Dental Problems and Their Solutions

From time to time, we notice things about our teeth that aren’t quite right. Whether dental problems are in the early stages or in a more developed stage, this blog outlines some of the problems that affect teeth. Also, this blog tells you how we at Midlands Smile Centres can provide treatment to alleviate these problems. This is good news for you. The MSC boast a team of highly skilled, proficient and experienced dentists ready and willing to give you the help you need.

Poor Oral Health

It is very important to achieve and maintain the standard of your oral health. Failing to do so can lead to an increased chance of tooth wear, tooth decay and gum disease. Making an effort to prevent gum disease is especially important because gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss.

The Solution

The most important thing to do to maintain your oral health is to brush twice daily to floss and use mouthwash.

After that, the most helpful thing to do to keep on top of your oral health (or to fix it, if you know it is already poor) is to visit the hygienist.

The hygienist will give your teeth a good, through and professional clean. This process is commonly referred to as a scale and polish. In addition to this, the hygienist will provide advice about helping you to keep your teeth plaque-free. The hygienist will also advise you about your diet and ways to prevent tooth decay.

Wisdom Teeth

This is a very common issue that affects many people. As wisdom teeth come through, they can cause pain or discomfort. The reason for this is that often there is not space inside the mouth and the wisdom teeth push against the other teeth in the mouth or emerge at an angle.

The Solution:

It is important to be seen by a dentist if you have any problems when your wisdom teeth come through. The dentist will take an X-ray of your teeth and determine whether or not the wisdom teeth need to be taken out, and how to do this. The MSC dentist will perform this extraction if it is deemed necessary.

Dissatisfaction with teeth’s appearance

This problem is an entirely subjective one. Put simply, some people are not happy with the way their teeth look, and feel this is an issue that needs rectifying. Crooked or crowded teeth, or teeth that are thought to not be white enough are examples of the complaints that some people have with their teeth.

The Solution:

There are many and various cosmetic dental treatments to improve the appearance of teeth:

Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment (or braces) is a common treatment for crooked or crowded teeth. We at MSC can offer you traditional braces, Invisalign (invisible) braces and Six Months Smiles. All of these forms of braces are designed to make a positive difference and help you achieve the smile you want.

Veneers

These are tooth-coloured, thin layers of material. They are usually made of porcelain and are placed over irregular shaped or discoloured teeth.

Tooth Whitening

If the dentist decides that it is suitable for you, you will have the option of being able to use a home whitening kit. For these kits, specially made trays will be created that can be filled with whitening gel and worn for a few hours every day until the desired result is achieved.

Airflow

This form of cosmetic dentistry utilises a pressurised jet of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to remove stains, clean between your teeth and remove the build-up of plaque.

White Fillings

An alternative to grey metal amalgam fillings, white fillings will provide the necessary function along with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Gold services

For an extra touch of style, gold services at MSC may just be what you’re looking for. We offer gold implants, gold crowns/custom crown design, gold inlays and gold veneers.

Missing Teeth

The problem of a missing tooth can be a result of many things including illness, accident, injury, sporting injury or simply poor oral hygiene. Missing teeth pose various problems not only with eating, but with tooth development and gum integrity. Perhaps one of the most significant problems is that a missing tooth can undermine a person’s confidence due to the impact they have on their smile.

The Solution:

There are several different ways to deal with the issue of missing teeth. These range from dental implants, denture implants or gold implants, to bridges and dentures. Where a tooth is only partially damaged a crown may be recommended to restore the missing part of a tooth.

In Conclusion:

There are many ways in which people can experience dental problems and a good look at them only highlights the need for careful dental hygiene and regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist to quickly identify and deal with emerging problems.

When dental problems have developed and intervention is necessary, it is advisable to seek immediate help with a good, trusted and competent dentist. Midlands Smile Centres offers professional and experienced dentists, who are able to provide high quality dental treatment solutions to any of your dental problems. Contact us now to book your appointment.

Easy Tips for Dental Health

There are a number of things that we can all do to make sure our teeth stay in a healthy condition. As this blog should make clear, doing this needn’t be complicated. Follow this easy guide and discover simple ways to ensure you have healthy teeth.

Brushing

Without applying too much pressure, it is important to brush your teeth twice every day. Two minutes is the recommended time that you should brush your teeth for. It is also recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal. Consider carefully the type of toothbrush you use and maybe think about using an electric toothbrush. These offer greater efficiency when it comes to cleaning, especially due to the fact that they can make contact with areas that are difficult to reach.

