Dental Blog - Bromley Dental Practice -

Learn Why Root Canal Therapy is Such a Great Treatment

Some people are fearful about having root canal therapy as for some reason this particular treatment has wholly undeserved reputation for being unpleasant. Those who have actually had it are often pleasantly surprised to find it’s similar to having a filling and really isn’t anything to be concerned about. In fact it’s a great way of preserving teeth that are badly infected, and before this technique was developed dentist in Bromley would’ve had no other option but to pull the tooth. Tooth extraction is something that Bromley Dental Practice works hard to try to avoid; it’s always best to preserve natural teeth for as long as possible as they are perfectly designed for the job in hand.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
Root canal treatment is necessary if the central part of the tooth called the pulp has become infected. The pulp is a collection of nerves and blood vessels, and any type of injury to it can be very painful. This can happen if bacteria in the mouth have eaten away at the tooth causing a large cavity that extends far into the tooth. When the pulp has become infected with bacteria it will die and cannot be saved. The only option is to remove the diseased tissue and to thoroughly clean out the pulp chamber, as well as all the root canals that are connected to the pulp and which extend right down into the tooth roots. The pulp can also become damaged if the tooth has been injured or knocked. Sometimes the pulp will begin to die straightaway while other times the process can take years to occur.

Treatment to remove a damaged pulp is skilled, as it’s important that all the root canals are thoroughly cleaned out. It’s carried out under local anaesthetic and the time required for the appointment can depend on the number of root canals in the tooth. Once the pulp is removed the tooth is non-vital, but can still function perfectly normally once it’s fully restored.

Will My Tooth Look Normal Afterwards?
Restoration of a retreated tooth normally means the tooth will need to be crowned. This helps protect the tooth and provides additional support and structure, something that might be especially important if the tooth was very badly decayed. Afterwards the tooth can be treated in exactly the same way as natural teeth, and it should last for a very long time. Regular professional dental care is important so make sure you keep up with your check-ups with Dr Zaki Bashir, as well as having regular hygiene appointments to keep the restored tooth clean and free from tartar build-ups.

Avoiding Root Canal Treatment
Once the tooth is infected there’s no avoiding this treatment, but preventative dental care can lessen the need for root canal treatment in the first place through ensuring any signs of dental decay are treated quickly before the pulp becomes infected.

Bromley Dental Practice

Zaki graduated from University of Bristol 1999 and has practiced in Kent since then. He is passionate about dentistry and providing the highest standard of care for patients, at the same time, he keeps himself at the cutting edge of modern dental techniques.

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Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush or Floss?

If you’ve recently noticed your gums begin to bleed when you brush or floss then you might have dismissed this as simply something that happens every so often. It’s not something that should be occurring when your gums are healthy and free from disease, and noticing they bleed slightly is the first sign of trouble. Other early warning signs include noticing your gums look slightly swollen or red, or feeling that you’re developing bad breath. These are all signs of gum disease, and the early stages of this condition are called gingivitis. If you manage to catch it at this stage then it’s relatively easy for Dr Zaki Bashir to treat, and it can be cleared up completely.

Dentist Bromley It’s far more serious if you allow it to progress without seeking treatment, as it can easily turn into periodontal disease or advanced gum disease. This not only affects the gums but also all the other tissues and structures supporting your teeth including the ligaments and even the bone around the teeth. In fact gum disease is the main reason for tooth loss in the world, and even worse it can affect your general health. This is because bleeding gums allow bacteria from the mouth to get into your bloodstream, and scientists have connected the presence of these bacteria to numerous other serious health conditions.

Getting Treatment for Gum Disease

Your first step should be to make an appointment with your dentist in Bromley, and to book a dental hygiene in Bromley. Having your teeth professionally cleaned helps to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease, giving your gums a chance to heal. Your Bromley dentist will also assess the state of your gums, and will check to see how far the gums have receded. You’ll be given lots of advice on how to care for your gums and how to make the most of your brushing and flossing regime. If you find it difficult to floss then talk to the dental team at Bromley Dental Practice as there are lots of techniques we can show you to help make it easier. There are also different tools you can try instead of conventional dental floss, and these can often be easier for people who have limited mobility in their hands.

If you stick to thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth at home, even if it initially makes them bleed, then you should soon notice a real difference in the state of your gums. They should begin to look healthier and will fit more tightly around your teeth, and they’ll bleed less frequently when you brush or floss. Eventually the bleeding should cease completely as your gums become stronger and firmer to the touch.

