What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants are a long-lasting and cost-effective way of replacing missing teeth. Using a titanium screw, experts drill into the jawbone for a stable support and then attach custom-made prosthetic teeth for a natural-looking finish. If you are curious about dental implants in Essex but don’t know where to begin, we have the answers for you. Dental implants in Essex are a popular treatment amongst our patients, because they are reliable, realistic and easy to look after. Whether you have a single missing tooth or a cluster, dental implants in Essex could be a practical solution for you, which is why our dentists here, at Crofts Dental Practice, would be happy to discuss your first steps.

dental-implants-essexImproved comfort

Dentures are sometimes described as uncomfortable because they can move or even fall out when you eat. This method of tooth replacement uses false teeth that slot over existing teeth which can, on some occasions, be inconvenient and impractical. Dental implants are inserted into the bone of the jaw and are usually just as secure as real teeth. For this reason alone, many patients have described them to be very comfortable, pain-free and ideal for eating.

They will improve your oral health

Contrary to popular belief, implants don’t require shaving down or removing your own, remaining teeth. Instead, your teeth are left intact, which can improve your long-term oral health. Similarly, the installation of individual teeth means there is an easier access between teeth, which can also contribute towards sound oral health.

They look and behave like natural teeth

Dental implants are arguably one of the most natural- looking solutions in dentistry today. Prosthetic teeth are made to reflect your remaining teeth and sit in line with the gums making it almost impossible to identify implants from real teeth. Unlike dentures, implants are firmly anchored in the jawbone using a process of osseointegration and are therefore similar to the root of a natural tooth. They may be man-made, but they are uniquely created to mirror your own teeth.

They can prevent bone loss

Losing a tooth/teeth can greatly affect your appearance, but it can also have a lasting impact on your bone mass. Losing a tooth means losing the root, and it’s the root which promotes stimulation to the bone, therefore implantation is a process that helps strengthen the jaw and prevent future bone loss. The jawbone processes the addition of an implant in the same way it would a tooth, helping it to grow and strengthen in the same, natural way.

They are easy to care for

Just like real teeth, dental implants require the simplest level of care which includes, brushing and flossing twice a day and regular check-ups with a hygienist. Prosthetic teeth are man-made but still need to be cleaned and managed just as strictly as your natural teeth. Prosthetic teeth are not made from natural materials, but they can still attract tartar and plaque build-ups, as well as gum disease!

To find out more about our dental implants or to arrange your first consultation, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Where can I get Six Month Smiles in Essex?

If you are looking for Six Month Smiles in Essex, then look no further than Crofts Dental. Our practice, located in Epping, offers the latest technology in dentistry to help you get the smile you desire, typically in just six months.

six-month-smiles-essexWhat are Six Month Smiles?

Six Month Smiles in Essex has an average treatment time of just six months, using the very latest technologies and techniques. The Lucid-Lok uses clear brackets and tooth coloured braces, resulting in a barely visible look. The discomfort is usually minimal and the cost is less than traditional braces, veneers, or aligner therapy.

How does it work?

The Six Month Smiles technique uses special nickel titanium wires, applying a low pressure force to move teeth more comfortably. Its focus is primarily on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite. You still wear a retainer, as with any treatment for aligning teeth, which will aid in straightening your smile. However, if you don’t wish to wear a removable retainer, then you can opt for a bonded retainer. It all depends on your level of comfort and preferences.

In what situations may I need Six Month Smiles?

Teeth straightening can visibly improve the appearance of your smile, resulting in a more confident and healthier set of teeth. Crooked teeth, or tooth gaps can be problematic for both chewing and feeling confident. Six Month Smiles in Essex can help you to achieve a smile that you can feel confident in and proud of.

Why choose Six Month Smiles?

Braces are proven to have the most consistent and predictable results when it comes to straightening teeth. The traditional braces – ‘train-tracks’ – have a similar result, but they also mean that you have a visible strip of metal for the duration of your treatment. The average treatment lasts six months; however, we typically say that the duration can be between four and nine months, depending on your situation.

For this period, you would have a visible strip of metal using traditional braces. However, with Six Month Smiles, the clear brackets and tooth coloured braces mean that the braces are barely visible. You can go about your day with more confidence, attend meetings, school, or go to the office, safe in the knowledge that the braces are working in the background, but are almost undetectable.

