A lot of people I meet around London ask me direct questions about the procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry, and how much it will cost them. Cosmetic dentistry could supplement an already exemplary oral hygiene, or reverse the damage of dental erosion brought about by lifestyle choices (such as extreme addiction to candy floss or smoking). The cost of cosmetic dentistry varies from patient to patient, and mostly depends on the extensiveness of the procedures.One thing that will greatly magnify the cost and extensiveness of a cosmetic teeth restoration is gum disease. Before any procedure can be implemented, the gum or gingival disorder has to be treated and kept at bay. The initial dental clinic visits will determine whether a patient’s gums are healthy enough to accommodate cosmetic dental procedures or not. Some visible signs to look out for include bleeding gums, sensitivity to heat or cold, and changes in the physical appearance of the gums and teeth over time. Once successfully treated, the dentist will then recommend the best cosmetic procedures applicable to the patient.

Whilst the initial procedures could be the most complex, a patient should go back for consultation to maintain of the beauty of the rejuvenated teeth. These subsequent visits may involve touch up, cleaning and more advice on how to continue caring for a patient’s teeth and gums outside the dentist’s office. The patient must strictly abide by the recommended after-care programme for maintenance of his dental health. That last information is crucial and I constantly remind my patients to follow my guidelines.

I have been approached several times by people who merely want to inquire about a possible dental treatment. One topic that is usually brought up is the number of sessions it will take before they complete treatment. Although they do not mention their reasons for asking about these things, I can tell that they are concerned about the inconvenience of returning to a dentist’s clinic and the cost of subsequent treatments.The potential for a more permanent establishment of the cosmetic dentistry industry in London is massive! One possible reason is the increasing awareness of the benefits. Going around the city and meeting new people, I frequently get introduced as a dentist and people surprisingly become very interested in what I do. It is quite disconcerting to be bombarded by so many questions, but I can tell that genuine interest is present. The concept of cosmetic dentistry is still new to some, as most still have lasting memories of getting dental fillings composed of amalgam or gold. Whilst these materials are effective in treating decayed teeth, they do not contribute much to the over-all aesthetics of a person’s teeth because of their unattractive colour.

There are some one-session, relatively inexpensive dental treatments that people can avail of, including composite resin bonding, which is recommended for stained or decayed teeth. This procedure takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and is quite long lasting. The patient does have to visit again for maintenance, preferably at six-month intervals.

Dental sealants can be placed during the early phases of tooth decay, or for preventing further decay. Treatment takes approximately 15 minutes and the sealant could last up to ten years. For stains or teeth discolouration, I recommend whitening or bleaching. Tooth contouring and reshaping are also permanent treatments that a patient can avail off in just one session.

A brighter smile could drastically change a person’s life. He may soon feel more confident and more able to interact effectively with other people. A thorough treatment could rejuvenate a lacklustre smile and turn it into a powerful one. London, like any other city, has a part of the population who are not yet aware of the services offered by dentists. In fact, I think that not everyone is aware of the term cosmetic dentistry and how even the simplest treatments can improve their lifestyle.

Advertising one’s service is tantamount to describing what one does, or how one intends to tackle a patient’s problem. Some dentists resort to advertising campaigns in which they describe the procedures in detail. Whilst this could most definitely attract some, particularly the ones who can understand medical terminology, I think the best way of introducing the concept of cosmetic dentistry to an ordinary person is to hint at the end product at the onset. Would you like to own a beautiful smile to greet this beautiful city with every single day?

Amusingly, this sounds a lot like the American television series wherein two cosmetic surgery doctors ask a patient, “tell me what you don’t like about yourself”. It could also be that I am more inclined than others to encourage the patient by using his language, not mine. I am not an advertising professional, but somehow, I have a feeling that this will spell the difference between making more people aware of cosmetic dentistry and complete apathy to the industry.

