Feeling as though everything is perfect for the big day except for your smile?

If it’s looking a little more like something old than something new, you may want to consider tooth whitening to brighten your smile and give you a fresh, youthful appearance in time to walk down the aisle.

At Woodborough House we have several different treatment options available to help patients looking to whiten their teeth.

Our flagship procedure is known as Zoom, which takes a one or two hour session inside our practice. You’ll then take home some bespoke dental trays so you can continue whitening at home.

Different kinds of whitening

One alternative to in-house bleaching are “take-away” kits to let you whiten in the comfort and privacy of your home, with complete control of the procedure.

Inside the kit are specially moulded dental trays inserted over both the upper and lower teeth. These are worn overnight, during the day or at weekends for up to two weeks.

How to whiten your teeth

You’ll squirt a small amount of bleach into the lightweight plastic moulds and place the trays over your teeth before going to bed every night. This has to be done for around two weeks.

One of the advantages of home bleaching is after one week, or once you’ve achieved the level of whitening you like, you can stop and save the rest to ‘top up’ later on.

What to look out for

Sensitivity can occur. If this happens, we recommend patients use some desensitising gel on alternate nights to the bleach, take a break for a few nights or resume with the bleaching when they feel right.  Usually sensitivity only occurs if you have sensitive teeth prior to treatment, but it can vary from person to person.

During the 14 day bleaching period, teeth are more porous, so it’s recommended you try not to smoke, drink tea, coffee or red wine. You will also want to avoid eating foods which stain, like beetroot and curries.

Once the bleaching is finished though, you can dive right back into the beetroot, curries and black coffee (if that’s your thing, we’re not here to judge!).

Safety

At Woodborough House, all teeth whitening products we use are completely safe – we have even used the products on ourselves!

You can buy solution or whitening toothpaste from our practice if you would like to brighten your smile at any time after treatment.

If you’re interested in having your teeth whitened in time for your big day, why not give us a call on 0118 321 9219 where one of our friendly team will be happy to help.

A cracked or chipped smile can have a big impact on your confidence. Don’t despair though – dental bonding is one solution which can help to restore your teeth.

Dental bonding helps with a number of problems and can be considered for chipped or cracked teeth, closed spaces between teeth, improving the appearance of discoloured teeth or even making teeth look longer.

Dental bonding can also help to change the shape of teeth or just protect a portion of the tooth’s root which has been exposed due to gums receding.

What does the dental bonding procedure involve?

The dental bonding procedure involves the use of a durable tooth-coloured plastic which is applied and hardened onto the surface of teeth. This ‘bonds’ the material to the tooth and helps to restore and improve your natural smile.

Composite white fillings are a popular choice because the shade can be matched exactly to your own teeth.

Using the right composite materials can give a much better result than old/amalgam silver fillings, which look unsightly when you smile.

The procedure is not painful but it can be done under local anaesthetic if you are particularly sensitive.

Why choose dental bonding?

Although it isn’t quite as strong, dental bonding is a great restorative procedure and alternative to more expensive cosmetic dentistry like veneers or crowns.

Dental bonding is worth considering if you want a solution to a cosmetic problem; many dentists view dental bonding as a good choice for small cosmetic changes to the teeth.

If you want to know more about cosmetic bonding and if you may be a suitable candidate for this procedure, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Woodborough House by calling 0118 321 4084.

Get a new level of dental rescue from missing teeth with one of dentistry’s musketeers: The All-on-4 system.

Dentures can be a real nightmare, and missing a large portion of teeth means dealing with them on a long-term scale, including tricky adhesives, diet limitations and gradually losing the ridges to keep them in place.

There’s another way though: All-on-4 allows you to replace a whole arch of teeth with only four dental implants; half as many dental implants as is usually required to bring back a smile.

The benefits over keeping your removable dentures are clear: With minimal surgery, you can restore an entire arch of your mouth to functioning, strong, teeth. You’ll cast away the cumbersome dentures forever!

Patients eligible for All-on-4 will be missing full arches of teeth on the top or bottom of your mouth, or have long term problems with painful, loose, or ill-fitting dentures.

After your dentist has agreed you can benefit from the All-on-4 treatment, we’ll painlessly test your jaw to make sure you have enough bone to support the implants, and remove any teeth remaining which are beyond saving. Then we place your implants, simple as that!

All-on-4 means you can transform your smile in short period of time, as the implants don’t require the same lengthy healing process as other treatments, perfect for anyone looking to get.

