Frequently Asked Questions
How to get a great smile
We know how uplifting, infectious and effective a good looking smile is and good looking teeth are essential for getting a great smile.
If you have stained, uneven, crooked, chipped or gappy teeth they can undermine your self confidence. So why not have them treated?
The beauty of your smile can be improved by simply re-contouring one or more teeth or you may wish for a more comprehensive dental treatment. Cosmetic dentistry can brighten dull teeth, whiten stained teeth, close gaps between teeth, repair chipped teeth, mask metal fillings, and straighten crooked teeth. Below are some treatment solutions to common problems.
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Dental Implants
Introduction to Dental Implants
If you have lost all your teeth, a few of them, or even just one tooth you should consider dental implants. Implants are a permanent solution that will not affect any of your existing teeth.
Eating and chewing properly is essential for a healthy body it is also one of the greatest human pleasures. Thousands of people, both young and old, no longer have their own teeth. Some manage quite well with dentures, for others they are unsatisfactory. If you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about gaps, missing teeth, dentures that are loose, yet you feel you deserve the best today’s modern dentistry can provide, dental implants may be the solution.
Please contact us to help you decide if the benefits of implants are suitable for you. A consultation will clarify what type of treatment you may require.
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What are dental implants?
A dental implant is like a screw or cylinder, made from titanium, which is inserted into the jaw bone to replace a natural tooth root. The dental implant must heal and integrate within the bone for up to three months before it can be restored with a crown. The restoration of the crown is performed by us over a couple of appointments.
There are many benefits with having a dental implant placed instead of a bridge or denture. A dental implant supported tooth looks and feels like a natural tooth, it does not damage adjacent teeth, and is much easier to clean and maintain. It is also strong and able to perform the same functions as a natural tooth.
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Why choose dental implants?
A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth that we can give you.
The main advantages of dental implants over dentures and bridges are:
Improved appearance: They feel and appear much more natural and secure than traditional removable dentures, especially if the dentures are loose fitting because of extensive bone loss.
Natural teeth maintained: dental implants allow for the replacement of a missing tooth without compromising or damaging adjacent teeth.
Permanent results: The implant is comfortable, stable and will usually last longer than other any other dental treatment.
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Are dental implants approved?
Dental implantology was developed more than four decades ago. The technology is constantly improving and research shows the long term effectiveness of the implant treatment. Dental implants are made from harmless biocompatible materials that are not known to cause any bodily rejection. All implant devices are regulated by government agencies. We are registered with the main professional dental organisations.
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Who is suitable for implant treatment?
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The main limitation is the amount of available bone. Please contact us so that we may evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
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Is old age a problem for implants?
Older patients are sometimes concerned that their age may stop them from receiving dental implants. It is the case that health is more of a determining factor than age. If you're currently receiving dental treatment you're probably fit enough to receive implants. We can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.
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What is the procedure for implant treatment?
Firstly the surgical placement of the implant(s) into the bone. This is usually done at our clinic, with a local anesthetic. After surgery, there is a healing period of up to three months. During this time, the implants fuse to the bone by a process known as ‘osseointegration’.
Sometimes, there is a minor surgical exposure at the top of the implant, whereby we will attach the abutment to the implant. The function of the abutment is to become the support for either one tooth or a set of teeth. This is a short procedure that usually requires local anesthesia.
The last phase is the restorative phase. We will take impressions and then make the teeth that will attach to the implants. Once completed, the natural beauty of your mouth will be restored with good strong teeth.
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How long does implant treatment take?
The treatment can take anywhere between one day and six months and depends on the type of bone and where the implant is placed in the jaw.
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How long will an implant last?
It is impossible to predict but the research suggests implants should last up to 20 to 40 years. This depends on good dental hygiene, regular check-ups and maintenance.
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How will dental implants affect my life?
Teeth supported by dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can continue to eat and drink what you're used to. Most importantly dental implants can improve your quality of life. Some people may suffer low self esteem because of problem teeth but they are transformed by what new permanent teeth can do for them.
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Will my new teeth look natural?
Dental implants used in combination with other dental treatments will appear and function just like natural teeth.
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Will I be able to chew with the same force
and pressure I use with my natural teeth?
After a brief period of getting used to the new teeth, chewing ability is restored to that of natural teeth or greater.
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Is the implant treatment painful?
As with any surgery there may be some discomfort. Anasthesia and sedation are used to stop discomfort at the time of surgery. The level of discomfort is quite different from patient to patient, but most patients do not have significant problems. The procedure is often less painful than a dental extraction.
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How will I feel after the implant treatment?
It's quite normal to feel some discomfort after the treatment but this can be treated with ordinary painkillers. The patient should be able to go to work the next day.
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How should I care for my implants?
Your new teeth should be cleaned thoroughly, just as you would with your natural teeth, and visit us for regular check-ups and maintenance.
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What is the cost of an implant?
In general, costs are closely comparable to those of other prostheses involving fixed bridgework. The uniqueness of each patient’s restorative needs means this needs to be discussed with us.
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How much do implants cost?
