Dental Blog - Farnham Road Dental Practice

Dental sedation for nervous patients in Guilford

Dental anxiety is a very common phenomenon. Some people feel afraid of the dentist, whereas others are put off by the idea of pain and oral treatment. At Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford, we understand that a visit to the dentist can be quite challenging. That’s why we have adopted a relaxed and informal approach that helps put our patients at ease. Moreover, we offer various sedation options to ensure you never skip your next dental appointment again.

What is dental sedation?

Dental sedation refers to a number of relaxation techniques (whether medical or not) that aim at calming patients before and during dental treatments. A lot of patients avoid visiting the dentist even if they suffer from a bad toothache, because of dental phobia. Medical sedation involves the administration of a mild sedative orally or through the bloodstream (IV or intravenous sedation). Sedation is different from general anaesthesia because the patient remains conscious throughout the treatment, maintaining his calm and control.

Who needs dental sedation?

Sedation is ideal for patients who fear to visit the dentist, or are anxious about more complex dental procedures involving an operation. Sedation is also a good option for patients who are afraid of needles.

Some people may suffer from medical conditions that make their teeth and gums sensitive and susceptible to pain, therefore, sedation is an ideal option for comfortable treatment. Our experienced dentists are open to discussion on all types of sedation with you and explain to you how they actually work in order to make the best decision possible.

What are my options?

There are two main types of dental sedation used to relax patients during dental treatment. Depending on your health and individual needs, oral or intravenous (IV) sedation can be of benefit. The first one comes in the form of a pill or other medicine that has to be taken in advance of dental treatment. IV sedation, on the other hand, is administered shortly before the treatment by an experienced and well-trained dentist, constantly monitoring the patient’s heart blood flow, oxygen and pulse. Our dentists are happy to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option and help you decide what’s best for you.

Dental sedation options for nervous patients in Guilford

When it comes to patient comfort, at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford we understand that putting your mind at ease is an essential part of dental care. With nearly 10% of British people having an exaggerated fear of the dentist, you are not alone. Whatever the cause, we appreciate your anxiety and we are here to help you overcome it.

Why are people anxious of the dentist?

Nervous Patients in Guilford Anxiety in the dental setting is something dentists come across frequently. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we explain treatments as thoroughly as possible in order to avoid any surprises and we listen to our nervous patients without judging them. Dental phobia (fear of the dentist) is a very common fear. In some cases, it may have occurred after a bad experience with a dentist in the past.

For some people it is directly related to the expectation of something painful. Others just can’t tolerate the needles, the noise, or even the smells of a dental practice.

For all these reasons, we have a gently and friendly approach and we offer sedation dentistry, to help you have a relaxing and comfortable dental experience.

Intravenous sedation

Intravenous sedation is a very effective technique for the complete control of anxiety in nervous patients. As the name suggests, IV sedation involves the administration of a mild sedative through the bloodstream before a dental treatment. IV sedation will not knock you out completely – you will still be able to communicate with the dentist if needed, but you will feel relaxed and pain-free throughout the treatment.

IV sedation is ideal for complex oral treatments such as dental implants, tooth extractions or root canal treatment. IV sedation is very safe when carried out by a specially trained dentist. However pregnant women and people suffering from certain conditions cannot have IV sedation for safety reasons.

Once the procedure is finished you will feel completely relaxed, yet you will still be under the influence of the sedative for a few hours. It is strongly advised to bring an escort to accompany your home, otherwise you will have to wait at the dental practice for the drug to wear off in order to leave on your own.

Enjoy the health benefits of a complete smile with dental implants in Guilford

Teeth are essential for our well-being since they allow us to smile, communicate with others, and eat. Your teeth are vital for your health and longevity, but sometimes accidents happen. Whether you have lost one or more teeth due to injury, gum disease, tooth decay or old age, tooth loss has negative effects on your oral and overall health.

Even if you miss a single tooth, your body will gradually reabsorb bone tissue, increasing your risk of further tooth loss. Tooth loss can also have a negative effect on your self-esteem and damage your confidence for good. Fortunately, you can now replace your missing teeth with dental implants at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are durable, long-lasting and look and feel just like your natural teeth. This way you can continue eating your favourite foods and protect your oral health.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are small, titanium fixtures, which are surgically fixed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone tissue over the span of a few weeks or months. Unlike conventional dentures and bridges that simply sit on your gums, dental implants incorporate with bone tissue and prevent further deterioration of the jawbone, while encouraging its further growth. Essentially, dental implants act as replacements for the roots of missing teeth. Once they have healed completely, replacement teeth in the form of crowns, bridges or dentures are placed on top of them.