You need to get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months or so, although your dentist in Bromley might recommend more frequent cleanings if you have any medical conditions that affect your dental health such as diabetes or any other conditions that impact your immune system. With proper dental care there is no need to have unhealthy gums that bleed.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Is it Worth Replacing a Single Tooth with a Dental Implant?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes, and in fact single dental implants in Bromley are perfect for replacing single teeth. It’s true that the procedure might take a little longer to complete, and the initial cost might be a bit more compared to alternatives such as having a dental bridge, but the results make it well worth your while. A recent study looked at the long-term costs of dental implants, and found that replacing a single tooth with an implant was cost effective in the longer run. Cost is always an important aspect, but the effects on dental health are also worth considering. Using an implant to replace a single tooth will not have any negative effects on the rest of your teeth. This method of tooth replacement only provides positive benefits.

Comparing a Dental Implant to a Dental Bridge

If you choose to have a dental bridge to replace a single tooth then Dr Zaki Bashir will need to modify the teeth adjacent to the gap. These modifications involve grinding down the teeth so they are suitable to be crowned. Quite a bit of healthy tooth material will have to be removed in order to create sufficient room for the crowns, as otherwise you could end up with a bridge that looks too bulky and artificial. Once removed this tooth material can never be replaced, and even if you decide to have a dental implant fitted at a later date, these adjacent teeth will always need crowns. The crowns are used to support the pontic which is the replacement tooth.

The pontic is designed to fit up against the gum tissue in the space created by the missing tooth. This helps to prevent food from becoming trapped around the pontic, and provides just enough stimulation to the gum tissue to keep it healthy. In spite of this over time you might begin to notice a space appearing underneath the pontic, and this is due to the fact that the bone underneath the gum tissue is gradually becoming flatter. You might find it more difficult to keep this area clean and free from food, and it may look less natural than it did when it was first fitted.

When you have a dental implant it helps to preserve the jawbone through providing the same sort of stimulation as a natural tooth root. Your implant dentist in Bromley will also shape the gum tissue so it looks as if your implant crown is emerging naturally from the gum in exactly the same way as your normal teeth. The aesthetic results can be really beautiful. You’ll be able to treat this tooth exactly like a natural tooth, and this means it must be flossed and brushed to keep it free from plaque. A properly cared for dental implant should last for years and the success rate for placing dental implants is extremely high. Even though you might have to wait a little longer for the implant site to heal, and for your permanent crown to be placed, the final results make it all worthwhile, particularly if you’re concerned about the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Have You Got Toothache? Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

Do you currently have a tooth that feels a bit sensitive whenever you bite or chew on it, or perhaps it’s beginning to ache slightly? If so then fight the temptation to ignore it, and book an appointment to come and see Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley. This is because toothache is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong and it’s always worth investigating.

How Toothache Develops

Normally your teeth are protected with a thick layer of dental enamel which is one of the hardest substances in the human body. Your dental enamel is constantly under attack from the bacteria in your mouth that produce acid whenever you eat or drink something sugary or full of carbohydrates. Over time your enamel can become softer, allowing the bacteria to penetrate the interior part of the tooth.

The dentine layer lies directly underneath the tooth enamel and is much softer and more susceptible towards decay. Once the bacteria penetrate the tooth enamel and reach the dentine they will be able to eat away at this layer causing a cavity. The actual hole in your tooth might look quite small, but the cavity inside the tooth will gradually increase in size, and you might find that one day you bite down on that tooth and it simply crumbles away.

Over time the bacteria will gradually penetrate the tooth even further, eventually reaching the pulp. This is the part of the tooth that contains all the nerves and blood supply to the tooth, and when it becomes infected it’s likely to be extremely painful. By this stage you will need root canal in Bromley to save the infected tooth.

Root Canal Treatment Is Great at Saving Infected Teeth

Root canal treatment is one of those things that a lot of people feel fearful about having, but the reality is it’s no worse than having a filling and your dentist in Bromley will make sure you’re comfortably numb for the whole process. In fact root canal therapy is great at helping to preserve teeth that would otherwise have to be extracted. Once it’s completed you’ll be able to bite on the tooth perfectly normally, and your restored tooth could last for many years or even your entire life. Even though this treatment is excellent, we’d much prefer that you didn’t need it, and this is something that can be achieved through taking action when you think there’s something wrong with your teeth, or preferably before you notice any symptoms.

Early Cavity Detection

Regular dental exams at Bromley Dental Practice will enable our dentists to detect any signs of small cavities so they can be easily filled before they cause you any pain. This is one of the reasons why we take regular dental x-rays as these can show us early signs of decay in areas that are hidden from view such as right between your teeth. Small cavities are easy and quick to fill, and will cost you less money.

