Category: Blog

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have the perfect way to ensure that this Christmas is white, with a course of at home or in surgery teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is so popular is because it is non-invasive, easy to complete and most importantly it works. Helping to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile for relatively little outlay.

What causes teeth staining?

When you eat and drink staining foods, such as curry, red wine, tea, and coffee, or you smoke – the highly coloured organic molecules can enter your teeth via microscopic pores in the enamel and underlying dentine. In essence if a food or drink has the ability to stain your top or tablecloth, it can also stain your teeth.

How does the whitening gel get rid of these stains?

When you apply the whitening gel to your teeth the small peroxide molecules pass easily through the micropores and encounter the staining molecules that have built up in your enamel and dentine, breaking them down into active oxygen and water. The overall result is that your teeth look brighter and whiter!

What treatment options are available?

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre the team are able to offer both at home or in surgery teeth whitening:

At Home Teeth Whitening

At home teeth whitening is the perfect treatment for people who want to improve the look of their teeth without interrupting their daily routine. The treatment has an excellent track record and pro-duces incredible results.

Before the treatment can begin, one of our highly trained dentists will take impressions of your teeth; this will be used by the technician to create custom made whitening trays. The dentist will then show you how to apply the teeth whitening gel to the trays. You will then be able to take the trays and whitening gels home to complete the treatment at a time to suit you.

In Surgery Teeth Whitening

In this instance the whitening solution will either be painted onto your teeth or loaded into custom made bleaching trays and then a special light will be shone onto the teeth to help activate the bleaching solution. The treatment will normally take around an hour and during this time the procedure may be repeated with fresh solution two or three times.

What are the side effects of teeth whitening?

Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others may have discomfort in the gums, a sore throat, or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.

How long will my teeth whitening last?

Once completed, it will be necessary to top up your whitening every 1-2 years to keep your teeth looking their best.

Benfits of teeth whitening

Improves your confidence – this whitening treatment improves the appearance of your teeth, ensuring that you can feel confident in your smile.

Professional teeth whitening is safe and effective – all our whitening treatments have met stringent testing requirements and are guaranteed to give you the best possible results.

Gives you long lasting results – this whitening treatment can give long lasting results with just a top up required every year to keep your teeth looking their best.

Enhances your oral health – you will be more motivated to keep your teeth looking great following your tooth whitening treatment, improving your oral health.

So, what are you waiting for, call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 to book an appointment today and ensure you get your white Christmas!

If you attend for your regular dental appointments, the chance of developing a dental emergency should be rare, but unfortunately things happen that are out of our control.

Therefore the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have some useful advice and guidance on what you can do should you suffer a dental emergency over the festive period.

Toothache

If you find that you are suffering from unexplained toothache, ring the surgery as soon as possible and we will endeavour to fit you into one of our emergency appointments.

While waiting to be seen, it is okay to take over the counter painkillers to help relieve the pain. You can also apply a cold compress to your cheek over the painful area. At your appointment, the dentist will be able to find the source of the pain, this may be an infection in the tooth or gum or a chipped or cracked tooth where the sensitive dentine has become exposed.

Chipped or broken tooth or lost filling

If you chip or break a tooth or lose a filling, you will need to book an appointment. The dentist may be able to re-fill or crown the tooth or in the worst case the tooth may need to be extracted. If this is the case the dentist will be able to advise on the treatments available to replacing a missing tooth, this could be a bridge, a denture or a dental implant.

It is possible to buy over the counter dental cement to help relieve any discomfort temporarily.

Knocked out tooth

If the tooth has been knocked out by a direct trauma, trip or fall, if possible, try to put the tooth back into the socket ensuring that it is the right way around. If this is not possible, store the tooth in a container of body temperature milk.

If there is severe bleeding apply direct pressure to the area and in all cases, seek immediate dental help. There is the greatest chance of a successful outcome if you can see a dentist within an hour of the incident.

Lost Crown

If you lose one of your crowns, try to ensure that you keep the crown safe and book an appointment as soon as possible with the dentist. If you are unable to get to your dentist, it is possible to temporarily recement the crown using over the counter dental cement available in pharmacies.

Broken braces or wires

If a wire on your braces breaks or sticks out of a bracket, it can be very irritating. If it is not possible to reposition the wire, place a small amount of orthodontic wax over the end of the wire to help protect your mouth and gums from further damage. Never cut a wire as you may end up swallowing it! Book an appointment to see the dentist as soon as possible.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre will be open as normal in the run up to Christmas. Should you have any problems while the surgery is closed, please call 01622 682 029 and the answerphone message will provide details of how to contact the on-duty dentist.

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre the team offer a wide range of facial aesthetics treatments designed to easily and painlessly give you a more youthful and confident appearance.

Wrinkle Reduction

Overuse of muscles in the face can cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear, these become deeper and more pronounced as we age. Wrinkle reduction treatment after a thorough consultation, may help to relax the muscles under the skin so that when you frown or smile, the treated muscles stay relaxed and do not crease the skin. Wrinkle reduction can be used to help improve the appearance of lines on the forehead, round the eyes and eyebrows and in the neck area.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are the ideal choice for getting plump, youthful, smoother looking skin. Dermal fillers can be used to correct or enhance facial contours, plump up lips, soften the appearance of wrinkles and improve the tone, texture and hydration of skin. Dermal fillers work in harmony with the body’s remaining collagen and elastin to give skin a more full and youthful appearance.

