Committed to perfection
Our dedicated dentist in Marleybone here at Plowman & Partners strives to provide our patients with a bespoke dental service that is of the highest standards possible. Every new patient we treat here at Plowman & Partners has a unique and individual treatment plan constructed for them, which is not made to universally fit all patients, but designed to fit them and them alone.
We are a dentist in Marylebone who makes it our duty to listen to the needs of each of our patients and do all that we can with our extensive dental and orthodontic powers to meet and surpass their needs.
Getting cosmetically clued in
Over the last few years, here at Plowman & Partners, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of new patients who are turning to our dentist in Marylebone to help them solve a cosmetic concern or problem that they may have with their smiles. Nothing makes us happier than to witness first hand the positive impact that certain cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental implants, can have on the lives, happiness and self-confidence of the patients who seek out the treatment.
Anyone who feels that there is an aspect (or aspects) of their smile that could be enhanced by a cosmetic dentistry specialist, should contact us here at Plowman & Partners and arrange for a non-obligation, friendly consultation. Consultations often mark the beginning of a patient’s treatment journey towards a better smile, as it lets them get comfortable with our practice and our practitioners.
Speaking to a cosmetic dentistry specialist here at Plowman & Partners allows the patient to have all the answers to the questions they might have about a specific cosmetic dentistry solution – such as porcelain veneers – or just about cosmetic dentistry altogether. By furthering their awareness of the number of procedures that are available to them, the patient can form a unique treatment plan with the practitioner they feel the most comfortable with.
What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers are a widely popular form of cosmetic dentistry that has been made famous by the smiles of cinema stars, celebrities and media personalities across the globe. The reason for veneer’s success and popularity is because of the procedure’s ability to practically reform and reshape a patient’s smile and effectively give them a whole new smile.
Veneers are a popular way of addressing more than one dental issue, such as minor misalignments, stained/discoloured teeth, or chipped/broken teeth. In essence, veneers are wafer-thin shell-like structures made of porcelain, which are bonded to the front and back of the patient’s existing teeth.
Patients who seek veneer treatments often do so as it is a semi-permanent way of solving a number of cosmetic concerns they may have with their smile and massively improving their self-esteem. The procedure of creating unique dental veneers, and bonding them to the patient’s existing teeth is one which typically begins with a consultation and assessment here at Plowman & Partners, before the constitution of a patient’s veneer set can begin. Provided that there are no obvious obstacles preventing the patients from carrying out treatment, then they will begin their tailored, bespoke dental experience here at Plowman & Partners.
First rate service
At Plowman & Partners, we are not happy until each of our patients are happy with the services we provide them. We are a private dentist in Marelybone who provides an entire range of procedures – both general and cosmetic – each of which is tailored around the wants and requirements that each of our patients seek from us.
We are a dentist in Marelybone who believes that everything we do ought to be done to the highest possible level of excellence and care, and this is reflected in the unique and individually bespoke approach that we take towards each case we are presented with.
Every set of teeth is different, and requires a unique solution to each problem. Adults who are looking into a provider of discreet dental orthodontic aligners in the Marylebone area, can rest assured that they will receive the best possible degree of care from us here at Plowman & Partners.
Cosmetic orthodontics
One of the most popular branches of service which we, as a dentist in Marylebone, offer our patients is our cosmetic dentistry procedures. These cover a whole range of cosmetic issues and concerns which patients commonly have, including teeth that are discoloured or yellow, chipped or crooked, or poorly aligned. We treat each case, here at Plowman & Partners, with the utmost discretion and respect, and ensure that patients are made fully aware of the numerous options available to them, prior to beginning any type of treatment.
One of our most popular cosmetic treatments in recent years, which continues to steadily rise in popularity, is cosmetic orthodontic aligners. These aim to correct misalignment and crowdedness within a patient’s jaw. The main difference from discreet orthodontics such as Invisalign, from conventional orthodontics is that the cosmetic alternative is usually designed to be far less visible than traditional, fused braces.
