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What Could Crown Lengthening Do For You?

October 14th, 2016

Crown lengthening is a common dental procedure. You might consider it if you’ve got a damaged or decayed tooth in desperate need of repair.

Why might I need crown lengthening treatment?

If you need a crown, but don’t have enough tooth exposed to fit it in, you’ll probably need crown lengthening treatment. This might be the case if your tooth has broken at the gum line or if you have a “gummy smile”.

Before treatment

As it is a surgical procedure, you’ll probably be referred to a periodontist (the fancy word for gum disease specialist!). They’ll examine your mouth and help you arrange a date for the procedure. You’ll also be advised to have a professional cleaning to get rid of any plaque or tartar before the main event.

The procedure

Crown lengthening is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, so there’s no need to worry about being uncomfortable. Now, this procedure can take a while, especially if you’re treating more than one tooth, but you’ll be in the best possible hands, so you can just relax. Once your gums have been prepared, your dentist will place a temporary crown, which will stay there until your gums have healed and you’re ready for a permanent one.

Aftercare

You might feel a bit of discomfort afterwards, but this should subside quickly, especially if you take painkillers. Your dentist might also give you a special mouth rinse and provide some top hygiene advice. You’ll have stitches in your gums so try not to brush near them (the rinse should help to remove bits of food). Steer clear of hard foods for a while after surgery, as eating them might be a bit painful!

How to Keep Your Children’s Teeth Healthy

October 12th, 2016

At Liverpool Dental Spa, we aim to encourage healthy habits from an early age. We offer a comprehensive range of children’s dental services and we are always on hand to offer advice to help children achieve confident and happy smiles and remain free of troublesome cavities and toothache.

Oral health should be a priority for children and we are eager to provide care for children from an early age in order to reduce the risk of oral health diseases and promote good oral health habits as early as possible. Research confirms that children who see a dentist on a regular basis are less likely to experience dental difficulties in childhood and adulthood than those who rarely see a dentist.

Our routine check-ups are designed to be simple, pain-free and quick and we go the extra mile to help children learn and to ensure that they have lots of fun while they are with us. We chat to kids about their teeth and gums and why it is important to look after them and we explain why it’s necessary to go to the dentist every six months. We will always be happy to answer questions and we can also offer advice to parents with regard to diet and nutrition and oral hygiene at home.

In addition to routine dental check-ups and treatment for issues, such as cavities, we also offer preventative dental services for children, including fluoride varnish and fissure sealant treatment. Both these treatments, which are completely painless, are effective measures for fighting tooth decay.

Decay is one of the most common preventable childhood illnesses and these preventative measures can really make a difference. Fluoride varnish treatment is incredibly simple and we apply the varnish to the surface of the teeth; it helps to make the enamel stronger and to offer protection from plaque acids. Fissure sealant treatment involves creating a plastic sealant, which forms a protective cover over the surface of the tooth to prevent bacteria and food getting trapped in the pits and cracks, which are known as fissures. The process is simple and it only takes a few minutes.

The Wonder of White Fillings

October 10th, 2016

White or tooth-coloured fillings fulfill all of the important functions of regular fillings, but with the added cosmetic advantage of blending in with the rest of your teeth to keep your smile looking bright and natural.

About white fillings

The fillings are virtually indistinguishable from regular teeth and do not blacken over time. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, white fillings are also safer than traditional silver amalgam fillings. This is due to the materials used in each method. White fillings are made from composite resin, a reliable material also implemented in other cosmetic dental procedures, such as tooth bonding and certain dental bridges. White fillings are also durable and stronger than traditional fillings.

Why not silver fillings?

The silver amalgam fillings that have often been used have raised concerns in recent times. The mercury within the silver fillings does not damage the mouth immediately, but there is a small risk of mercury leakage over time, which can spread in small amounts throughout the body. At the moment there is wide debate over the effects this produces and the wisdom of using mercury in dentistry. Older fillings are especially likely to contain mercury. Talk to your dentist for information about the substances used in making your fillings.

Replacing old fillings

Many people from Bristol hear about tooth coloured-fillings for the first time when they need treatment for a new cavity, and this can prompt them to ask their dentist to remove and replace their old silver fillings. Doing so leads to a more symmetrical and attractive smile, untarnished by flecks of metal. The procedure is simple and can often be performed in conjunction with the placing of a new white filling. Broken or cracked fillings can also be replaced.

How long do white fillings last for?

White fillings are very durable, lasting on average between 6 and 12 years. As always this depends on your individual oral hygiene. People who keep their teeth and mouth healthy can make their fillings last even longer.

How to Look Younger This Autumn!

October 6th, 2016

Autumn is fast approaching and if you’re feeling the post-summer blues coming on, why not treat yourself to an anti-ageing facial treatment to give your skin a healthy glow in time for the new season? With Botox, we are able to reduce the visibility of lines, folds and wrinkles and give your skin a new lease of life!

