Teeth grinding (i.e., bruxism) has been treated in the City of London Dental Clinic for some time. You may be unaware that you are grinding your teeth as it usually occurs while you are asleep. There are several reasons why you may grind your teeth, including mal-positioned teeth and teeth and/or skeletal discrepancies between your upper and lower teeth. You are usually more aware of your children grinding their teeth due to being awake while your child is sleeping. Teeth grinding in children usually occur due to their primary teeth arrangements (i.e., edge-to-edge) and the development of their secondary teeth. When the adult teeth come into the mouth, this grinding usually subsides. Your City of London dentist will perform a complete examination of your teeth and gums complete with X-rays and study models of your teeth. Then they will recommend the proper course of action for you and/or your child.

Teeth grinding may not be a large problem, however may eventually lead to mouth, jaw, face, neck, and even back pain. Missing and/or misaligned teeth, faulty fillings, crowns/bridges, and removable full or partial dentures, can alter your normal bite and cause you to grind your teeth. Your City of London dentist will examine your mouth and teeth both inside your mouth and using your study models in order to determine if wear and grinding patterns exist. If wear patterns exist, an occlusal equilibration may be performed by your dentist. In addition, your dentist may have an acrylic mouth guard fabricated so that you no longer damage your teeth. These mouth guards can also serve as a diagnostic aid for your dentist. Since the acrylic is softer than teeth enamel, your dentist will be able to detect the wear patterns on the appliance. Your City of London dentist may decide that a specialist in the field can help and you will then be referred to this specialist. Visit your City of London dentist to get the help you need with teeth grinding!

City of London dentists use various types of dental bridges in order to replace teeth that are missing or that require extraction. Depending on the situation there are several types of bridges that can be made by your City of London dentist, which include traditional bridges, canti-lever bridges, and resin-retained bridges. After a complete dental examination and discussion with you, your dentist will create a treatment plan in order to properly restore your missing teeth. The different types of bridges will be discussed, along which the dentist’s opinion about which one is best for you. The area of your mouth to be worked on will be numbed with local anaesthesia, and your adjacent existing teeth will be prepared to accept a dental bridge. This is performed using special dental drills. An impression of your teeth is then made using a putty material, as well as an opposing impression and bite registration. A shade is then chosen, and these are sent to a dental laboratory for them to fabricate your bridge. An interim bridge is then made for you to wear until the final bridge is returned from the lab. This interim bridge will keep your teeth from shifting and provide coverage to exposed dentin in order to prevent tooth sensitivity. Teeth that are not replaced may lead to bite and temporomandibular joint problems.

In London, a good complete dental exam will identify the factors that can contribute to oral health problems. A complete exam must be performed in order to decide upon the appropriate treatment plan for a patient. If anything is overlooked, it can result in future oral health complications, such as dental caries and gum and bone diseases. Included in this exam will be information about your occlusion (i.e., the way your teeth bite together), a jaw exam, and possibly an extra-oral exam as well. These are all recommended in London, as certain parts of any system can affect the whole system. A carefully performed dental exam requires a talented diagnostician who understands all signs and symptoms of disease(s) that can affect your health.
A dental exam consists of performing a complete intra-oral charting of the mouth which includes; present dental restorations, visible dental caries, dental caries index, visible abscesses, missing teeth, visible removable and fixed prosthetic devices or appliances, and a complete periodontal charting using a periodontal probe to find any existing periodontal pockets and gingival inflammation. The periodontal examination should also examine the teeth for any mobility, recession and teeth sensitivities. Also required are a full mouth series of dental X-rays and study models. Diagnostic models should be mounted on an articulator. The patient’s occlusion should be examined both inside the mouth and on the diagnostic models. Any excessive wear, interferences, improper dental arch relationships, occlusal plane disharmonies, and TMJ problems should be noted in the patient file. If teeth are missing, should they be replaced and how should they be replaced? The aesthetic appearance of the teeth should be noted, as well as any medical complication, lifestyle habits, medications that are currently being used, and any other pertinent information should be written in the patient file. An oral cancer exam should also be performed. When you visit your London dentist for the first time for a dental exam, all of these above procedures will be performed.

Many types of dental surgery procedures are offered at the London Dental Clinic, and your surgical problems will be properly addressed. Various circumstances call for dental surgery. These circumstances may entail the removal of impacted third molars and other teeth that are beyond saving. There are times when there is enough room for complete third molar development. However, under other circumstances there isn’t adequate room in the mouth, and result is an impacted tooth/teeth. There are different types of impactions, including soft tissue and/or the hard bony tissue impactions. These may cause difficulties with your second molars, get infected, and form cysts and sometimes tumours around them. Therefore, you should have these teeth extracted. Other teeth can also be impacted, thus requiring removal.
Other dental surgeries include: the placement of dental implants to replace missing teeth; correction of jaw disharmonies; repair of broken jaws and mouth lacerations; removal of lesions, cysts, and tumours; tissue biopsies; TMJ problems; frenal attachment repositioning; repair of cleft lip and palate; help for facial infections; and help with snoring problems and sleep apnea.