Six Month Smiles are generally cheaper options, as discussed, meaning that not only can you get the smile you desire without the look of metal across your teeth, but you can achieve a better, more confident smile at an affordable price, with minimum fuss.

Our consultations

If you have a special event on the horizon or just want to improve how you feel about your smile this is a very good option.

Here at Crofts Dental, we are always happy to help assist you in creating the smile you deserve. Our consultations for Six Month Smiles are free, and we can discuss your options and the outcomes you desire, to aid you on your journey to achieve your coveted smile.

Need help with smoking cessation in Essex?

You are probably aware of the negative effects of smoking on your overall health and wellbeing. It is the role of a dentist to be able to offer you support and guidance when it comes to smoking cessation in Essex due to the vast complications that smoking can cause and the impact that it can have on your oral health.

smoking-cessation-essexWe know of many studies that have shown that smoking and using other tobacco related products do have a detrimental impact on the health of your teeth and gums. One of the biggest issues that occurs is that tobacco affects your gum tissue cells, making you more prone to infection and diseases.

Smoking cessation in Essex is an opportunity for you to be able to gain more control over your health and wellbeing. We know that you cannot be forced into choosing to quit smoking, but we simply want you to know that we are non-judgemental, understanding and available whenever you need us to be.

The support is a way to improve your health in a number of other ways as well, as there are more negative impacts of smoking to your oral health that need to be considered. These effects of smoking include the presence of mouth sores, a decreased sense of taste and smell, stained teeth, bad breath and jawbone loss.

All of these concerns have knock-on effects that can be seriously detrimental to your overall health and wellbeing as well. It is not only dentists who are urging individuals to consider quitting smoking.

How can we help you to quit smoking?

Smoking cessation in Essex can be approached in a number of ways so that you can feel comfortable with your individual progress. We can provide you with a vast range of different sources, techniques and equipment that can encourage you to reduce the amount of cigarettes that you smoke per day.

We can put you in contact with specifically trained professionals who are able to follow up and keep you motivated on your journey. We also understand that it is motivating to see positive results, so if you have reduced the amount that you smoke or have quit altogether, make sure that you come in to see us so that we can discover the changes in your oral health for the better.

We are confident that you will discover a range of changes in your mouth quite quickly after you give up smoking. Getting your sense of taste and smell back is one of the first improvements, as is the reduction of bad breath and having a ‘furry’ tongue.

We look forward to helping you on this journey towards giving up smoking, improving your oral health as well as your overall health and wellbeing. Remember, we are only here to guide and support you and allow you to make decisions on your own. Regardless of your commitment to the process, we will always be available for non-judgemental and quality care regarding the health of your teeth and gums.

Complete the look with facial aesthetics in Essex

We understand that your self confidence is more than just how you feel about your teeth. We know that having beautiful, strong and healthy teeth is just part of the entire picture that you present to yourself and others on an everyday basis.

facial-aesthetics-essexMany of you are concerned about those lines and wrinkles on your face that can have you looking older than you feel. This is why we are proud to be able to offer you several treatments that look beyond your teeth and gums and help you to reverse the signs of any premature aging.

What can cause this premature aging?

We have identified that living life to the full and sometimes a little carelessly can lead to premature aging. This means that if you spend a lot of time in the sunshine, you are stressed at times because of work, finances or the children, if you smoke or simply if it is in your genes to be predisposed to lines and wrinkles, you may feel like you look like you are prematurely aging.

Facial aesthetics in Essex is a way for you to be able to soften those lines and wrinkles on your face as well as add volume to cheeks and lips to make you feel and look more youthful. Rest assured that our dentists are fully trained and qualified in treatments of facial aesthetics in Essex and use to full advantage such chemicals and materials like botox and dermal fillers.

How do they work?

We are confident in our abilities to use the correct amount of filler or muscle relaxant in order to provide you with a way to improve your appearance with facial aesthetics in Essex.

We use Botox as a means of relaxing the muscles in your face so that any wrinkles are smoothed out. Common places that this toxin is used includes the forehead, frown lines, around the eyes and lines around the lips.

