Private Dentist Vs NHS

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To gain access to NHS dental care the majority of our patients will make a contribution to their treatment. There is a common misconception that private dental treatment is inhibitability expensive. This, however, isn’t necessarily true. Yes, there is a modest difference between the treatment costs as delivered by the NHS and private practices, but the range of services provided by a private dental practice is also vastly diverse. A long-standing debate about the quality of dental treatments has been made between these two dental sectors.

The differences between the NHS and private practices may not always be clear-cut, but there are some key differences that may persuade you to prefer one over the other.

Private Dentists offer a variety of treatment options

The NHS offers a range of core dental treatment options such as fillings and crowns, to bridges and dentures. All treatments provided by the NHS dental care system operates under three price brackets. However, the dentists working under the NHS are restricted by NHS regulations to provide only certain dental treatments to the patients. One of the dental treatments that a dentist is limited by when working within the NHS is providing fillings.

Under the NHS, fillings used for restorative purposes may only be available in a silver material unless the filling is in a front tooth. The only exceptions to this are in pregnant patients, under 19 year olds and when a white filling is essential to provide normal function. This may often be a conflict of interest for the patient because those who would like a white filling may need to pay extra to have them placed or perhaps decide not to get them. Private practices operate with great care to respect the patient’s wishes and this includes their desired aesthetics. White fillings are readily available to the patients as part of their treatment options which are discussed at their consultation or examination.

More choice for cosmetic dentistry

The NHS functions with stringent regard for the functional aspect of dental restorations. Any dental treatment that is considered to be purely aesthetic will not be covered by the NHS. This includes white fillings and crowns which do not qualify under the inclusion criteria set by the NHS guidelines. NHS dental treatments do not cater to the importance of aesthetics and are purely functional-based. Due to this reason, you may only be offered a silver or amalgam filling within your NHS treatment even considering your preference for a tooth coloured filling.

Dental practices working within the private sector make sure that not only your functional needs but also your aesthetic wishes are considered. You will be able to receive tooth-coloured white fillings, also known as composite fillings, that are cosmetically superior to amalgam fillings as they look more natural. A shade guide will be used to help achieve the colour of the restorative filling or crown that is closest to your original teeth. This incorporation of aesthetics into dental treatment ensures that every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs. Vitality Dental Care understands that the cosmetic proportions of a tooth are just as important as the functional abilities and we make sure to deliver the best aesthetic and functional results for our patients.

Equipment, materials, and technology

The way the UDA system works is controvertial. Dentists under the NHS get paid the same amount for a simple single filling as if they were performing multiple fillings. The NHS budget is tight, which means that they make use of better value dental materials, such as silver fillings instead of white fillings and have less access to advanced technologies and equipment to complete their job. The NHS will maintain your dental health and restore function but providing the most aesthetic or cosmetically pleasing result is not a priority or a requirement.

Private dentists are able to offer the latest in dental technology and use the most advanced dental materials. White fillings, which cost a little more, also support a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Vitality Dental Care strives to offer the best dental treatments with the best dental materials and giving our dentists the time to do their best work. Our dental materials are always of premium quality that give brilliant results.

Focus on preventive care

During your appointments at Vitality Dental Care your dentist will have more time to spend discussing how to prevent any problems. We strongly believe in prevention rather than cure, so any advice we can give you regarding how your cleaning or diet, for example, could improve your dental health, will be given and explained.

Private dentistry does cost a little more, but also helps ensure that you get the best treatment possible. Vitality Dental Care assures you that you get what you have paid for! More time, access to advanced fillings, hightened consideration for aesthetics, and slots for priority appointments, we guarantee you a brilliant tooth filling and a healthier mouth!

Dental Implants in Northallerton

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Losing a tooth is never nice whatever age you are. The older you get the more likely you are to be missing a tooth or two, if so statistics suggest that you may be a part of a majority of people in the UK. Almost three-quarters of Brits are without their full set of natural teeth, and 6% have none left at all. We have come to know that a significant number of the people living with missing teeth, wear dentures. Although dentures are an affordable way to replace lost teeth, they can be difficult to wear. Although some people get on really well with dentures, some patients find even the most accurate dentures at best a chore to wear, or at worst it can have really negative effects on their self-esteem and confidence. This can be due to aesthetic compromises, the fit of the dentures or in some cases, both.

In recent years dental implants have become increasingly popular as they make tooth replacement more predictable. Whether you are currently missing a tooth or contemplating getting your dentures relined for the nth time this year, you may want to try dental implants as a fixed and reliable solution to tooth loss.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jaw essentially replacing the natural tooth root you lost. A dental crown is then secured onto this implant- this helps create a beautiful aesthetic and very natural functionality. This is not always the case with conventional dentures.

