better health

Think the Only Benefits of a Straight Smile are Cosmetic? 5 Advantages You May not have Thought of

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As adults, it is often easier to see the negative or pessimistic side of life.

And, when it comes to straightening your teeth, it seems many older people either do not see the point or believe that there is no real advantage. Of course, there are many advantages to having a straighter smile which reaches far beyond getting that oh so desirable Hollywood grin!

But what about the brace that will be used to achieve this? Few people want to undertake a heavy, noticeable brace to straighten their teeth. Luckily, it is possible to gain all the advantages that accompany having a straighter smile, without worrying about attracting unwanted attention with Invisalign in Sheffield.

An invisible brace, Invisalign from Sheffield is made from clear plastic and is custom-fitted to fit perfectly over your teeth. Using a set of these custom-made aligners, Invisalign near Sheffield gently pushes your teeth into their new position, without using metal or tightening.

So, what are the advantages that follow having a straighter smile? Some of them may surprise you!

Better sleep

Having misaligned teeth can have an impact on far more than your confidence.

If your teeth are not straight, it can cause nocturnal grinding, also known as bruxism. While this may sound harmless, this can cause discomfort in your jaw, which can lead to disturbed sleep. Even worse, this can cause you to wake up with a sore neck, a headache or even a migraine. Yikes!

Better health

While straighter teeth will benefit your dental health, your overall health will improve too.

As there will be fewer places for plaque to hide and accumulate, it will be less likely to make it into your bloodstream. And so, you will bypass the majority of issues that can come with having misaligned teeth and higher plaque levels in your mouth, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer.

Better mindset

OK, so it would be pointless to not mention how your confidence will improve.

And with higher levels of confidence comes an improvement in mental health and wellbeing. With straighter teeth, you are more likely to smile more and as a result, your brain will release more of a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is linked to improved mood and creativity, so who knows? Maybe having your teeth straightened will help you to get a promotion at work or help you with other creative endeavours.

Better nutrition

If your teeth are misaligned, it is unlikely that you are chewing your food correctly. This can lead to issues with nutritional absorption, as the stomach is unable to break down incorrectly chewed food.

Having straighter teeth puts your body in sync; better chewing equates to easier digestion of food, allowing you to reap the nutritional benefits.

Better life

Add all of these benefits together, and you will undoubtedly have a better life overall. More smiling, more creativity and better absorption of food, you will notice how much of an impact having a straight set of teeth can create.… Read More..

Dental

How Can Orthodontic Conditions be Treated?

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Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the type of dentistry which engages with the treatment of badly positioned teeth and in some cases also jaws. The presence of orthodontic conditions and our desire to straighten our teeth are as old as humanity itself: the earliest example of an orthodontic condition known today is the crooked teeth found in human remains which are thought to be approximately 50,000 years old. Luckily today humanity does not have to rely on the strange methods of teeth straightening used by our ancestors. Orthodontics today is capable of treating and even curing most orthodontic conditions; this is mainly due to the relatively recent improvements in the past 200 years. The most commonly known dental treatments are braces. While braces are still very important in treating some conditions, they are increasingly replaced by more aesthetic orthodontic treatment solutions. One of them is Invisalign. If you are looking to get Invisalign St Albans, book an appointment with a reputable provider of this popular treatment.

How do braces work?

The metal braces with brackets we know so well today only became popular during the 1970s. This is largely due to the invention of dental adhesives at the time. Prior to that, braces were mostly precious metal bands wrapped around each tooth. Dental adhesives are used to attach the metal brackets onto the surface of each tooth. These metal brackets are then bound together using a metal wire called the archwire. This allows the orthodontist to apply precisely the desired amount of pressure on the teeth by increasing the tension of the archwire. As the treatment progresses the tension is adjusted periodically by your orthodontist. These braces are unfortunately not removable, and you often require a special toothbrush to be able to clean the area under the bracket. Despite this, traditional braces are still popular, as they have a very broad treatment spectrum.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign manufactures invisible aligners. These are custom made aligners, made out of a transparent plastic material, which fit seamlessly on your dental arches, thus making them almost invisible. Prior to the treatment a 3D recording of your oral cavity is made. This serves as a blueprint, after which the aligners will be made. During the treatment a series of these aligners is manufactured. This allows the treatment to progress and minimises the discomfort associated with it. Invisalign is a perfect choice for patients with conditions ranging in severity from mild/cosmetic to moderate. Unfortunately it also has its own limitations, therefore a consultation with your dentist prior to choosing the perfect treatment is necessary. Invisalign has numerous benefits however. The most obvious one is that it is very comfortable and almost invisible due to its materials and shape. Another important benefit is that you can remove your Invisalign invisible aligners whenever you would like to. This makes brushing your teeth or having a meal much easier. It is important to note however, that the aligners have to be worn for at least 22 hours every … Read More..