This means the procedure will be as painless and minimally invasive as possible. If you’ve got any serious fears about treatment, we can always give you some mild sedation; you’ll barely even know you’ve been treated by the time our dentists have turned your life around.

If you’re not eligible for All-on-4, there’s a multitude of other implant solutions for those with missing or damaged teeth, so don’t despair!

If you want to know more about the All-on-4 system or have any other questions about your oral health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Woodborough House by calling 0118 321 4084.

Have you started noticing lines in places where they weren’t previously? Perhaps you think your face would benefit from looking younger or healthier?  There’s no way to physically turn back the clock when it comes to your face and the stress and fatigue associated with everyday living can aggravate matters further. But the good news is that we may be able to help.

At Woodborough House we understand that there’s no miracle cure but cosmetic fillers can help to soften these lines and wrinkles which will help you to look younger.  The ageing process will seemingly appear halted – even reversed.   Our team of qualified practitioners can help to safely administer cosmetic fillers into the areas you want treated.

The results are usually noticeable in two to three days and the effects can last for up to six months. Some repeated treatments may be required for prolonged results and if a few are administered, it can extend the results between injections.

How cosmetic fillers work

Injectible dermal fillers work by targeting the areas you need treating.  It is injected in an ultra-thin needle and in small doses to affect the targeted muscles. The cosmetic injection disrupts the nerve signals to the muscles, before they are allowed to relax, which allows the wrinkles to smooth themselves out.

When administered by a properly trained practitioner, dermal fillers are a completely safe treatment.  They can be used to enhance, reinvigorate and improve wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), frown lines, wrinkled forehead, sides of the nose and lower eyelids.  Other popular areas which give away our age as we get older include the neck and upper lip, both of which can also be treated.

What is Restylane?

One cosmetic filler which can help is Restylane, which can temporarily reverse the aging process for our patients. It uses a natural, non-animal source biodegradable material which can help to combat the thinning of natural collagen fibre which supports the skin. This gradually begins to break down as we age, which causes the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Restylane is injected into the skin using a thin needle. It is a transparent thick gel which contains stabilized hyaluronic acid. This is a vital structural component found in the skin. A restylane injection can help to return the contour of your skin and it does this by effectively ‘plumping’ or adding volume to the tissue.  The results are immediate and it’s recommended that these only need to be followed up every 2-4 weeks.

The typical treatment time lasts for approximately 10 to 30 minutes and can be administered without the need for anesthesia.  Most people will find they can enjoy results which last up to a year by following this advice. It’s also one of the most natural and safe procedures as users have reported that fillers made from animal sources often require a number of skin tests to check if there are any adverse reactions.

If you want to restore your confidence and get a younger, healthier look the natural and safe way, then cosmetic fillers could be for you. If you’d like to find out more or to book an initial consultation, please give us a call on 0118 984 3108 for more information.

Spring seems to have finally sprung – with daffodils blooming and a real feel of a new beginning in the air.  Now seems to be a good time to have a spring clean and start afresh!

A great way to do this is with your dental regime. Spring is the perfect opportunity to check when your last dental hygiene appointment was. If your mouth is feeling more grimy than fresh, perhaps it’s time to spring into action!

At Woodborough House, we offer dental hygiene appointments which can help to brighten up your smile.  Our team of friendly dental hygienists can remove hard calcium deposits known as calculus from around the teeth as well as help with removing unsightly staining.

Nothing feels like a professional clean as it can make your teeth feel incredibly smooth as well as being refreshing for your mouth. Once you’ve had your appointment, it may even encourage you to keep up your new oral hygiene routine, by following some simple advice when it comes to looking after your teeth.

Personal Oral Hygiene Techniques

Your dental hygienist will be able to ensure you are using the best possible toothbrush and brushing techniques to help suit your specific needs.  They will be able to take a good look into your mouth and see if you are using anything to clean inbetween the teeth and if so, see if you are doing the best job for your interdental spaces.

From here they can then introduce you to the best method for interdental cleaning – floss, flossettes, interdental brushes or a waterpick which they can advise you to use, depending on your individual case.

They may also ask when the last time you changed your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head was or if you’re aware of when this should be changed. Our hygienists can help by giving you these simple yet effective tips.

For example, remembering to brush your tongue when cleaning can help to remove plaque and bacteria from this area, often responsible for halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath.

So if you feel as though your breath is becoming the cause of many problems when it comes to your oral hygiene regime, a spring clean and a fresh new beginning could be the perfect start you need this spring.

