Archives for April, 2011

Veneer your smile to success at your Harley Street dentist

April 28th, 2011

Many of us will have seen the amazing results achieved by veneers on television makeover shows, such as Ten Years Younger and Extreme Makeover. Veneers are very thin sheets of laminate, which are fixed to the surface of the existing teeth; they create a beautiful smile and can be used to transform even the ugliest set of teeth.

There are different types of veneer, including Lumineers, porcelain veneers, composite veneers and Da Vinci veneers; many of the treatments have come over from America and are now enjoying great success in the UK.

Veneers are designed to create an attractive, natural looking smile; the veneers are coloured and shaped like natural teeth and can be used to cover gaps between the teeth, chipped teeth and stains.

Having veneers usually involves a series of appointments; you can first discuss the treatment and procedure with your dentist and choose which kind of veneers you want to have and then your teeth will be prepared for the new veneers. The preparation process involves removing a tiny layer of the natural tooth to make room for the new veneers; some types of veneer require more preparation than others. Once the teeth have been prepared, the veneers can be fitted and you can flash your beautiful new smile.

Veneers aren’t cheap, a full set of veneers will cost thousands of pounds. However, they can produce incredible results and provide a perfect smile. A healthy, attractive smile has been proven to be the number one physical feature people look for in their future partner, so a new set of veneers could be well worth the investment.

Would you like to know more?

By contacting our Central London studio on 020 7636 5981 will put you on the first step to seeking that healthy smile which you thought was no longer a possibility.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

April 27th, 2011

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the teeth are the doorways to our lifestyle. Teeth can tell more about a person in just a few seconds than most other physical attributes.

To be sure, yellow, stained teeth can result from a myriad of bad habits including smoking and a coffee addiction. Teeth that are rotted through with cavities and chipped can signal improper eating habits and a lack of concern for proper hygiene.

When we open our mouths, we speak without even forming words – our teeth speak for us. As this is the case, the pressure from Hollywood and the media to have perfect, gleaming teeth is astounding. To comply, we purchase hundreds upon thousands of pounds worth of home whitening kits and brush vigorously, mostly to no long-term avail.

Proper teeth whitening that lasts and will give you a sparkling, show-stopping smile can be achieved via the able hand of a dentist. The two most popular professional dental whitening options are laser whitening and bleaching.

Laser whitening is the quicker of the two options and the most technologically advanced. Laser whitening can be performed more accurately than bleaching and it usually has greater results. What’s more, the treatment takes round about an hour.

Professional bleaching can be performed in just a few steps and involves the painting of bleach onto the teeth of the patient. Although the execution of the treatment is fairly straightforward, the procedure takes around two to three weeks to complete.

Would you like to know more?

By contacting our Central London studio on 020 7636 5981 will put you on the first step to seeking that healthy smile which you thought was no longer a possibility.

The A-list smile at a remarkable price

April 20th, 2011

The actors and actresses of Hollywood have it all. Money, good looks and only the best film roles which see them zipping down a building one minute and dismantling an explosive device the next. Or they might be overcoming some form of personal adversity which has stopped them from fulfilling their lifelong goal such as beating an addiction or even winning a particular sporting event. If you look close, you’ll find that the dental health of those involved in such films is nothing short of perfect. One way which this can be achieved is through braces.

Braces; I reckon that there are a vast number of you reading this automatically imagining the metallic, or “train track”, type which did not always go down well in the school playground. Not everyone is born with naturally straight teeth and need help in order to help them achieve that straight smile which could otherwise have avoided them if they did not have their own braces.

But not all braces are metallic. Here at the Harley Street Dental Studio, we offer a number of braces which are nothing at all like you imagine from your youthful days. A wide range of Invisalign technology is available which, just as it suggests, allows for the brace to be practically invisible. Invisalign products are easy to be moved which makes it very convenient if you wish to eat, floss or even brush your teeth. Invisalign is not just targeted to adults, but teens as well which aim to successfully meet the demands of our patients.

