Dental Blog - Farnham Road Dental Practice

Why get dental implants?

Dental implants Guildford are a great solution for missing teeth. They are made to look and feel like your natural teeth, and they last for many years with proper care. Implants can also help to prevent jawbone deterioration, which is common in those who have missing teeth. So if you’re considering oral implants, here are some reasons why they might be just right for you!

What are oral implants, and how do they work?

Dental implants Guildford are a great way to replace missing teeth. They are made to look and feel like your natural teeth, and they last for many years with proper care.

They are made of titanium, which is a material that is well-tolerated by the body. The implant fuses to the bone and acts as a new root for the tooth. A small connector, called an abutment, is then placed on top of the implant. The abutment is used to support the new tooth (called a crown).

The whole process usually takes place over the course of several months, and you will need to be seen by our dental team at Farnham Road Dental Practice.

The benefits of oral implants

When it comes to oral implants, one of the best things about them is that they offer a wide range of benefits. Over removable dentures and bridges, implants are more comfortable, more stable, and more natural-looking compared to wired bridges. They are not dependent on healthy adjacent teeth to anchor themselves to.

How to care for oral implants

If you have dental implants Guildford, it’s important to care for them properly in order to ensure their longevity. Thankfully, their care is similar to that of natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash.

It’s also important to see our dental team regularly for checkups and cleanings. We can help to ensure that your implants are in good condition and catch any problems early. Implants may be invulnerable to cavities, but they are not impregnable to periodontal (gum) disease.

What to expect during the implantation process

When you get implants, you will need to go through a process called implantation. This is where the titanium implant is placed into your jawbone.

The implantation process usually takes several months, and you will need to be seen by our dental team regularly. During this time, the implant will fuse to the bone; this will occur beneath the gum line, so you won’t see it happening.

Once the implant has fused to the bone, a small connector, called an abutment, will be placed on top of the implant. The abutment is used to support the new prosthetic tooth.

The whole process usually takes place over the course of several months to a year depending on the individual.

After the implantation process is complete, you will have a new tooth that looks and feels just like your natural teeth! With the proper care, your oral implants can last for many years to come.

Why get oral Implants?

Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They are made of titanium, which is a material that is well-tolerated by the body. The implant fuses to the bone and acts as a new root for the tooth.

The benefits of dental implants for denture stabilisation

It’s no secret that dental implants can provide a wide range of benefits for the overall health and appearance of your smile. But what you may not know is that implants can also be used for denture stabilisation Guildford, providing a more secure fit and improving chewing function and speech. If you are considering this kind of stabilisation, dental implants may be the right option for you.

What are dental implants and what do they do?

Dental implants are a type of dental restoration that is used to replace missing teeth. They are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material that is able to fuse with the jawbone. This creates a strong foundation for the implant, which can be used to support a dental crown, bridge or denture.

The benefits of dental implants

When it comes to dental implants, one of the most common uses is denture stabilisation Guildford. This is because implants can provide a secure fit for dentures, which can improve chewing function and speech. In addition, implants can also help to keep your smile looking its best by preventing bone loss in the jawbone.

What are the risks associated with dental implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery is a relatively safe procedure, but like any surgery, there are some risks involved. Some of the risks associated with dental implant surgery include:

– Infection

– Bleeding

– Nerve damage

– Sinus problems

– Dental implant failure

Dental implant success rates

Dental implant success rates vary depending on a number of factors, including the patient’s overall health, the condition of their jawbone, and the type of implant used. However, in general, dental implants have a success rate of around 95%. This means that for most patients, implants are a safe and effective way to replace missing teeth.

Who is a good candidate?

If you are considering stabilising your denture, dental implants may be the right option for you. But your general health and lifestyle can play a significant role in your eligibility for dental implants. Some of the factors that may influence your eligibility include:

– The condition of your jawbone

– The number of teeth you are missing

– Whether you have had previous dental surgery

– Your overall health and any conditions affecting bone growth

– Your commitment to oral hygiene

– Whether you are a smoker

If you are considering dental implants, it is important to talk to our dentist about whether or not they are the right option for you.

