Considering having dental implants fitted? Four key health benefits of this procedure

When one thinks of a cosmetic procedure, one typically imagines a procedure designed solely to alter someone’s appearance, hopefully for the better. While this is true of many cosmetic treatments that are performed on the skin and other parts of the body, in dentistry, many procedures also offer health benefits. So, while you may be in two minds about approaching your dentist for a cosmetic procedure, it is likely that your health will benefit in some way too.

benefits-dental-implants

One of the most beneficial procedures for both your physical and mental well-being in the field of cosmetic dentistry is that of oral implants; designed to imitate your natural teeth, implants can fill gaps in your smile and bite, with the strength of your natural teeth.

When you decide to undertake dental implants in St John’s Wood, our team of cosmetic dentists at Aura Dental will guide you through every step of the procedure. From the initial fitting to aftercare, our dentists will make sure that your implants last as long as possible, allowing you to smile with complete confidence.

But, what are the health benefits of having dental implants in St John’s Wood? Read on to find out more!

Better digestion

Our teeth are the first part of the digestive system and, like most systems, if part of it is missing, the system cannot usually operate correctly.

While it may seem harmless to miss a few teeth, it prevents the correct grinding and chewing of food; so when the food reaches the stomach, it is usually comprised of larger chunks, meaning that the stomach has to produce extra acid for digestion. Dental implants in St John’s Wood allow you to break down food into smaller chunks and reduce the chance of developing any gastrointestinal issues.

Reduction of headaches

Missing teeth can cause us to grind our jaws together as we sleep.

Excessive grinding of teeth has been linked to a higher prevalence of headaches, migraines and even tensing of the back and shoulder muscles.

As implants ensure that all of your teeth should fit together correctly, this will prevent grinding and thus, reduce headaches.

Lowered risk of periodontal disease

Gum disease is more prevalent in people who have missing teeth. This is because, in the most basic terms, the plaque and bacteria have easier access to the gums, as there are no teeth to block them.

Implants reduce the risk of gum disease, as bacteria cannot get underneath them to attack the gum line and, as they fill all the gaps in your mouth, it is harder for bacteria to get to the gums.

Improved nutrition

It is a sad fact that people who have lost a few teeth or even wear dentures often avoid harder foods.

The issue is that many foods that are good for us, like fruits and vegetables, are harder to bite into; if you have implants fitted, you will be able to bite into the toughest foods with ease, creating a healthier and more varied diet.

Did you hear you were unsuitable for Invisalign? The Invisalign varieties we can offer at Aura Dental

Did you know that there are different types of invisible braces? And, within certain brand names, there are a variety of different treatments?

Variety is the spice of life and at Aura Dental, we are proud of the wide range of adult orthodontics that we can offer our patients; we have helped numerous patients obtain a straighter smile with invisible or clear brace systems and, if you want a straighter smile as an adult, come to us!

straighter-smile

But, thanks to advances in dental technology, large, metal braces are now not the only option for young children either. If your child has a mild or moderate misalignment, we are now able to treat this too, without fitting the traditional orthodontic brace.

So, if you or your child wants a straighter smile, come to Aura Dental for treatment with one of the braces from Invisalign in St.John’s Wood. Our dedicated and friendly dental team will help you to select the perfect braces for yourself or your child, ensuring that you get that straighter smile in no time at all.

But what are the different types of Invisalign in St John’s Wood? Read on to find out!

Express

Suitable for adults and teenagers who have issues with spacing or crowding, the Express aligner is also perfect for those who have had minor relapsing of teeth alignment since completing other types of orthodontic treatment.

Usually requiring fewer aligners than traditional Invisalign in St John’s Wood, Express treatment usually consists of about 10 aligners in maximum, allowing almost all treatments to be completed within about 6 months.

However, akin to the traditional option, this brace will still need to be worn for up to 22 hours each day and will require a 3-D scan to be undertaken before treatment begins.

Lite

Similar to the Express brace, the Lite alternative is a good choice for patients who present with minor misalignment issues.

