Clifton Dental Studio 92 Queens Road, Bristol

Call Today On 0117 973 1910
Email [email protected]
Clifton Dental Studio, 92 Queens Road, Bristol, Avon,BS8 1RT

Call Clifton Dental Studio Today On 0117 973 1910

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Discover the incredible possibilities of modern braces at Bath dentist

Braces are becoming ever more popular for straightening teeth in the UK. In an age when appearances matter more then ever, being comfortable with you teeth and your smile is very important for retaining confidence and self-esteem. Having misaligned or crooked teeth can be difficult and cause many patients, especially those in their difficult teenage years, to feel slightly embarrassed. Orthodontic braces have been used for many years by Bath dentists but they are now more widely available to all patients, and also more affordable. There are a number of different types of treatments to choose from which vary in price, duration of treatment, visual impact and comfort. Many people are unaware of the choice on offer, believing the traditional fixed metal braces to be the only option. For patients wishing to disguise the fact they have braces, there is Invisalign. These clear plastic braces are almost impossible to see when in the mouth. This means that patients can go about their lives not having to feel self-conscious about their braces. They are also completely removable making them ideal for patients who may need to remove them for important business or social occasions. As well as invisible braces, there are also braces with a significantly reduced visual impact. Treatments such as Damon braces and Six Month Smile use clear brackets and tooth coloured wires to lessen the appearance of braces. They are also both more comfortable causing far less irritation to the soft tissue of the mouth. The most impressive improvement in virtually all orthodontic treatments is the duration. Most traditional brace treatments last between sixteen and eighteen months (they can even be longer) but the more modern braces and aligners can achieve results in only a fraction of that time, in some cases as much as 75% faster. Ask your dentist about the possibilities of modern braces.

The many uses of cosmetic bonding from Bristol Dentist

Cosmetic dentistry can frighten some people and not just because it involves a visit or the dentist. The price of many cosmetic dentistry treatments has, for many years, simply been beyond the reach of many people. For those with badly discoloured teeth, the tantalising thought of a set of porcelain veneers is ruined by a price tag they simply cannot afford. However, there is one cosmetic dental treatment that is both affordable and very effective. Cosmetic bonding, also known simply as dental bonding, is the skilful application of a composite resin to various areas of the teeth to improve both their shape and their colour. Cosmetic bonding is a very versatile treatment that can improve the appearance of teeth in many ways. It can be added to broken or decayed teeth to restore the cosmetic appearance as well as prevent any further damage. It is also widely used to replace the more controversial silver amalgam fillings that have traces of mercury. Bonding can also be used to repair small chips and cracks that occur as a result of dental trauma. Cosmetic bonding is also widely used to treat teeth that are affected by staining or discolouration. Any discoloured patches are covered by a thin layer of dental bonding, mixed to closely match the appearance of the rest of the enamel. This can be used on one or all of the teeth depending on the patient. The application process involves putting the bonding into the desired area and manipulating it to the most pleasing position. When satisfied, your Bristol dentist will then set the bonding hard with the heat of a dental laser. The bonded area will then be polished and buffed to resemble tooth enamel, leaving you with healthier looking teeth.

Look younger with teeth whitening from Chepstow dentist

Teeth whitening is the process of whitening discoloured or stained teeth by artificial means to make them appear whiter and more healthy. Teeth whitening has existed for many years but it has become more affordable and more available in recent years. Increased media attention and coverage of whitening procedures on television programs has done a great deal to bring teeth whitening to a larger public. Whitening procedures are now offered by nearly all dentists with both in-surgery and take home treatments being two of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. The whitening process involves using a beaching agent, usually hydrogen peroxide in strengths varying from three to thirty per cent. Stronger treatments are usually used by dentists in surgery because of the possible damage to soft tissue with high-concentration bleaching. Dentists are also able to use the necessary safety equipment. Whitening treatments are available for purchase over the internet but dentists strongly advise against using these as the variation in strength combined with home application can be very dangerous. Whitening may cause some mild sensitivity to patients after the initial treatment, which usually settles down after about 48 hours. Most whitening treatments last between a week and two weeks, including home whitening and the effects last for up to three years but this can vary depending on which treatment you are using. The cost of whitening also varies upon the level of whitening required and which system the patient chooses. Teeth whitening can have a very dramatic effect and can completely rejuvenate a smile and make the patient look years younger. Because of the limited discomfort and small amount of risk from the treatment it is fast becoming a very popular procedure with Chepstow dentists.