Have you been turned down for dental implants in the past?

If you have been told in the past that you are not a candidate for denture stabilisation Guildford, it may be worth getting a second opinion. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we offer a range of options for denture stabilisation, and we may be able to find a solution that is right for you.

Many of the complications associated with dental implants can be resolved with proper care. We will work with you to find a solution that meets your needs, whether that involves pre-implantation procedures like bone grafting or a modified treatment schedule. So, call us today to schedule an appointment.

The need to keep calm for nervous patients

We completely understand how some people may view the dentist and decide that this is someone they may not want to interact with regularly. Some people associate only discomfort and pain with dental practices and the receiving of any dental treatment. But like any good professional, we recognise that it is part of our role to change this perception in the minds of people, and encourage them to visit the practice as a way to improve their oral health and hygiene standards.

If you are someone who looks at the idea of dental treatment and finds it totally unappealing, then you are one of the people we may need to find a way to reach out to. We want to find ways that will allow every potential patient to feel comfortable about the idea of engaging with our dentist and receiving any dental treatment they may need.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice we are keen to show how understanding we can be concerning nervous patients Guildford. We will always provide them with the time and space they may want to become comfortable with the dental practice and give them the information they need to fully understand the treatment or service they may require.

Knowledge to defeat fear

One of the main things we endeavour to do for our nervous patients Guildford is to arm them with the knowledge to understand the role that a dentist can play in their fight for high standards of oral health and hygiene. We firmly believe that when knowledge gives someone a complete understanding of the treatments and services we provide, then this understanding can help that person to overcome any fears they may have.

If you are someone who finds the idea of walking into a dental practice and receiving a dental treatment a terrifying one, then we need you to know that nobody is going to force you to receive any dental treatment against your will, at any point. However, we may try to gently encourage you in the direction of treatment, but will only go ahead with your expressed wishes.

We invite you to visit the practice so you can be shown around and ask any questions you may have. This may be a good first step for you to take, as it may help you to gain a new understanding of the positive role we can play in helping you to achieve the very best oral health and hygiene.

Let’s start to move forward with a positive change

We want to help every nervous patient Guildford change their mindset wherever possible, as we want every patient to have the opportunity to gain the oral hygiene standard that they feel they desire and deserve. For this reason, we invite you to start to move forward with a positive change, this begins with you making a very simple phone call to our dental practice.

Please remember you have the power to overcome any fear you may have about the dentist, we will just help you to gently change your thinking so you can feel positive about accessing any dental treatment you may require.

Showing some understanding towards nervous patients

We all know and clearly understand that there is a need for each one of us to look after our teeth and gums, as everyone needs to strive for the highest possible standards for their oral health and hygiene.

One of the tools that we can access to help us to achieve good oral hygiene standards is the dental practice, where we can attend oral health check-ups and receive any dental treatment we may need. However, to some people, these places are to be avoided at any cost, as they find visiting the dentist something that they are not happy to do.

As human beings, many of us carry some fear of the things we do not clearly understand when we start to think about them, and unfortunately, the dentist is one of those things. Some people only think about what they perceive as the negatives of visiting the dentist, mainly the ideas of injections, discomfort, and pain. They may attempt to avoid visiting the dentist as they are nervous patients Guildford that find the idea of interacting with the dental practice something they will only do under a sense of duress.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice we show our patients all the care and understanding they need to be able to accept the dental care they require.

We want to help everyone access the dentist

We believe everybody should have the chance to receive the dental treatment and oral care that they may need, and we take the task of helping nervous patients Guildford to access our dental practice in a comfortable way very seriously. As we want to help them to receive their dental check-ups and treatments in a way that benefits them and keeps them calm throughout the process.