Make sure you choose the best toothpaste for you, as there are many types available. Make sure that your toothpaste contains fluoride, as this strengthens the teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.

Likewise, mouthwash and flossing can be very helpful for keeping a healthy mouth. Mouthwash can be used to freshen breath, disinfect the mouth and fluoridate the teeth. Flossing helps extract pieces of food lodged between your teeth, cleaning areas that a toothbrush cannot reach and helping to protect against gum disease.

Eating and Drinking

Be sure to limit the amount of sugary food and drinks you consume, as high-volumes of sugar and starch in your diet contribute to elevated levels of acid in your mouth which undermines your dental standards. Alcohol is one type of drink to be wary of, as it has the potential to deteriorate the surface of teeth which can cause the loss of enamel.

One drink that can actually be of benefit to your teeth is water. This is because water is free from sugar and it can be used to clear your teeth of any food particles, which, if left lodged between your teeth, could cause decay or plaque.

Another method of improving your dental health is by eating a varied diet that includes a large quantity of vitamins and minerals. Doing this helps to provide a defence against gum disease. Calcium is also an important part of diet, as it improves the strength of your teeth. Calcium rich foods include cheese, yoghurt and soybeans. Vitamin D aids your body’s absorption of calcium.

Regular Visits to the Dentists

This is critical to maintaining the standard of your dental health and can allow for early detection of problems with your teeth. This, in turn which helps you to avoid elaborate and costly treatment for problems that could have been spotted before they were allowed to develop.

Your dentist can also recommend habits that you can instill to improve your dental health, and point out any current habits that you may have that could be deleterious to your dental health.

Find a Midland Smile dentist near you.

Sealants

These thin, protective layers applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth can protect teeth from decay. Enquire with your local dentist to find out more about sealants and how they can help you.

Taking Care of Sensitive Teeth

Use a brush with soft bristles, a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and brush gently if you suffer from sensitive teeth. Be careful with acidic and sweet food and drink because they can contribute towards sensitivity. Consider consulting your dentist if the sensitivity persists.

Maintaining Saliva

Saliva is a key part of keeping your teeth healthy. In the absence of saliva, a dry mouth develops which can cause problems with your dental health. Saliva is important for maintaining the pH of your mouth, ensuring that the acids that attack your teeth are neutralised. Consulting a doctor is the best step towards alleviating the causes of dry mouth.

Refrain from Smoking

Stopping smoking will increase the health of your teeth, not to mention your overall health. Toothpaste designed to prevent the staining and bacteria from smoking is available for those that smoke. Remember, your oral health is very closely linked to your overall health, which makes smoking that extra bit more harmful. Help is available for those who wish to stop smoking from your doctor or dentist.

Seek Medical Advice About Acid Reflux Symptoms

Due to the fact that acid reflux symptoms or GERD can damage the enamel of your teeth, it is wise to seek advice from your doctor to help gain control over the symptoms.

Keep Your Teeth Protected

Keep your teeth in a healthy condition by not using teeth for opening or holding things. Be aware also that mouth piercings can damage teeth. The use of mouth guards during sports activities is also advised.

Sugar-free Gum

This helps create saliva which alleviates oral dryness and assists in the neutralisation of plaque acids and in maintaining the mineralisation of teeth.

Taking Care of Your Braces

Brush your teeth after mealtimes, making sure you brush your braces at the same time. When you do this, take out the removable parts including the elastics without interfering with the wires. Flossing before and the use of mouthwash after brushing is also advised.

Foods that are softer should be favoured in the first few days after brace fitting, while hard and sticky foods should generally be approached with caution. Try to lessen your consumption of sugary food and drink, and consult your dentist if you experience any difficulties with your brace. Get in touch with your dentist if you feel any pain in the first couple of days of having your brace fitted, or if you break or lose your brace.

For More Advice

Visit our website for more dental tips or contact us for more advice from a friendly and professional dentist near you.

Smoking and its Effects on Your Dental Health

Smoking has a dramatic effect on a person’s overall health. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. On average 1 in 6 adults smoke. 17% of men and 16% for women. This means that, in the UK, there are 9.1 million adult smokers. Smoking causes a range of dental health issues. Gum disease and mouth cancer have been rising in more recent years. Here we aim to provide a facts and figures guide to smoking and how it can affect oral health.