Dental

Invisalign as a Modern Alternative to Metal Braces

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Suppose you have a few crooked teeth that you believe ruin your smile. Rather than wearing traditional methods to realign minor orthodontic issues, have you considered Invisalign in Maidstone?

Our dental team at Fresh Dental Care look forward to assisting you in attaining perfect teeth! In the meantime, read on to find out more about these discreet adult-orientated orthodontic devices, otherwise referred to as Invisalign.

Why do people enjoy most about invisible braces?

  • Virtually undetectable

As the name might suggest, invisible braces boast a subtle appearance. Users will receive clear aligners that few people will notice upon starting treatment.

Professionals can wear this device in the workplace without drawing any attention to their mouths.

  • Removable

The aligners you’ll receive from our dentist can be removed during specific activities like eating and brushing your teeth.

Thanks to the removable nature of these plates, no drastic changes to your diet or teeth-cleaning regimen are required. However, we do implore you to eat healthily and look after your teeth to keep your oral health in check!

Remember to slip your aligners back in afterwards. For the device to be effective, they must be worn most of the time.

  • Custom-fabricated

You’ll receive a series of aligner trays moulded to fit comfortably over your teeth and gums. You’ll find that each version is different from the last because each set gently shifts your pearly whites into their correct position.

  • 3D technology used

Invisalign boasts a vastly improved user experience over its competitors, starting from the moment digital impressions of your teeth are made.

Rather than using goop to attain moulds of your teeth, a method that isn’t 100% precise, we sweep a digital wand across the surfaces of your teeth, snapping countless images in real-time.

This advanced method is beneficial in the following ways

  • These accurate 3D images are used to create aligners that fit perfectly.
  • This approach is minimally invasive, meaning your gagging reflex isn’t induced nor will be fishing out flecks of moulds in the following weeks from your teeth and gums.

The Invisalign aligners we use

Our main focus is to correct minor problems, ranging from crooked teeth, spacing issues and overcrowding. We also treat teeth that have shifted out of position since being straightened.

We use two braces options to achieve optimal results.

Invisalign i7 is one of the latest orthodontic systems. Seven series of aligners are used over one to three months, depending on the nature of your problem. We recommend this treatment to individuals that want to repair mild to moderate issues in limited time. Have an upcoming wedding or special event? Invisalign i7 could be right for you.

Invisalign Express is another fast-acting treatment that straightens teeth faster than more comprehensive methods. Look forward to straighter teeth in as little as six months.

What are alternatives to Invisalign?

Invisalign might not be appropriate for individuals with unique or severe dental issues. Fortunately, we offer other forms of braces that are sleek, stylish, and comfortable to wear. … Read More..

Dental

Urgent Dental Care in the 2nd National Lockdown; What’s Going On?

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The phases we keep hearing on the news is these are uncertain times. The 1st national lockdown was unprecedented and it left dental care reeling, with some patients in a desperate place by the time local primary dentists were permitted to open following government guidelines at the time; from a dentist in Wimbledon to one in Aberdeen.

Aerosol-generating procedures or AGP’s

The aerosol-generating procedures or AGP’s is anything that may help a pathogen spread via the air. The unknown risk associated with aerosol-generating procedures or AGP’s led to the very cautious approach of suspending the majority of dental treatments.

All the details

For clarity’s sake, here are the official guidelines at the time of writing:

COVID-19 guidance and standard operating procedure. For the provision of urgent dental care in primary care dental settings and designated urgent dental care provider sites

It is a technical document for clinics, but what does it all mean?