If you have a fear of visiting the dentist then it should be part of our job to help you overcome this, by giving you the time you need to become comfortable with allowing us to carry out our duties pertaining to your oral health and hygiene needs. If there is something which would make you feel more secure and relaxed during your time with us please don’t hesitate to ask.

We are more than happy for you to visit the practice and ask us questions about your oral health and hygiene needs, including your dental check-ups and treatments. We have found that talking leads to understanding and understanding is a great tool when it comes to helping the human mind to overcome any fear it harbours.

On the day you visit to receive a check-up or any other treatment our staff will be more than happy to help you take your time to become familiar with the surroundings and any procedure you are about to undergo. All of our staff are warm and approachable people who want what’s best for each patient. They want to ensure all patients have access to the services and treatment at the dental practice, so all have the same chance to achieve high-quality oral health and hygiene standards.

Your first step

If you are one of the nervous patients Guildford that struggles to access dental care due to fear, but wants to change this, your first step is to make a simple phone call. Treat this call just like any call you would make to find out details about any other product or service, you are just ringing to ask questions to find out if our services are right for you.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice we aim to promote good dental health at all times and as such we recommend regular check-ups, which will help diagnose problems early.

Trust our dental implants in Guildford to bring your smile back

Show your smile you care

Losing a tooth, or teeth, can be incredibly difficult and present you with a wide array of challenges both socially and in regards to your oral or general health – which is why we strongly advise anyone who has lost either a single or several teeth to get in contact with us here at Farnham Road Dental Practice and speak with one of our professionals about dental implants in Guildford. Adult teeth do not grow back, and are intended to last a lifetime – granted, however, accidents do happen and losses can occur for a number of reasons such as neglect, injury or natural ageing.

Rather than having to live the rest of your life with visible gaps in your teeth, or choosing cheaper alternative solutions like dental bridges, getting implants from us here at Farnham Road Dental Practice is a permanent and hugely effective solution that can completely restore both the way your smile looks and the amount you use it.

Why choose dental implants?

Your teeth and smile play a far more important role than you may first imagine. From steering all social interactions to the very shape and structure of your face, your teeth are hugely significant to how you look, speak and feel.

This is why when you lose a tooth or teeth the implications that this can have are massive – especially if the gap is left untreated for a significant length of time – and why choosing dental implants in Guildford is the best option in the long term. One of the most drastic implications of having a missing space in your mouth for a long period of time is a loss in facial bone density – which contributes to the way your face is shaped.

This happens when the area around a missing tooth remains inactive for some time, and the bone tissue is eventually absorbed by your body, resulting in a loss of your facial bone structure which can often make you appear older than you are. Another common problem that anyone who has an untreated gap in their smile may be faced with over time is a loss in your speech ability, or difficulty eating tough foods – both of which can impact your social life and cause embarrassment.

What makes implants special?

While the dental implants in Guildford which we offer here at Farnham Road Dental Practice are certainly not the only available solution for lost teeth – as options such as crowns, dentures and dental bridges have existed for years – they are however the only permanent solution for lost teeth you are likely to find.

The reason that dental implants are set apart from other options as a permanent solution is that they are surgically embedded inside a patient’s jawbone through a complex dental surgery procedure which is carried out here at Farnham Road Dental Practice. This surgery involves exposing the patient’s gums and jaw bone and making a small hole into their jawbone, into which a titanium-alloy tooth socket is placed.

This socket will then naturally merge itself together with the patient’s jawbone, resulting in it being permanently fixed in position. When this has happened the socket can then be utilised as a fixing point for a new denture to be attached – similarly to how a natural tooth is fixed.

Let our dental implants in Guildford help your smile glow

Happy to help

At Farnham Road Dental Practice we love seeing our patients happy, and employ a wide variety of techniques, procedures and specialisms within our practice to do so. One of the most rewarding treatments which we offer is dental implants in Guildford – which are a permanent and life-enhancing solution for lost teeth that not only fills in any visible gaps on a cosmetic basis but also restores your ability to eat, speak and smile with confidence.

