a fool of yourself, but it’s not necessarily good news for your teeth.

Rather than having a soft drink in-between your alcoholic beverages when you’re out on the town have some water instead! Most alcoholic drinks aren’t particularly good for your teeth at the best of times, notably wine, but soft drinks are even worse and if you’re drinking them regularly then this could cause you problems with your teeth! This is a very good way to go about corroding and discolouring your teeth, so avoid the pop and go for water. This doesn’t just apply to nights out though; ditching sugary drinks in general will do a lot of good for your teeth.

We all know prevention is the best cure, but we might not have enough self restraint to resist the temptation of sweet soft drinks. Thankfully there are a range of teeth whitening solutions and other treatments available from your local cosmetic dentistry specialist that can improve the appearance some of the damage and staining caused by excessive sugary drinks. So, if you’re not happy with the condition of stained discoloured teeth you should perhaps look into the possibility of teeth whitening procedures, a qualified cosmetic dentist will be able to fill you in on the details. However, you really should try and avoid the problem rather than seek to correct it!

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening, cosmetic dentist
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| March 17, 2010 at 4:52 pm | No comment

Dental Hygiene A Long Term Issue

Porcelain VeneersRecent research has shown that an alarming number of children are suffering from oral diseases as a result of their poor dental hygiene. There has been an increase in the number of children and young people suffering from oral diseases and tooth decay in the past twenty years, which may come as a surprise to some people as we live an age of excellent health care.

However, the problem seems to be that people aren’t teaching their children how to care for their teeth. How to brush properly is a very important skill that needs to be taught at an early age and the introduction of other oral hygiene techniques such as flossing and using mouthwash should be explained to children as soon as possible too.

Many problems can arise in later life as a result of not properly looking after your teeth as a child, and not all of them will be purely cosmetic. It’s certainly true that many oral problems can be tackled with cosmetic dentistry. For example, discolour teeth can be whitened using porcelain veneers. But, you must remember that cosmetic dentistry is just that, cosmetic. So, there are many serious oral problems that can arise from not taking proper care of your teeth as a child that cannot be fixed by a cosmetic dentist!

It’s best to ensure that your children know how to take care of their teeth and ensure that they also do if you want them to avoid serious dental problems in later life.

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, cosmetic dentist
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| March 12, 2010 at 2:29 pm | No comment

Straight Teeth In Half The Time

InvisalignWith the popularity of “extreme makeover” reality TV shows, cosmetic dentistry has featured fairly heavily in prime-time schedules of late, normally demonstrating some of the more extreme treatments that involve surgery to completely rebuild someone’s jaw from scratch. Such an invasive procedure could well put you off having any kind of smile correction, but the truth is that there are a number of far less severe methods of realigning your smile that will never require a general anaesthetic.

One such method is using Invisalign aligners to close small gaps and correct misaligned teeth. The Invisalign system works by using a series of slightly different shaped aligners to gradually move your teeth in to the desired position. The great advantage of the Invisalign system over traditional braces is that they can be removed for eating and teeth cleaning, and they are almost invisible to the casual observer. No more train tracks, no more metal wires. Although there can be some discomfort experienced from wearing the aligners, it is far less than having a dental surgeon go in with a knife.

For people with only slightly misaligned teeth there is also the Invisalign Express system. This treatment is completed in around half the time of the normal Invisalign system, and because it uses fewer aligners it is also significantly cheaper. Of course, whether you are suitable for the shorter option will be something you can discuss with your cosmetic dentist during your initial consultation.

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign, braces, cosmetic dentist
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| March 1, 2010 at 4:29 pm | No comment

Do Your Homework To Avoid A Toothache

Porcelain VeneersWith the increase in popularity of cosmetic dentistry procedures in the UK in the last couple of years, there has also been an increase in the number of court cases brought against some practitioners for alleged substandard work that they have done. The number of cases of UK based patients visiting their dentist to correct poor work that has been done by cosmetic dentists overseas, in particular by dentists in Eastern Europe, has also increased. This is partly to be expected as a scale increase to the increased number of UK residents now investing in some form of cosmetic dental procedure, but it also highlights the risks you can be taking by not doing your homework prior to choosing your clinic.

