blog

Replacing Lost Teeth with Dental Implants

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:22:20 +0000

Why Does Bone Grow Around Dental Implants?

A dental implant replaces the roots of one of your teeth. They are placed within the bone of your jaw, dentists call this endosseous, and are usually made of Titanium. A process called Osseointegration means the bone grows around and fuses with the implant. This provides a stable root alternative that a crown or bridge can be securely fixed. But how does bone grow on metal?

An implant consists of a Titanium screw which is often treated with a surface layer that increases the surface area and the likelihood that the bone will fuse to it. Titanium is stronger than steel but much lighter and extremely resistant to corosion. It is thought the oxidising the surface layer of the Titanium create a surface that bone grows into and fuses with the implant. Whether this is a chemical bond or a very strong physical bond is unclear, but what is sure is that implants can last 30 years.

This diagram shows how the implant is screwed into the bone,forming a root. The crown ( transparent to show the abutment that supports the crown) sits on top of the implant. At Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey we have over 15 years experience with dental implants, restoring people's mouths allowing them a comfortable chew or confident smile.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

Moving Teeth To Improve a Smile,Surrey

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:17:08 +0000

Mind The Gap In Your Teeth?

Some people like having a gap between their teeth. Think of Madonna, her diastema ( gap to us dentists) between her front teeth is a style icon.

But what about when your mouth is like this?

As you can see gaps can be created by the natural teeth or bone being in the wrong place and some of the teeth being too small. These can be inherited or an outcome of growing up such as thumb sucking.As you can see there is a big difference between a celebrity's unique smile and having so many gaps in your teeth that it can effect the entire smile.

Moving Teeth and Restoring Teeth

Moving teeth, orthodontics, have many different types of treatment to move teeth into a better position to straighten a smile or close a gap. The treatments at Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey include Invisalign,Social 6,Clear Step and Simpli5 . The advantage of these treatments for many people is that they are nearly invisible, so they can get on with their lives without being self conscious of conventional metal braces. Sometimes moving the teeth is not enough and we need to use ceramic veneers that are bonded to your tooth surface to change the shape of a tooth, close a gap or alter the colour. Veneers often require very little tooth removal to gain the most pleasing of appearance. This use of cosmetic dentistry has led to many happy patients at Cedar Dental.

Best wishes

Boris

Dr Boris Atlas

Cedar Dental, Sutton Surrey

Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants Surrey.

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:39:48 +0000

Why do I need to replace my missing teeth?

If you have lost teeth you will be more than aware of how this can impact on your life. Perhaps you are a little uncomfortable with the appearance. Perhaps you notice your bite changing as your teeth move. Perhaps your remaining teeth are beginning to feel loose. All these are valid reasons for filling these gaps between your teeth. Firstly to improve the appearance of your smile, but what is equally important is the stabilising and securing of your remaining teeth and gums.

Dental Implants In Surrey

Dental Implants meet the needs of appearance and stabilisation. Firstly the implant is placed where the roots used to be to provide an anchor for the crown or bridge that fits ontop of it. An important part of an implants design is its ability to allow bone to grow around it and integrate with the jaw itself providing a permanent solution to tooth loss. It is worth noting that you do not need one implant per lost tooth, in some cases using the All On 4 system by World leaders Nobel Biocare. The All On 4 system provides anchorage for upper or lower teeth with only 4-5 implants in each jaw. An added benefit is Cedar Dental's 'Teeth In a Day' which provides a new smile in one day.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Clear Orthodontic Solutions In Surrey

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:23:50 +0000

Would you change your smile if you could?

In answering this question many people would have different reasons. Perhaps they have neglected their teeth and now want to make amends, they could have had an accident and wish to return their mouth to as it was or they could choose to improve upon what they already have to keep their teeth healthy or for appearances sake.

There is something in a beautiful smile. Its warm, inclusive and genuine. It take far less thought and effort to smile naturally than to force a smile and also if you are a little self conscious of how your teeth look, then you may not enjoy smiling as much as you could do. Healthy teeth and a beautiful smile are good for you and this is shown when you smile.

Dental health is the priority, and orthodontics ( moving teeth) can untwist teeth and close gaps bringing your smile into line. This is beneficial to your dental health as this can prevent food packing between your teeth and gums leading to bad breath, caries and decay. By moving the teeth, the natural emergence profile of teeth from gums and the contact between teeth in the correct place creates a natural cleaning area between teeth.

