Author: Crofts Dental Practice

Are you apprehensive about root canal treatment?

Fear and apprehension are normally the result of a lack of knowledge about an impending event or experience. At Crofts Dental Practice root canals Essex are only performed after a comprehensive examination and a thorough discussion with you. We explain the reasons why you need the treatment, but we also explain the procedure, duration and the benefits to you. Our experience is that armed with this knowledge and having been given the opportunity to ask questions and allay fears, patients are less scared of the procedure.

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What is dental pulp?

Each tooth has a root or roots. Your front teeth normally have one root and your back teeth two or three roots. Each tooth is filled with a pulp medically referred to as endodontium and this provides the material necessary for your teeth to grow and remain healthy, it is found underneath the dentine.

Why would I need root canal treatment?

You might need this treatment if you experience sensitivity with your teeth, severe toothache, sharp pains in your mouth or if you develop a severe infection in your mouth. An accident or sports collision where you have banged your teeth hard against an object may mean a crack  has developed and this is another reason why your tooth pulp may be damaged. Other indications are if you find that when you chew or bite you experience a sharp pain, or suffer sensitivity when drinking hot or cold fluids. Rub your finger over your gums and if you find small pimples on them that is another indication. If you have swollen gums or if your gums appear darker than usual seek dental advice.These can all be urgent signs that there are problems with the dental pulp in a tooth. Treatment of root canals Essex will become necessary when a thorough examination identifies that the dental pulp has been infected by bacteria, as the pulp will slowly begin to die. Dental pulp cannot heal itself and even if the pain subsides over time this may only be an indication that the nerves have died.

The procedure

Removal of the dental pulp is carried out under local anaesthetic and you should feel no pain. Using a dental dam to ensure that the tooth is isolated we will make an opening in the top or crown of the infected tooth. Using a variety of small dental instruments we will clean out all the pulp from the various chambers within your tooth. We will then fill your tooth with a specially formulated dental material which will completely seal the root canals Essex. Usually at this stage a temporary filling is used to block the opening and you will be required to return in a few weeks for the final procedure. On your next visit the temporary filling will be removed and your new crown will be fitted restoring your tooth back to full functionality.

Return to eating and drinking normally

It is recommended to give it a day or two before normal eating and drinking may resume. You can restart your normal oral hygiene routine and your treated tooth will last as long as your other teeth.

Do you suffer from sensitive teeth?

There is nothing worse than tensing up because you know that when you drink something hot or cold you are going to experience a sharp pain due to sensitive teeth Essex. At Crofts Dental Practice we know how debilitating this problem can be and you are not alone. The causes are numerous and we will quickly identify the cause, but you will need to visit us at our dental surgery. You may simply be brushing your teeth too vigorously or you may be using a brush that is too hard for your teeth. Eating foods which have a high acidic content such as tomato sauce, oranges, lemons, kiwis and grapefruit will all cause your teeth to ache. It may be that you are doing your own teeth whitening at home using over-the-counter whitening products. Prolonged use of the chemicals and alcohol in mouthwash can also lead to damage to the enamel of your teeth. Teeth grinding is a common cause which over time exposes the dentine, resulting in exposure of the tubes which lead to the roots of your teeth. These are all things that we will quickly identify and help you to correct.

 

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More complicated conditions

Sensitive teeth Essex can, however, be related to more complicated conditions which may require dental treatment. You may have excessive plaque which builds up after eating and the correct regular brushing and flossing will help keep the amount of buildup to a minimum. It will still be necessary to have your teeth cleaned at least every six months by our dental hygienist to ensure that your teeth are properly maintained. Gum disease, caused by improper dental care or from receding gums which can be a result of ageing, can also result in sensitive teeth Essex. You may not realise that you have a chipped or cracked tooth or teeth. There may be some decay from fillings that have weakened resulting in bacteria in the small crevices.

We can bring you lasting relief

All of these causes can be treated and there is no need for you to suffer excruciating pain when we are here to offer you lasting relief. Prevention is really the key and by introducing you to a proper regular oral hygiene regime we can help you to ensure that you enjoy the foods and drinks that you love.

