Author: admin

Root canal treatment is one of the most feared dental treatments. Many people will often choose to have their teeth extracted rather than undergoing the procedure.

Due to the modern techniques used in root canal treatment it is possible to restore and save a tooth that is decayed or infected. During the procedure, the tooth’s nerve and the pulp inside the tooth is removed, the tooth is then cleaned, and a filling is placed to seal the tooth and remove the risk of the tooth becoming reinfected.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre believe knowing the benefits of undergoing root canal treatment may help to persuade you that there is nothing to fear from the procedure.

Alleviates pain

Far from causing pain, root canal treatment is designed to help alleviate pain. Root canal treatment itself is virtually painless. Thanks to modern techniques and effective anaesthesia, patients who experience root canals are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who have a tooth extracted.

Preserves the tooth

If a tooth is infected, the options are either root canal treatment or tooth extraction. Tooth extraction creates a gap which can be restored with a bridge, dentures, or a dental implant. Root canal treatment preserves the tooth’s natural structure and allows you to keep the tooth for many years.

Stops the spread of infection

Root canal treatment removes bacteria from an infected tooth, stopping the spread of infection to other teeth and gums.

Improves the appearance of the tooth

Decay, fracture, or infection can affect your tooth’s appearance. But, with root canal treatment, the affected tooth can be preserved and fixed with the help of a dental crown, allowing you to have a natural-looking tooth that functions like the natural teeth.

Cost Effective

Tooth extraction can take longer than root canal treatment due to follow-up appointments required for a bridge, dentures, or a dental implant; plus the cost may be higher.

Enhances your overall health

If an infected tooth is left untreated, it may cause additional harm to your oral and general health. Root canal treatment aims to safeguard and preserve your health.

Want to discuss root canal treatment? The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre are ready and waiting to help. Do not hesitate, call today on 01622 682 029 and book an appointment.

Did you miss out on braces when you were a teenager? Did you have braces but didn’t wear your retainer, so your teeth have moved?

Are you considering teeth straightening? If so, you are not alone, adult braces are one of the fastest growing dental treatments in the UK.

There are however plenty of myths around teeth straightening and Invisalign.  In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look to give you some of the facts instead!

I am too old for teeth straightening or Invisalign.

There is no age limit on having a smile you can be proud of. The process of moving teeth through teeth straightening is the same whether you are 16 or 50. Teeth straightening can be used to improve problems caused by of crowded teeth, crooked teeth, spacing or gaps, a relapse after past teeth straightening treatment, overbites, buck teeth and deep bites.

Teeth straightening treatment will take years.

Teeth straightening treatment is regularly adapting and evolving, making it possible to enhance the appearance of teeth more quickly and with reduced discomfort. For minor cases, results can be seen in as little as a few months, with most treatments being completed within 6-12 months.

Adult teeth straightening treatment is inconvenient.

When using the latest teeth straightening treatments, there will be fewer appointments and these will be shorter in duration, minimizing time away from work and leisure. The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre will arrange appointments to fit your schedule when possible, reducing any disruption.

Teeth straightening is purely cosmetic and not worth the investment.

Yes, teeth straightening will help to improve your appearance, increasing your confidence and self-esteem. There are however a number of other ways that teeth straightening can help to improve the health of your teeth and gums;

• straight teeth are easier to keep clean; this means you will reduce your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and in the long-term tooth loss.
• straight teeth will help to spread the biting pressure across your teeth, reducing the risk of wear and damage and helping to improve TMJ symptoms.
• straight teeth can help you to speak more clearly.

Teeth straightening is very expensive.

Teeth straightening is one of the most expensive treatments we offer at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre. However, we are making it our mission to ensure that monetary concerns should not prevent you from achieving the smile of your dreams. That is why we are pleased to be able to offer 0% finance, allowing you to spread the cost of your teeth straightening into manageable monthly amounts.

Want to discuss rejuvenating your smile with teeth straightening? The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre are ready and waiting to help you start your journey to a straighter smile. Do not hesitate, call today on 01622 682 029 and book an appointment.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at the four biggest threats to your mouth and how you can safeguard your smile for the future.

Plaque

Until it’s brushed and flossed away, plaque builds up on your teeth leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque is a film that covers all surfaces of the teeth, including areas below the gum line. It is a microbial biofilm that contains various bacteria capable of surviving in the crevices of the mouth.

Schedule a hygienist appointment to remove any plaque build-up and keep your teeth sparkling clean.

Bruxism

You may be coping with side effects of bruxism like tooth sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain without understanding the root cause at all.

