Dental Blog - Harley Street Dental Clinic

Braces that no one knows about

If you have wonky teeth, you may find that you are very conscious that they don’t line up properly. Perhaps you can feel that chewing puts pressure on some teeth more than others. This pressure can be felt in your jaw, or in your neck, or even as headaches and migraines.

Perhaps your wonky teeth are causing you to suppress your smile. Do you think that makes people believe you are miserable and unfriendly? Have you noticed that you feel more down? This can be because your body needs to smile in order to release feel-good chemicals like serotonin. Without smiling, it can be harder to feel good.

Invisible Braces in Harley Street So maybe you are thinking about getting your teeth straightened, but are put off by the idea of endless months of heavy-duty metal train track braces dominating your mouth? As bad, if not worse, than having wonky teeth. If you are, you need to know that at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we have ways of fixing your teeth without turning you into a human railway station. In fact, with invisible braces in Harley Street, no one but you need even know you are getting your teeth straightened.

A subtle way to straighter teeth

One brand of braces is almost invisible, so much so that they are called Invisalign. These straighteners work on different principles to traditional bracket and wire braces that pull the teeth into alignment. Invisalign invisible braces in Harley Street use a series of mouth guard-like, thin, rigid plastic aligners that gently nudge the teeth into position. Depending on your alignment issues, you will receive between 12–48 of these aligners, to be worn one after the other, each for about two weeks. Modelled on computer scans of your original alignment, each aligner is slightly different in its fit, and this creates the pressure to move the teeth.

Not only is the plastic so thin that, once the aligners are in place, no one can see them, but they are removable. This means you can take them out to eat meals, and for cleaning your teeth. They must be worn for at least 20 hours a day, so some discipline is required.

To find out more about invisible braces in Harley Street why not book a consultation?

What to expect during a dental check-up in Harley Street

If you are a newcomer to the UK, you may be a little anxious about your first check-up at the dentist in Harley Street, London. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we thought you might appreciate a preview of what will happen when you settle into the dentist’s chair so they can take a look inside your mouth.

Even if you are super-disciplined about brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, you still need to undergo regular twice-yearly check-ups at your dental clinic so that your dentist can make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. There are symptoms you won’t be able to spot yourself, and will need your Harley Street dentist for, such as early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer or other dental problems.

Your check-up

After you have told us about your health history and any concerns before proceeding to treatment, this is what you can expect from our Harley Street dentist during your oral health assessment.

Your Harley Street dentist will start by carefully examining your teeth for decay. They will use a metal probe and a small mirror with an angled handle to do this. They will also see how well your teeth bite together and whether you have symptoms of tooth grinding. Once your teeth have been checked over, it is the turn of your neck and the soft tissues of your mouth, where oral cancer might be lurking, especially if you are aged 35 or older.

If you don’t know when you last had an oral cancer screening, ask your Harley Street dentist to repeat the screening during your dental check-up. Patients at high risk, such as smokers, should have more regular screenings.

Your check-up may include x-rays or tooth impressions so that we can take a more detailed look at the health of your teeth. We will also inspect your gums for signs of disease. Gums that bleed easily when you brush your teeth may well be suffering from disease. As we check you over, we make a detailed record of the state of all your teeth, including existing fillings and check for signs of fractures or ledges on your teeth. We will also check over any prosthetics, such as crowns, veneers, bridges or implants.

Find out what your W1 dentist can do to transform your smile

Gone are the days when visiting the dentist was simply about ensuring our teeth were not decaying. In 2017, a lot of the patients at Harley Street Dental Clinic come to us in order to make the most of how they look.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, your dentist in W1, we offer a wide range of treatments that make long-lasting improvements to the appearance of your teeth and gums. Your smile is important. It is one of the first things that people notice about you, when they meet you. A good smile smooths your path through life, and this is why increasing numbers of our patients are choosing to invest in enhancing their appearance by focusing on their smile, rather than more transient beauty treatments for the hair and nails.

Explore your options

When you come visit the dentist in W1 seeking transformation, we will guide you to choosing one or possibly a combination of our modern cosmetic dentistry treatments to best suit your needs.

