When you have dental pain, visit your dentist in London, as it may not be as bad as you think! Dental pain can occur as a result of disease or injury to the dental pulp or the adjacent structure (periodontium). Early on, disease(s) of the pulp, known as reversible pulpitis, have warning signs such as a transient sharp pain brought about by exposure to cold or sweet. Periodontal pain is usually associated with an acute periodontal abscess, which can also result in serious problems. Dental pain is generally acute in nature, and prompt and effective treatment by tooth restoration, root-canal therapy, extraction, or periodontal curettage will result in the resolution of pain.
Clinically, a dental caries lesion (a cavity) occurs when a hole appears outer surface of the tooth. However, when this is observed, dental caries has proceeded to the late stage. A clinically noticeable white lesion may precede the carious lesion. However, these white spots may not proceed to dental decay. Interproximal (between) tooth surfaces may only be visible with the use of a dental X-ray (radiograph), and the decay can go unnoticed in these areas until it is too late in the caries process.
Diagnostic tests for dental caries are non-invasive. This is due to the fact that the teeth are exposed to the environment and can be visualized by looking into oral cavity (mouth). During a clinical examination, the dentist will use a dental explorer to help diagnose dental caries. When the explorer is placed into a cavity it will usually stick into the decayed area. Dental radiographs (X-rays) are used to help the dental professional diagnose caries that cannot be viewed directly or detected by the explorer. Conventional dental therapy is based on response to symptoms.

Many dental care products available in London contain various nutritional supplements; coenzyme Q 10 is one of these supplements. Historically, the benefits of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) in oral health have been known for decades. Oxidative damage occurs in periodontal disease, and research has demonstrated possible therapeutic effects of anti-oxidants in treating and/or preventing periodontal disease are useful, with special attention on CoQ10. Clinically, topical application of CoQ10 to periodontal pockets was evaluated with and without professional cleaning below the gum tissue, and significant improvements were seen that included the reduction of gingivitis, bleeding on periodontal probing and gingival enzyme activity, only at the CoQ10 treated sites. Another clinical study demonstrated that topical application of CoQ10 was extraordinarily effective in reducing periodontal pocket depth, and that healing was so excellent after 5-7 days of treatment that diseased gingival sites were difficult to locate.
Additionally, a clinical study demonstrated that patients with periodontitis frequently have significant gingival and white blood cell CoQ10 deficiencies. This white blood cell CoQ10 deficiency indicated a systemic nutritional imbalance, and was not likely caused by neglected oral hygiene. A gingival deficiency of CoQ10 could predispose individuals to gingivitis and periodontitis, and periodontitis could even augment CoQ10 deficiency. Also, the beneficial effect of CoQ10 has also been reported in an individual case study, where three dentists separately and independently scored clinical improvements of five symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis, with the initial benefits being observed only three weeks after the beginning CoQ10 treatment.
Although, significant clinical reports demonstrated beneficial effects with CoQ10 on periodontal disease, the mechanism of the role of CoQ10 in periodontal disease was not known until, from 1971 to 1974, when CoQ10 gum tissue deficiencies were observed in patients with periodontal disease when compared to patients without periodontal disease. Clinical results suggested that topical application of CoQ10 improves adult periodontitis not only as a sole treatment, but also in combination with traditional non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Invisible orthodontic braces were introduced in the 1990s, and the Invisalign® system in the late 1990s. The Invisalign® system is now available in London. It consists of clear plastic “teeth aligners” that are made using complicated computer methods. These “teeth aligners” are being currently used to move and straighten teeth, instead of using the more primitive orthodontic wire and bracket system. You may want to know if invisible braces work. In addition to being indiscernible, this technique allows for better and more comfortable teeth movement. Typical therapeutic time for the Invisalign® system is approximately one year as compared to 2-3 years for regular orthodontic treatment. However, limitations do exist, and these should not be a substitute for complete regular orthodontic therapies. For instance, the Invisalign® system should not be used on partially erupted teeth, or teeth that are very crowded. However, Invisalign® is very popular with both adults and teenagers.
You should first visit your London-based dentist for a consultation before deciding if Invisalign® is right for you. Following a complete examination and a careful analysis, the dentist will take alginate impressions of your mouth and have your impressions poured in white plaster in the laboratory. Next, these study models will be scanned using a computer. This technical computer will plan your tooth movements and a succession of 12-48 clear plastic aligners will be fabricated and sent back to your Invisalign® dentist’s office. Your dentist will then give you the first set of aligners and teach you how to snap them into place. You’ll probably say “it does not fit right.” The explanation for this is that the plastic aligner is made to fit the new position that your teeth are going to approximate. After several days of wearing this plastic aligner your teeth will move to where the aligner is guiding them. Following this movement, your teeth will be allowed to rest and allow time for your oral bone to help set these teeth into where they have been guided. Then, after a few weeks, you will visit your dentist to get your new plastic aligner, and place it onto your teeth where it will not fit again, and so on and so forth, until your teeth are positioned into their final wanted set-up. Most likely, you will visit your dentist’s office once a month, so that they may check your progress and perform modifications.