Health benefits of dental implants

Dental implants look, feel and act like natural teeth. Your dentist will show you how to take good care for your new implants and set up regular appointments and cleanings to ensure that your dental implants are healthy. With proper care and diligent brushing and flossing, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Once dental implants heal, most patients cannot tell the difference between them and their real teeth. Thus, normal, everyday activities such as eating, chewing and brushing your teeth are fully restored. More importantly, dental implants restore your natural jawbone by reversing the effects of bone loss. This goes a long way toward healthier teeth and gums.

To find out more dental implant health benefits, contact our dental practice today.

Stabilise your dentures with dental implants in Guilford

Long-term denture wearers find that even if their dentures have been fitted carefully to their gums, or relined to fit again, jawbone loss continues to make it hard to keep them in place. Like any bone, the jawbone requires stimulation in order to remain healthy. In the case of the jawbone, much-needed stimulation is supplied from the chewing forces of natural teeth. Unlike dental implants which are incorporated into the jawbone, conventional dentures simply sit on the gums, being unable to prevent bone loss and absorption.

Dental Implants in Guilford Poorly fitting and loose dentures can cause mouth sores and constant irritation, not to mention slippage and certain diet restrictions. Dentures do not restore more than 10% of your normal chewing power, meaning any hard or chewy foods are off limits. However, many patients who have lost most or all their teeth opt for dentures because they are much cheaper than dental implants. What if we told you that you can now combine both treatments at the fraction of the cost and regain your confidence to face everyday life back?

At Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guilford, we are here to help with your loose and unstable dentures. Modern dentistry has made it entirely possible to use a small number of dental implants (usually 2-4) to stabilise your denture, restoring its firmness and comfort. This way you can have a full set of functional teeth at a lower cost than a mouthful of individual dental implants or implant-supported bridges.

How denture stabilisation works

Stabilising your dentures with dental implants involves a minor surgical procedure, carried out under either local anaesthetic or sedation.

Our experienced dentists will plan your dental implants prior to your surgery, meaning that a full arch of teeth can be supported by between two and four dental implants. Once your dental implants are implanted into your jawbone, a healing period will follow, during which you may continue wearing your regular dentures. Once the dental implants fuse with the jawbone, your new dentures will be attached with special clasps on top of your dental implants.

Denture stabilisation with dental implants is ideal for full upper or lower dentures, although modern techniques also allow us to look at improving partial dentures as well.

Good care at home and regular visits to your dentist, will ensure the health and longevity of your implant-supported dentures.

Three things you might not know about dental implants

Getting to know your dental treatment before you go ahead is an important way to prepare. When you are considering dental implants in Guildford with Farnham Road Dental Practice, we give you all the information you need to feel confident that they will work for you. There are lots of details when it comes to dental implants and we can discuss these with you.

Below are a few more interesting things you might like to know. If these lead to even more curiosity about dental implants then you can ask your dentist any questions that you have.

They have been around for a long time

Dental implants are gaining in popularity. They have also been the subject of a lot of research and technological advancements in the past 50 years. This makes them seem like a modern invention. However, the first evidence of dental implants dates back to around 600 AD and the Mayan people. They used pieces of shell to replace the mandibular teeth at the front of the mouth. Titanium has commonly been used since the 1950s because it is a bio-friendly material that promotes integration of dental implants into the jawbone.

You can have more than one tooth per implant

You can replace as many teeth as you like with dental implants. If you have multiple gaps then you will need more than one tooth to go in them. However, you may not need one implant per tooth. New, prosthetic teeth can be mounted on a denture or bridge and these are held in place by one or more implants.

They become like a part of your body

Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone. One of our dentists will carefully drill small holes in order to place them. The location of the holes will have been worked out carefully, in advance, after a thorough examination and mapping of your mouth. Once the implants are in place, your body will heal around them. This means that they are very secure and become a part of your jaw bone. The stabilisation process means that there is a harmonious relationship between the movement of the jaw and your new teeth. This is one of the qualities that makes dental implants feel so close to normal teeth.

