It’s no secret that we all sometimes get nervous when visiting our dental practice for treatment. Here, at Plowman and Partners Private Dentistry, we try our best to be non-invasive with our treatments, and understand that many of our patients may suffer anxiety at the thought of someone poking around in their mouth. With that in mind, here’s a few tips from us on how you can keep calm when you stop by our dentist in Marylebone.
Listen to music
One of our first tips for staying calm, when visiting our dentist in Marylebone, is to just listen to some of your favourite tunes. Having that familiar thumping track in your ears can distract you and calm you down when things are getting a little too much.
Although we do recommend that you try to avoid any loud electronic music, dubstep or heavy metal, as the fast tempo of their beats can get your heart rate skyrocketing. Try swapping this for some gentle or classical music, the lower the tempo the more calming it will be.
Communicate with our team
Perhaps the most important tip that we can provide is about the importance of communicating with our team, especially if you find that you’re struggling. Take a few minutes before your procedure to talk with our staff; not only will this help you feel more relaxed, but it gets everyone on the same page, to make the upcoming treatment experience a little smoother.
If your anxiety is getting the better of you, then a simple hand gesture will also suffice. The key is to be as communicative as you can; we can’t read your mind, so you have to let us know.
At Plowman and Partners Private Dentistry, our team will work with you to go at a pace that suits you. After all, we want you to have a calm, quick and professional experience with us.
Bring in a soft plush
Although it may seem kind of strange to bring in a plush to the practice, having something familiar and fluffy from home is a great way to stay calm during your treatment. We’re generally happy with anything you bring in, as long as it isn’t too large or will get in the way of us doing our job efficiently.
Practice calming breathing techniques
One of the biggest side-effects of feeling anxious, is that your system becomes flushed with Adrenaline. That’s why many nervous patients can experience shaking, sweating and a panicked feeling, because the Adrenal gland is working overtime to get you through a stressful situation.
To counteract this, we recommend you try meditative breathing techniques; these oversaturate your body with oxygen, which allows it to break down the Adrenaline much quicker. Just keep breathing slowly for a few minutes and you should eventually feel yourself start to calm back down.
So, if you’re feeling nervous about that upcoming appointment, or are just looking for a few stress-busting tips, then try keeping a few of these helpful hints in mind to make your next visit to the practice a relaxing one. Hopefully, they should help it become a calm experience, that will leave you with a fantastic looking smile.
Some of us do not have the time to undergo lengthy cosmetic dental treatments in order to obtain the smile that we desire. Should it be a major treatment, such as veneers or teeth straightening, then of course we take time out of our busy schedules to ensure that we are available to make these drastic changes to our smile.
For smaller treatments however, by being able to do the treatment at home yourself, there is a great advantage meaning you do not need to spend time in the practice unnecessarily.
Teeth whitening is a very popular and successful procedure. Many patients enjoy whitening their teeth before a special occasion or simply to make them feel more confident with their smile.
Your dentist in Marylebone is able to determine whether your smile is suitable for teeth whitening. We take a look at the condition of your teeth and determine the level of staining they each have. Staining can be from a number of things and some people’s teeth just tend to discolour much easier than others.
A trip to the hygienist may be recommended in order to obtain ideal results. Some discolouration can be due to a build-up of plaque and the harder-to-remove tartar. Only with specialised tools can we, your dentist in Marylebone remove these coatings and reveal the healthy white teeth underneath.
After a scale and polish, many of our patients find that their teeth appear to be brighter and whiter simply from this. By adding a teeth whitening treatment shortly after this procedure, the results can be astounding.
Teeth are stained by certain foods and drinks, smoking and other lifestyle habits. These stains can generally be removed with the use of a bleaching agent that is applied to the outer surface of your teeth. Other discolourations from dental procedures may not be able to be removed and a porcelain veneer may be offered by us to protect and cover up the tooth in question.
What happens if it is deemed OK for me to proceed?
Should we believe that we can make a significantly positive change to the colour of your teeth, then we will create a custom-made tray for you so that the bleaching agent is able to be applied to every surface of your teeth evenly.
You can choose whether you want to have the treatment done by us in the practice or you can take another version that is specifically designed for home use home with you. You can use the at home whitening kit overnight as it is a diluted version of the bleaching agent that we use in practice.
The effects are the same, it is just the amount of time that you can safely leave the whitening gel on your teeth that is the difference.
