Dental Blog - Orpington Dental Care

All you can eat

Eating is one of life’s fundamental pleasures, and so to have to steer clear of various foods because your teeth can’t cope with them can be terribly sad. That can be the case with some methods of tooth replacement, such as dentures, which do not have the chewing power of natural teeth. There is one method of tooth replacement that allows people to continue to have complete freedom in their food choices and that is dental implants.

At Orpington Dental Practice, we can fit dental implants in Orpington to replace one, a few or an entire arch of lost teeth. The reason that they are so great at their job is because dental implants are embedded into the jawbone rather than adhering to the gum as dentures do or relying on neighbouring teeth to be used as buttresses as bridges do. Dental implants give 100% of the chewing power of natural teeth.

The science bit: how dental implants work

Dental implants are small titanium posts that are tapered to resemble tooth roots and also often screw shaped. The dentist puts them into the bone after opening up the gum and carefully drilling a channel into which to put them. Once they are in place, the gum is replaced and the implants left to integrate with the bone, which takes 2–6 months. During this time, the titanium catalyses new bone growth over its surface and this is what holds the implant in place so well. Once this process has completed, you come back to us and we fit a connecting piece into the implant and attach the replacement crown on top.

The crowns are handmade by skilled technicians to blend in with your natural teeth. Or, if you are having all your teeth replaced, to resemble the ones you have lost.

Maintenance

Looking after dental implants is easy. All it takes is a diligent oral health routine of twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, plus careful flossing. Gum disease is the enemy of implants and it is important to keep it at bay because if gum disease gets as far as attacking the bone, it can loosen the implants and cause them to fall out.

Prepping you for dental implants in Orpington

At Orpington Dental Care, we want to make sure that we cover all the bases when we are preparing you for dental implants in Orpington. While you are the best source of information about your needs, we have experience in examining patients preparing to undergo this kind of treatment. Together we can ensure that you are ready to go ahead and that you will have a smooth and positive treatment experience with dental implants in Orpington.

What do they look like?

Dental implants in Orpington involves dental equipment that is going to help replace your teeth and is going to become a part of you. It’s only natural, therefore, to wonder what it looks like, feels like and what its made of. We can satisfy your curiosity and help to understand the procedure better by showing you dental implants at Orpington Dental Care.

You will be able to hold a dental implant between your thumb and first finger. It’s quite small with a base that is shaped like a screw and made from titanium. There will be an abutment on top which is the area that attaches the implant to your choice of prosthetic. If you are having a single tooth replaced, this will be a crown and, if you are having multiple teeth replaced, it could be with a bridge or denture.

What do you need to know about them?

There are plenty of nuances when it comes to a dental implant treatment. Most of what you need to know are the facts that reassure you that dental implants are secure, functional and that they look great. We can explain these to you when you have an appointment at Orpington Dental Care.

How do they feel?

Once your treatment is complete, your dental implants should feel close to natural teeth. For the most part, you won’t have to think about the fact that you have dental implants.

If you have a solution such as implant-retained dentures, you will still be able to take your teeth in and out, so you will still need to think about cleaning them in this way.

We can talk you through what your experience of dental implants will be like.

What do you need to know about braces in Orpington?

In order to understand what your needs are when it comes to a teeth-straightening treatment, you need to ask yourself some important questions about your priorities. You know you want to make improvements to your smile, but did you know that you have options around how to achieve that when you get braces in Orpington?

At Orpington Dental Care, we can guide you through the decision-making process by letting you know where there is flexibility and the possibility of choice when it comes to your braces in Orpington. Here are some sample questions you might like to consider before you have your first appointment for teeth straightening:

What do I want to achieve?

Most people who consider teeth straightening as an adult for cosmetic reasons. Within that, there is often a number of issues that they want to address. For example, they might be hoping to push or pull their teeth back into line or they may wish to close a gap. Sometimes there is a problem with the way the teeth meet, and this can be addressed with more extensive orthodontic work.

Do I have any deadlines in mind?