The Botox toxin is injected into the area of question and results are seen within two weeks. It slowly breaks down over the course of the next few months, leaving you free to use more when you wish to.

Dermal fillers on the other hand are a way for you to replace lost volume in the face, making it appear more youthful and full. You can use fillers in various regions of the face and by speaking with one of our professionals you will be able to determine where the best areas will be to look the most natural and effective.

We use non-permanent fillers, and they are used both on the lips and on your face. You can repeat this process as often as you wish and there are very few, if any, side effects of doing this.

We look forward to helping you to enjoy your smile by going beyond care for your teeth and gums. By recognising the importance of loving your smile, we are able to move forward together to ensure that this can be achieved.

Want to try invisible braces as an adult? Come to Crofts Dental Practice for the latest in adult orthodontics

In the adult world, a great deal of interaction seems to be based on appearance. Perhaps you were intimidated by the idea of wearing braces as a child, and you may now be considering the benefits of having straighter teeth. Having a smile that you can be confident about often makes all the difference to your own self-esteem, as well as the health benefits that come with it! Luckily, there is now more than just one way to straighten your teeth as an adult, and we are proud to offer it to you!

invisible-braces-essexAt Crofts Dental Practice, our team can offer you invisible braces in Essex, such as the world famous Invisalign aligner. This straightens your teeth quickly and painlessly, leaving you with a higher level of confidence about your smile. Our dentists can help you to decide which adult aligner is best suited to your needs, so you can get that straighter smile you deserve sooner!

But what are these adult aligners and invisible braces in Essex that we can offer you? Read on for a brief guide to our most popular adult orthodontics.

Invisalign

Briefly introduced earlier, Invisalign is one of our more popular invisible braces in Essex.

Made up of a set of clear plastic trays that slot over your teeth, this system gently pushes your teeth into their new position, without any tightening or adjusting; all you have to do is change the tray every 2 weeks (on average).

It is required that you wear the braces for 22 hours a day. This aligner is also removable, meaning you can conveniently take it out to brush your teeth and eat.

Inman aligner

Like Invisalign, the Inman aligner is also a removable brace that uses opposing coils to push your teeth into a new position.

It is typically worn for an average of 6 months, and this aligner straightens your front teeth. It is perfect for correcting mild to moderate protrusions and misalignments.

Six Month Smiles

Well, this aligner delivers what is said on the tin!

Unlike the Inman aligner and Invisalign, Six Month Smiles is a fitted brace, that is known as a clear brace. Comprised of a thin piece of metal and either clear or tooth coloured brackets, this aligner is targeted more towards correcting specific protrusions and gaps, meaning that time is not wasted straightening every tooth in the mouth.

Once again, this aligner is worn for an average of 6 months, but this may be longer depending on the severity of the misalignment.

Lingual braces

And finally, lingual braces are the perfect solution for more extreme misalignments.

Visually similar to orthodontic braces, this brace is fitted to the back of your teeth, allowing our team to adjust the tightness and move your teeth forward. This brace may be worn for 6 months to a year and, unlike traditional braces, is made of gold. Very classy!

Want to know more about having adult orthodontics? Be sure to call a member of our team today!

Do you think a hygienist check-up is pointless? Five health benefits by Crofts Dental Care

If you brush and floss your teeth twice a day and attend your dental appointments every six months, you may feel that visiting a hygienist is a waste of time.

dental-hygiene-essexUnfortunately, despite being a very useful member of any dental team, few people attend hygienist appointments and as a result, they can often end up having preventable dental issues when they go to their dental check-up.

However, even if you use the best electric toothbrush on the market, use a specialised toothpaste to destroy acid and floss until your teeth sparkle, you are still likely to benefit from a trip to our hygienist.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we are proud of the dental hygiene in Essex that our hygienist offers and recommend a biannual visit to our hygienist alongside regular dental check-ups. Useful for devising a treatment plan and helping keep your mouth disease free, these dental professionals will also keep your teeth whiter and cleaner than your regular dentist ever could by themselves.

So, what are the benefits of visiting our hygienist and improving your dental hygiene in Essex? Read on to find out!

Prevents gum disease

One of the most common problems we see at Crofts Dental Practice due to a lack of dental hygiene in Essex is gum disease, like gingivitis.