What is Invisalign?
The Invisalign retainer method is a cosmetic alternative to more traditional braces and means of correcting crooked teeth. Rather than operate through fused brackets being attached to a patient’s teeth and connected via a metal wire, the Invisalign system consists entirely of a removable dental retainer. This retainer uses built-in pressure points inside its structure to apply pressure to the specific teeth which are required to be moved.
Each instance of this method of cosmetic dentistry is entirely unique, as each Invisalign retainer is formed from an impression of each patient’s tooth shape. In doing so, the retainers fit perfectly over the patient’s teeth, as the materials used are both transparent and wafer-thin. When it is worn it almost completely disappears from view.
Another massive attraction to the Invisalign method – particularly for teenagers and young professionals, is the removable nature of the system. Conventional orthodontic braces typically have to be fused to the patient’s teeth for the entirety of their treatment. Invisalign retainer however, can be taken out of the patient’s mouths whenever they wish. The freedom to tailor when patients carry out treatment around their own schedules is something that has enticed many patients to seek Invisalign.
What are veneers exactly?
In dentistry, veneers are a type of treatment which consist of a layer of solid material fitted over the tooth. Veneers can have numerous benefits: other than just improving the appearance of one’s smile, they are capable of protecting the surface of an eroded tooth from further damage.
Various types of veneers exist, and the main difference between them is the material they were made from. This determines the average lifespan of the veneer, and other important properties such as the veneer’s durability and damage resistance. If you have considered getting veneers, feel free to book a consultation appointment at our dentist in Marylebone to find out whether veneers are right for you, and to find out which type of veneer would be the most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
The history of veneers
Veneers are a relatively recent advance of dentistry, compared to other treatments. They were invented by a dentist from California in the late 1920s. At this time veneers were not used for a medicinal purpose, but rather an aesthetic one: they were used to alter actors’ smiles temporarily, prior to filming. Later, Charles Pincus, the inventor of veneers, developed a more advanced version: the veneers were made out of acrylic, and were stuck on his patients’ teeth by dental adhesives that were developed around the time. Another major milestone in the development of veneers was the invention of etching in the 1950s by Dr. Michael Buonocore. This allowed the bonding of porcelain veneers directly to the enamel. Further research in the 1980s has revealed that by etching porcelain veneers with hydrofluoric acid, increased bond strengths can be achieved.
What are the indications and contraindications of veneers?
It is crucial to know what conditions are veneers a suitable treatment for. These include for example tooth discolouration and staining, tooth deformation due to erosion, tooth malposition, fractures of the enamel due to injury, or loss of the enamel due to erosion. Veneers might be the right option if you have any of the aforementioned conditions. But when are they not recommended? Getting veneers might not be the best option if you have insufficient amounts of your enamel remaining to bind the veneer. If you have large gaps between your teeth (interdental spacing), tooth decay that has progressed significantly, harmful involuntary habits such as bruxism (teeth grinding at night), or moderate or severe orthodontic issues such as crowding, veneers may not be recommended for you. Book a consultation appointment at our dentist in Marylebone to find out whether veneers would be good for you.
What types of veneers exist?
As it has been mentioned before, the lifespan, durability, appearance and damage resistance of veneers depends on the type of the material they are made out of. The two main types of veneers in use today are composite and porcelain veneers. They both have their own advantages and disadvantages, however generally porcelain veneers last longer, and are less prone to discolouration. Composite veneers are less expensive and easier to repair, but are less durable compared to porcelain veneers.
When it comes to dental health, many people think that the focus only has to be on the maintenance of the health and hygiene of the teeth only. However, gum health is just as important as the health of teeth, if not more. The gums, also known as gingiva, is the soft and hard tissue located in the oral cavity in which the teeth sit. As gum disease is often painless, a lot of patients do not notice it until it produces severe symptoms. Healthy gums are characterised by a healthy looking, pink colour and hard texture. There are a number of symptoms you should look out for that may be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease can affect anyone; however, its risk is greatly reducible by practicing good oral hygiene and some other habits which will be detailed below. If you suspect you have some form of gum disease, book a consultation appointment with our dentist in Marylebone.
