Are you fed up with seeing black fillings when you smile in photos?

When you come to Benhill Dental Practice, we can help! We can make the switch from silver to white fillings Sutton, allowing you to reap the benefits of composite over metal restoratives.

So, what are some of the benefits of switching from silver to white fillings Sutton?

Longevity

What is an advantage of switching from silver to white fillings Sutton? Well, for one thing, the result is more likely to last longer!

Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of different metals, which makes the final filling or crown durable under pressure, thus allowing you to bite and chew without issue. However, as is the way with all metals, amalgam can expand under hot temperatures and shrink back down when it gets cold, far from ideal if you regularly drink tea or enjoy iced water!

The result is that if you have an amalgam restorative, you are at a higher risk of needing it replaced more often, while also suffering the nasty side-effects that can come with a missing restorative, such as a toothache or abscess!

Composite does not react in such a way to changes in temperature, and thus provides a longer-lasting filling.

Aesthetic

There’s no easy way to say this; if you have a metal filling, it is likely to look black, blue or even green under certain lighting. Not exactly what you want to have when laughing or smiling for photos!

And while there is nothing wrong with this if the filling is placed on the back molars, it can cause issues with your smile if it is nearer to the front. One of the best things about having a white or composite filling fitted is that our team can match its colour perfectly to the surrounding tooth, meaning it is visually seamless. Should you need the filling to be placed on top of a molar, we can create all the nooks and crannies that are required to keep it looking realistic. And voila! A restored tooth that doesn’t draw attention or doesn’t appear discoloured!

Sensitivity

The enamel on your teeth is porous, hence why many people suffer from dental sensitivity. The holes in the enamel become elongated or exposed due to diet or abrasion, making it feel uncomfortable when you consume hot or cold drinks.

While amalgam or silver fillings aim to resolve this somewhat, when compared to the structure of composite, they are also quite porous. And so, if you have a deep filling or crown that is made from amalgam, silver or another metal, it is more likely to create new sensitivity issues.

If you notice sensitivity in one of your teeth that has a silver filling, please talk to our team about having it replaced with composite.

Drilling

When fitting a metal filling, our team will usually have to remove more of the healthy tooth around the decay. Why?

Because the metal or amalgam doesn’t bond to the tooth as well as the composite material does, meaning that we have to make the hole larger. But this in turn means that there is a higher chance of the filling falling out when exposed to pressure, not to mention the issues that it can cause with sensitivity.

Dr Alexandra Fivey and Associates at Benhill Dental Practice

*Practice News*

We have updated our website

It is important that our patients have better access to practice information and the services we provide. Please visit our website and use our online Booking Portal which is available 24/7 (private and hygiene appointments only).

Important update for all existing NHS patients

Due to an overwhelming number of patients wishing to register as an NHS patient at our practice, we have reviewed our practice policies. Existing NHS patients who wish to still be seen under the NHS must attend our practice at least once every 2 years. This is will enable us to offer NHS services to new patients, but only once all of our existing NHS patients have been given the opportunity to be seen. Due to the pandemic we are temporarily extending this to 3 years until 31^st March 2022. Therefore we are asking all NHS patients who have not been seen since 2018 to call us and book an appointment as soon as possible to avoid being deregistered.

*Booking a Private appointments and out of hours appointments (evening and weekends)*

We continue to offer Private appointments for New and Existing Patients who

• wish to sign up to our New Practice Plan (from as little as £9.35 a month*)
• would prefer Private treatments e.g. white fillings, teeth whitening, hygiene appointments
• do not wish to wait for an NHS appointment
• require flexible appointments (before 8.30am and after 5pm Mon – Fri, and weekends)

Register or book online using our online Booking Portal or call us directly on 020 3827 4522.

*Our promise to you*

We would like to reassure you that we are working in a COVID-19-safe environment, following strict protocols set out by Public Health England. We have all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will continue to follow our high standards of cross infection control. We have excellent safety procedures and a robust triaging policy to ensure both the safety of patients and staff.

Everyone longs for a beautiful smile but what exactly makes a smile beautiful? Basically, a great looking smile requires three fundamental traits: aligned healthy teeth, healthy gums and white teeth Sutton.

At Benhill Dental Practice we love to help our patients to achieve beautiful smiles which is why we offer top quality dental treatments, including professional teeth whitening, to keep smiles looking happy and healthy.

