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Gaps In Your Smile? This Could be the Solution!

August 12th, 2016

Tooth loss can happen for a number of reasons, including injury, tooth decay, or just general ageing. If a tooth is lost, it is important to have the gap filled in some way, or the effects could end up causing you further pain.

Effects of untreated tooth loss

Oral hygiene is much more difficult if a gap is left in your teeth and bacteria can build up in the space, leading to bad breath and infection. In addition, losing teeth can affect your speech function, as well as the ability to eat the foods you want, as you simply would not have the teeth to bite or chew. An even more serious consequence is bone loss. As your teeth sit in your mouth, the tissue surrounding them is regenerated as part of your body’s normal healing process. However, if you lose a tooth and leave a gap, the material – including the bone – around the gap will start to atrophy. In other words, the bone will start to disappear. This can change the shape of your jaw, and contribute to you looking more aged.

Dental implants

Thankfully, dental implants can help stop these problems. Dental implants are small metal rods inserted into the jaw structure, which help to hold replacement teeth in place. The implants are made of titanium, which easily fuse with the bone structure in your jaw. Rather than a loss of bone, as would happen with a gap in teeth, an implant helps stimulate bone growth. In addition, implants can function just like your own teeth, allowing you to speak and eat as normal. They only require the same oral hygiene routine as your other teeth, and will allow you to have a natural looking and feeling smile.

Advice on Sleep Apnoea

August 10th, 2016

Sleep apnoea is a condition that affects about one and half percent of British women and three and a half percent of British men.  It is most prevalent in those over 40 years old.  It involves the relaxation of your throat muscles during sleep, which blocks the airways briefly.

If oxygen suddenly cannot reach the brain, then the brain sends a signal to your body to wake up, so sleep apnoea sufferers have very disrupted sleeping patterns. Experiencing sleep apnoea and the resulting disruptions to sleep can make life rather difficult for sufferers. Drowsiness during the day because of insufficient sleep can slow down reaction times and sleep apnoea patients are actually more likely to be involved in car accidents.  The hypertension that can be brought on by sleep apnoea can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

High risk categories include people who are overweight and smokers. Drinking alcohol before sleep can increase the chance of sleep apnoea, as can the use of sleeping pills and other sedatives.  Hormonal changes can lead to sleep apnoea too. Some studies have shown that the condition runs in families.

Because your dentist has access to the tongue and soft palate, which are involved in sleep apnoea, he or she can help to diagnose the condition.  You might be prescribed a mask which initiates continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to make sure than oxygen steadily flows to your lungs during the night.  These can be difficult for some patients to wear and hard to get used to but they are a better guarantee than the smaller inter oral devices (IOD).

The Different Kinds of Dental Sedation

August 8th, 2016

Nervous dental patients have a range of options for anxiety and stress relief. Selecting a sedation treatment will allow a calmer and more enjoyable dental treatment experience while enabling a dentist to provide safe dental care.

Types of dental sedation

The type of dental sedation needed may depend on the level of dental treatment and dental phobia. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we provide  sedation for relaxed dental treatment. This is our preferred method, but dentists up and down the country offer different types, so we’ve listed some of the most common:

Tranquiliser medications

A dentist or doctor may prescribe a tranquiliser for an individual to take the night before or morning of treatment. The effect is to lower stress levels that may build-up with anxiety as an individual approaches the time of their dental treatment. Tranquilizers are an effective medication means of calming nerves.

Inhalation sedation

Another option in sedation is inhaling nitrous oxide, which immediately places you in a peaceful, warm and content frame of mind. Inhalation sedation may be used to induce a sleep mode or to retain a level of relaxed consciousness during dental treatment.

 

How to Effectively Secure Dentures with Mini Implants

August 4th, 2016

You can lose a tooth for a number of reasons, whether through an accident or as result of poor oral hygiene that has led to decay.  Whatever the reason, it is vital that you have it replaced.  An incomplete set of teeth will only make eating and drinking more difficult and your teeth might start to shift into the gaps left behind by your vacant tooth.

Partial dentures are an option, but for a permanent solution, you might consider having dentures secured in your mouth using mini implants.  These implants act as the root part of your missing tooth and require a pre-drilled socket, into which a pontic (false tooth) can be secured.  Mini implants are extremely stable because they are placed tight with the jaw bone so that they will eventually osseointegrate or fuse together.

An X-ray or CT scan will be necessary to assess the area properly and then, under local anaesthetic, your dentist will make a small incision in your jaw. This is where the mini implant will be placed before the jaw is stitched back up.  While your mouth is healing, you will wear a temporary replacement tooth.  Once your dentist is satisfied that the area is healed and the mini implant is stable, your permanent replacement tooth will be attached to the implant.