Conditions caused by modern technology

One of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is as a result of social media technology. Many of us use social media regularly and this increase in the use of our mobile phone camera has resulted in a desire to have perfectly white teeth. The use of over-the-counter tooth whitening solutions has also resulted in an increase in tooth and gum problems. We can help you by doing your teeth whitening in our surgery. We will carefully examine your teeth and gums and identify any conditions that may be developing. We will also choose the correct treatment solution that is best suited to your particular teeth, rather than an off-the-shelf solution. We also use special gum shield protection to avoid any damage to your gums. This could be one of the problems that is causing your teeth to be sensitive and we believe that it is best to let your dentist attend to your teeth and gums as they are precious and we know best how to take care of them for you.

A guide to maintaining fresh breath from us at Crofts Dental

When you are struggling with unpleasant breath, this can be embarrassing, and you may be wondering why it’s happening. Here at Crofts Dental, we can give you all the information you need to try and get fresh breath Essex by yourself, as well as being there to offer extra help if you need it.

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What causes smelly breath?

Even when you have a good oral hygiene routine, sometimes certain things can still cause your breath to smell unpleasant more often than usual. If you have been struggling with this, then don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do everything we can to help you get fresh breath Essex again.

Food and drink

One of the causes that we have seen in our patients is eating or drinking strong-smelling foods or drinks often, as this can contribute to bad breath. Make sure to brush your teeth and floss soon after eating these foods if you eat them often, to help with preventing longer term bad breath.

Smoking

Another thing that is more damaging than strong-smelling foods and is a very common reason for bad breath is smoking. When you smoke, this can massively contribute to accelerated tooth decay, which can cause constant bad breath. It is best that you do everything you can to try and stop smoking to protect your oral health, as well as your health in general.

Problems with your teeth

If you have a very good, regular oral hygiene routine, don’t smoke and don’t eat strong-smelling food very often, but you are still experiencing bad breath, there may be underlying problems with your teeth. It could be gum disease, an infection, or holes in your teeth, so make sure to come in and see us if you are worried about this.

What you can do

There are a few things that we recommend to our patients to do to help prevent bad breath, as there could just be a small change you can implement that makes a big step in contributing to your fresh breath Essex. Don’t worry though, if you are still experiencing bad breath, just pop in to our practice and we can help you with treating it.

Oral hygiene

As mentioned above, we strongly believe that having a good oral hygiene routine is a crucial part of maintaining your oral health, and therefore preventing bad breath. If you don’t regularly brush your teeth, tongue and floss, then this creates an ideal environment for bacteria to spread, which can cause decay and other problems.

Dental check-ups

Making sure that you visit us regularly for check-ups can really help with preventing bad breath. It allows us to make sure that your oral hygiene is the best it can be, and means we can try and spot any issues early on that may contribute to bad breath.

Gum and mints

A lot of our patients feel embarrassed when they are experiencing bad breath, and may want short-term help with this by using chewing gum and mints. These are fine to use as long as they are sugar-free, because if they aren’t, the sugars can cause decay, which will only contribute to your bad breath in the long term.

How can our dental implants help with missing teeth?

Having missing teeth can affect both your oral health and your confidence, and you may be looking for a way to resolve this. With dental implants Essex, your lost teeth can be replaced to a high standard, and with a natural look.

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What are they?

Dental implants Essex can be a very effective treatment when it comes to replacing lost teeth, and this is partly due to their structure. They are usually made out of three parts, the first being the implant screw. The screw is the piece that is the foundation for your new tooth. On top of this, we will attach the abutment, which holds the crown in place. The crown is the part that really makes the difference to the appearance of your smile, as it is a piece of porcelain that is coloured and shaped to look like your other teeth.

What’s our process?

When you come to our practice for dental implants Essex, it is very important that we have a consultation with you. This appointment allows us to explain all of the information about the treatment, and answer any questions you may have. After this, we will examine your mouth and take scans such as X-rays to get a better idea of your needs. It is vital that we make sure you have enough bone left in the area for your implant screw to be held in place.

