Practice News

« Older Entries

implants, dental implants, birmingham

20th October 2011

Most people think that dental implants are a fairly new advance in dentistry, but would you be surprised to know that they have been available since the early 1960′s!

Implants are used to replace missing teeth with crowns or bridges or to stabilize dentures They are made from titanium which is a hypoallergenic metal.

As dentists in Birmingham we recommend an initial assessment at our dental practice if you are interested in an implant; there we will discuss the potential benefits to your comfort, appearance and function.  We will usually need to take an x ray as well and this is included in the initial implant assessment fee of £90.00.

Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone to act like a tooth root.  It’s a fairly straight forward procedure and is done using the same local anesthetic you would have for a filling.

A small incision is made and the implant placed into the bone.  The procedure only takes about 30 minutes and following implant placement any swelling and discomfort are minimal.  Paracetomol or similar will manage any discomfort and usually this is only taken for the day of the procedure.

The implant can be attached to a crown, bridge or denture after 3 to 6 weeks. In some cases the implant may be used straight away although this will make it more likely to loosen.

Osseointegration is successful in more than 90% of people, and it is important to maintain healthy teeth and gums to protect the implant.
We are dentists in Birmingham are able to offer dental implants at a cost of £875. The attached crown costs a further £875. The overall cost including the temporary crown, associated x rays and aftercare is approximately £2000 if only one tooth needs replacing.

To stabilize and retain a full lower denture two implants would be needed which with the attachments to the denture costs around £2200.

For bridges each implant may support more than one tooth.
It is important to attend your dentist regularly for maintenance after completing treatment. Good oral hygiene around the implants and existing teeth is essential for long term success.

If you would like to know more or would like to book an assessment call us on 0121 475 2321.

 

Posted in Practice News, Treatment FAQs | Comments Off

nhs dentist in birmingham

7th September 2011

At our Birmingham Dental Practice our patients ask us how to care for their new dentures.  Here are a few facts, tips and hints to help you get the most from living with a denture.

NHS and private dentures are usually made of strong plastic called acrylic.  Metal dentures are made from stainless steel or cobalt chromium.

The first time you have dentures, whether its full dentures or partial dentures, you should eat softer foods for the first few days, avoiding sticky and hard to chew foods.  This will help you to get used to eating with your new denture.  Before long you should be able to tuck into your favourites as before.

Your new denture may initially give you sore spots on your gum; this is quite normal and usually easily cured.  Telephone the dental practice and tell the receptionist why you want the appointment, you will usually be offered an appointment the same day or following morning.  Wear your denture for a couple of hours before the appointment, even if it is sore to wear.  This way the dentist can see where the denture is rubbing by the red mark on the gum and can effectively adjust your denture to make it comfortable.

Don’t be disappointed if you have to make a couple of return visits for minor adjustments, this is not unusual and we are always pleased to ensure your denture is the best fit possible.

Initially you can leave the denture in all the time, to help you get used to it.  But after two weeks it is important to leave your denture out overnight.  It is important that your gums have the opportunity to “cleanse” themselves; this is done by the saliva in your mouth.  Failure to allow this self cleansing can lead to fungal irritations in the mouth called Candida.

When you are not wearing your denture keep if safe in beaker of water.  The water prevents the denture from “drying out” which can cause it to shrink.

To clean your denture, use a denture brush and denture paste, such as Dentucreme.  Ordinary toothpaste is too abrasive and may scratch the surface of your denture, which may lead to the denture being stained by food and drink such as tea and coffee.  Sterident can be used, but take care not to put the denture into boiling water as this can cause the denture to “bleach” (lose its colour) or worse become weak prone to cracking or breaking.

Remember to brush your denture all over, not just the teeth, and try holding it over a sink of warm water, that way if you should drop it the water will cushion the fall, making it less likely crack or break on the sink.

If the worse happens and your denture cracks, breaks or even loses a tooth, it can usually be repaired quickly and effectively.  Bring your denture to the dental practice (before 9.00am if possible) and we will return it to you at around 9.30am the following day.  These repairs are usually free of charge.  In some cases we can repair your denture the same day!

By looking after your dentures and your mouth, you should not need to replace your denture for 3 years; but you feel they are looking a little stained or discoloured we can arrange to have them professionally cleaned for you for a small fee.

As always if you have any questions, telephone us on 0121 475 2321.

