FREE CONSULTATION 0113 245 4868 Ask us about 0% Finance
Book Online

Archive for July, 2014

A Natural Bond. Leeds Has That Gappy Smile Solution

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

iStock_000005654093SmallIf you have unsightly gaps between your teeth, we have the perfect easy solution. You don’t need to wear braces for months on end or worry about injections or needles: with dental bonding, we’ve got it covered!

Dental bonding is a procedure, which is used to make repairs to damaged teeth and improve the aesthetic of the smile. It is a quick, affordable and straightforward alternative to orthodontic treatment and veneers.

What does dental bonding involve?

Dental bonding involves using dental composite, a putty-like material, to fill gaps and reduce the size of spaces between teeth, repair chipped teeth and build up worn tooth surfaces. Dental composite is also used for white fillings and it is available in a range of shades, so we can match the composite to your natural tooth colour.

When you have bonding, your dentist will use their expertise to shape the composite and then set it using a curing light. The entire process usually takes around one hour and there is no pain involved, so you won’t need to worry about injections or anaesthetic. Once the composite has set, it becomes strong and durable, although it is not as strong as the natural enamel we have and you will need to take good care of it.

If you have large spaces between your teeth and you are looking to fix the problem, rather than finding a way to change just the aesthetic of your smile, we recommend orthodontic treatment. We have many treatments available, including discreet systems, which enable you to enjoy a straight smile without any worries about your image.

Gum Disease: Get It Sorted Before It’s Too Late In Leeds

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

3520145_blogAt City Dental it’s our job to make sure you have beautiful, bright teeth and healthy gums and we are big fan of the motto ‘prevention is better than cure’. With gum disease, it’s really important to treat symptoms early because this disease is progressive and it can result in permanent damage to the mouth and even tooth loss.

Gum disease is preventable, yet it causes more adults to lose teeth prematurely in the UK than any other condition. We have a very simple plan in place to encourage patients to take good care of their teeth and gums and we strongly advise patients to maintain good oral hygiene at home, keep an eye on what they eat and drink and see their dentist for regular check-ups. These simple steps can make a massive difference to oral health and help you to ward off decay and gum disease.

Spotting the signs

Common symptoms of gum disease include bleeding, sore and swollen gums. Most people first notice their gums bleeding when they brush their teeth. The gums may also look very red and they may be tender.

When should I see a dentist?

If you notice any of the symptoms above, you should ring and arrange to see your dentist. It is always better to get checked out than take a risk, as gum disease can get worse very quickly and advanced gum disease, known as periodontal disease, causes irreversible damage to the gums and supportive bone tissue beneath.

If you have any questions about gum disease, or you’ve noticed blood when you brush your teeth, call and book an appointment with one of our expert dentists today.

You Could Be A Classy Lass With Super LS1 Veneers

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

529808_blogHave you ever seen somebody with a flawless smile and wished you could have the same perfect pearly whites? Well now you can! If you long for a TOWIE style makeover, a Hollywood worthy smile or a beautiful natural look, our veneer treatments are just the solution you’ve been searching for.

About veneers

Veneers are extremely thin shells, which are placed over your teeth to create a beautiful, gleaming smile. In most cases, veneers are made from ceramics, including porcelain, and they have a beautiful sheen and a lovely white shade. There are different colours and shapes available and you can choose the veneers, which best suit your idea of the perfect smile. Some patients love the all-out glamour of the Hollywood style bright white smile, while others prefer the subtlety of a more natural look.

Veneers are an excellent option for anyone who wants to turn their dull, stained or worn teeth into a radiant smile and they can also be really beneficial for those who have aesthetic problems, such as chipped or irregularly shaped teeth and gaps between the teeth.

Veneer treatment usually involves 3 key stages. During the first stage, we will plan your treatment and choose your veneers and we can show you images of what we expect your new smile to look like. The second stage involves preparing the teeth; this is a simple procedure, which is designed to create space for the new veneers by removing a wafer-thin layer of tooth surface. Once this has been done, we create an impression of the teeth and this is used to create your brand new, bespoke veneers. The final stage is to fit your veneers; we will place them over your teeth and check that you are happy with the result before bonding them onto the teeth. Once this session is complete, it’s time for you to get out there and show your new smile off to the world!

The Dental Problems Caused By Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking

Monday, July 28th, 2014

398467_blogMany babies suck their thumbs, often as a means of comfort when they are tired or feeling poorly or sleepy. In the early stages, babies can take a lot of reassurance from sucking their thumb, but prolonged thumb-sucking and using bottles and dummies can have serious implications for oral health and the development of the teeth. As dentists, we advise parents to try and discourage thumb-sucking as a baby grows and to try and encourage them to use a cup, rather than a bottle once they reach the age of 12 months old.

What harm does thumb-sucking do?

