Blog | Bromley Dental Practice

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.

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.

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.

Bromley Dental Practice

Can Anyone Have Dental Implants in Bromley?

Dental implants are a really good way of replacing missing teeth and are often considered to be the gold standard. This is because they can often provide the most natural looking restorations that can be treated in exactly the same way as your own teeth. In spite of this some people are put off by the thought of having a small surgical procedure to insert the implant post. It’s worth trying to get past these feelings especially as the surgery really isn’t that bad, particularly when only one implant is required.

Dental Implants Are Ideal for Anyone in Good Oral and General Health

Dental implants are suitable for just about anyone who is in good oral health and who doesn’t have any particular medical conditions. Dr Zaki Bashir or another dentist in Bromley will take your medical history into account during your initial consultation for dental implants.

Factors that may influence whether or not you’re suitable for implants include having conditions that impact your immune system, in particular diabetes. If you do have diabetes then it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have dental implants, but it is important that the diabetes is very well controlled as this condition does impede healing and does increase the risk of implant failure.

Another factor is whether or not you smoke, and if you do then you’ll need to give up prior to implant surgery and preferably for good, but at least while the implant is healing. Smoking definitely increases the risk that the implant will fail at some point, and it’s a habit that makes it far more difficult for the dental implant to integrate properly into the jawbone once it’s been placed.

Some people are worried that increasing age may make it difficult to have dental implant placement, but many older people will be able to successfully have dental implant surgery; being in good health is far more important than age. One issue that could arise is if the teeth were extracted quite some time ago as this can lead to significant bone resorption. Dental implants do need to be surrounded by several millimetres of healthy bone in order to be held firmly in place in the jaw. Your dentist in Bromley will assess the amount of healthy bone through taking x-rays and quite possibly a CT scan. Even if you don’t have sufficient bone this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have dental implants. It’s possible to build up the bone with different types of bone grafts. Some grafts can be placed as soon as the tooth is extracted, or at the same time as dental implants.

Nervous at the Thought of Implant Surgery? Talk to Us so We Can Help You

If dental anxiety and fear is putting you off having this treatment then talk to our friendly dental team at Bromley Dental Practice. We know a lot of patients are nervous and we will do everything possible to help you overcome this.

Bromley Dental Practice

Learn Why Root Canal Therapy is Such a Great Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

Bromley Dental Practice

Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush or Floss?

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

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

Getting Treatment for Gum Disease

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

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

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

Bromley Dental Practice

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

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

Comparing a Dental Implant to a Dental Bridge

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

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

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

Bromley Dental Practice

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

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

How Toothache Develops

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

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

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

Root Canal Treatment Is Great at Saving Infected Teeth

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

Early Cavity Detection

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

Bromley Dental Practice

Is Your Smile ‘Gummy?’ We Can Help

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

Gum Contouring and Teeth Reshaping

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

Gum Contouring with Dental Bonding

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

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

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

Bromley Dental Practice

Using Dental Implants to Secure or Replace a Denture

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

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

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

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

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

Bromley Dental Practice

Refreshing Your Looks with Botox

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

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

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

Treating More Deep-Seated Wrinkles

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

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