One of the most dreaded of all dental procedures is a tooth extraction. We know that no patient wants to hear that they need, for whatever reason, a tooth pulled. Our dentist in Banbury will first focus on saving the tooth or teeth in question before recommending an extraction. Of course the most reliable way for patients to avoid tooth extractions is to have their dental health regularly checked by a dentist in Banbury. Spotting symptoms such as the formation of cavities or decaying teeth early will allow a dental professional to put in place timely preventive measures, such as fillings and root canal treatments, that will save a tooth.

There are certain situations when a dentist in Banbury may find that a tooth extraction would be the best dental procedure to help a patient obtain full dental health. This course of treatment may be suggested when nothing else can be done to save it, or if there are orthodontic concerns such as an overcrowded mouth.

Types of tooth extraction procedures

Tooth extractions are divided into two categories: simple extractions and surgical procedures. Simple extractions are the chosen method for extracting teeth that are visible and within easy reach of the dentist’s instruments. A local anaesthetic is usually provided. For those teeth where access is more of a challenge, a surgical extraction may be necessary. This procedure requires general anaesthesia.

Three common reasons why permanent teeth may need extracting

• Severe tooth decay

The most common reason for an extraction procedure is when the severity of tooth damage or decay is too advanced and beyond repair. Tooth decay is a progressive condition and the longer a patient avoids the dentist, the worse the situation becomes, until there is no other option but to extract the tooth. A decayed tooth, if not removed, may compromise gum health as well as neighbouring teeth.

• Facial trauma that results in injury to the teeth

Another top reason for a tooth extraction is injury or breakage as a result of facial trauma. Trauma can be caused due to a vehicle accident, sports injury or even sometimes as a result of aggressive chewing.

If this breakage results in the loss of much of the visible surface area of the tooth, an extraction may be the only option as there is not much left of the tooth on which to attach an artificial restoration method.

• Removal of a troublesome wisdom tooth

Wisdom teeth can, for some patients, present a number of challenges that risk dental health; it can lead to overcrowding issues and the lack of space can cause severe discomfort. Another related concern are the challenges in keeping an overcrowded mouth clean and healthy.

If a patient is considering a tooth extraction, it is critical that they discuss all their options with our dentist to replace the missing tooth or teeth. It is not in the interest of a patient’s dental health to have a tooth missing, as this leads to all sorts of other undesirable outcomes.

Amsel & Wilkins Dental Clinic has highly skilled dentists experienced in performing tooth extractions to the highest standards in the industry. Your comfort is a top priority. Get in touch with our office today to schedule a dental appointment.

Patients can often tell they need to see their doctor when they have a physical injury or feel unwell. Such issues are glaringly obvious that all is not well with their bodies and medical attention is needed. Patients often ask why they need to visit a dental practitioner even if they do not exhibit any symptoms or telltale signs that there is a problem.

When it comes to dental health, however, being able to tell that there is a problem may be slightly more challenging. This is because numerous dental issues do not produce pain or discomfort and need the experienced and knowing eye of a dentist in Banbury to detect a problem.

It is quite common for patients to only seek dental care when they experience debilitating discomfort. By this time, what could have been easily treated by a dentist in Banbury has escalated to a more worrying concern – often requiring more complicated dental treatment. It is only with hindsight that patients realise that neglecting visiting the dentist in Banbury for routine professional dental care results in spending more money for corrective dental procedures and more time to have these procedures carried out. It is for these reasons that we urge our patients to make those check-up appointments at the clinic, to avoid the inconvenience and expense of treating progressive dental issues.

Six top signs a visit to the dentist is necessary

Dental check-ups are essential and definitely worth the effort in preventing minor dental issues from progressing further, as a dentist can implement timely measures that stop their advancement.

• Inflammation

Any type of swelling, tenderness or inflammation in the mouth is an indication that an appointment with a dental professional should be moved up the priority list. There are a number of reasons for these symptoms and a dentist is best able to find the underlying cause and suggest suitable treatment.