Smoking and its effects on dental health   

As we all know, smoking can cause a wide range of problems in all areas of the body. One of the major areas includes your mouth. Constant inhalation of the toxins nicotine and tar can result in a host of problems. Research conducted by Cancer research UK find that 9 out of 10 cases of mouth cancer are down to poor lifestyle choices such as smoking. Reading this you may wonder what causes such a vast number of people to take up smoking or why people find it so difficult to stop? The key drug in cigarettes, nicotine, is highly addictive. In fact, it can be as addictive as cocaine. This means that giving it up is easier said than done. So, why bother in the first place? One misconception about smoking is that it only takes one cigarette to get addicted. Opening yourself to smoking is the first step to becoming addicted. You tend to find that people who are open to a “social smoke” or the idea of smoking end up getting trapped, however it also seems that many smokers are starting from a young age and have one or more close family members that smoke.

 

Damage caused by smoking    

Smoking has a dramatic effect on your dental health, you may notice that smokers tend to have yellow or rotted teeth. This is not down to the fact that they do not do a good job of cleaning, but brushing alone is simply not enough to remove these stains. Teeth whitening could be the only way to return teeth back to their natural state. Tobacco, over time, leaves a yellow stain on your teeth which is extremely difficult to remove once it’s there. This is not the only issue that affects the smoking population. Rotting teeth, mouth cancer and gum disease are all common issues for smokers. One major issue that we come across at MSC is tooth loss, many people end up needing dental implants to fix these problem.

What can you do about it

There are many options open to smokers to help them avoid the problems of smoking. These include: nicotine gum, nicotine spray, nicotine patches and e-cigarettes or vape pens. Several of these options are not highly successful. It is not simply nicotine that needs to be suppressed, but the actions that come along with it. If you are to ask someone who has smoked at some point in their life, they may tell you that the action of moving their arm, having something between their fingers and the taste/feel also play a part. In more recent years, vape pens and e-cigarettes have become the most popular way to quit, offering almost everything that comes with smoking without containing as many harmful substances. All of these options offer an exit, however they fail to provide a cost-effective way to do so.

Cold turkey

It is not often that you see many people take this route to quit smoking, but it is quite easily, the most effective and cost efficient path. The simple fact is, that if you have the determination to fight the addiction for the respective time, you will quit. It also ensures that you won’t become dependent on any other form of quitting. We understand that this may not be true for everyone and would not discourage anyone form using other methods, however figures suggest that you are much more likely to quit due to the fact you shorten your withdrawal period.

To find out more information about smoking and its affects to your dental health. Head to the Midlands Smile Centres website where you will find the mouth cancer figure page.

Ten things that you can use an old toothbrush for

After a few months of brushing your teeth it might be time to change your toothbrush for a fresh one to continue cleaning your teeth. Many people fail to realise that old tooth brushes can be used for several difficult tasks. Here are ten great ways to get the most out of your old tooth brushes: 

1.      Surprisingly, tooth brushes are great for removing crayon stains from the wall. Carefully scrub with a solution of soap and water to remove the horrible mess that’s been stuck on your wall for weeks.

2.      A tooth brush is great for cleaning underneath your fingernails. The fine bristles get into hard to reach spaces and leave you with lovely looking nails. Apply soap underneath your nails and wait for 30 seconds, then with the tooth brush scrub to remove. 

3.      Cleaning your shoes can be difficult, but a tooth brush can get in between the tread of your shoes to remove dirt and stones. What many people don’t realise, however, is that it can also do a perfect job of tops of your shoes. Cleaning your shoe bit by bit and removing the dirt from the brush as you go along is sure to bring that shine back to your shoe.

4.      Did you know a computer keyboard can be dirtier than a toilet seat? Soften the bristles on an old tooth brush and use it to brush your keyboard including in between the gaps. This will ensure you purify your keyboard completely.

 

5.      Believe it or not a tooth brush is a great tool for removing splinters. Using some warm soapy water, gently rub the tooth brush over the affected area. This should help to bring the splinter to the surface.

6.      Everyone’s least favorite job when doing the dishes is that pesky grater. If you’re not careful it’s a recipe for injury. The tooth brush can stop all your worries. With its long stem and thin shape, it can reach and clean all the gaps that you would normally miss due to fear of injury.  

7.      It’s not just indoors that your old tooth brush is useful. Bike chains can be easily cleaned with a tooth brush. Getting full coverage and removing the debris from it will help your bike to run smoothly and avoid breakdowns.

8.      Keep your delicate jewelry in tip top condition. A tooth brush is great for doing this without causing any damage to your valuables. Use gentle circular motions to maintain the colour and bring back that priceless shine.