Caused by an accumulation of plaque or bacteria attacking the gum, periodontal disease can lead to bleeding, sore and swollen gums and in the worst cases, can actually cause teeth to fall out!

Our hygienist can prevent all of these issues with a simple scale and polish; designed to remove plaque both above and below the gumline, this treatment reduces the likelihood of gum disease occuring by up to 90%!

Health benefits

Oral health is a reliable indication of overall health; if you have issues with your teeth, it is likely that there is a knock on effect somewhere else in the body.

Indeed, excessive levels of plaque in the mouth have been linked to cardiovascular disease, heart disease and even strokes. Similarly, if you have plaque or tartar in your mouth, you are at a higher risk of heart attack too!

Tooth protection

Excess plaque leads to tooth decay too.

Visiting our hygienist will prevent tooth decay from occurring, due to the removal of plaque and the thorough ‘dentist clean’ feel that our team can offer you. Perfect!

Stops bad breath

We’ve all met someone who has bad breath and, while it is commonly linked to gum disease and cavities, there may be instances where you simply have an excess amount of odour-causing bacteria in your mouth. In this case, our hygienist can equip you with a mouthwash designed to kill these bacteria, leaving you with minty fresh breath.

Early detection

Prevention is better than cure; our hygienist will be able to accurately detect where cavities are most likely to form in your mouth and provide you with prompt treatment to prevent them.

They can also predict the likelihood of gum disease too.

Achieve your best smile through smile makeovers in Essex

Let Essex flourish

smile-makeovers-essexHere at Crofts Dental Practice, we feel that we recognise the importance of presenting a healthy aesthetically pleasing image. More and more, across all age and social demographics, there has been an increased focus on aesthetics and what we present to the world through social media platforms. Never before has there been such an increase in the number of new patients seeking out smile makeovers in Essex to address a number of superficial issues and concerns patients have with their smiles and maximise the overall aesthetic appeal that their smiles have.

Cosmetic guidance

Often, a large percentage of us wish we could boost the overall aesthetics of our smiles, but are left in the dark about how to go about doing so. We are all aware that there are a sea of cosmetic dentistry options out there, but we are unsure as to which are best suited to our specific needs and requirements. As such, it is for this reason that many are seeking out smile makeovers in Essex through our cosmetic dentistry specialist. These are one-to-one consultation and guidance sessions with one of our cosmetic dentistry experts, which are established to gauge each patient’s unique needs and expectations from our services and explain each procedure we offer and how best it may be used to meet the patient’s goals and provide them with the smile they deserve.

Crafting your smile

The consultation is just the first step for those seeking out smile makeovers in Essex, and is done to familiarise the patient with the procedures that are available and determine their needs and how best to meet them. This consultation is entirely free and without commitment, but thereafter – if the patient wishes to continue seeking smile makeovers in Essex – X-rays and photographs may be taken to allow our cosmetic dentistry specialists to get a better knowledge of the patient’s teeth. From these X-rays and photographs, a detailed, bespoke, tailored treatment plan will then be drawn up and on knowing the course of treatment which the patient wishes to take, the cosmetic specialist may begin treatment immediately.

Getting beneath the surface

One of the most sought after forms of cosmetic dentistry which we provide here at Crofts Dental Practice is cosmetic tooth whitening. This is a process which is popular across all age and social demographics and aims to eradicate any superficial discolouration or stains on your teeth and leave you with a fresher, whiter smile. Over time, the natural enamel – outermost layer of tooth – can become dull or discoloured. This can often have a negative impact on the self-esteem of many, and cause them to turn to cosmetic dentistry. Also, certain lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking red wine or black coffee or taking certain medications can speed up the discolouration of tooth enamel and cause superficial staining. Cosmetic tooth whitening however, uses a peroxide-based whitening gel to rid teeth of these stains and return them to their natural whiteness. This is done by applying a small amount of whitening gel to the insides of a custom-moulded retainer of the patient’s teeth. When worn, the whitening agent within the gel cleans the enamel of the patient’s teeth and results in them having a far whiter and healthier looking, renewed smile in a matter of hours.

