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Dental Implants at Hydean Dental Practice

Dental Implants at Hydean Dental Practice

Do you have missing teeth? Do they affect your confidence, dictate what you can eat, or even change how you speak? For many people, missing teeth cause all these problems, and more.

Feeling conscious of how you look will probably cause you to cover your mouth with your hand when you speak or smile, and for some people they begin to withdraw from social scenarios completely. Therefore, it is completely normal to want to find a long-term solution to missing teeth.

Dental implants are designed to mimic natural teeth. They are made up of the implant itself, which is a titanium post or screw that is expertly placed into the jawbone. This acts as the replacement tooth root and it creates a stable structure for the crown, the new tooth, to fit on to.

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we provide dental implants right here in our practice, meaning you can enjoy treatment in surroundings that you are familiar with, rather than being referred elsewhere.

How Can Dental Implants Affect Appearance?

Many people with missing teeth notice a sagging effect to the face, but dental implants can reverse this by replacing the lost structure. This, along with a beautiful smile, can provide a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.

How do Dental Implants Affect Speech?

Because we use our teeth to help us pronounce certain words and sounds, gaps in your smile can affect the way you speak. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can restore this, helping you speak with confidence again.

How do Dental Implants Affect Eating?

Missing or loose teeth can mean that many of your favourite foods are currently off the menu. A steak or crusty bread can be difficult to eat, and the same goes for those who wear removeable dentures. Dental implants provide a permanent solution that you can rely on and enable you to eat all food types.

What is the next step for Dental Implant treatment?

The first step is to book a consultation so that we can assess your general and oral health. We will carry out a full assessment of your teeth and take some X-rays too. You will have the chance to ask many questions about the treatment and tell us what you like and dislike about your smile so that we can discuss all the options available to you and help you plan your dream smile.

If you would like to know more, contact us on 01438351548 or email reception@hydeandental.com.

 

How to stop your gums from receding

How to stop your gums from receding

The issue of gums receding is extremely common. When your gums are receding they pull back from the surface of your teeth, exposing the root surfaces of your teeth.

Here are the common signs and symptoms of receding gums:

  • Pain at the gum line
  • Sensitivity caused by exposed teeth roots
  • Teeth can appear longer
  • If severe, it can cause loose teeth

 

Causes of receding gums

There are a number of reasons why your gums could be receding:

 

  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Hardened plaque build-up (known as tartar/calculus)
  • Family history of periodontal disease
  • Brushing too aggressively (too much pressure) over a lengthy period of time
  • Clenching or grinding your teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes

 

How to prevent receding gums

  • Visit your dentist regularly so that it can be spotted early
  • Gentle brushing
  • Good dental hygiene to keep gums healthy

Receding gums treatment for mild cases can be effectively treated by your dentist and hygienist to get rid of plaque and tartar build-up below the gum line so your gums can heal. Our hygienist will also take measurements of your gums to help monitor and treat gums disease.

If the condition is more advanced, you will need to see a periodontist (gum specialist) to treat the problem more aggressively.

 

What is gum disease?

What is gum disease?

Gum disease affects the structures supporting your teeth and it causes inflammation and swelling of the gums. In severe cases it causes damage to the bone and ligaments that hold your teeth in place and lead to loss of teeth.

 

Types of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is most commonly caused by plaque build-up on your teeth. This occurs when plaque has not been regularly cleared from your teeth. This can irritate your gums and cause them to become red, swollen and can bleed when you brush your teeth. Over time the plaque will become harder and turns into tartar which can cause further irritation and possibly infection.

Regular cleaning can clear the problem, but if untreated it can lead to more serious problems.

Periodontitis

This is the next stage on from gingivitis, the inflammation can spread to the ligaments and bones holding your teeth in place. The gums may begin to pull away from the teeth leaving exposed pockets into which more plaque forms which then cannot be reached with brushing alone. It can expose the roots of the teeth making them extremely sensitive and eventually this can lead to tooth loss.