Orthodontic solutions are available at Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey. Our friendly and unhurried approach will help you feel at ease. We can discuss your needs and the appropriate options available to you.

Best wishes

Boris

Dr Boris Atlas

Cedar Dental

crooked teeth and gaps solutions

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:20:01 +0000

Mind the gaps, closing them with clear braces in surrey.

Gaps between teeth can be unattractive. It is considered that a natural smile benefits from the teeth touching to create a natural and flowing smile. The gaps can become the centre of the face to the onlooker. To close the gaps between teeth can require some form of orthodontics, what we dentists call moving your teeth. Modern brace treatments have the added advantage of being designed for the wearer to get on with their life without most people noticing that they are being worn. There are several treatment options available depending on you preferences.

The most commonly known modern orthodontic treatment is Invisalign. With this treatment you wear a series of removable clear plastic braces that slowly move your teeth into their new position,either closing gaps or straightening teeth.

Other treatments are Social 6, which fits fixed braces to the back of your teeth so nobody can see that you are wearing braces. Despite concerns that braces behind the teeth may feel uncomfortable, Social 6 patients say that they do not notice the braces in their daily lives.

Best wishes

Boris

Missing Teeth. Dental Implants in Surrey

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:03:27 +0000

Dental Implants in Surrey

If you are tired of missing teeth, consider what your dentist can offer but also how and why this treatment benefits you. Dental implants benefit someone with missing teeth because they fill the gap left by natural teeth as well as act as the root and anchor to the bone and gums that losing teeth often leads to bone loss and remaining teeth drifting. Having a Titanium implant to replace the root of a natural tooth supports the surrounding bone. THe crowns fitted ontop of the implant fills the gap leaving a natural and long lasting smile.

Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey has over 15 years experience of dental implants and restorative dentistry. It is our belief that we provide a complete and high standard level of care. Our team understand the surgical foundations of dental implant treatments as well as making the new teeth as natural as possible.

When You Don't Have Enough Jaw Bone, There is a Solution.

If teeth have been lost for a long time, the bone in the upper and lower jaw can resorb so much that a dental implant will not be secure. There are some solutions to this available from Cedar Dental. Bone grafting literally builds up and thickens the jaw bone so the implants are secure and improve the appearance of the final smile.

Best wishes

Tom

Cedar Dental

Chipped Teeth Solutions In Surrey

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:25:23 +0000

I don't Like the Chips in My Teeth.

Its easy to chip your teeth. Biting onto a glass or fork whilst eating or just falling over can chip your beautiful teeth. Thankfully there are some great treatments that can restore your smile, a chipped teeth solution.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Surrey

Chipped teeth can run the risk of leaving exposed parts of a tooth to caries and decay. Restoring these teeth can considered a cosmetic treatment but it covers and protects the natural tooth as well. There are two simple ways to repair chipped teeth;

1) Direct composite- Edelweiss veneers.

This revolutionary treatment is available at Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey. This gives you a new smile in usually one appointment. Any sharp edges are smoothed on your chipped teeth and a tooth coloured composite is shaped to replace the lost part of your tooth. This tooth coloured material is designed to replicate the natural dentine and enamel of the original tooth. An added advantage is that this material absorbs some of the colour of the natural tooth through light absorption. These materials can cover over many stains aswell.

Check out this link to the article above

2) Indirect Ceramic veneers.

Ceramic veneers often require the skills of a dental technician. Your chipped teeth are smoothed down and the dentist takes impressions of them to send to the dental laboratory. Models of your teeth are contructed and the veneers made from tooth coloured ceramics. The layering of dentine and enamel ceramics to match the colour of your natural teeth ensures that when your veneers are fitted they blend in exactly with your natural teeth.

See if you can spot the natural teeth from the veneers.

Best wishes

Tom

GrandSmileDesigns

Missing Teeth Surrey?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:37:16 +0000

Gaps and Toothless Mouths

If any of you have lost teeth through accident or decay you will be more than well aware that a gap in your teeth is not the most attractive of appearances. When someone looks at a face, they tend to see the whole face, eyes first and then anything that distinguishes the face. In an ideal world this is balanced if asymmetrical.If you have a gap between your teeth, and we are only talking about less than 2cm here, this is often first noticed. If you do not believe me, put a piece of black card over one of your front teeth, then see what draws your eyes. Its similar to sight the brocolli or sweetcorn between your teeth, its noticeable.

