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Archive for the ‘tooth decay’ Category

Patients in Central Liverpool Learn All About CEREC Technology

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Having a smile to be proud of is something everyone wants, now thanks to new technology it is within everyone’s reach as well. CEREC is a new way to create fillings, crowns, veneers and it can even be used to repair chipped or broken teeth. The main benefit of this technology is that, there is zero waiting time. The restorations are made while you wait and fitted in just one visit to the dentist.

How does CEREC work?

CEREC uses 3D imaging and digital modelling to design and create the required restorations. So there is no need to have messy dental moulds taken and you can actually see what the end result will be, prior to the starting of the treatment. Because this system is more advanced than the traditional method of creating restorations, an exact match can be designed to ensure that it will blend into your mouth. This means that the restoration will look and feel as good as your natural teeth.

What does the treatment involve?

The dentist will take the necessary digital images of your mouth and tooth, or teeth, and they can then work on them in a 3D suite to create the perfect restoration. Once you are happy with the image the request is sent to an onsite milling machine. It can take anywhere from a 10 to 30 minutes to create the restoration but once it is complete it is ready to be fitted immediately.

By utilising this technology dentists can provide faster more efficient services to their patients. It also means that extensive work can be carried out in a single session and there is no need for the patient to have temporary restorations fitted.

For more information on CEREC technology please contact us at Liverpool Implants & Aesthetic Dental Spa in Central Liverpool.

Tags: Central Liverpool, CEREC Liverpool, CEREC technology, tooth restoration
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Doing Something about Bad Breath in Liverpool

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Halitosis or bad breath can affect many people in Liverpool and the UK, and can be very embarrassing. Bad breath may lead to us feeling self-conscious about being around people at all, and so it is important to treat it to avoid the suffering that this can cause. In addition, bad breath can be linked to oral disease or decay, and so it is important to see if the problem can be treated to ensure that it is not linked to further problems.

What causes bad breath?

One of the most common causes of bad breath is simply eating strong-smelling foods, such as dishes containing a lot of onion or garlic. Similarly, drinks such as tea or coffee can affect the way your breath smells, as can smoking. However, the most common cause of bad breath is bad oral hygiene. Not cleaning the teeth and mouth properly will lead to decay and build-up of bacteria and plaque, which will begin to smell bad. Therefore, a good oral hygiene routine is the first step to combating bad breath. Occasionally, bad breath can be linked to other conditions, such as not producing enough saliva, stomach problems such as gastritis, cavities or problems with the respiratory tract (i.e. throat or nose infections).

How can bad breath be stopped?

The first step to fighting bad breath is of course to make sure that you are maintaining the best hygiene routine possible, to prevent build-up of plaque and bacteria. It is also a good idea to visit the dentist to help, particularly since bad breath can be linked to more serious problems such as tooth decay. At Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic Spa, your mouth will be thoroughly checked to ensure that there are no signs of more complex problems linked to bad breath. A thorough cleaning session can also be provided which can help eliminate the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Tags: Dental hygienist clean, Dental hygienist clean Liverpool, General dentistry, liverpool
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Why Patients in the City of Liverpool May Need Their Tooth Extracting

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

Occasionally it is necessary to have a tooth removed, when reconstructive work is not a viable option. While this might seem like an extreme procedure, there are a number of reasons why tooth extraction might be necessary, and Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic Spa in the City of Liverpool takes every step to make sure the procedure is as simple and painless as possible.

Why might I need a tooth extracted?

One of the most common reasons for having a tooth removed is that decay has set in, and not removing the tooth could lead to further problems, such as a painful abscess, which would be more difficult to rectify. It may also be necessary to extract a tooth after it has been broken by trauma, for example a fall or a sports injury, in cases when the tooth cannot be repaired. Gum disease might also necessitate a tooth extraction, as could tooth overcrowding, when not all the teeth can fit in the mouth; this can be due to having a smaller jaw, or having lost ‘milk teeth’ at an earlier than usual age. Finally, it can be common for people to need wisdom teeth to be extracted, as they too can crowd the mouth.