About Botox

Botox is a non-invasive, non-surgical anti-ageing remedy for wrinkles and lines and it works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles in the face. The lack of muscle contraction reduces the prominence of facial lines, giving your skin a lovely, youthful glow and creating a much softer and smother surface. Botox is a toxin, but is used in very small and dilute quantities and when administered by a trained professional, it is considered a safe, effective treatment. The results of Botox treatment are only temporary and this makes it an appealing option for people who want to tackle the signs of ageing without undergoing surgery.

What happens when you have Botox?

One of the reasons Botox is so popular is the convenience of treatment. You often read about ‘lunch break treatments’ and the reality is that a Botox session only lasts around 15-30 minutes, so it can be fitted into a normal daily schedule very easily. Before we undertake any treatment, we have a consultation with the patient first to ensure they understand what treatment entails and check that they are a suitable candidate for treatment. We also plan the procedure in advance to ascertain which areas need attention and we will obviously be happy to answer any questions about how treatment works, what will happen and how you will feel afterwards.

Once the planning session is complete, we can go ahead with treatment. The actual session is very quick and the procedure is very simple. We use a very fine needle to inject a carefully controlled amount of Botox into the areas of the skin we have already pinpointed and that’s it! After treatment, the results will start to become visible and they should last for between three and six months.

Learning About Gum Disease

October 4th, 2016

Oral hygiene is of the utmost importance because a healthy mouth includes both healthy gums and teeth. Many people clean their teeth but fail to take care of their gums in the same way, which can lead to gum disease.  It is caused by bacteria and plaque building up in your mouth. This is first known as gingivitis but it can progress to periodontitis, which can cause some serious dental problems.

Symptoms

Looking out for the symptoms of gum disease is key to catching the disease early before it gets out of hand. Bleeding gums are a telltale sign that there is something wrong with your gums. If they bleed every so often when brushing then that’s not too much of a cause for concern, but if they continually bleed or get heavier each time then you may have gum disease. Also look out for bad breath. Yes, everyone gets a case of bad breath from last night’s garlic bread, but continual bad breath could be a sign that something is seriously wrong. In the later stages of disease, the gum becomes loose and therefore your teeth also become wobbly and fall out. If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your dentist as soon as possible so they can do something about the problem.

Treating gum disease

Gum disease is caused by a build up of unwanted bacteria around the edges of your teeth and gums. In order to treat gum disease, your gums need to be thoroughly cleaned by the dentist. There are two different types of cleaning depending on the severity of the disease. The first is deep cleaning, which removes the plaque from your mouth and the second is periodontal cleaning. The latter focuses on the areas around the edges of your teeth and removes hard build ups of plaque and tartar. To make a hygiene appointment with us contact the team at Liverpool Dental Spa.

Be Delighted by Dermal Fillers

September 30th, 2016

Some dental surgeries now offer non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures to compliment the work that has been done on your teeth.

Wrinkles are a normal part of ageing and only a lucky few will manage to get to their fifties without a few creases in their skin. While in the past the only way to deal with these signs of ageing was to have expensive and complicated cosmetic surgery, there are now several different types of non-invasive procedures available which can smooth out your skin in one short session. Many dental surgeries are starting to offer these procedures as a way of completing the work they have carried out on your teeth.

Dermal fillers are one of the most popular and straightforward of these treatments, with a session only lasting around half an hour with no recovery time. The therapist, who has to be a trained nurse or medical professional, injects the filler into the creases and wrinkles in your skin, pumping up the tissue and creating a smoother look. The injections are relatively painless, though if you are nervous you can always ask for some anaesthetic cream to be applied beforehand. The treatment is so simple you can have it on your lunch hour and be back at your desk with younger looking skin and the effects can last for up to nine months.

There are different kinds of dermal fillers on the market, both natural and synthetic, but the most common types use collagen to fill the creases and wrinkles in your skin and restore your skin’s natural glow. Collagen is a substance that occurs naturally in our own skin, making it less likely that patients will suffer any allergic reaction. Often clinics will decide to carry out an allergy test on new customers to make sure they can tolerate the injections before they have several on all the affected areas of their face.

Composite Fillings to Keep Your Smile White

September 26th, 2016

Fillings are sometimes a necessary evil, but many of us worry about how they look. You might be glad to know that fillings don’t have to be silver; you can actually have a discreet white one to get your tooth strong and keep your pearly whites, well, white!

What are composite fillings?

So you might be used to those silver amalgam fillings that look so obvious when you smile. They are very strong and do their job, but sadly they’re not hard to spot and many people don’t like the way they look.

Composite fillings work in exactly the same way, but are invisible. They’re made from dental composite and resins in a much cleaner white colour. Your dentist will even be able to match the shade of your filling to your natural tooth colour, so it won’t stand out at all.

The filling procedure

White fillings are meant to make decayed or damaged teeth strong again, without hurting your appearance. Before your filling, the dentist will numb the area with anaesthetic. Then they’ll chuck out any decayed tissue and scrub your tooth clean. Next, they’ll layer the composite filling to seal the cavity.

