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A short and sweet guide to dental implants Dublin

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, it can be tough to choose a treatment that is suitable, affordable and, more importantly, long-lasting.

Our team at Dublin 18 Dental Rooms is proud to be able to offer our suitable patients dental implants Dublin and have many years of experience doing just that. We can colour-match them to your smile so they look natural, while also ensuring that the fitting is straightforward and comfortable.

Want to know more about dental implants Dublin? Here, we offer a short guide and aim to answer any of the burning queries you may have about the procedure.

What does the procedure involve?

The process of fitting dental implants Dublin takes between 3-6 months on average to complete.

Firstly, we will need to see you for an assessment. During this, we will look at the overall health of your mouth and take some x-rays to determine if your jaw bone is strong enough to support implants. We will also ask you some questions about your health and any medications you may be taking, as there are a few contraindicated health conditions and medications when it comes to having implants fitted.

On the day of the fitting, we will numb your mouth, make some incisions into your gum line and drill a small hole into your jaw (if needed). Then, we will fit the implant and sew the gum back together.

The implant will then need time to fuse with the jaw, which can vary based on your age and general health. During the next 3-6 months, our team will need to see you and assess whether the implant has fused. Once we are happy that it is secure in your jaw, we will fit the prosthetic tooth or teeth. After this, you can bite into and eat whatever foods you wish without issue. Great!

If your implant is deemed to not be fusing, after 12 months, we will remove it and look into other restorative prosthetics.

Will I be suitable?

Most people are suitable for oral implants; there is no upper age limit, provided that you have good oral and physical health!

As mentioned earlier, there are some conditions such as osteoporosis that can make it harder to fit implants successfully, but we will always aim to meet your aesthetic and functionality needs when possible.

Are there any risks?

As the implants are made from titanium, there is a very low chance that your body will reject them; titanium is safe for use in almost all bone-related surgeries.

However, there is a slight chance of infection, but we will aim to mitigate this by fitting the implants in a clean environment using high-quality tools and techniques and providing you with strict aftercare instructions.

How long will they last?

Provided that you maintain good oral health and hygiene (brushing twice daily and seeing our team every 6 months for checkups), your implants should last up to and over 15 years without a problem.

Of course, if you have concerns that your implants are failing, please contact us.

Uh Oh ! Here comes Halloween

Where am I to start? Well, for most of you out there who don’t know me, I’m Padma, a dentist from India and the Practice Manager in Dublin 18 Dental Rooms. I am a mother of one brilliant and hyperactive boy, a full time job by itself, keeping him occupied and entertained. I can hear all you mums out there saying, “We know how you feel!”
I wanted to write a blog about our kids and dental health. Wait!! ..Don’t close the page yet!! It won’t be too scientific. When I was thinking of writing something, the topic that first came to mind was “Sugar Taxes for 2018”. Topics like this are always controversial, debatable and sensitive. So let’s leave the tax aside and just talk about sugars.

As you know sugar and tooth decay go hand in hand. As a mother, we always care for our children. We care for their health, wellbeing and future. We teach them what is good or bad. We show them a path and we guide them. At the same time we are notorious for pampering them and spoiling them. It’s easy to allow too many sugars when they ask, because we can’t see those cute little faces becoming dull and upset, but we should try to change and control the type of food that we and our family eat!! So let’s learn more about it.
Sugar is one of the most important dietary issues that we should keep an eye on. Sugar has been in the media spotlight quite a bit in recent times because of the growing obesity epidemic. I won’t try to echo that message here. What I want to highlight is the significance to the health of our teeth. Tooth decay is caused when you mix sugar and plaque bacteria. All sugars ….. (Sucrose in sweets …. Fructose in fruit …. Lactose in milk ….. Maltose in starch…) Can be a problem. So what can we do???

Firstly ….. Know that not all sugars are created equal! But more on that later.

As far as teeth are concerned, it’s not that important what quantity of sugar that our kids eat, it is all about the frequency of intake. Reducing sugar in the cereal from 2 spoonful’s to one spoonful will not help. Restricting little John to a ½ glass of a fizzy drink instead of the usual full glass will not help. Having the willpower to stop after 1 or 2 squares of dairy milk chocolate will not help!
You see, ANY small amount of sugar absorbed by the plaque bacteria will mean that there will be acid production in the mouth. Eventually, after up to an hour, your saliva will neutralize the acids and prevent further damage. A similar amount of damage is caused by eating a whole bar of chocolate as by eating just one square. The worst mistake is to spread out the treats over time!

As we know, sugars are notoriously addictive. Once you have them, then your blood sugar peaks followed by a rebound “sugar low.” So you start to crave for more. It becomes an obsession. It’s becomes a vicious cycle. We therefore tend to favour frequent snacks. As far as teeth are concerned, it’s actually better to Binge and be done with it in one go!
Well, now I am going to give you my Secret to Success for our families.

The Shopping Basket!!
Yes, you read that right… Try to fill the shopping basket with foods which do not have added sugars. Such high glycaemic index foods cause spikes and troughs in blood sugar levels. Read the labels… there are lots of foods with hidden sugar! I know it is easier said than done. There will be protests! But if it’s in the house, it will be found! Stick to your guns and believe it or not, hunger will gradually bring a change in dietary habits. It may take a couple of weeks of enduring complaints but it will pay off. It is true that all of the foods that are classified as “carbohydrates” have some form of sugar and as such can contribute to decay but the right kinds of carbohydrates release their sugars more gradually and thus do not cause such blood sugar peaks and troughs and resulting cravings! Therefore there will be less tendency to snack and graze throughout the day and ultimately less decay!!!
Bright healthy smiles for all the family! Yippee!

Now, I know that it is almost impossible to prevent our kids from having sweets. Neither do we want to be the home that our children’s friends do not want to visit because it’s a no treat home! But we must still restrict easy access to those sugars. Maybe have just one day a week as a Treat Day! Or better still, bring the children out to the shop for a treat. Just try not to have treats in the house. It’s too easy to give in to the demands. Anything for an easier life!!! But it’s only easier in the short term.

What about brushing?
Well yes, it can help. The less plaque, the less acid. But no one manages to get an A+ for brushing every day! Restricting sugar exposure is far more beneficial.
What about chewing gum?
Yes! Sugar free gum stimulates more saliva. And it’s the saliva that can neutralize the acid so the damage can be reduced. But the chewing gum is only beneficial immediately after eating sugars especially during that initial 20 minutes.

Halloween is fast approaching and our homes are going to be loaded with those processed sugars. It’s not realistic to expect abstinence! Just keep in mind that it is the frequency that matters. Let them enjoy it but do not allow them to graze on sweets for several days. The excessive abundance needs to be controlled. Stick to your one treat day each week.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Other parents will admire the lead and the example you set. We need to change our attitudes to the high sugar diets of modern life. Healthy bodies and healthy smiles depend on it.

Good food. Better health. Best life. Or in the dental world we say it as… “Less sugar… better teeth… best smile”
If in doubt, you know where we are. Happy Halloween!

Padma Shunmuganathan

Nothing to fear but fear itself – Advice for nervous patients

As a dental nurse, part of my everyday life is to help people who are nervous. Unfortunately, like death and taxes, dental work is certain in our everyday lives. For some people, the thought of walking into a dental practice would be as unthinkable as building a rocket to the moon. Pain however, will get the best of all of us, and we often see weary faces enter the clinic doors, patients suffering some pain or discomfort.

Faced with the task of removing that discomfort, I have had to learn to think outside the box in many situations. A smiling face and scented candle can only take you so far. So low and behold, please find below the best advice I can offer to those of you who lie awake for days if not weeks dreading coming to see me and experience my cheery disposition.

Number one, don’t think about it.

This sounds easier said than done, but, if most people could train their minds to not think about the dentist as much as they can train their minds to ignore the reoccurring tooth pain they have had on and off for several years, you will find anything is possible when you really try.

When we focus our attention on all of the negative aspects of coming to the dentist, the noisy drills, the clinical smell, the numb lip, it can strike fear in hearts of the bravest of people.

Therefore, the most simple and straightforward advice I can give you is to simply not think about it.

Do not analyse it. Do not talk to everyone you know about your upcoming appointment this Tuesday at 1:15. Do not think of the million treatments you will have to get done and how you are sure as soon as you sit in the dental chair all of your teeth will magically begin to fall out. Schedule the appointment and forget about it. Simple.

Number two, don’t forget to breathe. People look at me strangely when I say this to them, but you will be surprised just how many people manage to hold their breath as soon as they enter the clinic until they leave. So much so, they could give an olympic swimmer a run for their money.

When we are faced with a scary situation, our body’s reaction is to release adrenaline in preparation for a life threatening event. In previous times, this is what allowed us to kill woolly mammoths and survive. Dentists however aren’t going to murder you, even if you are convinced they are secretly plotting to do so.

This adrenaline, races through our bodies, it makes us become tense, on high alert, listening to every small noise. It also makes us forget to breathe, and therefore the panic lasts longer becoming a vicious circle.

If we try to relax (even if it feels against our best judgement) and take some deep breaths, the effects of the adrenaline will begin to wear away. This in turn, believe it or not will allow the body – muscles, joints, nervous system to relax.

From experience, I understand asking you to participate in an impromtu yoga class while sitting in a waiting room doesn’t sound extremely appealing, but I can promise you that when your body is more relaxed the injections are easier.

People who love coming to the dentist ( they are a rare species) will back me up on this, they take them in their stride.

Number three, eat breakfast always.

As one of my favourite writers, Laura Jane Williams says; you would never send a child into school without a good nights sleep and a decent breakfast to get them through their day, so why would you treat yourself any different?

As adults, we become so occupied with how busy we are, that we forget to be kind to ourselves. If you have been dreading the dentist for several weeks and arrive to the practice tired, stressed and a bundle of nerves I can assure you the experience will seem one hundred times worse on an empty stomach.

Therefore, I cannot recommend highly enough to eat something before leaving your house, it can be ice-cream if it makes you happy, but I will promise you, fainting in the dental chair due to low blood sugar is not something you want to add to your list of to-dos nor mine. The other patients will not thank you for the delay in their busy schedules.

Number four, if all else fails, ask about sedation.

Sedation is the magical wand that can wipe away the most dental phobic of all dental phobias.

No, you are not “knocked out” as people would usually request, but you are very very sleepy.

The majority of the time you will not remember anything after drinking the sedation, but you will wake up happy knowing the dreaded dental visit has come and gone while you were blissfully sleeping, kind of like an adult version of Santa Claus.

The downside to this is you cannot be trusted for the rest of the day. You must have an chaperone to bring you home, tuck you in and make you dinner. No emails, no cooking, no school run and no, no excuses or exceptions. That’s the trade, abide by the rules. But for the most terrified of humans it is the saving grace of their oral health and also makes us dental people’s lives that tiny bit easier.

We don’t enjoy going home at the end of the day feeling like we have worried or upset people.

We are human too. So, if numbers one, two and three have all failed ask your dentist or nurse about number four. If they don’t offer sedation, ask them to refer you to someone who does.

Make your life easy, it is worth it, I promise.

Chelsey Mates

Is it better to Have Fixed or Removable Orthodontics in Dublin?

It is very difficult to say if one system is better than the other, as both fixed and removable braces can work extremely well, but some people may benefit more from one particular brand of braces than another. This is one of the reasons why Dublin18Dental offers patients both kinds. A consultation with one of our dentists in Dublin will be sufficient to determine which type will be best for you. To a certain extent, it may depend on how comfortable you feel with a particular system.

Invisalign

removable orthodontics Some people love Invisalign braces, and they are very popular. They are removable clear plastic aligners that can be taken out whenever you eat or drink something, and as they are made from clear plastic they can be very discreet. They are great at correcting most bite problems such as overcrowded or protruding teeth, gaps in between teeth, and overbites, underbites and open bites.

However some people don’t like the fact that they have to be taken out whenever they eat or drink, and find it inconvenient to have to brush their teeth before placing the aligners back in their mouth. It may not be the best system for anyone who is inclined to forget where they put stuff, as the aligners can be easy to lose.

Inman Aligner

Another system offered by our Dublin dentists is the Inman Aligner. This is another removable brace that moves the teeth through the forces created by two metal bows. It is not quite as invisible as Invisalign, but is perfect if you just want to correct problems with your front teeth. Some patients will see results within three months. This might be the brace for you if you are thinking about having dental veneers, as it can be used to help correct the alignment of the front teeth so they do not require as much preparation for veneers. Having orthodontics in Dublin prior to veneering helps to ensure the veneers are as thin as possible, improving the overall result.