Night-time tooth grinding is tricky to identify because it occurs when you’re completely unaware of the behaviour. Since chronic clenching and grinding places so much pressure on the muscles, tis-sues, teeth, and other structures around the jaw, symptoms can be felt long after the grinding stops and the sun rises.

A few of the most common bruxism symptoms include the following:

• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Sore gums
• Sensitive or broken teeth
• Clicking jaw joints
• Chronic dull headaches
• Earaches
• Flat, short, or blunt teeth surfaces

Left untreated, nighttime tooth grinding can wear down your teeth and leave you in chronic pain. If you have been experiencing frequent jaw discomfort, daytime fatigue, or dull headaches, ask your dentist to examine your mouth for signs of bruxism and they will be able to advise on the best course of treatment to keep your teeth looking their best.

Misalignment

Most people want to straighten their teeth for the aesthetic benefits, but there are many important dental health benefits to fixing crooked teeth.

Common misalignment issues such as crowding, spacing, and improper bite can make plaque removal challenging in specific areas. If plaque is not adequately brushed and flossed away, it can spread and cause gum inflammation and tooth decay. This can eventually lead to gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease.

In other words, crooked teeth put your smile at a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. This can be addressed by a course of teeth straightening which will not only improve the appearance of your teeth but will allow you to keep them healthier for longer.

Gum Disease

There are many different reasons that the dangerous bacteria in your mouth might gain too much power: smoking, poor brushing, and a high-sugar diet are just a few common causes. Eventually, bacteria, sugars, and acids blend to create plaque and tartar that brushing alone can’t remove.

Subtle side effects like tender gums can develop into the stages of gum disease known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Recognizing these issues early is important to prevent future dental health complications.

If you’re currently experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to ask your dentist for help treating gum disease:

• Bad breath that doesn’t fade even after brushing or drinking water
• Bleeding gums
• Pain when chewing food
• Loose or wiggling teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Receding gums
• Unexpected tooth loss
• Multiple cavities and infections

Unfortunately, the damage caused by gum disease isn’t limited to your mouth. It also has serious implications on the rest of your body as well.

Researchers have been studying the link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease for decades. Statistics indicate that people with gum disease are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems.

Stop The Threats to Your Dental Health Now

You don’t need to accept these threats to your dental health as a fact of life. By contacting your dentist, keeping your appointments every six months, and receiving any treatments or procedures your dentist suggests, you can restore health and balance to your smile.

Contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01622 682 029 to schedule your appointment and put yourself on the path to better oral health.

Are you missing a large number of teeth? Missing a lot of teeth can not only affect your confidence but can be a contributing factor to several other dental health problems and can also have significant effects on your overall well-being.

While dentures are a tried-and-true solution for many patients who are missing multiple teeth, they do not always deliver the level of comfort or confidence that leads to complete satisfaction with your treatment. Fortunately, advancements in dental science and technology have led to the development of a better solution for the replacement of multiple teeth that delivers far greater results and many advantages over other treatment options.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at this solution which is known as All-on-4 dentures.

All-on-4 dentures offers a more effective way to replace your missing teeth as fewer dental implants are required than traditional methods. This process can be planned intricately such that you walk out with temporary fixed dentures, made from a resin, which puts less pressure on your dental implants as they heal, on the same day. These will be replaced by a final set of dentures 6-9 months later.

All-on-4 dentures are fixed in place and should act just like natural teeth in terms of appearance, chewing and comfort. There is no risk of them slipping out of place when you are talking or eating. If looked after carefully, your dental implants should last for at least 10 years. You will need to return to the dentist for regular check-ups and maintenance.

Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre uses the best, tested and approved dental implants materials to ensure the best possible for your All-on-4 dentures.

There are a number of benefits of choosing All-on-4 dentures to restore your smile including:

• Treatment time is drastically reduced – All-on-4 dentures can be completed in one day, unlike traditional dental implants that can take 3-6 months.
• All-on-4 dentures are suitable for patients with jawbone loss – your dentist will perform a complete 3D scan prior to treatment to plan exactly where the dental implants should be placed.
• All-on-4 dentures prevents bone loss – All-on-4 dentures are effective in minimizing the effect of bone loss since the dental implants are affixed directly to the jawbone and act in a similar fashion to the roots of natural teeth.
• Cost effective – All-on-4 dentures are cheaper than traditional techniques that may require as many as 8-10 dental implants.
• All-on-4 dentures give greater self-confidence –All-on-4 dentures gives a complete set of natural-looking teeth connected securely and comfortably, enabling you to enjoy all your favourite foods, and a great variety of food and drink, without worry.

 

If you would like to discuss our All-on-4 dentures treatment please get in touch today on 01622 682 029 to book a consultation and find out how our expert team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre can help you reclaim your smile.