Dental bonding is a procedure used for cosmetic enhancement and the repair of structural imperfections in the teeth. It is also known as composite or tooth bonding. It utilizes a composite resin consisting of glass and porcelain particles that are fused into a liquid plastic which is then matched according to the colour of the patient’s teeth. It can be used in a wide array of situations. It can repair chipped teeth, cover discoloured teeth, line-up crooked teeth, fill the gap between teeth, replace silver amalgam fillings and repair decayed teeth.
To begin the procedure, the London dentist will select a composite resin that matches the colour of the patient’s teeth. The dentist will roughen the existing tooth in order for the resin to bond properly. The composite is then applied to the tooth, shaped and smoothen until the desired look is achieved. High intensity light is used to quickly harden the composite. It is then buffed and polished to make the bonded tooth to appear the same as the surrounding teeth.
Tooth bonding has several benefits for patients in London. The tooth looks and feels natural. Unlike other procedures such as bridges, veneers or crowns, bonding is very inexpensive and fast. It usually takes a short period of time to complete and can usually be completed in one dental visit. Dental bonding is painless and no anaesthesia is needed in most cases since it does not involve any surgery or drilling.
Although dental bonding has several advantages, it is only a temporary replacement. Its quality is not the same as that of bridges, veneers, crowns and other forms of filling. That’s why bonded teeth are more prone to chip, break or stain. The patient should therefore first weigh the pros and cons of dental bonding before undergoing the bonding treatment.

CEREC, which is an acronym for Chairside, Economical, Restorations, Esthetic and Ceramic, is a process or technique with which you can restore the natural beauty, strength and functions of your denture. The process does not involve any metal, and the final color it renders to your teeth is most natural. As the name implies, it involves ceramic that mimics the composition of the tooth structure.The process was invented by a Switzerland-based dentist, Dr. Werner H. Moermann and an electrical engineer Dr. Markus Brandistini in 1985. The process steadily gained its popularity over the last decade. There are many dental clinics in London, which you can visit for correcting the flaws of your denture.

The process is dependant on the CAD/CAM applications and involves state-of-the-art CEREC 3D software. Your dental surgeon will be closely scanning the tooth to be recovered with a scanning probe that is attached with a medical-grade computer. The software would then convert the scanned data to a virtual three-dimensional model of the tooth. The surgeon, who is specialist in correcting the image with the software, would design the restoration needed and would guide a CEREC milling unit to prepare ceramic block that complements the contours and shapes of your damaged tooth minutely. The colour of the ceramic block is chosen very carefully so that it matches the shades of your other teeth.

Once the milling unit delivers the final ceramic block, the surgeon polishes and finishes the piece and firmly places it on the tooth. Depending on the size and number of teeth the entire process may take 1 to 3 hours.

You can get any of your damaged teeth or part of it like inlays, crowns, onlays, veneers, etc., restored with the process. The process is adored by the patients and the dentists all over the world because of its simplicity. The process in painless as well. So, go ahead and find the loveliest smile you always cherished.

It is not difficult to maintain good oral hygiene; all you have to do is to follow these tips on oral hygiene. These tips are not difficult to follow; and you need not use any expensive equipment, potions or lotions to follow them.Bleeding gums is a problem most complaints dentists in London receive from their customers. However to cure this problem, you only have to examine the way you brush your teeth. Brushing away from the gums exposes the roots of the teeth; this is why it is better to use a gentle ‘up and down’ motion when brushing.

Frenzied side to side brushing motion also causes recession of the gums. Try to clean the areas between your teeth using floss; pieces of food found here only decays and will otherwise be detected only with toothache or gum disease. Even smoking is bad for gums as over time, it affects the deterioration of gums.

If you have sensitive teeth, I suggest you use specialized toothpastes to prevent sensitivity. Try rinsing with warm water if you have sensitive teeth and just resent rinsing with cold water.

Bad breath develops with poor oral hygiene. Though an antiseptic mouthwash improves your breath, drinking lots of water is an easier option as it prevents the mouth from drying. Also make it a point to clean the back of your tongue using your toothbrush and to dislodge pieces of food in your teeth to prevent it from rotting in your mouth.

Most important, visit your dentist regularly. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to consult professionals as we are here to look after the single set of adult teeth you have to maintain throughout your life.

Tooth abscess is a state when pus accumulates in or around the roots of a tooth. It causes severe pain and the affected tooth may loosen. Taking pain killers and draining the gum boil is just an act of first aid. It is advisable that you visit a dentist.

Symptoms of tooth abscess:
 Agonizing pain which increases on touching the tooth. Pain is severe when biting or chewing.
 Swelling appears on the gum which is red and the affected tooth loosens.
 Foul tasting secretion is discharged into the mouth.
 When the contagion spreads to nearby tissues swelling appears on your face and you develop fever.
Treatment of tooth abscess:

The aim of abscess tooth treatment in the dental hospitals of London or anywhere else is to first of all remove the infection. Once the infection is eliminated the tooth is preserved. This will prevent further complications.