We would like patients to know that white teeth Sutton is so much more than a superficial aesthetic concern. Having white teeth Sutton is beneficial for numerous reasons, some of which may not be apparent at first. We take a look at some of these reasons why we believe it is a good idea to consider teeth whitening procedures as well as the arguments for professional teeth whitening at the dentist.

Positive effects of teeth whitening

Improve aesthetics

Teeth that are discoloured tend to look aged, unattractive and unhealthy. Whether due to staining, smoking or the natural effects of time, teeth whitening treatments can reverse the effects of discolouration.

Look good for special occasions

Fortunately, teeth whitening treatments produce desired results in a relatively quick time, more so, when opting for in-chair procedures. This means that patients who need to look good for a special event or who will be looking for a new job can improve the look of their smile without worrying about lengthy treatment plans.

Improve dental health

This is one of those not-so-obvious benefits that take patients by surprise. There are two ways in which whiter teeth have a positive effect on oral health. The first is that in many cases, yellow teeth are caused by an underlying poor dental health condition.

Visiting a dentist for teeth whitening gives us the chance to determine the cause of discolouration, and if this is due to a dental problem, we can treat the cause and then proceed to whiten teeth. Or, when consulting for teeth whitening, we are obliged to conduct a dental health check before attempting to correct cosmetic issues. Either way, this is to a patient’s benefit as their dental health wins.

Secondly, we have found that once patients have whitened their teeth and love the look of their dazzling new smile, they are motivated to protect this look. They will invariably refrain from those bad lifestyle habits like smoking that are so detrimental to bright smiles. And if they have not paid attention to their oral hygiene regimens before, they do even more so carefully after investing in teeth whitening.

For best aesthetic results when considering a cosmetic procedure, it is always wise to rely on the services of true professionals. And as there are no professionals as better qualified, trained or experienced as dentists when it comes to the mouth, dental practitioners make the ultimate safest choice for teeth whitening treatments.

For a highly experienced dental team with a gentle and caring approach to dental care, make sure to choose Benhill Dental Practice. At our practice, we welcome both private and NHS patients looking for a one-stop dental clinic for quality general and cosmetic dentistry. Reach out to our friendly front desk team to schedule an appointment.

The process at home

From a young age the majority of people are taught and instructed on ways to clean their teeth at home. Unfortunately, the detail to this teaching is often lacking and therefore a quick brush when we wake up and before we go to bed can become the normal routine. Whilst this brushing is of course important, on its own and without a high level of efficiency the overall effectiveness of the clean can be somewhat muted and lead to problems such as bad breath and bleeding of the gums.

So how can you improve your overall cleaning process?

The first important thing to do when looking after your oral hygiene Sutton is to attend regular dental appointments with us at Benhill Dental Practice and in some cases our hygienist as well. These appointments not only discover any potential problems early on, but can also provide you with tips and tweaks to make to your daily cleaning process. This is of extreme importance, as it puts in place preventive measures reducing the probability of more serious dental treatments and procedures further down the line.

During your appointments, whilst a dental education may not seem interesting, your dental team will be able to discover any flaws within your cleaning process and help educate you on how to improve it. This can range from encouraging flossing or using an electric toothbrush to employing a combination of a variety of dental equipment. Whilst this education is of great importance, the responsibility then lies with you to ensure you follow the advice given and work on improving your oral hygiene Sutton.

Bleeding and swollen gums

When we cut ourselves and bleed we often deal with the problem there and then, learning our lesson and yet many people with gums that bleed choose to ignore the bleeding. As with most injuries this bleeding is a warning sign and one that should not be ignored. Gingivitis which can develop into periodontal disease is quite common among patients and is often the result of plaque build-up around the teeth. Whilst a little bleeding may seem insignificant, over time this can result in further dentals problems such as tooth loss. It is therefore essential to work with your dental team and hygienist to ensure that your overall oral hygiene Sutton is at the top of its game.

Creating positive experiences from a young age

Whilst it may seem a little far fetched taking a baby to the dentist when they first get a tooth, putting the visitation process in motion is of great importance. Not only are you setting the overall dental hygiene regime up for success, but you are also establishing a firm dental routine for them which hopefully will continue throughout the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that patients who visit the dentist regularly from a young age are less likely to suffer from fears and anxieties towards their dental visits later in life. Putting in the groundwork at a young age therefore encourages positive experiences from the start, whilst also ensuring a high level of oral hygiene Sutton.

There are many different factors which can result in sensitivity of your teeth and here at Benhill Dental Practice we know that sensitivity is an uncomfortable and painful problem. Rest assured however that it is a common problem that we deal with on a regular basis and we encourage you to book an appointment with your dentist at our practice to find out more about how we can help you with sensitive teeth Sutton.