After you have completed your teeth whitening experience, we often suggest to our patients that you consider using a whitening toothpaste. The elements in the toothpaste consistently remove stains, allowing you to enjoy your pearly white smile for longer. Whatever you decide, come and speak to your dentist in Marylebone for the best advice.
We aim to provide you with an all round oral health care that leaves you with a healthy mouth that will stand the test of time, with you being confident and proud to share your smile.
For some people, this means a simple biannual check-up with a scale and polish to keep at bay any build-up of plaque and tartar that has not been able to be removed through standard at home oral hygiene methods. With the implementation of specialised tools that can only be found at a dentist in Marylebone these deposits can be removed efficiently.
Other people may have avoided us for several months or even years and as a result, some issues of the tooth and gum have slipped by unnoticed. This may mean that some restorative work is needed in order to maintain the health of a tooth. Even if your teeth are not causing you pain, you may find that decay is eating away at your teeth which can lead to many serious, detrimental effects.
We, your dentists in Marylebone will be able to identify any issues that you may have with the use of specialised and highly advanced technology that we have available at our practice. It has become common practice for us to use the latest in high magnification and lighting to be able to find even the smallest signs of decay within your teeth.
Digital scanners allow us to reduce the impact that X-rays have on your body, however slight they may be, as we understand that patients are concerned about radiation exposure and rightly so. Even with education regarding the impact of a dental X-ray showing it to be minimal, we still understand and so have welcomed technology advances that result in less exposure.
For those of you who are pregnant, it is very important that you come in to see us as hormones can play a big part in changing the integral structure of your teeth. Morning sickness can also contribute to enamel erosion and many women find that they develop pregnancy tumors in the second trimester which usually are found on the gums and are non threatening.
We take extra precautions taking X-rays on pregnant women, placing protective screens on your thyroid and abdomen. We are extremely sensitive to any dental fear and concern and do our absolute utmost to make you feel heard, understood and respected.
There is no judgement coming from any one of our staff members and we are simply here to ensure that you receive a level of care that is above and beyond. The health of your smile is important to us, it contributes to your overall health and well-being in ways that we don’t even know or understand yet.
We hope that you understand the importance of frequently visiting your dentist so that they can monitor any changes that occur within your mouth. By getting onto any conditions early, there is a much greater likelihood that we will be able to halt a condition in its tracks. This means that less restorative work is needed. Prevention is known to be the best cure and we wholeheartedly believe this as your dentists in Marylebone.
A lot of us are not entirely happy with how our smile looks. There may be a few unique kinks and curves that over the years you have told yourself that you love, but there is always that nagging self-conscious doubt that leads you to feel like people are judging you on your smile.
Unfortunately, first impressions are important and research continually suggests that bad teeth lead people to assume that you are less intelligent, less trustworthy and less attractive to your straight, white teeth counterparts. There is some evidence to say that someone with a healthy, straight and white smile may get the job over another person, should it come down to a 50/50 decision.
In order to improve your self-confidence as well as the potential unconscious respect of others, it is important that you look after your entire health and well-being. This can start with your mouth. Your dentist in Marylebone would be happy to meet you during an initial consultation to find out what your dental desires and potential concerns may be regarding a plan of action in restoring and repairing your smile to discover it’s natural beauty.
Your cosmetic dentist in Marylebone has the desire and natural talent to discover the true beauty that is within every person’s unique and natural smile. Rather than take this away, a truly talented professional will correct what needs to be corrected whilst enhancing your natural attributes.
You may wish to have uniform, picture perfect, white teeth and this is generally the case. Porcelain veneers are a brilliant way in allowing patients to have celebrity style teeth in a matter of just a few appointments.
These smile makeovers can be subtly altered to fit your unique style should you with them to be, with a magnitude of different looks achievable. By sitting down and speaking with one of us, we can explain to you the subtle nuances that make a smile look natural compared to one that does not.
Size, shape and colour are but a few of the small details that we pay close attention to. Should you want just one veneer, then it is even more important to ensure that this shell is matched very closely to your natural teeth in order for it to look natural and in place.
Are there other treatments that can be applied?
There are so many different treatments available for each and every one of our patients. We work to a bespoke system, creating treatment plans that are individually tailored to meet your specific and unique needs. This means that you could be receiving several different treatments in order to obtain the final, perfect result that you have been seeking.