Mini implants truly represent a long term solution to tooth loss.  The replacement teeth attached to the implants can be treated just like normal teeth and cleaned easily, so you needn’t worry when you are eating.

All You Need to Know About Oral Cancer Screening

August 2nd, 2016

What are the causes of oral cancer?

There have been numerous risk factors attributed to the development of oral cancer, including:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking
  • HPV virus

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The signs of oral cancer can vary from person to person and often depend on how far the disease has progressed. However, symptoms to look out for include:

  • White and red patches in the mouth and on the tongue and lips
  • Sores that take a great deal longer than normal to clear
  • Pain in the mouth or neck

If you have any of these symptoms and think you may be at risk, make an appointment to visit your dentist right away.

Once possible instances of cancer have been found we can plan the next step and have you treated as soon as possible.

If you would like an oral cancer screening and form more information please call the practice, we treat patients from throughout Liverpool and the UK, so feel free to stop buy wherever you’re from.

All About Digital X-Rays

July 29th, 2016

Dental X-rays or dental radiographs are an integral part of dental examinations for patients from London. If you are visiting the dentist for the first time then a full set of digital X-rays (which in total are 18) would be required for any type of extensive treatment. Every 6 to 18 months, 2-4 check up X-rays will also be taken and the number of X-rays taken will depend upon the dental health of the patient. There are a few apprehensions people have when it comes to dental X-rays, which includes whether or not they are safe during pregnancy, is the amount of X-rays delivered safe and are dental X-rays beneficial.

There are many benefits of digital X-rays, which make them very important before most dental treatments. With the help of X-rays, the dentist can find cases of tooth decay, which otherwise would have be hidden to the naked eyes. Digital X-rays can also reveal the development of abscesses, tumors, cysts, extra teeth and broken teeth. They can also help to check the condition of dental fillings, root canals, dental bridges and tooth crowns. In cases of periodontal diseases digital X-rays reveal tartar buildup, bone loss and can be used to check if the bone levels are appropriate for dental implants.

Most people are aware of the side effects of over exposure to X-rays, which make them worried about digital X-rays. The dentists are aware of the harmful effect of traditional X-rays, which is why they cover patients with a lead apron and use high-speed film during the procedure.

Digital X-rays are not only safe, but are also a very effective tool to treat most dental conditions and are safe enough to be used during pregnancy.

Even though digital X-rays can simplify many complex dental conditions, it does not completely eliminate the need for visual examination when it comes to the neck, TMJ, oral cavity and head. The combination of both visual examination and dental X-rays is the best approach.

The Delights of Modern Dentures

July 26th, 2016

Dentures are a removable cosmetic solution for missing teeth, using a structure made from acrylic resin with porcelain or metal to form naturalistic dentures designed to fit the exact dimensions of your mouth.

Dentures for missing teeth

Full dentures are a particularly attractive option for people who need a full set of functioning teeth, while partial dentures can help those who still have some remaining teeth. The decision will be based on several factors regarding your individual case, so a consultation with your cosmetic dentist can be invaluable for informing you of the different choices and the best option for you. Dental implants and dental bridges are two other common procedures for missing teeth.

What can dentures do for me?

Depending on the case, the dentist may need to remove some of the remaining teeth or strengthen the bony ridges between teeth with a surgical procedure. This will add vital stability to the dentures. An impression of the mouth provides the correct measurements and a selection of colours and shapes are available for the best custom fit. The finished dentures may include metal or porcelain in their structure to assist with bite strength and will make chewing easier. They also seek to reverse the effects of tooth loss on speech and expression by helping to build up the relevant muscles once more.

Complete dentures

Complete dentures are designed to replace every single upper and lower tooth. When tooth extraction is required to achieve a clear mouth, healing time must be allowed before the dentures can be fitted. The comfort of this model varies due to factors including bone and muscle strength and differences in people’s tongues and saliva.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures replace a specific amount of missing teeth to plug unappealing and unhealthy gaps. This is usually achieved through metal attachments linking the partial dentures to surviving teeth. They are useful for holding the remaining teeth in place so that no misalignment occurs. The risks of gum disease or more tooth decay are generally decreased after a partial denture is fitted.

Immediate dentures

Immediate dentures are a quick option for people from Liverpool who desire their treatment without waiting. Due to the way the mouth heals following tooth removal, these dentures may eventually have to be adjusted.

Upper dentures

Upper dentures provide the same sort of functionality as complete dentures and are made from the same materials, but they replace the upper teeth only.

Over dentures

Over dentures are similar to complete dentures, with the key difference that not all the remaining teeth are extracted. These natural teeth attach to the over dentures and help to stabilize them while chewing and biting. The procedure is more expensive but the benefits include better reliability and steadiness.