One of the main causes of sensitive teeth Sutton is the loss of tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the essential thin outer layer of your tooth which is designed to protect the dentine underneath. Over the course of life, although it is the hardest tissue in the human body, unfortunately enamel can gently erode away and become worn, which slowly leads to the exposure of the dentine underneath, thus causing sensitive teeth Sutton. Enamel erosion occurs as a result of high levels of sugar and acids in your diet which lead to the formation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Unfortunately, this can not only affect the enamel, but cause other dental diseases such as tooth decay or gingivitis too. Smoking and tobacco can have a detrimental effect on your tooth enamel. Other factors such as brushing your teeth too vigorously or misalignment of your teeth or jaw which results in grinding of your teeth can also damage the enamel. There are some underlying diseases which can result in enamel erosion and eating disorders are also detrimental to your oral health. Our dentist here at Benhill Dental Practice will provide friendly and experienced advice to help you deal with sensitivity.

The signs and symptoms of sensitivity

One of the first signs of sensitivity, which is also the main symptom, is pain or tingling in your mouth when you are eating or drinking. This is usually worsened by either extremes of temperature, so you may find that you are unable to enjoy ice creams or cold drinks, or tolerate hot food or hot drinks such as tea and coffee. In this situation it is important that you contact us as soon as possible so that we can help ease your discomfort and prevent further complications in the future. Sensitive teeth are a common problem and you can rest assured that your comfort and ease is our main priority. We want you to experience optimal oral health for as long as possible in life, so speak to us at Benhill Dental Practice to find out how we can help you. We know that sensitivity issues can hinder lifestyle choices and with good advice we  will prevent this as much as possible for you. Speak to us to find out about how you can protect your tooth enamel and also so we can help advise you on how to combat the symptoms of sensitive teeth as effectively as possible, so that you are able to smile confidently, enjoy an ice cream and be comfortable and pain free again soon.

Visiting your dentist on a regular basis

Clean teeth and healthy gums in Sutton are vital for good oral health and overall well-being. It is important to visit your dentist on a regular basis so that your teeth can be fully examined and the dentist can check to make sure that your mouth is clean, healthy and that there are no underlying issues present. Not all dental issues are symptomatic however toothache, bleeding gums, sensitivity and bad breath are symptoms that should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these issues it may be a sign of underlying dental problems and need to be attended to immediately to prevent further damage and complications. Visiting your hygienist alongside your dental appointments at Benhill Dental Practice is an extremely important form of preventive therapy in dental hygiene and is required to help maintain clean teeth and healthy gums in Sutton.

The role of the hygienist in maintaining healthy gums

Optimal gum health is vital for good dental health. Your hygienist will help educate you about good oral hygiene techniques, advise as to how to maintain good dental health and give nutritional advice and information about specific foods which may be beneficial or should be avoided to make sure that you have healthy gums in Sutton. The hygienist is concerned with identifying and preventing dental issues by examining your mouth thoroughly to check for any signs or symptoms and to identify them early on and therefore prevent further complications by treating them successfully before they can cause damage to the surrounding dentition. The Field of dentistry concerned with gum health and issues of the supporting structures of the teeth is known as periodontics. The periodontium consists of your gums, alveolar bone, the cementum which attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone and the ligament which holds the tooth in place. Periodontics is involved with the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases and conditions affecting these structures. These include gingivitis, which is commonly known as gum disease, which is an infection and inflammation of the gums and if left untreated can result in periodontitis, which is the infection of the other structures of the periodontium.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis can occur throughout all stages of life and is a key dental issue that may be experienced by most adults at least once in their lifetime. Gingivitis usually occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and avoiding regular visits to the dentist. Other factors such as pregnancy, smoking, poor nutrition, specific medications and another underlying disease can also result in gingivitis. Bad breath and bleeding gums are the key symptoms of gingivitis and should never be ignored. The earlier that this can be detected the fewer complications there will be in the future, if left untreated gingivitis can spread and infect your remaining healthy gums and other structures of your mouth resulting in periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severely painful condition and can ultimately result in tooth loss. Book an appointment with your dentist here at Benhill dental practice and you can undergo a full examination to make sure that you have clean teeth, healthy gums in Sutton and start enjoying better oral health from today.

When you have had a bad time during a dental appointment, it can really impact negatively on your life.

