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Are you missing multiple teeth? Have you thought about dental implants but somehow never got round to finding out any more? Don’t put it off any longer as you could be reaping the benefits of dental implant treatment within just a few short months.

How Multiple Dental Implants Could Help You

At Integrated Dental Care we see many patients each year who are missing multiple teeth and who have perhaps been struggling with ill-fitting dentures for much too long. Dental implants can be a great solution, replacing teeth in a way that is long-lasting. Implant teeth are designed to look and feel very natural enabling you to enjoy favourite foods once more. Dental implants can be used to replace teeth individually, but can also support large bridges of teeth, including complete arches and completely replacing dentures.

Additional benefits of Dental Implant Treatment

Dental implants halt bone loss in the jaw by artificially replacing tooth roots. This helps to stabilise any remaining natural teeth and maintains the correct facial dimensions. If you lost multiple teeth quite some time ago, you might have noticed your facial features have begun to collapse inwards. Dental implants will restore these lost dimensions and can help create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Will this be the year you decide to have dental implants? Contact us to book your initial consultation and to find out more about how dental implants will help you.

If you still have some silver amalgam fillings then you are not alone as this material has been used for many decades. However we choose not to use it here at Integrated Dental Care as modern alternatives are so much better, both aesthetically and for your dental health.

We prefer to use tooth coloured composite resins to mend small to medium sized cavities in teeth. This material is strong and hardwearing and can create fillings that are virtually invisible. Additionally, our dentists will need to remove less healthy tooth structure when preparing your teeth to be filled, allowing us to preserve the maximum amount of your tooth. The material bonds very strongly to your tooth, creating a tight seal that will prevent bacteria from entering your tooth and causing further destruction.

Unlike amalgam, composite resin does not flex when it comes into contact with hot or cold and will not change shape under pressure. This is important as continual flexing can cause micro-fractures in teeth, eventually weakening the filled tooth.

Next time you need a filling then we will ensure your tooth is restored in a way that will preserve its strength and appearance. If you need an amalgam filling replaced, we can safely remove and dispose of the amalgam before placing a nice new composite resin filling during a single comfortable appointment.

If your dentist has mentioned you could probably do with a crown or bridge then you might have wondered what the difference is between these two restorations and when they are used. Once you know, then their uses are very straightforward!

Crowns

These are also called caps because they ‘cap’ or completely cover up a tooth, right down to the gumline so none of the original structure is visible. We will suggest a crown if a tooth is badly damaged and has lost a large part of its original structure, perhaps through decay or trauma. Crowns can be made from precious metal alloys that are covered up with porcelain, or the metal can be polished to a high sheen, but for a more cosmetically pleasing effect we may recommend the very latest all-ceramic crowns that look amazingly natural. When properly cared for, your new crown should last for many years before you need to replace it.

Bridges

Bridges are used to ‘bridge’ the gap left by one or more missing teeth in the same area of your mouth. The bridge is supported by crowns placed over the teeth adjacent to the gap and the replacement teeth, called pontics are attached to the crowns. The pontics will rest on your gums, creating a look that is very natural. Bridges can be made from the same materials as crowns and should last a similar length of time. Your new bridge will restore your appearance and your ability to eat.

Prolong the life of your new crown or bridge by making sure you visit Integrated Dental Care for regular check-ups and hygiene appointments.

If you are looking to shed a few pounds this year then you may currently be struggling with hunger pangs. Instead of breaking your diet, choose these five filling foods that will help keep you satiated for longer.

1. Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids and are a complete protein. Amino acids release hormones that help supress appetite.
2. Greek yoghurt contains more protein and less sugar than natural yoghurt and it tastes great topped with fresh fruit.
3. Crunch on an apple as this fruit contains pectin which slows digestion, promoting a feeling of fullness.
4. If crisps are your downfall, try popcorn instead. You can eat three cups of plain popcorn for the same amount of calories as just a quarter of a cup of crisps.
5. Oatmeal contains lots of fibre and it takes quite some time to digest, slowing down those hunger pangs. Top with fruit or with almonds for extra protein.

These days achieving a whiter and more attractive smile has never been easier and safer with one of our professional whitening treatments. Choose from whitening in as little as an hour in our dental practice, or if you prefer to whiten at home then ask about our fully customised home whitening kits. Once you have a lovely, healthy white smile, then we have a few simple tips to keep it looking that way for longer. These include:

• Avoid drinking too much tea, coffee and red wine
• Sip highly coloured drinks through a straw to minimise contact with your teeth
• Rinse your mouth with water after eating strongly coloured foods
• Avoid eating too many acidic foods as these cause acid erosion, letting more of your natural tooth colour show through your tooth enamel
• Quit smoking
• Brush twice daily and floss once-a-day to remove plaque before it can harden into calculus, a yellow coloured substance that can make it look as if your teeth are discoloured, as well as increasing your risk of gum disease
• Visit Integrated Dental Care for regular hygiene appointments as a scale and polish will help remove some surface stains and it is a great way to help your smile sparkle while protecting your dental health

Remember, you can safely top up the results of tooth whitening at regular intervals and we can advise you on how often it is safe to do so. Our home whitening kits are a particularly easy and cost-effective way to maintain your lovely white smile.