Typically, these include slight overcrowding, minor gaps between teeth, incorrectly positioned teeth, as well as poor alignment between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are together.

Again, this treatment is usually completed in around 6 months and the aligner must be worn for up to 22 hours per day, with each aligner being changed every 14 days.

Like the Express aligner, this treatment is also suited to both adults and teenagers.

Comprehensive

As the name suggests, this aligner is more advanced than the previous two.

Useful for patients who require more aligners than the Lite and Express treatments offer, the Comprehensive package typically involves over 14 braces and is designed to treat more moderate to severe malocclusions.

Taking over 7 months, this brace can correct more extreme spacing, crowding and misalignment of teeth on the upper and lower jaws.

First

Exclusively for children, the First aligner system can treat a broader range of conditions, even dental arch expansion to make room for adult teeth.

If your child has lost all their baby teeth and appears to be developing a misalignment or protrusion, this aligner may be a suitable alternative to orthodontic braces.

Tired of your delicate prosthesis? Switch to dental implants in St John’s Wood

Losing teeth is common. In this day and age, replacing them is easier than ever before. But how do you go about choosing the right device?

The last twenty or so years have seen the development of dental implants in St John’s Wood as an alternative to more conventional models.

st-johns-wood-dental-implants

Our experienced team at Aura Dental are massive advocates of this groundbreaking method of treatment, as long as you are the right candidate for them.

So what is the fuss about dental implants in St John’s Wood and how straightforward is the procedure for getting them? In this article, we will provide you with everything you should know about dental implants in St John’s Wood.

When should I consider tooth implants?

Have you lost multiple teeth over the years, or are your set fast deteriorating? Maybe you have lost a few teeth unexpectedly in an accident?

Whatever your circumstance, you should consider implants as an option for replacement.

What benefits do implants have over other tooth replacement options?

Are you pondering which device to use or wondering whether you should make the change from conventional dentures to implants?

Knowing the advantages of implants will make the selection process easier, and the pros of this device outweigh the cons.

One of its better-known qualities include the fact that implants look and function like real teeth, so much so that you may be unable to differentiate between an implant and real teeth.

Its other attractive features are that the device is designed to be long-lasting, which takes away the inconvenience of having to replace them with a new set in the future.

Generally, the user experience is more positive than negative because not only is the device comfortable, but it is entirely stable. This means you do not have to suffer the repercussions and possible embarrassment of the contraption falling out at the worst moments.

Additionally, you will experience a more natural biting and chewing capacity, allowing you to enjoy food without limitations and speak freely without your device getting in the way.

What are the pitfalls?

Taking into account the device’s many features, it may not surprise you that tooth implants are more expensive.

However, considering it is a life-changing investment, more people are considering dental implants in St John’s Wood and some individuals travel overseas to undergo the same procedure at a cheaper cost.

While not necessarily a shortcoming of implants, many people hesitate at the lengthy recovery periods and the numerous steps one has to take before they can boast new teeth. However, if you are not after a quick and immediate fix, but a long-term resolution, then implants are worth the long wait.

What can I do if I am not a suitable candidate for implants?

Unfortunately, not everyone is a suitable match for implants. This may be because you have deficient bone in your jaw or possess unhealthy gums. However, while these issues may cause delays to getting implants, you can still have them. In the event of bone deficiency; you may need bone grafts, or undergo an intensive cleaning if you have inflamed gums.

Modern braces in St John’s Wood improve the user experience

First impressions are everything and can mean the difference between making friends or not, or landing that dream job. Do your crooked teeth hold you back to the point where you smile less and are dubbed “unapproachable”?

modern-braces

Fortunately, the advent of modern orthodontics has allowed people with crooked teeth to realign them with a broad spectrum of straightening aids.

Since their early introduction to society, braces in St John’s Wood are responsible for many smile transformations. 

If you want to fix your teeth but worry about wearing braces in St John’s Wood, visit our practice Aura Dental, and prepare to have your misconceptions about orthodontic devices blown out of the water.

There is more choice

People against the idea of wearing braces might picture archetypal braces in St John’s Wood, which has completely transformed over the years.