Protect your remaining teeth, bridge the gap.

Have a look at the picture above, the teeth either side of the gap are in a rather precarious position. You see teeth are not completely rigid in your mouth. The bone and gum that supports your teeth is only there because your tooth is. If a tooth is lost, the bone and gum resorb away leaving a bigger gap and your remaining teeth moving forward. This can be likened to a domino effect.

Keeping your remaining teeth stable is important and filling the gap either with a bridge or implant is important for the whole of your mouth. The options available can suit all demands and pockets.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Orthodontic Solutions In Surrey

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:35:33 +0000

Crooked Teeth In Surrey

The introduction of orthodontic treatments that are quick and simple has provided people with a solution to crooked front teeth. In the past their teeth may have been veneered or even crowned for cosmetic purposes. Having the brace option gives me the chance to treatment plan cosmetic treatments to first get the teeth in the best position possible position and then using minimal tooth removal to reshape or prepare the teeth for veneers or crowns. This is a bit like laying the foundations for a secure house. If the teeth are in the best position possible anything that is fixed or sits on top of it is more stable.

Getting More From Natural Tooth Colour

Natural teeth reflect and refract light in a certain way. If I am using a combination of orthodontic braces and ceramic veneers, getting the natural tooth in the best position possible provides a foundation for the veneers that fit ontop of the teeth to absorb as much of the natural tooth colour underneath. To you the patient, this means no one will notice it looks so natural. Light is absorbed in degrees (refraction) and bounces off objects (scattering and reflection).The difference between a natural looking veneer and a false one is how similar the refractive index is between the natural tooth and the restored one.

Social 6- To get your front teeth where they need to be

Social 6 is an orthodontic treatment where the braces are placed behind your teeth, meaning they are invisible. People are sometimes concerned that these may feel bulky in their mouth, but the braces are designed to be as small as possible to prevent this. I have worked with many patients on improving their smile and Social 6 is a simple way to straighten teeth in a treatment itself or as a way of laying the foundations for ceramic veneers.

Best wishes

Boris

Dr Boris Atlas

orthodontic Solutions in Surrey

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:41:31 +0000

If you look at your profile and smile you may find that that your teeth may appear to be forward or back in relation to your face. In other words your teeth are sticking out or too far inside the jaw. These are one of the most common reasons why people choose to have orthodontic treatment. So what are the terms we dentists use?

Whats an Overbite?

An overbite is where your upper front teeth are too far forward in relation to your lower front teeth.

As you can see, the upper front teeth are too far forward, thus not providing a balanced function or appearance.

What's and Underbite?

An underbite is where you lower friont teeth are too far forward in relation to your upper front teeth.

This picture shows how the lower teeth are pushed forward and overlap the upper teeth.

Both these malocclusions ( teeth in the wrong place) can be treated with orthodontics. If you think that you have an overbite or underbite, contact us today on 0208 6420355.

Best wishes

Boris

Dr Boris Atlas

Social 6 Braces in Surrey

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:16:23 +0000

Check out our Social 6 slideshow on youtube.

Best wishes

Boris

Teeth In A Day Surrey

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:12:42 +0000

Do look at the slideshow we have on Youtube for Teeth In A Day.

Best wishes

Tom

Crooked Teeth Solutions in Surrey

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:36:57 +0000

Twisted teeth and gaps where I don't want them.

If you don't like the look of your smile, your teeth are twisted, or there are gaps between them, consider one of the several adult brace treatments available from Dentists today. It used to be that mostly children had orthodontics to move their teeth and help their jaw bones grow in the best place possible. Many lives are radically improved by a few years of metal train track braces etc. It used to be that children were teased for having braces, not so now. The desire to have the best smile possible is considered extremely important to many children.

What about adults?

Many adults visit the dentist and have kept their teeth and gums healthy but are not satisfied with their smile. It used to be that the most popular route was to have veneers or crowns to adjust the colour and shape of the teeth. Adults can also have braces that help move their teeth back into line, untwist, or close a gap. What is more, these treatments often take into consideration the social implications of braces by making them virtually invisible to the naked eye.

How do they work?

Your teeth are secured in your jaw bones your roots and the fibres that act as shock absorbers between the teeth and bone.

