Dental Blog - Crofts Dental Practice |

Enhance your smile with porcelain veneers in Essex

If your teeth are chipped, cracked, misaligned or simply too worn down and you do not wish to break the bank for extensive treatment, then porcelain veneers may be the right option for you. Veneers can fix a number of cosmetic flaws such as discoloured, misshapen, uneven and gapped teeth. If you have sensitive teeth or you are not ready to commit to more invasive treatments, dental veneers at Crofts Dental Practice in Essex may be the answer to your smile concerns.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are very thin porcelain shells, which are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. When preparing your teeth, your dentist will take impressions and remove a very small layer of tooth enamel in order to ensure that the veneer will sit securely on your tooth. Since they are custom-made, veneers are perfectly shaped to complete your smile and match the natural colour of your teeth. In your second appointment, your dentist will attach the veneers to the front of your tooth with the aid of a special adhesive. With porcelain veneers, you can have a brand new smile in just two visits to the dentist.

Advantages of porcelain veneers

Although they won’t last a lifetime, with proper care, veneers can prove to be quite durable. As long as your follow your dentist’s advice and take good care of your teeth and gums, porcelain veneers can last up to an impressive 15 years. Since porcelain is a strong and durable material, comparable to tooth enamel, it can endure the pressure caused by everyday chewing and biting. Unlike tooth enamel, porcelain can withhold its brightness for a longer period of time, since it is unaffected by stains and cavities. However, neglect to take care of your teeth and veneers can lead to gum disease.

Am I eligible for porcelain veneers?

Although veneers are a relatively inexpensive and easy procedure, not all people are good candidates for them. If you have decayed teeth or suffer from gum disease, then these issues have to be treated beforehand. Similarly, if a tooth has very little enamel on it, then a dental veneer won’t stick properly onto its surface. In this case, your dentist will suggest a porcelain crown.

Adult orthodontics in Essex

In recent years, many adults have been turning to orthodontics for straightening their teeth and improving their smile. There are a number of reasons for this – they may have had not access to teeth straightening treatment when they were young, or their teeth started to shift later on in life.

Whatever the reason, never before have there been so many teeth straightening treatments available. This is particularly important for image-conscious adults who are reluctant to wear traditional braces due to aesthetic concerns. With advancements in orthodontics, you have many options that will fit in with your current lifestyle. Our experienced dentists at Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, will help you decide which one is best for you.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an innovative treatment that helps straighten your teeth without metal brackets and wires. Instead, it used a series of transparent, plastic, removable aligners that help move your teeth into their right position over a specific period of time. Invisalign aligners are custom-made with the aid of 3D technology that helps your dentist predict tooth movements and monitor your overall progress. Throughout the treatment, you will go through a series of removable aligners that have to be changed every two weeks or so. Since they are made of smooth plastic, the aligners are comfortable to wear and fit snugly over your teeth and gums, allowing you to eat your favourite foods and clean your teeth as you normally would.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are just like metal braces, except that they are installed on the back side of the teeth, opposite the tongue. This way they are not visible when you smile. Lingual braces are made of high-quality titanium wires and brackets which are custom-made to fit each individual teeth. They are very discreet and they can fix a number of different orthodontic problems including complex issues.

Six Month Smiles

As their name suggests, treatment with Six Month Smiles braces last only six months. Unlike regular braces, Six Month Smiles braces use tooth-coloured, fixed nickel titanium wires, which move the front teeth quickly and safely. They are ideal for people who want to straighten their teeth in preparation for a special occasion.

Understanding the health benefits of dental implants

If you have lost one or several teeth due to injury or disease but you’d rather not replace them with a bridge or dentures, you may consider asking your dentist whether you would be eligible for dental implants. Dental implants, our treatment of choice for tooth replacement at Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, can replace your natural tooth roots permanently without causing any damage to your healthy teeth.

Unlike dentures (full or partial), dental implants provide a more natural tooth replacement option since they are integrated into the jawbone through surgery and become an organic part of the mouth. Dentures, on the other hand, simply sit on the gums and do not prevent gum recession, which is a side effect of tooth loss. As a result, dentures tend to become loose over time and require replacement.

Bridges, another popular tooth replacement method, are also inferior to dental implants. While in the past, a bridge was the only choice available for a few missing teeth, nowadays, dental implants are stronger and permanent. Unlike bridges that require the removal of the enamel of adjacent teeth in order to remain stable, dental implants are integrated into the bone tissue, protecting the rest of your teeth.