Posted in Practice News, Treatment FAQs | Comments Off

Microdermabrasion, Birmingham

6th September 2011

We have been performing microdermabrasion treatments for a while now and the most common questions we get asked are, “how does it work?”” and “is it the same as exfoliating?” 

The aim of this blog is to answer those questions, and hopefully a few more along the way.

So, to answer the first question, how does it work?   Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the layer closest to the outside world. It’s a set of dead skin cells on top of another layer of cells that are in the process of maturing. The topmost layer is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum mostly acts as a barrier between the outside world and the lower skin layers. It keeps all but the smallest molecules from getting through.

When you put lotions or creams on your skin, some of the moisture passes through the stratum corneum, but not all of it. This layer is home to many minor skin imperfections like fine  lines, enlarged pores and blemishes.

Microdermabrasion takes place at the level of the stratum corneum, or top layer of the skin, using medical grade crystals to buff away these dead skin cells to reveal the maturing cells beneath.

The treatment lasts about 30 minutes, and following a treatment you can re-apply makeup and continue with your day (you may experience some blushing or flushing of the skin for a few hours; but this can be hidden by make-up if you desire).

Fine lines appear reduced, enlarged pores smaller, scars appear faded and skin looks brighter.  Skincare products are better absorbed and make-up application is smoother. 

Is it the same as exfoliation?  NO!  Microdermabrasion reveals skin that could not be accessed by exfoliation alone.  If you like exfoliation . . . you will love microdermabrasion!

Whilst you can book just one session of microdermabrasion, we recommend a course of between 4 and 6 to get the full benefit.  Usually we would recommend about 2 weeks between each visit.

Microdermabrasion usually costs £60.00 per 30 minute session; however we are offering a 2011 price of ONLY £30.00 for 30 MINUTES.

Try it and you will see and feel the difference for yourself!

Posted in Facial Aesthetics, Practice News | Comments Off

dental practice

1st September 2011

ACID EROSION OF YOUR TEETH

We get a lot of questions about acid erosion at our dental practice, especially since there are a lot of products being advertised on TV to help with this problem.  So, we thought we would put together a small Q&A blog of our own which we hope you find useful.

What is acid erosion?

Tooth erosion is different from tooth decay in that the bacteria in the plaque are not involved.  Instead acids from some foods and many drinks attack the enamel on the surface of the tooth directly.  If this happens often or, over a long period of time, it can gradually wear tooth enamel down and can eventually cause shallow depressions to develop in the teeth.

Although mild erosion may not give rise to any symptoms, in severe cases erosion can make the teeth more sensitive and cause pain after consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.  The teeth may also become unsightly.

Who is affected?

Erosion is becoming an increasing problem in both adults and children.  Baby teeth have thinner enamel and dentine layers than adult teeth and these are worn away more quickly by contact with acid.

The teeth may become smaller and have smooth “saucer” shaped depressions.  Frequent fizzy drinks, fruit juices and acidic food will cause tooth erosion.

Another cause of erosion is chronic vomiting, where gastric acid from the stomach comes into contact with the teeth.  This can occur in several medical conditions including eating disorders and even during pregnancy.

Erosion can also be seen in people suffering from a hiatus hernia who have frequent reflux of gastric acid into the mouth or indeed people who suffer from chronic indigestion or “heartburn”.

What types of food and drink contain acid?

 

    • Any type of fizzy drink for example cola or lemonade
    • Citrus fruit drinks such as orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit even if diluted
    • Any sour fruit such as lemons and plumbs
    • Vinegar
    • Pickles, such as onions and gherkins.
    • Yogurt
    • Cider, dry wine and some larger beers
    • Herbal teas
    • Vitamin C Supplements

How can acid erosion of the teeth be prevented?

 

  • Always limit acid foods or drinks to mealtimes only and finish the meal with a little cheese or milk (this will neutralise the acid more rapidly)

 

  • Avoid acid foods and drinks immediately before going to bed and during the night

 

  • Fruit juices and squashes should not be given to infants from a feeding bottle as a comforter

 

  • Do not “swish” fizzy drinks around the mouth before swallowing

 

  • If acid enters the mouth, rinse with water and do not brush your teeth.  This will wear

      away the softened tooth more quickly

  • Avoid tooth brushing after a meal including something acidic.  It is better either to clean your teeth before the meal or to delay tooth brushing until bedtime that day, or before breakfast the next morning

  What will my dentist do about erosion?

Try to establish the cause by asking questions about your health and diet.

