At Benhill Dental Practice, there has been a dental practice running for over 80 years on our site, and we are very much part of the community. We care about all of our patients, young and old, and we believe that practising gentle dentistry is essential for ensuring that the whole family is confident about visiting us and having the treatment they need. For those with dental phobia Sutton, we understand that you may have suffered from a bad experience; you may not like the smell of a dental practice, or perhaps you really can’t put your finger on why you don’t fancy visiting a dentist. At Benhill Dental Practice, however, we believe in getting everybody the treatment that they need to have a happy and healthy smile. If you require emergency treatment in the first instance, we are available throughout the whole week, and after this, we will encourage you to come and get the preventive care you need to limit the possibility of further extensive work being required.

I’m scared. How are you going to treat me?!

When you first come to see us, you can take all the time you need to talk about your dental issues, and we will take as much time as you need to explain the treatment you will require. We will never force you to have anything done that you aren’t ready for, nor will we rush you to start or continue with treatment. We are trained and experienced in dealing with dental phobia Sutton, and we never need to use sedation because our treatments are comfortable and we use local anaesthesia when necessary, so you won’t feel a thing. Moreover, with the latest techniques and technology at our disposal, your treatment time will always be as quick or as slow as you want it to be. We will gently encourage you at every stage so that you know exactly what is happening, giving you the confidence that you are in control of your own treatment at all times. With our approach, many nervous patients are now regularly visiting us as required and are having their treatment. We believe that you will be able to feel this way about your treatment too.

Find out more

For an initial consultation, you can come in and meet our friendly team without the pressure of having any treatment. You can familiarise yourself with the practice, and we can discuss your concerns about feeling nervous, as well as what you are hoping to be treated for. Through this discussion, we hope to allay your initial fears and prepare you for the next stages of your treatment. Together, we can find a way forward to getting you a beautiful, healthy and truly happy smile. If you are comfortable, we can also take x-rays of your mouth and check your mouth for signs of oral cancer to ensure that you don’t have this, as well as look for signs of tooth decay, as well as your gum health. With these initial checks, there will be no actual treatment involved, so you can get used to being with us, and we will reassure you at every stage of your dental MOT! We’re ready to get you revved up and ready to go on the road to great oral health.

There are various factors that can affect the appearance of your teeth, and one of them seems to be the presence of silver amalgam fillings that have been used to repair your teeth following damage or tooth decay.

Many patients ask our dentist whether they can change their silver fillings to white ones. Silver fillings are made of a mixture of liquid mercury and metal alloy and are used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Silver fillings are very strong; they are a good choice for teeth that need to withstand a lot of force, such as molars. Visiting the dentist regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene can help silver fillings last between 10 to 15 years, and for many years amongst dentists and patients alike, these fillings were the preferred choice for treating decayed teeth.

White fillings, also known as composite fillings, consist of a composite resin, which is a tooth-coloured mixture filled with plastic and resin. The mixture is durable; therefore, unlike silver fillings, white fillings do not expand or contract; silver fillings do because of fluctuating temperatures inside your mouth, making your teeth more prone to damage.

Some studies show that the use of mercury may be hazardous to health. The advantage of white fillings is that they do not contain any mercury or metal. Silver fillings must be mechanically bonded to the teeth and require some teeth to be removed to hold the filling in place. An advantage of white fillings is that they are chemically bonded to the teeth and usually require fewer teeth to be removed.

If you have silver fillings, then you should consider changing to white fillings if your fillings have become damaged or if there are any signs of decay. Replacing fillings that are otherwise in good shape is not recommended since doing so could cause damage to your teeth, and in many cases, this is unnecessary; therefore, your silver fillings should remain. If your tooth has become decayed or damaged, then our dentist here at the Benhill Dental Practice can change your fillings from silver to white fillings Sutton.

A fundamental reason why many patients want to change from silver to white fillings Sutton is because of the unpleasant appearance of silver fillings. Silver fillings may be visible when you laugh or talk, and this can affect your confidence and the appearance of your smile, making you self-conscious about it, which can have a negative impact on other aspects of your life.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and find that it is affecting your life, then speak to us at Benhill Dental Practice and find out about converting from silver to white fillings Sutton. Book an appointment today and find out more about changing your silver fillings to white fillings here at Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton. Visit our website or give us a call, and we can make an informed decision on whether or not changing your fillings is a suitable course of action.