How does gum disease work and what are the symptoms to look out for?
The pathogenesis of gum disease has become quite clear with the advancements of modern medicine and immunology. Gum disease usually starts when plaque starts to grow and accumulate right on the gumline and under the gums, stuck on the surface of the teeth. Dental plaque is a bacterial mass that grows inside the mouth. It is a result of the accumulation and overgrowth of certain bacterial species; which naturally inhabit the mouth and form the microflora of the oral cavity. These bacteria at low levels are not pathogenic, however their main nutrient is sugar, which is very frequent in the modern western diet. The sugar rich environment of the mouth provides a perfect niche for these species, which can result in their proliferation and overgrowth, which visibly manifests as dental plaques. The bacteria of the dental plaques can infect the tissue of the gum, to which the immune system responds with inflammation. During inflammation, the capillary blood vessels of the gum become more dilated, which increases the tissues blood perfusion in order to allow more white blood cells to be present at the area of the infection. This results in the gingiva becoming red, painful and swollen, and it may bleed more easily during regular processes, such as brushing teeth or eating. The inflammation of the gum is called gingivitis, which is a condition that is reversible at this stage. If left untreated, it can result in periodontitis, which is a much more serious condition, resulting in the degradation of the bones and tissues holding the teeth in place. This can result in tooth loss.
How to keep your gum healthy
The most important thing when it comes to the maintenance of gum health is regularly taking care of oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth at twice a day, or after each meal you have. Brushing the tongue and the gumline with a soft toothbrush is also important, as these can be perfect places for bacteria to grow. Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride and minerals may be helpful to maintain the health of your gum. You may also consider booking an appointment at our dentist in Marylebone.
If you have experienced tooth loss, visit our dentist in Marylebone to find out about possible treatments.
What can cause tooth loss?
Tooth loss is a condition that affects a surprisingly large amount of people. The consequences are serious, and can get even more serious if tooth loss is left without treatment. The consequences are not just limited to the impairment in one’s smile’s appearance: tooth loss can cause speaking difficulties, it can make chewing and eating more painful and challenging than it should be, and if left without treatment, the time dependent progressive degradation of the gingiva, the jawbone and the surrounding tissues can occur, which may prevent dental implantations from being successful. But what can cause tooth loss?
One of the most obvious reasons is dental injury. Certain occupations, sports, or leisure activities might increase the chance of dental injuries. Dental injuries may affect only a small part of the tooth, and cause the chipping of the enamel, or in more severe cases the dentin as well. However, dental injuries can also result in the loss of a tooth, or even multiple teeth. In these cases, the reimplantation of the original tooth might be possible, however it depends on the amount of time the tooth has spent outside of the mouth. Another major cause of tooth loss is tooth decay.
Tooth decay is most prevalent in Western societies, where the dietary intake of simple sugars exceeds that of other parts of the world. The reason for this is the following: the mouth contains a number of commensal bacterial species, which naturally occur in everyone’s oral cavity as part of the healthy microflora, just like gut bacteria! These species’ main nutrients are simple sugars, and as an end product of their metabolism they excrete organic acids.
These organic acids are capable of dissolving the tooth’s mineral content, however this is not a problem normally, as the saliva replenishes the mineral content. The issues start to occur when the dietary intake of simple sugars exceeds a healthy amount, and the organic acids dissolve the teeth’s mineral content at a faster rate than the saliva replenishes it. This can result in tooth decay. When tooth decay progresses through the enamel and the dentin and reaches the pulp tissue, it can result in tooth loss.
What type of treatments are available for tooth loss?