Sweetened beverages have become a treat that many people have every day. Drinking high-sugar soft drinks is commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain, but these can also have an impact on our dental health and smiles.

When you drink fizzy drinks, the sugars contained interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid attacks your teeth. Both regular and sugar-free fizzy drinks also contain their own acids, and these attack the teeth too. With each swig, you are starting a damaging reaction that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip all day, your teeth are under constant attack.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at the main dental effects of drinking fizzy drinks: acid erosion and cavities.

Acid Erosion

Acid erosion begins when the acids present in carbonated beverages come into contact with the tooth enamel, the outermost protective layer of teeth. These acids contribute to a reduction in the surface hardness of the enamel.

Although sports drinks and fruit juices also have the potential to harm enamel, their impact is limited to only this layer of the tooth.

Cavities

Fizzy drinks, on the other hand, can also affect the next layer, dentin, and even composite fillings. This damage to your tooth enamel can cause cavities. Cavities, or caries, develop over time in people who drink fizzy drinks regularly. Add in poor oral hygiene, and a lot of damage can occur.

How can I prevent damage to my teeth?

The obvious solution? Stop drinking fizzy drinks. But many of us just cannot seem to kick the habit. If stopping fizzy drinks is too much of a stretch, there are things you can do to lessen the risk of damaging your teeth.

• Drink in moderation – Do not have more than one soft drink each day.
• Drink, don’t sip – Sipping gives the bacteria more time to eat the sugar and to create cavities. Drink quickly to give your body time to wash away the bad stuff. Try to drink sweetened coffees, teas, or fizzy drinks in one sitting instead of sipping on them over a longer amount of time.
• Rinse your mouth with water afterward – Flushing your mouth with some water after drinking fizzy drinks will help wash away any remaining sugars and acids and stop them from attacking your teeth.
• Wait before you brush – Despite what you may think, brushing immediately after you have a fizzy drink is not a good idea. That is because the friction against the vulnerable and recently acid-attacked teeth can do more harm than good. Instead, wait 30 to 60 minutes.
• Use a straw – This will help keep the damaging acids and sugars away from your teeth.
• Get regular dental appointments – Regular check-ups will identify problems before they worsen.

 

Soft drinks are not a healthy choice, but they are a popular one. If you have to drink fizzy drinks, do it in moderation and protect your dental health in the process.

If you would like to book a routine dental appointment, please contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 today!

Have you recently lost a tooth? Are you struggling to eat? Do you hide when anyone has a camera?

Dental implants offer a number of benefits that other tooth replacement options, such as dentures and bridges, just cannot offer.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at the main benefits of using dental implants to replace your missing tooth.

Prevents bone loss.

When you lose teeth, you also lose bone mass in your jaw. Your jawbone needs the simulation it gets when your teeth connect to maintain its mass. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces the jawbone stimulation, helping to prevent bone loss.

Blends with your natural teeth

Dental implants can be closely matched to the colour of your surrounding teeth and will perfectly fit the gap where the tooth once was. No one will know which teeth are dental implants except you and the dentist.

Restores bite force.

Dental implants are anchored into your jaw, and they allow you to bite with more or less the same amount of force you could use with your natural teeth.

Maintains your face shape.

Your teeth support your facial structure. Dental implants provide similar support for your face as your natural teeth, preventing it from changing shape.

Enables clearer speech.

Dental implants feel and function just like natural teeth, enabling you to speak easily and naturally.

No more cavities

Dental implants need to be cared for to prevent bacteria from building up in your mouth and causing infections, but the material dental implants are made of can’t decay. You will never have to worry about cavities again!

Easy to care for

Taking care of dental implants is easy! Just brush and floss like you normally would.

No Slippage

Dental implants are firmly anchored in place and will never embarrass you.

A permanent solution

Dental implants are designed to last for at least 10 years and can last a lifetime.

If you’re in need of a tooth replacement option, you should definitely consider dental implants. To find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation. Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, we have over 30 years’ experience in providing top quality cosmetic dentistry and the very best in dental care. To find out how we can help you restore your smile now, give our friendly team a call on 01622 682 029.

As we eat and drink, we collect debris between our teeth, causing staining and eventually potential plaque build-up which can lead to damage. Whether it is crisps, biscuits, chocolates, fruit, meats, or any corrosive foods, you will naturally gather debris and even more so if you have gaps between teeth. This is where interdental cleaning will help.