From teeth whitening to teeth straightening and everything in between, we are here to hold your hand and guide you through every step of the way. We invite you to our dentist in Marylebone where sincerity, compassion and a non judgemental attitude is the foundation of our services. We are here to let you see the true positive energy that is within your smile.
Thanks to improvements in the way we look after your teeth there are now a lot of high-tech methods at our disposal to help you try to improve your smile. One such technique that we highly recommend at Plowman & Partners is the use of clear braces.
What are clear braces?
Although they may sound extremely technical, they are basically a small see-through brace that we fit to your mouth to help with crooked teeth. Then over time we swap them for one that fits a little differently around every 2 weeks and this should slowly realign your teeth to more aesthetically pleasing positions within your mouth.
The treatment process
Being fitted for one of these braces is a fairly simple and stress-free process. When you come in for your first appointment with a dentist in Marylebone, we will take a series of scans of your mouth. Then using these images, a 3D representation of your teeth will be created. Using this picture, we can manipulate misaligned teeth to show you what your smile will be like when we’re finished.
From there a brace will be made that will fit your mouth with a gentle amount of force still being applied to your teeth. Then over time your brace will change and your teeth should slowly start to move into their new positions.
What are the benefits?
There are numerous positives to be gained from this treatment by your dentist in Marylebone.
As an example, because the brace is clear you will be able to feel less self-conscious about wearing orthodontic gear out in public. The apparatus is also easy to clean and maintain. We recommend you use a small amount of brace cleaning solution mixed with water that’s then lightly scrubbed across the surface of the brace. You should clean it at least once every two days to remove bacterial build up and to help reduce staining of the brace.
The mouthpiece can also be removed if it’s starting to become too uncomfortable, although you should only do this for short periods. The brace needs to be in your mouth for a minimum of 22 hours a day, if you take it out for too long you could potentially damage the realignment process.
There’s also no leftover dental goop or gagging involved when you’re fitted for the brace as the process just involves lasers or LEDs to map out your teeth.
Post appointment tips
After leaving your dentist in Marylebone there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your realignment goes smoothly.
First, there is going to be some discomfort involved when wearing this apparatus as it is moving your teeth. Most patients have described feeling “pressure” in their mouth, but we recommend using over the counter pain relief to combat this whenever it gets too uncomfortable. And second, the treatment can take up to 12 months so you need to be patient and not remove the brace as it can impact your teeth’s progress.
Keeping a healthy smile can be difficult and over time things like cracks, staining and general wear and tear on the enamel occurs which makes maintaining that gorgeous grin harder.
However, through proper orthodontic treatments you can make your smile look a little brighter for a bit longer. One such treatment that you should consider are veneers, offered at our Plowman and Partners private dentist practice these are a good way to cover up staining or damage to your teeth.
Here’s a rough outline of what you can expect.
What are veneers?
For those that are not familiar with them, they are basically a small bit of porcelain that’s been matched in colour and shape to your teeth which is then placed over the area that’s being cosmetically corrected. Your dentist in Marylebone will normally offer this to cover the likes of chips, cracks and gaps. The cap is also custom moulded to blend in with your mouth and fixed with an adhesive to keep it in place.
Is the procedure painful?
The biggest concern patients have is if a procedure is going to cause any pain and rightly so, the mouth is a very sensitive part of the body. With veneers there is a chance you may feel a small amount of discomfort. This is normally when the dentist is removing a tiny part of enamel from your teeth to create a space for the porcelain cap.
How long does it take?
Another big question patients have is how long they’re going to be sitting in the chair at the practice. Luckily it’s not an overly long procedure and you should find that it takes around 30 minutes or so to have a cap fitted. Although, if there’s more than one area being altered it could take up to several hours. But, this is normally something your dentist in Marylebone will discuss with you first to make sure you have time for the treatment.
Benefits of veneers
For those that are still unsure, there are numerous benefits to having veneer treatments performed. The biggest of which is the self-confidence boost it provides by giving you those lovely pearly whites you deserve.
There’s also the fact that the caps are durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance, just brush them as you would the rest of your teeth. Although, be careful not to apply too much force with the brush as you could dislodge the cap. The same goes for flossing, avoid pulling too hard or deep as it could damage the veneer.
Being so easy to maintain means you won’t have to attend multiple appointments for a follow up on your progress. Although, you should still book a check-up every 6 months just to keep an eye on things or to see if you require further treatments.
Hopefully this has answered a few of your queries about veneers. There are a lot of benefits to having them, so ask your dentist in Marylebone about them on your next appointment.