Even if you do prefer the metallic braces, technology for this has certainly improved. Damon Braces are a discreet fitting which use painless but effective force on your teeth to help you achieve that smile much quicker than you thought was possible. Easy to clean and maintain, Damon Braces have been the chosen brace for many of our patients.

Help is not an impossibility

By contacting 020 7636 5981 will allow for you to find out more information on the wide variety of services which the Harley Street Dental Studio can provide for you.

Tooth decay doesn’t mean the end

April 18th, 2011

Many people may conjure up horrible images when they hear the words root canal, especially if they have a phobia of going to the dentist, but root canal treatment is a very safe procedure that can save a tooth. Root canal treatment is used to treat teeth that are severely decayed or damaged as a result of an accident or injury.

The root canal procedure involves removing decayed pulp tissue from the tooth; the pulp contains all the living tissue in the tooth, including the nerves and blood vessels and if the pulp becomes severely decayed, the tooth effectively dies. Root canal treatment removes all the decayed tissue and cleans the tooth so that a new crown can be placed over the tooth, creating a natural looking tooth that functions in exactly the same way as an original tooth.

If a tooth is severely decayed or damaged and it is left untreated, there is a risk of an abscess developing and the bone surrounding the affected tooth may become damaged; the condition of the tooth can quickly disintegrate and it may have be extracted, which will create a gap in the teeth. Gaps not only affect the aesthetic of the smile but they also have an effect on the individual’s ability to eat and speak clearly.

Root canal treatment may be a daunting prospect for people who are worried about injections, pain or generally going to the dentist; however, the procedure is carried out under anaesthetic and many dentists now offer specialist services for patients with dental phobia. In the vast majority of cases the rewards of the procedure far outweigh the risks and the treatment can prevent the tooth from being lost. Root canal treatment is usually carried out over two appointments.

Looking for cosmetic dentistry? Talk to Harley Street Dental Studio

The Harley Street Dental Studio has a vast range of services to enhance your smile. For more information on any aspect of cosmetic dentistry contact us on 020 7636 5981.

How flossing can help you

April 15th, 2011

We all know that we should do it, in fact, we most likely have the tools to do it and we are aware of how to do it, but when it comes to flossing, many of us don’t do it. A general attitude toward flossing is that we just can’t be bothered. But perhaps, it’s not so much that we can’t be bothered , but that we don’t understand the effects flossing has. After all, we’re just running a flavoured, waxy piece of string between our teeth, right?

Wrong. Flossing is a vital component of maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine and it prevents some pretty serious and, in some cases, life threatening illnesses! Here are some of the things flossing can prevent:

  • It prevents tooth decay. By removing the food wedged between our teeth and keeping the space between each tooth clear and clean, we prevent the possibility of tooth decay and cavities, which means we get to keep our natural teeth for longer.
  • It prevents halitosis. Halitosis is just the fancy name for stinky breath. Our breath stinks because it swirls around inside of our mouth, with all of that old, wedged in food. Think about it, if you left fish sitting out on your kitchen worktop for a few days it would begin to smell. Leavings bits of fish and other food between your teeth will do the exact same thing.
  • To prevent gum disease. Flossing reaches were toothbrush bristles can’t – beneath the gum line, where plaque and tartar like to hide and fester. Scooping it out with dental floss is a safe and effective way of preventing it from causing us problems in the future.
  • To reduce the risk of heart disease. Believe it or not, our hearts are linked to our mouths and not taking care of our mouths can put us at greater risk for heart disease. If plaque is allowed to fester it is possible that it can enter the bloodstream and travelling to the heart, thus causing heart complications.
  • To avoid diabetic complications. Diabetics generally have weaker immune systems and are more susceptible to infections and inflammations. A dirty mouth just perpetuates this opportunity and can prove to be dangerous for diabetics.

Looking for cosmetic dentistry? Talk to Harley Street Dental Studio

The Harley Street Dental Studio has a vast range of services to enhance your smile. For more information on any aspect of cosmetic dentistry contact us on 020 7636 5981.