Did you know that brushing alone only reaches 60% of the tooth surface? Dental plaque builds up between your teeth where a toothbrush does not reach. Plaque usually hardens on the teeth with-in 24 to 36 hours, this is why it is so important to ensure that you use interdental cleaning aids daily.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at the benefits of interdental cleaning

Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Regular use of interdental cleaners removes plaque, which if left can lead to tartar build up. Inter-dental cleaning helps to prevent tooth decay and can reduce your risk of developing gum disease.

Many people who suffer with sensitive or bleeding gums may be tempted to avoid interdental cleaning for fear of making their bleeding gums worse. But in fact, interdental cleaning can improve the health of your gums, thereby helping to prevent them from bleeding. The fact that your gums are bleeding makes it even more important that you continue with your interdental cleaning.

Reduces Bad Breath

Bad breath (halitosis) is a common problem. But interdental cleaning can help to keep bad breath away. When food gets trapped between your teeth, it slowly starts to decay. If you do not remove the food particles, it can cause you to have foul-smelling breath.

Also, if plaque builds up around or between your teeth and starts eroding your tooth enamel, it can cause cavities and gum disease, which contribute to bad breath.

Health Benefits of Interdental Cleaning

Daily flossing does not just keep your teeth healthy – practicing good oral hygiene contributes to your health in other ways, too. In fact, there is an increasing amount of evidence linking periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, strokes, poor pregnancy outcomes and even dementia. Looking after the health of your gums through a good oral hygiene routine is even more important than ever.

Using interdental cleaning aids daily combined with brushing using a fluoride toothpaste can help to protect against gum disease by removing plaque and food particles, keeping your teeth and gums healthy, while giving you a beautiful smile. Interdental cleaning is essential to your smile’s health, no matter what your age.

If you would like more help or advice on improving your oral health, call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today, on 01622 682 029, and book an appointment with one of our hygienists.

Alongside our Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Straightening, and Dental Implant services the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre also offer a full range of General Dentistry treatments including regular check-ups, fillings, and Dental crowns. If you are considering having a crownfitted, repaired, or replaced it is likely that you’ll have lots of questions about the treatment process and caring for your teeth afterwards. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is how long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns sit over teeth like small caps and are used for a wide variety of reasons. Much like fillings, they are one of the options we use to repair and protect damaged or decaying teeth from further harm.

Dental crowns can also be used to fix cosmetic dentistry issues by covering crooked teeth helping to give you a whiter, brighter smile. Broken, chipped or visibly damaged teeth can also be improved with the use of dental crowns, and our expert team can talk through all the options available to you in your initial consultation session.

How should you look after your Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are used as a treatment to protect damaged teeth or improve your smile, and we often get asked if they are permanent. On average dental crowns can last for up to 15 years or more with the right aftercare. You do not actually need any specialist treatments to look after your dental crowns, unless it becomes damaged, and you can usually treat it just as you would a natural tooth.

Regular teeth brushing twice a day and daily flossing will help to maintain the condition of the crown as well as benefiting your overall oral health. You should also continue to attend regular dental check-upswith your general dentist and hygienist. Your dentistwill be able to advise you on how best to look after your teeth and how to keep your crown clean.

Even though crowns can last up to 15 years, this does not mean that they are indestructible within that time frame. Like your regular teeth, dental crowns are susceptible to chipping, cracking or increased wear and tear if they are not looked after properly.

When should you replace a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are a long term solution it’s important that you attend regular dental check-ups so your dentist can check the signs and symptoms that indicate when your crown is coming to the end of its natural lifespan. If you have chipped, cracked, damaged or dislodged your crown, then it will need to be repaired or replaced .This is to ensure that the tooth underneath continues to be protected and does not sustain any further damage or decay.

While crowns cannot decay because they are made of ceramic, the tooth underneath can. If your dental crown was created and fitted to protect a damaged or decayed tooth, then you need to make sure that you follow all your dentist’s advice to keep the crown, tooth and gum line clean and healthy. A build-up of plaque could cause the tooth underneath to start, or continue, to decay. If you notice any tenderness or swelling from your crown or the tooth it is covering, please arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid the problem becoming more severe.

 

Find out more!

As you can see, dental crown are an excellent treatment option to strengthen and protect any damaged teeth and give you back your smile confidence. There really is no straight forward answer to the question of how long dental crowns last because it varies so greatly from person to person. But by following the guidance of your dental team and practising great oral care at home you can make sure your crown and your natural teeth stay healthy and secure.

If you would like to discuss our dental crown treatments please get in touch today on 01622 682 029 to book a consultation and find out how our expert team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre can help you reclaim your smile.

When it comes to taking care of your smile, there are a number of misconceptions that can cause damage to your oral health. In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look to dispel some of these myths.

