Dental implants vs Cosmetic dentistry

Easily accessible for anyone out there seeking expert dentistry, Midlands Smile Centres boasts a number of practices around Birmingham. MSC are staffed of by a team of highly experienced, highly skilled dentists with a track of record of delivering the excellent results.

It All Starts With You

While MSC are the place to go to when it comes to receiving the highest standards of dental care, you may not realise that the kinds of treatment available at MSC are actually quite varied. As a result, you have a lot of options when it comes to improving your teeth, so the whole process really begins with you making a decision about what you need, or what you want.

Dental Implants and Implant Procedures

• Dental Implants: Dental Implants are made-up of a natural-looking false tooth and an adjoining titanium rod. The supporting titanium rod takes the place of the root of the tooth that was lost and is fixed into the jawbone. The false tooth meanwhile is visible on top of the gum and is reliable for eating meals and in helping to enhance the formation of speech which can be affected by tooth loss.

• Denture Implants: Denture Implants are an improvement on traditional removable dentures. Denture Implants are fitted into the patient's mouth with the use of dental implants. They are secure, durable and are able to prevent the jawbone from receding, which is its natural response to the loss of teeth.

• Implant Support Bridges: Implant-Supported Bridges are based on a similar principle to ordinary bridges. However, they utilise dental implants instead of healthy teeth for support in bridging the gap in the gum between adjacent healthy teeth. In most cases, a one-piece bridge is attached to one implant for every missing tooth that the patient has. These bridges will be long lasting and will not damage surrounding healthy teeth.

Cosmetic Services

How your teeth look can be a big issue for many people, as feeling unhappy with your smile can undermine confidence and sense of well-being. If you believe your teeth are in need of a certain visual enhancement, MSC can assist you. Sometimes the line between a treatment that is essential and a treatment that is mainly for cosmetic purposes can become a little blurred, but below are some of the types of treatment that we can offer to help boost your smile.

• Teeth Whitening: Teeth Whitening at MSC is achieved through the use of a take-home tooth whitening kit. To begin with, the dentist will first need to assess your suitability for this treatment. Once you are deemed suitable for this treatment, special trays will be created especially for your use. You will then need to fill these trays with whitening gel and wear them for a few hours every day over a two week period. The treatment can be stopped as soon as the patient is satisfied with the results they see.

• Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin layers of material that can be placed over teeth that are flawed in some way. It may be that they are used to disguise individual teeth that are damaged or decayed, discoloured or misaligned. Whatever imperfection they are being used to hide, Porcelain Veneers can make a huge difference to the appearance of your smile.

• White Fillings: White Fillings at Midlands Smile Centres are similar to traditional grey fillings and are just as strong. However, whilst white fillings offer the kind of dental function you need, their white colour makes them much more natural looking and allows them to blend in with your other teeth.

Plus...

In addition to the range of treatments outlined above, we offer other types of treatment that can make a much needed difference to your dental health. For the kind of dental work that is required on your teeth, MSC is the place to go. Visit our website or get in touch with us today to find out what we can do for you.

Working for You

From the cosmetic improvements to the more essential work that can be done on your teeth, Midlands Smile Centres are the ideal option for anyone who is serious about enhancing their smile. Take some time to think about what is best suited to you, then let us do the rest. Also, with our Smile Plan, the treatments we can provide for you are available at affordable prices to suit all budgets.

Your questions about Dental Implants in Birmingham Answered

Dental Implants are a relativity new area of dentistry. There are several different types of dental implants. Whilst some people may only need a single tooth replacing, others may need a group of two or three substitute teeth, and still others may require a full set of new teeth. 

In this article we explore different types of dental implants, including what they are and when they are used, as well as some frequently asked questions. 

Denture Implants - implants for the whole mouth

What Are They?

Denture Implants are a fixed alternative to standard traditional dentures. They are made up of screws or titanium cylinders which are implanted directly into the gum, to which extensions are attached, followed by your custom-made new teeth.

Why Have Denture Implants?

•  a sensible solution for those that have lost their teeth
•  comparable to traditional removable dentures, but vastly superior
•  secure because they are fixed to the jawbone
•  designed to look and function in the same manner that natural teeth do
•  long-lasting
• reduces jawbone shrinkage in response to the loss of teeth
• comfortable and stable because they are secured inside your jawbone, meaning that you can chew and bite all manner of food types

The Procedure

Firstly your dentist will access whether your jaw is suitable for implants. 

