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Missing teeth is a problem many of us will face and we are lucky to live in an age where they can be restored with dental implants. Fast becoming the gold standard for tooth replacement, dental implants work by replicating the entire natural tooth.

What is a Dental Implant?

It is easiest to think of an implant as being just like an artificial tooth root as it consists of a titanium post that is inserted into your jawbone. Once this has bonded with your jawbone it can be restored with an artificial tooth.

Why Should I consider Dental Implants?

By replacing your tooth root, you will be halting any jawbone loss that normally occurs once natural tooth roots are removed. In addition, you will benefit from a replacement tooth that is strong, stable and which will look and feel just like your own. This treatment is pretty versatile; you can use dental implants to replace single or multiple teeth with crowns, bridges or implant supported dentures. The really nice thing is that implants are suitable for just about anyone with reasonable general and dental health.

Interested in finding out more? Contact us now to book your consultation and bring back your smile with our beautiful and long-lasting dental implants.

TMJ is short for temporomandibular disorder and may also be called TMD. You have two temporomandibular joints, hinging your lower jaw. These joints are attached to lots of muscles, allowing your lower jaw to have a wide range of movement. Problems can arise if the joints become worn or if the muscles attached to them become sore and inflamed. If this occurs you may find it painful to open your mouth and your jaw may pop or click when you try to move it.  The pain can spread to your neck and shoulders and may cause headaches or tinnitus.

Causes of TMJ

TMJ is often associated with teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) as this places pressure on the jaw joints and the muscles. Stress may cause you to tighten up your jaw and facial muscles and has also been linked to bruxism.

How is TMJ Treated?

Treatment is often pretty straightforward as we can prescribe a custom-made night guard that will prevent your teeth from contacting, protecting them and putting your jaw into a more relaxed position during sleep.

Prompt treatment is important as TMJ can worsen, so please contact us if you think you might have TMJ so we can make a proper diagnosis.

Nowadays people of all ages are wearing braces and it can be a great way to get a straighter and sometimes healthier smile. Orthodontics is often the most conservative method of straightening teeth, preserving your tooth structure.

The Benefits are more than Just Cosmetic

While most people wear braces to improve their appearance, the benefits to dental health are well worth considering, particularly if your teeth are quite crooked or do not bite together correctly. By straightening your teeth, you’ll ensure they can bite together correctly, reducing wear and tear on your teeth and gums and you may find your teeth are easier to keep clean; it is much simpler to brush and floss teeth that are correctly aligned.

We’ll Help You Choose the Right Brace for Your Needs

The great thing about modern orthodontics is the wide range of appliances that can be used to correct common problems. Many modern braces are easy-to-use, are more comfortable than ever

It is tempting to think that using whitening mouthwash will give you a substantially whiter smile. Unfortunately it is unlikely to make a substantial amount of difference. This is because whitening mouthwashes contain a tiny amount of bleach, the active ingredient used to whiten teeth. The concentration of bleach is too low to result in any significant changes to the colour of your teeth and mouthwash is only in contact with your teeth for a very brief period of time.

Consider Professional Tooth Whitening for Real Results

Using whitening mouthwash shouldn’t do your teeth any harm, provided you follow instructions, but if you would like to see a significant change to the colour of your teeth then it’s best to think about professional tooth whitening.

Integrated Dental Care can safely and effectively whiten your teeth using professional strength whitening products. You’ll see a real change in the overall shade of your teeth in just a very short while. Choose between whitening in our dental practice, or at home with one of our fully customised and easy-to-use kits. You’ll have a radiant and healthy smile in no time at all.

With general anaesthesia you will be asleep during the whole appointment and it will seem as if only a couple of minutes have passed when you come round from the anaesthetic.

When is General Anaesthetic Used?

General anaesthetic can be useful if you have a high level of anxiety or fear and feel unable to cope with being awake, or if you require a substantial amount of work or need a procedure that is quite specialised or complex. This might be the case if you have wisdom teeth to be removed. We might also suggest general anaesthetic if you intend to have several dental implants inserted at the same time.

Is General Anaesthesia Safe?

All types of anaesthesia carry some level of risk but we will do everything possible to minimise this and anyone intending to have a general anaesthetic is very carefully screened. Every general anaesthetic is administered in a hospital setting by a highly trained and experienced anaesthetist and you will be continually monitored during treatment and for a while afterwards.

If you would like to know more about general anaesthesia then please contact Integrated Dental Care as we are more than happy to answer your questions.

Even the loss of a single tooth can have a destabilising effect on the rest of your natural teeth which is why we recommend replacing it as soon as you can. A dental implant is frequently the best option and there are several reasons why you should consider this choice.

Preserving Your Jawbone

After a tooth is lost the bone that used to surround it will gradually reabsorb as it no longer receives any stimulation from the tooth root. This bone resorption can destabilise the teeth adjacent to the gap. Although bone loss continues for years after tooth loss, a huge percentage is lost during the first year. By choosing to have an implant soon after tooth loss you can halt this bone loss; leaving an implant until later increases the chances that you might require a bone graft to replace lost bone.

Preserving Your Natural Teeth

Bridges can look very nice but we will need to grind down the teeth adjacent to the gap as these must be crowned to support the bridge. This might be a good option if these teeth could benefit from dental crowns, but otherwise we will have to remove perfectly healthy tooth structure which is something we’d prefer not to do. Dental implants are self-supporting and there is no need to modify any other teeth.

Long-Lasting and Beautiful Results

When properly looked after, dental implants can last for many years and a single implant can prove to be particularly cost-effective in the longer term. Last but not least, single dental implants can look fantastic and we are sure you’ll be pleased with the results.