Dr Mark Hughes promotes Sensodyne Repair & Protect

April 12th, 2011

Many of you may have seen Dr Mark Hughes, from Harley Street Dental Studio, on the TV recently on the adverts for the new Sensodyne Repair and Protect toothpaste.

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth and this new product could put an end to pain and allow people to eat and drink whatever they want. Dr Mark Hughes has appeared on several television shows and has an excellent reputation, both nationally and globally.

What is sensitivity?

Sensitivity is very common. Most of us experience it to a certain degree at some point in our lives. For many, it may mean a slight twinge when you bite into an apple, take a sip of a very cold drink or eat an ice cream, but for others it can be a constant pain, which is heightened to unbearable levels when eating certain foods or drinking hot or cold drinks. Sensitivity is caused by exposed dentin; the dentin contains the pulp, which is the living tissue of the tooth; once the dentin has become exposed, the nerves in the pulp may also become exposed and this can cause pain. Dentin becomes exposed as a result of the enamel surfaces of the teeth becoming worn or damaged. Once the enamel is worn, there is very little that can be done to restore it and the tooth is then susceptible to damage and decay.

What is Sensodyne Repair and Protect?

Sensodyne have launched a new product, which claims to be the first toothpaste to repair sensitive teeth, rather than simply easing pain associated with sensitivity. The new toothpaste uses innovative NovaMin calcium phosphate technology to actively repair sensitive teeth. Sensitivity occurs when the dentin potion of the tooth becomes exposed as a result of wear or damage to the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth. Sensitivity can be really painful and it can have an effect on what you eat and drink. For many people with sensitive teeth, drinks with ice, hot drinks and ice creams are off the menu.

NovaMin builds a new protective layer over the exposed dentin, which prevents pain and helps to reduce sensitivity considerably. Sensodyne Repair and Protect is the first daily use, fluoride toothpaste with desensitising technology. And with a dentist like Dr Mark Hughes willing to put his neck on the line in regard to such a product, there can be little doubt that it has beneficial effects.

See that star from TV first hand…

If you want to see the celeb that is Dr Mark Hughes in the flesh then come down to Harley Street Dental Studio. Contact us today  on 020 7636 5981 and you can find out why he and the team at Harley Street are so highly thought of.

It doesn’t get any clearer than this

April 11th, 2011

Since first supping that extraordinarily tasting cup of coffee or tea when you were barely out of school, you might have found yourself drinking three, four or even six caffeine beverages a day. Even if the taste of that sweet mocha is perfect for the senses, it might not be for the health of your teeth. Drinking excessive caffeine products have a tendency to make the teeth turn from its natural look into a yellowish colour which many find undesirable.

It’s not just that strong cuppa which isn’t aiding this

Although caffeine beverages can have a drastic impact on the colour of our teeth, supping wine and smoking tobacco can as well; the latter of which is never recommended as having any health benefits whatsoever. Even if you have given up smoking after several years but find the years of nicotine are still there for all to see then there is a solution.

Help is at hand

Here at the Harley Street Dental Studio, our highly trained professional members of staff not only provide you with what they think is the best form of treatment for you and your dental health but also a sympathetic ear so you needn’t be embarrassed if you think your teeth could never benefit from teeth whitening products.

The variety on offer

The array of products which the Harley Street Dental Studio offer is extensive that aims to meet the variety of demands and conveniences which our customers require. One form of treatment in particular which is proving to be very popular is “Zoom!” as it offers excellent results in just forty five minutes. Or how about “Nite White”? Applied just before the patient goes to sleep, there is no need to spend any of your working day on this product as it helps you when you’re in deep REM.

In order to find out more…

If you’re seeking further information about the teeth whitening products offered here at the Harley Street Dental Studio, contact us today on 020 7636 5981 to see how our trained professionals can help you further.

High performance sport does not always have to be harmful to your teeth

April 8th, 2011

There are a number of those out there who perform at the highest level in sport possible. Whether this is adrenaline junkie events to even long distance running, the power of sport and the healthy impact it has on our bodies can never be underestimated, as long as it is done in the right quantities. However, there are some occasions when the sporting events which we involve ourselves in are not always too kind to our bodies. Torn ligaments, broken bones and fractured fingers are examples of some but what about our teeth?