Maintaining a good oral cleaning routine is by far one of the best ways to keep your teeth looking their best well into your twilight years. Some people still struggle with this and at Plowman & Partners we think you’re never too old to learn some hygiene tips, so here’s a couple of things you can try at home to look after your teeth.
Find a brushing routine
Perhaps one of the best things you can do is to try and figure out a brushing routine that works for you. Cleaning your teeth, a minimum of twice a day is definitely a must and it’s something your dentist in Marylebone will insist on, but you can also try a light cleaning after meals. This will help clear out any food debris and reduce the amount of plaque that could build up because of it.
The way you brush your teeth is also very important, try to cover each side evenly with the same amount of force and time spent on it. Also, be very careful about how you brush as pressing too hard can wear down the protective enamel. Don’t forget to also regularly clean your toothbrushes as well as bacteria can build up over time.
Finally, giving your tongue a good scrape will also benefit you in the long run as it clears out any germs might remain even after brushing.
Try an electric toothbrush
Manual brushing is still beneficial to you, but it can’t quite beat the deep reaching clean feeling of vibrating bristles. Electric brushes are great for getting into those hard to reach places thanks to its sonic technology that disrupts and loosens any plaque.
If you’re unsure what type, you should be using then ask your dentist in Marylebone to point you in the right direction.
Introduce flossing
Although the kids that play Fortnite might be familiar with this, most patients still are reluctant to floss their teeth. Using dental floss is a great way to get any plaque and food debris that’s stuck in your teeth that brushing won’t remove.
However, if you do plan on using it just don’t go too deep or vigorous. You may accidently damage the gumline or cause teeth to become loose. Just use light strokes if you can and avoid pulling it too hard against your mouth.
Try mouthwash
Like flossing, mouthwash is perfect for reaching those places you can’t brush. As the television adverts often show you, it’s good for breaking down food debris and leaving a lasting protection against plaque afterwards. There are numerous brands out there that you can choose from, ask your dentist for any recommendations but try to avoid any solution that’s too strong as you could damage your teeth.
So, if you’re looking to improve your oral hygiene routine, then keep a few of these helpful little dental tips from your dentist in Marylebone in mind to make sure your smile looks its best for as long as possible.
At Plowman & Partners, we want to offer the best possible service we can. This means that we aim to be as transparent and as detailed as possible during all our treatments, so you know exactly what to expect. After a consultation with one of our dentists, we will be able to recommend exactly what treatment is best for you moving forward, and also potentially discover any dental issues you may have. If you are searching for a dentist in Marylebone, then we will be able to provide you with a range of dental services using some of the latest dental technology.
I have missing teeth, what are my options?
Depending on the severity of your tooth loss, and the extent of the damage to your mouth, we would be able to provide a series of options. The first option would be a crown, which would work by sitting over the damaged tooth to cover and protect it. For a more aesthetically pleasing approach, and for damage to front teeth, veneers would be a viable option. Veneers can provide a strong replacement for the surface of the enamel of a chipped or worn tooth. A benefit of veneers, is not only the strength of the porcelain, but the aesthetic appeal too. Another option for missing teeth would be dentures or a bridge, in order to replace several teeth at once.
Dental Implants
One option to replace missing teeth, and perhaps the most effective, would be a dental implant. Dental implants work by removing the unwanted or destroyed tooth and replacing it with a prosthetic tooth. However, it differs to dentures or bridges in that the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone via a titanium screw which the bone then grows around. This means that the implant will, if administered correctly, be a solution for life. The prosthetic tooth may need to be replaced on top of the implant due to erosion, but this can be quickly and relatively cheaply done. If you are after a dentist in Marylebone that has the experience and qualifications to carry out such a procedure, then Plowman & Partners has the facilities and dentists to do so. Dental implants, while effective are an extremely complicated process, and require a great deal of experience to carry out.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants provide an extremely sturdy foundation to a prosthetic tooth, and once the treatment is complete, the implant will last for life. As the implant is inserted all the way into the bone, the bone will begin to grow around the screw, meaning the false tooth is secured tightly in place. This is also useful for providing an anchor to bridges. Where a crown may be used to hold a bridge in place, but may become worn or come loose, an implant will hold a bridge firmly in place due to its rigidity in the jawbone. If you are in need of a dentist in Marylebone to administer this kind of treatment, then do not hesitate to contact us, or book a consultation via our website.