Rooting out the importance of healthy gums in Essex

Barriers of protection

healthy-gums-essexHere at Crofts Dental Practice, we often feel that our gums aren’t given enough credit. Whilst a set of pearly white teeth may be impressive, and a desirable trait for many, the truth is that without a healthy set of healthy gums in Essex, a smile is only good at face value. Our gums are vital for strong, healthy and long-lasting teeth, and act as a protective barrier and seal around your teeth to keep out food and plaque build-ups. Natural, healthy gum tissue is a coral shade of pink – or naturally darker depending on your skin pigment. However, if plaque builds up around your gums due to poor oral hygiene, it may lead to gums becoming red or inflamed and blood appearing during brushing or flossing.

Identifying onset gingivitis

Here at Crofts Dental Practice, we believe in doing all we can to ensure our patients maintain healthy gums in Essex, and believe that a critical aspect of doing so is in educating them on addressing the onset issues of gum disease and other indicators that they must boost or alter their dental hygiene routines. If you notice blood when brushing your teeth or flossing, it is typically the first indicator of something known as gingivitis. Another early indicator of gingivitis is constant bad breath. Gingivitis is caused by a build-up of plaque or tartar around the patient’s gums which causes them to become red, puffy or inflamed. If it is recognised early by one of our trained, professional dental hygienists here at Crofts Dental, then the appropriate measures can be taken to restore healthy gums in Essex.

Understanding the risks of periodontitis

However, if gingivitis is ignored or left untreated, it can often develop into periodontitis – or ‘gum disease’. This is a far more serious issue, which is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults across the world. The name ‘periodontitis’ translates to ‘inflammation of the area around the tooth’ and is caused by bacteria forming around the gum of the patient which goads their immune system to emit toxins, this then causes the gums to become inflamed. If periodontitis is left untreated, this inflammation and infection can often spread to the root of the tooth and result in the entire tooth being infected and often having to be removed. Additionally, a link has been found between untreated periodontitis and other health issues such as heart disease.

Keeping your gums healthy

Thankfully however, periodontitis can generally be avoided with good oral hygiene and regular brushing. Medicated mouthwashes and care and attention when brushing and flossing are the most commonly recommended tips to avoid plaque build-ups which could cause gum disease. However, we may also recommend you undertake a ‘scale and polish’ service from our expert dental hygienists. This is a preventive dental process which eradicates any build-up of plaque or tartar on your teeth, as well as any superficial stains – leaving them cleaner and healthier and thus minimising the risk of gingivitis developing. The scale and polish service we offer here at Crofts Dental Practice is not a purely cosmetic treatment such as tooth whitening, but rather one which aims to maximise the patient’s oral health, although they may find their teeth to feel far cleaner and appear healthier as a result of this treatment.

Brightening things up on white fillings in Essex

Service with a smile

white-fillings-essexHere at Crofts Dental Practice, we are more than your average dental practice. It is our philosophy that, just as no two sets of teeth are identical, no two sets of treatments should be the same either. Rather, we make our goal to provide each of our patients with a bespoke dental service which is moulded around their specific needs and requirements. Whether the most complicated of dental procedures is required, or just a smile check-up, we take the time to get to familiarise ourselves with the needs of each of our individual, unique patients and provide them with a dental service which is second-to-none. We provide an entire range of dentistry options to our patients, which include cosmetic solutions such as white fillings in Essex to ensure that they achieve the smile they deserve. We’ve found that, by connecting with our patients on a personal, human basis, the barriers between patient and practitioner are re-established and a far more mutually advantageous relationship can come to pass, rather than simply opting for the one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry which has sadly become all too common in numerous practices across the county.