You have spent years maintaining your teeth, doing all the things that you have been told to do to sustain a healthy oral cavity. Why not be proud to show them off? Of course, the foods that you eat can discolour your teeth, so here at Benhill Dental Practice, we can treat your teeth sympathetically. You would want to be able to smile broadly and show off your healthy white teeth Sutton. We have all seen the over-whitened beacons that some people produce because they have been overzealous with their home whitening kits. We prefer to produce a tailor-made kit that is specifically designed around your needs.

Your teeth tell a story

Your teeth are indicators of your lifestyle, but they are also an early warning system of something that may be more sinister than just stained teeth. We will always conduct a thorough examination of your teeth regardless of the treatment. The colour of your teeth can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions. You may have a calcium deficiency, celiac disease or even liver disease, to name but a few. Only once we are satisfied that you are not suffering from such diseases will we proceed and show you how we can help you to achieve white teeth Sutton.

Treatment designed around you

Because our treatment is bespoke, we must make sure that the results we are aiming to achieve meet your expectations. To achieve the correct white teeth Sutton, we will take pictures of your teeth so that we can identify the correct shade. Once this step has been completed, we will take an impression or conduct a digital scan, the results of which are then sent off to the laboratory where your custom whitening trays will be created. The solution will be designed to suit you, taking into account your teeth and gums. We consider personal factors such as your dental history, lifestyle and preferences.

When the trays are ready, we will fit them for you at our clinic and explain in detail how to use the syringes. We will also explain how long the trays must remain in situ. You will notice an improvement within a few days after treatment, while more profound results will manifest after approximately three weeks. The whitening treatment comes in a variety of kits, which are suitable for day or night-time treatment. The day kit is designed to be effective with about two hours of wear per day, and the night kit allows for around six hours of wear per night to achieve maximum results.

Maintaining your white teeth

There are certain things that you can do to maintain your healthy white teeth. Reduce your consumption of red wine and coffee as they are common drinks that can discolour your teeth. Smoking or chewing tobacco has become less common, but it is a fact that tobacco does cause dental discolouration. Maintaining regular, six-monthly dental visits and brushing and flossing at least twice a day will not only increase the longevity of your teeth but also maintain their whiteness.

Asking someone to stick to a set of rules is often not enough to get them to obey those rules. Invariably, the reasons for the rules need to be explained so that there is an understanding of what happens if you don’t adhere to them. Education is vital to us in every walk of life for us to grow and develop. At Benhill Dental Practice, we believe that preventive dentistry starts with oral hygiene Sutton. The results of poor oral hygiene can be catastrophic; not only can you lose your teeth, but your relationships can be severely damaged. Poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria and plaque to thrive between and around your teeth, causing tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease, all of which are absolutely unnecessary if you are willing to adhere to a few basic rules.

Relationships develop understanding and reduce stress!

We are very committed to our patients and consider you to be more than a patient. We want to get to know you and understand your dental expectations so that we can develop a dental treatment program designed specifically to fulfil your personal needs. Oral hygiene Sutton is always high on our list, and because we develop relationships with our patients, we can be candid with you about the state of your oral hygiene. Our relationships create a feeling of trust that means we can tell you if you are suffering from bad breath and how to eliminate it through proper oral hygiene Sutton.

A precious asset

It is necessary to realise just how precious your adult teeth are because you only get one set in your life, and once you have lost them, they are gone! We take our cars for regular maintenance and are careful with our financial investments, and our teeth should be as high up on the priority list of asset protection. We seem to forget that our mouths are the portals through which we feed ourselves, so surely we should ensure that our mouths are healthy.

Follow a simple formula

We will advise you on the right toothbrush for your teeth and gums. We are all different, and the type of bristles and toothpaste you use needs to suit you as an individual. When it comes to teeth and gums, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Regularity is vital to maintaining good oral hygiene; brush and floss at least twice a day, preferably after meals, and make regular six monthly dental visits for checkups and hygienist treatment. The procedure for maintaining your teeth and gums is simple and does not require any major expense or effort.

All the dental treatments you need

We are here to provide all the dental care you need to retain your teeth and maintain proper oral hygiene for the duration of your life. Our preventive dentistry treatments will provide everything you and your family need, including hygiene, fresh breath and cancer screening. General dentistry will ensure that extractions, fillings and root canal therapy are carried out. Putting a smile back on your face will come with cosmetic dentistry treatments, and we offer a full range from simple tooth whitening to teeth straightening and replacement.

Toothache is probably one of the worst pains that one can experience because it is located in the mouth and affects our eating habits. Experiencing sensitive teeth Sutton is extremely debilitating and can affect our temperament and sleeping patterns. If you are experiencing these issues let our team at Benhill Dental Practice know.

What causes sensitive teeth?

There are numerous factors that can cause sensitive teeth Sutton, and identifying the cause is the first priority of our dentist. Immediate sensitivity can occur when you have your teeth whitened, but this normally subsides quickly. Poor oral hygiene can result in gum recession, which can expose a section of a tooth. Brushing teeth too vigorously can damage the dentin of the tooth and expose the tubules that lead to the dental nerves. Dental cavities can be quickly revealed by the sensitivity they create. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of sensitive teeth Sutton. Eating too much acidic food is another culprit that can cause the erosion of your dental enamel over a period of time.

Preventive dentistry

The first line of defence is for our dentist to employ preventive dentistry to avoid sensitive teeth. All of us only ever receive one permanent set of teeth once our baby teeth have all come out. As this is the only set of teeth we will get to take us through our lifetime, it makes sense to take proper care of them. Our Dentists constantly educate patients on the importance of correct oral care so that the patients don’t have to endure losing their teeth through decay and poor oral hygiene. Unfortunately, all too often this education falls on deaf ears, and teeth are often the victim of poor oral hygiene. Those regular six-monthly dental visits are also vital, allowing our dentist to examine your teeth and identify any signs that your teeth may become sensitive later.

Using the correct equipment

This century has seen some amazing developments in the equipment that you can use at home to take care of your teeth. Electric toothbrushes and water spouts all help to make dental care more efficient and effective. The correct hardness of your toothbrush and toothbrush head in an electric toothbrush must be the correct one for our teeth and gums. We are all different and our dentist will recommend the correct toothbrush and toothpaste to help you avoid suffering with sensitive teeth. Rinsing using the correct solution that is not too strong can help in avoiding

suffering from sensitive teeth. The correct flossing technique is important so that you don’t damage your teeth.

There is no need to suffer

We seem to understand that our cars need regular servicing to keep them from causing problems, yet many of us do not apply the same principle to our teeth and gums. It’s quite incredible to think that all we have to do is brush our teeth after meals or at least twice a day and visit the dentist twice a year to look after our teeth. Our teeth are extremely precious and help us to chew our food, smile and be confident, yet some of us do not look after them as we should. There is no need to suffer the pain of sensitive teeth when all it takes is a simple but effective oral regime!

Understanding the fears and anxieties surrounding your visits

For as long as you can remember you may have felt an uncertainty when it comes to the notion of dentists and visits to the dental practice. It may be that a bad experience for you or someone you know dented your confidence about the whole process, or it may be that you just didn’t visit much as a child, leaving your imagination to run wild when thinking about what a trip to the dental practice would be like. No matter what your background is, or how you came to have fears about the dental practice, rest assured that you are not alone. In fact, statistics for 2019-2020 revealed that 75% of adults throughout the world have some level of dental anxiety or fear. So, whilst you may feel alone with your fears, know that others have been where you are.

At Benhill Dental Practice, we understand how debilitating fears and anxieties can be, which is why working with you to suppress and hopefully overcome them is one of our priorities. Below are some of the ways in which we hope we can help.

Opening up communication

Taking the time to get to know you is something our dental team will always strive to do. Whilst we do not expect to become best friends overnight, when working with nervous patients Sutton, learning about each other and taking things slowly can make all the difference. From adapting the treatment options, through to creating breathing space within an appointment, our dental team have you covered and with a little communication we can hopefully work together to ease your fears slowly.

By opening up to our dental team, we will also be able to work together with you to ensure that you are not waiting around fretting all day and will get you in for an early appointment should you so wish. Preparation is always key, so let us know how you feel and together we can come up with a plan to suit you.

Setting the dental practice scene

For some nervous patients Sutton, the layout of the dental practice can make them feel dread. With this in mind, taking the time to view the practice without an appointment in place can be a big help. From the waiting room to the layout of the dental chair within the dentist’s room, each part once broken down without any pressure can assist in easing the uncertainty within. Contacting us to arrange a quiet visit is easy and can be done online, popping in or with a simple phone call.

Is there a possibility of sedation?

Although some dental surgeries do offer sedation, at our particular dental practice we do not offer this option and prefer to spend time with our nervous patients Sutton. Working with them to reduce and hopefully eliminate their fears is our top priority and no matter how much time it takes, we are there to support and guide them through these difficult anxieties.