While it’s tough to rush teeth straightening, there are some methods that can achieve remarkable results in a relatively short space of time. The length of time taken to actually move the teeth remains relatively consistent. However, the focus of treatment changes to encompass only the teeth that are cosmetically important. This means that the whole procedure is shortened. Let your dentist know if you have any special occasions coming up that you would like to be ready for and they will tell you what is possible.

Is it vital that your braces in Orpington are discreet?

There are many life circumstances that require people to be ultra-conscious of the impression that they make. The aura that we give off frequently dictates how we are received in the world and, if that isn’t maintained through confidence and a high level of self-esteem, it can have difficult consequences. Invisible braces options are one way to maintain great looks while still getting your teeth straightened. We have a number of options for you at Orpington Dental Care.

Don’t let the gaps get you down

If the gaps in your smile are getting you down, dental implants in Orpington are here to save the day. They are a heroic method of tooth replacement that will have you feeling full-powered again in no time. It may seem easier to just let go of your teeth or imagine that you will never have a fully-functional set of teeth again, but the truth is that dental implants can give you that.

Dental Implants in Orpington At Orpington Dental Care, we love getting a bit over-excited about the benefits of dental implants. In Orpington, at our clinic, they are one of our favourite methods of tooth replacement. There are ways to get some level of dental function back without implants, but not that many that offer the entire package.

Why are dental implants in Orpington so awesome?

The patient experience is paramount at Orpington Dental Care. If you are experiencing great treatment results that make you happier, we have done our job correctly. Dental implants in Orpington help us to achieve this goal readily. When you have your teeth replaced with this method you will experience these excellent qualities:

Stability – dental implants don’t slip and slide around. They are as firm as normal teeth as long as they are well cared for. Implants offer support to any remaining teeth that are either side of the gaps as well, so they do not shift around like they can when gaps are present;
Functionality – because of the stability of dental implants, functionality follows closely behind. They are fully integrated into the body’s structure, so they move like normal teeth without the need for any fancy techniques or concern about them not being up to the task at hand;
Aesthetics – dental implants should be nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth to the casual observer. They also support the fullness of the face in the same way that teeth do, which avoids the tendency towards a sunken appearance that is a hazard of other tooth replacement methods.

These are just a taster of the benefits available when you are using dental implants in Orpington. We look forward to giving you more details when we see you.

Keep it clean!

The root cause of all dental issues is not having clean teeth. It’s as simple as that. Clean teeth cannot decay or get gum disease. Yet, considering how simple this premise is, it’s amazing how hard it can be for some people to keep their teeth clean. That’s why at Orpington Dental we like to assist you with your dental hygiene in Orpington by offering you sessions with our dental hygienist.

Why do teeth need cleaning so much?

The thing with our bodies is that we are more of a city than a single organism. Our skin, hair, insides and our mouths are the home for millions of harmless and helpful organisms – and some that are not so helpful. Our mouths are home to harmless bacteria that feed on the sugars that get left behind when we have eaten or drunk something. The more they feed, the more they breed and in very little time at all, they start to build up on the teeth in a sticky layer known as dental plaque. If you eat something particularly sugary, you will soon feel the plaque growing in ridges across your teeth.

The bacteria give off acids that attack the teeth and gums. The acids eat into tooth enamel, creating holes through which decay-causing bacteria can enter, and that’s when you will need a filling.

The acids irritate the gums, which become inflamed and can start to bleed easily, such as when you brush your teeth. This is the beginnings of gum disease, which, if not treated, will go on to eat into the bone that holds the teeth in place. They can become loose and fall out.

Your part in dental hygiene

You need to remove the build-up of plaque twice a day, preferably with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. You can use dental floss and interdental brushes to get between the teeth and remove any bits of stuck food.

Twice a year, you need to come to the hygienist, who can get rid of any hardened plaque that you have missed. The hygienist can also show you more effective ways to brush your teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry – braces in Orpington

Adjusting your smile is one way to give yourself the look you have always wanted. At Orpington Dental Care, we have a range of cosmetic treatments that we can offer. If your smile is misaligned, you may think that this is something you have to live with. This is not the case. You can use braces in Orpington to nudge your teeth in to line.