Making extraction easy

Tooth extraction need not be a frightening procedure, as it will always be performed with a local anaesthetic and so the only ‘pain’ involved should be a feeling of mild discomfort. Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic Spa is also keen to help patients who may be particularly nervous; you can discuss this with your dentist if you are nervous before the procedure, and sedation is available to all patients. After the surgery it is best to avoid hot food for 24 hours, and also to avoid rinsing the mouth out for this time. After this, gently rinsing the mouth with a glass of warm, salty water is a good idea.

Tags: City of Liverpool, Tooth extraction, Tooth extraction City of Liverpool, Tooth removal
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The Best Way to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Smiles in the City of Liverpool

Monday, July 16th, 2012

When we eat and drink every day food particles build up little by little in our mouth, caught between our teeth. Without cleaning our teeth, these food particles will begin to rot, which causes bad breath. It will also cause plaque and eventually tartar to start to grow around the teeth. This discolours the teeth, affecting your appearance, but it can also lead to the teeth becoming damaged and weakened due to the tooth’s enamel being eroded. Eventually this will cause cavities or even more serious problems such as tooth loss. Gum disease can be another consequence of inadequate dental hygiene.

Dental hygiene at home

To help prevent this it is important to maintain good dental hygiene at home. The most important step is of course brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste, at least twice a day. Do not brush too vigorously, as this can damage sensitive tissues. Flossing is also important, as this will help to clean between the teeth, an area that cannot be reached with a toothbrush and so is more prone to decay. The use of a fluoride mouthwash is also important, as this will help to rinse and clean the whole mouth, again, including areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. In addition, a good diet is important, particularly one that avoids too many sugary foods – especially between meals.

Dental hygiene at the practice

Even with a good hygiene routine, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist in the City of Liverpool occasionally for a professional clean, or a scale and polish. This will ensure that teeth remain as clean as possible, as well as helping them to look and feel better in your mouth. A professional hygienist can of course provide a more thorough clean than is possible at home, and may be able to help those with more serious problems such as hardened tartar, or periodontal (gum) disease.

Tags: City of Liverpool, Dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry City of Liverpool
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Restoring Damaged, Broken Teeth in the City of Liverpool with Cosmetic Bonding

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Teeth can become broken or damaged for a number of reasons, ranging from trauma (being hit or knocked out) to simple ‘everyday’ wear and tear. When teeth become broken, it is very important to have them treated and repaired. Teeth left damaged can cause problems with eating or speaking normally, to say nothing of the further damage that can be caused by bacteria or infection setting in the broken tooth – sometimes leading as far as an abscess or a tooth falling out altogether. If a tooth is very badly damaged, it may be necessary to have a dental implant to replace the tooth. At the other end of the scale, less serious damage can be corrected with dental veneers, which cover the teeth. However, the most common treatment in the City of Liverpool for damaged teeth is a technique known as composite bonding.

What is composite bonding?

The basic principle behind composite bonding is to bind together the broken parts of the tooth, so that it once again functions like a normal tooth. As the materials used can be matched to the surrounding teeth, it will look like a normal tooth as well. After the tooth has been cleaned, the dentist will choose the necessary ‘shade’ of bonding material and then etch the surface of the tooth with a special gel. This gives the bonding material a better surface to grip. The bonding material is then applied, and a special ‘curing’ light is used to set the material. Composite bonding is not as strong as some restorative materials such as porcelain, but worn-down bonding material is very easy to replace, and the procedure is relatively simple in the first place.

