White Fillings

Fillings. They are one of the most common dental procedures around, and most patients will find themselves in need of a filling at some point in their life.

In the past there were few choices for patients who needed a filling. Fillings were made from metal amalgam and were grey in colour, making them very noticeable, particularly if they were located near the front of your mouth.

While white fillings have been around for many years, they were traditionally considered less strong and durable than their metal amalgam counterparts, and were not considered suitable for the back teeth where the majority of chewing forces are exerted.

Over recent years, materials and technology around white fillings have advanced greatly and they are now considered practically as strong as metal amalgam fillings. They are made of composite resin material that is durable as well as natural-looking. At Wimbledon Dental Care we use the highest quality composites, including Heraues Venus and TPH Spectra, which are well-known for their strength, excellent performance and natural appearance. We have hundreds of happy patients who will testify to their quality.

It is perhaps more accurate to describe “white” fillings as “tooth-coloured” fillings, because your dentist is able to select a colour of composite that closely matches your natural teeth. That means they blend in perfectly, and nobody will notice they are there.

Often with metal amalgam fillings it is necessary to remove healthy tooth tissue as well as areas of decay to place the fillings. As dentists we don’t like to remove any more tissue than is absolutely necessary, which is why we are delighted that with our white filling technique only decayed areas are removed, making it a minimally-invasive procedure that is better for your dental health.

While we don’t believe in carrying out procedures for the sake of it, we know that many patients would like to replace their old, amalgam fillings with modern white ones. If your metal fillings are worn, discoloured or old, or if you want a more natural-looking smile, we’ll be happy to discuss replacing metal fillings with white composite fillings.

Dental Hygiene

Did you know that tooth decay is the most common disease in the developed world? Knowing that it’s also preventable is a sobering thought, and something we want to do something about. Good dental hygiene is essential in helping to prevent tooth decay.

Another scary statistic is that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the UK. Again, gum disease is preventable with a strong dental hygiene regime. It’s also a very common condition and comes in two forms: the milder gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease. As with all diseases, the earlier gum disease is caught the better, and the easier it is to treat. If you think you may be suffering from gum disease, you should book an appointment with a hygienist as soon as possible. As well as treating the condition, they can advise you on how to stop it recurring in the future.

Everybody should visit the hygienist, at least every six months, for a scale and polish, which will thoroughly clean your teeth by removing any stubborn plaque or tartar. Some people need to visit more often, and you should always follow your dentist or hygienist’s advice. Regular visits also enable us to monitor your oral health, so if there are any early signs of gum disease or decay, we can treat them sooner rather than later.

Of course, it goes without saying that a good home care regime is also vitally important to your dental health. That’s why our hygienists provide bespoke oral healthcare advice for all the family. This includes:

The best type of toothbrush to use, and the best brushing techniques
Advice on special tools such as interdental brushes, to clean between the teeth
Flossing advice
The best and worst food and drinks for your teeth
Special advice for cleaning dentures, bridges, braces etc
The best mouth wash to use
Fresh breath advice
How to look after your mouth after oral surgery, to aid recovery
How to clean young children’s teeth, and how to help older children develop their own oral healthcare regime

Veneers

If you’re thinking about having a smile makeover this Spring, you may worry that treatment will be long and invasive. Every cosmetic procedure is different just like every patient’s needs are different, but the good news is, in many cases, fixing your smile can often be much quicker, easier and gentler than many patients imagine.

veneers We’ve found that dental veneers are the perfect way to correct those misaligned, worn or badly-stained teeth that make you self-conscious about smiling in many cases. Dental veneers provide a dramatic smile makeover, so it’s hard to believe that treatment is not only exceptionally quick, but also minimally invasive.

Veneers are very thin shells of porcelain that are custom-made to fit over the surface of your teeth. They are bonded in place with special, strong dental adhesive, and can be used for a single tooth that is broken, dark or stained, or a full set – between six and eight veneers, in most cases – can be placed over your front teeth for a complete smile makeover.