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Is Your Smile ‘Gummy?’ We Can Help

Do you feel you expose too much gum whenever you smile or speak with others? Or perhaps your gum line is uneven? It is easy to feel self-conscious about this, but quite a lot of people have something called a ‘gummy smile.’ Luckily it is a condition we can treat quite easily at Bromley Dental Practice, as Dr Zaki Bashir can re-contour the shape of your gums to give them a far more pleasing appearance. Your gums are pretty important as they help to frame your teeth, and gum contouring is something that is often carried out as part of a smile makeover, or prior to having teeth veneered or crowned. Having an even gum line that exposes the correct amount of tooth will help provide you with a naturally beautiful smile, helping to boost self-confidence and self-esteem..

Gum Contouring and Teeth Reshaping

Some people will only need a small amount of gum tissue removed, while others might need a more substantial amount taken away. When only a tiny amount of gum tissue needs to removed, then this treatment is sometimes carried out in conjunction with another process called tooth reshaping. This is where the teeth are reshaped to give them more pleasing contours, and this is done through removing a very small amount of tooth enamel before the tooth is polished to give a natural look and sheen. This treatment can also be used to help correct teeth that are slightly overlapping through removing a very small amount of tooth structure in between the teeth.

Gum Contouring with Dental Bonding

If the tooth is oddly shaped or is slightly too short, your dentist in Bromley might choose to re-contour the tooth using dental bonding. This is where composite resin is used to build up the tooth into a nicer and more attractive shape. The material used is the same as for white fillings, and can be very closely matched to your existing tooth colour. If necessary your Bromley dentist will use several different shades to recreate a natural looking tooth. This process is very conservative, and is ideal if a tooth is slightly chipped or worn.

Treatment for a gummy smile is fast and quite painless, although you might notice your gums are slightly swollen afterwards. It can take a while for your gums to settle down, and during this time they might change shape slightly as any swelling subsides. Once they have fully healed you should notice a considerable difference in the way they look.

Gum contouring in Bromley is very safe and is minimally invasive, but could make a huge difference to your smile. If you are interested then it is best to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our dentists in Bromley. We will be able to assess your smile, and will recommend this treatment if we think it is right for you, and that it will provide the kind of results you are hoping for.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Using Dental Implants to Secure or Replace a Denture

Problems Faced by Denture Wearers
Many people who lose quite a few teeth, or who have lost all their teeth, will choose to wear a full set of dentures. Dentures are a very cost effective way of replacing lost teeth, and the process for having them is relatively quick and non-invasive. Well-made and modern dentures can use extremely life-like teeth, but they are not an ideal solution. One of the main problems with dentures is that they do nothing to help preserve the jawbone. When you lose teeth the jawbone gradually begins to reabsorb as it relies on the tooth roots to provide the necessary stimulation to keep it healthy. Over time the ridge that used to support the teeth will become flatter, and this can make wearing a denture especially awkward.

Dentist Bromley Dentures, in particular lower dentures, rely on retention to hold them in position, and as the bony ridge gradually reduces then there will be less and less retention. This can mean the dentures begin to slip and move around, making eating tricky, limiting the choice of foods available. This can negatively impact general health, and could affect digestion. In addition, many people will get increasingly self-conscious about their dentures and will worry that they will move about when they socialise with others. This is when opting for dental implants can really help.

Replacing Dentures with a Fixed Bridge
Dental implants can be placed by Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley, and may be used to replace dentures entirely with a fixed bridge. The bridge is permanently cemented or screwed in position, and this treatment can make the world of difference to the quality of life. Imagine not having to worry about lose and uncomfortable dentures anymore, and being able to eat a wider variety of foods than before. This type of treatment will mean having quite a few dental implants placed by one of our dentists in Bromley, and the process is likely to take several months to complete, but it is well worth the effort.

Replacing Dentures with Implant Secured Dentures
Dental implants do require a certain amount of healthy bone, and this can sometimes be a problem for people who have worn dentures for a very long time. In this case one option might be to have fewer implants placed to help hold a denture in position. This technique will enable the denture to snap into place onto the implants, so it is held firmly in position but can still be removed for easy cleaning.