Full dentures and/or partial dentures may be required to replace your teeth and soft tissues, if you have some or numerous teeth missing. Two types of dentures available in London are complete and partial dentures, and also variations of these. Full dentures, also called complete dentures, are usually required when all of your teeth are missing, whereas partial dentures can be used when there are several of your own teeth left in your mouth. The use or partial dentures depend upon several issues, such as the location of your remaining teeth, what kind of shape your teeth are in, and their form and function. When you visit your dentist in London, they will perform a complete examination, and discuss your best treatment options.
Full dentures may be fabricated as either “regular” or “immediate” dentures. “Regular” dentures are usually made for patients who have had their teeth missing for awhile, and either require a new (i.e., initial) “complete” denture or a denture to replace their existing denture. Several reasons to replace an old denture are wear and tear, damage, and/or lack of fit to the soft tissues beneath the denture.
“Regular” full dentures are fabricated after the teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue has healed. This denture is usually ready for insertion in approximately eight to twelve weeks following teeth extraction. On the other hand, “immediate” dentures are made prior to the teeth being extracted, and after surgery to remove the teeth, the denture is inserted immediately. This allows the soft tissues to heal and the extraction sites to be covered by the denture acting as a surgical stent. It allows the patient to function and have better aesthetics during the healing period. These dentures are usually relined with a soft material, as the soft tissue heals and shrinks. When healing is complete, a “regular” denture is fabricated for the patient.
Removable partial dentures usually consist of artificial plastic or porcelain teeth that are incorporated into a pink, gingival-coloured acrylic base, placed onto a metal undersurface that contain metal clasps to hold the denture in place. The partial denture is removable for cleaning and also to help the patient to clean their natural teeth. The goal of the partial denture is to replace the missing teeth, as well as keep them from drifting. There are also precision and semi-precision partial dentures that contain various attachments instead of clasps that are more aesthetic and can further minimize adverse forces on the supporting teeth. There are many options to replace missing and/or damaged teeth! It is a good idea to visit your dentist in London and discuss all of your options prior to commencing any dental procedures.

Dental implants are an excellent alternative to being partially or totally edentulous (without teeth). They are being successfully used in London to replace either a single tooth or many missing teeth. Dental implants have an over 90% five-year success rate. Even though there are numerous other dental treatments available to replace lost dentition (teeth), dental implants performed in London have proven to be very useful, successful and long-lasting. In countless dental treatments, implants most likely are the choice correct choice to restore the correct functioning of your teeth. They are more natural looking, sturdier and longer-lasting when compared to other tooth/teeth replacement procedures, and offer a more lasting answer for missing teeth. Implants can be used for single tooth or multiple teeth replacement(s), and can also be used to stabilize partial or full dentures. Your dentist will decide which type and how many dental implants are required to obtain the optimal result.
Any dentist trained in the placement of implants can perform this procedure; however the patient may be referred to a dental specialist, especially if the implants are being placed in the area of the maxillary sinus. A dental team approach usually provides the patient with the best results. Successful implants require that all parties involved; the patient, and the dental team, outline and follow a careful plan of treatment and stay in close contact with each other to make sure the patient’s expectations are met.
Dental implants are mostly fabricated using a titanium alloy shaped in the screw-like form, with an attachment to place the final restoration. A little opening is made where the implant is to be placed to effectively guide the drill and the implant into position. To avoid damaging oral and facial anatomy, the practitioner must be very skillfull. For best results the dentist usually performs a comprehensive oral examination, X-rays and even a CT-Scan (a three-dimensional jaw scan), to ensure ideal dental implant placement.