• Bleeding

A common sign that a patient has a problem with their gum health is bleeding when they brush over them or try to floss them. Gum disease is a serious risk to dental and general health and the sooner a patient receives dental care, the easier it is to treat the condition.

• Previous dental work having been received

Some procedures, such as dental implants, require regular check-ups to ascertain all is well with the treatment carried out and to make certain there are no risk factors that may place the end result in danger of failure.

• A patient has existing chronic medical conditions

Patients with existing medical problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues have more need to see the dentist. Poor dental health can aggravate these conditions.

• Pregnancy

Pregnant women are more likely to experience dental issues such as pregnancy gingivitis and tooth enamel erosion. Such dental concerns mean seeking dental care, and regular dental cleanings during this time are critical.

• Dry mouth

Few patients realise that dry mouth is a worrying concern and seek dental help. The mouth needs an adequate amount of saliva to be present to keep the mouth clean and acid and bacteria free. It is important to consult a dentist for advice if a patient experiences dry mouth.

At Amsel & Wilkins our dentists care as much about fixing teeth and gum issues as they do about preventing dental problems. A key step in ensuring dental health is to have quality dental check-ups. Schedule a check-up with one of our dentists today.

Do you wake up in the night to your partner poking you in the ribs, telling you to stop snoring? Have you been exiled to the spare room or sofa? If so, it is time to get help!

Even if you don’t have a partner to share your bed with, snoring can cause havoc in your day to day life. Many people who snore feel tired throughout the day, are more prone to sore throats and may even find their mental health begins to suffer as a result.

It may seem odd to approach a dental surgery to resolve snoring problems, but there are many things we can do.

At Amsel & Wilkins, our dentist in Banbury can offer you a range of options to help you stop snoring. We know how important those forty winks are and we want to help you, and anyone you may share your bed with, to get a restful night’s sleep.

What causes snoring?

First and foremost, it is important for our dentist in Banbury to examine your mouth and throat to establish the underlying issue that may be causing you to snore.

Many of our patients who snore suffer from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnoea. This causes you to stop breathing for up to ten seconds or more during sleep and is often the result of the lower jaw sliding backward and obstructing the airway.

Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, age and even undiagnosed conditions like diabetes can cause sleep apnoea, but some people are just unlucky!

How we can help

Rest assured that our dentist in Banbury can help you.

Depending on the cause of your snoring and/or sleep apnoea, we can offer you different devices, tests and advice to help you manage this condition.

Sleep study

If your doctor has not already recommended this, our team will refer you for a sleep study.

This will be to assess your snoring for any patterns and to examine the severity of it on your sleep.

Sleep studies involve having electrodes placed on your head while you sleep; not the most flattering look, but this will help the neurologists to determine how much your sleep is affected.

Devices

Moderate to heavy snorer?

At Amsel & Wilkins, we can offer you a device known as a mandibular appliance; these hold your lower jaw in a forward position while you sleep, preventing it from sliding backwards and causing the obstruction.

These devices are custom fitted, so they will be comfortable enough to wear at night.

Lifestyle advice

As previously mentioned, lifestyle can often play a factor in snoring, so if you are a regular consumer of alcohol, you smoke or you take barbiturate based sleeping tablets, we can advise you on how to manage your lifestyle, while controlling your snoring.

If you regularly consume sleeping tablets, you will also need to consult your doctor about suitable alternatives

Tired of snoring disrupting your life? Call us today at Amsel & Wilkins!

When you find out that you, your partner or a family member is pregnant, it is a time of great joy and anticipation. With so many things to plan like baby showers, nursery decorations and gender reveal parties, as an expectant mother, it is easy to overlook some of the ways to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Many women often feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of medical appointments they need to attend and therefore overlook that much needed dental appointment.

At Amsel & Wilkins, our dentist in Banbury is experienced in looking after pregnant women throughout their pregnancy and can help identify and treat common dental issues that arise during those all important nine months and beyond.

