Dentist Bromley - Dental Blog - Bromley Dental Practice

Common Questions About Professional Teeth Whitening in Bromley

A beautiful white smile can look gorgeous, and Bromley Dental Practice offers patients Zoom whitening, one of the best-known and most respected whitening systems on the market. You can choose to have your teeth whitened in one of two ways.

Dentist Bromley Our principal dentist, Dr Zaki Bashir, can either whiten your teeth chair side, or you can choose to whiten at home using custom-made bleaching trays. Combining both methods will give the brightest results. Whitening in our dental practice is the quickest method, but some people prefer to carry out the process more slowly and in the comfort of their own home. But what happens once you’ve whitened your teeth, and how long can you expect the results to reasonably last?

This is a tricky question to answer, as the results depend on your lifestyle habits, for example if you like to drink wine, tea or coffee, or if you’re a smoker then the effects will not last quite so long. Our cosmetic dentist in Bromley will advise you how often you’ll need to touch up the results, based on your lifestyle habits. This is very easy to do at home, using our custom-made whitening trays.

Another common question is whether or not tooth whitening causes any side effects. Zoom whitening contains special ingredients to help minimise any tooth sensitivity, and the bleaching gels are designed to help protect tooth enamel. If you do feel any slight sensitivity and then it should be minimal and purely temporary. If you already have particularly sensitive teeth then you may wish to use our custom-made bleaching trays at home as these use a lower strength whitening gel over a longer period of time.

Lots of people already have veneers and crowns, and will want to know whether or not bleaching will lift the colour of these porcelain restorations. The truth is it cannot change them, as the bleaching gel will only work on natural teeth. If you do want to whiten your teeth then you might need to be prepared to replace any crown and bridge work or dental veneers. If your teeth have become stained since having these restorations then it might be possible to carefully whiten your teeth to match reasonably well.

Some teeth will whiten more easily than others, as for example if you have teeth that have been stained by tetracycline then these may prove difficult to whiten. The results can vary and it can be difficult to predict the effects. Quite a few people have teeth that have signs of fluorosis which are white spots that are formed due to being exposed to excess fluoride as children. In this case bleaching can help make the white spots less visible by lifting the background shade, but once again, results can vary.

In general, teeth whitening in Bromley is very safe for anyone with a healthy mouth, and the results can look terrific. Studies have shown having a brighter smile can significantly boost self-esteem, and can make others perceive us as being younger than we really are; that’s a huge bonus for quite a few of us.

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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Making Sure Your Dental Implant is a Success

Deciding to have a dental implant can often be a big step for many people, and as it does cost a little more than alternative treatments you’ll want to do everything possible to maximise the chances of treatment being successful. In fact dental implants have an extremely high success rate that is typically around 95%. Part of this does rely on the skill of your dentist, as accurate implant placement is critical to the finished look of your restoration, and to the way it functions. If you’re thinking about having dental implants in Bromley, then your first step is to book an appointment with Bromley Dental Practice.

Dentist Bromley Anyone considering dental implants will need a consultation before deciding to go ahead with the process. If you decide to take things further, then Dr Zaki Bashir will need to carry out various diagnostic tests to evaluate your suitability for treatment. These include dental x-rays and a CT scan which is used to help plan the implant placement. The CT scan is also essential for showing the available bone in your jaw, as each implant needs to be surrounded by a certain amount of strong and healthy bone to help ensure success.

Bromley Dental Practice uses Straumann dental implants, as these particular dental implants are very high quality and are used worldwide. Your dentist in Bromley will also want to know a bit about your medical history, such as whether you have any diseases or medical conditions that affect your immune system, and whether or not you smoke. These conditions could affect healing and may increase the chances of implant failure. If you do smoke then it’s best to give up completely or at least for the duration of treatment.

Our implant dentist is extremely experienced, and has placed more than 2,000 dental implants so you’ll be in very good hands. Once the procedure is completed you’ll be given instructions on how to care for the implant site as it’s important to keep it clean and free from infection. When the implant has fully integrated with your jawbone, it can be restored with a replacement tooth.

Up until this point your implant treatment should have been a success, but for this to continue your need to be prepared to look after your implant at home, and to visit us regularly for check-ups and professional dental cleanings. Even though the implant post is inert, it’s still surrounded by living bone and gum tissue. These tissues can become infected, and if this happens then it could potentially lead to the failure of your dental implants.

You can help ensure this doesn’t happen by making sure you brush around your implant very thoroughly, and that you floss every single day to remove plaque that might have built up around the implant. As long as you’re vigilant over its care then it’s unlikely that you’ll have any problems, but if you do suspect your implant has become infected at any stage, even years after treatment, then contact us as soon as possible as swift action could help save it.