If you have teeth that are chipped, crooked or worn, you have irregular gaps between them, or have stains that cannot be removed by teeth whitening treatment, you may find your self-esteem if negatively affected. However, you may not want a major cosmetic dental procedure.

One of the biggest benefits of dental veneers is that they preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. There is no need for extensive preparatory work, unlike with other treatments such as cosmetic crowns, and you could have a brand new, beautiful smile in just two appointments. They also look amazing and incredibly natural.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, we’ll see you for a smile makeover consultation. Each face is individual so the best treatment will differ from patient to patient. If we agree on veneers, we’ll take impressions of your teeth so that our skilled technicians can create the perfect set for you. We’ll fit them at your second appointment – it really is that quick and easy!

Whitening

Spring is in the air, which means weddings, family gatherings and other social occasions are on the increase. If you’re one of the many people who feels self-conscious at such events because of your smile, our friendly team at Wimbledon Dental Care can help.

teeth-whitening When asked what they would change about themselves if they could, the majority of people say their teeth. Even with a great dental health regime, our teeth become stained over time, through drinks such as coffee, tea, cola or red wine and through habits such as smoking, as well as from the side effects of certain medications, and even part of the natural ageing process.

Teeth whitening treatment is one of the quickest and easiest cosmetic dental treatments available, is suitable for most patients, and is the perfect way to give your smile that extra boost before a special occasion.

There is a plethora of products available that claim to give you whiter teeth, but the key thing to remember is that you should only have tooth whitening treatment under the supervision of a qualified dentist. Hygienists can also provide teeth whitening, but only on a dentist’s prescription.

While the treatment is suitable for the vast majority of adults, there may be certain medical reasons why tooth whitening is not suitable for you. For example, if you have tooth decay or gum disease, you need to have this treated first. Our dentists can help you with this before you have your teeth whitened. Kits bought online or over-the-counter will be at best ineffective and at worst damaging to your teeth.

We use the tried and tested Zoom teeth whitening system. This system is safe and at Wimbledon Dental Care our patients have enjoyed a 100% success rate. Most of our patients opt for a single intensive whitening session in the practice, followed up by some top-up treatment using bespoke tooth trays and whitening gel at home. It is also possible to carry out the treatment yourself at home, using the trays and gel, which your dentist will demonstrate for you to ensure the best results.

Visit our teeth whitening page for full information on Zoom teeth whitening at Wimbledon Dental Care.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Love is in the air this month in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, and our question for you is, how much do you love your smile? A lot of people are embarrassed about their smiles, for a wide variety of reasons. Missing teeth, crooked teeth, teeth that are chipped, stained or discoloured; there are all kinds of reasons why our patients say they hide their smile away.

At Wimbledon Dental Care we believe everyone deserves a smile to be proud of. That’s why we offer a wide range of cosmetic dental treatments to help give you confidence back in your smile. Why not show your teeth some love and book a cosmetic dentistry consultation with one of our experienced dentists?

Cosmetic dentistry covers a wide range of treatments, from quick and simple procedures such as teeth whitening and stain removal to orthodontics and restorations for damaged or missing teeth, such as crowns or bridges.

Here are a selection of cosmetic dental treatments on offer at Wimbledon Dental Care (visit our Cosmetic Dental section on the website for a full list of treatments):

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening uses special bleaching agents to remove stains from on and in teeth. It should only be carried out by a qualified dental professional. We use the Zoom system, which is gentle, safe and has had 100% success rate at our practice.

White fillings

More accurately called tooth-coloured fillings, these are made of a strong composite material that is closely matched to the natural shade of your tooth, meaning they will blend in and be unnoticeable, as well as durable.

Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They can disguise mild cracks and chips, staining and slightly gappy or crooked teeth. Treatment is minimally invasive and produces a gorgeous smile to be proud of.