Another important health benefit of dental implants is that they protect your oral health. If you have already lost one or more teeth, you probably don’t want to lose anymore. By integrating into the jawbone, dental implants help to keep the rest of your natural teeth in good shape. This because they prevent your natural teeth from shifting into the gaps created by your missing teeth.

Ultimately, dental implants are very important because unlike any other tooth replacement method, they help prevent bone loss. Missing teeth can cause the deterioration of the jawbone in the long run, resulting in bone loss and a ‘sunken’ look. Reduced jawbone density from gaps in your teeth will also leave you susceptible to other health problems, including infections and gum disease. Dental implants replace your natural tooth roots and help preserve your bone tissue facial structure. Surprisingly, dental implants will even encourage the growth of new bone tissue, which will help keep your teeth properly aligned and healthy.

Straighten your smile with Six Month Smiles Braces in Essex

We all know what metal braces look like and the negative effect they can have on a person’s appearance and psychology. Despite their modern design which is more discreet and lightweight than it used to be and their overall effectiveness, adults are often reluctant to wear them, due to aesthetic and practical concerns.

Modern dentistry has evolved a lot over the years and now offers more options than ever for image-aware adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly. At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we use Six Month Smiles to fit patients with accelerated braces that gently reshape and reposition their teeth in an average of six months. Six Month Smiles braces are a great treatment option for teenagers and adults who prefer a straighter smile without the hassle of metal braces.

Is it possible to straighten my teeth in only six months?

Six Month Smiles works just like regular braces but instead uses white tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires that are barely visible when you smile. However, unlike regular braces which generally require more time to help move your teeth into their position, Six Month Smiles braces focus only on the teeth that show when you smile and do not make any significant changes to your bite.

Moreover, the use of special titanium wires accelerates the process of teeth straightening considerably. Each patient is different, but in general, Six Month Smiles can give you a straighter smile in six months (or even less!).

Are Six Month Smiles more comfortable than metal braces?

Six Month Smiles is a low-force, teeth straightening system. Many people think that the accelerated treatment time means more pain, but that is far from the truth. Six Month Smiles gives an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of teeth rather than bite position, therefore is not ideal for people who want to correct bite problems.

Who is eligible for Six Month Smiles braces?

If you can have metal braces, chances are that you are eligible for Six Month Smiles braces as well. The teeth straightening treatment is available for older teenagers and adults (15 years or older) who are looking to correct slightly crooked or spaced front teeth.

Smoking cessation in Essex

In the UK, the number of smokers has decreased in recent years but the prevalence is still high in some parts of the country. Smoking is largely responsible for a considerable loss in quantity and quality of life. Given its role as a major risk factor for heart disease and in various types of cancers, it is really important for dentists to intervene and educate their patients on how to control, reduce and eventually quit smoking.

At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we are aware of how bad smoking is for your oral health and overall health. Use of tobacco has been linked to the development of oral diseases including cancer and gum disease. Other consequences of smoking include bad breath, yellowed teeth, jawbone deterioration, receding gums, mouth sores, decreased senses of taste and smell and poor healing of mouth sores. In addition to that, smokers have higher levels of dental plaque and suffer from cavities and tooth decay more frequently than non-smokers. For all these reasons, we support our patients in smoking cessation.

As dental professionals, we understand the importance of proper education on the risks of smoking. Quitting smoking can have an immediate effect on your oral and general health. However, we understand that this can be quite challenging for many people, therefore, we encourage you to visit us regularly. This way we can help you maintain good oral health and offer you advice and encouragement.

If you have decided to quit smoking, our experienced dentists will discuss your goals, educate you on various smoking cessation methods and help you decide which the right treatment for you. Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers and sprays are only some nicotine replacement therapies are only some of your options. These treatments work by giving you controlled amounts of nicotine without the use of tobacco. Your dentist may also prescribe medication to help you with smoking cravings and symptoms from withdrawal. Generally, using a combination of smoking cessation methods may prove more effective in the long-run.

No matter which method you choose, we are here to influence you to reduce or quit smoking and other tobacco-related behaviours. If you are concerned about aesthetic problems associated with smoking, we are happy to help you improve the appearance of your smile with professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or crowns.