Here are some of the treatments we can offer you:

White fillings can be used to fill new cavities, or to replace unattractive, or old and cracked mercury amalgam fillings. Amalgam can be seen when you open your mouth wide, to laugh, for example. White fillings use a composite material that is sculpted to recreate the mounds of a natural tooth, making chewing more effective. We also use inlays or onlays to cover larger cavities at the back of your mouth in order to better cope with the forces of chewing.

Teeth whitening is our most popular treatment. It works very well on stains and discolouration from coffee, red wine, tea, natural ageing, or even some medications. Treatment can either take place here at the clinic, which takes about an hour, or you carry out the treatment yourself at home, which takes a couple of weeks.

Veneers provide an instant, but long-lasting makeover for chipped, broken, worn, gappy or mildly misaligned teeth. They are carefully designed to blend in seamlessly with the size, shape, and colour of your own natural teeth. Composite bonding is also available for the front biting teeth.

A clearer way to straight teeth

Many adults are beginning to appreciate that having straight teeth means that their natural pearly whites will last much longer, possibly even for the rest of their lives.

When the teeth are lined up straight, they support each other much better, whereas when they are wonky, some teeth take more of the chewing pressure than others. Constant excess pressure can lead these teeth to crumble away, and can also create jaw, neck, and head pain.

Clear Braces in Harley Street Along with these, when the teeth are straight, there are fewer places for bacterial plaque to hide away and build up to create decay and gum disease.

A discreet solution

When it comes to teeth straightening in Harley Street, clear braces are the most popular method for adults. This is because metal braces are obtrusive, and however good they are, they come with connotations of awkward adolescence and that is something adults in positions of authority or trust wish to avoid.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer clear braces in Harley Street that work just as well as metal braces. Many adults are content to just straighten the teeth that are on display at the front of the mouth. These are known as the social six teeth, and straightening them with clear braces in Harley Street can be quite a bit quicker than people think. This is because we are not dealing with complications to do with aligning the jaws, which takes much longer, two or three years, to complete. With the front social six teeth, the crowns are supported by fewer roots than the back molars, and so do not need as much force to get them to shift.

This means that the clear braces can be smaller in form. The brackets are smaller and made of clear ceramic, and the wires, which are tooth-coloured nickel titanium, can be finer too. With shorter treatment times as well, it’s no wonder that more and more adults are choosing to get their teeth straightened with us at Harley Street Dental Clinic. Why not make an appointment and find out if we can align your teeth, quickly and unobtrusively?

The power of a great smile

Never underestimate the power of your smile. In a survey conducted by this year’s National Smile Month, a smile is the first thing someone notices about you when they meet you for the first time. Our smile is our universal currency of friendliness and warmth, and speaks beyond language. When you think about how many people you encounter in a typical day in a busy city like London, you can see how important a smile is.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, having a great smile is as important as having healthy teeth. Our cosmetic dentist in Harley Street is a vital part of our team because we want everyone who comes through our doors to be able to have the treatments they need to have a world class smile.

Seeing a cosmetic dentist in Harley Street plays a vital role in people’s wellbeing. Not only because smiling is vital for smoothing one’s path through daily life, but also because smiling keeps us happy. When we smile we release the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, like serotonin. When we don’t smile, we can end up isolated and depressed.

Your journey with us

If you wish your smile was more lovely then why not schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Harley Street? You can tell them all about what makes your unhappy about your smile, and how you would like to look. Our cosmetic dentist can talk you through the various treatments available here and suggest one, or a combination of treatments, that can help you create a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Depending on what you want done, the whole process can take as little as one appointment, and as long as several months. Whitening is our quickest treatment and can be completed in as little as an hour. It is a great stand-alone smile enhancer and is also often used to add that final finishing touch to treatments such as teeth straightening.

Veneers and composite bonding are great ways to repair and cover up damaged teeth, while at the back of your mouth, inlays, onlays, and crowns can shore up teeth that need very big fillings.

Book a consultation now, and come and see how we can transform your smile.