Six Month Smiles

It’s the new year and for many of us that means new year’s resolutions. Whether it’s improving your fitness, taking up a new hobby or cutting down on a bad habit, we hope you manage to stick to yours.

For a lot of people, the start of a new year feels like the time to give yourself a new look. If you have concerns about the alignment of your teeth that affect your confidence in smiling, we may be able to help, with a revolutionary treatment called Six-Month Smiles.

Crooked, crowded and misaligned teeth make many people unhappy about their smile, but they are often unwilling to undergo traditional orthodontic treatment. What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you hear “orthodontics”? For a lot of people the word conjures up braces, comprising metal wires and brackets, which are very obvious. Traditional braces also have a reputation for long treatment times and discomfort as your teeth are slowly manoeuvred into a new position.

Six-Month Smiles are different. This treatment uses tooth-coloured wires and brackets and focuses on the front teeth – those that show when you smile. That means that the treatment is not just highly discreet, it’s also very fast – taking on average just six months, as the name suggests.

Wimbledon Dental Care is an accredited provider of Six-Month Smiles, and we’ve treated many happy patients. While the treatment is not suitable for cases where major orthodontic work is needed, we are pleased to invite you for a Six-Month Smiles consultation.

One of our experienced team will examine your teeth and decide if Six-Month Smiles is suitable for you. If you need major work then we will refer you to an orthodontist, but for Six-Month Smiles patients we will take impressions of your teeth so we can carefully position your brackets. Once your braces are fitted you’ll need to visit us every four to five weeks so we can make any adjustments. At the end of treatment we will fit a bonded retainer to the back of your teeth to keep them in their new position.

Why not beat the January blues and treat yourself by booking a Six-Month Smiles consultation today?

Metal to White Fillings

No matter how well they look after their teeth, most patients will find they need a filling at some point in their life. In the past, fillings were only made of metal amalgam, which while being very strong and durable to withstand the forces inside the mouth when you bite and chew were also very noticeable because of their dark colour. This was especially a problem if you needed a filling in one of your front teeth.

White fillings have been around for many years, and huge advances have been made so that they are now considered as strong as metal fillings. At Wimbledon Dental Care we use the highest-quality white composite resin material to create fillings that closely match the natural colour of your teeth, meaning they blend in seamlessly.

With amalgam fillings, the techniques used to place them often meant that as well as decayed tissue, healthy parts of your tooth had to be removed too, weakening it. The advanced techniques with white composite resin fillings means that only decayed areas need to be removed, making the procedure minimally invasive and leaving you with more of your natural tooth.

An increasing number of patients are also coming to us with a view to having their old metal amalgam fillings replaced by tooth-coloured white ones. We always advise caution with this procedure, but if your amalgam fillings are near the front of your mouth, are very obvious or are worn or damaged, we can replace them with natural-looking white composite fillings that will blend in seamlessly with your teeth. We’re always happy to discuss this treatment with you at a consultation.

For larger cavities, inlays or onlays may be a better option than white fillings. These are also tooth-coloured and are made of porcelain. They are similar to crowns in concept, but are smaller. Onlays are used for extensive restorations while inlays are used for smaller restorations.

With Christmas party season underway, replacing your old metal amalgam fillings could be the perfect present to yourself to boost your smile and your confidence.

Getting Whiter Teeth

Are you looking for a fast, effective way to boost your smile and with it your self-confidence? Our smile is the first thing many people notice about us, and having a smile to be proud of is one of the best ways to increase not only your self-esteem but also to improve your social and business interactions.

Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and most popular cosmetic dental treatments in the UK. It’s a great way to give your smile that extra sparkle and because treatment time is short it’s perfect before a special occasion such as a family gathering or an important business meeting.

If you’re looking to have teeth whitening treatment you should only do so under the care of an experienced dentist. Kits that you buy online may appear too good to be true, and indeed they probably are. These kits can actually do more harm than good to your teeth. Teeth whitening treatment performed by dentists is tried, tested and safe.