How long will my dentures last?

Dentures often last between 5 and 10 years, although the mouth is liable to change naturally over this period and thereby require a new fitting or adjustment.

Overcoming Sleep Apnoea

July 22nd, 2016

Sleep apnoea is a condition that affects a person’s breathing while they sleep and results in pauses in the natural breathing pattern.

There are three different types of sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common form and happens when the soft tissue at the back of a person’s throat relaxes while they sleep, blocking their airway. The second type is central sleep apnoea, which involves your central nervous system and happens when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. The third form is complex sleep apnoea, which is a combination of the first two forms.

Sleep apnoea can be caused by a number of different things such as your weight, genetics, gender, age or whether you’re a smoker. If left untreated sleep apnoea can result in sleep deprivation, fatigue, poor reflexes and poor concentration and can even lead to more serious problems such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes and high blood pressure.

However, your dentist can help you with the issue of sleep apnoea. Dental devices are available from your dentist to help you breath. These either fit into your mouth like a mouth guard or fit around your head and chin, to help re-position your lower jaw. The two most common of these dental devices are the tongue retaining device and the mandibular re-positioning device, which both open your airways by bringing either the tongue or lower jaw forward while you sleep.

Always remember to have any of these dental devices fitted by a practitioner who practices in the area of sleep apnoea, as if they aren’t fitted correctly they can result in nausea, soreness or even permanent re-positioning of the teeth, jaw and mouth. Also remember to go to your dentist for regular check-ups, so they can adjust the mouthpiece if it needs it and monitor any potential side effects.

Bridging the Gap Towards a Sensational Summer

July 20th, 2016

Gaps in the smile can take away our cheer, but you don’t need to put up with a gappy smile this summer. With our dazzling dental bridges, we can fill gaps and restore your smile ready for the sizzling celebrations.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a restorative treatment  used to replace a missing tooth. There are different types of bridge, but most commonly, a bridge is made from an artificial tooth with a new crown on either side. The bridge is fused to the neighbouring teeth and we recommend ceramics to provide a truly natural look.

Bridge treatment usually involves two sessions over two to three weeks. In the first session you will plan your treatment ready to be placed in the second session. Your bridge will be custom-made just for you and can be made from ceramics so your new tooth looks as natural as the rest of them!

How long will a dental bridge last?

As long as you look after your bridge, it should last for up to 15 years.

Bridge-tastic benefits

Even a single missing tooth can have a massive impact on the way your smile looks, not to mention your oral health, and this can lead to low self-esteem. Bridges are a simple, affordable way to replace missing teeth and you’ll have a restored smile in just two weeks.

Once a bridge is in place, it will act like a natural tooth and should last for more than a decade. Bridges are designed to look just like natural teeth and blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile. A bridge will not only restore your smile, but your confidence too.

All About the Incredible Inman Aligner

July 18th, 2016

 If you’ve ever wanted to have orthodontic treatment but been put off by the prospect of wearing bulky braces or long treatment times, we may just have the perfect solution. The Inman Aligner is an exciting and innovative orthodontic appliance that can straighten the teeth in a matter of weeks.

What is the Inman Aligner?

The Inman Aligner is a removable orthodontic appliance that normally takes just 3-5 months to straighten the teeth. It is made up two major parts: are a coiled spring, which is located at the back of the front teeth, and a metal bar, which sits on the front of the teeth. The device works by generating forces that cause the teeth to move into the desired position. The forces are produced by the spring and the metal bar.

What is so impressive about the Inman Aligner?

The treatment is impressive for numerous reasons. The first major selling point is treatment time. Unlike most orthodontic treatments, which take at least 12 months, this system straightens the teeth in a matter of weeks and in most cases the whole procedure is complete within 3-5 months.

The system is also beneficial for patients because it uses the latest technology to move the teeth without any pain. The fact that it is removable also gives patients more flexibility and means that there are no problems with drinking, eating or cleaning the teeth.

How does the Inman Aligner work so fast?

I know what you’re thinking, there must be a catch! Thankfully, there are no catches and the Inman Aligner really is as good as it sounds. The appliance is able to work quickly because it focuses solely on the front teeth, as they are visible when you smile. This means that there is no time wasted correcting the alignment of the back teeth and results are visible almost immediately.

Who is the Inman Aligner for?

This is an ideal treatment for people who have minor or moderate orthodontic issues affecting their front teeth. It is also a great option for people who want the flexibility of a removable appliance and the benefit of extremely quick treatment. The Inman Aligner is also a popular treatment for people who have already had orthodontic treatment and started to experience relapse. Contact the team at Liverpool Dental Spa for more information or to arrange a consultation.

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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