The abscess has to be drained so that the infection can be eliminated. Root canal is the process through which tooth drainage is conducted. In some cases root canal surgery is also recommended so that any diseased root tissue is removed once the infection subsides. Finally a crown may be positioned over the tooth.

Drainage of the abscess can be carried out through the socket by extracting the tooth.

The last method of draining the abscess can also be carried out by slitting the swollen gum tissue.

Once the abscess is drained then you will have to take antibiotics to help you to fight the infection. To get relief from the pain and discomfort linked to an abscessed tooth, you can use over the counter pain killers or rinse with warm salt water.

Prevention of tooth abscess
Tooth abscess can be prevented by adopting good oral hygiene practices. And if you feel that your tooth has loosened then it is advisable for you to seek immediate dental attention.

Invisalign is the undetectable way to set straight your teeth without putting on formal metal braces.

Invisalign makes use of a sequence of clear, detachable specially made plastic aligners to budge your teeth. This engineering is also easy, annulling the mouth scratches that can be induced by the metal and wires of conservative braces. This method is more convenient because the person undertaking invisalign treatment need not spend too much of time in a London dental clinic.

Why People Prefer Invisalign Over Metal Braces?

• People prefer invisalign to metal braces because they are hygienic.
• No metal bands or wires which can trap food or plaque in your teeth.
• Oral hygiene can be easily maintained.

Pros and cons of invisalign:
Pros:
 When compared to the conventional metal and rubber band braces the invisalign aligners are removable. This helps you to remove them when you eat or brush your teeth

 You need not worry about the breakage of rubber bands because invisalign aligners are convenient. You need not visit your dentist often.

 The transparent colour of the invisalign aligners does not make it noticeable. Your teeth are perfectly aligned without feeling self conscious.

Cons:
 People with sensitive gums or teeth will feel some discomfort when they wear invisalign aligners. But this discomfort will be only temporary. Once you get used to invisalign aligner you will not feel it.
 In rare cases some people break aligners due to teeth grinding habit. And the constant removal of the aligners is a bit risky.
Invisalign aligners are a bit more expensive than the regular metal braces.
 Consider the following before going in for invisalign:

Before Choosing Invisalign seek the advice of your dentist:
Your oral health is of course vital and your decision to straighten it is a great idea. But it is always better if you get your dentist check the complete condition of your mouth and find out if you are fit for this treatment. Some people may have to undergo gum treatment before invisalign.

Dental treatment of any sort is expensive and if you don’t have dental insurance then watch out for the dent in your wallet! But if your patients are thinking of going abroad then here are a few things you have to make them aware of.
• Not all dentists abroad comply with the same standards which are enforced in the UK. Sterility, cleanliness, experience may all be variable and there may be no one you can complain to after a botched dental procedure.
• There may be language barriers and consent for different procedures is not relay necessary in other countries,
• Please do not be swayed by cheap quotes you get online as any dentist will tell you that its really impossible to decide a case unless the dentist has visually examined the case. X-rays are not enough.
• Dental labs in developing countries may use cheaper materials as from China and as of know there is a huge furor about dental materials sourced form China being contaminated with common poisons.
• You cannot go back to fix simple problems which have happened or gross mistakes which may occur. You have to realize that there is no legal recourse for you in the country of treatment as you will be considered a tourist with no legal rights to sue the dentist for malpractice.

Ok, my kid hates to brush his teeth. It takes a mixture of cajoling and threats to get the tot to make sure his teeth are clean and sparkly in the morning and night. I did everything possible to getting him softer brushes to forcibly cleaning his teeth myself, but nothing seemed to work! But recently there’s been a 360 degree turnaround in him and it’s due to BRUSH UPS!

Yes that’s right, he hates to do the butt work himself but does not mind when someone else uses these really soft finger gloves to clean out his teeth! My mother found this really neat product from Oral B called Brush-ups. And she thought instead of the daily tussle why not use these to clean the little brats teeth and as always she was right! Oral B Brush-Ups consist of these really smooth textured teeth wipes to clean off the gunk of baby teeth and your tongue for instant fresh breath!You can fit them on your finger and then run them over your teeth to keep them really clean. And with the moisture guard your finger does not get wet! Although these are really great. I wouldn’t advise them for regular use and every London dentist recommends tooth brushing as the only way to keep teeth clean.