Once we have had the consultation with you and you are eligible and ready to go ahead, we will book your first surgical appointment. During this appointment we will insert the implant screw, which is a simple and fairly quick process. We will then close the area back up and leave it to heal for a few months. This is a very important part of the whole process, as this healing time allows your bone to fuse with the screw.

Once the area has healed, we will invite you back to the practice so that we can attach the abutment and the crown. This is when you will really see the difference that implants can make to the look of your smile.

At Crofts Dental Practice, our team of highly trained dentists will take very good care of you before, during and after the treatment. They will always put your needs first, and make sure that you have the best experience possible whilst improving the look of your smile.

Why choose implants?

This treatment is a very popular choice with our patients when it comes to replacing their teeth, and you can see why from some of the advantages mentioned below.

Strong

One of the main things that you will notice when you get implants with us, is how strong they are. When you have your implants, you won’t have to worry about food restrictions, as they can withstand the usual forces of chewing that your natural teeth can.

Appearance

The look of your smile once we have put your implants in is the main reason why our patients choose this treatment. When you have missing teeth, it can feel embarrassing and can knock your self-confidence, so to be able to replace the tooth with something that looks and feels natural is a huge advantage.

What are the benefits to orthodontics?

Patients experiencing problems with the alignment of their teeth, jaws or bite will want to find out more about how orthodontics Essex can help relieve their symptoms.orthodontics-essex

At Crofts Dental Practice, we offer patients a myriad of viable modern solutions in orthodontics Essex. More and more patients – adults, in particular – are interested in teeth straightening appliances that can fit in with their lifestyles. Modern orthodontics Essex caters to this demand by introducing distinctive appliances that feature forward-thinking designs.

Misaligned teeth not only create unsightly smiles but give rise to a number of dental health problems. Linked to teeth misalignment issues are poor oral hygiene, digestive issues (when food cannot be chewed properly), dental pain, gum disease and tooth loss. And this does not even take into account the devastating effects of what the loss of confidence in smiling can do to a patient’s mental, social and professional wellbeing.

There is strong evidence that links orthodontic treatment to the overall quality of life. Orthodontic treatment can help patients bite and chew better, improving their ability to eat a wider variety of foods. It can also allow patients to smile better and gain confidence in speaking to others, forming friendships or advancing in their careers.

Types of orthodontic devices available

At our practice, we make available a range of workable teeth-straightening devices so that our patients can choose one that suits them according to their specific needs and preferences.

For us to provide our patients with a superior level of patient care, we must evaluate their goals and lifestyles, allowing us to determine the right treatment plan that will give them the results they are after. During our free consultation appointment, our experienced dental practitioner will provide the patient with the necessary information on all the orthodontic treatment plans suitable so that they can make an informed choice.

We offer the Inman Aligner – a teeth-straightening system that manipulates teeth into position, using moderate force. This system is safe, aligns front teeth relatively quickly and is completely removable.

Another popular, modern teeth-straightening device available at our practice is Invisalign. This system comprises a predetermined set of transparent aligner-like trays that can be custom-made for each patient. This treatment plan requires the patient to change their trays according to a set schedule. Like the Inman Aligner, these trays are removable, which offers several benefits.

Not all orthodontic appliances may suit all patients, and for those with more complex misalignment issues, lingual braces may be a better fit. These braces resemble the design of traditional braces in that they feature brackets and wires. However, they are distinctive in that they are attached behind the teeth, placing them out of sight.

Some appliances like the Six Month Smiles treatment plan can offer patients even faster methods of straightening teeth. This is achieved because these appliances focus only on straightening specific teeth like those in the front. The device’s design features nickel-titanium wires that can be matched to the colour of the patient’s teeth.

Whether you want to improve your oral hygiene, relieve facial pain or even improve the quality of sleep, we can find the right orthodontic plan for you. Why not take advantage of our free professional consultation at Crofts Dental Practice by giving us a call today?