Now there is nothing wrong with shopping around for a bargain, but it is far more important to shop around for a clinic renowned for the quality of its work than one offering the lowest price. Porcelain veneers, for example, can be expensive, but poorly fitted or sized veneers aren’t worth even the reduced price you will pay for them at a cowboy clinic, and if the paring down process prior to fitting is done incorrectly, you may eventually be paying out thousands of pounds for root canal surgery to repair the damaged teeth as a result. Add to this financial cost the intense misery that weeks of sensitive teeth and a sore jaw can bring and you could be looking at one of the most miserable mistakes of your life.

There is no reason to be worried about electing for a cosmetic dental treatment providing you do your homework first. When selecting a cosmetic dentist, make sure they come highly recommended within the industry, not just with a couple of celebrity endorsements, and speak to as many clinics as you can before deciding. Stay vigilant and you will be fine.

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Porcelain Veneers, cosmetic dentist
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| February 25, 2010 at 4:53 pm | No comment

Science Vs Magic

The concept of medicine itself was in the news this week as thousands of homeopathy sceptics gathered at various locations around the country to stage a mass “overdose” of homeopathic remedies. The intention of the exercise was to draw attention to the alleged ineffectiveness of homeopathic remedies sold over the counter at high street stores, with cynics claiming that due to the incredibly small quantities of active chemicals in these remedies, people are being sold little more than placebos. The issue stirs strong feelings in the cynic camp as they feel this is little more than profiteering from the hope/desperation of the sick.

There were plenty of homeopaths on hand to defend their position, countering that the prescription of homeopathic remedies has helped in thousands of cases where “modern medicine” has failed, and that contemporary science fashions should not get in the way of ancient remedial methods, however hard they are to rationally qualify. Whatever your view of the situation, it does throw light on the importance of being able to trust the diagnoses and treatment recommendations you are given as a patient, whether this be for illnesses with obvious or well known causes, or conditions that aren’t quite as well known such as TMJ pain.

TMJ pain is caused by a disorder of the temporomandibular joint and can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, including pain while chewing and swallowing, aching in the neck, shoulders and back, or even nausea headaches and dizziness. Due to the wide range of different symptoms that TMJ disorder can cause, it is important to have a cosmetic dentist that you can trust so that you follow through with any treatment they may suggest. TMJ treatment can be costly and invasive, and so this bond of trust between patient and clinician is incredibly important. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry has a much better success rate of proving the medical and emotional benefit of their procedures than homeopathy.

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment, cosmetic dentist
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| February 12, 2010 at 10:57 am | No comment

Pain Free Fillings On The Horizon

Dental VeneersNo one would argue with the theory that if some dental procedures weren’t incredibly uncomfortable then more people might receive their recommended, regular check-up. Unfortunately, it only takes one bad experience (or even just an average one really) with a dentist’s drill and someone can be put off for life, often not attending even when they have strong suspicions of a problem. These people wouldn’t even start to consider visiting a cosmetic dentist for an aesthetic reason, and so therefore not only deny themselves excellent dental health but also a potentially life-changing perfect smile.

The good news for these drill-phobes is that there is rapid progress being made in the field of plasma cavity treatment, meaning no need for the always uncomfortable, often painful, drilling required before a filling. The way this new technique works is to blast the affected tooth with a stream of cold plasma, which is simply a bunch of atoms which have been ionised (stripped of one or more of their elections to give them a charge). This plasma kills the bacteria in the cavity, leaving it ready for filling, and the patient doesn’t feel a thing!

Removing the drilling element from dental work will be a boon for many potential patients, and it may open their minds to a range of other beneficial dental procedures, such as using dental veneers to cover crooked teeth and close gaps. The most common type used are porcelain veneers and, following a small amount of preparation, are simply “cemented” over the top of existing teeth to form a new, perfect, hardwearing smile over the old one. Regardless of whether less drilling really will increase enthusiasm for cosmetic procedures, this is one medical advance which is sure to improve overall dental health in every community.

