Archive for February, 2012

Dental anxiety drilling deep? Sedation soothes straight to sleep!

Friday, February 24th, 2012

 

Are you feeling anxious about your next dental visit? Perhaps you’re looking for an excuse not to turn up or have your important dental work carried out.  However, avoiding dental check-ups could be dangerous and is not recommended.

Here at Woodborough House we understand that people may be nervous or frightened of visits to the dental chair, and our team is very experienced in treating anxious patients. This is why one of the most important parts of our job is to ensure that we listen to you carefully to understand your needs and concerns.  We feel that this is one of the most important elements in solving dental phobia.

Dental sedation techniques

We offer a number of approaches to help you overcome any fears you may have. The main techniques we offer in the field of dental sedation include oral and IV sedation.

Oral sedation is our preferred method as it’s the easiest for most patients, usually lasting for around 16-24 hours.  We also use a liquid sedative, which we administer once before treatment.

The medication you will be given will help you to feel more relaxed and calm, but this does not prevent you from communicating with our dentists and nurses.

Most patients report feeling very sleepy and not being aware of the concept of time, which can prove useful when undergoing lengthier treatments.

Almost everybody is suitable for oral sedation and if it’s administered correctly and in a clinical environment, it is completely safe to use.

Many of our patients love the fact we offer dental sedation as it makes the dental procedure less daunting overall.

Patients have even told us they had been so nervous about dentistry their whole life, but after coming to us for dental sedation, they can safely say that their fear has been conquered!

Dental sedation really is the way forward for nervous patients who are feeling scared, yet looking to relax whilst they undergo important dental work.

For more information, or to book a consultation about any treatments or to enquire about dental sedation, please give us a call at our office on 0118 984 3108 where one of our friendly members of staff will be happy to help.

Are your teeth ‘ready to go’?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

 

Do you need dental implants but dread the thought of repeat visits to the dentist in what can often be a long and drawn out process? If this sounds like you, then the latest and most innovative dental treatment – Teeth in a Day could be the right treatment for you.

At Woodborough House we offer the Teeth in a Day procedure to patients as a way to cut back on their treatment time as well as to ensure they enjoy a more precise implant placement. We are constantly looking for treatments which improve patient care and procedure duration and Teeth in a Day is the ideal choice for patients who would otherwise require numerous visits to get the same results.

The Teeth in a Day Procedure

An initial scan of the jaw is taken, which is a detailed CAT scan. In this scan, a three-dimensional model of the mouth is recreated in order to manufacture the implants which will be ready when you come in for the next appointment for a fitting.

The technology used in creating the Teeth in a Day implants was developed by Nobel Biocare but it can actually help the dentist to fit the implants, not just for manufacturing them.  As the teeth in a day surgery is much less invasive than traditional dental implants, the patient can expect to have less scarring and therefore less pain and swelling as a result. This is because an arthroscope is used – a probe rather like an endoscope – which is inserted into a small incision in the jaw tissue.  The very precise nature of this means that as a result, the patient can often feel fine the next day and carry out their activities as usual.

Benefits for Patients

The very precise nature of this means that as a result, the patient can often feel fine the next day and carry out their activities as usual.

This has great benefits for patients who can find they don’t have to go through repeat bone grafts to have their implants made.

Although it can be more expensive than regular dental implants,  many patients find that it is worth it because they gain their time back – so they don’t have to take time off work for example to come and have their dental implants fitted. Additionally, patients can expect to find that the procedure is much safer, less painful and produces consistently better results.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, why not give us a call on 0118 984 3108 where one of our friendly members of staff will be happy to assist you and help to book you a consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does your mouth need an MOT?

Friday, February 10th, 2012

 

If your mouth is feeling like it needs a good clean, an oral hygiene check-up may be just the thing you need. After all, you look after the rest of your body, so why should your mouth and especially your teeth, be any different? Let’s look at what an oral hygiene routine will consist of.

Oral hygiene check-up services

At Woodborough House, we believe an oral hygiene routine should consist of a professional clean, scale and polish. But in some circumstances, more work may be required. This is where we can provide treatment for gingivitis and more complex periodontal disease (gum disease), remove unsightly stains using an “air flow” technique.

Our qualified dental hygienists Helen and L’ren can carry out these procedures including fluoride applications, diet and smoking cessation advice. Problems with mouth odour can also be dealt with and between them, our dental hygienists can offer you up to date knowledge and advice on the latest concepts and products, as well as provide you with a patient centred prevention programme – usually consisting of an oral hygiene routine you can follow at home.

Brushing your teeth twice daily and remembering to rinse and floss, is really the most important part of any oral health regime.

Get mouth healthy

No matter what your lifestyle choice, you can have the teeth of your dreams and a healthy mouth too if you follow a good oral hygiene routine and remember to brush properly, especially after eating too many sweets/sugary foods which can help plaque to form.  Don’t scrimp on dental hygiene check-ups – they really are a vital part of having a healthy mouth.

Regular dental check-ups with a dentist or hygienist will be able to check for any signs of gum disease developing for example, which may be hard to spot to the untrained eye.

So if you think your mouth is looking for a dental MOT, why not give us a call here at Woodborough House on 0118 984 3108 where one of our team will be happy to help you.

Do you care for your Crown?

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

 

Are you looking for a natural looking smile which is both secure and great looking? Crowns can help to redesign your smile and give you a brand new look. They can also be the answer to fixing teeth which are chipped or would look vastly improved with a little extra help.

Porcelain crowns can even be a better choice than dental veneers in some cases, whilst being equally as secure – lasting on average for around 10-15 years if looked after properly.

At Woodborough House, we specialise in using all-ceramic porcelain crowns for cosmetic reasons to help enhance your smile and make your teeth look as naturally as possible.  These are known as ‘dental caps’ and these can be considered to help with an aesthetic restoration.

Getting your crowns made

Getting a crown fitted can involve two appointments for a single crown and more appointments for more complex aesthetic work which needs completing. Initially you will have an appointment to make a digital impression of the teeth and prepare it and the second appointment will then involve fitting the crowns into place.

You will usually have a hygienist appointment first so we can be sure you have good oral hygiene before going ahead with the treatment. In some cases root canal treatment may be necessary, which is usually carried out before getting the impressions for the crowns.

Secure Porcelain Crowns

Once your new porcelain crowns are fitted you’ll find that they’re very secure as they are bonded on and can last on average for around 10-15 years. This means they’re fairly sturdy given the average wear that teeth go through on a daily basis.

Not only will they feel secure but they’ll also look completely natural – unlike some metal crowns which have simply been fused with porcelain – which have reportedly shown dark gum lines over time. Here at Woodborough House you can feel assured that we only use the metal crowns where space requirements (or a lack of) demand this.

Caring for your crowns

To ensure that your crowns last as long as possible, it’s vital you look after them. This can be achieved with regular check-ups and a good oral hygiene programme. Things to avoid include a sugary diet and excessive grinding of the teeth – as well as misuse of the teeth such as opening beer bottles with your front teeth for example.

If you’re thinking about getting porcelain ceramic crowns, think of it as an investment in your smile and oral health, especially if you dislike or feel embarrassed by your chipped or damaged set of teeth. For more information about porcelain veneers, please give us a call on 0118 984 3108 where our friendly team will be happy to help discuss your requirements.