London dentists can replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Today, the success rate for dental implants is excellent; being 90% for 5+ years of success. London dentists are certified in the placement of dental implants. Dental implants are the right treatment in many situations, and they are more natural in appearance and stronger when compared to other teeth replacement techniques. Dental implants are used for single or multiple tooth/teeth replacement(s), and can also be used to anchor and stabilize partial and full dentures. There may be times when your London dentist may refer you to a specialist (i.e., an oral surgeon or periodontist), if complicated anatomical structures are in the areas where the implants are to be placed. A dental team approach is sometimes better.
Dental implants are composed of a titanium alloy and are shaped like a barrel or screw. They also contain an area where an attachment can be placed for the final restoration. A clear acrylic stent is usually made using study models, X-rays, CT-scans, and complex computer techniques. The stent will guide the implant drills, and then the implant can be placed. When the dental implant becomes osseointegrated, the final restoration can be placed. Make sure that you understand the complete implant process, so that there won’t be any confusion at a later date.

Dental bridges are offered in London to replace a missing tooth or teeth. There are varying kinds of dental bridges including; traditional, resin-retained, and cantilever bridges. These bridges will be explained to you when you visit the London Dental Clinic. Traditional and cantilever bridges require that the surrounding adjacent be properly shaped so as to be able to accept the new bridge. The adjacent teeth are prepared into peg- or barrel- shaped forms and the bridge will go over these forms and replace the missing tooth/teeth as well. The tooth being replaced is referred to as a pontic, and can have many different designs depending on the patient’s needs. A pontic also replicates a tooth crown, and its underside usually touches the gum tissue. However, a sanitary pontic will not touch the gum tissue. A cantilever bridge is designed so that two or more teeth are prepared next to each other, with the pontic extending out in one direction and not being attached to an adjacent abutment tooth on one side. A resin-retained bridge does not require as much tooth preparation, and is usually used for front teeth, or if the patient is missing a tooth and the surrounding teeth contain no fillings or dental caries. This allows a bridge to be worn without damaging good tooth structure.
A missing tooth or teeth can cause several dental problems, and lead to more serious dental problems with time. If you and your dentist agree on a dental bridge, your London dentist will perform a detailed dental exam, take X-rays, and make study models, prior to performing the dental bridge procedure. Your other teeth and supporting structures must be in good shape in order for the bridge to succeed. The dentist will also perform an occlusal examination to make sure that your other teeth are contacting each other properly. After your dentist numbs your mouth and prepares your teeth to accept the dental bridge, impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and opposing teeth, along with a bite registration. A shade is then chosen to match your other teeth. These are then sent to the dental laboratory so that they can make the final bridge. In the meantime, your London dentist will make a temporary bridge so that your teeth won’t become sensitive or shift while waiting for the final bridge. The temporary bridge is then cementedin place and you will be given an apointment in about two weeks so that your final bridge can be placed and cemented in your mouth

People lose their teeth for many reasons, including neglect and genetics. London dentists can use dentures to replace these teeth. Edentulism (lack of teeth) is correlated with lower self-esteem and life quality. Adults who are missing their teeth, are also less likely to attend social functions due to embarrassment, and don’t want to eat, speak, or smile in public. Missing teeth can affect facial support and lead to drooping cheeks. This can make you look many years older than your true age. By wearing a well designed denture, made by your London dentist, you can feel confident and improve your lifestyle without worrying about what people think.
Dentures are dental appliances that can be removed that will replace your missing teeth, and are fabricated individually for each patient. They help the patient look, feel, and function well. They look very realistic and should fit comfortably. Several types of dentures include partial and full dentures. Partial dentures are fabricated if some teeth remain and they are in good condition. Partial dentures are clasped onto existing sound teeth and will keep the denture and the teeth from shifting. Your London dentist can supply many cosmetic choices when replacing missing teeth.
Full upper dentures create suction with the palate that will hold it in place. Full lower dentures don’t use really use suction to keep them secure. This is because the mouth and tongue muscles are moving during speech and eating. A denture adhesive may have to be used to keep full lower dentures in place. That’s why it is important to keep your teeth if at all possible. Your London dentist may have other options for you. Dental implants or miniature denture implants (MDIs) can be placed into your oral bone, and your dentures can be snapped into place securely. Dentures secured by dental implants or MDIs will give you a more secure feeling and you won’t have to use denture adhesive or be nervous that your dentures will be loose or fall out, consequently improving your confidence in both private and public situations.
Make sure to keep your dentures clean. Remove them while you sleep to rest your soft tissues. Brush your dentures with a special denture brush when you remove them, and soak them in cold water. You can also buy cleaning tablets for your dentures to add to the water. DON’T USE BLEACH! Brush the dentures prior to placing them back into your mouth. If the denture contains a lot of calculus build-up and debris that you are having trouble removing, visit your London dentist to have your dentures cleaned properly. It’s important for you to have regular dental check-ups, even if you don’t have any natural teeth in your mouth. They will check your soft tissues and implants if you have any, and also check for oral cancer. If there is shrinkage of the gums and underlying bone, your London dentist will reline your denture to make sure that it fits more snug. Loss dentures can cause gum sores and irritation. Dentures last quite awhile if properly maintained. However, your London dentist may suggest a new denture if your denture is very old and defective.