Although like all purchases, cost is relative to value, advancements in technology have made a great smile more affordable and more attainable than ever before.
A single implant, without other procedures, can cost around £2200 - £2500. But if there are other procedures involved the cost can increase. You do not need a separate implant for each missing tooth. Two implants can cover three to four teeth and five to six implants can cover 12 teeth.
Please visit our dental centre for an estimate to meet your dental needs. Whatever your budget, we can provide you with a treatment plan which meets your expectations. Click HERE to make an appointment or call us on: 0207 580 2366.
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Cosmetic Dentistry
Introduction to cosmetic dentistry
New technologies have made a beautiful smile more affordable and more attainable than ever before. A-list celebrity smiles are no longer limited to A-list stars.
Visit our dental centre for a consultation and we can teach you more. We believe that your smile is as important to your positive self image as your health and fitness.
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What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Stained or dull teeth can be dramatically improved by whitening, surgery bleaching, home whitening, veneers, crowns or bonding. The reason why many people choose cosmetic dentistry instead of over-the-counter products such as whitening toothpaste and bleaching kits is that cosmetic dentistry offers much better, longer-lasting results.
Misshapen, chipped, or worn teeth can be improved by veneers, crowns, bonding, or cosmetic contouring.
Gaps between teeth can be closed up with veneers, crowns, bonding, or orthodontics.
Old or unsightly fillings can be replaced with tooth-coloured fillings (resins and porcelain) for a natural appearance.
Old or unsightly crowns can be replaced with ultimate all-ceramic crowns.
Crooked or crowded teeth are improved with veneers, crowns, bonding, or orthodontics.
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What are the latest developments
in cosmetic dentistry?
The latest developments in dentistry include white fillings, porcelain inlays, crowns, bridges, tooth whitening treatments and veneers. These techniques can whiten and improve the shape and colour of your teeth, even close gaps.
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Invisible white fillings
You can have fillings changed to improve the appearance of your teeth. They can even be made to be invisible.
Today there are alternative materials to the black/grey amalgam and gold fillings, which include a spectrum of various ceramic inlays made at a laboratory or composite (white fillings) placed directly by us for small cavities.
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Crowns and Bridges
We fit every type of crown available, gold, gold bonded to porcelain or porcelain alone (metal free). There now exist an array of metal free crown and bridge materials including cast, pressed, sprayed and computer generated ceramics. These materials undergo continual development and offer very high strengths with previously unparalleled appearance.
A bridge is designed as a permanent replacement for a missing tooth or teeth (the teeth can sometimes be replaced using dental implants), which looks and feels just like a normal row of teeth. There are several different types of bridge. Conventional bridges use crowns on the existing teeth at each end of the space with the additional tooth held in place between them.
Adhesive bridges (or sticky bridges) use the latest bonding techniques and involve very little cutting of the adjacent teeth to support a new tooth in the gap. These bridges are made using gold and bonding alloys fused to porcelain.
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Tooth Whitening
People who require a change to their natural tooth colour, because of a naturally darker colour or darkening with time, wear or staining, can have their teeth lightened.
The recommended method of tooth whitening is dental home bleaching done at home with trays like a gum shield, worn at night. The trays are designed specifically for your mouth and are extremely thin and unobtrusive. The cosmetic dental and implant centre has been treating patients successfully with this method for over 15 years.
Research shows that tooth whitening causes no harm to teeth or gums. The results can last for more than 3 years. After 3 years there is still a 70% improvement but you can keep topping it up with the home trays. You can buy more bleaching gel by contacting the dental centre and we can arrange for it to be sent to you.
There is no age restriction this procedure can be done on anybody. Tooth whitening will not work on crowned or veneered teeth. It doesn't change the shade on crowned or veneered teeth so they may need to be replaced.
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Porcelain veneers
As a result of modern technology, thin pieces of porcelain (usually about 0.5mm thick), are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Veneers can be used to improve the appearance of teeth by changing the shape and colour of the teeth to offset the effects of ageing, discolouration, chips, cracks, twists and gaps.
You can effect major transformations with veneers. Porcelain is a very hard, wear resistant, non-porous material that will keep its appearance far longer than tooth coloured resins.
However if the teeth are badly aligned, severely broken down or teeth are missing, it may be necessary to have orthodontic treatment, crowns or bridges constructed or implants placed.
Veneers should last for about 10 to 15 years as long as regular examinations and oral hygiene appointments are maintained.
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How to find the Implant & Cosmetic
Dental Centre in London
We are located in 2, Harcourt House,
19a Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PN, which is in the heart of the West End. There is easy access to the centre by taxi, minicab, tube and bus. Car parking facilities are available immediately opposite the centre.
A useful landmark for Cavendish Square is that it is located behind the John Lewis store on Oxford Street. Cavendish Square marks the southern end of Harley Street - world famous for medical and dental excellence. Click HERE for a map.
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Leading dentist Harry Shiers BDS MSc (Implant Dentistry) MGDS MFDS and his team of highly specialised staff offer an array of treatments in comfortable and friendly surroundings at their West End practice in Cavendish Square, London: 