At Benhill Dental Practice, we are used to dealing with nervous patients Sutton, and by using gentle dentistry, we are able to help our patients overcome their anxiety. Our dental practice has been providing the community with care and treatment on this site for over 80 years. Dentistry has changed over this period and is now more inclusive than it has ever been. Patients want to be better informed, and we have embraced this by empowering our patients and providing them with all the information they need to make an informed decision about their treatments. Armed with the knowledge about the procedures and the treatments available for their particular conditions, they can always feel in control.

Building a relationship

To treat nervous patients Sutton, it is necessary to build a relationship with our patients. We encourage our patients to tell us about their fears, desires and expectations. Understanding these emotions and treating each patient as an individual allows us to administer personal dental treatment and build trust. Nervousness is usually the result of bad experiences or the expectations of a possible bad experience. By practising gentle dentistry, we carefully navigate each procedure by reassuring our nervous patients Sutton through each step of the procedure. We identify any possible discomfort and help our patients to negotiate this in an affirmative way. As we are honest with our patients, they soon learn to trust us, and we encourage them to let us know when they feel any anxiety so that we can talk them through the process of overcoming it.

Our teeth are vital to good overall health

Once we have lost our baby teeth, the next set that we grow is the final set that we must try to make last for the rest of our lives. Our teeth are designed to perform a specific function, which is to allow us to chew our food well enough for our stomachs to be able to digest what we eat. Unfortunately, some patients are born with misaligned teeth or jaws, which makes chewing food difficult. Fortunately, decades of dental science and technological advancements have provided solutions to many conditions.

Targeted solutions

For many years, metal braces were the solution to realigning teeth, and now, that original appliance has been changed over the years and is more comfortable and effective in what it does. Additionally, a number of other versions have made the experience of correcting certain dental disorders more pleasant. Some versions are now almost invisible as they can be fitted behind the teeth or are tooth-coloured so that they are less conspicuous. Furthermore, a new version of tooth straightener has been developed, which is made from a clear dental material and fits over the teeth.

Dental treatment with nervous patients in mind

All of these developments have helped to alleviate dental anxiety as more and more patients are being introduced to a more gentle way of receiving dental care and treatment. Dental anxiety can be treated, and we work with our patients to make their dental experience more pleasant so that proper dental maintenance is achievable.

Things to know

Improving your teeth without extensive dental surgery has never been easier, and this is where veneers Sutton really shine. One of the more popular cosmetic treatments at Benhill Dental Practice is the dental laminate or veneer, which continues to protect the health and functionality of the tooth without a lengthy procedure to get there. Often made from porcelain, the dental veneer sits over the natural tooth, enabling it to fit in easily with the natural smile.

The benefits of the dental veneer

Aside from protecting the tooth from physical damage, veneers Sutton can also alter the appearance of the tooth, which is one reason why so many patients seek out the treatment. This particular treatment can be used for a variety of reasons, including minor misalignments, hiding away any discolouration to the tooth and creating a protective barrier around the tooth whilst blending it into the surrounding smile.

When the tooth chips or fractures, it may be that the structural integrity of the tooth weakens and becomes compromised. Whilst this may seem like the worst-case scenario, in truth, this is more common than people think. Veneers Sutton are just one of the ways to re-strengthen the tooth and provide a layer of protection over it to avoid further damage.

The consultation

As with all dental treatments and procedures, at no point are you left on your own. Whilst the final decisions are of course all yours, working together as a team, we will get you the results you are after. From answering your questions to filling in the gaps in knowledge, our dental team at the practice will ensure that you feel supported and comfortable before going ahead with the dental veneers.

Tailor-made

Every single tooth, no matter who the patient, is unique – from the shape to the colour. This is why veneers are customised to fit the individual’s teeth. Working together, we can establish the correct colouration for your dental veneer so that it blends in easily with the surrounding teeth. With a variety of colours available, rest assured that no one will notice the difference unless you want them to!

A quick-fix solution

Once the consultation process has taken place, there is often very little need to delay or lengthen the process of getting your veneers in place. Within just one or two appointments, your teeth can have a replenished appearance, whether it be in shape or colour. This quick-fix enables patients to avoid delays and achieve a healthier looking smile in a minimal amount of time.

The continuous aftercare

Caring for your smile, with or without different treatments, is of utmost importance in protecting your overall oral health. Once you begin to delve into the world of dental veneers, although the natural tooth is protected, this does not mean that the daily oral hygiene process can be neglected. Protecting your smile with or without the oral veneers is always the top priority; therefore, health check-ups with our dental team are still important and should be attended regularly.

