Archive for the ‘general dentistry’ Category
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
I must say, it was a first when one of our patients told me that Rubber Dam was “the best thing to happen to dentistry”. There is a lot of fantastic gizmo’s and gadgets in the dental field, but Rubber Dam does not usually come up top trumps. The patient in particular, was having some composite fillings placed in a couple of lower molar teeth. In order to get the best filling possible, the bonding agentswe use need to have a completely dry field. Any moisture can inhibit the white composite filling from sticking to tooth enamel as best it can. This is why, sometimes, rubber dam is used to protect the tooth and filling from moisture.
Rubber Dam is a latex sheet (also made non latex for allergy sufferers) that is held in position over a tooth in particular. This isolates the tooth, ensuring that no moisture can make contact when treating the tooth. Rubber Dam has many uses and is not just used for moisture control:
It is used when Root Canal Treatment is performed to ensure that no bacteria enters the canals of the tooth. The whole procedure, during Root canal, is to ensure the tooth is completely clean, and no infection or bacteria is left in the tooth. Everybody’s saliva contains bacteria, so using Rubber Dam ensures that no saliva can make contact with the tooth.
During some procedures in dentistry we use small instruments, such as files and burs. We do not want our patients to inhale or swallow these, so Rubber Dam ensures this does not happen.
As you may know, we use lots of solutions and strange tasting agents during treatments. Rubber Dam ensures you do not swallow anything.
The tongue can be very hard to control, during dental treatment, and when using fast drills we do not want you tongue “investigating”. Isolating the tooth that the dentist is working on makes this much safer.
We do use a lot of water during dental procedures, in order to keep the tooth cool while using the drill. Some patients finds swallowing very difficult and stressful while being treating. The use of Rubber Dam stops water from collecting in the back of the throat, making it easier for the patient to swallow.
There are so many uses, and I don’t want to bore my bloggers, but as you can see the use of Rubber dam can be very beneficial to our patients. At first it can be a bit daunting, when the dentist comes at you with a whooping great Rubber sheet that covers your mouth, but trust me, you will be surprised how easy it is to adjust to. Its not always possible to use, but the dentist will try to use whenever possible. Of course, if you don’t like it, we won’t use it. Just let the dentist know 
Tags: dental examination, endodontist, fillings, general dentist, nervous patient, Pangbourne
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Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Yesterday, me and Sen were pleased to see in our diary that we were getting a visit from our patient that works in the pits at Formula 1. We haven’t seen him since Sarah treated him with new front anterior crowns, so were interested to see how he was getting on. He was in fine form, and the front crowns were still looking fab! In fact, he mentioned to us that he has been receiving many compliments, especially from the ladies, because of his sparkly new teeth. He was in for his routine examination and for a hygiene visit and it was great to catch up on all the gossip about his travels and time spent working with the Formula 1 Team.
Tags: crowns, dental examination, dental hygienist, general dentist, smile makeovers
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010
We are all very excited at Woodborough House, as we have a new bit of kit coming to the practice! We have many patients in the dental chair having treatment that requires us to take impressions using putty materials and alginate. We all know this is not much fun. Its especially difficult for patients that have a bad gag reflex or find it stressful having dental impressions taken.It is also an invasive procedure. Well don’t fear……………… Itero is here!!
The Itero is a scanning device that enables us to take accurate dental records and impressions. Itero features parallel confocal imaging which uses laser and optical scanning to digitally capture the surface and contours of the tooth and gingival structures. An accurate impression is the foundation of an accurate study model required for effective treatment planning. After scanning, the machine gives us 3D images to help with treatment planning, crown preperations, and orthodontic treatment. Its also a great way for patients to see their dental work on a screen.
Woodborough House is very excited to be able to use this pioneering equipment, and to be one of the first in the UK to have one. No more goop, gagging or discomfort! That is something to be proud of 
Tags: crowns, dental implants, Dentures, general dentist, intra-oral camera, nervous patient, orthodontics, Pangbourne, smile makeovers, soft tissues
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Saturday, June 5th, 2010
We were happy to see one of our regular patients yesterday, as we have officially named him our “star pupil”. This man came to see us as a new patient at the end of 2009. He presented with poor oral hygiene,and sore, swollen, bleeding gums. He told us that,although he knows how to brush his teeth, he has never been shown by a professional how to brush and clean inter-dentally correctly. Sen took the time to discuss with him throughly the most effective way to brush and clean between his teeth. We gave him all the tools, and sent him of to play with them. We have seen the patient a few times since his first appointment, and what an approvement a few months make! His oral hygiene has improved dramatically and his periodontal status has improved. He has got a great routine now and he is sticking by it. His wife even told us, that he keeps floss and interdental brushes in his car! Thats dedictaion. He definitely is our star pupil
If you would like more information about oral hygiene, then please ask to talk to one of our dentists or hygienists. They will be more than happy to discuss things with you.
Tags: dental examination, dental hygienist, general dentist, gum treatments, Pangbourne, soft tissues
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Friday, May 28th, 2010
As I sat down for breakfast, drinking my mug of tea, I was happy to hear that the breakfast news programme was doing an article on oral hygiene. Yay! Its been proven that people with poor oral hygiene are more prone to heart problems, and disease. People are, and I quote, 70% more likely to develop heart disease if they do not brush there teeth twice a day. This is big news!