Upgrades have been made to orthodontic devices, making them sleeker, more subtle, and comfortable. There are also several types of braces from which to choose, depending on the nature of your dental issue and your preference.

In this day and age there is less stigma to wearing braces, however, many still regard straightening devices as geared toward children and teenagers.

With this in mind, a key feature of orthodontic devices currently on the market is discretion.

What types of braces are effective but subtle?

If you need braces but want to maintain a professional image at work, there are a couple of devices that may work around your lifestyle.

Invisalign

Invisalign has revolutionised teeth-straightening by replacing metal wires and ligatures of yesteryear with smooth, plastic aligner trays that straighten your teeth in a similar timeframe.

The Invisalign experience is described as, for the most part, pleasant and comfortable with few, if any, complications involved.

Invisalign works around your lifestyle, meaning you will not have to make any adjustments to your cleaning regimen, or avoid specific foods, because you wear braces.

Because the device comprises transparent aligners, people will not know that you are wearing them, which makes it ideal for wearing in public spaces such as work, university, hanging out with friends, or going on dates.

Lingual Braces

Invisalign may not be the most suitable aid for you if your dental issue is unique or severe. Fortunately, there are other devices available to you that are as hidden, one of them being lingual braces.

Lingual which means near or towards the tongue, which is where your braces sit. Behind your teeth and in front of your tongue. By placing the fixed metal here, it is hidden from plain sight.

This straightening device is highly effective because it is customised to fit the shape of your mouth.

Damon

If you do not mind wearing metal but are looking for something more functional than conventional orthodontic devices, you may find what you are looking for in Damon.

Damon straightening aids replace ligatures with slide mechanism, which makes adjusting your braces in St John’s Wood more convenient and less time consuming. And as long as you avoid brightly coloured bands, your device is less noticeable.

Learn more about the tooth-saving procedure: dental implants in St John’s Wood

Have you lost one or multiple teeth lately due to mouth trauma or as a result of years of neglect? While exploring your options for replacing your teeth, or tooth, add dental implants in St John’s Wood.

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Losing teeth and not replacing them won’t just affect your confidence but your general lifestyle.  Book a consultation with our experienced dental practitioner at Aura Dental to chat about dental implants in St John’s Wood.

Why should I choose dental implants in St John’s Wood?

Many people are dissuaded from using tooth implants because they cost more than dentures and bridges. While they are valued at a higher price, you must take into account what you are paying for.

So, what are implants? To answer this question, we must look at the anatomy of a tooth. Every tooth in your mouth has a root, which is part of the tooth below your gums, and the crown, which is the visible part.

Dental implants are tiny screws that replace your missing tooth at the root, which are inserted into your bone. Over time, we connect an abutment to the metal post and a prosthesis to the abutment.

What is the process of getting tooth implants?

Obtaining implants is a lengthy process that takes up to six months. There are two minor surgical procedures and a hefty recovery involved. However, if you are looking for a quick fix, implants are not for you.

Before the process can even begin, you must be deemed fit for the procedure, and unfortunately, not everyone is. To be considered a suitable candidate, you must have healthy gums and enough density and volume of bone in the area of your missing tooth. 

You may need to undergo a root scale and panning if you have gingivitis, which is a disease of the gum, before your implant procedure can be administered.

If you have insufficient bone, you will need to undergo bone augmentation surgery, such as bone grafts which is the transplant of bone from other parts of your body to your mouth.

Undergoing surgeries like the one above can make implants possible. However, you will have to wait, and endure extensive recoveries, before you can flaunt your new tooth.

How do implants stay in your mouth?

Another reason why implants are popular is that they are firmly lodged into your bone and can only be removed by your dental practitioner.

The metal fuses with the surrounding tissue in a biological process called ‘osseointegration’. Osseointegration is the successful integration between bone and metal, which occurs because the body regards the metal (titanium), as part of the body.

Will you need to replace implants in the future?

With the proper care implants are a lifelong investment and because implants are securely lodged into your jaw, you will not have to worry about them slipping out at inopportune moments.