How to look younger without surgery – facial aesthetics in Essex

Just like many things in life, skin ageing is an unavoidable process. As we grow older, our skin becomes thinner, gets drier, takes longer to heal when injured, gets wrinkles and fine lines, and is less hydrated and elastic. These changes are due to many factors including age, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, harmful UV rays, environmental pollution and poor maintenance of the skin. Luckily, these effects are reversible with non-surgical facial treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers.

At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we offer facial aesthetics treatments to help you look your best. We only use high-quality injectable treatments which are designed to make you feel younger, fresher and more relaxed. After all, what could better accompany a beautiful smile than healthy, youthful skin?

Our services

Our lead dentist, Dr Jazz Battu, has extensive training and experience in facial aesthetics including Botox and dermal fillers. We take patient safety seriously into consideration, therefore Dr Battu will assess your suitability for facial aesthetics treatment during your initial, free consultation appointment. This is because, in some cases – for instance, if you are pregnant or suffer from certain medical conditions – using Botox and dermal fillers is not recommended.

Botox injections are very popular and can be used to treat a wide range of skin problems including but not limited to brow lines, smokers’ lines and crows’ feet. Our dentist will ensure that you receive accurate treatment that targets the right facial muscles. Botox is a popular treatment because it is cost-effective compared to plastic surgery and its effects last for three to four months.

While Botox smooths out the appearance of wrinkles by preventing muscle movements, dermal fillers, as their name suggests, actually fill the lines and wrinkles. Most dermal fillers contain synthetic hyaluronic acid and they replace lost collagen, elastin, fat and other natural moisturising substances in the skin that prevent it from becoming less plump. Injections with dermal fillers only take a few minutes, but the results can last for up to a year depending on the quality and density of the fillers.

As a thank-you to all of our patients, we offer a £10 reduction on facial aesthetic treatments for patients who refer a friend for our treatments.

Oral health – why your gums are important too

Healthy gums are a prerequisite for healthy teeth. Not only do they provide the support needed for your teeth to function as they should, but they also act as a barrier that covers and protects the bones of your teeth from harmful bacteria. Unhealthy gums provide an environment for these bacteria to reproduce in, multiply and eventually compromise your teeth.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand that healthy teeth and gums not only give you a beautiful smile, but also indicate good oral health and hygiene. Our experienced dentists will help you avoid or reverse gum disease with thorough preventive care that allows us to identify gum issues early and treat them accordingly. Even, if you are diagnosed with gum disease, our dentists will help you overcome it in order to maintain your healthy smile for longer.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition that affects the soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease is usually the result of plaque build-up above or below the gum line. Common causes of gum disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking, crooked and misaligned teeth which are hard to clean, pregnancy, diabetes, certain medications as well as genetic predisposition. Gum disease causes the gums to swell and bleed. If left untreated, a serious gum disease known as periodontitis can infect your gums and the bone underneath your teeth causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.

Healthy gums in Essex

Fortunately, gum disease is easily avoided by taking care of your teeth and gums at home as well as with regular dental check-ups. Basic oral hygiene practices like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with an antiseptic mouth wash and staying in good physical health, are all great ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a deep cleaning, including scaling and polishing, is also important, since no matter how diligently you brush and floss your teeth at home, plaque tends to build up on your teeth over time.

Protect your smile

Keeping your gums strong and healthy is a great way to maintain your overall health. If you suffer swollen of bleeding gums, please contact us today.

Transform your face with a smile makeover in Essex

Achieving the best smile possible goes beyond just cleaning your teeth and avoiding cavities. Fixing cosmetic flaws such as misaligned teeth, discolourations and fractures, is the first step to a great smile. Smile makeovers can have a profound impact on the signs of ageing and on your overall appearance in general.

At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, smile makeovers are the ideal treatment for patients who want to transform their smile entirely. After performing a comprehensive analysis of your smile, our experienced dentists, can advise you on the best cosmetic dentistry treatment or series of treatments for your individual needs. The exact type of treatment as well as the length and cost of treatment, will be personalised for each patient.

A common cosmetic treatment used in our smile makeovers are dental veneers. These are custom-made, thin shells made of porcelain or composite, which are bonded in front of your teeth. Dental veneers are minimally invasive compared to other cosmetic procedures and are widely used to restore chipped, misaligned or discoloured teeth and cosmetically alter your smile. Unlike dental implants and bridges, dental veneers require minimal preparation of the teeth. At Crofts Dental Practice we offer a special type of veneers, Lumineers, which are ultra-thin, durable veneers that require no tooth preparation at all.