9.      Keep your fingers clean when cleaning the fish tank. Avoid getting your hands dirty by using a tooth brush. The soft bristles allow for a quick and easy clean and will result in a perfect shiny tank.     

10.  Are you forever struggling to remove stains from your bathroom tiles? A toothbrush is the answer. Get stuck in with an old toothbrush to for great results. The small, soft bristles provide great cleaning to those irregular, rough surfaces.

How about that? Ten great ways to use that old tooth brush. Who knew there were so many fantastic ways they could be used? Midlands Smile Centres has a range of great blogs covering everything you need to know about dental services, facts and figures and how to maintain an awesome set of teeth. Be sure to check out some of our other blogs and head to the site to find out more about MSC and how our services could benefit you.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Smile Dentistry

Smile dentistry covers an entire range of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are available for those who would like to improve their smile. Finding the right treatment can be difficult because there is such a wide variety available on the market today. Here we will discuss a few of the most common ones with their benefits and drawbacks.

White Fillings

White Fillings are an alternative option to grey metal amalgam fillings. They are suitable when all that is needed is an ordinary filling.

Whilst in the past white fillings were weaker than metal fillings and not expected to last as long, in recent years the composite used for white fillings has become much stronger. Nowadays, white fillings will last almost as long as ordinary grey amalgam fillings, whilst also being much more aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Pros: 

- simple and relatively cheap

- natural looking
- can make you look younger
- cosmetically appealing
- will make you feel less self-conscious than silver fillings
- strong and durable

Cons:    

- they don’t last quite as long as metal fillings
- usually slightly more expensive than metal fillings
- they will not cover up or remove any other imperfections in your teeth

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a process that whitens teeth, removing common stains such as those caused by coffee, smoking and alcohol. The process involves teeth whitening trays, which are filled with whitening gel and worn for a few hours every day for a few weeks until the desired result is achieved.

Pros:     

- sparkling, pure white teeth in just a few weeks

- quick results with minimum expense and effort

- you are in control, simply stop the treatment when you are satisfied with the results you see

- this treatment can be used for different degrees of tooth discolouration.
- when using Midlands Smile Centres, you will be given the latest tooth whitening gels, containing the legally safe amount of peroxide.
- with MSC you can expect bespoke trays that offer greater comfort and a better result.

Cons:   

- Tooth whitening is not suitable for use if you have veneers, implants or other dental work in your front teeth. The whitening gel will not bleach artificial work in the same way that it will natural teeth so you may end up with an uneven result. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best solution for you.

- tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide which can cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, it may not be suitable for you to use tooth whitening gels.

Airflow

This is a specialised polishing treatment that utilises a pressurised blast of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to clear away stains, build-up of plaque and to clean between your teeth.

Pros:     

- effective cleaning

- faster than regular methods of plaque and stain removal
- comfortable
- suitable for those with sensitive teeth
- no risk of irritation or burns
- can reduce teeth sensitivity

Cons:    

- this treatment will not cover up or remove any flaws or imperfections in your teeth

- may not be suitable for all teeth. Your dentist will be able to advise you.

For more information on airflow visit our website.

Gold Services

Gold services include: gold teeth implants, gold crowns/custom crown designs, gold inlays and gold veneers. All of these are available at Midlands Smile Centres.

Pros:     

- various practical benefits depending on what you choose, such as tooth restoration and replacing missing teeth

- visual impact
- a stylish twist on conventional forms of dental treatment
- longer lasting and more durable than white composite or grey amalgam solutions

Cons:    

- very visible, which will not be for everyone

                        
Visit our website for more information on various gold services and treatments.

Veneers

Veneers are tooth-coloured and are usually made of porcelain. They come in thin layers and are placed over teeth that are either damaged, discoloured, decayed or have an irregular shape to hide the disfigurement.  They can also be used to mask misaligned teeth.

Pros:     

- great aesthetic results

- minimal tooth destruction
- often just one or two veneers can make a huge improvement to your smile

Cons:    

- when placing the veneer, a part of the outer surface of the tooth is removed to make room for the veneer, so that it aligns correctly with the teeth around it. This is usually not as great as in a filling, inlay or crown but it still involves some original tooth removal.

Your Choice

There are a number of options available to you for Smile Dentistry. Take your time and consider what is involved and what is right for you before making your decision. Smile Dentistry can really make a difference to your smile and increase your confidence, so it’s important to make the right choice.