Subtly fix your crooked teeth with Invisalign in St John’s Wood

Straightening your teeth won’t just improve your confidence but has become crucial for obtaining excellent dental health and hygiene.

If you are on the fence about Invisalign in St John’s Wood and braces in general, knowing that straightening aids could fix your teeth issues permanently could be the push you need to begin your straightening journey today.

crooked-teeth

Visit our practice, Aura Dental, for a consultation and learn more about Invisalign in St John’s Wood, an invisible device that provides outstanding results.

Facts about Invisalign

Braces have been a wonderful invention that have created beautifully formed teeth for people not born with a desirable set of teeth.

That said, there are pitfalls to wearing braces, despite improvements being made to them since their inception.

Firstly, while the design of your wiring system on your braces is sleeker, it is still a noticeable device. Secondly, while you adjust to the wires that place pressure on your teeth with regular braces, they can cause you pain and discomfort. This can occur when you have your wires altered by your orthodontist during check-ups, or when wire rubs against your skin.

Invisalign in St John’s Wood is a nearly invisible device. Additionally, your treatment involves less pain. You may experience some discomfort at times, but cuts and abrasions will be a thing of the past because smooth plastic will cover your teeth.

Your journey to straighter teeth must not be regarded as a means to an end, but should be a generally comfortable and pleasant experience – which is something that you can expect from Invisalign in St John’s Wood.

How does Invisalign work?

The accuracy of invisible braces is, in part, thanks to the advanced technology we use in your treatment. Using 3-D digital imaging, we customise a treatment plan for you, which is highly accurate and closely fashions the results. This way, we can accurately show you how your teeth will look at the end of treatment.

During your check-ups, we will use our technology to monitor your progress closely. If ever you feel disheartened or unsure whether your teeth are improving, ask your dentist for a progress assessment.

On top of being able to track the gradual movement of your teeth, our high-tech scanners are advantageous for other reasons. Our scanners take thousands of images of your teeth per minute, removing the need for using moulding material to create your aligners.

Throughout your treatment, you will receive multiple aligner trays that are slightly different versions of each other, which will slowly pull your teeth into place.

What are the benefits of Invisalign in St John’s Wood?

One of the primary reasons people choose Invisalign is because the aligners you wear, which are made from high-quality plastic, are clear. This makes them invisible to the untrained eye.

Other surprising benefits include maintaining your current teeth-cleaning schedule and not having to worry about having spinach stuck in your teeth. Why? Because you can remove your brace when you need to.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

We have had a lot of enquiries recently from local parents in and around St Johns Wood asking about when and how to check whether their children are ready for braces.

Many parents realise their children have crooked or gappy teeth which will need braces at some point, but just not sure when the best time is to start the process.

Usually kids or young teens have braces once all their adult teeth have come out. The dentist can then correct any misalignment/crowding, gaps or bite issues with teeth that the child will have for life. Advances in technology mean there are more options for orthodontic treatment beyond just the ‘train tracks’ (fixed braces) we used to all know and hate. These days, brackets on teeth can be discreet or even more flamboyant with coloured bands. There are also removable aligners which are very convenient for eating and cleaning your teeth, but require discipline to ensure they are being worn for enough time every day so as to not prolong the overall treatment.

Types of Kids Orthodontics
Advancements in orthodontic technology mean dentists may recommend different orthodontic appliances depending on the complexity of the case and/or lifestyle choices. 

Early orthodontic treatment has the aim of preventing issues with the teeth or mouth from developing as the child grows up. These can include misaligned bite and crowded/crooked baby or adult teeth. In some cases early intervention can help avoid or minimise more complex treatment later on.

So what are some of the signs to look out for that will tell you if your child’s teeth or bite are not quite right?

  • Crowded or crooked teeth
  • Large gaps between teeth
  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
  • Difficulties chewing or biting into food
  • Often biting into their cheek or tongue
Examples of the kids’ teeth that could benefit from early intervention

If you see any of these with your child, it would be best to take them in to see the dentist. The dentist will be able to assess your child’s teeth, bite and overall oral condition and then advise you on the best course of action.