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Preventative Dentistry Could Save You Money

Do you book preventative dental appointments at regular intervals, or do you tend to ignore polite reminders from your dentist in Bromley? Ignoring your dentist could cost you more money in the longer term, and could even lead to tooth loss. Preventative dentistry is the easiest way to help maintain your teeth and gums, and helps keep your smile looking its very best all the time. In spite of this too many people still neglect to attend regular check-ups and hygiene appointments, especially if they think their mouth is perfectly healthy.

Dentist Bromley One of the problems with this approach is that many dental diseases cannot be easily detected, and some do not create any symptoms until they are relatively well advanced. By this stage treatment is likely to be lengthier and costlier, and will probably mean you’ll need to spend more time than you’d like at Bromley Dental Practice. While we are always happy to see you, we’d rather it wasn’t for emergency dental care!

Regular Check-ups and Cleanings Only Take an Hour or so

In contrast, just spending an hour or so with us every six months could help ensure your teeth last for longer, and that your gums remain strong and healthy. During this appointment, Dr Zaki Bashir, or another of our dentists in Bromley, will be able to check your teeth and gums are free from disease. This is usually done by visually examining your teeth using high magnification, and through gently probing them for any soft areas that could indicate decay. It is necessary to have dental x-rays every so often, as these help show areas hidden from view, such as the contact points in between each tooth.

Dental x-rays can also show any fillings that might have begun to leak, and can be used to check the fit of existing restorations such as crowns and bridges. These problems are far easier and cheaper to treat when detected early, and this will hopefully lessen your chances of developing toothache or a dental abscess.

Dr Bashir will also check your mouth for any signs of oral cancer. Mouth cancer is very rare, but more people are being diagnosed with this condition, and rates are predicted to rise during the coming decade.

Dental hygiene is very important, and a regular scale and polish will help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. This is because the procedure removes all the hardened calculus or tartar from your teeth. Tartar consists of plaque bacteria, and this can infect the gums so they become inflamed and diseased. Regular removal of tartar decreases your chances of developing gum disease, and is very important as gum disease is the main reason teeth are lost.

Bromley Dental Practice can also help you improve your hygiene routine, and you will always find any of our dental team are willing to demonstrate the best way to floss and brush, and can discuss different techniques for increasing the effectiveness of dental care at home.

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Invisible Aligners: Clearly a Better Way to Straighten Teeth

Would you love to have a straighter smile but don’t fancy the idea of wearing standard fixed braces for months or even years? The great news is that now you can straighten discreetly and nearly invisibly through the use of our Clear Braces invisible braces.

Dentist Bromley Lots of people didn’t have the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment as children, but more are choosing to do so as adults, especially as there is an increasing emphasis on having a nice smile. In the past the only option would’ve been to have fixed braces, and even though these still have their place, modern clear removable braces can often be used to correct most orthodontic problems.

Clear Braces are completely metal free, and consists of very thin but strong clear plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit tightly over the teeth, gradually moving them into the correct positions. The system consists of three different stages, and each stage uses a slightly different type of aligner, gradually moving the teeth towards their new straighter positions.

Can Clear Braces Help Me?
All you need to do to find out is to make an appointment to pop in to Bromley Dental Practice and see Dr Zaki Bashir. This particular braces system can be very good at helping to close up or minimise gaps in between teeth, or for correcting overcrowded or protrusive teeth. If Dr Bashir doesn’t think the system is quite right for you, then he’ll definitely recommend an alternative course of treatment. Treatment with Clear Braces can take anywhere between six and 24 months to complete, depending on the complexity of the issues that need correcting. The system is very easy to use, as Dr Bashir will take impressions of your teeth that are used to fabricate the clear plastic splints. All you have to do is to make sure you wear these each day, only taking them out when you brush or floss, or whenever you eat or drink something. However if you have a special event to attend, then you can probably risk leaving them out for a few hours.

The use of clear aligners does make it super easy to get that straight smile you’ve always wanted, and there’s no need to worry about flossing around tricky wires and elastics, or to spend extra time cleaning your teeth. It’s very simple to make sure your teeth and gums remain healthy during treatment. You’ll need to pop in to our dental practice every so often so your dentist in Bromley can check that treatment is proceeding as expected, and so any small adjustments can be made as necessary. Clear Braces are designed for adults use, but can be useful anyone over the age of 14.