Microneedling

Microneedling uses a dermaroller with very fine needles to puncture the top layers of the skin on the face. This slight injury to the skin helps to promote the skin’s own production of new collagen and skin tissue, helping to give your skin a smoother, firmer and more toned appearance. Microneedling can be used to help improve the appearance of scars, wrinkles and large pores.

Skin Peels

Skin peels are a great way of treating a range of conditions including wrinkles, scarring, acne, sun damage and pigmentation. They can also help to refresh tired looking skin. Skin peels work through the upper layers of the skin, right down to the lower levels of the epidermis. This helps to give more dramatic, longer lasting results.

PDO Thread Therapy

PDO thread therapy is an effective cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce or tighten sagging skin tissues particularly around the neck, jawline, cheeks and nose to mouth folds and the brow areas. One of the most successful forms of non-surgical facial rejuvenation is PDO thread therapy. These results are created through the insertion of absorbable cosmetic thread under the skin, which lift the facial contours and are then naturally absorbed by the body to kick start the facial rejuvenation process in a minimally invasive way.
Looking for further help and advice on getting younger looking skin? The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre are ready and waiting to help you start your journey. Do not hesitate, call today on 01622 682029and book an appointment.

We understand that for many patients visiting that dentist can be a nerve wracking and stressful experience. Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, the team will always try to make your dental visit as stress free as possible and ensure that you feel totally involved in your dental treatment starting with your initial consultation right through until the work is completed.

We set aside 30 minutes for each new patient consultation to allow us to fully examine your teeth and discuss any concerns you have with regard to your teeth.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to fill in a medical history form. By being aware of any pre-existing health conditions the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre can ensure that you are always provided with the most suitable treatment and will also ensure that we are suitably prepared to manage any medical emergency that may occur appropriately and safely.

The dental nurse will come and collect you from our waiting room.

Once you are comfortably seated in the dental chair you will be given the opportunity to explain your reasons for seeking dental help. Whatever the reason the dentist will be able to take this into account when designing your ideal treatment plan.

Assess your teeth and gums

The dentist will then inspect your teeth, gums, and soft tissues. This will also include an oral cancer assessment. The teeth and the gums will be visually inspected with special dental instruments that might cause some discomfort but usually lasts for a very short time. An intra-oral camera will also be used to aid the discussion of the state of your oral health.

X-rays

X-rays will also normally be taken to assess for any decay present underneath the surfaces or between teeth. Any problems picked up on the x-rays can be shown to you on our digital monitor whilst you are in the dental chair.

All details will be recorded onto our computer system and will provide the basis for your ongoing treatment. By completing a detailed patient assessment, we are able to track your dental health between visits and over time.

We would typically advise you to attend for a routine examination every 6 months, as here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre our focus is on preventive dentistry and being proactive with regard to improving oral health. By identifying any problems early, we can reduce the risk of painful toothaches and the amount of treatment needed.

Oral Hygiene Routine

The dentist will discuss your oral hygiene routine and recommend oral care products which will best ensure that you remove all the plaque from your teeth. This will normally be a combination of using a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and interdental cleaning aids, floss, or interdental brushes to clean the areas between your teeth at least once a day. They will also talk to you about your diet and how sugar and acid present in fruit juice and fizzy drinks can affect your dental health. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and minerals can help to prevent gum disease and protect against mouth cancer.

Following your appointment, we will, if necessary, provide you with a full and detailed written treatment plan, detailing the various costs of options available to you.

Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 and book a new patient consultation to find out how we can help you get you smile ready!

A broken tooth can affect your ability to smile and reduce confidence. Common causes of tooth breakage include eating hard food such as hard boiled sweets or ice cubes, accidents, tooth injury, or cavities.

However, the good news is that modern dentistry has the solutions to most dental problems.

In this month’s blog the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre look at some of the dental treatment options for broken teeth are:

A Dental Crown

Dental crowns can be useful in covering the entire affected portion of tooth and restore the tooth’s shape and appearance. Typically, crowns are made of metal, porcelain, and ceramic. Dentists consider it one of the safest options to fix or restore decayed or broken teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are a common cosmetic, restorative solution for improving the appearance of teeth. Porcelain veneers are crafted pieces of porcelain that fit over a tooth similarly to how a false nail fits over a fingernail. They can be used to address various issues such as chipped, damaged, crooked, gapped, or discoloured teeth.

Dental implants

If your tooth is broken beyond repair and needs to be extracted. Dental implants provide a safe, reliable, and established cosmetic treatment to replace missing teeth. It is a safe titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone to replace the missing root. Once the screw has settled in the jawbone the tooth-coloured crown is then placed on it.

Bonding

Many dentists consider dental bonding one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures, providing a strong, durable and long-lasting finish for the damaged tooth.

Root canal

Broken or cracked teeth can cause infections in the tooth roots. Your dentist may recommend root canal treatment to address this, followed by placing a crown to protect and strengthen the tooth.

Filling

With improvements in filling materials in recent years, white fillings can now be used to repair most teeth successfully and your dentist will be able to advise you on the life expectancy of any restoration. White fillings blend with your natural teeth ensuring that they will not be visible when you laugh or smile.

Do not hesitate to call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 if you damage a tooth. Our highly experienced dentists can then help you find the most suitable option to repair your tooth.

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.