Bringing you the Pure Power Mouth Guard, the Harley Street Dental Studio are very proud to announce their innovative range of dental products which are designed to help improve the overall muscle qualities as it works to the strengths of the individual’s mouth.

But what makes this different than traditional mouth guards which seem to have been in general use since even the days of Cassius Clay? The Pure Power Mouth Guard uses specialised computer technology to scan the individual’s mouth so that when it is in place in the mouth it moves the jaw joint so that the patient gets the best performance out of their product.

When any person is involved in physical exercise, the stress put on the jaw muscles increases which, if not treated, could lead to temporary or even permanent damage. Wearing a traditional mouth guard does not automatically mean that the teeth is protected whereas with a Pure Power Mouth Guard each individual is taken into consideration due to state-of-the-art technology.

Pure Power Mouth Guard is aimed at those for players in all sports, in particular contact sports such as American Football, Rugby and Ice Hockey. Any form of protection which helps you keep that straight smile is bound to be welcomed by the many thousands who enjoy participating in these sports.

For if you want to find out more

To see if you would benefit from having a “Pure Power Mouth Guard” contact 020 7636 5981 to see how our highly trained professionals can help you.

Have to snack? Have some gum!

April 6th, 2011

Let’s face it. A gross majority of us are forced to have working lunches nearly every day of the week. Whether we like it or not, with an unstable economic climate, an ever-increasing workload and fewer and fewer people to get the job done, it falls to us and we have to cut corners. Going out for lunch is one of the corners most of us cut.

Now, dentists are warning that rushed lunches could lead to improper dental hygiene since, when we eat on the go, or at our desks, we don’t have the time or the resources to clean our teeth after eating. Yet, this is no reason to ignore the plaque building in between our choppers.

Adrian Toomey, a marketing manager, and experienced in the snacking culture, says this is a custom that is on the increase, with our diet evolving to one of small meals during the day. But, with such change, he claims we need to ensure our oral health care evolves accordingly.

So, although whipping out a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste isn’t practical and since flossing mid-meeting would be considered rude and disgusting, the chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr. Nigel Carter, suggests we get into the habit of chewing sugar free gum following meals.

Chewing sugar free gum will stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn, helps to neutralise plaque acids that may lead to tooth decay.

How the Harley Street Dental Studio can help

By contacting 020 7636 5981 today, you can find out the vast array of high-quality services which our trained professionals can provide for you.

It needn’t be like the way everyone says it is

April 4th, 2011

The menopause; such a dilemma for many. No longer are those monthly cycles happening and there is minimal chance of conceiving naturally. To some, this might be the tip of the horrendous iceberg as not everyone wants this mothering possibility to be a natural end for the person concerned. But what thought doesn’t appear in many people’s mind is what effect this could have on the dental health of those undergoing the menopause which ranges from those in their thirties to even in their mid-sixties.

Research conducted on twenty eight postmenopausal women (aged fifty one to eighty) who had followed the recommended daily oral health standards laid down by the American Dental Association (ADA) of brushing twice a day, flossing regularly and visiting their dentist twice a year were compared with the same number of women of the same age who were currently taking bisphosphonate drugs; the latter being medical treatment for those which treat the loss of bone mass.

The results were staggering. Bone strength were recorded as being the same but both groups of people were seen as having the same increase in the level of plaque; a substance which if left untreated can have a drastic effect on any persons dental health. If plaque is left on a tooth or on several teeth, there is a drastic chance of the tooth suffering from gum disease that could, in turn, lead to one or several teeth becoming loose or falling out completely.

What this research suggests is that even though the possibility of postmenopausal women’s chance of conceiving naturally decreases, they should never forget that the health of their teeth will not improve and the utmost of care needs to be taken in order for them to keep their teeth for as long as possible.

How the Harley Street Dental Studio can help

By contacting 020 7636 5981 today, you can find out the vast array of high-quality services which our trained professionals can provide for you.