Get in touch with Midlands SmilesCentres today and find out what we can do for you.        

Shaping Your Smile with Implants

This Blog has been updated and can now be found here

Root Canal Treatment at MSC

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment (also known as endodontics) is a procedure that is used to remove infection from the root canal of your tooth.

Why it’s Important

The blood or nerve supply of a tooth - known as the pulp- can become infected due to decay or injury, and if this happens, the infection could spread through the root canal system of the tooth, potentially leading to an abscess. Therefore, root canal treatment (RCT) is important because it helps to stop the spread of infection. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the spread of infection will occur and it is possible that the tooth will need to be taken out.

Given that the pulp cannot heal once it is destroyed and that it is not advisable to leave an infected tooth in the mouth, there is the alternative option of having the tooth removed. While this may seem like a preferable option to some people, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.

What Happens During Treatment?

A time-consuming treatment that requires a lot of skill, root canal treatment means you will need to make a minimum of two visits to your dentist. Firstly, the infected pulp is removed; also, if there are any abscesses, these will be drained at this stage. After this, the root canal is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling. A temporary filling is put in before the tooth is then left to settle.

At a later visit, the tooth will be checked. Once all of the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.

Following Treatment

There are treatments available to you if the root canal treatment leads to tooth discolouration, which is rare. It may be a good idea to restore the tooth with a crown to strengthen it. Take care of any teeth that have undergone this treatment in the same way as you would with your normal teeth; clean them at least once a day- ideally with a fluoride toothpaste, reduce the number of sugary snacks you eat and keep them to mealtimes if possible, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.

If the root canal treatment is not advised by your dentist, or if the treatment is unsuccessful and repeated RCT attempts also fail, apicoectomy becomes necessary. This form of treatment attempts to get rid of the root tip and all of the infected tissue. A small incision will be made into your gum before the infected tissue and remaining few millimetres of the root tip are taken away. Finally, a filling is placed to seal the root end. Depending on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the roots, the treatment can last between 30-90 minutes.

How Midlands Smile Centres Can Help

Root Canal Treatment is a very important type of treatment for patients. Given the problems that a damaged or decayed root canal can cause, you will be happy to learn that root canal treatment is available here at Midlands Smile Centres and is performed by our highly skilled, experienced dentists. If you're experiencing pains, swelling or abscesses, it's important that you book a dental appointment as soon as possible, to reduce the amount of permanent damage that could be caused.

Emergency Dental Treatment at MSC

Emergency dental treatment is available at Midlands Smile Centres practices across Birmingham. You do not need to be a Midlands Smile Centres patient to receive our emergency dental treatment. It is always advisable in dental emergencies to see a dentist quickly. Doing so will mean a better chance of resolving the problems with your teeth.

Due to the fact that we at MSC have practices situated around Birmingham, we are often closer to patients who require help than the Dental Hospital or other dentists providing emergency dental treatment. We are usually able to give you the attention you require faster than a Dental Hospital.*

Warning signs that dental problems are occurring can be subtle. At times, warning signs can easily go unnoticed due to low levels of pain being more difficult to detect during the day. Midlands Smiles Centres can be contacted if pain killers are failing to provide the necessary relief from pain.

Visit our website for Emergency Dental Treatment from MSC. 

If possible, we will arrange for treatment to take place at your nearest Midlands Smile Centre practice. If this is not possible, please note that Selly Oak MSC and Kings Heath MSC are usually staffed by our emergency dentists.

Contact us immediately if you have any of these problems:

• Toothache that has lasted for more than 30 minutes after taking pain relief, cleaning and flossing between your teeth.
• A lump on your gum line next to the root of your teeth. This could be an abscess and could result in tooth loss if it is left untreated.
• A broken tooth or broken filling. Failure to receive treatment for this could result in further tooth or filling damage and eventual tooth loss.
• A broken crown. Without treatment this could result in untreatable decay to the root of the tooth, abscesses and eventual tooth loss.

• A tooth which has been knocked out. Place the dislodged tooth in a sealed container filled with milk and take it with you to the dentist. The reason for this is that dislodged teeth can sometimes be re-inserted. Do not wash or clean the tooth as this reduces the possibility of it being reinserted.
• A lost tooth. The wound left in your gum can be attended to by a dentist. Infection in the wound can cause abscesses and other complications. This is particularly important if you plan to have a dental implant.
• A loose or partially dislodged adult tooth. Avoid touching the tooth, except if you are preventing the tooth from falling out. Try to support the tooth instead of applying pressure to the tooth to keep it in place. Your dentist may be able to reinsert the tooth into its original location.