Although we’ve helped a great many patients find their true smiles through dental implants treatment at Farnham Road Dental Practice over the years there still remains people out there who are missing teeth (and thus could be benefiting from dental implants) but avoid seeking our help due to a lack of understanding of the process or how it can help.

What actually are dental implants in Guildford?

One of the most common questions our practitioners get asked by new patients who are interested in dental implants is what they are, or how they differ from more commonly recognised solutions for lost teeth like crowns, dentures or bridges. The best way to highlight why dental implants in Guildford are different from more commonplace treatments is to first examine how these treatments function – which can then help to highlight the fundamental differences of dental implants.

Although crowns and bridges are the most popular option for lost teeth, they are only partly effective in their function, and can lead to oral problems developing over the years as they are not premement. This is because they work by sitting on a pateitsn gumline, and fill in any gaps in their mouth by using the patient’s surrounding natural teeth for support.

As these solutions sit on your gum line and are not embedded into your jaw they are prone to shifting as time goes on and the surrounding teeth move out of place – which can impact the overall effectiveness of the treatment. While being cheaper than dental implants, these options may seem appealing in the immediate sense, but can very often lead to the need for further dental or orthodontic treatments becoming necessary down the line.

Dental implants, in contrast, are a permanent solution as they generate all their support from a metal socket which is surgically fused into a patient’s jawbone – within the gap where they are missing a tooth or teeth. This means that the new tooth is just as durable and long lasting as a natural tooth would be, as well as being visually identical.

Who can benefit from dental implants?

Another common misconception about dental implant treatment which we are happy to dispel is that it is only an option for younger patients who have healthy teeth. This is entirely untrue, as there is no age-limit to dental implants, and they can be used to fill any space in your mouth – whether you have only recently lost a tooth, or have had a missing space for several years. If you would like to discover if dental implants could help restore the balance and functionality to your smile then please reach out to us here at Farnham Road Dental Practice today and book a consultation to discuss your options with an expert.

Repairing and replacing teeth with dental implants

When it comes to replacing teeth with dental implants Guildford, it can be one of the most effective methods of returning a natural looking and feeling tooth. Read on to find out how!

Stabilising first

The start of the treatment at our practice is a need to stabilise, which we will determine with an assessment. If your implant is going to be restoring a tooth long-lost to extraction or trauma, a new socket will have to be formed in your jaw. If you have lost teeth due to gum disease or trauma, our first priority is to stabilise your remaining teeth and return your gums back to health, not only to reduce any further losses, but any form of implantation is heavily dependent on the health of your gums. This could involve a course of antibiotics or a prescription for anti-inflammatory steroids, as well as prescription strength high fluoride toothpaste recommended by our practitioner.

Reconstruction

During reconstruction, our priority is to return function back to your teeth. There is always some thought given to aesthetics at this stage of treatment, but stable and strong teeth are the goal. After all necessary fillings are carried out, as well as any crowning or other reconstructions, replacement can be considered to close the gaps.

Replacing teeth

Teeth can be replaced by using partial dentures, either removable or fixed in place. Wired bridges require healthy adjacent teeth to be attached to. In the best case scenario, they can reduce the lifespan of a natural tooth that they are wired to; this can be particularly problematic if there is widespread damage or decay.

Multi-teeth replacement

Lost multiple teeth adjacent to one another are commonly resolved with a bridge. What stops the migration of other teeth and returns the function is something fitted in this space. A limitation of such partial dentures is the way that they spread the load, normally transmitted into the jawbone out over the gum. When well fitting, this can work as the surface area is matched, but with the loss and stress to the jawbone it begins to recede. Calcium is recycled and mass reduces; this produces a gaunt appearance, but also shrinks and narrows the gum. Any prosthetic made to fit the original gum which will now be loose, as it moves and rubs, this can easily break and damage the soft and delicate skin of gum allowing infections to set in and chronic mouth ulcers, which make dentures extremely unpleasant to wear.

