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Synergy Clinic, Synergy House
24C High Street, Addlestone
Surrey, KT15 1TN

by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Veneers

Addlestone dentist, Dr Mani Virdee, explains why porcelain veneers offer a great opportunity to have beautiful teeth.

Beautiful teethIn an ideal world, we would all have a full set of healthy, even and beautifully white teeth. In reality, this is very rare indeed without the intervention of cosmetic dentistry.

There is a lot that we can do to keep our teeth healthy, with regular brushing, flossing and six monthly dental examinations, but life and ageing usually eventually takes it toll, especially when it comes to the appearance of our teeth.

Even with the healthiest of teeth, most of us will find, as we get older, that our teeth have lost the sparkle of our youth and often look dull and discoloured. Providing that this is not too severe, a professional teeth whitening treatment is often an effective way to restore the whiteness. For those whose teeth have become very discolored, perhaps through lifestyle choices such as smoking, or drinking red wine over a period of time, or whose teeth have been affected by chips and cracks, this may not be the most effective solution however.

Permanently damaged tooth enamel

At the Synergy Clinic, we strive to help our Addlestone patients keep their teeth in as good a condition as they can. Where heavily stained or chipped teeth are a problem though, we are able to provide dental veneers as a solution when the enamel of the teeth has been permanently affected in this way.

This is an excellent way to restore the appearance of your teeth and provide you with that great looking smile that you may have thought was a thing of the distant past.

What are dental veneers?

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Dental implants

New dental implant? Take care when exercising during the first few months.

Many of our Addlestone patients exercise on a regular basis which is perhaps unsurprising, as going to the gym, running, swimming and other forms of sports and exercise are now more popular than ever before.

Once a dental implant has been placed and is fully integrated with the bone, there should be no limit on the type of exercise that you do, though you may still want to bear some of the following advice in mind. However, the key three month (approx) period after you have had your implant placed, is a time when you do really need to be careful about what exercise you do, and how you do it. The complex osseointegration process, where the implant bonds with the jawbone, could be severely disrupted and even damage caused to the implant, if you don’t take care and push too hard.

We do recommend that Synergy Clinic patients who are due to have dental implants placed, try to improve their fitness before the procedure, as improved health and blood flow will help the healing process. This can be as simple as walking a bit further and you don’t really need to go “all out” at the gym. Afterwards though, you do need to take extra care when you exercise as follows:

The first few days

Unless you are a really dedicated fitness enthusiast, you probably won’t feel much like exercising for a few days after your treatment anyway. There is likely to be some residual soreness in the treatment area and you should certainly rest for a couple of days at least, to allow the healing process to get off to a good start. We would suggest that you discuss any restarting of physical exercise with the dentist as each case may be different. As a rule of thumb though, we strongly suggest that you rest as much as you can, at least for a few days.

Starting back

After the first week or so, providing that there are no complications, you can start to think about exercising again. It is important though to ease yourself into this. Even seemingly simple activities such as jogging, can have a detrimental effect on your new implant if you don’t take care.

Below, we look at some common sporting activities and how our Addlestone dental implant patients might want to approach them post procedure.

Running/jogging

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Advice

Addressing recent questions asked by our Addlestone patients.

On the whole, we try to write full and comprehensive articles on topics related to dental care here on our blog. These may be general dentistry topics or surrounding a specific procedure.

Sometimes though, we are asked questions that don’t perhaps warrant a full blog post and so we have used today’s blog to address some of the more commonly asked questions that we get asked at the Synergy Clinic. Let’s begin….

How long can I leave a cavity before it needs filling?

The answer to this is very simple. If you suspect that you have a cavity, you should arrange to have it examined as soon as you can. Cavities will not stay as they are but will almost always get bigger and bigger and deeper and deeper. As a worst case scenario if you delay having it checked, you may have very painful toothache indeed. At the best, you will need to have a larger dental filling than you would if you had contacted us straight away.

I need treatment but I’m scared of the dentist, what can I do?

It may surprise some of our patients to know that we do understand how you feel when you are in this situation. Even some dentists are not overly keen on receiving treatment, but we do know that it is necessary. There are two aspects to this answer. The first more or less replicates the previous one in that delaying any treatment is never a good idea. From a pragmatic viewpoint, if you do suffer from dental anxiety, please let us know. Our dentists have successfully helped numerous anxious patients and you can be sure that you will be treated as gently as we possibly can.

Is having my teeth whitened really worth it?

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Dental implants

Cutting corners may save you money initially, but you could end up paying for it in the long run!

With the benefit of dental implants now being more widely understood, it is not surprising that we are seeing an increase in interest in this particular treatment at the Synergy Clinic in Addlestone. Patients are increasingly aware that this is a semi permanent and long lasting tooth replacement option that provides both strength and security to a level that dentures simply cannot match.