When you have orthodontic braces they push or pull the teeth. The force cause the bone to give way, but here is the clever bit, it rebuilds itself behind to fill in the gap. The forces applied are gentle enough not to damage the bone and the brace is held in place long enough for the tooth to be stable in its new position. The treatments available vary in price and suitability so its worth taking up a free consultation to find out what can help you improve your smile.

Do visit the braces page on the Cedar Dental website for more information.

Painful Denture Solutions Surrey.

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:43:01 +0000

If your Dentures hurt, something is wrong.

You do not need to tolerate the pain of badly fitting dentures that can affect the quality of your life. As time goes by its easy to just think of dentures are painful, loose and unnatural bits of plastic in your mouth.

You do not need to tolerate or accept this at all. Ask your dentist what a good fitting and natural looking set of dentures should be. THere is every chance that they will say one or more of the following;

1) The dentures will fit comfortably in your mouth and will not come loose.

2) Your jaw muscles will not feel tense nor painful when eating.

3) Your dentures will look natural, it will be difficult to tell you are wearing them.

4) Your cheeks and lips will be supported by your dentures.

It is worth noting that full dentures that fit onto gums do change the shape of the mouth. It is simply that the gums were not meant to be supporting the chewing forces, your natural teeth were. Gums are much softer than teeth, so in time, the gums resorb.

There is a way to replace your lost natural teeth without your dentures sitting on your gums, All On 4, Teeth In a Day. Using the latest dental implant technology you can have fixed new teeth, that look and feel natural in one day. No more painful or loose dentures.

To know more, click on this link on the Cedar Dental website. Cedar Dental is one of the few dental practices in the UK to provide this revolutionary and life changing treatment.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

My Dentures are Embarrassing, what can be done in Surrey?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:55:51 +0000

I Don't smile because someone may laugh at my teeth.

Our faces carry alot of expression to reflect our moods. But imagine what it would be like if you wanted to smile but could not because you were embarrassed by your dentures. So instead of allowing your face to light up, you withdraw. This is not much fun for anyone who struggles with poorly fitting and loose dentures.

The fact is that what was once a well fitting denture, may not be as accurate as it was. The shape of your mouth changes because of the pressure of chewing on the denture through to your gums. In other words you have no natural teeth to prevent your biting onto the soft gums.

Is there a way to stop putting pressure onto my gums?

Having new teeth that do not sit on your gums is the ideal solution.There is a way to create the feeling of having your fixed natural teeth back and that is to have dental implants. Dental implants are similar to the roots of your teeth, except they are made of Titanium. In fact you do not need one implant to replace one tooth as the latest technology available to Cedar Dental allows you to only need 4-6 implants in one jaw to restore it. This is achieved using ' All On 4' by world leading dental company Nobel Biocare. Myself and Dr Carl Manhem can provide this life changing treatment, sometimes in one day.

So if you are looking for a fixed solution to your old removable dentures, then come and talk to us at Cedar Dental in Sutton Surrey. It could be the start of a new life.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

All on 4 Dental Implants in Surrey

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:51:50 +0000

Dental Implant Treatments For Loose Dentures

You were never meant to wear dentures, thats why you take them out at night. In a perfect world we would all keep our teeth for a lifetime, but this does not happen as much as we would like. If you have lost all your teeth and wear dentures you probably would have noticed that in time they do not quite fit as well as they used to. You may need to go to your dentist to get it relined or have used some of the denture adhesives that are available.

Wearing dentures can change the shape of your mouth, as your dentures sit on your gums and jaw bone, they can resorb away. So if you are someone who is fed up of your dentures not fitting as well as they could or would like teeth that you can keep in, there is a solution

All On 4 Dental Implant Treatments at Cedar Dental, Sutton.

The latest technology provides you with the ideal loose denture solution. All On 4 is a Dental Implant treatment from Nobel Biocare, one of the leading manufacturers of dental implants in the World. All On 4 means you can have less surgery as less implants need to be placed and it gives you the chance to change from loose fitting and uncomfortable dentures to fixed and comfortable teeth in one day.

Do pop in for a chat if you want to know more. If you do not live locally but want to find out more, please drop us an email at info@grandsmiledesigns.co.uk

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

All on 4 Dental Implants in Surrey

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:44:36 +0000

All on 4- Teeth In a Day

This lady was fed up of having poor teeth.

She wanted to improve them.

She came to see Tom and Carl. They suggested Teeth In a Day. In 12 hours she looked like this.