Thumb sucking can have a negative impact on the development and alignment of the teeth and the front teeth can be particularly badly affected. Children who suck their thumbs are more likely to have misaligned teeth and protruding front teeth, as the action of the thrusting the tongue can cause the teeth to move forward and stick out at an angle.

Thumb sucking can also contribute to speech problems, most commonly the development of a lisp.

How can I stop it?

It can be much more difficult to preventing your children from sucking their thumbs than a dummy because the thumb happens to be attached to them making it harder to simply take it off them; however, there are ways to discourage children. Tips from parents, doctors and dentists include rewarding good behaviour and providing alternatives, distracting children so that they don’t even think about sucking their thumbs and charting their progress on a plan.

A good idea is to avoid nagging all the time, as this can be counter-productive and to encourage children to make it seem like the child is making an independent, grown up choice to stop; focus on the positives and offer constant encouragement. If you have any worries, don’t hesitate to ask for advice.

You’ll Be Loving Your LS1 Versatile Oral Implants

Sunday, July 27th, 2014

iStock_000001998629XSmallThey often say that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and many of us take our teeth for granted. When you lose a tooth, it can be really distressing, not just because it becomes more difficult to eat, but also because it completely alters the aesthetic of your smile. With dental implants, we can offer the closest replacement for a natural tooth and we promise to have you smiling again.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the latest innovation in the world of tooth replacement and they have already revolutionised the lives of hundreds of patients all over the UK. Implants are designed to take on the roles and responsibilities of the root of the missing tooth and like roots, they are implanted into the jaw bone. Implants are made from titanium, which is bio-compatible and this means that they are able to integrate into the bone tissue. This process is called osseointegration and it takes around 3-8 months.

Dental implants are an option for most patients because they fit with different types of restoration, which means that you can benefit from treatment if you have 1, 5 or 15 missing teeth. Once the implant has healed, it can then be connected to a dental bridge, a crown or a denture and you can enjoy a beautiful, beaming smile once again.

Implants last for many years and they represent an amazing option for patients who want a long-term treatment option, which promises great aesthetics, incredible tooth function and easy maintenance.

Find A Solution To Your Terrible TMJ In Central Leeds

Saturday, July 26th, 2014

2839654_blogTMJ disorder, also known as TMD, is a term used to describe symptoms, which affect the temporomandibular joint; this is one of the busiest joints in the body and it is responsible for very important actions, such as opening and closing the mouth. You can feel the TMJ if you place your fingers on the side of your face just in front of your ear lobes and then open your mouth.

Symptoms of TMJ disorder

TMJ disorder can cause a range of different symptoms, from cracking and popping noises when you move your jaw and restricted movement in the joint, to headaches, ear ache, neck and back pain. Often, it can take a long time to diagnose TMJ disorder because people assume that they have aches and pains related to their sleeping position and don’t tend to seek help from a dentist or GP.

What causes TMJ pain?

There are various possible causes and one common cause is bruxism or tooth grinding. When you grind your teeth, this puts pressure on the muscles around the TMJ and the jaw and this can result in tension and aches and pains when you wake up in the morning. Many cases of bruxism are linked to stress and anxiety.

Other possible causes include orthodontic issues, which affect the alignment of the upper and lower sets of teeth and the jaw.

How we can help

There are various treatments and techniques, which may be beneficial for TMJ disorder. Painkillers are a fast and effective relief for aches and pains and stress management techniques can be really helpful for dealing with day to day stress, which will help to reduce bruxism. We can also provide patients who grind their teeth with a specially designed bite guard to prevent contact between the teeth during the night.

Smile! It’s A Magic Makeover In The Heart Of Leeds

Friday, July 25th, 2014

2445507_blogHave you ever wished you could just wave a magic wand and you would have a stunning new smile? Well now you can, thanks to our incredible, bespoke smile makeovers. Just think of us as your fairy godmothers!

Smile makeovers are designed to transform your smile and they often involve a series of different dental treatments, which come together to create an amazing result. We have a wide range of treatments on offer and we offer a personalised service, which involve assessing your needs, discussing your treatment aims and goals and working together to choose the best treatments. We invite you to share your opinions, bring in photos or pictures of smiles you like and tell us what you would like to see when you look in the mirror after your final treatment session.

Our treatments

We are able to offer all kinds of treatments to address aesthetic flaws, repair damaged teeth, replacing missing teeth and solve problems, such as crowding or crooked teeth. Each smile makeover is different because people have different ideas and varying needs. One smile makeover may involve tooth replacement, whitening and cosmetic braces, while another may involve veneer treatment, white fillings and cosmetic bonding.

We will go through the different options with you during the planning stage and answer questions and provide information about costs, timeframe and pros and cons to ensure that you have all the information you need to make the best decisions.

If you’re tired at looking at stained, worn and chipped teeth, you’ve been meaning to get a tooth replaced for years or you’re sick of smiling with your lips closed for photos because you hate your crooked teeth, now is the time for change! Call us now to book your consultation.