Fluoride mouth rinses and varnishes may be recommended by your dentist to help with sensitivity to hold and cold.  A desensitising toothpaste may also be advised.

The dentist will discuss the treatment options with you.

If this Q&A blog has left you with more questions, then give us a call.  If you are worried about your teeth because of acid erosion or any other dental problems, then call and arrange to have a dental examination.  If this blog has answered your questions and put your mind at ease . . . glad we could help.

Hilltop dental Spa; for all your dental needs including;

                        Emergency dentist

                        NHS dentist

                        Smile Makeover

                        Crowns, Bridges and Dentures

                        Male and Female Dentist

                        New Patients Welcome including Children

                        Dental implants

As you know we are based in Northfield (B31) but you can join our NHS practice from any location within Birmingham and we have patients from Longbridge, Selly Oak, Bournville, Weoley Castle, Kings Norton, Kings Heath, Barnt Green, Wythall, Rednal.  Everybody is welcome.

Posted in Practice News | Comments Off

28th June 2011

Dental Care with a Difference – our promise to you

  • we will provide you with our best dental care and attention
  • We will explain the treatment options available to you so that you can make informed decisions about your dental health
  • We will offer you the latest National Health and Private dentistry treatments available
  • Each surgery will continue to work using the cross infection guidelines recommended by The British Dental Association
  • At your routine examinations we will check your complete oral health including checks of your gums, tongue and soft tissues for early detection of diseases such as oral cancer and we will tell you what we find
  • We will only employ professional staff, registered with the General Dental Council or who are in a recognised dental training scheme
  • We will continue to invest in the future of dentistry through continued training in new techniques and practices
  • We will ensure that our equipment is serviced and checked in accordance with Health & Safety regulations
  •  

Posted in Practice News | Comments Off

Emergency Dentist



Emergency dentist in Birmingham

 Appointment within 24 hours (usually same day) for

 Teeth broken

Teeth chipped

Swollen face

Gum problems

Lost fillings

Lost crowns and bridges

 Dental charges – NHS and private available

 We understand there are few things worse than dental pain and when it strikes you want fast effective treatment.

Whether you are a new patient or an existing patient, call us on 0121 475 2321.  Our aim is for you to leave our dental practice pain free

Posted in Practice News | Comments Off

dental practice in Birmingham



Top tips for a healthy smile

1.  Brush after breakfast and before bed with a small headed toothbrush and toothpaste.  Carefully floss your teeth before bed to remove any trapped food (if you find flossing difficult then try an interdental brush or floss pick).  Don’t forget to gently brush your tongue to remove any bacteria.

2.  Don’t “scrub” at your gums, brushing too hard can cause gum recession and sensitivity, brush the teeth and then with the brush at 45° angle brush where the teeth meet the gums.

3.  If you enjoy sweets, chocolate or other sugary snacks, eat them in one session, after a meal, rather than snacking throughout the day as snacking increases the sugar contact with the teeth.

4.  Remember that tea, coffee, red wine and foods with dark colourants such as curry can stain  teeth.

5.  Don’t brush your teeth within one hour of eating fruit or drinking fruit juice as the fruit acid temporarily softens the enamel.

6.  Remember every time you eat something sweet the acid in your mouth attacks your teeth for a whole hour.

7.  So if you keep drinking from screw top bottles every so often it’s a lot worse for your teeth than drinking it all at once.                                                   

8.  Be careful when buying whitening toothpastes over the counter as they can be harsh and may “scratch” the tooth enamel which makes the tooth more vulnerable to staining.

9.  Do you always seem to need fillings?  You could try a re-mineralising toothpaste which strengthens the tooth enamel.

10.  Don’t let your mouth go dry, it encourages bad breath and as saliva is a natural re-mineraliser a dry mouth can leave the teeth more prone to decay.

Posted in Practice FAQs, Practice News | Comments Off

dental practice in Birmingham



What makes our Dental Practice stand out from the crowd?

There are lots of dental practices in the local area (Northfield, Selly Oak, Bournville, Kings Norton, Longbridge) so why choose us?  Why are we different from the rest?

Well, when you visit our practice the first thing you’ll notice is that we are enjoying ourselves!  Vicky and Nerissa, our reception team love to chat, they will chat to you for hours about  treatments, costs, the weather, their holiday!  Our dental nurses Lara, Cara and Lydia are always at hand to answer your questions, or to simply hold your hand. 

Our close knit team also contains 3 nhs dentists, three hygienists, a practice manager a trainee nurse and a cleaner! 