At Wimbledon Dental Care we offer two options for tooth whitening – home whitening or in-practice whitening. We use the leading teeth whitening brand Zoom and have enjoyed a 100% success rate with this system. We often find it’s best to combine in-practice and home whitening for the best results.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to come into the practice for a consultation and to be measured for teeth whitening trays. You’ll be called back for your in-practice power whitening appointment in as little as three days. Once we’ve checked your trays fit we’ll prepare your teeth and all you need to do is sit back and relax for an hour while the treatment is carried out. You’ll be given some whitening gel to put into your trays to top up your treatment at home.

If you opt for exclusively home whitening, we’ll check your trays fit and send you home with the trays and some whitening gel. You just need to place it in the trays and wear them overnight for the time your dentist prescribes – usually two weeks.

Teeth whitening is fast, effective and safe. It really is the perfect way to boost your smile for a special occasion.

Looking for Straighter Teeth

Lots of adults dream of having straighter teeth. For many, though, the first thing that springs to mind when they hear the word “orthodontics” is metal bracket and wire braces, sometimes called train-track-style braces, that are commonly worn by teenagers. The thought of having to wear such metal braces, which in addition to being very obvious are also associated in many people’s minds with lengthy treatment times and discomfort, is enough to stop many adults seeking treatment.

At Wimbledon Dental Care we believe everyone deserves a smile to be proud of. That’s why we’re delighted that there are a number of discreet options available to patients who want straighter teeth. Depending on your individual case, you may not even need orthodontic treatment at all!

For teeth that are mildly crooked or have fairly small irregular gaps between them, porcelain veneers may be the best option. Veneers are very thin slivers of porcelain that are custom-made to fit over the front surface of your teeth. They have several advantages over other cosmetic dental treatments, not least the fact that veneers are fitted with the absolute minimum work on your teeth.

As well as avoiding damage to otherwise healthy teeth, this means that treatment with veneers is very quick, usually needing just two appointments – perfect if you’d like a new smile for a special occasion. Veneers are highly natural-looking and long-lasting.

For more complex cases we offer orthodontic treatment with Six-Month Smiles. Six-Month Smiles are one of the most popular orthodontic solutions in the world, combing a fast treatment time (hence the name) with maximum discretion. They comprise tooth-coloured wires and brackets so nobody will notice you are wearing them, and work so quickly because they focus on the front six teeth – those that show when you smile.

If you’ve always dreamt of straighter teeth, please get in touch with us. We’re confident that we can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamt of.

Children’s Teeth

Looking after children’s teeth is vitally important. Many studies have shown that getting a child used to visiting the dentist from an early age not only helps to prevent childhood tooth decay, but also increases the chances of your child having healthy teeth for life. Early visits to the dental practice help to make it an everyday, positive experience and let youngsters get to know the dentist as a friendly face.

Although rates of childhood tooth decay are starting to fall, the UK still has a very high proportion of children who suffer from caries (decayed teeth). Diets rich in sugar – including natural sugars found in healthier options such as fruit juice or honey – can lead to tooth decay, as can a poor brushing routine and failure to visit the dentist. Like adults, some children are also just more prone to decay, which makes visiting the dentist even more important.

The team at Wimbledon Dental Care are passionate about preventative dentistry – stopping problems before they start, whenever possible. We recommend you bring your children in to see us as soon as they get their first tooth. By visiting from a young age they get used to opening their mouth to let the dentist look inside, and it may even help for them to watch Mum, Dad or an older sibling having their teeth examined then copying what they saw.

As well as regular examinations to spot caries early, your dentist may also recommend the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant, both of which help to prevent decay. Fissure sealant is a tooth-coloured coating applied to the back teeth to help prevent food particles or bacteria getting trapped in tooth ridges, while fluoride varnish is painted on to all the teeth to strengthen the enamel.

Early intervention also helps to spot orthodontic problems such as overbites or crossbites sooner rather than later, making treatment easier.

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