Next they will take moulds of mouth to ensure that the new teeth will most closely reflect your own original teeth. 

Then the screws or titanium cylinders are attached to the jawbone.

For the next 2 – 6 months, the jaw is left to settle so that the bone can grow around the implants, bonding with them to create a stable foundation. A temporary denture will be provided by to be worn over the implants during this period.

When the bone has settled around the implants, the extensions are attached. At this point another couple of weeks of healing time will be required. There are a variety of different extensions with different connections for fitting the new teeth: some can be clipped to a bar, some will be snapped on or off a round ball anchor, others are simply fastened down.

Finally, the full-set of custom-made teeth is fixed to the implants, ready for use as you normally would. Initially, you may feel slightly strange when you use them, but their natural quality means that you will quickly get used to them.

All patients are different, but at Midlands Smile Centres, the approach we take to your teeth can be perfectly tailored to suit you.

Implant Supported Bridges

What Are They?

Bridges are false teeth that are used to replace one or more teeth in a row. 

Traditional bridges use the surrounding healthy teeth as supports for the false tooth and the false teeth are  permanently fixed to those teeth. 

Implant supported bridges, however, are supported by an implant. This is a titanium rod, which is embedded directly into the jaw bone, meaning that the false teeth are fixed into the jawbone. 

Why Have Implant Supported Bridges?

In order to place a traditional bridge, the neighbouring teeth must be filed down, so that a support - or "bridge" - can be created from one tooth to another, supporting the false tooth in between. This causes unnecessary damage to the neighbouring teeth. 

Implant supported bridges, on the other hand, are not supported by neighbouring teeth, but by an implant. This means that they do not cause damage to any of the neighbouring teeth in your mouth.

Having an implant supported bridge placed means that you can continue to use your teeth as normal. 

They are much-less damaging to healthy teeth than standard bridges.

They boast greater durability than ordinary bridges, being capable of lasting for the entirety of your life, whereas ordinary bridges may need to be replaced after 10 -15 years.

They are well-suited to those that clench or grind their teeth.

The Procedure

Initially, the dentist will access you in order to ascertain whether or not your mouth is suitable for Implant Supported Bridges. 

If it is deemed that your mouth is suitable for this treatment, a dental impression will subsequently be taken. This gives us the opportunity to pair the correct style and type of implants with your mouth.

Next, the implants will be inserted into the jawbone. After which, they will be left for a number of months to give them time to fuse to the jawbone.

Once this period is complete, the implants will be checked. If the implants have seated properly, your new teeth will be fitted.

Dental Implants in Birmingham

What Are They?

Dental Implants are a combination of a false tooth and a supporting titanium rod. The titanium supporting rod goes into your gum to take the place of the root of your tooth, while the false tooth is visible on top, blending in with your other teeth due to its natural appearance.

Why Have Dental Implants?

•  an effective and superior solution for missing teeth
•  restores the charm to your smile
•  all-round confidence-booster
•  improved speech due to gaps in teeth now being filled
•  renewed pleasure in eating

The Procedure

The first step of the process is for the dentist to access whether or not your gums are in the healthy state necessary for them to undergo the Dental Implant procedure. Once the dentist has confirmed that your gums are right for Dental Implants, the procedure can begin.

The dentist will take moulds of your teeth to make sure that the new teeth are perfectly designed to fit your mouth.  

Next they will use X-ray imaging to precisely locate where in your gum the implant should be placed.

The dentist will insert the implant straight into the gum using the No-Scalpel method and allowed it to settle. 

When the implant has settled fully into it's proper place in the bone, a natural looking crown will be attached to the implant, thus completing your dental implant. 

Now you will be able to eat and drink as normal. 

Get in touch with MSC today to find out how we can help you!

FAQs

“I Don't Want Bridges Again, What Can I Do?”

Implant Support Bridges are an ideal alternative to bridges. This is because Implant Supported Bridges cause less damage to your normal teeth, and they last longer, too. Once in place, Implant Supported Bridges can last for the rest of your life.

“I Need to Replace Missing Teeth But Need a Reliable Provider. What Do I Do?”