Seamless smiles

One of the most popular methods of cosmetic dentistry, across all age demographics, which we offer here at Crofts Dental Practice, is the installation of white fillings in Essex . These are used in instances where a patient’s tooth has become decayed or eroded – through poor oral hygiene or accident – and acts as a filling to restore the cohesiveness of their smile and the strength of their teeth. Generally, dental fillings are constructed from a metal colored dental filling material, which is used to fill holes within the patient’s teeth. These are effective in restoring the patient’s teeth to their full strength and eradicating the risk of decay spreading, although they are often largely noticeable within their mouths due to their colour. White fillings in Essex however, are a similar process, although a white, tooth-coloured dental filling material is utilised, so that the filling becomes practically invisible within the patient’s mouth. These fillings are specifically color-matched to the patient’s surrounding teeth so that they are virtually undetectable to the untrained eye. Similar to conventional, metal colored fillings, white fillings are constructed from a specialist dental material which is strong enough to withstand the biting force of the patients, and restore their ability to chew properly. However, they uniquely afford patients the ability to smile, without the risk of exposing a metallic glint within their mouths, which in turn can have a largely positive effect on their self-esteem and confidence as they can smile freely and without care – as everyone ought to be able to do. Like all service we provide here at Crofts Dental Practice, it is our belief that prevention is the best course of treatment, and as such when we insal white filling we also take the time to explain to our patient’s various tips and techniques they can employ in the future to avoid any further fillings from needing to be installed.

Shine like the stars

Another, vasly popular method of cosmetic dentistry which we provide here at Crofts Dental Practice, is cosmetic teeth whitening. This treatment’s popularity has grown vastly in recent years across all age demographics, due to the increased focus on having a white, healthy smile which has come about through the rise in social media documentation and what is presented through films, media and television. The process of cosmetic tooth whitening eradicates superficial stains and discoloration of a patient’s teeth through the use of a specialist, peroxide-based whitening gel which is applied directly to the patins teeth. This gel cleans away stains which can come about through certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking red wine, tea or black coffee, or from taking certain medications – and can provide patients with a renewed whiter, brighter smile and the self confidence to match.

Smoothing things over for nervous patients in Essex

More than a smiling face

nervous-patients-essexHere at Crofts Dental Practice, we are more than your average, archetypal dental practice. Where an inumerable, and increasing amount of practices are simply adopting the one-size-fits-all approach to conventional dentistry, whereby the lines between patient and practitioner are divided with clinical, detached, sterilised accuracy and a patient is viewed as one in a chain-link of virtually indistinguishable, identical cases. However, here at Crofts Dental Practice, we adopt a somewhat different stance. It is our philosophy that no two patients are the same – just as no two sets of teeth are identical. As such, we feel that each service we provide ought to be tailored to fit the needs of the individual, rather than the many. Whether patients require the most complicated of procedures, or a simple check up, our professional and approachable staff do all they can to make them feel at ease throughout each step of their unique dental journey. Here at Croft Dental Practice we also specialise in meeting the needs of nervous patients in Essex and are well versed in ensuring their dental experiences are as calm and comfortable as they can possibly be.

Remember to breathe

At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand that, however vital and worthwhile a trip to the dentist may be,  it is not the most anticipated event of the month on a lot of people’s calendar. We also understand that, for some, a trip to the dentist can be the cause of a great deal of anxiety and fear. We are entirely sympathetic and compassionate in this regard, and as such have set up a specialist nervous patients clinic which is specifically devoted to providing dental solutions for nervous patients in Essex with dental-phobia and help them get the dental services they require. A large portion of people throughout the country, across all age demographics, are often deterred from seeking the vitally needed dental work they require out of fear. This fear can span from a number of reasons, which commonly include a fear of needles, a bad past experience within a dentist chair, or the inability to feel numb or not in control. These are just some common reasons, however there are countless others – as well as a great deal of those who do not know the reasoning behind their fear, just that they are truly afraid of the dentists. Whatever the rationale may be, here at Crofts Dental Practice we are fully committed to listening to your needs, and tailoring our service to fit them. We are never judgemental within our approach to nervous patients in Essex , and understand if you have not been to the dentist, out of fear, prior to seeking our services. Each case that involves a nervous patient is entirely unique and specific to the individual. No two cases are the same, and as such each requires that the dental practitioner listen closely to the needs of the patients, and do their utmost to ensure they feel comfortable, relaxed and heard throughout each step of their treatment.

Cooling, calm environments

We understand the triggers which can cause dental anxiety for many include long periods of time spent in waiting rooms, and as such we ensure they are dealt with swiftly to avoid this. We also offer cognitive behavioural therapy to those who require it, which has had a largely positive effect on the experiences of many. We also provide sedation dentistry for those who wish to be sedated throughout their treatment, which is generally done through RA sedation, which involves inhaling an odorless gas which puts patients into a deep sleep to allow the procedures to be carried out painlessly and stress free.