Oh and the smile........

One very happy patient.

If you would like to know if Teeth In a Day is the solution you are looking for, please contact us anytime for a free consultation.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

How can I move my twisted teeth quickly Surrey?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:49:29 +0000

Crooked Teeth Solutions

If your front teeth are a little twisted or there are gaps between them there are some quick solutions to improve the appearance of your smile. These solutions are as effective as they are quick and in about 14 days you can have the smile of your dreams.

So Why Do I have Crooked Teeth?

As we grow up our teeth sometimes emerge in not exactly the right place for a perfect smile. This can be down to baby teeth getting in the way or your jaws being too wide or too narrow. If your haw is too narrow your teeth can twist as the space is not wide enough, if your jaws are too wide, the teeth will have gaps between them.

So What are the Quick Solutions?

Have a look at your teeth in the mirror, to get the balance of shape and appearance of your front teeth it is important to consider how changing one tooth will effect those next to it. Your dentist will probably be aware of the mathematics of facial asymmetry. Such phrases as 'Golden Proportion' or the Fibonacci number are from a blend of biology and mathematics. So the purpose of untwisting teeth or filling in gaps is to give you a smile that follows as closely as possible this equation. BUT, this is not exclusive to your teeth. When considering the most natural appearance, consideration must be given to the position of the teeth in relation to the rest of the face. I bet you never thought it could be this complicated!

This subject is a science in itself, but the Dentists at Cedar Dental in Sutton are all well aware of mathematics in nature.

Veneers- Direct and Indirect

It is common to have stone models of your teeth made before treatment starts. Your dentist can then change the appearance of your smile with tooth coloured wax to show you how your smile would look. This is really helpful for everybody as it gives a clear idea of what is achievable for you, the patient. Sometimes copies of this smile is used as a template for temporary veneers which allow you to try out your new smile for a few days.

Some veneers are made in the surgery, at Cedar Dental we use the Edelweiss system to improve people's smiles quickly. Its a treatment that can fill the gaps between teeth and change the appearance of teeth to bring them into line. Sometimes porcelain veneers are made that will blend into your natural teeth as well as improve the shape, giving a natural smile without twists or gaps.

So if your teeth are twisted, chipped, stained or there are gaps between them, we can help. Just call us at Cedar Dental and take up our free consultation to find out how your smile can be improved.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Comfortable Dentures in Surrey

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:36:35 +0000

Comfort, Function and Appearance.

If you are looking for a solution to loose fitting and painful dentures, then Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey has two options for you. The first is 'Teeth in a Day', the latest in dental implant technology to have you chewing and smiling again in one day. The second and more affordable option is a new and well made set of dentures.

Form Follows Function

As I am sure you know, your front teeth are for biting and tearing and your back teeth are for chewing. But the position and shape of your teeth is a large part in the support of your face and lips. If these are not the right shape in the right place, then any new denture or crown will not function properly.

The surfaces of your back teeth should fit into each other when you chew in a clean sliding motion. When you consider the amounth of force that your jaws and surrounding muscles create, you get an understanding of how even the smallest of interferences can dislodge your dentures, or chip and crack your teeth. In Dentistry we have a saying 'form follows function'. If you want the best looking new teeth in a day or dentures, then how they function will determine to a large part what they look like. I make sure the function is the best it can be, the appearance will take care of itself.

If you would like to know more about the benefits or 'Teeth in a Day' or excellent new dentures, please call us today on 0208 6420355 for a complimentary consultation.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Comfortable Dentures in Surrey

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:42:32 +0000

I want to eat in comfort but my dentures hurt.

If eating a steak or biting into an apple are a distant memory because it is too uncomfortable to eat wearing dentures then maybe it is time to invest in a new set.

In my previous blog I talked about how recording the dimensions of your gums and the space between your upper and lower jaws as well as the position that your lips sit is crucial to a successful and comfortable denture.

What is also important is to match the correct shaped and shade of denture teeh. Its easy to think that all teeth are the same but there are many shades and many shapes of tooth. If you have a narrow face, its likely you will have narrow teeth. Likewise if you have a broad face your teeth will be broader.

Why are the gums of my dentures so important?

The gum part of your denture replaces the gum and bone that is often disappears when teeth are lost. This crucial part of the denture not only provides the retention for the denture but also supports your cheeks and lips.

If your dentures are uncomfortable and you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to book a free consultation today.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs