General dentistry is the term used to describe all the services a modern dentist surgery offers, says an Epping dentist. This can be anything from advice about oral care to a dental implant, with teeth whitening and repairs in between. Starting with oral care all dentists now have an oral care nurse on duty to advise their patients how to take better care of their teeth, this will range from flossing and brushing techniques to choosing the correct brush for the individual patient. From the time you get your first molars to the time you start losing your adult teeth, your dentist will be able to advise you on the best way to prevent premature loss of your teeth. Teeth whitening is a fairly new facility offered by general dentistry practitioners, this used to be something that cosmetic dentists had a monopoly on as their clients tended to very rich ones. With new techniques and less training time whitening has become very popular over the past 10 years. Your dentist can also offer you veneers that solve many problems from discolouration to crooked, chipped and cracked teeth. Veneers are offered in either a thin version or a porcelain one, they are glued or cemented into the surface of the tooth and basically cover up any of the problems mentioned. They last from 3-5 years for thin veneers and 10-15 years for porcelain ones, both are replaceable. For more complicated problems a dentist can also handle dental implants, these are used to replace lost teeth with false ones that are permanently anchored to the jaw bone just like a real tooth. A crown is also possible to replace part of a damaged tooth, and this facility comes with a bridge version that anchors a false tooth between two other false teeth, these are anchored onto the teeth either side of the false one. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Many patients find that some dental substitutes such as partial dentures and dental bridges are just not strong enough and cause constant anxiety about breaking. This can have an impact on their life and prevent them enjoying it to the full, especially when it comes to eating. Patients are often looking for a more long-term and solid solution to a missing tooth and often find it in the form of a dental implant.

A dental implant is the only artificial dental substitute that replaces the whole of the tooth from root to tip. The implant itself is only the small titanium screw that makes up the root portion of the restoration. This is screwed directly into the jawbone in a procedure that sounds a lot more unpleasant than it actually is. When secure in the bone, the dentist will leave the implant for several weeks to fully fuse with the bone and soft tissue around it.

Once fully secure, the implant will now act exactly the same as an actual tooth root and can act as a base for an artificial crown to be attached. This is secured to the implant using a screw and post device. Once attached, the whole implant is incredibly sturdy and feels just like a real tooth. Thanks to the porcelain crown attached, with its enamel-like qualities, it also looks exactly like a real tooth. The other major benefit of the dental implant is that it lasts a lifetime, unlike other dental replacements which need to be replaced every ten years or so. This means once the surgery is complete you can completely forget that the implant is there and enjoy your life just as you would with a full set of real teeth. There is no need to suffer with the embarrassment of a missing tooth or with the frustration of an inadequate dental replacement, ask a Maldon dentist about dental implants and get the security and comfort you deserve. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.