But how can pregnancy impact on your oral health and why is it important to visit our dentist in Banbury? Read on to find out!

Gum disease

You are probably well aware of how your or your loved one’s hormones will impact the body throughout pregnancy.

However, it is common for these same hormones to cause the gums to become more sensitive to the already present bacteria in the mouth, making you more susceptible to gum inflammation and bleeding when brushing; this is known as gestational gingivitis.

Our dentist in Banbury can check for and treat gestational gingivitis, by removing any plaque forming on your teeth and by prescribing you a special mouthwash to use everyday.

Tooth decay

The last thing you need during your pregnancy is a toothache!

Throughout the course of pregnancy, many women experience morning sickness, odd food cravings and develop a sweet tooth; this all leads to acid build-up in your mouth. Women who also suffer from extreme fatigue during pregnancy are less likely to brush and floss, creating a perfect storm of bacteria in the mouth, which can cause dental decay.

Our dental team can help.

We can recommend to you the strongest toothpastes to alleviate plaque accumulation, can prescribe an acid neutralising mouthwash and provide you with a soft bristled toothbrush, so you don’t irritate your gum line when brushing.

Growths

Lasty, you or your partner may be one of the few women who develop growths in their mouths during pregnancy.

Don’t panic! This is quite normal and these growths are known as ‘pregnancy tumours’, although the name is hardly reassuring. These growths often occur during the second trimester of pregnancy and are usually caused by extra plaque building up on your teeth near the gum line. The growth may bleed, become crusty or even turn purple in colour, setting alarm bells ringing.

If you think you have a pregnancy tumour that is causing pain, or difficulty eating or speaking, then come to Amsel & Wilkins. We know that these benign growths will usually disappear after your baby is born, but if they are causing you difficulty in your day to day life, our team may choose to remove them. We will discuss with you how to prevent them from regrowing, and provide you with specialised mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Do you wish you had a dentist in your local area that could fulfill every dental need you have, all under one roof? Amsel & Wilkins, dentists in Banbury, are well established, with over 40 years of experience, just waiting on hand to assist you.

The dentist is so expensive

Does this sound like something you often say to yourself? Something you have been conditioned to believe after seeing all the expensive adverts on television, promising Hollywood smiles, but at sky high prices? You can forget that myth and change your whole perception of what a good smile costs. You no longer need to let your financial situation stand in the way of your oral health care. We accept most credit cards, cheques and even cash, meaning visiting the dentist is a lot easier than it has ever been before. We usually take payments at the end of the procedure on the day, but after a friendly conversation with a member of our reception team, we will be happy to set up standing orders for those who are waiting for their payday or need a more convenient time to pay for their treatment. Whatever your budget, your local dentist in Banbury is ready to help.

What we offer you

From general dentistry such as everyday check-ups or emergency dental care, to cosmetic care, such as facial aesthetics and wrinkle reduction, we offer a wide range of services suited to fit the whole family. We also offer teeth whitening, for those who don’t have problems with their teeth or insecurities, but just simply wish their smile was whiter. We really want to get to know our patients and we spend time establishing a strong working relationship with you to make sure you feel as comfortable and happy as possible whilst with us. We strive to understand you, and your problems, and therefore this allows us to do our best to make you fully happy with your smile.

With convenient parking in the street housing the practice so you can just walk straight in, there is no reason now to not visit your friendly neighbourhood dentist in Banbury. Don’t have any cash on you? Just give your registration plate details and it is possible to pay for your parking ticket on your phone!

What’s the procedure?

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our welcoming, professional and empathetic co-ordinator who will take you into a private room so we can discuss with you what your worries may be, what you want to get from us in terms of treatments, and what the desired outcome of the process will be. There will never be any surprises to your bank account or any moment in time where you are feeling confused or at a loss as to what is going on – we make an effort to ensure that, at every stage of the process, you are fully informed and up-to-date with any procedure. This includes explaining every treatment and the pros and cons of this, as well as a final estimate of the total cost at the end of it.

With every process under one roof and a welcoming, gentle team on hand ready to assist you, it has never been easier than today to register with your professional, successful dentist in Banbury – so why wait? The smile you know that you deserve is just around the corner, and is only a click away.

Who are we?

A family orientated, modern practice with a wide range of facilities and treatments, we have been open and operating for over 40 years. From general everyday dentistry that you might need such as check-ups, treatment for jaw problems and emergency dental care, to cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening and wrinkle treatments, we are available and on hand to assist you no matter what you need help with. All you have to do is call your friendly dentist in Banbury!

With an oral surgeon, 4 hygienists and a full team of dental care nurses and reception staff, it has never been easier for you to get the smile that you deserve. The smile that you’ve been waiting for. The smile that you feel you need. Why should those around you get that movie star, Hollywood beam but you are left feeling as if yours has room for improvement? You no longer need to feel this way – your dentist in Banbury has the answer, whether your insecurity is broken teeth or missing teeth!

With convenient parking in Calthorpe Street, it has never been easier for you to pay us a visit. Forgot to bring change? Not a problem. With the opportunity to pay on your phone, we have made visiting the dentist a lot easier for you. Just give your number plate and you’re in. Our payment co-ordinator will meet you with an informal chat in the privacy and comfort of one of our consultation rooms, for you to explain your problems and what you hope to get out of us.

Why you need us

We strive to really understand our patients – to learn about their problems, how they feel, and what we can do within our power to help them. Seeking to establish a strong working relationship with our patients, your initial consultation will consist of your welcoming dentist in Banbury discussing any treatment that you need and the possible outcome that you desire. In order to make you feel more informed, we will fully explain every process to you beforehand, allowing you to have a completely relaxing and comfortable experience with us.

Worried that your budget is affecting your teeth?

You needn’t worry about your financial situation. We accept most major credit cards, including cash and cheques as a means of payment. After your consultation, you will be given a guide and estimate of what the treatment cost overall will be. Payment for general dentist work will often be required at the end of the working day. However, for those who don’t have the money on them on that particular day, are waiting for pay from work, or for another reason, standing orders can be arranged with the agreement of both parties. Children up to 3 years old go free, and initial consultations for our new patients wishing to join our practice are very reasonable. It has never been easier for you to fix your teeth and get the smile of your dreams.

Besides cosmetic problems and crooked teeth, there’s a lot more our talented team can help you with at our practice. For instance, if you have any ongoing issues with your jaw, our team can help diagnose the problem and get you on the way to a healthier and  happier smile.

Here’s how your dentist in Banbury can help you solve your problem.

What are the signs?

As a quick aside, before you go off and book an appointment with our dentist in Banbury, here’s a few of the warning signs to keep an eye out for that might signal a visit to our practice.

One of the most common giveaways of an underlying jaw problem is if teeth start to become mis-aligned or flattened out. Because of the uneven amount of force being put on your teeth, they will start to wear away at odd angles, or slowly change position as you clench your jaw throughout the day.

You may also start to experience problems in the tempero-mandibular-joint, or TMJ as it’s more commonly known. The symptoms you may experience can range from a popping or clicking noise whilst eating, talking or through general movement of your jaw. The cause of these issues tends to be brought on through either overdevelopment of the mandibular muscle through excessive clenching or from direct trauma to the area.

Another sign is if there’s any pain whilst eating or talking, or if a general ache is felt in your jaw even if it’s not moving.

The next step

If you’re showing any of these symptoms, then don’t worry as there are things we can do to help. Your first step should be to contact us. At Amsel and Wilkins, our team will provide the highest level of professional care and courtesy as we help you heal.

Generally, when we get you in, an examination of the area will occur, with our team checking the area for swelling, breaks and how easy it is for you to move your jaw. After a diagnosis, if it can be treated in the practice, we will usually schedule you for a future treatment or provide home remedy recommendations. However, if it’s a more complex issue, then we would refer you to the appropriate health department for scanning and further treatment.

