Dentist London Blog » dental crown http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:31:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 The wonders of restorative dentistry at City of London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-wonders-of-restorative-dentistry-at-city-of-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-wonders-of-restorative-dentistry-at-city-of-london-dentist/#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:09:06 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3071 Preventative dentistry is the process or trying to stop the development of any dental concerns by effective cleaning and watchful treatment. For the most part it is very effective at preserving dental health but in some cases there is just no amount of prevention that can stop a dental issue, such as tooth decay or enamel erosion. In these cases dentists need to use a series of treatments that could be grouped together under the name ‘restorative dentistry’.

For example, if you have suffered a cracked tooth or decay, your City of London dentist may decide that in order to protect the tooth you need to have a dental crown. This involves having an artificial tooth cap fitted that covers the part of the tooth that protrudes above the gum line. Crowns are usually made from either ceramic or metal, or a combination of both, and aim to strengthen the tooth and prevent any further damage being caused. In this way not only has the tooth been protected but also its appearance and functionality restored.

Other dental restorations include porcelain veneers, inlays and artificial teeth. Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons but it is never a very attractive look. Missing teeth can also cause several physiological problems and accelerate decay in other areas. By using a restoration such as a dental implant or dental bridge, the dentist can restore the appearance of a full and healthy dental arc.

Restorative dentistry is therefore part functional and part cosmetic. Dental technology is constantly improving providing the dentists with new and more efficient tools that is making restorative treatment both more accurate and more effective.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-wonders-of-restorative-dentistry-at-city-of-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Get your smile back with dental bridge from London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-dental-bridge-from-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-dental-bridge-from-london-dentist/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:56:09 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3043 If you are suffering from a missing tooth that is spoiling the appearance of your smile, you may want to consider a dental bridge to restore the appearance of your smile. Dental bridges are one of the most common ways of restoring missing teeth and giving you back a healthy and happy smile.

A dental bridge is made by using dental crowns attached to the adjacent teeth and an artificial tooth attached to the crowns to literally bridge the gap. The crowns are fixed to the teeth on either side and left to set for a few weeks. When this has happened the dentist will then attach the bridging tooth, also known as the pontic, using resin bonding and small strips of metal. In some cases, if the teeth are in very good condition, the dentist may simply attach the pontic using resin bonded strips to save removing healthy enamel in order to fix the crowns. In cases where there are only teeth on one side, it is possible to manufacture a cantilevered bridge.

Dental bridges can last up to twenty years if they are properly maintained but in most cases last between ten and fifteen. They are a valuable way of creating the appearance of a full set of healthy teeth and also serve a useful physiological purpose, acting as a rigid structure for the facial tissue. They also have fairly obvious aesthetic purposes.

There are other ways to replace missing teeth available from London dentists that include dental implants and partial dentures but a dental bridge is very often the most affordable option. Discuss with your dentist your options to replace your missing tooth and to find out more about dental bridges and their potential benefits for your smile.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-dental-bridge-from-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Protect brittle teeth with dental crown from City of London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/protect-brittle-teeth-with-dental-crown-from-city-of-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/protect-brittle-teeth-with-dental-crown-from-city-of-london-dentist/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:13:59 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3040 If you have ever suffered from a toothache you will know just how sensitive your teeth can be if the central part is exposed to stimuli. Teeth that are cracked or brittle can be particularly vulnerable to this and may need urgent attention from a dentist to prevent it causing you a great deal of pain. The best way to protect brittle and damaged teeth from further complications is to use a dental crown to act as a protective barrier.

Dental crowns can be made from a number of different materials but most commonly are manufactured from metal or ceramic, usually porcelain. They are skilfully fabricated to resemble the size and shape of the real teeth so as to minimise the aesthetic impact of an artificial tooth.

Once the crown has been manufactured, and with modern computerised technology this is now possible in just one appointment, it then needs to be fixed in the mouth. This usually involves the City of London dentist removing some of the existing enamel so that the crown can fit comfortably over the existing tooth.