It is always best to get kids into a regular check up and hygiene routine at an early age so the dentist can spot changes to your child’s mouth that may cause problems later down the line.

At Aura Dental, our dentists will guide you and your child through the entire orthodontic journey. If you are worried or unsure about your child’s teeth, book in for a check up and chat with the dentist to explore the options available.

Dr Korosh Majidi is our resident kids orthodontic dentist. Korosh has extensive experience in kids and teens orthodontic treatment and strongly believes in finding the least invasive course of action for child and young adult cases.

You can read more information about kids orthodontics at https://www.auradentallondon.co.uk/kids-orthodontics.html

Korosh Majidi
DDS DipDCSc MFDS LDS (Eng 2016) MFGDP Pg(Ortho)
GDC No. 108283

What are the signs you may need dental implants in St John’s Wood?

When it comes to repairing the damage inflicted on your teeth by your diet, injury, overzealous or poorly maintained oral health routine, our team may recommend you try implants to give your smile a makeover.

dental-implants

Sadly some patients still miss out on this confidence boosting and smile strengthening procedure, so that is why we’ve come up with a short list of a few reasons you may be better off with dental implants in St John’s Wood.

 What are they?

Here is a little background information on this unique treatment.

Implants are basically porcelain or ceramic teeth that are inserted beneath your gum line and into your jawbone using an artificial tooth root. They are held in place with a small, solid titanium screw that is sterilised beforehand, in order to limit the spread of any bacteria whilst you are healing after the treatment.

Over time the bone in the implantation site should start to heal back over the screw, to provide a stable and sturdy platform for the new tooth to rest on and stop it from becoming loose or dislodged.

Cracked, broken or damaged teeth

One of the most common situations within which our dental implants in St John’s Wood are used is when there are cracked or badly damaged teeth. This type of damage can happen for a number of reasons, but it tends to happen more often in those with a lot of sports related hobbies or physical activities, as they are more prone to accidental damage or injury.

At Aura Dental our team will provide a quick and long lasting repair for any damaged or cracked teeth with an implant that has been professionally shaped and shaded, to provide you with a natural looking replacement.

Gap filled smile

Having a gap in your smile can take quite a toll on your self-confidence and make you a little less eager to smile in photographs, so filling out those spaces with an implant would be our recommendation.

Weakening of the surrounding teeth

Having damaged or missing teeth can, over time, start to negatively impact the surrounding teeth. This is because when we bite our jaws exert a certain amount of force that is normally spread evenly throughout our mouth. However when there are gaps or spaces caused by damage that pressure can start to build and build, to the point where the surrounding teeth can start to crack, flatten or wear down from all this weight.

To counter this our dentists would insert an implant into your gum line to essentially even out your smile and lessen the pressure being placed on your existing teeth. It can also help to prevent your remaining teeth from becoming loose, as it pins them in just like the previous occupant of their new home used to.

These are just a few reasons that might indicate you should stop by the practice for an appointment for implants. If you would like to learn more about how this treatment can help restore your smile or to schedule your own fitting, then just get in touch with our team at the practice.

Straighten out that smile with braces in St John’s Wood

When someone brings up the subject of braces a lot of older patients are not overly keen on the idea, because of the unfortunate social stigma attached to wearing them. But there are actually a number of benefits to wearing a brace as an adult,  we can use them to help straighten out any crooked teeth you may have to improve your smile, but also to improve dental hygiene. Straight teeth make it easier to keep teeth clean and also help to minimise many problems associated with misalignment.

straighten-teeth

If this procedure has piqued your curiosity, then here is a little extra information on how we use braces in St John’s Wood to help you get that straight looking smile.

What are they?

For some an appointment for braces in St John’s Wood might mean being fitted with the stereotypical bracket and wire setup, but depending on your case, we may also offer an almost invisible alternative.