Tooth loss can be devastating, and it can result in multiple complications and inconveniences if left untreated, therefore it is important to start getting treatment on it as soon as possible. If you have been through tooth loss, do not hesitate to contact our dentist in Marylebone and book a consultation appointment to evaluate your personal circumstances. Usually there is no reason to worry, as modern technology has allowed the development of titanium implants. These implants are inserted into the jawbone, and behave like natural teeth would, thus integrate into the bone through a process called osseointegration, which equips titanium implants with improved strength, durability and a long lifespan, if successfully implanted. It is important however, to evaluate whether dental implants are right for you, as in the case of certain conditions, such as gingiva issues, dental implants are contraindicated.
Dental check-ups should not be seen as just a check-up. This is a golden opportunity to learn about how to ensure optimal dental health from a medical professional with the relevant knowledge to impart. A patient may want to get in and out of the dental chair as quickly as possible and fail to capitalise on the useful information in the form of techniques and recommendations a Dentist in Marylebone can provide. Being well-informed and relying on quality care from a trusted Dentist in Marylebone is two of the best defences against a myriad of dental problems.
For patients who would rather do anything else than sit in the dental chair, it is even more important that they do all they can to take good care of their dental health, and prevent problems that can be prevented. Patients can do more than just hope for the best; they can take control of their oral health by being proactive.
Maximise a dental visit with these tips
1. Notice a problem while cleaning teeth? Write it down
Failure to write down all the problems one experiences during an oral hygiene routine and presenting the list to a Dentist in Marylebone may mean a patient forgetting to mention it during the check-up. With so many things on a patient’s mind, it is easy to forget things in the moment. Bleeding gums is a definite sign of concern and should not be brushed away as insignificant.
2. Update the dentist on your current physical health
The mouth is not a separate entity to the rest of the body and any medical condition present elsewhere on a patient, especially a patient on certain pharmaceutical drugs, can influence dental health. In return, poor dental health can worsen medical conditions. A dental practitioner will need to have a holistic picture of a patient’s overall health to diagnose the problem accurately, and find the best treatments for each patient.
3. Don’t suffer in silence
Dental techniques have moved forward in leaps and bounds and there is much a dentist can do to alleviate patient pain and discomfort. There are anxiety-relieving techniques that don’t involve sedation. Although for patients with intense anxiety issues, sedation dentistry may be the best course to get the dental care one needs. We always advise our patients to indicate that they are experiencing pain during a procedure so that our dental practitioner can provide some relief.
4. Set up appointments on a regular basis
This may sound counterproductive to a patient who wants to see less of their dentist but keeping on top of potential problems, which can only be done through routine check-ups, is the sure-fire way to stopping minor dental issues in their tracks. The advantage is that any preventive care treatments would be relatively simple in nature as they had been caught early.
For professional dental care, schedule a check-up with one of our dentists at Plowman & Partners. Providing a service with a smile is a cornerstone of our dental clinic.
It is a sad truth that not all dental clinics offer the same quality of dental care, or perform to the high standards expected by patients. This concern brings into focus the ideal characteristics that every dental practitioner should strive to showcase.
Finding a good Dentist in Marylebone for the best dental care possible is the result of a careful selection process that requires time and effort. The payoffs include having a Dentist in Marylebone who will work in the best interests of the patient. Your chosen dental practitioner should offer a quality patient experience on every visit. If not, then it may be time to find a new Dentist in Marylebone.
Factors that determine a good dentist
- There is evidence of patient involvement
It is surprising how often a patient is overlooked as an integral part of the dental treatment process. This can make a patient feel like an outsider in what should be an inclusive process. By including a patient in deciding which treatment to opt for and by providing the patient with all the relevant information that allows them to make an informed decision, a dentist empowers and motivates the patient to look after their dental health.
- Incorporates dental innovations to improve treatments
The end goal of dental technologies is to improve dental care for patients, which is why it is always a good sign when a dental clinic has invested in the latest available equipment designed to make dental treatments and procedures more effective and efficient.