The choice might seem confusing, but our Dublin dentists will guide you through the entire process, and will take the time to discuss the pros and cons of each system. Things to consider are whether or not you are concerned about having removable braces, or if you think you might lose them, how much time you need to spend cleaning each type of brace, and the length of treatment.

If you want to find out more about how undergoing treatment for Braces in Dublin we can improve every aspect of your life. Contact us on 01 235 4631 for further information.

Welcome to Dublin 18 Dental

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6 Month Smiles For Patients Near Ballsbridge

If you’re searching for a quick, discreet orthodontic solution near Ballsbridge, 6 Month Smiles could be just what you’ve been looking for! This amazing treatment straightens the teeth in just 6 months!

What is 6 Month Smiles and how does it work so fast?

6 Month Smiles is an innovative orthodontic system, which employs the latest technology to speed up tooth movement. 6 Month Smile braces are fixed braces, which comprise of self-ligating wires and light brackets; these parts generate forces, which move the teeth quickly with reduced friction. This system is primarily aimed at patients who have problems with the front teeth and this is another reason why treatment works much faster than other treatments on the market; by focusing solely on the teeth that can be seen when you talk or smile, treatment is more concentrated and times are much shorter.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of 6 Month Smiles?

There are many advantages of 6 Month Smiles. Firstly, the time frame is much shorter than most other treatments and secondly, fixed braces are reliable and the treatment process is incredibly simple. These braces are also more discreet than traditional fixed braces and the technology enables gentle movement, which increases comfort. The brackets are clear and the wires designed to match the shade of the teeth, so your braces should be barely noticeable when you smile.

6 Month Smiles is also less expensive than other treatments because the process is so simple and fewer appointments are required.

The only real downside of 6 Month Smiles is that it is not suitable for everyone. Ideally, this treatment is geared towards patients who have issues with the social 6, the teeth at the front of the mouth. If you have problems with the back teeth or general alignment issues or you have very complex needs, which require significant movement, other options will probably be preferable.

Botox Treatments- Refer A Friend And Receive €50 Towards Your Next Botox Treatment And Your Friend Will Receive A Further 20% Off Her Initial Treatment From Patients Near Stillorgan

We are delighted to offer a refer a friend discount for Botox treatment; if you’re happy with the service you receive, tell a friend and we will treat you to 50 euros off your next treatment and offer your friend 20% off their first treatment.

Botox treatment at Dublin18 Dental Care

We recommend Botox for patients who would like to have treatment to make them look younger without undergoing surgery. Botox is a non-invasive treatment, which combats lines and wrinkles and produces a smoother, more youthful complexion. At Dublin18 Dental Care, we have experience in providing facial aesthetic treatment and we do everything we can to ensure the best results. Our aim is to make your skin glow and retain a natural look to make you feel confident and look incredible.

Botox treatment is simple and very fast and we offer flexible appointment times to suit your schedule. Typically, treatment sessions last less than half an hour and the results should last between 4 and 6 months.

How does Botox treatment work?

Botox is a purified form of toxin, which helps to reduce the visibility of facial lines by preventing the delivery of nerve signals to the facial muscles; this means that muscle contraction is reduced. The quantity of Botox used is very small and this treatment is considered to be both safe and effective when it is provided by a trained professional who has experience in facial rejuvenation treatment.

The actual procedure simply involves injecting Botox into the skin; we will discuss the areas you want to treat before you have treatment and outline the pros and cons, risks and details of the procedure during your consultation.

If you would like to take advantage of our amazing refer a friend offer, don’t delay! Call us now and book your appointment!

Fixed Orthodontics For Children/Teenagers For Patients Near Deansgrange At Dublin18 Dental Care Now €3000

At Dublin18 Dental Care we offer orthodontic treatment for teenagers and adults. Orthodontic problems are common in teenagers and often, it’s best to intervene early for optimum results.

We provide high quality fixed orthodontics for younger patients and we offer a special discounted rate of €3000.

Does my child need braces?