Always Wanted A Straight Smile? Do It Discreetly With Invisalign

Thursday, July 24th, 2014

3943593_blogHave you put up with jibes about your buck teeth for years on end? Have you dreamed of a straight smile since you were small? Do you long for a picture perfect smile like the models in magazines and Hollywood stars? If so, we have some amazing orthodontic treatments on offer. We know that many patients are wary of having treatment because they have reservations about braces, but we are able to offer amazingly discreet treatment, thanks to innovative modern systems, such as Invisalign. If you thought your dream of a perfect smile was impossible, think again!

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Invisalign is a wonder treatment because it provides a solution for the thousands of people who had worries about wearing braces because they didn’t want to feel unattractive. With Invisalign, nobody need know that you are wearing braces because this system uses clear aligners to straighten the teeth. These aligners are made from transparent components, which are virtually invisible and will enable you to smile with confidence while you are on your way to achieving your goal of perfectly straight pearly whites.

Invisalign works by using a series of different aligners; each aligner is worn for 2 weeks and the appliances are made based on a detailed plan, which is personalised. The aligners are removable, but they should be worn for at least 21 hours every day to make sure treatment is as effective as it should be.

Invisalign is suitable for patients of all ages and there is a special edition of the treatment for younger patients called Invisalign Teen. This treatment provides a solution for patients with minor and moderate orthodontic issues and is an excellent choice for patients who wish to remain incognito while they have treatment. Treatment times vary according to the individual, as different patients need varying amounts of movement.

If you would like to find out more about Invisalign and how it could transform your smile in secret, call us now or pop in when you are next in Leeds city centre.

Protect Your Teeth During Sports With A City Leeds Mouth Guard

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014

Sport is fun. It’s373639_blog exhilarating and great for your health, but it is also a major cause of dental injuries. At City Dental we want our patients to enjoy playing sport and to get stuck in to the game without having to worry about their teeth and this is why we recommend custom-designed mouth guards.

Mouth guards are specially designed trays, which are worn over the top of the teeth to protect them from injuries. Common examples of injuries, which can occur while doing physical exercise, include dislodged teeth, jaw injuries, fractured teeth and chipped teeth. Wearing a mouth guard provides a barrier between the teeth and potential sources of harm, such as balls, rackets, sticks, other people and hard surfaces.

The OSO Athletic mouth guard

We are very proud to be one of a handful of practices in the UK to offer our clients the amazing OSO Athletic mouth guard. This snazzy gum shield is way more than your average mouth guard and it offers a host of benefits in addition to amazing protection for the teeth. This mouth guard is specially designed to improve and enhance sporting performance and it does this while also reducing muscle tension and pressure around the facial muscles.

The OSO Athletic mouth guard is made based on precise measurements from the individual and once in place in the mouth, it automatically adjusts the position of the jaw to its optimum place; this reduces tension and strain in the muscles and improves contraction. It also reduces the risk of muscular pain in the neck and shoulders and enables players to focus on the game, rather than worrying about pain. This innovative mouth guard is proven to improve balance, strength and flexibility by making muscle contraction more efficient and it is an ideal piece of kit to propel you to the next level in your chosen sport.

Who could benefit from an Oso Athletic mouth guard?

The Oso Athletic mouth guard is designed to provide benefits for participants of all abilities, from players who enjoy an informal match at the weekends to elite athletes who train day in, day out.

We highly recommend mouth guards for anyone who plays the following sports:

  • rugby league
  • rugby union
  • boxing
  • martial arts
  • hockey
  • ice hockey
  • body contact sports, such as wrestling and cage fighting
  • lacrosse

You’ll Buzz Over The Dental Bridges Leeds Can Offer You

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014

18625013If you have a missing tooth and you’re searching for an affordable solution, look no further than a dental bridge. With this innovative restoration, you’ll be showing off your newly restored smile in no time!

About dental bridges

Dental bridges are so-called because they bridge the gap between two teeth when a tooth has been lost through injury, trauma or as a result of dental disease. The aim of the bridge is to replace the missing tooth and create a natural looking smile.

Bridges can be made from various materials and we often recommend porcelain or porcelain fused to metal bridges for the best aesthetic outcome. The bridge is designed to blend in with the neighbouring teeth and once the porcelain bridge is in place, you shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the false tooth and the rest of the teeth.

There are 3 main types of dental bridge, including the traditional fixed bridge, the cantilever bridge and the resin-bonded bridge, which is also known as a Maryland bridge. The most common type of bridge is the fixed bridge, which is made from a false tooth, and is anchored by a dental crown on each side.

What are the advantages of a dental bridge?

Dental bridges are durable and aesthetically pleasing and they have functional benefits, as well as cosmetic advantages. Bridges should last around 10-15 years and the treatment process is simple and much less invasive than dental implant treatment. Treatment is usually complete within 2 weeks and there is very little pain involved.