Bruxism is the term used by dentists referring to the act of teeth grinding. This problem has been successfully treated in London for many years. Bruxism usually occurs when you are sleeping, and there are numerous causes, including but not limited to: a discrepancy in jaw position when the teeth meet upon biting creating a slip when the teeth are clenched together; malposition or misalignment of teeth; and stress. Bruxism also occurs in children, usually because their teeth are not touching each other properly during their development. This will not usually last when the adult teeth develop and are biting together in the mouth. However, it is important for both children and adults to visit the dentist when teeth grinding occurs, and to also have their regular dental check-ups.Although bruxism is not a major health problem, it may initiate problems, such as mouth, jaw and facial pain. Bruxism can also occur because of faulty dental restorations, ill-fitting partial or full dentures, missing teeth, teeth prematurely biting together, etc. Your dentist can place a thin piece of carbon-like paper between your teeth to see if you are biting prematurely on certain teeth. There are also numerous other tests that can be performed by your dentist to see where the problem may lie. Your dentist may fabricate either a customized soft rubbery appliance or hard clear acrylic appliance for you to wear as both a diagnostic aid, or as treatment for your teeth grinding. If your regular dentist is unable to help you, you may be referred to the proper specialist for help.

There are several common therapies for bruxism. One of these is stress management, and referral to the proper professional. However, this may not be easy to accomplish, because some people do not readily see the mouth-mental health connection. As previously mentioned, an acrylic appliance can help both diagnose and provide dental therapy to people that grind their teeth. Also, a soft rubbery appliance can be manufactured. These appliances should be custom made for each individual, using a mold of their mouth that is taken by a licensed dentist. Dental procedures that restore the proper bite and functioning of the patient’s teeth may also be necessary, along with bite adjustments where the dentist marks the teeth and properly adjusts the patient’s bite. Perhaps helping the patient to overcome some long-developed bad habits such as improper teeth, mouth and jaw positioning would help. Sometimes dentists will use short-term medications to help to relax their patient, but this could lead to dependence on these medications and this is not highly recommended.

Porcelain veneers are being widely used by London-based dentists and have been available for many years throughout the world. Teeth that are uneven, discoloured, worn and/or damaged may be corrected with the use of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers, also referred to as dental veneers and laminates, are thin porcelain coverings fabricated distinctively for each individual patient and tooth. They provide an excellent cosmetic result in the properly chosen situation.
Porcelain veneer technique(s) involve minimal preparation of the tooth enamel (the outer shell of the tooth), and at times the dentin (substructure of the tooth that can be sensitive to tooth preparation). This depends on the misalignment of the teeth, and the result sought by both you and your dentist.
The porcelain veneer procedure usually takes two dental visits. During your first visit, a smile analysis is performed either by using a camera or a cast of your mouth, or both. The result that can be obtained is usually shown to you via computer or by wax being placed on the stone model of your teeth. Any changes to colour, form and function of your teeth should be discussed with your dentist at this time. Once you and your dentist have agreed on the result that can be obtained, your front teeth will be prepared using a diamond bur with local anaesthesia or no anaesthesia. This will depend on the amount of tooth structure that needs to be removed for the desired result.
Temporary acrylic or composite shells are fabricated by your dentist or his in-house laboratory to prevent tooth sensitively and the inadvertent shift of your teeth until the delivery visit. Impressions are taken of your mouth, and the stone models are sent to a laboratory that specializes in porcelain veneer fabrication. Upon return for your insertion visit, the porcelain veneers are bonded in place on your teeth utilizing the bonding capability of available materials to securely attach the thin porcelain shell to each tooth. Porcelain veneers are inherently delicate; however, when securely bonded to the well-built tooth substructure they become both physically strong and long-lasting.
The greatest advantage of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding procedures are that porcelain veneers created to copy a very life-like tooth appearance, and depending upon the artistic nature of the laboratory that fabricates the porcelain veneers and the artistry of the dentist placing the veneers, stunning results can be achieved. The best results are to both imitate the natural translucency of the tooth enamel and to also achieve the colour changes that are expected by the patient using opaque bonding materials and additional intrinsic colouring if required. Since Londoner’s generally have darker teeth, this intrinsic staining and use of opaque bonding materials should be carefully evaluated. After being placed and bonded, the porcelain veneers should very closely resemble the appearance of enamel. A great advantage of porcelain veneers over composite bonding materials are their resistance to staining and discolouration.