 

You do not need to be registered or have previously been a patient of Midlands Smile Centres to access our emergency dental treatment service. If you need Emergency Dental Treatment from Midlands Smile Centres, you can find everything you need on our website. 

*assumes Midlands Smile Centre practices are closer to patients than Birmingham Dental Hospital and patients call during practice opening hours.

Dental Treatment Available to You

Dental Treatment at MSC

Midlands Smile Centres have a number of different treatments to suit a variety of wants and needs. It is always suggested that before undergoing treatment, you should understand what options are available to you. This will ensure you to receive the best treatment for you. If dental treatment is something that you require, you and your dentist will be looking into many options to establish what the best course of action is.

Orthodontic Treatment

The first aspect that should be looked at when it comes to getting dental treatment should be why the treatment is necessary in the first place. The reasons can be personal such as you are unhappy with how your teeth look or for medical reasons such as having crowded teeth which can cause problems later in life. Starting with Orthodontics, one type of treatment that is available at MSC includes Damon braces, these apply gentle pressure in order to move your teeth into their desired position. They are also considered to be more comfortable than traditional braces.

Another type of treatment that is becoming more and more popular are Invisalign braces. Like all orthodontic treatments, their objective is to relocate the teeth to improve comfort and appearance for the patient, however there is no visible aspect to the treatment. Invisalign braces are almost invisible to the eye and can be easily removed, to make eating and cleaning easier. If you're looking for something that works a little quicker, Six Months Smiles may be for you. This orthodontic treatment uses tooth-coloured braces that straightens the teeth in an average time of 4-9 months.

Restorative Dentistry

Looking at other types of treatment, Midlands Smile Centres offers a wide range of options including restorative treatments such as bridges, crowns and dentures. These could be the best course of action when you feel like you need a boost to your smile. Bridges are an effective alternative when you have missing teeth. They work by being secured to the natural teeth that surround the area left by the missing teeth. Crowns on the other hand are used to repair a damaged tooth, they are placed on top of a partially broken tooth in order to strengthen the tooth and avoid more damage. Dentures are an alternative to this and cover a number of treatments such as dental implants which can complete your smile again.

Cosmetic Dentistry

The motivation to get dental treatment is an important one. For many people their smile is an important part of their appearance and can have a massive effect on a person’s self-confidence. Here at Midlands Smile Centre we understand that it is an ever growing worry for many people, because of this we offer a diverse range of treatment to enable you to smile confidently again. An example of this type of treatment includes fillings. These can be used to fill gaps in the teeth and look very natural. This again is something that is important to our patients.

Other such treatments that can be used to boost confidence include tooth whitening kits that can be used at home. After a tooth assessment conducted by one of our fully trained dentists, a tooth whitening kit may be a possible option for you. If you decide to go ahead you will receive a whitening gel along with a crafted tray that is made for your teeth, this can be worn for several hours a day until you feel the treatment is complete.

Airflow treatment is commonly used by our dentists during dental appointments. This treatment works by shooting pressurised air, water and sodium at the specific teeth in order to clean and polish them. This should improve the appearance of your teeth. As well as this, veneers could be the ideal improvement your smile. These are usually made of porcelain and are coloured to look like teeth in order to make your smile more appealing.

Your Journey Towards Perfect Teeth

The sooner you start your journey towards perfect teeth, the sooner you'll see results. If you are looking to brighten your smile then Midlands smile centres are here to help you. Before deciding whether the treatment is right for you, make sure you’ve done your research and understand what the treatment entails. It is also important that you take on-board any advice that is given to you by our dental professionals in order to make the correct decision.

If you’re considering dental improvement, please get in touch with Midlands Smile Centres for more information and to enquire about an appointment.

MSC Implants in 2017

Why Implants?

Answering this question is easy, because implants are an excellent choice for replacing missing teeth. Not only are they comfortable, but they are natural in their appearance, too. Plus, having implants can improve your eating experience and enhance your smile. So, considering these benefits and the positive impact they will have on your confidence, it is not hard to see why implants are the way forward for those with missing teeth.

The Procedure

Implants consist of a dental crown that has a natural appearance and a titanium supporting rod. The titanium supporting rod is placed into your jawbone. This replaces the root of your tooth and the dental crown replaces the tooth. When this procedure is performed by Midland Smile Centres, our no scalpel technique is employed. This part of the procedure makes use of X-ray imaging to locate precisely where the implant is to be placed before it is inserted into the gum. 