- Interpersonal skills
Dentistry centres on patient care, and interpersonal skills are critical. How does a dentist relate to their patients? Is it in a warm and compassionate manner? Or cold and indifferent? How a patient is treated will colour their experience of the dental visit and they may avoid further treatments due to the unpleasantness experienced.
- The ability of the dentist to explain complex matters clearly
Taking the time to explain the dental issue in an easily understood way is what a good dentist will do. This will also serve a secondary function that assures the patient that the dental practitioner is highly knowledgeable about the condition in question.
- Quality of dental care is linked to experience
It is commonly found that the more experience a dentist has in providing dental care, the better the quality of care a patient can expect.
Good manual dexterity is also one of the core basic skills of a dental practitioner.
- The ability to think out of the box
Not all dental problems will have clear cut solutions. There are times when the complexities of a patient’s case will demand unconventional thinking on the part of the dentist.
Not just any dentist will do for the maintenance of the dental health of you and your loved ones. Let our well-trained dental team at Plowman & Partners provide you with quality dental care.
A possibility we would like our patients to consider is that a visit to our Dentist in Marylebone can be a pleasant experience. A large part of the experience lies within the control of the patient. Fear (due to a variety of reasons) is often cited to be the main cause of patients avoiding seeking dental care. But one thing remains certain, the more a patient avoids visiting a Dentist in Marylebone for a simple check-up or cleaning procedure, the greater the likelihood that the patient will need complex dental care at some point in the future. Root canal treatments, for example, are easily prevented by having a Dentist in Marylebone conduct regular oral check-ups.
In addition to preventing tooth decay, there are many other reasons not to skip that dental visit. Here’s a look at some of the most pertinent reasons to think twice about having one’s oral health checked by a trained dentist.
4 Reasons to keep that dental appointment
- Get treatment for gum disease
The early signs of gum disease can be so subtle that the patient may not even be aware that there is a problem to be concerned about. Gum disease is a very treatable condition provided it is treated in its early stages, routine check-ups help enormously in keeping an eye on developing gum problems. Gum disease has a notorious reputation for escalating to a more serious condition if left untreated, with the ultimate consequence being tooth loss.
- Brushing with a toothbrush is only a start
Even with the most thorough brushing techniques, home oral care is not enough to keep a mouth scrupulously clean. The specialised tools, equipment and professional-grade products available at dental clinics, together with the professional training a dentist receives, are the most reliable ways to ensure the elimination of damage causing plaque and tartar.
- Be screened for dental diseases
A dental exam does not only serve the purpose of checking how healthy teeth and gums are. An appointment is also used to determine whether a patient shows symptoms of dental diseases such as oral cancers which stand a good chance of being treated if treatment is implemented early.
- Dental problems do not disappear on their own
It is surprising how common this approach is. There is no basis that this will work yet many patients choose to will their poor dental health away, or let it go ignored and untreated. This only works to make the minor situation worse, and there will come a time when a patient will be forced to treat a major problem.
With so many different online platforms making information easily accessible to patients, some of them publishing misconceptions about dental issues, a patient may receive information that is not wholly accurate or reliable. A professionally trained and registered dentist is best placed to diagnose problems, and offer reliable treatments accordingly.
Enjoy great dental health for life. Let our experienced dental team at Plowman & Partners take care of all your dental needs. Set up an appointment today by speaking to one of our front office team.
When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, the way in which you brush them can play a big part. Knowing the right way to brush your teeth may seem pretty obvious, but there are lots of simple changes you can make to your routine that can make quite a positive difference in the long run.
Here are just a few helpful tips and simple changes that you can make to your brushing routine from our dentist in Marylebone, that will help you take care of your teeth and gums.
