Author: Polwarth Dental Clinic

Your dental implant journey with Polwarth Dental Clinic

Getting dental implants in Edinburgh with Polwarth Dental Clinic can change your life. Restoring your teeth means giving you back functionality that is fundamental to the enjoyment of life, such as eating, socialising and speaking. If you have been living with missing teeth for a while, you know about the difficulties inherent in having gaps in your smile. We want to help you fix your dental issues so you can get on with any activity you feel like doing.

What happens first when you get dental implants in Edinburgh?

Dental Implants JourneyOur consultation service is the first step to getting dental implants in Edinburgh with us. This is where we take a look at your teeth and any gaps. Placing dental implants where they can support the machinations of chewing and other activities is a precise art. You want your implants to be positioned where the jawbone is thickest, if possible.

If all of your other teeth are healthy, they can stay put. Having dental implants should not affect them. However, if your teeth are deteriorating and it looks like they will not last much longer, one of our team will talk to you about the possibility of extraction. If you decide to go ahead and have these teeth removed, it means you will not have to go through the dental implant procedure again at a later date. You may also need extraction work if the remains of old teeth are still present.

The consultation also involves a series of questions to determine your suitability for dental implants and check if there are any risk factors for failure. It is important that you give full and frank answers to these questions as, if there are risk factors, your dentist may be able to do things to mitigate them. There are some medical conditions that affect the body’s ability to accept implants and lifestyle factors, like smoking, which also have an impact.

Once the consultation is complete, your dentist will use all the information they have gathered to build a complete, personalised treatment plan for you. This will give you expected appointment times, treatment information, a breakdown of costs and advice about any required preparatory work. You can ask any questions you have at this point, before agreeing to go ahead.

When do you need an emergency dentist?

Many dental problems develop over months and years and are caused by patients not looking after their teeth properly. However, certain dental problems are immediate and require the assistance of an emergency dentist. In Edinburgh you can receive emergency dental care at Polwarth Dental Clinic.

We understand that some dental problems require quick hands-on treatment. Injuries sustained to the mouth, such as cracked teeth, need to be taken care of immediately to prevent further damage.

Emergency Dentist in EdinburghProblems we can fix

There are many dental problems that require speedy treatment. When you cause your lip or tongue to bleed from an accidental bite, crack your tooth, damage your braces, injure your jaw, experience swelling or an unexpected severe toothache, our emergency dentist in Edinburgh can manage your dental problems effectively.

Each issue requires a different type of treatment for your teeth to return to full health, which is why our emergency dentist in Edinburgh is equipped with the knowledge and skills to undertake each specific procedure. However, there are certain measures you can take to reduce pain and improve your chances of recovery. For example, if you have sustained injury to your jaw, applying a cold compress to that area will serve as temporary treatment until you get professional emergency care. If you’ve knocked out a tooth, putting it in some milk until you see our emergency dentist can improve the chances of saving it.

What to do if you’re in need of an emergency dentist

If you ever come to the point of being in severe dental pain, it is important to contact an emergency dentist in Edinburgh.

The very nature of emergency dental care means that neither you nor us will know when dental pain, bleeding or swelling will strike. For this reason, it is good to familiarise yourself with what to do should an emergency arise. A good first step is having our practice contact details to hand.

What we’ll do for you

We aim to reduce any fear and anxiety that comes along with unexpected dental injuries or pain, by providing a safe and professional environment that is equipped to relieve your pain and repair the damage.

So don’t worry, when you need an emergency dentist in Edinburgh, Polwarth Dental Clinic is here to help.

How dental implants can help you get over tooth loss

Are you missing teeth and putting up with ill-fitting, loose dentures? There is an alternative which we offer for patients looking for dental Implants in Edinburgh. Oral health declines when you are older and can sometimes leave you missing one or more teeth. Or sometimes it’s an accident or injury, striking at any age, which causes tooth loss. Either way, the results can be detrimental to your confidence and so you might be thinking about how you can fill those gaps without enduring lifelong denture use.

In Edinburgh, dental implants are available at our dental practice, Polwarth Dental Clinic. We can help restore smile, no matter how many teeth you have lost.

Dental Implants in EdinburghDental implants versus dentures

In Edinburgh, dental implants have been around for decades, but many people are still content with the more traditional approach to treatment, namely dentures. While dentures fulfil their purpose as fake teeth, they are not as good a replacement as dental implants.