The types of preventative dentistry

During our time practising dental care at Crofts Dental Practice, we have seen quite often that patients, who visit us when suffering from dental emergencies, invariably end up spending more time in the dental chair and more money in the long run.preventative-dentistry-essex

Common dental emergencies, like tooth pain, are often a result of minor problems escalating into bigger ones that can no longer be ignored. These minor problems can be effectively treated with preventative dentistry Essex, saving patients time and money in dealing with future problems and allowing them to avoid the resultant pain and discomfort.

In the past, a lot of dental care was about treating problems once they arose; however, today, modern dentistry focuses on preventing problems from occurring in the first place. Dentists have found that measures such as preventative dentistry Essex are particularly beneficial in working towards this aim.

At our dental practice, we offer a range of quality preventative dentistry Essex that helps patients of all ages keep their smiles happy.

Preventive dentistry measures available at Crofts Dental Practice

From deep dental cleanings to screening for oral cancer to helping patients avoid bad lifestyle habits, here are a few of the ways we use preventive dentistry for the benefit of our patients.

Gum health

The longevity of teeth is directly tied to gum health. Poor gum health can have devastating consequences for the health of teeth and the jawbone and should on no account be ignored or left untreated. One of the preventive measures that protect gum health is regular deep cleaning procedures with our dentist. Scraping away plaque and tartar ensures that no bad bacteria lurk about and threaten the gum line.

Taking care of sensitive teeth

Any type of discomfort experienced when eating or drinking is a sure sign of a dental problem, which is why patients should always address tooth sensitivity issues. There are many reasons as to why patients may experience this sensitivity when consuming certain cold or hot foods and beverages, and our professional dental practitioner can get to the root of the cause and prescribe suitable treatment plans.

Protect teeth enamel with fluoride treatments

This type of preventive dental measure is mainly applicable to children. Tooth decay is prevalent in children due to their diets being high in sugar and their teeth enamel being more vulnerable to the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride treatments work wonderfully well in boosting the strength of enamel to resist the invasion of plaque and tartar and prevent tooth decay.

Relationship between smoking and poor oral health

One of the responsibilities of dental practitioners is to explain to patients the consequences of bad lifestyle habits, such as smoking, to their oral health. Gum health is a particular concern when it comes to patients who use tobacco products.

Are you looking for an experienced and friendly dental team at the forefront of modern dental care? We, at Crofts Dental Practice, have professional dentists who will partner with you to ensure you enjoy good oral health. So, why not contact us today to schedule an oral health checkup?

Looking to restore your smile? Consider dental crowns

Many of us have looked for a way to improve or restore our smiles. Whether you have a minor dental imperfection, such as a small chip on your tooth, or a more complex one, like crowded or crooked teeth, your smile and, eventually, overall oral health can be affected. Therefore, at Crofts Dental Practice, we offer our patients dental treatments within general and cosmetic dentistry to help them on their journey to achieving a smile they can feel confident with.dental-crowns-essex5

Cosmetic dentistry at Crofts Dental Practice

At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand that it is important you have a smile that you can be happy with as it can affect your self-esteem along with your oral health. Through years of experience dealing with patients and their various dental issues, along with our team of qualified and highly experienced dental professionals, we can offer high-quality dental treatments within cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is the area of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth and uses dental treatments to enhance one’s smile.

Smile makeover at Crofts Dental Practice

For our patients who are not looking for a specific dental treatment but rather something that can change the appearance of their whole smile, our dental team can offer what is known as a smile makeover.

Smile makeovers use cosmetic dental treatments to improve your smile to your desired result. Prior to undergoing the smile makeover, you will be invited to have a free consultation at our practice as the treatment can vary from patient to patient.

Some of these makeovers may be simple and require one or a few dental treatments. For example, we may use fillings to change the shape of a tooth or dental veneers, which requires minimal preparation of the teeth.

However, if you currently deal with badly decayed or fractured teeth or notice that your teeth have become discoloured, you may want to consider having dental crowns Essex.