The NHS describes dental implants as a fixed alternative to removable dentures which may be the only option if the loss of teeth has caused the mouth to shrink so it can no longer support dentures.

Types of dental implants

Endosteal (in the bone)

These are the most commonly used dental implants wherein various types of implants may be surgically placed into the jawbone. Each of the implant placed may hold one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal (on the bone)

These implants are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis (teeth). These types of dental implants are used when the patient does not have adequate healthy bone left (minimal bone height) and are unable to wear conventional dentures.

Who can get dental implants?

Since dental implants interact closely with the other oral structures, it is important that a thorough assessment of the oral cavity is done prior to the placement of dental implants. The ideal candidate for dental implants is a patient with:
● Healthy gums (free of periodontal (gum) disease)
● Adequate bone volume in order to support the implant (in the absence of adequate bone support, you may have to receive an additional bone grafting procedure)
● Excellent oral hygiene habits and regular dental and, if deemed necessary by your dentist, hygiene visits.

Smoking negatively impacts the success of dental implants, this will be reflected in the prognosis an implant dentist will provide you at your consultation, or they may feel implants are not in your best interest. If a patient who smokes would like implants and would like to quit smoking your dentist can help signpost you to healthcare professionals who can provide advice and support to help you quit..

People suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders such as diabetes or heart disease or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck region in the recent past need to be evaluated by an implant dentist prior to getting a dental implant.

What is involved in the Implant procedure?

The procedure begins with a consultation with a dentist with a special interest in implants. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your dentist will create a treatment plan that meets your unique dental needs.

Dental implant surgery is done in stages with an intermittent healing period after the initial implantation of the titanium post.

● The dentist evaluates the health of the bone and overall status of the mouth to fabricate the treatment plan that best suits the patient’s needs. A patient x-ray and/or CT scan is required to determine if adequate bone support is present. The scan can be done in-house at both Vitality sites in Stokesley and Northallerton with our Digital CT scanner.
● If a tooth is grossly decayed or is broken, the tooth will be extracted after which a dental implant plan will be put into place. Depending on the condition of this tooth specifically the presence of any infection a period of healing may be required before an implant can be placed. Your implant dentist will advise you of your individual needs.
● The bone will be prepped for surgery and may require bone grafting if there is insufficient bone to support the implant.
● The titanium post is placed into the jaw bone and buried under the gum to heal for at least three months. During this time the bone fuses to the implant.
● Once healed, the dentist will begin the process of fabricating the teeth that will fix onto the implants.

The average treatment time for the whole procedure is 6 months to a year depending on the implant treatment plan.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants have been around for more than 30 years enjoying a success rate of as high as 98%. With implant treatment being this well-established, patients can be confident that the following can be reliably delivered with implants:

● Aesthetics: Unlike dentures and dental bridges, dental implants are aesthetically superior and can closely replicate the look of a natural tooth. With a wide range of crown shades, they create teeth that look and feel like your very own.

● Oral function preservation: Not only do dental implants look like natural teeth, but they also function like real teeth! Since these implants are made custom-fit to your mouth, they make life easier by allowing complete functions like eating and talking like normal!

● Long-lasting: Dental implants have a long-life expectancy if taken care of properly. As with natural teeth, their life span depends on a number of factors including good oral hygiene routine and attending regular maintenance visits.

● Tooth preservation compared to:

○ Partial Dentures – Even the best partial dentures will retain plaque, this increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you follow your dentists oral hygiene advice implants will be no different to normal teeth so will have less long term impact on your remaining dentition
○ Bridges – In most cases some level of damage will need to occur to adjacent teeth when providing a dental bridge. This can significantly reduce the long term prognosis of an adjacent tooth, or adjacent teeth depending on the design of the bridge. Implants negate the need to rely on adjacent teeth so will increrase the time you have with your remaining teeth.

How much do dental implants cost?

Vitality Dental Care offers dental implants starting from a modest price of £2200. This includes the implant, connecting component, and the crown. This price may vary depending on the complexity of the case. You will be made aware of all costs, finance options and individual implications for any treament recommended for you following your free consultation with our implant dentists.

Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious when smiling and dentures can affect your confidence when eating if they wobble or drop when talking. You will not have to go through these nuisances with dental implants. With dental implants, not only are you investing in your present but also securing your future with a full set of beautiful teeth. Connect with Vitality Dental Care Northallerton to find out more about dental implants!

 

Book a free video consultation to find out more.