Common questions about dental implants

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we love talking to our patients about the treatments we have to offer. If you are curious about anything then come and ask us. We have worked with many patients and have experience adapting information to suit each individual.

We offer dental implants in Guildford as part of our range. Every treatment plan is a little different but there are some queries that we hear repeatedly. Below are a couple of the common questions that we hear. Whatever answers you need, we will do our best to provide them – just ask.

Who needs dental implants?

Dental implants are for people who either have missing teeth or will have in the near future. You can use them to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. If more than one tooth is being replaced then it may be possible to mount them on a single implant depending on their position and the conditions in the mouth.

Patients who want dental implants need to be in a reasonably good state of health. While the surgery required is minor, it still entails a local anaesthetic and a healing period afterwards. You need to be able to undergo both of these things without undue distress. There are a couple of medical conditions that can affect the success rates of implant surgery. Your dentist will ask you a series of questions during your first consultation to see if you are in any high-risk categories. This does not necessarily mean you will be unable to go ahead but you may need further preparation.

Does it hurt?

During the surgery, you will have a local anaesthetic applied in order to numb the area. Rarely, patients need or request a general anaesthetic. Either way, this means that you will not feel any discomfort during the process. You may feel some soreness afterwards and notice some swelling. There might also be a little bleeding. Your dentist will give you care advice for the days and weeks following. You should be able to alleviate any discomfort with normal painkillers.

Strenuous activity or physical work should be avoided for a couple of days afterwards. Gradual reintroduction of a normal activity load is advised to give your body a chance to heal after getting dental implants.

Brighten your smile today with teeth whitening

Are your happy with your smile? If you aren’t, you’re not alone. Almost half of the UK population isn’t pleased with the appearance of their smile due to a variety of teeth imperfections. One of the most common causes for complaint is stained and discoloured teeth. This isn’t something you need to put up with. Teeth whitening at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford offers a safe and reliable way to restore the shine to your teeth.

What makes your teeth lose their natural gleam

Over the years your teeth can change colour simply due to the natural process of ageing. However there are certain lifestyle factors that make things worse. Smoking and certain medications are known to discolour teeth. Particular foods and drinks can also leave behind stains – tea, coffee and wine are common culprits behind stained teeth.

A simple solution

Teeth whitening is a temporary but effective way to remove certain stains and reduce discolouration of your teeth. At our friendly dental practice we use the Enlighten home tooth whitening system. Custom-made mouth trays are designed specifically to fit snugly over your teeth. A whitening gel is then applied into these trays. The gel contains a clinically safe amount of bleaching agent that will get to work on your teeth.Wearing your personal set of gel-filled trays for a few hours every day will bring you results within 2 weeks.

While over-the-counter teeth whitening systems are available, you risk damage to your teeth and increased sensitivity. It is always best to undergo teeth whitening treatment under the care of a dental professional. With the Enlighten system and the experience of our highly trained dentists, you can avoid these pitfalls.

Keeping up your new look

Although teeth whitening treatment is a temporary fix, you can prolong its effects by wearing your gel-filled trays for one or two nights every 3 or 4 months. Avoiding food and drinks that stain strongly, cutting back on smoking and good dental hygiene will also help.

If teeth whitening sounds like something you’d be interested in, get in touch with us at Farnham Road Dental Practice.

Teeth whitening in Guildford

Teeth whitening is becoming more and more popular in the UK. Many people are looking for affordable opportunities to improve the quality of their smile. There are more products available, new brands appearing and more dentists with the technology to offer different treatments and solutions.

Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford is proud to use the Enlighten teeth whitening system. Enlighten is a technological leader in professional teeth whitening in America is following suit in the UK.

Enlighten me

One of the major challenges for manufacturers of teeth whitening kits was to create effective products without using substances that could damage teeth and cause the patient pain.

In the 18th century, when barber shops also often performed the role of community dentist, teeth were whitened using acid. It worked, but unfortunately also corroded the tooth enamel and led to severe tooth decay in the future.

Since then, the science of teeth whitening has evolved greatly. At the leading edge of this is Enlighten at Farnham Road Dental Practice, who use an Enlighten Evolution teeth whitening, as it consistently performs well against the competition.