Once that’s all in place, your dentist will shine a special light onto your tooth to set the filling hard. It won’t take longer than 10 seconds, but you’ll have to protect your peepers with eye goggles. And that’s it – job done! You’ll be able to eat and drink straight away, so you don’t even need to worry about downtime.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions Aren’t as Bad as You Think!

September 22nd, 2016

Most wisdom teeth erupt without causing any damage, but in a small number of cases a tooth may come through incorrectly, leading to pain and infection.

In these cases the best thing to do is to remove the tooth before it causes any lasting damage.

Causes of an impacted wisdom tooth

Partial bony impaction: In some cases, only part of the tooth is able to erupt and generally this involves the crown portion on the tooth making its way through the gums, with the tooth pointing forward. The main damaging effect of partial bony impact is pericoronitis, when the tissue covering the tooth forms into a pocket, which then becomes infected. If this happens, it is best to have the tooth extracted.

Complete bony impaction: The tooth may also be entirely covered in bone and upon trying to erupt becomes enveloped in a sac, which can then turn into a cyst. This can be especially damaging to the jawbone, so it is important to have it removed.

Reasons to have a wisdom tooth removed

  • To prevent the spread of infection from the damaged tooth.
  • To stop damage to the teeth next to the eruption site.
  • To prevent cysts, which could cause serious damage to the jawbone.

Wisdom tooth removal may cause some swelling and short-term pain and there is the chance of infection if the gums are not kept in a good condition, but when you think about what could happen, a tooth extraction is definitely the best option.

If you are suffering with continual pain with your wisdom tooth, regardless of whether they have just begun to erupt or continue to bother you, please get in touch with the practice to discuss wisdom tooth extraction.

You’ll Feel Enlightened by This Amazing Whitening System

September 20th, 2016

Are you looking for the best whitening treatment around? Do you long for a bright, white smile? If so, why not come and visit us in Liverpool and treat your smile to an Enlighten whitening treatment?

What is Enlighten?

Enlighten is a whitening system widely regarded as the best in the world. This treatment is the only system on the market that produces shade B1 and the results of treatment last for several years.

Enlighten is a professional whitening treatment that employs elements of at-home and in-chair professional whitening to create amazing results.

How does Enlighten work?

Enlighten treatment takes 15 days. For the first 14, you’ll use a perfect-fitting bespoke whitening tray at home. The tray is usually worn at night and contains whitening agent, which gradually lightens the shade of the teeth.

After two weeks of at-home treatment, you’re then invited to come to the practice for a one hour power-whitening treatment, which gives the teeth a gorgeous bright glow. All you have to do is sit back and relax and let the treatment work its magic! You simply lie back in the chair while we apply whitening agent to your teeth and then activate it using a light. Treatment will all be over in just one hour.

What are the benefits of Enlighten whitening?

Enlighten is number one for many reasons. Not only does it guarantee amazing results, but the treatment process is simple, safe and completely painless. Enlighten treatment will make you look and feel a million dollars, so what are you waiting for? Call us to arrange a consultation today in the heart of Liverpool!

How to Scare off Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

September 16th, 2016

If you don’t brush your teeth, plaque will form in your mouth. If plaque is left to its own devices, it will eventually harden in to tartar. Tarter is a tougher beast to remove than its infant stage and, once it has formed along your gum line, the plaque it conceals will quite happily excrete harmful poisons which will, in turn, inflame your precious gums. Predictably, your gums don’t like this and will in fact recede from said poisons. This can then affect surrounding bone tissue and, because your gums have shrunk away, eventually lead to tooth loss. Not nice, eh?

Okay, I’m a little worried now. What can I do about it?

Look at that first sentence: ‘If you don’t brush your teeth…’  All this pain and palaver can easily be prevented provided you brush your teeth regularly. The ‘two times a day for two minutes’ brushing mantra should have been ingrained into your psyche long, long ago… Flossing, rinsing with mouthwash and attending periodic dental check-ups are also beneficial, but the brushing is really your absolute first line of defence against gum disease.

The time and the place

Now might be a good moment to raise one ill mentioned fact: Brushing at certain times can actually cause a little damage. These times, however, aren’t concrete; they are in fact relative to your eating. The acid present in many foods and drinks can soften your tooth enamel, meaning that brushing immediately after can in fact help in wearing down your tooth enamel! Thankfully, if you wait an hour after eating before brushing, you should have nothing to worry about.

Top tips for brushing

This seems basic, but make sure you cover all areas of the mouth. Be thorough! Plaque can get anywhere. When brushing, rest the bristly head of the toothbrush at an angle against your gum line and move the brush in a tiny, circular motion. Make sure to brush each tooth separately (both outer and inside surfaces) and ensure to keep the brush at angled as this will help target the gum line. When brushing the tops of your teeth, you also move the brush in a similar circular motion; you just keep the brush vertical this time!

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6 Dentistry Awards!

Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team
  • > 2008 Best Dental Practice

Finalists for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Practice
  • > 2008 Best Dental Team

Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern