How a dentist can help older people stay healthy

Everyone needs a good dentist, whether you are a baby with your first teeth appearing or a member of the older generation with few or none of your natural teeth left. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a full range of general, preventative, and restorative dentistry to patients of all ages.

dental-bridges-harley-streetIt’s actually a misconception that older people will lose their natural teeth because of the ageing process. Whilst the over-75s are the most likely to experience tooth loss, it can in fact affect people of all ages, and there is no reason that – with good oral hygiene practices and regular visits to both the dentist and the hygienist – you can’t have a healthy set of natural teeth for life.

Recent studies have shown that the vast majority of us still have at least some of our natural teeth. A survey carried out by the Oral Health Foundation as part of National Smile Month 2016 discovered that just 7% of UK adults have none of their natural teeth left. Compare this with 37% in 1978, and we can see how much things have improved. What’s more, 86% of the population in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland now have 21 or more natural teeth.

To ensure that your teeth stay healthy and strong in your later years, you need to visit your dentist on a regular basis. The standard advice is to come for a check-up every six months, but at our Harley Street clinic we are keen to emphasise that some people need to come in more frequently. You should always listen to what your dentist says and follow their advice.

If you have experienced some tooth loss, it is nothing to panic about. Your Harley Street dentist has a number of methods of replacing missing teeth, including standard dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants.

The latter are our preferred option for replacing missing teeth at our Harley Street clinic, because they are the only permanent way to combat tooth loss.

Your Harley Street dentist can use implants combined with either a single crown, a dental bridge, or full dentures to restore natural function to your jaw.

How your dentist can replace lost teeth

Ask any dentist and they will stress to you the importance of replacing missing teeth, ideally as soon as possible after you lose them. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a number of tooth replacement solutions, and your dentist will work closely with you to find the perfect one to suit your needs.

replace-missing-teethTooth loss can happen at any stage of your life, and can have numerous causes. Whether you lose one or more of your natural teeth through accident or injury, gum disease or tooth decay, your Harley Street dentist will find the best way to replace those missing teeth with restorations that are both functional and natural in appearance.

We benefit from the expertise of a unique collection of dental professionals at Harley Street Dental Clinic. This means that if you have lost teeth through advanced periodontal (gum) disease, a specialist periodontist is on hand to treat the underlying condition so that whatever tooth replacements you choose have the maximum chance of success.

Our Harley Street clinic also offers the services of an endodontist – a dentist who has undertaken additional training to specialise in root canal therapies. The aim of root canal treatment is to save teeth that could otherwise have to be extracted, so if you fear your teeth are failing due to infection, consulting our endodontist, Dr Nectaria Polycarpou, could negate the need for tooth replacement all together.

If you do need a tooth or teeth replacing, we also have maxillofacial surgeons and prosthodontists at our Harley Street practice. Both play an important role in dental implant treatment – the surgeons may place your implants and carry out additional bone grafting work as required, whilst the prosthodontists will create highly realistic tooth restorations – crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Dental implants are, in many cases, the best way to replace missing teeth because they provide a long-term solution. Combined with either a bridge, crown, or denture, they could last for life.

For those who favour conventional bridgework or dentures, your Harley Street dentist can also create these more traditional restorations, which are excellent in terms of both function and appearance.

How your dentist can replace lost teeth and restore your smile

Ask any dentist and they will always stress the importance of replacing any teeth you lose as quickly as possible. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a number of solutions to tooth loss. Whatever your requirements, your dentist will work closely with you to provide the perfect treatment to suit your needs, restoring both health to your mouth and happiness to your smile.

restore-lost-teethMissing teeth cause all manner of problems. When just one is lost, more strain is instantly put on those that remain, because they have more work to do. Remaining teeth also have a tendency to shift out of position into any gaps, becoming crooked, twisted, and harder to clean in the process. This can increase your chances of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and ultimately of further tooth loss.

When several teeth are missing the impact on your daily life can be severe. Your diet may be affected, as may your speech. The impact on your self-confidence can be devastating. By visiting a dentist at Harley Street Dental Clinic, you will soon be en route to restoring healthy function to your jaw, helping to alleviate all of these problems.

What your Harley Street dentist can do

When you come into our Harley Street clinic for a tooth replacement consultation, your dentist will undertake a thorough clinical examination and will check the general condition of your dental health, as well as listening to any preferences you may have about your treatment.

Harley Street Dental Clinic benefits from a unique team of dental professionals and specialists, many of whom are leaders in their chosen areas, who will work together to find the perfect solution to your tooth loss.

Among the options we offer are:

Bridges

Dental bridges usually comprise a precious metal base with porcelain teeth on top. Standard bridges are supported by crowns or wings on adjacent teeth to replace one or two teeth, whilst bridges retained by dental implants can be used to replace several teeth in one jaw.

Dentures

Modern dentures are very comfortable and realistic. We offer denture stabilisation using dental implants at our Harley Street clinic.

How your dentist can create realistic tooth restorations

There are many ways a dentist can restore damaged teeth, or create realistic replacements for teeth that are missing. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers the services of a specialist prosthodontist – a dental professional who makes tooth restorations – and welcomes new patients for consultations. Whatever restorative option you choose, you can rest assured that your tooth repairs or replacements will be individually crafted to look both beautiful and natural.

tooth-restorationA dentist will always advise you that missing teeth should be replaced, and damaged teeth should be restored. Missing teeth can cause problems with your oral and general health, as well as with your self-esteem and confidence. Even mildly damaged teeth can allow bacteria to enter the centre of the teeth, which can lead to infection and dental abscesses, and without intervention such as root canal treatment can even cause tooth loss.

The best restoration for your tooth or teeth will depend on your personal circumstances, clinical requirements, and any preferences you may have. At Harley Street Dental Clinic your dentist will perform a detailed examination and will talk through all the relevant ways to repair or replace your teeth.

If you have already developed an infection due to broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth, our Harley Street clinic contains a unique collection of specialists and professionals who can carry out even complex root canal procedures, which are pain-free and essential to saving your tooth.

Broken teeth

There are a number of options to repair broken teeth at our Harley Street clinic. These include:

Veneers – Thin porcelain shells that are used in smile makeovers, and can also improve the appearance of and reinforce a chipped tooth.

White fillings – Strong composite material is used to restore teeth.

Crowns – For additional strength, a tooth-coloured crown may be placed.

Missing teeth

Dentures – Modern dentures are very realistic in terms of function and appearance.

Bridges – Bridgework replaces one or a few adjacent teeth. Your dentist will ensure your bridge looks very natural.

Dental implants – Dental implants are the only way your dentist can replace the tooth roots. They can then support a denture, bridge, or crown.

How a dentist can replace missing teeth to restore your smile

A dentist will always tell you that missing teeth should be replaced promptly. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a number of solutions to tooth loss, and the best one will be discussed by your dentist after a thorough examination and consultation.

replace-missing-teethWhy it is important to replace missing teeth

No matter why you have lost your tooth or teeth, you should consult a dentist as a matter of urgency. We offer emergency dental appointments at our Harley Street clinic, and will always endeavour to see you on the same day whenever possible.

Should your tooth be knocked out as a result of accident and injury, if you still have the tooth you should bring it with you to your appointment. In many cases your dentist will be able to re-implant it in the socket.

If you do still have the tooth and it is undamaged, be careful to only touch the crown (the part that is visible in the mouth) and avoid touching the root. Clean it under cold running water and put it in a clean container covered in your own saliva or in milk until you can see the emergency dentist, and call Harley Street Dental Clinic straight away.

Should your tooth be lost completely, or too damaged for your dentist to re-implant, there are a number of tooth replacement options available at our Harley Street dental practice. The pros and cons of these options will be discussed by your dentist.