How general dentistry can help you to restore your smile

An oral crown is essentially a cap usually made of plastic, metal or, in some cases, a combination of ceramic and metal that ensures the crown is made to be as strong as possible.

Dental crowns Essex are placed over teeth that are either broken or weakened by decay to not only protect the remaining teeth but also restore their natural appearance. They are designed to be undetectable when placed next to your natural teeth, and, if looked after properly, this feature along with the crown itself can last for many years

Along with restoring teeth that are damaged or discoloured, dental crowns Essex can also be used to protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment, allowing you to eat and chew food without worrying about any damage.

If you are unsure of which cosmetic dental treatments are best suited for your current dental issues, contact us at Crofts Dental Practice and we can recommend a suitable treatment for you after a thorough oral examination.

Is it time to replace your missing teeth?

A missing tooth can not only affect your self-esteem, but it can also have an effect on your dental health. At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand the long-term implications having a missing tooth can have on your confidence and your oral health. Which is why we offer treatments in the form of restorative dentistry, to help replace your missing tooth or teeth, and renew your smile once more. dental-implants-essex

An introduction to Crofts Dental Practice

Based in Epping, Essex, Crofts Dental is a private family practice made up of highly-trained dentists and dental professionals who offer the best in standards of patient care, whilst offering treatments within areas of dentistry such as cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry and restorative dentistry.

Currently led by our principal dentist Dr Jazz Battu, we use fully computerised and digital systems, along with new equipment, materials and advanced dental treatments to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible and have a positive experience in our practice from the beginning to the end of the process.

We offer free consultations to all our patients before starting any form of dental treatment to make certain that you receive the most suitable treatment for your dental issue.

So if you are currently dealing with a missing tooth due to an accident or injury, you may want to consider dental implants Essex.

How much do you know about dental implants?

If you do not know much about dental implants there’s no need to worry, as at our practice we have dealt with many patients over the years who have unfortunately lost a tooth and been looking for options to regain their complete smile.

Dental implants Essex are a long-term solution for those who are missing a tooth or several teeth. Consisting of a metal screw which is commonly made from titanium, dental implants are inserted into the jawbone where your tooth/ teeth should be, under a local anaesthetic. In order for the implant to be placed into the jawbone, a small incision will be made.

Once the implant has been inserted, you will be invited to come back to the practice to begin the second part of the procedure. This is usually after 8 to 12 weeks, following the insertion of the dental implant Essex, and the period in between the two appointments is so that the implant can fuse properly with the jawbone. This process is known as osseointegration and needs to be completed before starting the second stage of the process.

At your next appointment you will then have the replacement prosthetic fixed onto the implant. This can either be a crown, bridge or even dentures, depending on your situation. The replacement tooth or teeth will be made to match your remaining teeth, so they will look natural and not out of place.

One of the main advantages of having dental implants is that they are a long lasting and almost permanent form of restorative dentistry and can remain for many years, providing that you maintain a good oral care regime.

Are dentures a suitable replacement for teeth?

False teeth have been around since around 700BC and were made from whatever material was available such as animal teeth, human teeth and even wood. Artificial teeth have certainly evolved from those many centuries ago. They are a quick procedure and can be typically manufactured and inserted into a patient’s mouth in anywhere from two to six weeks. Technology has developed so much that the finished article is hard to detect as not being made up of real teeth. Over time the mouth and jaw muscles tend to become weaker and false teeth provide support for these muscles. It goes without saying that a patient’s smile will improve as a toothy smile is more attractive than a gummy smile.dentures-essex

Are there different types?

Essentially, as we tell our patients, artificial teeth fall into two categories complete and partial, complete is the replacement of all the teeth. Partial will take the form of a bridge to fill the gap left after the removal of a few teeth. The partial bridge can be either removable or fixed and is usually made with a base attached to a gum coloured wire which is connected to adjacent teeth. Dentures Essex can also be either conventional or immediate. The conventional category is usually made once the gum tissue has healed after the removal of the teeth. Immediate is when manufacture takes place beforehand and they can be placed in situ once the teeth have been removed. Gums and bones shrink and naturally more adjustment will be required over time with the immediate category.