In the UK, three out of four people have expressed concerns about needing to attend dental check-ups and dental phobias remain fairly common. And while it is all too easy to avoid the dentist if you are a nervous patient, this is rarely a good idea; it can cause less serious issues to become more complex and can allow significant problems to go undetected.

If you are an anxious dental patient, you will be glad to hear that dental care has evolved and now, all dental teams are trained to handle even the most anxious of patients; including ours!

At Benhill Dental Practice, we are proud of the services that we offer to nervous patients Sutton. We aim to help them to overcome their fears and anxieties without the use of sedatives. We build a relationship with all of our patients, to change their perception of dental care and to help them make the best choices possible for their dental health.

How do we help our nervous patients Sutton to relax without sedative medications? Read on to find out!

We aim for pain-free dental care

If you have had a bad or uncomfortable experience in the past with a dental team, you will be glad to know that with our emphasis on providing dental care with as little discomfort as possible, we can help.

When our nervous patients Sutton attend our surgery, we use state-of-the-art tools and medical guidance to make every procedure as comfortable as feasible and can assure you that your visits with us will be with far less stress.

Communication

As we mentioned before, when you come to us at Benhill Dental Practice, we will work with you to help you overcome your phobias and concerns.

We have helped many anxious patients overcome their concerns about the dentist and we really want to help you too! If you feel worried about attending your first appointment with us, please inform our friendly reception team and we will accommodate you and make you feel welcome.

Prevention

We touched on this briefly at the start of this article; when it comes to nervousness and dental care, it can often act as a hindrance towards getting help.

And so, while we will aim to restore any issues caused by lapses in dental care, we will also take steps to ensure that any and all potential issues are prevented.

This can include scales and polishes for those at risk of gum disease, and the application of fluoride sealants for those with acid damage. So when you visit us in the future, it won’t be linked to discomfort or associated concerns!

Local anaesthetic

We do not offer sedatives to our patients but, as we mentioned earlier, we always aim to provide pain-free dental care.

And so, when you come to us we will use as much local anaesthetic as required to help you feel comfortable (and numb!) while we work on your mouth.

At Benhill Dental Practice, we consider veneers Sutton as a powerhouse in the arsenal of cosmetic dental treatments. We offer top-quality veneers Sutton (also known as dental caps) to patients looking to improve the look of their teeth. While dental caps are commonly used to fix aesthetic issues related to teeth, these are also used to protect the health and function of teeth.

Veneers Sutton can be relied on to rectify a range of aesthetic problems that include: teeth that are broken or chipped, teeth that are irregular in size or shape, teeth that look stained or discoloured as well as relatively minor gaps between teeth. In addition to its versatile use, there are plenty of other plus points about dental caps that promote this cosmetic dental treatment as a relevant dental solution. We take a look at what some of these plus points are.

Why dental caps are worth considering

Dental caps prevent structural issues from worsening

The real worry about chipped or fractured teeth is the compromise to the structural integrity of teeth. A dental cap is a thin covering that is placed over the affected tooth and which provides much-needed ‘strength’ to the tooth. Any weaknesses in the structure of the tooth present a real danger to the life of the tooth as chips and cracks can open a pathway for bad bacteria and germs to enter the vulnerable layers of the tooth.

Dental caps offer a customised solution

Dental caps are fitted according to each patient’s individual needs. Some patients may need to balance tooth symmetry, others may need to improve teeth shape or need the cap-like coverings to hide the discoloured look of badly stained teeth. Our friendly dental practitioners can help patients determine which shade of ‘white’ would be best to bring about a natural bright look.

During a consultation, we will factor in the age and gender of the patient and face shape to ensure that the veneers treatment achieves the aesthetic outcomes sought after.

Dental caps can be regarded as a quick fix

Seeing that there is very little preparation of teeth needed (this is dependent on the patient’s situation) for dental caps to be inserted, many regard this treatment plan as a quick way to address cosmetic issues. Some patients require as little as two visits to complete their treatment.

Dental caps must be well cared for to provide a long service life

Dental caps are well-known for offering a comparatively long-standing solution but it must be said that these dental devices must be looked after in return for their dependable service. Most important for patients to remember is that their oral hygiene practice at home should be a priority if dental caps are to remain in a pristine condition.

Dental caps can be used alone or as an add-on to other dental treatment plans when a patient is in need of them. Reach out to us at Benhill Dental Practice should you wish to know more about how veneers can improve the look of and protect the health of your teeth. We offer professional consultation with a well-experienced dental practitioner in which we will gladly answer all of your questions.