There are 4 fundamental differences between dental implants and dentures. Firstly, implants are drilled into your mouth while dentures are models of your teeth that fit over your gums. Secondly, implants cannot be removed while dentures can, which is why they often shift about when being used. Thirdly, dental implants are considered to be a closer replica of natural teeth as they replace both the crown and the root. Finally, dental implant treatment is more expensive in the short-term. However this investment pays off in the long-term as they can last a lifetime, while dentures usually need replacing every 3–8 years.

How are they fitted?

Each dental implant comes in three parts: the titanium screw inserted into your jawbone, the crown that serves as a replacement tooth, and the abutment that joins the two together. When our dentist fits your dental implant, the screw is drilled into the jawbone with local anaesthetic to numb the pain. An abutment connects the screw to the crown, which is attached last after a period of healing, during which time the screw secures itself into your jawbone.

Let us help

The loss of natural teeth can leave you feeling anxious about smiling, laughing or even talking. Dental Implants in Edinburgh at our friendly practice allow you to regain your confidence and smile proudly.

Do I need to see an emergency dentist?

Unless you’re a qualified dentist, it can be hard to decide if your tooth pain constitutes a dental emergency.

If you’re unsure, the first thing you should do is call Polwarth Dental Clinic in Edinburgh and ask for advice. Based on your symptoms, we will be able to determine if you need to come in straight away to see an emergency dentist in Edinburgh, or if you can wait for a routine appointment.

Emergency Dentist in EdinburghThe most likely reason for needing emergency dental treatment is because of injury caused by a fall, a sports-related accident or biting into something too hard. If one of these has caused you to experience a cracked, broken or knocked out tooth, you may need to see an emergency dentist in Edinburgh.

If your tooth is chipped and you are not experiencing any pain, you may be able to wait until normal business hours to visit Polwarth Dental Clinic. However, if the crack is severe, a large piece of your tooth is missing or if your tooth has been knocked out completely, you should seek immediate attention from your emergency dentist in Edinburgh.

I haven’t knocked out a tooth, but I’m in pain

If there’s no physical evidence of injury but you’re experiencing severe pain, you should still get an emergency appointment as soon as possible to determine the cause of your pain.

What if I am bleeding a lot?

If you experience a bit of bleeding, but it stops quickly, it may not be an emergency. If any damage to the teeth causes significant bleeding – particularly blood loss that doesn’t stop – this definitely counts as an emergency and you should see your emergency dentist in Edinburgh as soon as possible.

If you’re ever unsure if something counts as a dental emergency, we always advise our patients to be overly cautious because, if left untreated, it could lead to more serious complications. Here, at Polwarth Dental Clinic, we are dedicated to seeing all our emergency patients on the same day you call us. What’s more, we will strive to get you pain-free for a maximum cost of £70.

It’s time to smile again!

When you look in the mirror are you happy with what you see? Does your smile need a makeover? Maybe it’s time for you to take that next step to achieve that smile you have always wanted.

In an ideal world, your teeth should last a lifetime. Sometimes, this just isn’t the case. For many years, we have looked for alternative options when our teeth just don’t live up to our expectations.

Well, here at Polwarth Dental Clinic in Edinburgh, dental implants could be just what you have been looking for to fill those unsightly gaps left by missing teeth.

Dental Implants in EdinburghWhat are dental implants?

Dental implants consist of titanium screws placed directly into the jawbone. They are designed to replace not only a single tooth but also multiple teeth if required. During a period of healing, the titanium screws fuse to the jawbone, creating a seamless join and a secure foundation for the attachment of artificial, replacement teeth.

This technology has been used for over 30 years. It is ever evolving and today is the most reliable and effective way to treat tooth loss.

Benefits of dental implants

We can offer you a huge array of benefits at Polwarth Dental Clinic in Edinburgh. Dental implants are becoming ever more popular with our patients. We hope you can be next in our practice to get that happier and healthier smile you have always wanted.

Dental implants are the closest alternative to our natural teeth. This is not only in appearance, but they fit and function like natural teeth too as they replace the tooth root, which dentures alone will not.

Dental implants in Edinburgh are built to last. Our dental implants could last a lifetime, with just some periodic adjustments and regular check-ups at our practice.

Not only will your teeth be restored, but dental implants also allow the natural shape of your face to be maintained. Tooth loss causes jawbone degeneration, which can result in a sunken-cheeked appearance – that is, if dental implants aren’t used to prevent this bone shrinkage.