The crown is cemented in place using composite dental bonding. It may be necessary for the dentist to etch the surface of the existing tooth so that the bonding has a greater grip. The crown will cover all parts of the tooth exposed above the gum line to form a complete barrier to sources of heat and cold, as well as bacteria and infection.

A dental crown can last for many years if it is properly maintained and cleaned by brushing and flossing but can easily be replaced in the future.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/protect-brittle-teeth-with-dental-crown-from-city-of-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Get your smile back with a dental bridge from Central London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-a-dental-bridge-from-central-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-a-dental-bridge-from-central-london-dentist/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:16:25 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2997 Losing a tooth to decay or in an accident can be painful and cause a series of long-term dental complications. As well as the pain and cost of treatment, missing teeth are also quite unattractive, especially if somewhere very visible in the dental arc. They can also cause many other underlying dental and wider health problems such as rotating teeth and bite problems. Therefore, Central London dentists always recommend that you try and replace missing teeth as soon as you can.

One of the most popular ways of replacing a missing tooth is to have a dental bridge. This involves constructing an artificial tooth attached by dental crowns on either side of the gap. Alternatively, if the teeth are in good condition, the new tooth can be attached by resin bonded strips.

The artificial tooth, known as the pontic from the Latin for bridge, is usually made from ceramic and chosen to closely match the size and colour of the other teeth. This is attached to dental crowns on either side that hold it in place, bridging the gap. Dental bridges can last as long as twenty years if they are properly cared for, which involves cleaning it by brushing and flossing just as you would a real tooth. It may be necessary to avoid certain foods which could damage the bridge by being too hard. Your dentist will be able to give you more information about how to look after your dental bridge.

A dental bridge will not only restore the aesthetic appearance of your smile which was lost with the tooth, but it can also restore the functionality and make sure that no further damage can be caused to the other teeth, facial tissues and the profile. If you have a missing tooth and are keen to replace it with a substitute, make an appointment to discuss dental bridges with your dentist.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/get-your-smile-back-with-a-dental-bridge-from-central-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Dental Crowns ; the myths and the facts by a City of London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/dental-crowns-the-myths-and-the-facts-by-a-city-of-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/dental-crowns-the-myths-and-the-facts-by-a-city-of-london-dentist/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:06:24 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2894 A dental crown is a `cap` that fits over a tooth, it’s called a crown because it fits like a hat says a City of London dentist. If you have a problem with a tooth that needs a crown, then it is most likely to be a cracked tooth. This can be the result of an eating accident or a fall, it may be that you need one to finish off a root canal treatment. This is where the entire inside of the tooth is drilled and scraped out, then it is treated with a light to kill off any bacteria. The hole is then filled with a hard material to strengthen it and a crown is placed over the top to protect and seal it in place. A cracked or chipped tooth will need to be fixed as soon as possible, or the result will be infections, a lacerated tongue or worse. Dental cement is used to wipe over the cleaned out crack, then a crown will be placed over the crack to seal it in. If the crack is on the front of the tooth, then the crown will sit on the entire front of the tooth. A new method of making crowns is now available at many dental surgeries, it allows the dentist to do the job in just one visit. It’s called the CEREC method and is a machine that works on a 3D program controlled by a computer. You will be able to see your new crown even before it is made. The dentist will take digital photos and scan them into the machine, this then works out the dimensions of the crown and recommends a blank for the job. This is loaded into a milling machine that sculptures the crown while the dentist prepares your tooth to accept it. Within around 30 minutes max, you could be having a crown fitted onto the treated cracked tooth.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/dental-crowns-the-myths-and-the-facts-by-a-city-of-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Treat tooth decay with filling from Central London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/treat-tooth-decay-with-filling-from-central-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/treat-tooth-decay-with-filling-from-central-london-dentist/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:26:47 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2820 The important thing about treating tooth decay is that the earlier it is carried out, the easier it is and the more successful it will usually be. Dental decay is not a condition that will ever improve of its own accord. Enamel will never grow back once it has been removed and once the process has started it will only worsen making the situation more serious.