Options for treatment

If it’s nothing too serious, there are options for treatment in the practice. Normally we would recommend a series of relaxation treatments, with the intent of lowering your stress levels and reducing clenching, which can exacerbate jaw related issues.

This can be anything from recommendations for massages, yoga, aromatherapy, meditation or mindfulness techniques that help lower stress.

For more practical solutions we may also advise corrective surgical procedures or replacing teeth with implanted prosthetics, in order to even out your bite. We could also provide a protective mouth guard for you to wear at night, to shield your teeth against the grinding and clenching you do subconsciously throughout the night.

So, as you can see there’s a lot more we can offer you besides a clean and cosmetic treatments. If you’re experiencing any of the issues we’ve highlighted, or just want to get yourself checked out, then book an appointment at our practice today.

When it comes to helping you look after your teeth, we have a range of treatments we can use to help you out. A procedure you may be interested in is dental implants.

What are dental implants?

If you have never heard of this type of procedure, then here’s a brief summary to get you up to speed before you visit your dentist in Banbury.

This treatment would normally be recommended to help with cracked and damaged teeth, or to replace a crooked tooth that can’t be realigned with other treatments. The process involves the insertion of a prosthetic tooth beneath your gum line and directly into your jawbone. The tooth is attached via a sterile Titanium screw and the prosthetic itself is normally made out of porcelain or ceramics, to allow us to correctly shade it and blend it in with the surrounding teeth.

What does the treatment involve?

The treatment process itself is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t take too long for our team to perform. The first step will normally involve a consultation meeting, then an inspection and cleaning of the area will occur, followed by a casting and shade matching to create a realistic implant.

The next stage is the insertion of the implant through minor surgery involving local anaesthetic. There also tends to be two main types of techniques for fitting, there’s the Endosteal and Subperiosteal. The first is fitted below the gum line and into your bone as we described, whilst the second is placed below your gums but above the bone. This tends to be used if there’s not enough healthy bone to fit the implant into.

When you come into the practice, our team at Amsel and Wilkins will provide you with a swift and professional service that will get you on the road to that shining smile.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

There are a couple of positives to this treatment worth considering, for example the main benefit is that it provides a natural looking, straight and sturdy addition to your smile.

Another positive to this treatment that your dentist in Banbury might mention is that it is easy to maintain; you just have to brush it like you would any other tooth. However, try to not press too hard as you can dislodge the implant during the healing stage, the same goes for flossing, try to avoid pulling too deep.

Are there risks to be aware of?

The main thing to be aware of is infection; the healing stage of the implant process is vital and if your gums become infected and inflamed in a condition known as peri implant mucositis, then you run the risk of disintegrating the surrounding bone or worse.

Generally, we recommend a strict and regular oral health routine to keep out any bacteria from your gums as they heal.

So, as we’ve shown, there are plenty of good reasons to consider having dental implants. They’re easy to maintain, the procedure is quick and most important of all, it gives you that natural looking smile that you deserve.

A dentist with a difference

At Amsel & Wilkins, we are not your typical dentist. We pride ourselves on the positive impact that our work has on the lives of our clients, and the solid relationships that we form with those who come to our practice. Rather than simply opting for the standard one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry which is popular in practices up and down the country, here at Amsel & Wilkins we listen to our patients and connect with them on a personal level. In doing so, we’ve found that a far more mutually advantageous dental experience can come to pass. For anyone who is seeking a dentist in Banbury that they can trust to not only provide them with a quality standard of dentistry, but also with support, kindness and guidance, they need look no further than our team of expert dentists here at Amsel & Wilkins.