If you’re still sitting on the fence about having orthodontic treatment, then it’s worth remembering that it can improve your dental health. Do you currently struggle to floss in between overcrowded or tightly packed in teeth? Perhaps there are certain areas of your mouth that you can’t even clean properly? Adult orthodontics in Bromley could help change this, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

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Are Dental Implants Easy to Care For?

Dental implants are easy to look after, but you do need to make sure you care for them properly. This means they must be thoroughly brushed and flossed to make sure plaque and tartar cannot build up around them, and it is important to visit Bromley Dental Practice for regular check-ups with Dr Zaki Bashir, and to book professional cleanings.

Getting Regular Check-ups for Your Dental Implants
Dr Bashir will examine the implants to make sure they are still fitting well, and are free from disease. Regular dental x-rays will show if the bone levels around the implant are being maintained, and this is essential as good strong bone surrounding the implants will help ensure they remain firmly anchored in the jaw.

Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional cleanings help remove any hardened tartar that might have built up around the implant and which could otherwise mean the gums will become inflamed. Tartar is hardened plaque bacteria, and it can build up if you don’t brush and floss properly. Our dentist in Bromley Dental Practice can give you advice on how to brush properly, and how to floss so you remove all the plaque from around your dental implant.

Even though a dental implant is completely inert it is surrounded with living tissue and this can still become infected at any stage, even years after the implant is being inserted. A lack of oral hygiene can mean a condition called peri-implantitis will develop. This is a condition similar to gum disease and it causes the gums to become infected, swollen and inflamed. If not promptly treated this condition could affect the bone levels around the implant, and could mean the implant eventually becomes loose and will fail.

Looking after Implant Supported Dentures
If your implants are being used to support a denture then it’s important to make sure you brush and floss around the implants in your mouth, and that you thoroughly clean the implant attachments in your denture. Make sure you bring the denture with you to each appointment so Dr Bashir can check the denture and implant attachments are still in good condition. It’s possible some of the implant attachment components will need replacing periodically, and most people need to replace their denture completely every 3 to 6 years.

It’s not difficult to look after dental implants in Bromley correctly, and to ensure they remain problem free. Many people have had dental implants in position for decades and they are still performing well. If you care for your dental implants properly then they could last your lifetime, and dental implant surgery has an extremely high success rate that is typically around 95%. In addition to good dental care, it’s important to make sure you maintain good general health, and habits such as smoking could affect the longevity of your implant.

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What Are Crowns and Bridges, and How Could They Help Your Smile?

Dental crowns and bridges are restorative dentistry techniques that are designed to repair damaged teeth, or to replace them entirely.

Dental Crowns
Dentist Bromley Dr Zaki Bashir might recommend you have a dental crown if you have a tooth that is damaged due to decay, or to trauma. It might also be necessary to crown a tooth if you have had root canal treatment, or if the tooth has an extremely large filling that has weakened the overall structure leaving it at risk of fracturing. Dental crowns are extremely good at protecting the remaining part of the tooth from any further damage as they completely cap or cover the tooth right down to the gum line.

Dental Bridges
If you have one or more missing teeth then one choice is to have a dental bridge. This consists of dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space, and these are attached to the replacement tooth which is called a pontic. The overall effect of a dental bridge can be extremely nice, and this is a good choice of tooth replacement if the teeth adjacent to the gap would benefit from being crowned. If these teeth are perfectly healthy and strong and are regularly shaped then a better option might be to consider dental implants, as a dental implant doesn’t need to be supported in this way so the adjacent teeth can remain intact.

Crowns and bridges can be made from a variety of different materials, as they can be made entirely from a gold alloy that is highly polished, or they can be made from porcelain fused to metal which is where the metal substructure is covered up with tooth coloured porcelain. If you are interested in gaining the very best aesthetic appearance then it’s worth asking Dr Bashir about all ceramic crowns.

All-Ceramic Crowns and Bridges
These are top quality crowns that don’t contain any metal, and in fact one option for dental crowns is to have a CEREC crown that can be made on site at the Bromley Dental Practice, and this costs a similar amount to a conventional crown that will be made in a dental laboratory. If you need a dental bridge in Bromley then this will have a very strong substructure made out of a very special type of porcelain called zirconia. This is capable of supporting very large bridges that can span an entire upper or lower arch of teeth and provides top-quality results.

If you had a crown or bridge made some years ago then you might be surprised at just how far dental technology has advanced, as today’s modern restorations can look beautifully natural, enhancing your smile and blending in with the rest of your natural teeth. It’s very easy to look after crowns and bridges; dental crowns can be brushed and flossed as normal, and your dentist in Bromley will show you how to clean around the pontics of a bridge to keep this area clean and hygienic.