The key to the success of Enlighten Evolution is that it works safely and painlessly, yet it provides predicable results. It can whiten your teeth by up to ten shades. In fact, Enlighten Evolution is the only product to guarantee that any patient who can receive teeth whitening will achieve a whitening result to at least B1, which is the brightest shade possible.

How does it work?

Enlighten Evolution at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford is a kit, which is partly home whitening and partly in-practice whitening. Under dental supervision, the final part of the whitening process is done at a much stronger strength, so that you see results faster. Finally, you can have the Evolution treatment in just one dental appointment. You will see the difference in your teeth in just one hour.

On average, your teeth will normally maintain their whiteness for around three years before you need a top-up treatment. Once you have had your teeth whitened, it is important that you continue to look after them properly if you want to maintain your pearly white results.

Make a lifetime of difference to your smile in only half a year

Are you one of the many adults in the UK who wish they had straighter teeth? You are? So, how would you feel if someone told you that in only half a year you could finally have those straighter teeth? And what if they also told you that the treatment wouldn’t break your bank balance, or hurt like mad or put so much metal in your mouth that no one could understand what you were saying?

six-month-smiles-in-guildford Well, at Farnham Road Dental Practice in Guildford, Six Month Smiles offers all of those things. It is of one of the world’s most popular braces treatments, having taken all the best elements of traditional braces and updated them with both the latest materials and techniques.

If you grew up without getting your teeth straightened, and are now regretting it, or maybe you did and they’ve gone out of alignment again, then Six Month Smiles in Guildford might well be the solution for you.

This discreet braces system is aimed especially at adults like you, whose front six teeth, known as the ‘social teeth’ because they are the ones most on view, need some straightening, but who have no other serious problems with their bite.

In Guildford, Six Month Smiles braces straighten the teeth using discreet fixed braces (which achieve results faster than removable aligners) that consist of clear ceramic brackets and tooth-coloured titanium-nickel wires. The brackets are fixed to the teeth at particular angles and, along with the wires, use standardised mechanics to move the teeth. However, because, with Six Month Smiles the aim is only to straighten the teeth, and not alter the bite, the forces needed are much gentler, and therefore less painful. Gentler forces also mean less chance of damage to the tooth roots.

Because there is no alteration to the bite, the whole process usually takes between four and nine months rather than two or more years. And a quicker treatment means fewer visit to the dentist and therefore a lower cost for you.

Once the teeth have been straightened, you will need to wear a removable retainer to anchor them into their new place in the jaw. If you find that you keep forgetting to put that retainer in, you can have a bonded retainer fitted. This is also invisible.

Make 2017 the year you get the straight teeth you always wanted

Here we are in January again, the month of the resolution. Most people’s resolutions are driven by a desire to make their lives flow more smoothly, and be healthier, both mentally and physically. And so they join the gym, or start looking for a new job, or take up a new hobby to make new friends.

However, if you are one of the many adults who wish they had straighter teeth, investing in Six Month Smiles in Guildford could address many of the needs mentioned above.

Feel happier

Having a great smile means that you smile more often. And when you smile, your body releases feel-good chemicals called serotonin and beta-endorphin. These chemicals fit into receptor cells throughout the body and, when they lock into place, they tell you to feel happy and connected. Of course, when you feel happy and connected, you tend to smile more, and so a positive feedback loop of smile, feel happy, smile, feel happy, begins to take place. You may find yourself smiling more than you ever thought possible.

Improve your social connections

Of course, people are going to notice and respond to all this smiling you are now doing. We are hard-wired to respond to genuine smile with feelings of warmth towards the smiler, and with wishes to connect and be of service to them. So, you may well find that somehow your days glide more smoothly as you smile at everyone from the bus driver to the bank clerk to your boss and that gorgeous person across the room. Difficult situations could become easier, work challenges resolve themselves more easily, new friends could start appearing in your life.

Feel healthier

Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which means that not only do you have a healthier mouth, but that, in the long-run, you will be helping yourself to avoid other health issues that can be made worse by poor oral health, such as heart disease.

In Guildford, Six Month Smiles is a discreet braces system that works on straightening the front six social teeth in between four and nine months. It uses gentle forces to move your teeth in a very short period of time, compared to traditional metal braces.

If you would like to make straighter teeth your investment for 2017, why not call us on 01483 562641 to find out more about Six Month Smiles in Guildford.