One area where dental implants can’t match dentures is in price. Unfortunately, dental implants are only available privately, and the materials, skills and additional training required to place them means that they may not be as affordable as dentures; at least in the short term. Although the initial cost is larger, the long term benefits of dental implants pay off for those who have them. A better quality of life for a little extra money is a price many people are willing to pay. We also offer a number of finance plans to help our patients spread the cost of this type of treatment.

Cheaper implants

It is fair to say that most of us love to find a bargain, especially where it is for something that we really want, rather than buying it just because it is cheap. Understandably then, people will often look to save money on dental implants when they can. There are sometimes genuine offers, usually time limited, at dental practices where they are promoting this treatment. Indeed, we are currently offering free no obligation implant consultations at our Addlestone dental clinic at the moment.

Where these implants are placed by experienced and skilled implant dentists in the UK, there should be few problems. Many special offers that are advertised, however,  relate to implants being placed at dental practices abroad. But should you go for it?

Weighing up the risks

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Advice

Synergy Clinic in Addlestone offers advice on this uncomfortable problem.

Other than for check up appointments or cosmetic work, patients generally come to our Addlestone dental clinic when they have a problem with a tooth. Decay and broken teeth are two of the more routine issues that we deal when when a patient is in discomfort.

Dentists also deal with other oral health issues though, the best known one probably being gum disease. This is not the only gum issue that can arise though, and in today’s blog, we take a look at another common problem – the often painful gum abscess.

What is a gum abscess?

An abscess is said to be present when a pocket of pus forms. This can be anywhere in the body, but for our dental blog purposes, we will deal with the diagnosis and treatment of an abscess of the gum. This collection of bacteria can not only be extremely uncomfortable, but can also lead to serious complications, including sepsis, if it isn’t treated.

This type of abscess usually forms in the small space between the tooth and the gum. It is often, although not always, caused by poor cleaning in this area, leading to a buildup of bacteria. Those patients who have a weaker immune system can be more likely to suffer from this problem than a healthy patient; so those in this category should be especially diligent about their oral health care.

What are the symptoms of a gum abscess?

At the Synergy Clinic, some of the more common symptoms that we see where a gum abscess is present include:

  • An unpleasant taste in the mouth. This is caused as pus leaks from the pocket.
  • Teeth that are very sensitive to both hot and cold. This can also be caused by enamel erosion.
  • Pain and difficulty when chewing food
  • Loose teeth caused by deterioration in the bone affected by the bacteria
  • Fevers – Where this occurs, you should see your dentist straight away. Please ask us for an emergency appointment.

Diagnosis

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Root canal

Addlestone dentist, Dr Shaimil Patel, helps patients understand this tooth saving procedure.

As dentists, we understand that many patients exhibit at least some signs of anxiety and worry when they need to see a dentist, especially if they know that they need to have treatment. The one procedure which is almost guaranteed to make even usually calm patients show more anxiety than usual is the root canal procedure. But there is no need to worry.

Indeed, this general dental treatment is a very good way to save a tooth under certain circumstances, which we’ll explain below.

In this blog, we will take a look at what the procedure is used for and what it entails, and also why we think that it may have gained the reputation that it has. And also why some of stories of discomfort you may have heard are significantly exaggerated!

Why you might need a root canal procedure

A root canal procedure is used for one main purpose, and that is when the ‘pulp’ area of the tooth becomes infected. This is at the very centre of the tooth, beneath both the enamel and dentin parts. The pulp includes tiny blood vessels and also the nerves of the tooth.

When the enamel of a tooth is broken or decayed issues can arise because the dentin layer beneath it is porous and bacteria can spread quite fast. Providing that it is detected and treated quite quickly, this will mostly entail filling the tooth to restore it. Where the damage is left for longer, or where the tooth breaks in such a way that the internal parts are exposed, the infection is likely to reach the root canals. When this happens, there are two options left, extraction or a root canal procedure.

Why are people so worried by the treatment?

This particular treatment seems to have built up a reputation as the worst procedure that you can have. There is no reason why this should be the case and most patients are happy to find that it is no more uncomfortable than some other invasive treatments.

Whilst no one seems to know exactly why people are so afraid of it, there is a growing consensus that it probably stems from a time before x-rays were widely available. Without the use of an x-ray, there is no way of knowing if an abscess has formed inside the tooth. Making contact with an undetected abscess during a procedure would be very painful! Patients of the Synergy Clinic in Addlestone will be pleased to know that x-rays are always now taken prior to this treatment being carried out, and should an abscess be found, the procedure will be delayed until it has been treated.

The root canal procedure

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Children

Getting your child off to a good start with healthy teeth will pay dividends later on.

As adults, hopefully we are all aware of the importance of taking good care of our teeth and gums. However, there are probably readers of this blog who have already had dental issues that could have been avoided if their parents had been more aware of this. As children, we tend to look after our teeth the way that our parents do, but unfortunately, this isn’t always a good thing.