Comfortable, modern dentistry

At our dental clinic in W1, we aim to put you at ease in the relaxed environment of a converted Georgian town house. Our team of friendly dental professionals are sensitive and reassuring, and in the waiting area there is a separate room for prayer or quiet contemplation.

Experience and knowledge

In our W1 dental clinic, we get to know you as a patient, discussing your dental history and oral health in depth, so that we can tailor our approach to suit your preferences. With up-to-date equipment and contemporary dental knowledge, our range of treatments can repair damaged teeth, realign smiles, and improve your oral health. When you visit our practice for regular check-ups, our experienced professionals can provide oral hygiene advice and reassurance.

Positive changes with lasting benefits

Our cosmetic dentistry solutions can turn discoloured or untidy teeth into bright and orderly smiles. If you’ve lost a tooth or even a whole set of teeth, we can give you durable replacements that look and feel natural. For children as well as adults, at Harley Street Dental Clinic we provide a high level of overall dental care, keeping your future oral health in mind while providing treatments with long-lasting benefits.

A set of veneers will make your front teeth whiter and neater, but they will also defend the teeth’s enamel surfaces from erosion. Realigning the teeth with braces will make them look and feel better, but they will also be easier to clean, helping to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. And dental implants will give you replacement teeth that can last for the rest of your life, while also helping to maintain the bone density in your jaw, protecting you from future weakness and reducing the risk of injury.

Affordable improvements

Our range of payment options makes visiting our W1 dental clinic affordable, so you can get your treatment at the time you need it, without having to wait to save a lump sum or dip into what you’ve already saved. Monthly payment plans reduce the financial impact of your dental health improvements, removing one of the barriers that can deter you from making positive changes to your dental health.

Quality oral health care

As your Harley Street dentist, we aim to provide an experience of dental care that is suited to your needs as a patient. Our practice is a spacious and elegantly converted Georgian townhouse. You’ll find a welcoming and friendly team of dental professionals, in a waiting area with comfortable furnishings, a television, and a discreet separate room for prayer or quiet contemplation. Our highly-trained and knowledgeable staff will talk to you about your feelings around London dentistry in general, as well as your oral health, so they can match you with a dentist who will provide the most suitable experience.

Tact and efficiency

You look after your overall health when you look after your oral health. And optimum oral health that minimises risks while it maximises benefits cannot be achieved without regular visits to the dentist. Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a range of services that will improve the condition of your teeth:

With routine check-ups, we can detect the early signs of decay and disease that are too subtle for you to see at home.

With preventative dentistry, we can make sure your oral health is robust and resilient, avoiding unnecessary complications as you age.

Our cosmetic dentistry options will enhance the appearance of your teeth, which can be uplifting to your social confidence. A brighter smile can change the way you feel about your overall appearance.

We can repair existing problems using modern methods and up-to-date equipment. If your teeth are chipped from injury or decay, dental veneers will make your smile neater and defend the teeth’s enamel surfaces against erosion.

By getting to know you as an individual, we can make recommendations that have real value, keeping your long-term oral health in mind at all times.

Accessible fees

The words ‘Harley Street dentist’ can sound expensive to many potential patients. We offer monthly financial plans for our treatments, so that you can access the solutions and improvements you need without enduring the financial discomfort of a lump-sum payment. Unnecessary delays are not good for your oral health, so we aim to reduce them as much as possible.

The key to a lovely smile

When you come to Harley Street Dental Clinic wanting to get your teeth straightened, you will be made an appointment with our orthodontist in Harley Street.

At our practice in Harley Street, the orthodontist is the dentist whose area of interest focusses on the branch of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws.

When it comes to an orthodontist in Harley Street, we’ve got two to choose from.

Dr Emma Laing

Dr Laing qualified from Bristol University in 2002 with distinctions and the gold medal for best student. She has worked in various London hospitals to gain a Fellowship in Dental Surgery. She started training in orthodontics in 2005, qualifying as a specialist, registered with the General Dental Council, in 2008.

Dr Darsh Patel

Dr Patel qualified in dentistry in Manchester in 1998, and after gaining experience from numerous vocational training posts in London, qualified as a specialist orthodontist, registered with the General Dental Council, in 2001. Dr Patel is involved in face-driven orthodontics, which involves the removal of fewer teeth for orthodontic procedures.