One of the great things about modern braces is that there are more to choose from that ever before. You can work with trusted dental brands like Invisalign and Six Month Smiles when you get braces in Orpington with Orpington Dental Care.

Your dentist will have completed special training with the dental brand of your choice so that they can guide you through your teeth straightening treatment. The method of fitting your braces in Orpington varies depending on which type you have.

Fitting Invisalign

The advantage of choosing a system like Invisalign is that there is no lengthy fitting procedure required. When you decide to go ahead, a member of the team at Orpington Dental Care will take scans and gather other data. This is used to make a series of aligners which are then given to you at your next appointment. When used in the right sequence these aligners will move your teeth into their new positions.

Fitting Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles are a bit more like standard braces. This means that they are fixed to the teeth. Again, your first appointment is about getting together the information that the external provider, Six Month Smiles, needs to construct your unique equipment. Once they have done this, they send it to us for fitting. Your brackets are contained within a special mould which is pressed against your teeth so that they are placed in exactly the right positions. Your dentist then threads a wire through them which is held in place using discreet elastics.

Follow-up appointments

Regardless of the method you choose to work with, you will come and see us every six weeks or so for a check-up. This is so that we can monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments and offer advice on caring for your teeth and equipment.

New teeth with natural stability

When you lose one or more teeth, your oral health can take a turn for the worse. There’ll be an unsightly gap in your smile, and your remaining teeth will be under more strain. Eating food can become an uncomfortable experience. In Orpington, dental implants from Orpington Dental Care are a powerful solution to the difficulties caused by missing teeth. We have years of experience in using dental implants to restore dental function and aesthetic balance.

The process of having dental implants in Orpington

Firstly, we’ll book you in for a consultation. At our friendly dental practice, we can assess your oral health and take some meticulous measurements of your teeth. You’ll need sufficient jawbone density before you can receive the implants, and some preliminary work might be necessary before we start the next stage.

You’ll then receive your Orpington dental implants in a minor surgical procedure, during which our dentist places small, screw-like posts into your jawbone. After a period of healing, you’ll come back to the practice to have your new teeth affixed to the posts.

Many advantages

Having dental implants in Orpington will bring you several oral health benefits:

A secure mesh forms between your jawbone and the implanted posts, which means your teeth are securely anchored in your mouth. You can thus enjoy biting into and chewing your favourite foods, without worrying about the teeth falling out;
The implants are easy to clean. They stay in your mouth like natural teeth, and you won’t need to fiddle with clips or adhesives;
The implants help you to keep the integrity of your facial bone structure, so you won’t develop the sunken look associated with long-term tooth loss;
Your smile will be much more visually appealing;
You might find certain words and phrases easier to pronounce, which boosts the overall fluency of your speech.

Improved outlook

We can use dental implants in Orpington to restore any number of lost teeth. Whether you’ve had a single one knocked out while playing sports, or you’ve lost a whole set to tooth decay, we can give you back what you’ve been missing. This treatment will restore your dental function and improve your overall quality of life.

Improve your dental alignment

When you choose to straighten your teeth, you choose to have a more appealing smile and a higher standard of oral hygiene. In Orpington, braces are fully customised for efficiency and comfort. They use low-visibility materials to stay discreet, protecting you from unwanted attention while treatment is ongoing. At Orpington Dental Care, we treat misaligned teeth with a range of contemporary methods. Whether you have a crooked smile or front teeth that stick out too much, we can comfortably improve your dental appearance.

Why have braces in Orpington?

A crooked smile can cause long-term cosmetic worries. Small imperfections, like one or two teeth that are slightly out of position, can have an impact on how you feel about your overall appearance. You’ll benefit from braces in Orpington if you tend to keep your teeth hidden when laughing out loud or appearing in photographs.

Our modern realignment treatments are user-friendly. When you come to us for your consultation, we’ll assess your concerns, and recommend the best way to achieve the transformation you want.

Options

Many people seeking braces in Orpington opt for Invisalign. This popular treatment is suitable for a range of mild-to-moderate needs. It uses a series of transparent plastic aligners. You wear a set of these precisely-shaped appliances for around 7-10 days, before moving on to the next set in the series. The slightly different shape of each aligner gradually pressures your teeth into better positions.