Tags: City of Liverpool, Cosmetic bonding, Cosmetic bonding City of Liverpool, Porcelain veneers
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Taking the Pain Out of Injections with the Incredible WAND for Patients in Liverpool

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Many people can be very daunted or scared of the very idea of a trip to the dentist. Although local anaesthetic will always be used during any procedure that would cause pain, the irony is that anaesthetic is usually administered through an injection, which can seem just as frightening as the operation itself. This can lead people to avoid the dentist, and thus not receive the essential treatment they need, which can only lead to further complications. There seems to be no escaping the fact that the initial injection is always going to be a painful and thus frightening experience – but this need not be the case at Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic Spa, thanks to an innovative new device called The Wand.

The advantages of the ‘magic’ Wand

The Wand is an alternative to traditional syringes, and works by controlling the rate of injection of anaesthetic to ensure reduced pain. The most common cause of pain from dental injections for patients in Liverpool is simply that the anaesthetic is injected into the mouth too quickly. The Wand works to regulate this flow of anaesthetic as it is injected, thus ensuring a steady process that will not cause any unnecessary stinging pain, even in more difficult-to-reach areas of the mouth. In addition, the Wand decreases the amount of numbness on the injected area, which can sometimes continue for hours after treatment when a traditional syringe is used.

The Wand does not look like a needle; in fact, its appearance is more like a simple pen, connected to a ‘tower’ device. This means that patients who are scared of the sight of a needle need not associate the Wand with pain before the injection has even taken place. In fact, research has proved that the Wand causes less anxiety than any other method of injection.

Tags: liverpool, Pain free injections, WAND, WAND Liverpool
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Spotting the Smallest Signs of Tooth Decay in Liverpool During a Dental Check-up

Friday, June 29th, 2012

Tooth decay is a silent disease, with symptoms only apparent once the damage has been inflicted. Bacteria, plaque, sugar, acid and poor oral hygiene are all causes of tooth decay, which begins as mild enamel wear and ends up with the infection of the inner dental chamber.

How does tooth decay occur and what can my Liverpool dentist do to stop it?

Tooth decay occurs when plaque and bacteria are able to build-up on the teeth. The bacteria releases acids, which eat away at the dental enamel, first affecting the surface of the tooth, then the dentin layer and finally infecting the dental pulp inside the tooth.

It is not until the final part of the decay when the infection enters the dental pulp that pain occurs, but by this point it is too late and the tooth is technically dead, after which you will require root canal treatment and dental crowns.

However, at Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic we use lightening, magnification and x-rays to thoroughly assess any dental decay. Even the smallest sign of erosion will be inspected and treated, using a mixture of dental cleaning and white fillings.

What else can a dentist spot during a dental check-up?

Visiting the dentist every 6 months allows them to know what your healthy mouth looks like, which makes it easier to spot any abnormalities, which may cause you harm.

Problems such as gum disease and, even more seriously, mouth cancer, can all be spotting, checked and treated earlier rather than later if you take the time to visit your dentist regularly.

If you would like to book an appointment for your dental check-up please call the practice. We would be more than happy to help and are here to answer all of your questions.

Tags: Dental check-ups, Dental check-ups Liverpool, liverpool, White fillings
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What are the Best Ways of Protecting the Teeth of Children in the City of Liverpool?

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Your may think that because children’s milk teeth are replaceable that they don’t need as much care as adult teeth. This couldn’t be more wrong and children’s teeth are of incredible importance to the health of adult teeth because:

They provide a guide for the adult teeth to come through.
They allow the child to eat a range of food.
Keeping milk teeth clean helps to keep adult teeth clean, as bacteria can spread from one set of teeth to another.

Children’s tooth decay

Children’s teeth can become decayed for a number of reasons, including:

Poor oral hygiene.
Too many sweets.
Sugary drinks before bed.
Not enough calcium in their diet.

Whatever the reason for childhood tooth decay the effects will be shared with the adult teeth, with tooth decay able to attack an entire tooth and affect the gums and teeth beneath.

Protecting your child’s teeth

In order to stop such damage from occurring there are a number of easy tips, which every parent throughout Liverpool and the UK can follow.