Our practice was established in 1922 and remains, still to this day, in the original Grade II listed building. We are situated right in the heart of London’s main medical district on Queen Anne Street, (just a short distance from John Lewis in Oxford Street). While we have a rich history to our practice and enjoy the traditional nature of a London dental practice, we employ some of the most technologically advanced treatments, and strive to maintain the highest and most modern standard of dental treatment.
Our team
If you are looking for a dentist in Marylebone, then Plowman & Partners can provide an excellent dental service. Every dentist at our practice has undergone specialist postgraduate training and has each specialised in an individual sector. This means that depending on your treatment with us, you will be assigned a dentist who is extremely experienced at what they do and will be able to assess and treat any problem in their field.
Our treatments
Depending on why you need a dentist in Marylebone, we will be able to determine the root of your issue after a quick consultation. Afterwards, we will be able to assign you to the most suitable dentist at our practice. We offer everything from general dentistry to maintain your oral health, to cosmetic dentistry, where we will be able to assess and improve on the appearance of your smile.
Emergency Dental Care
If you need emergency dental care, and want to see a dentist in Marylebone immediately, then we will be able to assist. The emergency can be anything from broken or damaged teeth, or a sudden onset of pain or discomfort. We understand how distressing dental pain can be, and also how traumatic it is losing teeth, so therefore will always understand the urgency of the situation. Please call us and we will try our very best to book you in for a consultation on the same day as your call.
Referring dentists
Plowman & Partners is unusual in the areas of specialisation its dentists are expert. For this very reason, we serve as a partner to many other practices, who may need to provide treatment that they are not qualified for. We want to approach our referrals with a strictly ethical approach, and be as transparent as possible with our process.
Dentist and patient relationship
It is our responsibility at Plowman & Partners, to provide the best possible patient service that we can, which means establishing a strong relationship with our patients. Firstly, we will always conduct a consultation, and only ever carry out any form of treatment after a series of in-depth discussions. We do not want you to be kept in the dark about anything, or be negatively surprised by any results that we deliver. It is our goal to provide a clear and professional service to our patients, so that they can feel comfortable and confident about their treatment.
If you are looking for a dentist in Marylebone, then Plowman & Partners has a range of treatments to choose from. We want to provide the best patient service possible and are keen to build strong relationships with all of our patients, to ensure that they receive the best possible service. Our practice has been around since 1922, giving it a traditional feel, but we have ensured that our technology couldn’t be more modern.
Cosmetic Dentistry
All dentistry has a strong link to appearance and treatments are not always simply to reduce pain or discomfort. An attractive smile can be of huge benefit to a person’s self-confidence, and subsequently improves their outlook on life. If you need a cosmetic dentist in Marylebone, then this is a service that we can offer. After a consultation with you, we will be able to advise you on what we think would be the best approach to achieving your perfect smile.
What we offer
At Plowman & Partners, we offer a variety of cosmetic options that each have a different benefit and effect on your teeth. We approach cosmetic dentistry with the same level of professionalism and delicacy as all our work, as we understand how important a smile can be in a person’s life.
Dental Hygiene
It is one of our key beliefs, that prevention is far better than cure, and we greatly prefer to prevent an issue, rather than to treat it. Dental hygiene is one of the most important factors in cosmetic dentistry, as it can help to prevent issues such as gum disease, or staining and discolouration. At Plowman & Partners, we would be more than happy to advise on such issues and it is part of our preventative dentistry programme to provide knowledge of dental hygiene to all our patients. Poor dental hygiene can also cause tooth loss long term, so we take dental hygiene extremely seriously, and are more than happy to assist in any way that we can.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a common procedure which lightens the teeth, in order to achieve a brighter looking smile. Teeth whitening is something that can be done at home, but we advise that a professional should administer the treatment, due to the risks of staining the gums, or applying too much colour to the teeth. If you need a dentist in Marylebone to whiten your teeth, then this is a service that Plowman & Partner will provide. However, we do also offer a home treatment, but will issue a set of strict instructions to ensure that you administer the treatment effectively.
Veneers
Sometimes, the quickest and most effective option for achieving a fantastic smile, is with a set of porcelain veneers. Veneers will provide an affordable, and efficient way to achieve whiter teeth that will last. The veneers are attached to the front of the enamel, after a small amount has been drilled away to aid the adhesion. They will also protect the enamel in the process, meaning that the veneers will also greatly benefit your oral health at the same time.