To find out more or to book a free consultation, please call Woodborough House on 0118 984 3108 where one of our friendly members of staff will be happy to help.

Do straight teeth seem like a far away dream? Perhaps you’ve wanted to straighten your crooked, crowded teeth for a while but don’t know how to. For many people the word ‘orthodontics’ or ‘braces’ conjures up all sorts of negative images about wires and metal being attached to the teeth.

Often an experience as a child or teenager is responsible for evoking these responses. Today, however there are many alternatives to the old fashioned ‘train tracks’, and one of the leading treatments in this field is Invisalign.

If you don’t want to make it look obvious that you’re wearing a brace, Invisalign is the choice for you. A market leader in clear aligner orthodontics, state of the art Cad-Cam technology is used to form an impression or digital scan of the teeth, from which a sequence of almost invisible plastic appliances can be produced.

At Woodborough House dental practice, we offer Invisalign to gradually straighten teeth. Designed for consecutive wear they straighten without the need for wires and laborious visits to the orthodontist. It is the most comfortable orthodontic appliance to wear and as it’s removable, you can take it out to eat and drink although it’s recommended you wear it for at least 22 hours a day. It’s virtually impossible to detect and it’s also the healthiest option for the teeth and gums as cleaning and oral hygiene is much simpler than conventional braces.

Choosing to straighten the teeth will not only improve the appearance of your smile but it can also help to slow down the effects of tooth wear and help to correct uncomfortable or damaging bites.

Invisalign is one of the fastest growing dental treatments in the world at the moment and our resident expert, Dr Mark Hughes has treated over 500 cases with Invisalign in the last few years alone. As it’s remarkably easy to wear and the treatment is usually quite simple, the average treatment lengths are from 12 to 18 months, but this can vary greatly, due to individual complexity.

To assess your suitability for Invisalign, we offer a complimentary consultation at Woodborough House – simply call 0118 984 3108. We warmly invite you to come and see how easy it might be to have straight teeth!

Want a beautiful, bright smile in less than six months?

It may seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be! Thanks to Six Month Smiles, a discrete clear fixed brace system, we can correct crooked front teeth quickly.

At Woodborough House, we offer Six Month Smiles as an alternative to metal braces. There are many advantages to using the Six Month Smiles system, including producing faster and more controlled tooth movements, which means treatment times are on average six months.

Six Month Smiles is more comfortable than traditional metal braces. Metal braces tend to extend further back into the mouth, resulting in more discomfort. This doesn’t happen with Six Month Smiles.

Why Six Month Smiles?

• They’re clear – so no one will notice them
• The wires are usually tooth coloured and very small
• Treatment times are short – usually 4-9 months
• Discomfort is minimal as the teeth gently become repositioned
• The overall cost is generally less than traditional braces

The process of Six Month Smiles

Initially, you will go for an assessment appointment with your dentist to plan your treatment for the Six Month Smiles procedure.

Any consequences of wearing the brace will be explained to you, but this will depend on the case. After your assessment, impressions will be made to fabricate models of your teeth.

The braces will then be fitted by your dentist. After which you may need to go for a dental appointment on a regular basis in order to have the wires on the braces changed.

This is to ensure that you achieve the result you want. This process usually takes six months – hence the name.

Am I a good candidate for Six Month Smiles?

If you’re looking to fix minor corrections your front teeth, chances are you’ll make a good candidate for the Six Month Smiles procedure.

Crowded teeth, people who find themselves with gaps between their teeth, an overbite where the teeth overlap too much or front teeth sticking out may find that they are a good candidate for Six Month Smiles.

As are those with an underbite where the lower teeth stick out, crossbites where the teeth bite on the wrong side of each other, or openbites – where teeth do not meet when you bite.

When choosing to go for the Six Month Smile procedure, be sure to seek a Six Month Smile accredited dentist.

At Woodborough House you will be treated by a Six Month Smiles accredited dentist who can assess if this treatment is right for you.  To book an initial consultation or to find out more, give us a call on 0118 984 3108.

Are you feeling anxious about your next dental visit? Perhaps you’re looking for an excuse not to turn up or have your important dental work carried out.  However, avoiding dental check-ups could be dangerous and is not recommended.

Here at Woodborough House we understand that people may be nervous or frightened of visits to the dental chair, and our team is very experienced in treating anxious patients. This is why one of the most important parts of our job is to ensure that we listen to you carefully to understand your needs and concerns.  We feel that this is one of the most important elements in solving dental phobia.