At the London Dental Clinic, your oral surgery problems can be addressed and treated. There are several situations that require oral surgery. These include the extraction of teeth and the treatment and extraction of impacted wisdom teeth (i.e., third molars). More often than not, there is not enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to fully erupt. If they don’t half enough room, that will become impacted either in the soft tissue and/or the hard bony tissue. They can cause damage to the second molars, become infected, or cysts and tumours can form around them. So, it is highly recommended that you have these teeth removed. Canine teeth and premolars can also become impacted, and will require extraction in many cases.
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, oral surgery is used to place an implant(s). Dental implant patients should have enough bone for the dental implant to be placed. You London dental clinic will perform the necessary examinations to see if you are a good candidate for dental implant(s). Oral surgery can also help correct uneven jaw growth problems, broken jaws, temopo-mandibular joint problems, and can also help with denture fit. Additional problems that can be treated with oral surgery are lacerations of the mouth, the removal of dental lesions that require a biopsy, infections of the face, repair of cleft lip and palate, and sleep apnoea and snoring problems. Visit your London dental clinic to learn more!

Dental bridges are fixed restorations used to replace missing teeth. This means that they are not removable by the patient. Your London dentist will recommend this as one of your first options to replace your missing teeth if the other teeth in your mouth are stable and in reasonably good health. The different fixed bridges include; traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Your London dentist will review all of these bridges with you, and the one that best suits your dental needs. With bridge work, the surrounding teeth are prepared and are called “teeth abutments” of the bridge, while the missing tooth or teeth to be replaced is/are called the “pontic.” The bridge is made so as to replace the missing tooth or teeth, and to restore optimum function and tooth form that existed prior to losing the tooth or teeth, and/or to improve on this if possible. The “pontic” of the bridge does not contain a root form, and can be fabricated and shaped as desired. There are circumstances that exist where your London dentist may want you to have a sanitary “pontic” to be able to keep your mouth clean. This is usually done in the posterior sections of the mouth that are not visible. A cantilever bridge is when several teeth are prepared next to each other and the missing tooth is replaced with a “pontic” that is not connected to an abutment tooth. A resin-bonded bridge entails much less tooth preparation than the other two bridge types, and is usually used to replace a front tooth.
Your London dentist will collect all of the data and information that they need prior to fabricating a bridge. They will do an oral exam, take radiographs, and study models. Prior to beginning the bridgework, your soft and hard tissues should be in great shape to prevent future problems. Your dentist will equilibrate your bite if necessary to eliminate any adverse interference that may exist. After your teeth are prepared, a temporary bridge will be placed to keep your remaining teeth in place until the bridge is finished and ready for cementation. The bridge may require slight adjustments prior to insertion and your London dentist will do this and cement your finished bridge.

Dental implants have been available for a long time, and over the years many significant advances have been made in the field. They are excellent alternatives to replace missing teeth. Your London dentists have the expertise to replace single and numerous teeth with dental implants. Dental implants have proven to be very successful and long lasting, and are most likely the correct choice to restore your teeth. Dental implants seem to be a better alternative to other teeth replacement procedures, and have also been used with great success to stabilize dentures. Your London dentist will review what is involved in terms of replacing your teeth with dental implant(s), and will recommend the appropriate type and number.
Your London dentist is properly trained and certified in the placement and use of dental implants. However, there may be times when he/she will refer you to a surgical specialist if your case is very complicated. Successful dental implants are better performed when all of the procedures are carefully planned out, and all of the diagnostic material is collected beforehand, such as proper radiographs, models, intra-oral and extra-oral examinations, bite registrations, study models, and even a tomogram if necessary. This will give your dentist a three dimensional image of your jaw bone(s), where the implants are to be placed. Mostly fabricated of titanium, and having a barrel or screw shape, dental implants are placed into your jaw bone using special drills. After they are placed, it will take some time from most regular dental implants to become very solid in the bone. Following this period of time, the proper tooth/teeth restoration(s) can be inserted.