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CEREC Can Restore Your Teeth in One Easy Visit

If you have ever had a conventional dental crown then you will know it requires at least two visits to your dentist, and involves the hassle of having a temporary crown in position for two weeks or more. There is a solution, as Bromley Dental Practice can make and fit CEREC crowns and porcelain fillings in just one quick visit. Dr Zaki Bashir has been providing patients with these crowns for many years, and they have several clear advantages over conventional crowns. CEREC crowns do not require any messy impressions, and the fit can be exceptional thanks to the use of CAD/CAM technology. There is no need to worry about temporary crowns becoming loose or falling out, or being swallowed.

What Could CEREC Do For You?
If you know you need a new crown, then opting for CEREC in Bromley could help save you time without the need to compromise on results. There is no difference in price, and our CEREC machine produces high quality restorations that work in harmony with your natural teeth. Once they are bonded in position then they are extremely strong, and can look quite beautiful.

CEREC is also ideal for repairing decay in back teeth and for replacing old amalgam fillings, especially if the area to be filled is pretty large. When the back teeth are substantially decayed then it is often not an option to repair the teeth with conventional composite resin, and this because it would not be strong enough to hold the tooth together. Instead, opting for a porcelain CEREC filling (called an inlay) can restore strength to the tooth, and is virtually invisible.

If you have a chipped front tooth then CEREC could be ideal for repairing the damage as it can be used to fabricate beautiful porcelain veneers. It is the ideal solution if you have a special event coming up, and have just lost a crown or damaged a tooth. There is no need to worry about having to go away on holiday or attending that family wedding with a temporary crown, and no need to avoid sticky foods that may dislodge a temporary filling.

What is the Procedure for Having a CEREC Restoration?
It is very straightforward, as your tooth will be prepared using a local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable. From then on it is a little different. Instead of taking an impression your tooth will be scanned using an infrared camera. The information is sent to a computer, and our dentist in Bromley will design your crown, veneer or inlay straightaway. Next, the design is sent to the CEREC milling machine so your restoration can be milled from a solid block of porcelain. We keep a large stock of porcelain blocks on site in many different shades and translucencies. Once the restoration has been milled, it is hand finished before being fitted and bonded into position. You’ll leave our surgery with your new crown, veneer or inlay completely finished.

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Broken or Chipped a Tooth? Learn Why You Should Not Ignore it

Have you broken or chipped a tooth recently? If so you might have been tempted to ignore it, but it’s important to get it treated as soon as you can, and to make an appointment with Dr Zaki Bashir to have it mended. This is because a chip in your tooth will have broken through the outer layer of tooth enamel.

Dentist Bromley Tooth enamel is the hard substance that normally protects the tooth. When it is damaged then bacteria in your mouth will be able to attack the much softer layer of dentine that is just underneath the tooth enamel. Eventually the bacteria will cause a cavity, and you may find you bite down one day only to feel the tooth crumble away. There is also a risk that the cavity might eventually reach the inner part of your tooth. The pulp lies right at the centre of the tooth and contains all the nerves and blood supply to the tooth. If the bacteria reaches the pulp then things can get pretty painful, and you will need to visit our dentist in Bromley Dental Practice for root canal treatment.

Mending Chipped or Cracked Teeth with Dental Bonding

It’s much easier to get that crack or chip mended. The process for mending chipped or cracked teeth can be pretty straightforward as it can often be done through bonding the tooth. This is where composite resin material is applied to the tooth to help repair any small areas of damage. The material is tooth coloured and bonds to the natural tooth extremely strongly, helping to restore the tooth to its full strength so you will be able to bite and chew normally without any fear of the tooth beginning to crumble away. Dental bonding can be completed in just one visit to the Bromley Dental Practice, and the results should last for several years before they need replacing.

Mending Teeth with Veneers and Crowns

If the damage is a bit more substantial then Dr Bashir might recommend a different treatment. It could be that the tooth would benefit more from being veneered, or it could need to be completely protected with a dental crown. Porcelain veneers in Bromley are good for treating chips in front teeth, and can help improve the overall appearance of the tooth. They will last longer than dental bonding, but do cost a little more.

Dental crowns cover up the whole of the tooth, right down to the gum line. They are good for mending larger chips or cracks, or for dealing with fractures in teeth. Dental crowns can completely replace the missing tooth structure so the tooth can be used normally. A dental crown can last ten years or more, provided they are looked after correctly.

Mending chips and cracks in teeth is much more cost effective than leaving the damage to progress and treatment can be far quicker.