No parent wants to see their child in agony with a toothache, but even issues that don’t necessarily cause pain can create problems later on in life. The Synergy Clinic dentists in Addlestone, firmly believe in looking after young teeth, helping them get off to a good start in life.

A child’s first appointment

It sometimes comes as a surprise to parents when we suggest that they should bring their child to see us at around the time of their first birthday. There are a number of good reasons for this though. Although no teeth may have erupted at this stage, checking the gum health is important too. These need to be kept clean and we can show you how, as infected gums could cause problems when the teeth do finally erupt.

It is extremely unlikely that there will be any need for any treatment at this age, and these gentle and friendly visits allow for a child to be exposed to a dental environment from an early age. As so many people suffer from dental phobia, it is thought that these non treatment early visits help to reduce the risk of this type of anxiety in later life.

Home care

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Hygienist

Should seeing a dental hygienist be an ‘optional extra’ or an essential part of your oral health care?

Advances in home dental care, and better oral health education, means that most people are now increasingly aware of the importance of looking after their teeth. Home products such as electric toothbrushes and more scientifically produced toothpastes provide assistance in helping our Addlestone patients take more responsibility for their own oral health care.

Despite all of the products and advice available, patients do still need to use the services of the dental team at Synergy Clinic on a regular basis. It isn’t just your teeth that need to be examined though, and ideally patients should also take advantage of the comprehensive hygienist services that we offer. Although more and more  people are aware of the importance of good gum health, the fact that only around one in five people use dental floss, suggests that we are still a long way away from where we should be.

Why do you need to look after your gums?

Like teeth, gums can become infected and when this happens, gum disease will likely follow. This usually comprises of two stages; gingivitis, the relatively milder form, and periodontitis, a more severe form, where not only the gums, but the underlying bone structure becomes infected.

Both of these gum health issues can have a number of very unpleasant side effects, including

  • Sore and swollen gums
  • Loose and wobbly teeth
  • Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
  • Pus between the teeth
  • Bad breath/halitosis

Whilst these symptoms are very unpleasant, gum disease can also lead to tooth loss if not treated.

Why do we get gum disease?

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Teeth straightening

Just having attractive teeth is not the only reason why you should consider orthodontic treatment.

Back in the day, the only way that you could have your teeth straightened was to have the old fashioned, sometimes uncomfortable and very visible, metal wire and bracket style braces.

Perhaps for this reason, many people will have decided against this treatment and, as a result, lived their life with crooked teeth.

With the rise of celebrity ‘culture’, more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry; not only the very popular teeth whitening procedure, but also modern orthodontics (braces) that can help you to have straight and even teeth in a much more pleasant way than in the past.

But why should you want to have your teeth straightened anyway?

Aesthetics

It would be remiss of us to claim that people don’t have this treatment simply to improve their smile. This is still the number one reason why people choose to have this treatment at the Synergy Clinic in Addlestone.

There is nothing wrong with having a nice smile, and it can have a surprising effect on yourself and those around you. In addition to looking the best that you can do, many patients that have had this treatment find that they are less self conscious about their crooked teeth, and, as a result, start to feel more confident. This new found confidence can have a knock on effect in your daily life, and situations like relationships and career can benefit from your new smile and confidence. Many reports have also found that people respond more positively to a nice white smile, but are put off when someone smiles, only to reveal crooked or discoloured teeth.

If you are a younger person, you probably also use photo sharing platforms like Instagram. As your image may remain online for many years, it is always nice to look back and not have to regret that you didn’t get your teeth straightened at the time.

Practical reasons

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by synergy-adminPosted on Posted in Advice

Why is sugar harmful to our teeth and do you know how much you really consume each day?

It has long been established that sugar is harmful for our teeth and this is something that our parents, and their parents before them understood. Many of us will have heard this from numerous sources and accept it without really understanding why.

We also probably consume far more sugar than we think we actually do. In today’s Synergy Clinic blog, we look in more depth at the problems surrounding sugar in the diet of our Addlestone dental patients.

Why is it harmful?

Sugar is bad for your teeth, but why?

Few people probably realise this, but it isn’t really the sugar that damages your teeth. Without it though, any damage would be far less. The reason for this is that sugar is not the active element that harms your teeth but is the fuel for that element, namely some types of oral bacteria.

There are thought to be over 700 strains of bacteria that are alive in our mouths at any given time, with up to 1 billion bacteria on each tooth if the mouth is not kept thoroughly clean. Even where good oral practice is carried out, there are thought to be up to 100,000 living on each tooth surface. Not all of these bacteria are harmful by any stretch, and some fulfil important roles in helping us to break down and digest our food.

These bacteria cannot survive in a void though and require fuel to be able to live. Have you guessed the fuel source yet? Correct; it is sugar.  As the bacteria consume the sugar, they produce acids and it is this that damages the enamel on your teeth, eventually leading to cavities in the tooth. When this happens, you are likely to need an invasive dental procedure such as a filling or even a root canal treatment.

Where does the sugar come from?

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