Most people will use dental implants in Bromley to secure lower dentures or to replace them completely, as upper dentures often still have adequate retention. However there is no reason why dental implants should not be used to replace upper dentures, and in fact this can have huge benefits as well. One of the main problems with upper dentures is that they have to be made to completely cover the upper palate in order to give good retention. Upper bridge or implant retained dentures will leave the upper palate completely uncovered. The upper palate contains lots of taste buds, so uncovering it will mean food suddenly becomes a lot more enjoyable.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Refreshing Your Looks with Botox

Botox is a great way to get a fresher look, and this treatment is very non-invasive and quick. You will need to book a consultation with one of our Bromley dentists to find out if this treatment will work well for you. It is ideal for treating frown lines in between the eyes, and for treating wrinkles that are not particularly deep seated such as early signs of wrinkles or crow’s feet around the eyes, or the first signs of wrinkles on the forehead.

Dentist Bromley Treatment can be completed within just ten minutes, as our dentists in Bromley will have identified the best locations for the injections which are administered using very fine needles, minimising discomfort. You might see some redness around the injection sites in the first few hours after treatment, and you may experience a small amount of bruising, but this should quickly clear up. It does take up to a week or so for the full results of treatment to become visible, and afterwards the effects should last approximately four months before they need topping up.

One of the things that concerns people about having Botox is that they will end up unable to express emotions, as everybody has seen actors and celebrities who seem completely unable to move their faces anymore. This will definitely not happen when you have Botox in Bromley, as our dentists only ever use the smallest amounts necessary to help relax the facial muscles, while still allowing you to move your face. The results should look very natural, and it will certainly not be obvious that you have had any work carried out. The idea is to make you look refreshed and well-rested.

Treating More Deep-Seated Wrinkles

Botox is great for many different types of wrinkles, but is not always so effective for wrinkles and folds that are well established. In this case you may need to look at an alternative form of treatment, and we do offer our patients dermal fillers. We use a brand called Restylane that is extremely well-tested and researched, and which can provide very good results. Restylane is very effective at helping to replace lost volume in the skin, something that happens naturally as we age as the skin begins to lose its plumpness. It is ideal at helping to reduce wrinkles around the mouth, and at revitalising facial features. It can give the skin a refreshed appearance as it uses a substance called hyaluronic acid that is produced naturally by the body, but production tends to drop as part of the aging process.

The best way to find out which treatment will work best for you, or whether you would benefit from using a combination of Botox and Restylane, is to make an appointment to see Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley. We will only recommend this treatment if we think it will work well for you, and will give the results you are looking for. Both treatments will only provide temporary results, but both are extremely safe to use.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Teeth Whitening in Bromley

Teeth whitening is one of the most requested, and most popular dental treatments today. Even though it won’t provide any benefits to oral health, it can be a huge boost to self-confidence, especially as whiter teeth are associated with youthfulness. Having your teeth whitened by your dentist in Bromley will ensure treatment is safe and successful.

The First Step is to Book a Check-up

Dentist Bromley This is essential; one of our Bromley dentists will need to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and free from diseases such as gum disease or untreated tooth decay. Whitening an unhealthy mouth would allow the bleaching gel to penetrate the diseased teeth or gums more easily, increasing the risk of experiencing unwanted side effects such as tooth sensitivity or pain. Additionally whitening an unhealthy mouth could worsen any existing dental health issues.

Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley will be able to tell you the kind of results you can reasonably achieve through whitening your teeth. Certain shades whiten better than others, for example teeth that are yellow will whiten more easily than teeth that are grey or violet toned. Some teeth may simply be immune to whitening, as teeth that have been veneered or crowned will not bleach, and some stains may be internal. Internal or intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to antibiotics when the teeth were still developing or exposure to excess fluoride before the age of seven. If you have some teeth that are affected this way then you might need to think of covering them up with crowns or veneers once you have whitened your teeth. The reason for whitening first is that we will be able to match the shade of your veneers more accurately to your newly bleached teeth whereas it is much harder to make dental veneers in a particular shade, and to then try to bleach your teeth to match them.

Some teeth may become discoloured if they have been root treated, and in this case it might be possible for your dentist in Bromley to bleach the tooth internally while whitening the rest of the teeth normally.

We Use Zoom Whitening

Our dental practice uses Zoom teeth whitening in Bromley that can brighten the natural shade of your teeth in just an hour. The process is extremely safe, as your gums and lips will be fully protected from the whitening gel throughout treatment. The gel is activated through the use of a special light that allows the bleach to penetrate the teeth more fully.

If you decide to opt for home whitening, then we can make you whitening trays that will fit over your teeth, and which will be very comfortable to wear. We will supply you with the whitening gel, as well as full instructions on how to use it. Some people will want to use both systems in order to get the very best possible results, but if you want your teeth to look naturally white and youthful, it is best to aim for a shade that is close to the whites of your eyes.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Starting the New Year with a New Smile

Are you fed up with having stained teeth, or teeth that are chipped or crooked? In this case one of your New Year’s resolutions might be to do something to improve your smile, and this is where we can help.