What we offer

Here at Amsel & Wilkins, we are a dentist in Banbury who provides a comprehensive range of dentist options that span across all fields of the discipline. These include, but are not entirely limited to the following treatments; the installation of dental implants, a full range of dental hygienist options, cosmetic dentistry solutions and orthodontics. We also very importantly provide preventative dentistry and educational talks for children. Whether a patient is in need of the most complicated of procedures, wants a simple clean and polish, or a check-up they can rest assured that they have a dentist in Banbury who will listen to their needs and do whatever they can to ensure they are met. Nothing makes us happier than to see the bright, new smiles on the faces of our patients after receiving treatment, and we strive to see our patients as happy as they can possibly be with our services.

Invisible ingenuity

One of the cosmetic dentistry options we provide here at Amsel & Wilkins, is the installation of discreet orthodontics such as Invisalign retainers. These are a revolutionary method of dental realignment which has grown vastly in popularity over recent years. This is primarily due to its discreet nature, which allows its users to undertake essential dental realignment without attracting any unwanted attention from their peers or colleagues. This works by replacing conventional fused metal brackets and wires commonly associated with orthodontic braces, (often the cause of great discomfort and embarrassment for those undertaking treatment), with a removable plastic retainer. This retainer is constructed from a patented plastic known as SmartTrack, which is utilised for its uniquely malleable, yet firm nature. When worn, the retainer utilises specifically targeted pressure points within it, to gradually push the patient’s teeth back to their correct specifications.

Stand by us

Prior to undertaking any procedure from us here at Amsel & Wilkins, patients must first have an informative, yet informal consultation. This is done to assess the needs of the patient, and how we can aim to satisfy them. It also works as the bedrock for a relationship that is built on trust, respect and understanding which acts as the foundation, to what will hopefully become years of service provided to our patients.

Who we are

At Amsel & Wilkins, we are a dentist with a difference. Rather than simply adopting the one-size-fits-all stance to dentistry, we pride ourselves on putting the needs and well-being of each specific patient at the forefront of everything we do. We offer a wide array of general and cosmetic dentistry that is tailored to fit the requirements presented by each unique patient. By getting to know our patients on a personal level we’ve found that a more mutually beneficial dental experience can blossom. At Amsel & Wilkins, patients can be served by a dentist in Banbury that is there for them through every stage of their dental journey.

Treatments

Here at Amsel & Wilkins, we make use of some of the most innovative and cutting-edge methods and treatments that are available within dentistry, and are constantly updating our technology to make use of new and emerging methods of dental restoration. Whether it is a simple polish and clean, or the most complicated of procedures, patients here at Amsel & Wilkins can rest assured they have found a dentist in Banbury that they can trust wholeheartedly to provide them with the best possible dental experience. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments extending across children’s preventive dental care and education; the installation of dental implants, dental hygienist services, tooth whitening, orthodontics and an entire array of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Filling the gaps

One procedure we provide at Amsel & Wilkins is the installation of dental implants for patients who have lost a tooth or teeth, either through accidental means or general neglect. Those who are in need of dental implants can often find their self-esteem and confidence being knocked by having large or unsightly gaps within their mouths. However, through the utilisation of innovative dentistry methods and technologies, our highly trained, expert dental implant specialists at Amsel & Wilkins can provide patients with new, sturdy teeth which are far stronger and durable than dentures or crowns. The process of undertaking such a treatment initially consists of drilling a small hole in the jawbone of the patient’s mouth, within the space where the missing tooth or teeth ought to be. Thereafter, a small titanium screw is inserted into the hole and the gum left to heal. Titanium is utilised for its unique ability to fuse with human bone tissue and during the healing period the implant is provided with a secure foundation. After this, a replica tooth can be screwed into place and thus the gap is bridged with a sturdy and durable, lifelike tooth.

Why choose us

At Amsel & Wilkins, we pride ourselves on having a solid rapport with all of our patients. We understand that people who choose us as their dentist in Banbury are putting a lot of trust in us, and we do all we can to show them the respect they deserve. Nothing makes us happier than to see the bright and healthy smiles on our patients’ faces, and to see first hand the positive impact our work has on their self-confidence and overall happiness.