Midlands Smile Centres are here for you. MSC are staffed by an expert team of highly skilled, experienced dentists ready to provide you with Denture Implant, Implant Supported Bridges, Dental Implants or a number of other treatments.

  

“Is There Anything Better For Me Than Removable Dentures?”

Denture Implants! Denture Implants are attached to your jawbone and are therefore more secure and more comfortable than Removable Dentures.

They can also reduce the shrinking of your jawbone.

“Will These Types of Treatment Be Costly?”

Midlands Smile Centres boast treatment prices that are suitable for a whole range of budgets. To learn more, you can contact our specialist dental implant practices on the following numbers:

Kings Heath: 0121 444 1928

Selly Oak: 0121 414 1551

“I Need Dentures, But Don't Want to Change My Eating Habits. What Can I Do?”

Consider having Denture Implants instead. Then you won't need to worry about what you eat. This is because Denture Implants are more stable than ordinary dentures, which is due to the fact that they are fixed to your jawbone. Choose Denture Implants and enjoy the freedom of being able to bite into any type of food you choose.

  

Contact MSC now to find out what we can do for you.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

There are many people that have concerns about their image. Looking the part and fitting in have become a very important part of society. For some people, this can be the way they dress, the way they have their hair cut and their physical image. However, a growth in dental aesthetic has risen in recent years, with more people than ever looking to whiten and straighten their teeth in order to finally have the smile that they have always desired. One method that has become increasingly popular is dental implants, due to its ability to restore a smile back to its former glory. But what are dental implants, and how do they help? Both of these questions and more will be answered in this brief look into dental implants, and how they could change the way you think about your smile.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are used to fill gaps in from lost or damaged teeth. This involves a titanium screw that is inserted into the gum and then fixed in place, and a cap placed over the top. This cap is coloured and shaped to look like your teeth. This helps to not only improve the look of the smile, but to help a person eat properly and without discomfort. This has made dental implants one of the most popular dental procedures that are available today.

What is the Procedure?

The first step is an assessment. This is done to analyse your teeth and gums to see if they are suitable for a dental implant. If the assessment is successful you can begin the treatment. During your appointment, a titanium metal screw will be inserted into the gum and then be secured in place. Once this step has been completed a cap can be placed onto the titanium rod. This cap, or crown as it is more commonly referred to, is normally tooth coloured. Other types of crowns are available upon request, including gold.  

What are the Alternatives?

There are a number of alternatives to dental implants, such as bridges, dentures and crowns. Bridges are false teeth that are secured onto the natural teeth adjacent to a gap left by a missing tooth. Dentures are false teeth that are clipped onto the teeth adjacent to the gap. Bridges are preferred over dentures when there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are on one side of your mouth. A crown is an artificial cap that is fitted over the remaining part of a tooth, or onto a titanium rod used with dental implants.

What is the Impact?

Dental implants can have a dramatic affect on a person’s self-confidence. Not to mention the ease of eating that comes with a dental implant. Most patients report that eating is both easier and more comfortable after having their dental implant. Dental implants can give a smile a very natural look, which is something highly desired in this day and age. This can result in a bright, confident smile.

What about the negative impacts? You’ll be glad to hear that there aren’t many downsides to a dental implant. For a short time after having your dental implant fitted, you may find that area in your mouth sore and tender. This is normal, and should pass over time. Make sure you do your best to not agitate the area around the dental implant, both with your tongue and when you eat. This could cause your recovery to take longer. Something else to consider when having a dental implant is that you’ll have to take care of it, just like your natural teeth. This includes regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups. If you don’t you could find you experience problems with your dental implant in the future.

Where to find Dental Implants in Birmingham?

There are a number of providers in the Birmingham area, Midlands Smile Centres have one of the most experienced and successful dental implant teams. Some of our dentists have over 25 years’ experience with the dental implant procedure. Our team can provide the very top level of care before, during and after your procedure. MSC has placed well over 5,000 dental implant procedures, you can take a look at what one of our happy customers thought about our service in this video about dental implants

Another reason to choose MSC is that we can make dental implants affordable using our payment plan. We understand that the implant treatment is not within everyone’s budget, which is why we offer a payment plan. This helps you to stretch the cost over several months, making the treatment a little more affordable.

Head to our website, you’ll be able to find our more about dental implants and our payment plans, and you can book your first free consultation for dental implants.