Caught early enough it can be treated however it can often not be fully cured. You will then be in the maintenance phase.

 

Symptoms of gum disease

Gum disease is not always painful meaning you may not know you have it. Therefore it is important to attend regular check-ups with your dentist and maintain good oral hygiene at all times.

The first signs of gingivitis are:

  • Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
  • Red and swollen gums

If this has progressed on to periodontitis then you may have:

  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • A bad taste in your mouth
  • Gum recession and sensitivity
  • Wobbly or loose teeth
  • Gum abscesses

Treatment of gum disease

The treatment you receive will depend upon the severity of the gum disease you are experiencing. At Hydean Dental Practice we have an in-house Hygienist who will help treat any gum disease.

Plaque and tartar will be cleared from your teeth and gums often using an ultrasonic cleaning device which cleans your teeth far more effectively than any toothbrush could.

 

Remember prevention is the key

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we focus on promoting good oral hygiene to help prevent the onset of gum disease.

 

 

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening has become very popular in recent years and is an effective way to lighten your teeth.

The benefits of teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a relatively cheap and time-efficient way of obtaining a new look and boosting your self-confidence. It is a painless procedure and it can bring back the natural, lighter colour of your teeth without causing any structural changes. It is entirely safe and legal as long as it is provided by a dentist.

Please bear in mind

When whitening your teeth, be warned that fillings and crowns will not be whitened.

How does teeth whitening work?

Whitening substances usually use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to penetrate your enamel and access the discoloured molecules in your teeth. Done correctly, and if the you take proper care of your teeth, the effects can last several years.

Whitening your teeth at home

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we use home teeth whitening, where the gel is placed in a custom-made tray. You wear this tray for several weeks, which will whiten your teeth over time. You wear the trays for anything between 60 minutes to overnight. Before using tray-based whitening, we will examine your teeth to see if they are healthy and ready for teeth whitening.

Eating and drinking

Whilst whitening your teeth, good oral hygiene is clearly important, watching what you eat or drink is just as critical. Red wine, sports drinks, tea and coffee, soft drinks and curries are just some of the foods that can cause staining of your teeth and diminish the effects of teeth whitening.

 

For further advice on teeth whitening, contact us here at Hydean Dental Practice and we can see you for a free consultation. We are now also able to offer this virtually.

The difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist

The difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we have an Orthodontist who caries out teeth straightening. If you have ever wondered the difference between an Orthodontist and Dentist then please read on.

Dentistry is a broad speciality which deals with teeth, gums, nerves and the jaw while orthodontics is a speciality within dentistry that looks at correcting bites and the alignment of teeth.

Similarities?

The main similarity is they both focus on oral care an they are both fully qualified to provide you oral healthcare at an equally high standard.

Differences?

All orthodontists are qualified dentists first. It then takes at least another three years of training after dentistry to become an orthodontist. Special training is required to learn the skills to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development.

Orthodontists limit their scope of work only to orthodontics since they are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tooth alignment problems. They dedicate their professional lives to creating healthy, beautiful smiles in children, teens and adults. Orthodontists use a variety of “appliances,” including fixed metal braces, clear aligners (such as Invisalign), functional appliances and retainers, to move teeth or hold them in their new positions.

What can an orthodontist help me with that a dentist can’t?

If you have crooked teeth, it is usually advisable to go see your dentist first but they will usually refer you to an orthodontist. Orthodontists have experience in misaligned teeth. They use their knowledge and skills to help you achieve the best results possible.

They can help with underbites, overbites, crossbites, gaps in your teeth, and overcrowded teeth.

Further information can be found on the British Orthodontic Society.

What do I do if I want to see an orthodontist?

You can call us here at Hydean Dental Practice and arrange a private consultation with you and our specialist orthodontist as soon as possible.
He will discuss your concerns, your possible treatment and decide on the best course of action for you.

If you wish to see an Orthodontist in Stevenage, please call us on 01438351548 or email reception@hydeandental.com.

Further Information regarding Orthodontic treatment using Invisalign can be found here.