Make a great first impression with dental veneers from Chepstow dentist

First impressions really count and nothing helps you make a better one than a beautiful smile. For many people, uneven or badly stain-damaged teeth can cause a loss of confidence that makes them nervous or ashamed of smiling. But there is something that can be done to give you the beautiful, 100 per cent confident smile you have always wanted. We’ve all seen the makeover shows where people’s teeth are completely transformed, helping them to look younger and more attractive, and the secret weapon behind these transformations is dental veneers. Veneers are wafer thin, shaped-porcelain pieces that are specially designed to fit over the top of damaged teeth. They can be used to cover damaged caused by discolouration, uneven or crooked teeth, or teeth suffering from enamel erosion. Veneers can be fitted in only a single appointment to the dentist, being manufactured with the aid of 3D imaging and computer-guided technology. They are cemented in place using tooth-coloured composite dental bonding and are so thin they don’t require any prior enamel removal. Because veneers are made from wafer thin porcelain they can closely resemble the appearance of real enamel, making them look extremely realistic. The cost of veneers from a Chepstow dentist will vary according to the nature and extent of treatment needed but the spectacular results they can achieve make them worth every penny. Anxiety about your teeth can be very hard to live with but with dental veneers it can become a thing if the past.

Conquer dental phobia with help from Bristol dentist

Thousands of people all over the world suffer from dental anxiety or the more serious dental phobia, so if you are terrified of the dentist it is important to remember that you are not alone. Dental phobia is one of the most common phobias in the UK but there is help at hand for sufferers. Dental phobia can be caused by a number of factors including fear of embarrassment, fear of diagnosis or fear of the dentist’s tools. Any number of factors or a combination can lead a person to completely avoid the dentist’s surgery altogether. This can be very bad for a patient’s dental health as missing regular check ups can lead to an increased risk of dental problems, increasing the need to see a dentist. The first step in overcoming dental phobia is simply to talk to a dentist. Dentists in Bristol are specially trained to deal with anxious or phobic patients and very often just talking through a procedure can help to calm the nerves. Dentists can also recommend other techniques such as self-hypnosis or breathing exercises that can help control adrenaline and reduce the anxiety. Recent studies into dental phobia have also found that aromatherapy, particularly lavender oil, is very beneficial for anxious patients before treatment. Dental phobia can be overcome with the right help and support allowing you to get the dental treatment that you need. Make an appointment to talk through your concerns with a Bristol dentist and take the first step towards conquering your fears.

Tips for Your Child’s Healthy Smile by a Bristol dentist

A child’s smile is such a lovely thing to see, the little mites are so full of life that when they smile they don’t care about how they look, although we as parents do. A Bristol dentist is advising their patients on tips to keep that smile healthy; one factor is a healthy diet without too much acid or sugar in the basic ingredients. What we put in our mouths as part of our dietary plan will affect our smiles in two ways, firstly the food has to go into our mouths and then it is consumed by the body, and gets into the blood stream. The vitamins in our system are fed to our gums, the same gums that are still fighting the bacteria that come with the food. It seems that we have to fight attacks on the teeth and gums from inside and out. Baby bottle diets can attack the teeth even before they start growing, bacteria is prevalent in all our food and it needs to be kept under control. Acid is a product of the bacteria that feeds off our food residue, we produce saliva to counteract it, but if we feed our babies with a bottle and then allow them to sleep we are damaging their teeth. Saliva stops producing when we sleep, so baby needs to be kept awake for at least 30 minutes after feeding to stop the build of this harmful substance. Sweet stuff will keep them quiet, but this also produces a lot of acid that attacks our children’s teeth; and in turn their smile. There is a lot more to our children’s smiles than the eye sees, and just a few conscious tips like these will help to keep their little faces smiling; and they won’t also have too many problems with decaying teeth.

Good oral hygiene habits by a Swindon dentist

There are good habits and bad habits; oral hygiene is a good habit to get addicted to. We need certain routines in our lives, and a good healthy set of teeth is a by-product of a good oral hygiene habit says a Swindon dentist. First off the most important part should be flossing; this procedure will eliminate most of the problems we experience with our teeth and bad breath. Flossing gets into all the crevices that hide the plaque which does the most short and long term damage, brushing away the plaque will be made all the more easier and fruitful if we first concentrate on loosening it. Plaque will build up in the mouth mostly at night, for that’s when we stop producing saliva to neutralise the acid that is part of the production process. Brushing can also affect the amount of plaque we leave in the mouth, a good brush should have a healthy amount of bristles on it, and a worn brush will do more damage to the teeth than no brushing at all. A mouthwash alone won’t clean our teeth, it needs a well planned regime and there are plenty of leaflets at your dentist that show you how to plan a regime properly. Oral hygiene also extends to what we eat and snack on throughout the day, and also how we get rid of any acid that comes naturally with those snacks. Fruit contains acid and that attacks the enamel on the surface of our teeth, we need to swish water around the mouth, and vigorously as well, to stop this natural acid damaging the teeth. If we are sticking to government advice and eating our five a day, we need to be aware that it comes with consequences that we need to address.