Due to this technique employed by our specialist dentists, you can expect less swelling and bleeding. It makes the procedure less painful as well. The use of the no-scalpel technique also means that healing time is reduced, and in just three months with two visits, the procedure will be finished*.

Want to know how dental implants are made? Watch this short video that explains the process. 

An important thing to be aware of in regards to having dental implants, is that it is not advisable to simply opt for the cheapest provider, as experience in performing this procedure is crucial. Fortunately, all of our skilled implantologists at MSC have many years experience in carrying out this procedure, as they have been performing for over 25 years and have successfully treated over 5,000 patients.

Aftercare

Your dentist will provide details about your aftercare and it is important that you follow them. It may be necessary to take painkillers, and when you are brushing your teeth, make sure you clean the teeth attached to your implants as much as your normal teeth. Areas that are more difficult to get to may mean that additional advice is needed. Sometimes further visits to the hygienist can be necessary, too.

To Sum Up

Midland Smiles Centres have highly experienced, skilled dentists that you can be confident will perform a successful implant procedure. Once complete, you can start looking forward to better eating and an improved smile, which is sure to make a positive impact on your daily life. Get in touch with MSC about our dental implants in Birmingham today.

Other Dental Treatments at MSC

If you want to take the standard of your smile even further or feel that implants may not be the right option for you, it may be helpful to learn about the other types of treatment that are available at Midland Smiles Centres. Dentures, bridges, crowns, denture implants, gold implants and a range of cosmetic treatment types are all on offer at MSC. Contact Midland Smile Centres to find out more about what we can offer you!

*Actual healing times and treatment lengths may vary. Ask your dentist for a more accurate estimate.

A Guide to Invisalign

What are Invisalign Braces?

Invisalign braces are braces that make use of transparent, removable aligners to gradually manoeuvre your teeth into the desired position.

The Benefits of Invisalign Braces

Without incorporating wires or brackets, Invisalign braces utilise superior modern-day technology to move your teeth and help you to attain the kind of smile you are looking for. As a result of Invisalign braces being see-through, they are much more appealing visually than traditional braces, and much more discrete than traditional braces. Also in comparison to traditional braces, Invisalign braces are more comfortable to wear.

Another advantage of wearing Invisalign as your choice of braces is that they are very well-suited to eating. Plus, they are easier to clean than traditional braces. Both of these advantages are a result of the fact that Invisalign braces can be removed.  

The Treatment Process

The transparent aligners are specifically-made for the patient by one of our experienced MSC orthodontists. For this treatment process, a mould will need to be taken of your teeth. The aligners will be created on the basis of this mould so that the fitting found for your teeth offers optimum comfort.

The treatment plan will incorporate a series of different aligners and each one is slightly different. This series of aligners will help to move your teeth into the required position. We at Midland Smile Centres are also able to offer you the ClinCheck 3D treatment plan. This enables you to see what your teeth will look like once the treatment is finished before it actually takes place.

The Cost

Treatment for Invisalign starts from £40.50 a month. 

What’s the next step?

You can discover more about Invisalign treatment and how it can benefit you by booking an appointment for an Invisalign consultation and talking to one of our experienced orthodontists. You can request an appointment by filling out our Invisalign form.

If you are interested in the idea of having Invisalign braces or you are curious to learn more about this treatment, then you may be interested in our Invisalign Open Evening from 5pm to 8pm on 2^nd March 2017, at Selly Oak MSC. Any questions you have about this form of treatment could be answered here.

This open evening is your chance to receive a consultation for Invisalign treatment without an appointment and for free. This open evening is a one-time offer, where you can save money by not only receiving a free consultation, but also receiving free tooth whitening with your Invisalign treatment. Overall, this offer means that you will be making a saving of £255.  

Invisalign Open Evening - MSC Selly Oak:  2^nd March 2017, 5 pm - 8 pm

Going Further

To increase the charm of your smile even more, you may want to think about other types of treatment. One of these treatment types provided by Midland Smile Centres is veneers. Veneers are thin, tooth- coloured layers of material - normally porcelain - that can be placed over teeth that are decayed, damaged, discoloured or have an irregular shape. They create a noticeable aesthetic improvement and do so with only minimal tooth destruction.

We also offer white fillings. An alternative to grey amalgam fillings, white fillings provide the kind of function you would expect and boast a natural appearance as well. In addition to white fillings generally having a more aesthetically pleasing look, they can also make a person feel less self-conscious about their teeth when they laugh or smile.