Tooth replacement at Harley Street

We are lucky at Harley Street Dental Clinic to have a unique collection of dental professionals who will work together to create the perfect tooth replacement solution to suit your needs. We offer:

Bridges

Traditional dental bridges are used to replace one or two adjacent missing teeth and use surrounding teeth for support. Crowns or wings will be fitted to the supporting teeth with one or two false teeth in between. By combining a bridge with dental implants, they can be used to replace several teeth.

Dentures

A good solution for several or all missing teeth. Your clinician may recommend securing dentures with dental implants.

How a dentist can replace your missing teeth

A dentist has several options available to replace missing teeth. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we have a unique and highly-skilled collection of professionals, including implant surgeons and prosthodontists, who create realistic replacement teeth.

replace-missing-teethWhy you should replace missing teeth

Ask any dentist and they will always tell you that you should replace missing teeth. Of course, if you’ve lost a tooth near the front of your mouth there are obvious cosmetic concerns, as you are likely to become too embarrassed to smile in public. But there are also health reasons to replace missing teeth.

Any remaining teeth are likely to move into gaps, becoming crooked and more difficult to clean. Depending on the number and location of the teeth you have lost, you may find your ability to eat solid foods and even your speech can be affected.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic we offer a number of different ways in which your dentist can restore your smile by replacing missing teeth.

Dentures

Dentures have been used for many centuries, and the modern versions are highly realistic in both appearance and function. They can be made from a number of different materials, including plastic and porcelain. A partial denture is used to replace several missing teeth, whilst a full denture is used to replace all the teeth in one jaw.

Bridges

A bridge can be used to replace one or two adjacent missing teeth. Again, they can be made from a number of materials, usually comprising a precious metal base with porcelain teeth. If the teeth surrounding the gap are strong and healthy, crowns or wings may be used by your dentist to attach your bridge. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants.

Implants

At our Harley Street clinic we often recommend dental implants, because they are the only permanent way to replace missing teeth. A bridge, denture or crown is then attached on top.

Ways a cosmetic dentist can restore your smile

When you come to see a cosmetic dentist at Harley Street Dental Clinic with a view to restoring your smile, the first thing they will do is undertake a thorough clinical examination. They will also take a detailed medical and dental history and find out a little bit about you and your lifestyle, before drawing up a customised treatment plan to meet your needs.

cosmetic-dentistWe have a uniquely skilled collection of professionals at our Harley Street dental practice, and the best treatment option will depend on your clinical needs, as well as your personal preferences.

Worn, broken or damaged teeth

If you have worn, broken or otherwise damaged teeth, the first thing your cosmetic dentist will do is to establish whether those teeth can be saved. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we focus on preventative dentistry, and strive to preserve natural teeth whenever it is viable to do so.

For front teeth with minor chips or cracks, or permanent discolouration, your cosmetic dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. These thin shells of porcelain are fitted over the front surfaces of the teeth, producing a beautiful and natural-looking result that will last many years.

Back teeth and those with more extensive wear and tear may require a cosmetic crown, which your dentist will closely match to the natural colour of your teeth.

Missing teeth

A dentist will always advise you to replace missing teeth, not just for the sake of your self-confidence but also to enable you to eat a full, healthy diet, and to keep remaining teeth healthy.

At our Harley Street clinic a cosmetic dentist can use standard dentures or bridges to replace missing teeth, or they may recommend dental implants. Implants replace the root portion of a tooth or teeth, and crowns, dentures, or a bridge can be attached on top.

How your dentist can restore broken teeth

If you break a tooth, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we understand that dental emergencies can occur at any time, so are open six days a week and offer an on-call emergency dentist until 10pm and then from 7am until the practice opens at 8.30am.

broken-teethEven a small break or crack in a tooth should be treated promptly, because otherwise you run the risk of letting bacteria infect the pulp at the centre of the tooth, requiring root canal treatment.