Dental implants Guildford can be used as anchors for a bridge, at either end. Allowing them to be used independently of surrounding healthy teeth and not placing additional stress on other teeth, to be used at the ends of the dental arches.

In the event of mass extractions where an entire dental arch of teeth is removed by our dentist, a full denture may be deemed as appropriate. Dental implants Guildford, create immobilised dentures, which are incapable of rubbing or moving during everyday use, making them a relatively convenient implementation of the standard full denture. It does mean that cleaning has to be done by brushing rather than overnight rinsing, so many patients can continue their normal habits and this helps with making their denture feel an integral part of them. If you think dental implants might be advantageous for you, please come and talk to us at Farnham Road Dental Practice, where we will be glad to offer our help and advice.

Fix that wobble with denture stabilisation using dental implants

Wobbling dentures are very irritating and uncomfortable for many users, but you don’t have to put up with them anymore. With dental implants Guildford dentures can be permanently anchored in place. Let’s find out more about how they could help you.

Friction and sores

Friction seems like a bad thing and it’s actually the lack of friction that stops any movement of dentures. It’s only with friction and movement that heat loving bacteria and soreness become a problem on the gums.

Temporary solutions

A wide range of adhesives both in the form of glues or double sided strips are designed to maximise the comfort between a denture and the gum tissue. They stop movement and therefore any rubbing from occurring, so these can provide some temporary relief. They should not be considered an appropriate long-term solution; if you require adhesives, booking an appointment with our clinic to have your dentures resized should also be a priority.

Implant stabilisation

Implant stabilisation involves using a set of oral implants spread out across the surface of the oral prosthetic to hold a set of teeth in place. In the best situations, an entire dental arch can be supported on four implants, but this requires excellent patient health and a textbook procedure, which is really how medicine goes in practice.

Dental implants Guildford for denture stabilisation can be only finalised and a care plan provided after an extensive examination. A set of X-rays is required to ensure the quality of the jawbone and the likelihood of the procedure going well. All implantations have a risk of failure, although this can be mitigated with thorough exploration of the patient’s dental history. Quality equipment and specific implant training beyond the standard dental degree is also needed.

Dental care plans

There are significant dental costs with dental implants Guildford and the sporadic nature of dental bills can make it challenging to appropriately budget for in standard household expenditure. If you do not already have healthcare insurance covering dental aspects, you should consider a Total Care plan. It is a method of converting any dental costs into a monthly low payment in our clinic, giving you access to a wide range of general and emergency dental services as well. This allows us to streamline cash flow and you to avoid high one off billing.

It can also streamline many of the limitations of healthcare insurance, helping you to receive dental care abroad, whilst allowing us to connect with our local community. This is important as a local community provider, making healthcare as inclusive as possible is what we aim to do.

If you have any further questions about how we could help you with restoratives at Farnham Road Dental Practice please feel free to get in contact. We are currently accepting new patients and are operating as normal within government guidelines and intend to continue doing so.

We are trying to minimise unnecessary travel to our clinic, please be sure to call or contact us by email before planning to join the surgery.

Our teeth whitening FAQs

Our clinic based teeth whitening Guildford has created quite a stir recently, in the best possible way of course! So we have put together this FAQ article to answer some of the most common questions in our clinic. Like how it works and the role of home kits. We hope you find it useful!

How does dental whitening work?

Most dental whitening is carried out using chemical methods; free radical oxygen from sources like hydrogen peroxide are used to chemically change the compounds in the tooth. This alters the way light interacts with the compounds, making them look brighter or whiter. It is much the same way that peroxides affect keratin in the hair, creating that bombshell blonde look.

This is true both for in-clinic whitening and at-home kits, the difference is how concentration of peroxides in the whitening gel is regulated. In the clinic, 30% concentration is acceptable under professional guidance, whereas at-home kits are often less than 5%. This significantly increases the time required to alter the enamel shade. What would take weeks at home can be completed with 40 minutes in the chair!

Are there long-term consequences?