With Invisalign, there are no wires or brackets attached to your teeth, so you can take the appliances out of your mouth when you want to brush your teeth or eat a meal.

Another type of braces in Orpington is Six Month Smiles. This uses clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires to remain virtually hidden from view. Because it focuses on the teeth at the front of your mouth, the average treatment time is shorter than other methods of tooth realignment.

Duration

The dentist will let you know exactly how long treatment will take before it begins. We work to careful treatment plans, and regular check-ups mean the process stays on track. It can take a while to achieve the results you want, but you’ll enjoy the benefits for many years afterwards.

Discoloured teeth?

As the daily habits of drinking tea and coffee, smoking and even time itself take their toll, your teeth are usually the ones to bear the brunt of it all. Unfortunately, these habits can’t always go unnoticed, meaning that yellow or stained teeth might leave you feeling nervous about smiling or laughing. No one should have to feel afraid of showing off their teeth and if it starts to affect your confidence, you know that something has to be done.

Teeth Whitening in Orpington Getting your pearly whites back, though it may seem so, does not require magic. If you are unhappy with your discoloured teeth, cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening will have you smiling non-stop. This is used to enhance the appearance of your teeth and get your confidence back on track.

Brighter smiles

If you are considering teeth whitening in Orpington, then you might want to get to know the options you can choose from. At Orpington Dental, we offer two treatments that are both effective in brightening your smile.

Power whitening is done there and then in the dentist chair. After a protective barrier is used for your mouth and lips, a gel is placed onto your lips which is activated by the lamp light. Here, the bleaching process begins and after an hour, you will see your brand new white teeth. This is a quick and effective way to brighten your smile, and it means you can be prepared to laugh with confidence at any given moment.

Home whitening is a flexible alternative to suit you. You take a custom-made tray home with you, applying gel in a similar manner. You can then choose when you would like to use the tray, perhaps during the night or a few hours in the day. After a couple of weeks, your teeth will be a few shades brighter and your smile will be several times wider.

A shade that suits you

Whatever your choice of treatment, the result will hopefully be the same. By receiving teeth whitening treatment, you can grin without a worry in the world. Drop into our surgery today and find out if you could benefit from this quick and easy treatment.

Making life easier with dental implants in Orpington

The trouble with losing your teeth is that the replacements can mean a serious change to your diet, and a lot more hassle, inconvenience and potential embarrassment.

If you are at an age when your teeth are beginning to fail, you may be wondering what steps to take to replace them. Perhaps your teeth have had so many fillings over the years and now they just can’t withstand the pressure of chewing anymore. Or perhaps gum disease is finally causing them to come loose in their sockets.

Whatever the reason, the result is the same, and the solution could be either a fixed bridge, full or partial dentures, or dental implants in Orpington.

Here at Orpington Dental Care, we have seen how dental implants, which seem new but have actually been around for more than 30 years, can help people maintain bone health, their nutritious diets and their youthful looks. Here’s how:

Bone health

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots and having something embedded in your jawbone that vibrates a tiny bit every time your teeth come together reminds your jawbone that it is still in use. These reminders stop the bone dissolving itself, shrinking in size and losing density.

Nutritious diet

Dental implants in Orpington can withstand chewing forces more powerful than the average male chew, so you can carry on eating all those great foods you love: apples, nuts, raw vegetables, steaks and so on; foods that provide essential fibre and nutrients for your overall and digestive health. Other tooth replacements, such as dentures, only offer about a quarter of the chewing power you need and mean that you will have to be confined to a soft food diet for the rest of your life.

Youthful looks

No one wants to look older than they are, but if you lose all your teeth and do not replace the roots, it’s inevitable that you will. As mentioned above, your jawbone will resorb and no longer provide the strong framework for your cheeks, which will collapse inwards. Also, you will develop a pointy chin that is nearer to your nose than it used to be. These are actually symptoms of tooth loss but are perceived as being related to age.

Contact Us