Yellow and discoloured teeth can take away from an otherwise healthy smile. Professional teeth whitening can safely brighten your teeth by many shades. Tooth colour and shading can also be fixed with veneers, dental crowns or even composite cosmetic bonding.

If you require a more extensive smile makeover, we can include crowns, bridges, teeth straightening or even dental implants to completely rejuvenate your smile. Dental implants not only look and feel natural, but also fuse with your jawbone to provide maximum support and resilience.

Some of these treatments are instant and can be completed in one visit, while others may take more than one visit and can be completed over the course of a few months. All of our cosmetic dentistry treatments are carried out to the highest standard using only high-quality materials and trusted techniques.

Get in touch

Looking for high-quality, affordable smile makeovers in Essex? Get in touch with Crofts Dental Practice to book a consultation today.

Dental anxiety

There are several reasons why people may be nervous about visiting the dentist. It may be something as simple as the clinical smell of a dental practice that puts people off, or a previous bad experience that could have stayed with them for life.

There are many millions of people that suffer from dental phobia. With 29% of us suffering from regular dental pain, it is important to face your anxieties, so these pains can be remedied before they become more serious.

Nervous patients at Crofts Dental Practice

Many patients feel nervous when they visit the dentist. All our dentists are qualified to treat patients who do not feel totally comfortable about the experience of a dental appointment.

All of the staff at Crofts Dental Practice are sensitive to the concerns of nervous patients and those with dental phobias. However, we understand that in certain circumstances, sedation may be a helpful option for those who are worried about their treatments.

Sedation can be used to assist in the process of several treatments and there are a number of different sedation options.

RA and IV sedation

For RA sedation, a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen is adjusted to suit each patient. Different people need a different mix of these gases to achieve a feeling of being warm, cosy and far away. We use a small soft sterile nosepiece for you to breathe through.

IV sedation will require an injection in the back of the hand. If you dislike needles, we can use the happy air first to relax you and reduce sensations and then the injection is quickly over without you noticing too much. Many people find this a great way to do it.

How does it feel?

You will certainly feel very calm. Most people also feel some other sensations, which can include warm and heavy feeling arms and legs, mild tingling in fingers and toes and a sense of feeling far away.

A lot of patients also recall voices and music appearing to become distant, combined with a sense of not minding being at the dentist anymore.

The sedation is just for relaxation. If you are having a treatment such as a filling, you will also require local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on.

How can cognitive behavioral therapy help at the dentist?

People with dental phobia tend to avoid visiting the dentist. They are therefore at risk of suffering more dental pain, poor oral health and a detrimental effect to their quality of life.Estimates from a recent Adult Dental Health Survey suggest that around one in 10 people experience extreme anxiety about seeing their dentist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term therapy that typically lasts 5— 10 sessions. The therapy has been shown to help with a range of psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety disorders and seems to be especially effective within dentistry. CBT interventions have been shown to be successful in reducing dental anxiety and increasing regular dental attendance.

People suffering with dental phobia are most commonly given sedation to allow them to become relaxed enough for a short period of time to have their dental treatment performed. CBT aims to make patients overcome their fears in the long term, rather than just as a temporary measure.

The primary aim of CBT at Crofts Dental Practice is to enable patients to receive dental treatment without the need for sedation, by working with each individual patient to set goals according to their priorities.

How does it work?

CBT is a form of talking therapy that directs patients to identify and evaluate thoughts and feelings. This approach is based on the underlying idea that dysfunctional thoughts, emotions and behaviors are the foundation of many psychiatric issues.

Treatment tends to be short-term, with the therapist training and instructing the patient on how to identify patterns of ‘automatic’ thoughts that cause distressing or unhelpful emotions like dental anxiety.

King’s College London Dental Institute did a survey about the success of dental CBT with99 women and 31 men.The researchers said that of all patients referred for a course of CBT, 79% went on to have dental treatment without the need for sedation and 6% had their dental treatment under sedation.

The survey found that the average number of CBT appointments required before a patient received dental treatment without sedation was just five.

Crofts Dental Practice in Essex could help you conquer your dental fear, so, why not give us a go?