Dental sedation techniques

We offer a number of approaches to help you overcome any fears you may have. The main techniques we offer in the field of dental sedation include oral and IV sedation.

Oral sedation is our preferred method as it’s the easiest for most patients, usually lasting for around 16-24 hours.  We also use a liquid sedative, which we administer once before treatment.

The medication you will be given will help you to feel more relaxed and calm, but this does not prevent you from communicating with our dentists and nurses.

Most patients report feeling very sleepy and not being aware of the concept of time, which can prove useful when undergoing lengthier treatments.

Almost everybody is suitable for oral sedation and if it’s administered correctly and in a clinical environment, it is completely safe to use.

Many of our patients love the fact we offer dental sedation as it makes the dental procedure less daunting overall.

Patients have even told us they had been so nervous about dentistry their whole life, but after coming to us for dental sedation, they can safely say that their fear has been conquered!

Dental sedation really is the way forward for nervous patients who are feeling scared, yet looking to relax whilst they undergo important dental work.

For more information, or to book a consultation about any treatments or to enquire about dental sedation, please give us a call at our office on 0118 984 3108 where one of our friendly members of staff will be happy to help.

Do you need dental implants but dread the thought of repeat visits to the dentist in what can often be a long and drawn out process? If this sounds like you, then the latest and most innovative dental treatment – Teeth in a Day could be the right treatment for you.

At Woodborough House we offer the Teeth in a Day procedure to patients as a way to cut back on their treatment time as well as to ensure they enjoy a more precise implant placement. We are constantly looking for treatments which improve patient care and procedure duration and Teeth in a Day is the ideal choice for patients who would otherwise require numerous visits to get the same results.

The Teeth in a Day Procedure

An initial scan of the jaw is taken, which is a detailed CAT scan. In this scan, a three-dimensional model of the mouth is recreated in order to manufacture the implants which will be ready when you come in for the next appointment for a fitting.

The technology used in creating the Teeth in a Day implants was developed by Nobel Biocare but it can actually help the dentist to fit the implants, not just for manufacturing them.  As the teeth in a day surgery is much less invasive than traditional dental implants, the patient can expect to have less scarring and therefore less pain and swelling as a result. This is because an arthroscope is used – a probe rather like an endoscope – which is inserted into a small incision in the jaw tissue.  The very precise nature of this means that as a result, the patient can often feel fine the next day and carry out their activities as usual.

Benefits for Patients

The very precise nature of this means that as a result, the patient can often feel fine the next day and carry out their activities as usual.

This has great benefits for patients who can find they don’t have to go through repeat bone grafts to have their implants made.

Although it can be more expensive than regular dental implants,  many patients find that it is worth it because they gain their time back – so they don’t have to take time off work for example to come and have their dental implants fitted. Additionally, patients can expect to find that the procedure is much safer, less painful and produces consistently better results.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, why not give us a call on 0118 984 3108 where one of our friendly members of staff will be happy to assist you and help to book you a consultation.

If your mouth is feeling like it needs a good clean, an oral hygiene check-up may be just the thing you need. After all, you look after the rest of your body, so why should your mouth and especially your teeth, be any different? Let’s look at what an oral hygiene routine will consist of.

Oral hygiene check-up services

At Woodborough House, we believe an oral hygiene routine should consist of a professional clean, scale and polish. But in some circumstances, more work may be required. This is where we can provide treatment for gingivitis and more complex periodontal disease (gum disease), remove unsightly stains using an “air flow” technique.

Our qualified dental hygienists Helen and L’ren can carry out these procedures including fluoride applications, diet and smoking cessation advice. Problems with mouth odour can also be dealt with and between them, our dental hygienists can offer you up to date knowledge and advice on the latest concepts and products, as well as provide you with a patient centred prevention programme – usually consisting of an oral hygiene routine you can follow at home.

Brushing your teeth twice daily and remembering to rinse and floss, is really the most important part of any oral health regime.

Get mouth healthy

No matter what your lifestyle choice, you can have the teeth of your dreams and a healthy mouth too if you follow a good oral hygiene routine and remember to brush properly, especially after eating too many sweets/sugary foods which can help plaque to form.  Don’t scrimp on dental hygiene check-ups – they really are a vital part of having a healthy mouth.

Regular dental check-ups with a dentist or hygienist will be able to check for any signs of gum disease developing for example, which may be hard to spot to the untrained eye.

So if you think your mouth is looking for a dental MOT, why not give us a call here at Woodborough House on 0118 984 3108 where one of our team will be happy to help you.