These include:

Taking your child to the dentist from the age of 1 year.
Regular appointments every 6 months.
Brushing their teeth for two minutes a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
Keeping sugary snacks to a bare minimum and keeping them to around mealtimes.
Only giving them water before bed if they need a drink.
If they do want to snack in between meals give them celery or carrot sticks, which are good for the health of the teeth and body.
Provide straws with all sugary drinks and fruit drinks.

Protecting your children’s teeth now will ensure have a health and long-lasting smile for the future.

If you would like more information of children’s dentistry or to book an appointment please call the practice today.

Tags: Children's dentistry, Children's dentistry City of Liverpool, City of Liverpool, Dental check-up
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Patients in Liverpool Who are Nervous are Calmed During Their Treatment with Dental Sedation

Monday, June 18th, 2012

A large portion of the UK population feel nervous when going to the dentist, with some people suffering so severely from a fear of the dentist that they avoid any contact, even when tooth loss, bleeding gums and severe pain occur and they desperately need treatment.

What are the causes of dental phobia?

Dental phobia can occur for a number for reasons, each one varying from person to person. Negative past experiences at the dentist, whether due to pain or the uncaring attitude of the practitioner can all cause psychologically harm, which can lead to dental phobia.

What can be done to help dental phobic patients?

Today, the attitude and treatments provided by your dentist have changed and many dentists undergo specific training to help them find the best ways to treat their nervous patients. Taking appointments slowly and listening to the requests of the patient is one of the simplest ways of alleviating any feelings of distress, and using pain free injections such as the WAND device is another helpful method of enabling nervous patients to have a pain free experience when at the dentist.

However, one treatment above all else has brought a sense of calm to the dental chair-namely Sedation.

What is Sedation and how does it work?

Sedation is used to ease a patient into a contented, relaxed state, where they feel no pain, no anxiety and no fear. Administered via a vein, the sedation solution eases a patient into a feeling of calm without making then unconscious. You will still be able to breathe by yourself and you will be able to response to simply requests from your dentist, but you will neither feel nor fear the procedure that is going on.

If you are nervous of the dentist and would like to know about dental sedation please get in touch with the practice. We offer sedation to patients throughout Liverpool and the UK and would be happy to help you receive the treatment you need.

Tags: liverpool, Sedation, Sedation Liverpool, WAND
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Straumann Dental Implants for a Smile in Liverpool that Could Last a Lifetime

Friday, June 1st, 2012

If you’re missing teeth then dental implants may be the treatment you need to give you back the smile you have lost. At Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetics Spa we use Straumann dental implants, one of the best dental implants available, to ensure that our dental implants can last a lifetime.

Why are Straumann Dental Implants so well regarded?

The Straumann Dental Implant company spends a portion of all profits made on the continued research of dental implants, which means they have found the best ways to both produce and place dental implants, for long-lasting, life-like results.

Some of the most effective methods of placing implants that Straumann have found include etching the surface of their implants to promote faster and more secure bonding with the jawbone and placing the implant without covering it with gum tissue. Both of these Straumann methods enhance the recovery time and the fusion of the implant, for strong, long-lasting results.

What can Straumann Dental implants be used with?

Straumann dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth with a crown, several missing teeth with a bridge or all missing teeth with a denture. Once your dental implant has been placed it will take 3-6 months to fully heal, after which your permanent restoration will be attached to the dental implants.

Backed by clinical research and with a proven success rate of around 95 per cent over the last 10 years, the Straumann Dental Implant has become the choice of many UK implant dentists in recent years.

If you are interested in dental implants to stabilise your smile please call the practice today to arrange an appointment. We provide dental implant services for patients in Liverpool and throughout the UK using Straumann dental implants, with many happy, smiling customers.

Tags: Dental implants, liverpool, Straumann dental implants, Straumann dental implants Liverpool
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