Patients can prevent tooth decay by effective and regular brushing and flossing and by paying regular visits to the dentist. However, if decay does happen it is usually accompanied by a toothache as the sensitive dental nerve is exposed to extremes of hot and cold and other stimuli. Early stage treatment of dental decay involves filling the cavities caused by plaque eroding the protective enamel. Filling material used to be commonly made of silver amalgam but due to controversy about its safety and metallic appearance in the mouth it is increasingly being replaced by composite bonding, which is tooth-coloured. The dentist will first clean the cavity and remove any infected material or bacteria that is in there. The cavity is then filled and set hard to protect the tooth.

For larger cavities it may be necessary to use a porcelain inlay as bonding can become brittle in large areas. The inlay will be cemented into place using bonding. For even larger damage and root canal treatments it may be necessary to cover the whole tooth exposed above the gum with a ceramic dental crown to offer a larger degree of protection. If you suspect dental decay or are suffering from a toothache, make an appointment to see a Central London dentist for treatment.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/treat-tooth-decay-with-filling-from-central-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Easier than you think? – Dental crown placement from London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/easier-than-you-think-%e2%80%93-dental-crown-placement-from-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/easier-than-you-think-%e2%80%93-dental-crown-placement-from-london-dentist/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:21:45 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2742 Sometimes, when teeth are damaged to such an extent, they cannot be repaired using ordinary dental bonding and this can put the patient at risk of further pain and damage. On these occasions it is necessary to protect the integral structure of the tooth using a dental crown. In the past dentists have been more reluctant to use crowns for several reasons. Firstly, because they took so long to make (up to three weeks) and even then were often poorly fitting. Secondly, they required the removal of otherwise healthy enamel to be able to fit over the top of the damaged tooth, which was an irreversible procedure. However, with the advent of certain modern technology, dental crowns are now a lot easier to fit than you might have thought.

More and more London dentists are using CAD/CAM technology. This stands for computer aided design/computer aided manufacture and has revolutionised the crown making and fitting process. Dentists are now able to use 3D cameras and digital x-rays to create an exact image of the patients mouth on a computer. They can then use this image to design a perfectly fitting crown before instructing the computer-guided mill to sculpt the new crown from a single piece of porcelain. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, it can take as little as six minutes to mill a new crown from a single block of porcelain. This technology has addressed the time factor of dental crowns and it also has a solution for the enamel removal problem. Because the new crown is carved from a single piece of porcelain it is very structurally strong and therefore very thin. This means that far less, if any, enamel needs removing prior to fitting a new crown.

The results possible using this new technology are astonishing. Porcelain can be chosen to match the exact colour of the patient’s teeth so that the crown looks incredibly real. If you are suffering with damaged teeth but have always been put off by the idea of a crown, maybe it’s time you took another look.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/easier-than-you-think-%e2%80%93-dental-crown-placement-from-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Root canal treatment from City of London dentist prevents infection http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/root-canal-treatment-from-city-of-london-dentist-prevents-infection/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/root-canal-treatment-from-city-of-london-dentist-prevents-infection/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:29:31 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2685 A root canal treatment, also known as endodontics, is a procedure specifically designed to deal with infected matter or decay located in the centre of the tooth. To fully understand the procedure you must first know that the teeth are made of several layers of different material. On the outside is the tooth enamel, the strong protective layer which surrounds the softer dentine on the inside, supporting the structure. Inside that is the soft tissue centre of the tooth containing the nerve.