The Most Noticeable Improvements You Can Make To Your Smile

 With our lives being so busy and sometimes frantic, it is easy to overlook your general dental health. This may not immediately cause noticeable pain, tooth decay or gum problems. Often the most noticeable result of neglecting good dental habits, such as brushing, flossing, chewing gum and avoiding snacking on sugary food, is a decline in the appearance of your smile. This is something you will probably first notice in photos rather than the mirror. You may then start avoiding showing your teeth when smiling, this will obviously impact your confidence levels and enjoyment at social gatherings. In most cases, any confidence lost due to smile related problems can be addressed by a dentist. That’s where we may be able to help you.

Midlands Smile Centres Smile Services

At MSC we have a team of highly skilled dentists who can address nearly any dental issues. We also have a great track-record with cosmetic smile improvement. Watch Chris’s story below to discover how Dr Joshi from Selly Oak MSC helped restore his confidence, so he could smile on camera. 

Treatment options

There are a range of reasons why people become unhappy with their smile. One of the most common is cosmetic appearance. The treatments for this are normally referred to as cosmetic dentistry. The alignment of your teeth may be the source of your concern. Do you have a “better side”? Sometimes this is due to teeth protruding or recessing more noticeably on one side than the other. An orthodontic dentist will be able to prescribe a course of treatment for this. You can read more about orthodontic dentistry below. Another common reason for people to be unhappy with their smile is missing teeth. Teeth can be lost though tooth decay, gum decease or facial injury, such as sporting incidents. Treatment for missing teeth would be undertaken by a restorative dentist, sometime referred to as a Dental Implant Specialist. Midlands Smile Centres have dentists who have experience in all of these areas of dentistry. You can read more about these dental treatments below. 

Cosmetic Dentistry

Here you will find a selection of treatment types to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Each with their own individual benefits, the cosmetic dentistry offered through MSC is certain to give your smile the little lift that you may feel it needs.

• Veneers: These are thin layers of tooth-coloured material. Usually made of porcelain, they can be placed over discoloured, irregular, damaged, decayed or misaligned teeth. 
• Tooth Whitening: Heighten the whiteness of your teeth by opting for one of our take-home whitening kits. These kits include trays made especially for you based on moulds taken from your teeth. These trays can then be filled with whitening gel and worn until the desired effect is achieved.
• Airflow: Our airflow treatment utilises a jet of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to enhance your smile. This jet is great for giving your teeth a thorough clean and is capable of removing plaque build-up and staining.
• White Fillings: Able to provide you with the function that you would expect from fillings, MSC white fillings are a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to grey amalgam fillings. This means they are ideal for those who are self-conscious about their fillings being noticeable.
• Gold Services: Here at Midlands Smile Centres, our range of gold services, including- Gold Implants, Gold Crowns/Custom Crown Design, Gold Inlays and Gold Veneers- may be just the thing you’re looking for to add extra visual impact to your smile.   

Orthodontics

Our orthodontics here at MSC are divided into four categories: Damon Braces, Lingual Braces, Invisalign and Six Months Smiles. Addressing the problem of crooked, crowded or irregular teeth, these different types of orthodontics work in slightly different ways to help you achieve all-round better teeth.

• Damon Braces: Utilising an inventive form of technology, Damon Braces function by shifting teeth gently and naturally into the required position. Similar in appearance to traditional braces, the Damon braces mechanism is faster-acting. Plus, compared to traditional braces, Damon Braces work more smoothly and more comfortably.  
• Lingual Braces: These braces consist of wires and brackets that exert consistent amounts of gentle pressure in order to manoeuvre the teeth into the desired place. There are similarities between Lingual Braces and traditional braces. However, because Lingual Braces sit behind the teeth rather than in front, they are hidden and less conspicuous to the eye.
• Invisalign: Transparent and subtle-looking, Invisalign are a prime option for those looking for orthodontics that are hard to notice from the outside. Making use of removable, see-through aligners that are created specifically for you, Invisalign utilises optimum contemporary technology and are able to move your teeth at a gradual pace.
• Six Months Smiles: Tooth-coloured and discrete, Six Months Smiles are a comfortable-to-wear way of improving your dental health. Able to produce the intended results in as little as six months, this form of orthodontics moves teeth gradually.         