Considering treatment is an important step in moving forward. Making sure that the treatment is right for you is of high importance. The advance in new technology has enabled huge leaps in the medical industry, such as Invisalign treatment, opening you to more than one available method of treatment for a number of concerns you may have. No problem is too small and everyone should have access to treatment that they feel they require. Some of these treatments above are just a few possibilities available to you. Midlands Smile Centre is here to help, if you have any questions about the open evening, or would like to book an appointment before-hand, contact us.

Full Guide to MSC Emergency Treatment

Midlands Smile Centres will provide an around the clock services for any emergency treatment. We provide a multitude of services which are available to both new and existing patients of Midlands Smile Centres. If you are in need of any emergency treatment, the number you will need can be found on our emergency treatment page.

Alongside this it is always satisfying to know that the emergency treatment can be completed quickly, usually faster than you are able to get to the Dental Hospital.* This is because MSC has a number of practices throughout Birmingham, this means that help is never far away. Finding a dentist near you is quick and simple meaning each emergency can be processed efficiently. We pride ourselves on our quick and efficient service.

To ensure that every client can be treated to the best ability of each dentist, it is key that a person in question receives their treatment quickly. The quicker a patient receives dental treatment, the more likely the treatment will be a success. For a client that may be in pain this is an important factor. 

Dentistry is something that some people may not consider an important aspect of their health, however it is something which should not be over looked. You may ask why emergency dental treatment is necessary, well there are a number of problems that can occur without notice. Some of these can become rather painful and cause a large amount of discomfort. This is why emergency dental treatment is essential, being able to relieve pain and stop the problem form getting worse is something which we find to be of importance to every patient that experiences our emergency treatment. The MSC community recommend that existing and new patients take time to learn about their dental health so that if an issue arises, it can be dealt with swiftly before it causes further problems or damage.

Something that MSC take particular concern over is an occurrence when a tooth has be knocked-out of the mouth. If this should ever happen to either yourself or somebody you know, Midlands Smile Centre is here to help. We suggest that in the eventuality of a tooth being knocked out, to follow simple steps that can be taken to help ensure the tooth can be re-inserted. These steps are to place the tooth into a container of milk and to avoid washing/drying it. Then take the tooth with you to the dentist where hopefully the tooth can be placed back into the gum line.

Other problems that Midlands Smile Centres come across include loose teeth. Again this is something that can be fixed, in most cases our highly trained dentists are able to return the tooth back to its original position and fix it in place, avoiding the need for more treatment. If you are to come across a suspect tooth that seems loose it is vital that you try and refrain from messing with the tooth, reducing contact and avoid placing any pressure. In fact we suggest that it is better practice to apply support to the tooth in order to limit the risk of further damage or the tooth falling out of place 

It is worth noting that a lost tooth is also something which should be treated of high significance, and help should be enlisted to sort the issue. If a tooth falls out, the gap it leaves can become infected, much like an open wound can be if it is not treated. This can result in further problems such as an abscess, therefore the best form of action is to get it seen to as soon as is possible. In the unfortunate circumstance where you do lose a tooth, we have a number of treatments that can help remedy this, such as dental implants.

You may have concerns that may seem minor, however you should be aware that sometimes things may not seem important but can cause a lot of future problems. Tooth ache is something that a lot of people pass off and consider to be insignificant. We recommend that if tooth ache is persistent and is still discomforting after taking pain killers, then it is vital that you get in touch with us on our emergency line so that the experienced team here at MSC can get the right treatment for you. 

A second relevant issue would be a lump on your gum line next to the roots of your teeth. This is something which should be addressed immediately as it could be an abscess. If this is not treated quickly and properly it could result in further treatment or tooth loss.

Other problems which you may cross can include a broken tooth or filling. If such a situation was to occur then you should contact the MSC emergency treatment line. This is again something to be concerned about as it could lead to further damage such as tooth loss and/or additional filling damage if the problem area is to go untreated.

Finally, it is always advised that you take time to understand that dental care is a very important aspect of your health and should be taken seriously. We would also suggest that you familiarise yourself with your nearest Midlands Smile Centre dentistry and how best to get in contact with them in case an emergency was to occur. If you feel that you are in need of any form of emergency treatment then please contact our emergency treatment number.

*assumes Midland Smile Centre practices are closer to patients than Birmingham Dental Hospital and patients call during practice opening hours.