Posted in: Dental Veneers, Porcelain Veneers, cosmetic dentist
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| February 9, 2010 at 11:35 am | No comment

It’s A Moob Point

Cosmetic DentistFigures out this week have shown that the cosmetic surgery amongst men has continued to defy the recession, with the total number of procedures in the UK showing a 6.7% increase over the previous year. Although many people would immediately think of the flagship procedures of female breast enhancement would be driving the industry, men are also getting in on the “boob job“ action, with an 80% increase in “moob jobs” during that period.

This increase has been blamed on increasing pressure from men’s magazines over what your chest should look like, but experts also agree that part of it may be just down to people realising what it is possible to have done. In many cases, however, the patients’ problems have been caused by obesity, in which case surely a diet and some exercise can provide what they want? This would also bring further health benefits missing from a surgical procedure. Women may not be able to exercise themselves to the chest they really want but the vast majority of men can.

An increased awareness of cosmetic procedures can only prove good news for the cosmetic dentistry industry. Cosmetic dental procedures also often bring with them large benefits to the patient’s overall dental hygiene and so can be seen as more than just an aesthetic treat. Also, as any cosmetic dentist can attest, you can’t fix a crooked smile with push-ups and a good diet, no matter how hard you try.

Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic dentist
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| February 1, 2010 at 4:28 pm | No comment

A Pain In The Neck… And Head… And Back… And Jaw

TMJ Pain

TMJ Pain

Martial arts students or people who study self-defence will tell you that one of the most effective methods for rendering an assailant unconscious quickly is by applying enough force to the jaw to cause sudden pain in the joint connecting jaw to skull. This then renders whoever is on the receiving end unconscious, so clearly this is an important part of the anatomy; if the reaction to sudden severe pain in this area by the nervous system is to knock you out until it doesn’t hurt quite as bad anymore, then it’s clearly not an area to take risks with.

TMJ pain is caused by structural disorders in the same area, causing symptomatic appearances of pain due to the massive force that the human bite can bring to bear being misaligned and causing damage to one or both of these joints. This is bad news and the pain this causes can be found in the neck and shoulders too, and is not something one should live with. There are temporary pain relief measures, but nobody wants pain as a constant companion.

A cosmetic dentist can tell you about the various TMJ treatment options available, which vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Now, TMJ pain is not fatal, but constant uncomfortable pain in this area can have various knock-on effects to your mood, health and even your ability to complete necessary daily tasks, such as work, for example. In addition, relying heavily on painkillers to manage TMJ pain can be detrimental to your health. The best option is to consult your local dentist and have the problem fixed and the pain stopped.

Posted in: TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment, cosmetic dentist
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| January 25, 2010 at 3:11 pm | 2 comments

Finding The Middle Ground

Many people manage to quit smoking. It is possible, it’s not a myth, and your health really does improve as a result. But while those nicotine stains on your smoking hand might fade away, the stains on your teeth that smoking causes will not, and your smile will always give you away as having been a smoker. Let’s be honest, it’s not a pleasant sight, is it? Shane MacGowan might be cool, but his teeth could scare children. Just because you don’t smell like smoke anymore doesn’t mean that the other aesthetic drawbacks of smoking will disappear overnight.

There are a few different ways to improve that smile—and despite rumours to the contrary, ex-smokers do smile—and the first of these would be over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. These are good options, although it is important to read the instructions or you could end up with a smile like David Schwimmer’s character Ross in that episode of Friends. You know, the one where he leaves the peroxide on overnight and his smile can be seen under a blacklight. A cosmetic dentist can tell you how to operate these kits, should you be in any doubt, and as you neither want to horrify nor blind people with your smile. It’s best to seek their advice if you have any queries over your teeth, and many cosmetic dentists offer free consultations about the stain removal and teeth whitening options available to you.

Faster, if more expensive, options are to have your cosmetic dentist whiten your teeth for you. The various methods they can employ depend on the severity of the staining, but as skilled professionals they can distance you from the Pogues look without making you the punchline of a sitcom gag.

Posted in: Teeth Whitening, cosmetic dentist
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| January 25, 2010 at 10:15 am | 1 comment

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