The most common side effect of dental whitening is increased sensitivity. This usually occurs within the first 48 hours after treatment and is caused by the dehydration of the tooth.

When performed by trained professionals, lightening procedures are very safe.

Prior to teeth whitening Guildford, we always perform a full check up before carrying out any cosmetic procedures and addressing underlying health concerns. Providing a cosmetic lick of paint, so to speak, to active decay would be irresponsible and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any lightening procedure, whilst also sacrificing long-term tooth heath. It is this general oversight and putting our patients first that makes clinic procedures so much safer and reliable with repeatable, predictable results.

What about over-the-counter or online home kits?

Over-the-counter home kits are readily available as well as online; they come with pre-made trays usually small, medium and large as well as brief information. They can be an effective method, but are prone to unintentional or over-enthusiastic misuse.

There’s also an issue with kits produced overseas that may not comply with UK legislation, particularly in terms of the concentration of bleaching agents. These can easily cause blistering to the gums and lips; this is exacerbated by using an off-the-shelf bleaching tray even if the gel is less concentrated and focused on the enamel surfaces.

Do I have to change my diet or avoid coffee?

There are ideas about eating a ‘white’ diet and avoiding coffee, red wine, turmeric and a wide range of other foods impacting on the colour of your teeth. But there is no evidence supporting that this is effective. Your teeth can become particularly susceptible to receiving new staining during and immediately after teeth whitening Guildford so smoking and red wine should be avoided.

Are there home remedies for dental whitening?

Every so often a TikTok star or tweet will advocate bicarbonate of soda, activated charcoal or even coconut oil on teeth as a lighting product. Please do not engage in these options; they are not substantiated and in some cases could even be harmful.

Bring back the shine with Enlighten teeth whitening

We offer teeth whitening Guildford to add lustre to your smile, guaranteeing a B1 shade to your teeth. What exactly does that mean? Let’s find out more.

As dental whitening transforms from a Hollywood procedure into something you can find on every high street, it is one of the most desired services in our clinic. The Enlighten System is the only commonly available lightening system which can produce predictable, repeatable changes in tooth shade, allowing you to precisely control exactly how bright your new enamel will be!

Treatment time scales

Treatment time scales vary; most whitening procedures are completed within 40 minutes although that can be significantly shorter if it is a top-up session after already engaging in teeth whitening Guildford. There is also additional time required to produce a customised bleaching tray during your first session.

There is no anaesthetic used and you will not require an escort, so many patients fit their lightening treatments during lunch breaks or as part of busy schedules. Solely at-home treatment is available, but the required treatment time to gain the same effect as combined therapy is much longer.

Standardising lightening procedures

In order to better describe the future shade, guides provide international standards that give our dentist the standardisation required to predictably categorise and then alter tooth shade.

On top of the 16 shades, there are 4 categories of tones used in the Vita shade guide, lettered A though to D and they represent a whole range of tints.

The usefulness of a guide means shades can be mixed as well as describing both the colour tone and shade, and can also be matched to the already widely established numerical letter system, allowing different shades and tones to be allotted to different teeth.

Standards and expectations when it comes to enamel shade have created a new category of lighter and and lower tones, which have been added to the scale B! B already represents the lightest natural tone, so B1 one is considered the lightest shade and tone that is also seen as natural. BL refers to a blank tone and is more commonly associated with the phosphorescent Hollywood smile.

What shade should I go for?

We can provide some advice on what shades may suit you. The truth is that it is very much up to you. It might be helpful to bring in a photo of a tooth shade that you would like us to imitate that can clear up any ambiguity before treatment starts. Your lightening is likely to involve a combined approach, using at-home bleaching and clinic sessions. Complying with the full instructions during at-home treatment is important to reach the full potential and your desired results.

If you are interested in teeth whitening Guildford or you have any other further queries, please feel free to get in contact with the clinic. We are operating as normal within government guidelines and if you’re not a member of the surgery, but would like to join to gain access to cosmetic services, please feel free to fill out the application form on our website, alternatively you can call or email us directly.