Your dentist has many options available to restore broken teeth, giving them back both their aesthetic appearance and their functionality. At our Harley Street practice we have a unique collection of dental specialists, all extremely highly skilled.

The ideal solution for your individual case will depend upon a number of factors, including the location of the damaged tooth, the amount of damage, your oral health, and your own personal preference.

Here are some of the ways your dentist can restore a broken tooth at our Harley Street clinic:

White fillings and composite bonding

White filling material can be used to restore and rebuild teeth. They will look and act much like your natural teeth, and this can usually be completed in one appointment.

Crowns

Crowns give a broken or extensively damaged tooth extra strength and restored functionality. They can be made from a range of materials, including precious metals, porcelain, and ceramic, and will be made to match your natural teeth.

Porcelain veneers

Veneers are usually used on the front teeth. They are very thin pieces of porcelain that your dentist places over the front surfaces of your teeth, improving their appearance and giving extra strength in cracked or chipped areas. Veneers are attached with strong dental adhesive and produce a natural, beautiful result.

What your dentist can do if you have missing teeth

A dentist has many options available to them to replace missing teeth. Harley Street Dental Clinic’s team is a unique collection of dental professionals, who will work closely together and with you to ensure that however many teeth need replacing, and whatever caused them to be lost in the first place, you will soon be enjoying the benefits of restorations that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

dental-dentureWhy we lose teeth

As a dentist you see people who have lost teeth for all manner of reasons. Teeth and gums are prone to injury in accidents such as trips, falls, and road traffic collisions. Playing any form of sport involving contact or fast-moving objects (such as rugby, hockey or cricket) can also cause injuries to the mouth that result in tooth loss. We always advise sportspeople to take the precaution of wearing a sports mouthguard to minimise the chances of this happening, but if you do lose your teeth in an accident we have several ways to replace them at our Harley Street clinic.

Tooth decay and gum disease also cause tooth loss. This can be a particular problem if you haven’t seen a dentist for many years, perhaps because of dental phobia. We understand that fear of judgement if your teeth are in less than perfect condition can then make fear of the dentist worse, as you are scared of being judged.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic we will never be judgemental. We understand and empathise with nervous patients, and know there are many reasons people put off seeking dental treatment. We just want to help you to get back to full dental health, because we think everyone deserves a healthy, happy smile. Treatment under sedation is available for nervous and phobic patients.

Depending on your situation, your dentist may recommend:

How your dentist can replace missing teeth: the options

Your dentist has several options available to replace your missing teeth. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we have a unique collection of dental specialists, who have helped scores of patients to restore both their smile and the functionality of their jaw, using treatments including dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants.

missing teethThe best treatment option for you will depend on your circumstances, your clinical need, and your personal preferences. If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, you should come in for a consultation at our Harley Street practice. Your dentist will carefully examine you and will listen to your concerns, wants and needs, before recommending the best tooth replacement options.

Why you should replace missing teeth

A dentist will always recommend replacing missing teeth. As well as the obvious concern about the aesthetic appearance of your smile, missing teeth can also cause health problems. Remaining teeth have a tendency to move into any gaps, becoming crooked and thus harder to clean in the process, which increases your chances of tooth decay, gum disease and ultimately further tooth loss.

Depending on how many teeth are missing, you may find your ability to eat a healthy and balanced diet affected, and can also experience problems with speech. At our Harley Street clinic we see patients who have lost teeth for all manner of reasons, from gum disease and tooth decay to accident and injury.

The expert team at our Harley Street clinic can help whatever has caused you to lose a tooth or teeth – so please do book an appointment with us to find out what your options are, and what treatment entails.

Among the tooth replacement options available from Harley Street Dental Clinic are:

Dental Bridges

To replace one or a few adjacent teeth, secured to surrounding teeth or dental implants.

Dentures

Made from a variety of materials, traditional or supported by dental implants.

Dental Implants

Artificial tooth roots that support crowns, bridges, or dentures.