Were you a child of the 70s or 80s? Or even the early 90s?

If you were, chances are that when you visited your dentist for a check-up and needed a filling, you were given an amalgam one. While effective at preserving the tooth, these black/green fillings were far from visually pleasing and could often cause insecurities when many people laughed or smiled.

And, a metal-based filling is not without its own functional issues, too many people would lose these filings as, due to drinking hot tea, the filling would expand, crack the tooth and then shrink as the temperature dropped. And so, they were easy to displace.

Fast-forward to 2021, and many dental surgeries are now phasing out amalgam fillings for more lifestyle-friendly alternatives.

When you come to Benhill Dental Practice, if you require a filling of any size (or even a crown), we will provide you with white fillings Sutton. Made from either a composite material or porcelain, these fillings offer a more aesthetically pleasing variation to amalgam and are also less likely to come loose.

But why else are we opting to use white fillings Sutton over metal ones? Read on to find out!

Aesthetics

OK, so we have already spoken about the cosmetic advantages of white fillings Sutton, but we figured we could talk a bit more!

Our team can perfectly colour match either the composite or the porcelain to the rest of the tooth that the filling is in, making them completely undetectable to the naked eye and therefore far more aesthetically pleasing.

Durability

Don’t let the materials fool you! Yes, metal is usually stronger than porcelain, but in your mouth a porcelain filling is extraordinarily tough and can last for triple the time!

And we aren’t just talking about being able to handle the daily wear and tear of chewing – if you grind your teeth when you sleep, if you have a composite filling or crown, there is no need to worry about it coming loose or cracking.

Bonding

Metal fillings rarely bonded well to teeth, once again putting them at a higher risk of falling out with daily use.

However, as composite is a resin that requires curing with a UV lamp to harden, it bonds better to the tooth. This protects against the tooth falling out and also stops the root or the pulp from becoming accidentally exposed.

Expansion or lack of

A composite or porcelain filling is not able to expand or contract in the way that metal ones do, and so, no damage occurs to the surrounding tooth parts once they are fitted.

This means that there is also a lower chance of the decay spreading due to cracks in the enamel.

Versatile

Of course, you may need a composite or porcelain filling for restorative purposes besides decay. If you have cracked or chipped a tooth playing football or in daily life, we will repair the damage with one of these materials, restoring your tooth to its former glory. What more could you want?

If you are looking for quality results that are both consistent and safe, why not choose a product that dentists themselves use to whiten their teeth? That’s what you’ll get here with us, so let our experts talk you through the process of teeth whitening Sutton so that you can feel empowered knowing what to expect with this, frankly empowering experience.

Teeth whitening Sutton is an opportunity for you to feel more comfortable with your own smile, allowing the removal of several years of stains over the course of a few weeks in a safe and relaxed way. We can perform this treatment using different formulas to suit your lifestyle needs, you can opt for the treatment to be completed in a way that is most convenient for you so that you can enjoy the best possible results.

Both options, either the day or night wear options, guarantee your safety and we will provide you with all of the equipment and information that you need to competently complete the whitening treatment at home.

The overnight kit consists of either 10% or 16% carbamide peroxide which is designed to be worn for 6 hours consistently. You get the same outstanding results with your day kit, consisting of 6% hydrogen peroxide and can be worn for up to 2 hours daily.

One of our team will be assigned to your teeth whitening Sutton experience and care. They will determine what kind of whitening your smile needs and discuss with you pros and cons for each solution for your personal situation. This encompasses both your physical needs as well as your expectations and daily demands so that we can together establish an experience that works the best for you.

You can expect to see results after a few days using this treatment with optimal results seen at around the three-week mark. There are a few things that you can do to extend the life of your treatment and ensure that your smile is looking its greatest for the longest possible time.

How can I extend the life of my treatment?

By understanding what has caused the staining to your teeth in the first place, we can understand what is likely to continue to stain your teeth again in the future. Many of us consume red wine, tea or coffee on a regular basis and these products, alongside others are the main culprits for standard tooth discolouration. If you’re unsure what might stain your teeth, simply consider a white shirt and if the food or drink would stain the shirt, over time it will stain your teeth.

Consume less of these products and rinse your mouth with water after every meal, if not giving your teeth a light brush to remove any residue left over.

It is important to maintain good oral health and to keep your smile clean. Regular hygienist appointments will remove any surface stains that have accumulated over the past few months, so by visiting a professional often, you can maintain that whiter, healthier looking and feeling smile for longer.