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Cosmetic Braces Can Help Slightly Crooked Teeth

Are your teeth only slightly crooked? If so you might have wondered about straightening them but can’t face the thought of lengthy orthodontic treatment? It is something that can put many adults off, even though modern orthodontics is very discreet. Luckily Bromley Dental Practice can offer an alternative, as Dr Zaki Bashir can fit you with cosmetic braces that use the very latest orthodontic technology to straighten teeth quickly and effectively.

Dentist Bromley This particular orthodontic system is called the Inman Aligner in Bromley and is ideal for teeth that are only slightly out of alignment, or for adults who have had orthodontic treatment in the past but have not always worn their retainer. This can lead to the teeth shifting back towards their original positions, something that is called orthodontic relapse. It would be a very good system for anyone whose front teeth are slightly protrusive or which are overcrowded. It’s called a cosmetic braces system because it works on the teeth that are visible when smiling.

What is the Inman Aligner?

The Inman Aligner is a fully removable orthodontic appliance that uses low forces to move the teeth very quickly. It consists of two very thin aligner bows that are powered by nickel titanium coil springs which oppose each other. One wire is located over the front of the teeth while the other is located on the inside, and will squeeze the teeth into the correct position as the bow on the inner side of the teeth pushes outwards, while the bow on the outer side of the teeth pushes inwards. Most people will complete treatment within as little as six weeks, or it might take up to 18 weeks. If you are interested it’s best to ask your dentist in Bromley to give you a realistic idea as to how long treatment will take.

The actual process of getting an Inman Aligner is a very straightforward and quite quick. Your Bromley dentist will take impressions of your teeth that are sent to a laboratory so the brace can be fabricated. Once your Inman Aligner is completed you can return to Bromley Dental Practice for the brace to be fitted. From then on it’s simply a matter of making sure you wear your orthodontic brace for at least 16 to 20 hours each day. You’ll need to see your dentist every two or three weeks to check the treatment is working as predicted.

Once treatment is complete it’s important to be prepared to wear a retainer to prevent orthodontic relapse. It is up to you as to whether you choose to have a retainer permanently bonded onto the back of your teeth, or if you prefer to have a removable retainer.

An Inman Aligner can also be a good choice for anyone considering having veneers, as straightening the teeth first will enable treatment to be more conservative as less tooth structure will need to be removed to get good results.

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Bad Breath: Reasons Why it Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Bad breath is called halitosis, and most of us will suffer from this occasionally but it can be a problem if bad breath becomes persistent. This is because it can often be a sign of poor dental health, or it may indicate other health problems.

How Does Poor Oral Health Lead to Halitosis?

Your mouth contains lots of different kinds of bacteria, and whenever you eat something or have a sugary drink then particles will remain on your teeth and gums. These are a great source of food for these bacteria, and as their numbers multiply they will create noxious odours. Small pieces of food can also become trapped in between the teeth and will gradually rot, causing unpleasant smells.

Normally these bacteria and food particles will be removed through regular brushing and flossing before they can create extensive problems. It becomes an issue if you’re less than vigilant about brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, as this really is the only way to thoroughly clean your teeth. Flossing is especially important as those contact areas in between your teeth account for around a third of all tooth surfaces and they’re prone towards developing tooth decay. In addition food and plaque bacteria trapped in these areas can quickly lead to the gums becoming infected and inflamed and to the development of gum disease.

Halitosis can also be caused through improperly cleaning or failing to clean dental appliances such as dentures and braces. Food and bacteria can easily become trapped in these appliances and they’ll soon become unhygienic to use.

Do You Think You Have Bad Breath? Contact Us for a Proper Diagnosis

If you think your breath might be less than sweet and then it’s probably time to book a check-up with Dr Zaki Bashir, or with another Bromley dentist. Any problems such as gum disease and tooth decay can be treated, and your teeth can be professionally cleaned by one of our hygienists. We can also help with any other problems such as dry mouth or xerostomia.

Dry mouth is where insufficient saliva is produced to help keep the mouth clean and fresh, and it can lead to halitosis. This condition can be caused by a number of different things including certain prescription drugs, or it can be a side effect of certain health conditions. It can be managed through the use of artificial saliva, or if it’s related to prescription drugs then it might be worth visiting your GP to see if anything different can be prescribed. It is always important to continue taking any prescription drugs unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

If your dentist in Bromley can’t find any dental related reasons for your bad breath then they might recommend you visit your GP. This is because it can sometimes be caused by undiagnosed health conditions. These include diabetes, acid reflux, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic sinus infections or liver and kidney problems.

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