Dental Implants

If you have any missing teeth, dental implants from MSC may be worth considering. Generally viewed as effective and versatile, dental implants consist of a false tooth and a titanium supporting rod which is placed into the jawbone. Our no-scalpel method means that, through the use of X-ray imaging, the dentist will map precisely where to place the implant before it is inserted directly into the gum without a scalpel incision. It is important to seek a dentist with a long history of successful implant procedures and not simply use the cheapest provider. As some of our dentists have 30 years’ experience of successful implant procedures, we are the place to go to for dental implants. Consequently, swelling, pain and bleeding are all reduced. In as little as three months, the procedure can be complete.

In addition, we also offer Denture Implants and Implant Supported Bridges. 

Don’t continue to put yourself last.

You may have a dental issue you would like to get addressed, but somehow other priorities just keep getting in the way, a car, a family holiday, Christmas presents? How long have you been putting it off? Is it time to take action now? If the cost of the treatment is the biggest reason for the delay, we may be able to assist with our pay monthly finance plan. Don’t keep putting yourself last. Contact your local dentist in Birmingham and make the next set of holiday photos ones that you will treasure for a long time.

Are Dental Implants The Right Treatment For You?

There are certain decisions you can make about your teeth, that can have a huge impact on your dental health. Choosing dental implants is one of those decisions. Midlands Smiles Centres are the people to go to for your dental implants, because of the highly skilled and experienced dentists they have. When it comes to making your decision about whether or not dental implants are for you, it is also worth noting that there are various types of implants available, so make sure you consider these different options. 

Types of Implants available:

Dental Implants: 

Natural in appearance and comfortable, dental implants are made-up of two separate parts: the false tooth, and the supporting rod  made from titanium. The titanium rod is inserted into the jawbone and takes the place of the root of the tooth. 

Implant Supported Bridges: 

Implant supported bridges use dental implants for support instead of using a minimum of two healthy teeth for support in the way that traditional dental bridges do. The main reason that this is a better option than traditional bridges is that traditional bridges can damage your remaining teeth. In addition, implant supported bridges have the ability to endure for much longer than traditional bridges.

Denture Implants: 

These are a superior alternative to regular dentures. Denture implants are available as a fixed type or as a removable denture. The removable denture will function in a manner more similar to your natural teeth than a regular denture.

Gold Implants: 

If you are looking for something a little more striking, gold implants are also available here at MSC. With gold implants, the crown (or the visible part of the tooth) is made using a gold alloy. A combination of various metals such as silver, palladium, copper, zinc and platinum are used to create this alloy. The incorporation of other metals in this way adds strength to the crown. As well as their cosmetic value, gold implants provide better durability which makes them ideal for use on back teeth (molars).

Dental Implant Treatment

When it comes to the dental implant procedure itself, we at MSC utilise our ‘no scalpel’ technique. Our dentists make use of X-ray imaging to map precisely where the implant will go. Following this, the implant will be placed directly into the gum. An incision with a scalpel is not needed. As a result of our approach, pain, swelling and bleeding are all reduced. Healing time is also shortened. With only two visits, and in as little as three months, the procedure can be complete.

Why Dental Implants Are Good For You

Dental implants are an effective response to losing teeth. Compared to other types of treatment for missing teeth, implants are generally believed to be the superior option. They are felt to provide the highest levels of versatility as well.

Something else that is really beneficial about having dental implants, is the difference they make to your eating. Consuming food after you have undergone a dental implant procedure can be expected to be much easier and more pleasurable. Patients frequently site the improvement of their eating experience following treatment.

Another more personal advantage of having dental implants is the boost to your confidence. Patients who have chosen dental implants point out that because their smile improves through having this treatment, they become more confident as a result. 

Choosing Midlands Smile Centres

If you decide to have dental implants, then opting to have the procedure done with Midlands Smiles Centres would be very wise. This is because of the vast experience we have in this area. Our Midlands Smile Centres dentists have performed over 5,000 dental implant procedures. A track record of performing successful dental implants treatments is absolutely crucial and means that you can be confident that you will be in safe hands.

Missing teeth are undoubtedly a problem, but with MSC offering you their expert dental implant treatments, there is a solution at hand. Take the time to consider the various options available to you and begin looking ahead to better dental health and a better smile.