  • In the 2nd national lockdown, primary dental staff are considered key workers and will not be mandated to stop practising.
  • UDC (urgent dental care) must be provided even to those with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  • an online prescription method has been implemented, allowing dentists to provide prescriptions electronically following an online consultation without coming in contact with patients.
  • as key workers, dental staff have preferential screening using track and trace.
  • a set of PPE (personal protective equipment) categories have been outlined for varying scenarios, based on the procedure being performed and the vulnerability of the patient.

The response from British Dental Assastion (BDA)

The BDA which represents surgeries across the UK has welcomed the guidelines but was very critical of the measures taken in the first lockdown. Arguing that the high hygiene standards implemented in the practice of dentistry would have allowed them to continue working safely. Also, that the decision to suspend so many dental procedures was undervaluing the role of the local dental service and left many people suffering unnecessarily.

It had been lobbying to have dental staff categorized as key workers and feels that they always should have been. As well as this, dental staff are pleased to now be covered by the governments frontline health and care workers life insurance scheme, providing £60,000 to those who die due to COVID-19 after being infected whilst providing essential health care.

A new method for a dental emergency

The new method of handling a dental emergency is to see urgent cases as soon as possible in local surgeries. Dental practitioners are therefore given greater leeway to refer cases on to specialists, without sending patients to accident and emergency departments.

The goal of this is to lower the burden on A and E, who during the first lockdown saw a substantial spike in dental patients with nowhere else to go.

The new guidelines seem to show that lessons have been learned. With a more moderate response to infection control, which balances the pressing need for dental services is now being observed.… Read More..

Dental

A Brief History of Prosthetics in Dentistry

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From the sterile dental fabrication labs of today, it’s hard to see prosthetics as anything but futuristic. With a 3D printer whirring as an aligner is formed 3 microns at a time, a bleep from the desktop informing the lab of a request for enamel veneers with precise shade and translucency specifications. It seems more like a cybernetics lab from sci-fi, as a dental implant in Brentwood order comes through.

It didn’t start like this though. There’s a very long history of oral prosthetics; it’s less million dollar man and more million-year-old man.

The stone age

What is an ancient man to do? He has a stone axe lashed with sinew and glued with bitumen to a sturdy wooden handle and a very distracting throb in a tooth. Well, if he can form an axe head, a 4mm wide flint scraper should not be too hard, and with a bit of gentle work, clear out the cavity. But how to fill it? A little of that bitumen on a stick softened over the fire might work, if he can quickly get it from the flames pushing it into the hole in the tooth! As the bitumen cooled into a water-proof airtight plug, it was done. The first filling! As far as we can deduce from a skull found in northern Italy, this occurred 13,000 years ago.

All that glitters is not enamel

Bitumen didn’t last, it might be insoluble which is a start, but it is soft and rubbery giving no strength to a crumbling tooth. Pure gold is very soft by metal standards, but it beats tree tar. Malleable and completely unreactive, 2500 years ago, a gold wire was a dental mainstay with Egyptians using it to bind a loose tooth to its neighbour, forming a sort of bridge.

The use of solid gold prosthetic teeth is not unheard of in this time period but is extremely rare.

Pontiff Maximus before the Pontiff

The roman title Pontiff Maximus translates as master bridge builder due to the infrastructure that the empire assembled, but before the rise of Rome, other people lived on the Italian peninsula; the Etruscans. The Etruscan bridge is the first true example of a dental bridge.

These were rows of human-sized teeth, carved from bone or ivory, held together, and attached to the patients remaining teeth with bands of gold and silver. The archaeological evidence suggests these were fitted after deliberate extractions had been performed, in much the same way as a modern clinic would operate.

Teeth and jewellery

The crossover between fine metalwork, like that of a goldsmith or silversmith, seems to be a millennia-long trend. The American revolutionary Paul Revere, who was better known in history for spying on the British empire, was a silversmith by day and often found himself witling down ivory into dentures and individual teeth.

In the post-battle carnage of Bunker hill in 1775, Revere identified the body of his friend and fellow revolutionary general Joseph Warren from a dental bridge … Read More..