We wish you all a very happy new year. With the festive season now over, it is now time to make those new year resolutions and attempt to stick to them! What better resolution than improving your oral health? Improving dental health will reduce your risk of future dental problems which can be invasive and costly. Prevention is far better than cure. Arrange your initial consultation and hygiene appointment today and start 2012 will a brighter, whiter smile.

Our case of the month for December shows how effective tooth whitening products can be. We strongly advocate the take home system for tooth whitening. Special tooth whitening trays are made for your teeth, we supply the tooth whitening gel (only certain types of gel will be effective for your teeth and we will choose the correct system) and then the trays and gel are worn for one hour of the day (in most cases). After two weeks you will have whiter, brighter, healthier looking teeth. It really is that simple. Here are the case photos:
 

Researchers from Sweden have discovered that periodontal or gum disease may in fact predict a person's risk of heart failure, stroke and heart attack. The researchers examined almost 8000 patients with gum disease and the results showed that certain types of gum disease can in fact predict the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, heart failure and strokes. If you have bleeding gums, bad breath, bad taste, yellow build up on the teeth, loose teeth or gum recession then you are very likely to have gum disease. Do not delay. Contact us today for a full clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan. Preventing or treating gum disease can help fight other more serious health issues. Call us on 020 7731 1162.

Our practice policy is to run an amalgam free clinic. We do not place amalgam restorations at all. Why do we adhere to this policy? We believe that modern materials using adhesive technology are a far superior alternative to old fashioned amalgam fillings. We do have safe procedures to remove amalgam fillings. We routinely use rubber dam to protect the airway and prevent the amalgam from being swallowed or inhaled. Please ask us to assess your amalgam fillings and determine if a suitable replacement without any metal or mercury is possible. Call us on 0207 7311162 today.

Our next Case of the month involves a dental implant to replace a missing canine tooth. This tooth had been missing for nearly one year. Being at the front of the mouth, aesthetics were vital. Only a natural looking tooth would suffice. Did you know that canine teeth are extremely important teeth in relation to your bite? In many cases, these teeth provide the guidance to your bite and sliding movements. Therefore, the treatment in this case had to be planned very carefully. Below are the before and after photographs.
 

The question is often asked 'what is the best filling for my tooth?' The answer lies in the material which is most like a natural tooth. The options range from amalgam (metal fillings), white fillings, gold fillings or porcelain inlays/onlays. The benefits of porcelain inlays/onlays are:

1. It is 100% bio compatible.
2. It will not shrink in the mouth.
3. It is not affected by water/saliva/heat or cold.
4. It has a wear strength similar to tooth with adequate thickness and properly polished/glazed.
5. It looks just like natural teeth.
6. It does not require heavy destructive preparation of the underlying tooth (in most cases).

Below is case completed by Dr Nissit Patel, where 2 molar teeth were heavily decaying under amalgam metal fillings.
 

Mouth Cancer Action Month was launched last month at the House of Commons. The importance of early detection was highlighted as a key factor in survival rates. Mouth cancer currently kills more people than cervical and testicular cancer combined with over 1,800 recorded deaths in 2008. Recent high profile sufferers include Hollywood actor Micheal Douglas, former England captain Bryan Robson and BBC presenter Danny Baker. Between 1997 and 2007, the number of mouth cancer cases had risen by nearly 46 percent. During our initial comprehensive consultation, oral cancer screening is carried out on a routine basis and followed up upon every further examination. If you are concerned about mouth cancer, please contact us on 0207 7311162.

In Japan, a new trend is gripping the fashion conscious as women are paying for teeth to be purposefully disarranged and made to look crooked! The new look is called 'yaeba' in Japanese or 'double tooth' and it is reported that men are finding this look attractive. While it is true that imperfections may give character, we believe that attractive smiles are straight and white. Do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7731 1162 to see how we can deliver straight, white smiles.