Teeth whitening; get rid of discoloured teeth by a Bath dentist

Teeth whitening used to be a thing only the rich had done, but with new techniques and more simplified training procedures it has become affordable to many more people says a Bath dentist. The cheapest method is to simply bleach the white using home kits; these are available in most chemists’ shops and can be bought for under £100. They are easy to use and quick to do the job, but like all cheap versions of a good idea they have a limited life span and the effects aren’t all they are promised to be. It involves mixing up a paste that is placed into a gum shield, this in turn is placed over the top and bottom sets of teeth and left to do its job. The main problem here would be that different teeth are discoloured more than the other ones, and so the bleach wouldn’t necessarily do such a good even job. The next process involves a technician at a salon who uses a gel and an intense light source to create a reaction; this in turn breaks down the discolouration and leaves a whitening effect on the teeth. This method has its drawbacks though, if your teeth have receding gums then the light will damage the root of the exposed tooth, and the process can’t be done. It is also a bit more expensive at around 200 to 400 pounds a time. Veneers are the next alternative and this will need a dentist to apply them, they are similar in design to a false nail and are glued onto a discoloured tooth or teeth in much the same way. They aren’t removable like a nail and stay on for the duration of their life span, which is around 3-5 years. They can also cover up a multitude of other teeth problems.

Periodontal Disease is explained by a Weston-Super-Mare dentist

Gum or periodontal disease is the bane of us all; it causes not just discomfort and pain, but also an embarrassing smile. The good news is that it can stopped in its tracks and slowed down; although a cure is not possible once the damage has been done. A Weston-Super-Mare dentist is advising his patients that a better oral hygiene regime may well be the answer. The disease starts when bad bacteria gets into cuts and abrasions on the gums, this is caused by acid build up which is a by-product of the bacteria feeding off the food residue that gets trapped in gaps between the teeth. Saliva is produced to neutralise the acid, but that can often be insufficient when our saliva glands stop working. This is something that happens when we are asleep or have a build up of sugar in the blood, this is what diabetics suffer from and one of the signs is a dry mouth. You don’t have to be diabetic to get the symptoms of a dry mouth, it is caused by many other factors, however they all have the same consequences and that’s saliva deficiency. Once gum disease takes control the gums will swell up and soften, this allows vigorous brushing to leave cuts and infection will set in. Abscesses and tooth ache will follow and then the exposed gum line will allow tartar build up on the exposed root of the tooth, this will weaken the tooth and it will eventually break off. A good regime of oral hygiene care will not cure the problem, but it will go a long way to preventing further damage. Our teeth are our biggest asset and it is important that we do all we can to make them last, a simple change in oral care is all that it often needs.

Suffering from gum disease? A Bristol dentist has the answer

Gum disease isn’t curable in its advance stage; this is called Gingivitis and is the periodontal disease that eats away at the gum line. It is caused by bacteria infecting the gums by entering them through cuts and sores on the bottom of the ridges. Bacteria is a resident of our mouths and we need it to get rid of the food residue that lingers in between the teeth. However, like all good things it has its drawbacks and acid production is one of them, this eats away at the tooth enamel and the gums and sets them up for infection. Once an infection takes a hold a lot of damage can be done in quite a short period of time, obvious ones are an abscess or a boil which can both be very painful. A dentist cannot work on a tooth that is infected by either one of these, first they will need to prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear up the complaint. Then they can look at the root cause of the problem, this is usually due to bacteria seeping into the gums and can lead to further problem. The worse case scenario as mentioned is Gingivitis which is an advanced case of periodontal disease; and is irreversible. Once the gum line disappears then tartar builds up on the exposed root of the tooth and wears it away, this always leads to the loss of the tooth prematurely unless it is kept at bay. One of the best ways is to make sure you floss in between the teeth at every opportunity, and especially after a snack or meal. Plaque is dead bacteria and tartar is an accumulation of that plaque, your dentist will clean tartar away when they do your half yearly check up, but you must also do your bit to keep this build down to a minimum.

Call Today On 0117 973 1910 Email [email protected]

Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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Contact Clifton Dental Studio Today!

Call Today On 0117 973 1910
Email [email protected]
Clifton Dental Studio, 92 Queens Road,Bristol, Avon,BS8 1RT

Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 8.30am – 3pm

Dr. Neil Gerrard BDS (Bristol), RDT, MSc (Dental Implants),  GDC no 76257. Clifton Dental Studio is a Private Dental Practice. Website last updated: July 2018
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Clifton Dental Studio 92 Queens Road, Bristol