So call Polwarth Dental Clinic in Edinburgh; dental implants could change your life for the better.

An emergency dentist in Edinburgh that you can trust

There’s nothing worse than being in a city you don’t know and having a dental emergency. Which dentist can you go to when there are so many to choose from and you don’t have any one to recommend an emergency dentist in Edinburgh. If any emergency happens, you want excellent treatment without it costing the earth.

You can see an emergency dentist in Edinburgh on the day you call when you contact Polwarth Dental Clinic. This is our promise to you.

Emergency Dentist in EdinburghWhen you arrive, you will almost certainly be in pain if you have an infection or have had a tooth knocked out. If you have lost a crown or a filling, you will at least be feeling stressed.

Either way, our first job is to make you completely comfortable so that you can start to relax.

We practise a patient-centred approach to emergency care, which means our Edinburgh emergency dentist will want to get to know you just as if you were one of our regular patients.

Here to help

Whether your emergency is something we can quickly resolve, or something that will require full cosmetic dentistry, you can relax in the knowledge that our emergency dentist is experienced in dealing with a wide range of dental emergencies. Whether your emergency is simple or complex, we will take the time to listen to your needs, and explain things to you, so that you fully understand what is going on as we help you resolve your emergency.

Pain is often a large part of a dental emergency. There is nothing quite as awful as dental pain, and we will do everything we can to ensure that you leave us pain-free at the end of your same-day appointment. If you come to us in agony caused by an abscess or infection, when you leave, you will no longer be suffering.

No one expects to have a dental emergency, and we often have little money put aside for such sudden expenses. We would never want anyone to suffer because they cannot afford emergency treatment, which is why at Polwarth Dental Clinic in Edinburgh, emergency dentistry appointments will cost you no more than £70.

To make an appointment with our emergency dentist in Edinburgh, give us a call.

Meet the man who will insert your dental implants

When it comes to a big investment in your dental health, you want to know that you are getting excellence in return for your money. If you live in or near Edinburgh, dental implants can be fitted for you by the man who has already inserted over 3,000 implants.

Meet Dr Willie Jack, the implant surgeon at Polwarth Dental Clinic. Willie qualified as a dentist in Edinburgh in 1983 and worked as a community paediatric dentist before setting up a dental practice in Wales. His implant work began in 1991, when he started restoring implants placed by other surgeons. He went on to do implant surgery and has now treated over 1,000 patients and been director of an implant company ensuring excellence of practice in over 50 dental clinics.

willie-jackWhat to expect

When you come to Willie for dental implants in Edinburgh, he will make a detailed examination of your mouth and jawbone. This may include a CT scan or x-rays to check that your jawbone is strong and healthy enough to receive dental implants. If for some reason it is not, you may well need to have a bone graft or a sinus lift before you can have dental implants in Edinburgh. Willie will also make sure you have no other oral health issues that need to be addressed before implant treatment can go ahead.

Willie will provide you with a written treatment plan, which will include the cost of treatment, for you to agree to before treatment starts. Once you are entirely happy with the proposed treatment, you can expect the process to last several weeks.

The first stage is oral surgery, under local anaesthetic, during which Willie will place one or implants into your jaw. If you are a nervous patient, you can have sedation as well as local anaesthetic.

Over the next few weeks, your jaws and gums will heal around the implant, with new bone tissue meshing with it to hold it as firmly in place as if it was a natural tooth. After this, you can come back to Willie to have your custom-made artificial tooth crowns fitted, either as single teeth, bridges, or entire sets of upper and lower jaw teeth.

Come to us right away if you have a tooth abscess

Tooth abscess. Those two words can strike terror into the hearts of dental patients. That’s because they hurt like hell, and can lead to you losing a tooth. Tooth loss seems very final, but is in fact just the start of complications that can lead to you having to curtail the way you live your life, what you eat, how you talk and how much you smile. That’s why, if you think you have a tooth abscess, it’s important that you get yourself to an emergency dentist in Edinburgh as quickly as possible.

If you come to Polwarth Dental Clinic our emergency dentist in Edinburgh guarantees to see you on the day you ring us.

Emergency Dentist in EdinburghWhat is an abscessed tooth?

A tooth abscess is a collection of pus. It can form inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. It is caused by bacterial infection, often coming from severe tooth decay. This is not the only cause. Others are a broken or chipped tooth, gingivitis or gum disease.

These problems can create openings in the tooth enamel, through which bacterial infection can enter and infect the centre of the tooth. The infection may also spread from the root to the bones supporting the tooth.