 The second thing you’ll notice is our passion for dentistry.  We want you to have the smile you’ve always wanted.  We work long and hard, we study new ideas and treatments, we read journals and attend lectures and go to trade shows and we do all this with a happy heart because we know (as we’ve seen it first hand on many occasions) that a great smile can change your life.

 The third thing you’ll notice is that we love diversity.  You can have tooth whitening, smile makeovers, tooth re-shaping, alongside full range of NHS treatments; and even pop into our spa room for a little facial rejuvenation!

Dental Charges – we like them to be simple and transparent so you will find NHS and private price lists on the wall in our reception area.

So, do we stand out from the crowd?, we think we do but why not come along and judge for yourself?

Posted in Practice News | Comments Off

NHS Dentist, Birmingham. Our Promise to You

20th May 2011

Our Practice Commitment to You . . .

 We will provide you with our best dental care and attention

We will explain the treatment options available to you so that you can make informed decisions about your dental health

We will offer you the latest National Health and Private dentistry treatments available

Each surgery will continue to work using the cross infection guidelines recommended by The British Dental Association

At your routine examinations we will check your complete oral health including checks of your gums, tongue and soft tissues for early detection of diseases such as oral cancer and we will tell you what we find

We will only employ professional staff, registered with the General Dental Council or who are in a recognised dental training scheme

We will continue to invest in the future of dentistry through continued training in new techniques and practices

We will ensure that our equipment is serviced and checked in accordance with Health & Safety regulations

Posted in Practice News | Comments Off

Facial Pain Disorders – An Explanation

27th April 2011

THE MANAGEMENT OF ORAL AND FACIAL PAIN DISORDERS

Toothache and similar dental problems are readily diagnosed and respond to simple treatments and do not recur.  Other pains may develop as a reaction to stress or without any obvious cause.

Facial Arthromyalgia (also called tempro mandibular joint dysfunction syndrome)

This is a dull ache with occasional severe attacks affecting the jaw joint and its associated muscles.  You may experience clicking in the joint which extends into the head and down the neck.  Ear symptoms such as a sense of fullness or buzzing and dizziness are also possible.

Atypical Facial Pain

This is usually a dull ache or throbbing pain affecting the checks, eyes, jaws and all non muscular parts of the face.  It can affect both sides and be associated with some form of headache.  The pain may come and go bit may be worse when you are tired or under stress.

Atypical Odontalgia

This is a pain or severe discomfort in the teeth or in a tooth socket after an extraction, in the absence of any usual dental cause.  The pain is often made worse by dental treatment and can move from tooth to tooth.

Oral Hypaesthesia (burning mouth syndrome)

This is a group of problems which include a burning or altered sensation in the tongue or gums or a nasty taste.  This is often relieved by chewing.  You may notice a sense or increased or decreased saliva or unpleasant taste in the mouth.  It may be difficult for you to wear dentures or tolerate new fillings, crowns or bridges, dispute many attempts to help you.

Phantom Bite Syndrome

This is an unpleasant awareness that your teeth do not meet comfortably.  It does not respond to your dentist balancing the occlusion.

These problems often last long periods of time and will come and go, especially when you are under stress.  The situations that particularly affect us are long term problems such as difficulties with our children, material strain, work, housing, being lonely, ill health in members the family or more upsetting events such as bereavement, divorce or moving house.  It may surprise you to know that getting married, being promoted or having a baby are also events that put us under stress.  Children may develop such pains as a result of parental disharmony or poor adaptation to school.

Other related problems such as tension headaches, neck ache, migraine, chronic low back pain, pelvic pain or painful periods, stomach pains (especially irritable bowel) and itchy skin are experienced by some patients.  All of these problems suggest that widespread pains occur in certain individuals with susceptible body chemistry.

Treatment

In order to make a diagnosis, we need to take a full and detailed history and sometimes do blood tests and x-rays

It is important that you understand that the diagnosis of the pain does not mean that we think you are imagining the pain.  The pain is real and arises in cramped muscles and dilated blood vessels.

We usually prescribe antidepressant medication for this pain, NOT because we think you are depressed but because we have shown that this medication helps prevent the pain in non depressed patients.

You will need to take the medication for some months to ensure relief.  It is not addictive and has no severe side effects, although depending on the medication prescribed some patients may initially experience drowsiness, dry mouth or constipation.

If you have any queries please ask your dentist.

Posted in Practice FAQs, Practice News | Comments Off

« Older Entries