More discreet than ever

Both our orthodontists in Harley Street can offer a wide range of devices for straightening teeth, many of which are far more discreet and more comfortable than the older types of metal train track braces that we associate with 1980s awkward adolescent movies. The modern braces are far more appealing for adults who didn’t get their teeth straightened as teenagers, or who did, but their teeth have now drifted out of alignment.

Very often, adults who want their teeth straightened do not need the major realignment of their jaws, but just tiny movements to bring the teeth at the front of their mouths, known as the social six, into order.

This means that the braces required can be smaller and treatment times can be quicker. Clear braces have smaller brackets and tooth-coloured wires, and sometimes only take about six months to do their work. There are also clear aligners, which look more like mouth guards. A series of these is worn, each for about two weeks, to align the teeth.

The best way to find out what system you need to align your teeth is to book a consultation with one of our orthodontists.

Replacing teeth with like for like

When we lose our teeth, we don’t really want to be told that they can only be replaced with things that take away our sense of taste, confine us to a soft food diet, or will mean losing healthy teeth to get them to stay in our mouths. Yet, up until not so very long ago, these were the available options. However, all that changed with the discovery of titanium as an implant material in the 1950s, and the resultant increasing availability and versatility of dental implants in Harley Street.

Dental Implants in Harley Street At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we think it is fair to say that the use of dental implants has reached a tipping point so that they are now more in demand than dentures and fixed bridges. And this is not surprising, considering that Harley Street dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that gives you back the full functionality of your teeth.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown. Having a new root firmly embedded into the jawbone allows once again for a stable and secure chewing base, capable of withstanding the multidirectional pressures, which can be about 200lb or 97kg for the average male chew. Compare this to dentures, which can only offer about a quarter of the chewing pressure, or bridges which can offer more, but you can’t have bitty foods, such as nuts, which get under the bridge and can be very uncomfortable.

In Harley Street, dental implants are more expensive than bridges and dentures, but we believe they still offer good value-for-money. This is because implants have a success rate of about 98% and can be expected to last for the rest of your life, provided you look after them with thorough cleaning to keep plaque at bay. The porcelain crowns of the implants cannot decay, but they are as susceptible to gum disease as natural teeth, and if gum disease attacks the bone holding your implants, they can become loose and fall out.

To find out if dental implants are right for you, why not book a consultation?

Healthy, comfortable, modern

Harley Street Dental Clinic is a friendly, high-quality dentist in W1. A London dental practice in a spacious, converted Georgian townhouse, we offer tactful and reassuring dental care, putting you at ease as we look after your oral health.

Experienced and contemporary

Dentist in W1 Using contemporary equipment and up-to-date techniques, our team of professionals can discuss your oral health needs in depth to find the treatments that are right for you. Our cosmetic dentistry treatments will improve your appearance if your teeth are discoloured or improperly aligned. If you have damaged or missing teeth, we offer durable replacements that can give you back your natural dental function and enjoyment. Whatever your reasons, our high level of overall oral healthcare means we can prevent future problems while we improve your current situation. We can detect the subtle signs of unwanted problems and take care of them before they take hold. And while we get to know you as your W1 dentist, we can tailor our approach to your personal preferences.

Strong and smiling

We are the W1 dentist for many children as well as adults. We have a solution for all sorts of dental conditions. Our modern braces can realign crooked teeth discreetly and surprisingly quickly. A set of dental veneers can restore neatness to chipped teeth while providing defence against tooth decay. And dental implants can replace a set of teeth and maintain your natural bone density.

During regular visits to our practice, our team will monitor the condition of your mouth, and draw on a wealth of expertise to make oral hygiene recommendations that will keep your teeth as healthy as they can be. We can look for signs of oral cancer and discuss the dietary issues that affect your teeth and gums.

Accessible improvements

Our range of financial options makes your treatment more accessible. You can spread the cost of your treatment using monthly payment plans, instead of having to use your savings in a lump sum payment. We want your experience to be as comfortable as possible, and believe you should be able to have the right treatment whenever you need it.

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