How do I know if I have a tooth abscess?

There are several symptoms to look out for. In fact, it’s hard to miss: severe, continuous toothache experienced as gnawing or throbbing pain, or sharp or shooting pain. Also fever, pain when chewing, sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold, a bitter taste in the mouth, foul smelling breath and swollen neck glands. You may also experience general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling; red and swollen gums, a swollen area on the upper or lower jaw and an open, draining sore on the side of the gum.

These are the kinds of symptoms that will drive you to see our Edinburgh emergency dentist. If the pain subsides, you should still come to see us. The infection may have killed off the tooth root. Just because you don’t hurt any more, doesn’t mean the infection has gone away. It could well still be active, spreading and destroying tissue.

Get to the root of your missing teeth problems

At Polwarth Dental Clinic, we know that replacing missing teeth isn’t simply a case of crowns, bridges and full or partial dentures. What goes on in the jawbone is just as important above it for most people who have lost one or more teeth.

The reason dental implants in Edinburgh can have such a dramatic and beneficial effect on patients is that implants replace the root as well as the missing tooth.

Missing Teeth in EdinburghHow do they work?

Implants are tiny titanium posts. Titanium is the material of choice for implants because of its unparalleled ability to encourage the growth of bone tissue and then to fuse with it. In Edinburgh, dental implants are placed into the jawbone during minor oral surgery, carried out under local anaesthetic. If you are especially anxious about oral surgery, you can choose to be sedated for this, so that you can fully relax during surgery.

Once we have inserted the implants, we need to wait several weeks while the jawbone heals, and new bone tissue and blood vessels grow around the implants to hold them securely in place. This creates a stable base that will be able to cope with the significant forces produced by biting and chewing.

In Edinburgh, dental implants at Polwarth Dental Clinic are fitted by Dr Willie Jack. Dr Jack has placed, restored and maintained in excess of 3,500 implants over 20 years.

How can they help?

They can be used when all the upper teeth are missing; to replace missing back teeth; to replace one missing lower tooth or side tooth; and even to replace every single tooth at once.

That’s the roots taken care of. What about the crowns? Because no one wants to look like their teeth are not their own, your new crowns are handcrafted in a specialist laboratory to match your surrounding natural teeth in size, shape and colour. If you are having all your teeth replaced, we can match your teeth from a good photograph of your smile, or impressions of your lost teeth.

Dental implants, if you look after them carefully, can last for the rest of your life, so they are well worth the investment.

Help, I’m having a dental emergency!

When dental emergencies occur, they can be can be extremely stressful and can cause a lot of discomfort. Broken or cracked teeth, dental abscesses or wisdom teeth pain can all be very painful and will normally get worse if left untreated.

emergency-dentist-edinburghYour emergency dentist in Edinburgh is here to help you. Polwarth Dental Clinic is available to assess and treat a wide range of dental emergencies. All our emergency patient’s will be seen on the same day, with a maximum fee of £70 to relieve you of any pain. Whenever it is appropriate, treatment will be provided immediately to repair the damage. With friendly and professional staff, experienced in the treatment of nervous patients, your emergency dentist in Edinburgh provides a safe and calm environment for you to receive the care and attention you need.

Toothaches

Severe toothache may not be life threatening but it can have a massive impact on your daily life. Traditional remedies, like clove oil and over-the-counter pain killers can offer temporary comfort, but a visit to your emergency dentist in Edinburgh is your first step towards lasting pain relief.

Many people are aware of the causes of toothache. Fizzy drinks and sugary foods are often the main suspects. Without regular cleaning, the bacteria in your mouth build-up a sticky layer around each tooth. Dentists call this plaque. Eventually, the acids produced by the sugar-loving bacteria eat away at your teeth. The pain of extreme toothache is felt when bacteria finally reach the soft pulp in the centre of the tooth.

Wisdom tooth pain is often the most extreme. Their large size and awkward position at the back of the mouth means that many of us may experience this sort of toothache at some time in our lives.

A tooth abscess is also a major cause of extreme toothache. They generally show up as a fiery swelling below the gum line. A rapid build-up of bacteria causes tooth abscesses. Occasionally, a tooth abscess will form in the tooth pulp or root. Damaged tooth pulp can often be removed with root canal treatment.

To avoid serious complications, make an appointment with your emergency dentist in Edinburgh as soon as you suspect that you may have any of the above conditions.