It is very common for children to have alignment issues and problems with the bite and we are often able to detect signs from a very early age. It is usually best to treat teenagers, rather than waiting until they are older because treatment works faster, the outcome is better and early treatment enables children to enjoy the benefits of treatment sooner. It is possible for adults to have treatment, but as orthodontic problems tend to get worse with time, treatment usually takes longer and the results are sometimes not as good.

If your child needs braces, we will discuss this with you and highlight the issues and explain how braces could help and what benefits treatment would bring.

The advantages of fixed orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment has a host of benefits for teenagers and it can really make a difference to confidence levels, as well as oral function. Orthodontic issues can affect speech, facial aesthetics and the ability to eat, as well as the look of the smile and treatment helps to resolve these issues.

Fixed braces are a tried and tested solution and they are guaranteed to produce excellent results. Modern braces are light and much less cumbersome than they used to be and they are also more comfortable. With a straight smile, children can feel more confident and they don’t have to worry about comments from others.

Payment plans at Dublin18 Dental Care

We offer flexible payment options to make orthodontic treatment more affordable for parents, including payment plans, which allow you to spread the cost of treatment and pay the total in monthly instalments.

Six Month Smiles For Patients Near Deansgrange At Dublin18 Dental Care Now €2500

Have you been searching for an orthodontic treatment, which offers you everything? Have you been putting off wearing braces for years because you can’t bear the thought of wearing visible braces for an age? Now, we offer a solution to your orthodontic woes, which will give you a stunning straight smile in just 6 months with minimal hassle and amazing discreet aesthetics.

What is 6 Month Smiles and how does it work?

6 Month Smiles is a rapid orthodontic system, which uses state of the art fixed braces to move the teeth very quickly. These fixed braces use self-ligating wires and brackets to generate forces, which guide the teeth into position with minimal discomfort. This treatment is geared towards patients who have issues with the social 6, the front teeth, which can be seen when you smile. By focusing solely on these teeth, the braces work much faster than other treatments and patients who only need minor correction do not have to undergo treatment, which is more intensive than required. This treatment also ensures the best aesthetics, as the teeth that are visible when you smile are the focal point of treatment.

Is 6 Month Smiles an option for me?

If you have mild or moderate issues that affect your front teeth and you are looking for a discreet, quick and painless treatment, 6 Month Smiles could be just the ticket. This treatment is an incredible option for those who have problems with the front teeth and it is a really impressive alternative to traditional fixed braces, which are more noticeable, slower and less comfortable.

We will be able to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this system when we have examined your teeth and check your bite during your consultation. If this is not the best option for your individual needs, we can explore other treatments with you.

Botox Treatments Reduced By An Extra €50 On Referral Of A Friend To Us At Dublin18 Dental Care For Patients Near Stillorgan

If you’re over the moon with the results of Botox treatment at Dublin18 Dental Care, why not spread the word and receive a discount off your next treatment session? We are offering €50 off the price of Botox treatment when you refer a friend! Three areas are now just €250!

The advantages of Botox treatment

Botox is a non-invasive facial treatment, which is most commonly used to target lines and wrinkles. The treatment process is incredibly simple and quick, meaning you can easily fit it into your daily schedule and there is no recovery time, so you don’t have the stress of taking time off work or arranging child care.

With Botox, you can enjoy a refreshed, rejuvenated complexion without the risk of undergoing surgery or enduring lengthy recovery time. Botox makes your skin look healthy, young and glowing and the procedure is painless and convenient.

What happens when you have Botox treatment?

Before you have Botox treatment, we have a consultation to talk about the treatment, explain the pros and cons and tailor your treatment plan. Botox can be injected into different areas of the face and we will discuss this with you to see which areas you want to address.

When you have decided which areas you want to treat, we can begin treatment. We simply use a very fine needle to inject Botox into the specified areas of the skin; we inject the fluid slowly and we control the amount very carefully to ensure a natural look and prevent the skin from looking ‘over done’ and taut. After we have finished injecting the Botox, we will wipe the skin gently and then treatment is complete and you can enjoy your new, youthful look!

If you’re a fan of Botox at Dublin18 or you are a new patient looking for an anti-ageing solution, call us now and book your appointment.