Known as clear braces, they can be fixed or removable depending on the degree of rectification required. The fixed type of clear braces can have clear or tooth-coloured brackets and wires. However the most popular types of clear braces are see-through plastic aligners that are custom moulded to fit only your mouth and over time help straighten out any troublesome crooked teeth. What makes this particular piece of corrective device different is that it can be removed at any time.

How they can straighten out your smile

The practice of using braces to correct crooked teeth is fairly common and simple. The idea is that the brace will exert a small, gentle and direct amount of pressure on specific areas of your mouth over an extended period of treatment time, with the goal of slowly realigning them to a straighter position.

Generally it can take several months for the desired results to start appearing, although the length of time can depend on the specific patient situation and age, as those that are younger tend to have a shorter turnaround for this procedure. But your dentist will usually discuss this with you and provide an estimate for your particular case.  

What does the fitting involve?

The fitting of the brace is fairly straightforward and depending on the type of appliance being used it can take a matter of minutes. The bracket and wire setup of clear brace is normally attached with a special dental adhesive through a simple procedure. This brace, also known as a ceramic brace, is also very unobtrusive whilst giving your dentist greater control over movement of teeth. The removable see-through types of braces involve a short non-invasive scanning session to get the measurements for your aligner as accurate as possible. At Aura Dental our team will fit you with a brace that has been created with a high level of detail and accuracy to provide a comfortable and efficiently fitted aligner.

Is it painful?

A pretty common question that crops up when treatments are being discussed is whether it’s going to be painful at all.

The process of fitting a brace isn’t overly invasive or particularly uncomfortable, although you may start to experience some mild aches in your teeth after wearing them for a few days. This is because your teeth are being forcibly moved, so naturally your body isn’t too happy about that. To counter this just use painkillers if things start to get a little too much.

Hopefully this has helped to clear up a few things about our braces and how we can use them to make your smile a little straighter. For further information about this treatment or to schedule your own appointment, just contact the practice and have a chat with our team.

Saving your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood

Over time our teeth take quite a battering from the likes of our diet, activities and general oral health routine. This can start to manifest itself in the form of overcrowding, cracks, chips or in some cases an entire tooth falling out or being badly decayed to the point it needs to be removed, leaving you with a gum filled void in your smile.

dental-implants-surgery

To rectify this, our team might suggest that implants may be the right way to go to start reshaping and restoring that grin. Here is how we can save your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood.

What are they?

For those coming for dental implants in St John’s Wood for the first time, here’s a little extra information.

The implants are essentially a manufactured tooth root topped by what is normally a ceramic crown, new teeth that are inserted below the gum line and directly into your jawbone. These new artificial teeth are held in place with a titanium screw that would have been sterilised before the fitting to limit the spread of any bacteria. The goal of the metal screw in your jaw is to provide a sturdy platform for your new tooth crown to rest on whilst the bone heals back around the new addition.

 When are they used?

As mentioned previously, our team may suggest this treatment to you as a way to replace any badly broken, damaged or infected teeth. It can also be used to fill gaps in your smile, or even to rectify extreme cases of overcrowding, by replacing the crooked teeth and it can also be used as a way to strengthen surrounding teeth against further damage.

At Aura Dental our highly trained team of professionals will expertly shape and shade your new implant to ensure that it blends in and provides you with a natural-looking, sturdy replacement for that tooth you have lost.

Is the procedure going to be painful?

One of the most common questions that our team hears from patients is whether an upcoming treatment is going to feature any discomfort or pain.  With implants there may be some mild discomfort as it does involve some minor surgery, but our team would normally use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce the amount of pain you may feel.

Caring for your new implant after treatment

After your new tooth has been fitted your main priority should be to keep it clean and bacteria free, as failure to do so could lead to inflammation and infection setting in, which can cause all sorts of problems in the long run.

So in order to keep your implant sparkling clean we recommend that you give it a light brushing at least once a day as part of your normal oral health routine. Dental floss can still be used to remove stubborn food particles around the implant site, but avoid using mouthwash for a few days after the procedure as the chemicals in some brands can irritate your gums.

These are just a few interesting facts about our implants and how we can use them to restore your smile. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of this procedure then just get in touch with our team at the practice.