Get in contact with us today to discuss your options and get booked in to see one of our teams.

White fillings Sutton are composite dental fillings that are tooth-coloured so that they match the colour of your teeth. Over many years, a variety of materials have been used to fill dental cavities; these range from cork, aluminium, asbestos and even tin. More recently, a mixture of different metals such as mercury, silver, tin and copper called an amalgam is still used today. Of course, gold was very popular for a while, if you could afford it!

Natural-looking teeth now more in vogue

The advent of social media and devices such as the smartphone have brought about a culture change. It is now more acceptable to have straight, naturally white teeth than a variety of dental fillings of differing colours. White fillings Sutton allow you to produce a naturally white dental smile.

Prevention is always best

Of course, prevention of tooth decay is always your best defence, and your daily routine is vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Managing your diet is often seen only as a way of controlling your weight, but it’s much more than that. The type of food and drink that you consume affects your teeth, and it is extremely important to keep the sugar content that you consume down to a minimum.

Whatever you eat or drink, always remember to brush and floss your teeth regularly and attend those six-monthly dental appointments. If you have children, it is also important to help them understand the dental problems that can occur later in life if they consume sugary food and drinks and do not follow a proper dental hygiene regime. Bring them into our surgery with you when you have an appointment so that they can become familiar with our team and be relaxed. When their turn comes for an appointment, they will feel a lot more comfortable. Helping your children maintain dental health is one of the best gifts that you can give them.

What are the advantages

White fillings Sutton bond very naturally to your teeth and do not expand and contract due to the variations in temperature in your mouth. Some of the earlier fillings, such as mercury fillings, for example, had this problem.

White fillings can be colour matched to blend in with your natural teeth. The aperture required to fill your tooth is also far smaller than many other materials, which preserves the strength of your tooth. There has been mention of the health hazards of mercury fillings, but with white fillings, there is no risk at all of contamination from leakage. Because white fillings do not expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, you are less likely to experience sensitivity. White fillings are also very durable and will last a long time.

Can I replace my old fillings?

You can most definitely replace your old fillings with white fillings, and at Benhill Dental Practice, we can do a colour match so that the new fillings blend in well with your natural teeth. The procedure is quite safe, and we will remove the old fillings and any dental decay.

At Benhill Dental Practice, we can help you to lighten and brighten teeth that may be stained from smoking, drinking caffeine or red wine, certain medications or poor oral hygiene. Whatever the cause of your stained teeth, the fact is that you may want to improve the appearance of them. We use a system called Boutique whitening and you can use this in the comfort of your own home, day or night, depending on what works best for you.

What is Boutique whitening?

For Teeth Whitening Sutton, we use a premium product that we know will get fantastic results for you. Boutique whitening is 60 times stronger than non-professional products. It uses whitening gels that you can have in different intensities depending on the results you want, so we can choose a gel that suits your needs and your aims for the finished product! The gels are added to custom made trays that are then worn for a few hours during the day, or overnight.

What are the benefits of choosing Boutique?

If you’re looking for a smile that shines, but don’t want to spend hours in our dental practice, then this is the treatment for you. For a couple of weeks of whitening at home in the day or night, you can get fabulous results. You will need to do top up treatments every now and then to maintain your results, but you can do this again at home in your own time. If you miss a whitening session, there’s no need to worry – you can just pick it up again the next day! Once you have your lighter and brighter smile, you should feel super confident about smiling your beautiful smile.

Can I combine this treatment with anything else?

Teeth whitening can be a treatment that you have as part of a package of treatment to get you a smile that is functional and beautiful. If you have misaligned teeth, for example, we can offer a treatment such as Invisalign, which is used for mild to moderate alignment issues such as crossbite, over or underbites, crowded or gapped teeth. Invisalign is a discreet treatment that doesn’t use fixed braces, but removable aligners that are made bespoke to fit your mouth. These aligners are similar to your Boutique trays in that they should be comfortable to wear being made to fit your mouth precisely. Coming in for an initial consultation with us will help us to determine what your aims are for your smile and for us to examine your mouth to then offer you a range of treatments that can help you to achieve that.

Come and see us

By coming for an initial consultation, we hope that you will feel a part of the decision-making process of whatever treatments you decide to go ahead with. If you are unsure of anything, our friendly, professional and experienced team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We understand that it can be overwhelming sometimes and we will be able to reassure you that we can help, whatever treatment you decide to go for. With teeth whitening, your teeth could be gleaming in a really short period of time, so what are you waiting for? Let’s do this!