The root canal of the tooth is the pulpy soft tissue that runs down from the tooth into the jawbone and gum securing the tooth. The pulp contains nerve endings and blood vessels that form the living part of the tooth. When tooth decay happens, this pulpy centre and root canal can become infected spreading down into the gum and bone. Needless to say this can be very painful as the infection is directly attacking the nerve. This infection can also spread to the gums and can cause a painful swelling known as a tooth abscess.

The root canal treatment is designed to save the tooth and alleviate pain by preventing the spread of infection and ultimately removing it. To do this the dentist will need to drill down through the tooth to get to the infected area. In the hands of a well-trained dentist and with the proper anaesthetic this process should be relatively painless and no more painful than having a regular filling. Once the infection is removed the cavity is filled and then sealed with a dental crown to prevent further infection.

Root canal treatments have a bad reputation as being painful and unpleasant but the reality is quite different. A root canal treatment from a City of London dentist could actually prevent a lot of pain and stop the spread of dangerous infections in the mouth.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/root-canal-treatment-from-city-of-london-dentist-prevents-infection/feed/ 0 Revolutionary CEREC crown fitted by City of London dentist http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/revolutionary-cerec-crown-fitted-by-city-of-london-dentist/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/revolutionary-cerec-crown-fitted-by-city-of-london-dentist/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:31:37 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2663 CEREC is one of the most advanced dental products available anywhere in the world. It offers same day dental restorations including the fitting of crowns, veneers and inlays. Saving huge amounts of time and laboratory work, the CEREC system allows dentists to design, manufacture and fit ceramic restorations in a single trip producing a final result that is a stunningly accurate dental restoration indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

CEREC was first created by Professor W. Mörmann and Dr. M Brandestini in Switzerland in 1980. The first treatment was carried out in 1985 and the technology has been advancing and improving ever since. Today it is used by a growing number of dentists all over the world and represents the future of dental technology.

It works by utilising digital x-rays and 3D imaging to build up an accurate three-dimensional portrait of the patient’s mouth. The dentist can then use this to design an accurate ceramic restoration before instructing a computer-guided mill to sculpt the desired product from a single piece of porcelain. This milling can take as little as six minutes which, when compared to the days or even weeks of laboratory work it used to take is really a remarkable leap forward. Because the porcelain is sculpted from a single piece it means it is much stronger than layered replacements.

Once fabricated, the dental replacements are cemented into place with dental bonding producing a perfect dental restoration that can even be matched to the existing teeth colour. City of London dentists are now using CEREC technology to offer outstanding and revolutionary dental treatment to all patients.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/revolutionary-cerec-crown-fitted-by-city-of-london-dentist/feed/ 0 Affordable dental bridge from Central London dentist replaces missing tooth http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/affordable-dental-bridge-from-central-london-dentist-replaces-missing-tooth/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/affordable-dental-bridge-from-central-london-dentist-replaces-missing-tooth/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:59:44 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=2655 Having a missing tooth, for whatever reason, can be an embarrassing and unpleasant situation. Not only does it have an adverse affect on confidence and esteem because of its negative aesthetic appearance, but it can also cause a variety of dental health and muscle problems if not replaced. Along with partial dentures and dental implants, the other major restoration available is a dental bridge.

A dental bridge literally involves bridging the gap of the missing tooth using dental crowns for support and an artificial tooth called a pontic. They rely on the patient having reasonably healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth to which the crowns can be attached. A Central London dentist will fit a dental bridge over the course of several appointments, first installing the crowns and a temporary bridge, when satisfied with the crowns, the dentist can then fix the artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain, which is slightly embedded in the gum to give it a more realistic appearance.

There are other types of dental bridge that can be used in certain situations. If the teeth are in particularly good condition and the dentist does not want to remove any enamel to fit a crown, the pontic can be supported by resin bonded strips. If there are only existing teeth on one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge can be used by attaching two or more crowns on that side for support. Dental bridges can last up to ten years if properly maintained. They are not the most sturdy of the dental replacements but they are one of the most affordable.

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