Use the right kind of brush
Having the right kind of brush can make quite a big difference to how clean your teeth are kept. Toothbrushes come in a mind meltingly array of different types, sizes and bristle types, so finding one that works for you can seem a little overwhelming. Having the wrong brush could mean you end up missing plaque and bacteria that could later go on to cause all sorts of oral health problems.
Although hard bristles may seem like the right choice, generally you should aim for soft bristles as they’re flexible and can reach into those tricky to hit places between your teeth. If you’re unsure where to begin then at Plowman & Partners our talented team of expert dental advisors can provide you with a wealth of information on correct brushing techniques, as well as what brush will better suit your needs.
Brush your teeth regularly
Perhaps the most vital piece of information our dentist in Marylebone could provide you with is to just brush as often as you can. Ideally you should be giving your teeth a good once over at least once or twice a day, preferably in the morning and then again at night before bed, to ensure that there are no food particles left in your teeth overnight.
To maximise your cleaning potential you could also fit in a brief light scrubbing after every snack, to make sure there are no bits of food sitting in your teeth throughout the day, gathering plaque and bacteria.
Clean each area thoroughly
As you brush your teeth you should pay attention to each part of your mouth. Make sure that each ‘sector’ gets a good scrub for an equal amount of time, as an uneven brush might mean that one side of your mouth might be more prone to decay and inflammation than the other.
Replace your brush often
Over time the bristles in your brush can start to become frayed, loose and worn out, so make sure you’re swapping it with a replacement at least once every four to six months. Keeping fresh bristles in your brush, whether it’s with a replacement head for an electric one, or a whole new manual toothbrush, will ensure that a high quality of cleaning is kept up.
These are just a few tips to help you improve your brushing skills and keep those teeth and gums looking healthy and clean as you get older. For further advice on how you can change your teeth cleaning habits, just get in touch with our team for a chat.
When it comes to brushing your teeth and keeping up a good oral health routine a manual brush is a good place to start. Most of us will have been taught to brush our teeth with an ordinary plastic toothbrush that we still use as adults.
They do a great job at cleaning out bacteria, plaque and food debris from your teeth, but in some situations your dentist in Marylebone may recommend that you swap it for an electric replacement. Here are a few reasons why our team would advise you to bring in a battery powered alternative for keeping your teeth clean.
Recurring disease or infections
The most common situation where our dentist in Marylebone would recommend an electric brush is if there’s a recurring infection or signs of gum disease. In most cases it could be that your oral health routine isn’t as thorough as it should be with a manual brush, so an electric replacement might be suggested to help you clean out your teeth a little better.
Over time this could help to reduce and even prevent further cases of disease and infection from setting in.
It can provide a deeper clean
When you brush your teeth normally with a manual brush there are going to be parts of your mouth that you naturally miss or struggle to get the brush in between. With a battery powered toothbrush their vibrating bristles and sonic technology can provide a deep reaching clean that can clear out those tricky hidden bits in your gum line.
At Plowman & Partners our talented team provides our patients with a vast array of knowledge and advice on how to improve their brushing techniques, as well as recommendations on how to keep their teeth and gums looking stronger for longer.
Easier to remove stubborn pockets of plaque
When food debris and plaque get wedged between your teeth it can often be difficult to remove it with normal brushing, as it may require a little ‘elbow grease’ when you move the brush around. The constant vibrating heads of an electric brush at a high setting can strip out this plaque with less effort involved before it solidifies and becomes tartar, something that only your dentist will be able to remove with specialised tools.
Less physically demanding alternative for young or elderly patients
The act of brushing your teeth may not seem like an overly exhaustive process, but for our elderly or young patients it can be quite physically demanding. Having to hold your arm in specific positions for long periods of time, as well as all that repetitive movement can cause aches and pains for particular patients. So, to ease off the strain our team may recommend an electric brush for these patients to make the act of brushing your teeth a little less tiring.
These are just a few examples of why one of our team would recommend you use an electric brush. For further information about how you can improve your oral healthcare routine with a battery powered toothbrush, just get in touch with our team for a chat.