Dentist Bromley Bromley Dental Practice offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic dental treatments, some of which can also help to improve or maintain your oral health. For instance, dental fillings will only last for a few years before they need replacing, and if you have any older style amalgam fillings these can be safely removed by your dentist in Bromley, and replaced with much nicer looking white fillings. These are made from composite resin, and the colour is very closely matched to your natural teeth so the new filling will be virtually undetectable. It is amazing what a difference this can make to a smile as it can help to eliminate dark or silver coloured areas in your mouth, making your teeth appear brighter and whiter. This type of treatment is not very expensive, and it will help to preserve your teeth.

Perhaps you are looking for something a little more radical, in which case you may want to think about dental veneers or perhaps dental bonding. Porcelain veneers in Bromley can help to mask teeth that are internally stained, and which will not respond to teeth whitening treatments. They can be used to mask chips and cracks in teeth, and can help to replace areas of the tooth that may have become worn down. If one or two of your teeth are misshapen or too small, then having them veneered can give them a more pleasing appearance while still preserving most of the tooth.

Dr Zaki Bashir or another of our dentists in Bromley will only need to remove a tiny amount of tooth material from the front of the tooth to make room for the veneer. Sometimes it may not even be necessary to do this, depending on the position of the tooth. The veneer will be made from porcelain, and once bonded in position will be relatively strong. A well-cared for veneer could last up to ten years, or possibly even longer, but this does depend on you having regular check-ups with one of our Bromley dentists, and good dental care at home.

If you don’t fancy having veneers, then an alternative could be to have one or more teeth bonded. This process is minimally invasive, and is ideal for camouflaging the appearance of teeth that might be slightly out of line. The process uses the same composite resin as for white fillings, and can usually be completed in just one visit to our dental practice. Just about everyone will benefit from teeth whitening, a treatment that can be carried our chair side by your dentist in Bromley in as little as an hour, or if you prefer we can provide you with custom-made whitening trays to use at home.

There are lots of different options for boosting your smile and even small changes can make a big difference, and won’t cost you a fortune. If you are interested in finding out more, the best thing to do is to book a consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists in Bromley.

Bromley Dental Practice

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Why is Preventative Dentistry so Important?

Are you sometimes tempted to ignore those six monthly reminders we send you? Dr Zaki Bashir, and all the dental team here at Bromley Dental Practice realise this is all too easy to do, especially if your teeth feel and look fine to you. However there are lots of important reasons for picking up the phone and booking that appointment. Regular preventative dental care is the very best way to help keep your teeth and gums healthy, and is likely to save you money and time in the future. Common diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease can often be easy to miss.

Tooth Decay

Your dentist in Bromley will carefully examine your teeth for any signs of erosion or lesions in your tooth enamel. These could indicate the beginnings of a cavity, and at this stage we may be able to treat them with fluoride applications, or where necessary a small filling. Smaller fillings are also cheaper fillings, and will help to preserve the rest of your tooth. Leaving tooth decay until it becomes painful will be much more costly to treat. If a tooth causes pain then the decay could have reached the central part of the tooth, an area called the pulp and which contains all the nerves and blood vessels to the tooth. An infected pulp will require root canal in Bromley, and the affected tooth may need a larger filling or even a crown to restore it to health.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is often called a silent disease. Early signs such as gums that bleed when brushed, or which feel a bit tender, can be all too easy to ignore. These are the sort of things your dentist in Bromley will pick up on. A professional cleaning, combined with better dental care at home could be all that is required to get your gums back in the pink. If you leave this disease then it will destroy your gums, the ligaments supporting your teeth, and even the bone surrounding your teeth. Eventually you may find you lose some or even all of your teeth. Gum disease, or periodontal disease can also affect your general health, and not in a good way. Studies have linked it to numerous common diseases including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease.

Mouth Cancer

Finally, a simple check-up with your dentist in Bromley could even save your life. Your check-up includes a screening for mouth cancer, a disease that is frequently diagnosed late in the day when treatment is not always successful. This simple check will only take a couple of minutes, but will enable our dentists to see if there are any lesions or ulcers, or any changes in the colour of your oral tissues. Early diagnosis will mean treatment has a much higher chance of success, and it is likely to be less invasive.

All it takes is an hour or so every six months, and less than ten minutes each day to help keep your teeth and gums, and your whole mouth as healthy as possible. Regular professional cleanings will also help put a sparkle in your smile through removing some of those surface stains from your teeth.

Bromley Dental Practice

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