What are they made from?

Dentures Essex are constructed in three components consisting of the base, the framework and the teeth. The preferred material of choice these days for the base is acrylic resin because it has a low toxicity. The framework is responsible for ensuring that the artificial teeth and gums stay in the correct place. This component is constructed from a base metal alloy and chrome cobalt, while bridges usually consist of a base metal alloy and a flexible polymer. The teeth component is either made from acrylic resin or porcelain. Acrylic resin adheres more securely to the base and is easier to adjust if necessary. Porcelain is the easier of the two to colour match to a patient’s natural teeth and feels more like the real thing.

Will I be able to eat naturally?

It usually takes a few weeks to get used to dentures and it is recommended by us to start with soft foods cut into small pieces and to chew carefully using both sides of the mouth. Chewing gum should be avoided as well as foods that are sticky and hard. Once used to the new teeth they will eventually feel comfortable and natural.

Will my speech be affected

It is possible that certain words may not be as easy to pronounce in the beginning, but over time by practising those words repeatedly they will become as natural to pronounce as before. An annoying clicking can sometimes occur when speaking, but our dentist at Crofts Dental Practice will be able to rectify this with a minor adjustment.

Proper and careful care

When you have dentures Essex we recommend daily cleaning by brushing with a suitable cleaning product, but not toothpaste as this is abrasive. When not in use it is recommended that they be placed in a cleanser soaking solution or simply in water, but not hot water. Proper maintenance will ensure many years of trouble free use.

Children’s dentistry a very special talent

No child is born with a fear of the dentist, so that all important first visit must be a pleasant and enjoyable experience. As far as children’s dentistry Essex is concerned our practice encourages parents to expose their children to our dental surgery at an early age. We want them to experience interaction with our highly-trained staff who are even careful of the words they use when dealing with children, because we don’t want them to be frightened in any way, shape or form. How a child perceives the dentist after a first visit is how they will regard them for the rest of their life. We don’t want any bad memories sitting at the back of their brain as they move through their teens and into adulthood. To encourage parents to bring their children we offer a special six monthly check-up programme that allows us to keep track of how a child’s teeth, gums and jawbone are developing as they grow up.childrens-dentistry-essex

Building a solid dental foundation

Children’s dentistry Essex at our practice recognises how important it is for children to feel safe and secure and we make every effort to provide a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere at our surgery. We strive to build a solid foundation and understanding of how important dental care is to an individual’s wellbeing. It’s far easier to encourage a child from an early age about how they should look after their mouth when you have become their friend. Trust is one of the most important elements of the relationship that we build with a child. This trust will allow us to be able to be frank about dental care as a child grows up.

What treatments do we offer for children?

Crofts Dental Practice is able to offer the full range of treatments necessary to deal with children’s oral health and children’s dentistry Essex. Our team offers basic services such as regular examinations and cleaning, as well as more specialised treatments like teeth straightening as a child matures. Our emphasis is always on preventive dentistry, educating children on why it is so important to maintain good oral hygiene practices. Fortunately, because we encourage our patients to bring their children into the surgery from an early age, we are able to detect any conditions swiftly and treat them before the situation deteriorates.

Maintaining dental care in children

Dental care is not only brushing and flossing but also diet and because we interact with children from an early age we are able to advise them on why it is important to maintain a healthy diet. Sugary drinks and sweets, especially hard boiled sweets can all be very harmful to growing teeth and maturing gums. When it comes to sporting activities we are able to discuss with children the importance of perhaps wearing a gumshield in close contact sports.

Prevention is always better than cure

We want our young patients to grow into healthy adults so that they can eventually bring their own families to us and we can go through the same process with them. Our adult patients will have been educated by us and that allows them to endorse what we tell our young patients. We know that eradicating all tooth decay and gum and jaw disease is a difficult task, but at least our patients know and understand how important oral hygiene is to maintaining a healthy life.