Myth 1 – The harder you brush the cleaner your teeth will be.

Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can damage your oral health by eroding the enamel that protects teeth and causing the gums to start to recede. Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we advise that you always use either a soft or medium bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush to help protect your teeth and gums from toothbrush abrasion.

Myth 2 – Interdental cleaning is not necessary

Brushing alone only reaches around 60% of tooth surfaces. Using interdental cleaning aids such as floss, floss picks or interdental brushes, help to reach those surfaces in between teeth that brushing alone misses. Food and bacteria left between teeth, can give off a bad odour, causing bad breath and if the bacteria are left to multiply can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Make sure you use interdental cleaning aids daily to keep your smile looking its best.

Myth 3 – If your gums bleed, stay clear

The reason that your gums bleed when brushing is inflammation, caused by a build-up of plaque or bacteria. If you notice any bleeding when you brush or floss it is important that you are even more thorough with your oral hygiene routine to help remove the build-up of plaque or bacteria. Over time with careful cleaning the gums will become healthier, and the bleeding will stop.

Myth 4 – It is important to rinse your mouth after brushing.

It is important to spit, not rinse after brushing. This enables the fluoride in your toothpaste to continue working on your teeth promoting enamel mineralisation. Fluoride promotes the formation of a compound called fluorapatite, which is very close to compounds that occur naturally in your teeth. Fluorapatite incorporates itself into the enamel, strengthening your teeth against cavities. Rinsing your mouth immediately can remove helpful fluoride.

Myth 5 – You do not need a dental check-up if you are not in pain.

With many dental issues, you do not necessarily feel pain right away. If you leave going to the dentist until you start to notice symptoms it will require much more complex treatment to rectify them. If you wait until a cavity hurts, you could end up needing a root canal or extraction but with regular check-ups the problem could be fixed with a simple filling. By attending for regular routine dental appointments the dentist is able to find problems up to 7 years before they cause you pain.

If you would like to find out more about how common misconceptions could be damaging your dental health, do not hesitate to contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01622 682 029 to book a consultation appointment today!

A dental hygienist is a highly trained member of the dental team who specialises in the treatment of gum disease and provides oral hygiene instruction.

The hygienist will perform thorough scaling of your teeth to remove any plaque or calculus present, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. They will also advise you on the best ways to maintain your oral hygiene between appointments. Additionally, they will provide targeted advice to care for dental implants and teeth straightening appliances. They may also recommend smoking cessation, as smoking has a detrimental effect on dental health, increasing the risk of gum disease and staining.

How often should I see the hygienist?

The frequency of your visits to the hygienist will depend on the condition of your oral health. Initially, it may be necessary to schedule appointments every three months in order for the hygienist to manage any gum disease effectively. As long as you maintain a proper oral hygiene routine between visits, the interval between appointments can be extended to every four months and, eventually, every six months.

Benefits of seeing the hygienist.

There are several benefits to seeing the hygienist and they include:

• Demonstrations on effective tooth brushing techniques to remove plaque without causing tooth wear and receding gums.
• Discussions on the latest oral hygiene products.
• Advice on the best aid to clean in-between teeth.
• Detailed explanation of the causes of gum disease.
• Removal of plaque and hard calculus deposits.
• Discussion on the secondary factors that cause gum disease, for example smoking and diabetes.
• Discussion on how gum disease could affect or complicate other health problems, for example heart disease.
• Prevention of tooth decay and erosion
• Diet advice on how to reduce sugary and acidic food and drink.
• Advice on fluoride and apply fluoride varnishes to help remineralise early signs of tooth caries.
• The removal of food and drink stains.
• Changing red and inflamed gums to a healthy pink.
• Stopping gums from bleeding when brushing.
• Preventing teeth from becoming mobile and drifting.
• Preventing unpleasant tastes and bad breath caused by the damaging bacteria in the mouth.

Do I need to see the dentist first?

A new regulation has recently come into effect, allowing you to book an appointment with the hygienist without first seeing the dentist. However, it is important to note that a visit to the hygienist is not a substitute for seeing the dentist. Routine appointments with the dentist are still necessary, and the hygienist will refer you to the dentist if they detect any issues or if you require treatment beyond their expertise.

What should I do in between hygienist visits to improve the health of my teeth and gums?

In between visits to see the hygienist you should maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This includes:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
• Be sure to change your toothbrush every three months or sooner if it becomes worn to ensure you are brushing effectively.
• Clean in between your teeth using interdental aids such as floss, interdental brushes or water flossers.
• Aim to cut down the number of sugary foods and drinks you have throughout the day and where possible limit them to mealtimes.

So why wait call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029and book an appointment with the hygienist today!