We are all aware of how important eating healthy is, and that exercise will keep us healthy, but not everybody knows how important good oral hygiene and care is. I hear people say all the time “I don’t need to see a hygienist. I know how to clean my teeth”. Even me, as a dental nurse, needs to visit the hygienist, and I am in the profession!
So, to sum things, visiting the dentist and the hygienist regularly is essential. Not only do we want to keep those teeth looking fab, but we want you to remain healthy. If you would like any advice on good oral hygiene, or would like to visit one of our dentists or hygienists then please contact our reception team or nurses. They will be more than willing to help.
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
As a nurse, we have to put up with a lot of things, but this week I experienced something new. Someone bit my finger!! Yes, yes it was very funny at the time but I definitely don’t want to experience that again. There I was, in the surgery,doing my nurse thing, when Sen asked me to take routine xrays of our new patient. This patient was 78, so I explained thoroughly the process of taking an xray. I described how I would place the xray sensor into his mouth and ask him to bite together when it is the correct position. So, slowly I placed the sensor into his mouth…………………………..then it came!! The big canine tooth, sharp and ready to attack the index finger.Now this tooth was used, many years ago to tear through raw meat! Cavemen would use them to eat their catch of the day! I didn’t study radiograph for this.
We all had a giggle, and the patient was very apologetic. We saw the funny side of it. So, when having dental radiographs, think of the dental professional taking them. A finger is for life…… not just for xrays
Tags: dental examination, general dentist, Pangbourne, Radiographs
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
It was all about air abrasion today in Sarah’s surgery! Me and Sarah saw a lovely young man, who comes to see us regularly here at WH. Like me, he is quite geeky about all our dental materials and treatments, so he was more than pleased when we told him we were going to use our air abrasion unit on his tooth. This patient had deminiralisation on a molar tooth which needed to be filled. Deminralisation weakens the tooth enamel and it is essential to fill the tooth as it can lead to destruction of the tooth tissue.
This air abrasion gizmo is awesome! Not only does it mean that the dentist does not have to use that high pitched, awful sounding, high speed drill, but it also means that we don’t always have to use anesthetic. No needles!! We all would like a bit of that. It is great to use on kids, as drilling and needles can be quite traumatic for them, but its also fab for our older patients. You can actually go home without slurping your dinner through a straw. No more numb lips.
Well, our patient was extremely pleased with this, and after a few blasts, we were able to put a white composite filling in the tooth. As Gorden Ramsey would say………Job done!
Tags: dental examination, fillings, general dentist
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Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Coming to the dentist is not everyone’s cup of tea, and at WH we understand that for some people it can be scary and distressing.
Me and Sen recently saw a lovely lady who has been coming to the practice for many years now, but has always been unable to get her young son to come with her. Children are often influenced by how their parents behave at the dentist, or by what they say about visiting the practice. This child had picked up on that vibe.
We don’t want to pressure and push children in to doing things they don’twant to do. That doesn’t help anyone. Instead we invited this young 8 year old to just come in, have a hot chocolate, and to meet me and Sen. We didn’t do any treatment. We didn’t even ask him to sit in the dental chair. We just wanted him to feel more comfortable about being in surgery and being with us. A few days later he came back in to see us. This time for a dental check up. He was so brave. We explained everything to him, showed him all the instruments and materials we use and he was fine. He even managed to have a small filling done!
After over coming his fear of the dentist, and realising that we are not here to hurt or scare him, he promised us that he will always come to his check up appointment. On one condition though…………that I would make him a hot chocolate! I’m sure I can manage that. Its the least we can do.
If you child, or yourself, is afraid or nervous about treatment, then please let our team know. We can do all we can to make your experience less daunting, and make it one that is more relaxed and comfortable. We want to keep you smiling
Tags: Children, dental examination, fillings, general dentist, nervous patient, Pangbourne
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Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
As of May 16th all the way through to June 16th it’s National Smile Month! National Smile Month is run by the British Dental Health Foundation, and is dedicated to improving the publics oral health. The campaign this year is “Teeth4Life. The campaign is set up, to help highlight the importance of maintaining a good oral health, and also raise awareness of the systemic link between good oral health and good overall body health. In order to stay healthy, and to maintain healthy gums and teeth it is essential that you are attending your dental check ups and hygiene appointments. We do have a system at WH where we can send reminders by letter to your home address, so it will remind you when your next check-up or hygiene appointment is due. There is no escaping us!
With your dentists and hygienists help, teeth can stay healthy for longer. Remember… teeth are for life!
Tags: dental examination, dental hygienist, general dentist, Pangbourne
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Friday, May 14th, 2010
Phew. It has definitely been “one of those days” today! The waiting room was buzzing, the phones kept ringing, and all the team were hard at work all day.
Me and Sen was treating a patient that we have been seeing for some time now. He came to see us at the beginning of the year with his girlfriend, and presented us with a very difficult case. He had several missing teeth, and needed some extensive work doing. Sen sat down with Nick, to get his professional advice on Dental Implants and Dentures, and discussed what treatment plan would be best suited to this patient. Since then, the patient came in to see us and announced that he was getting married. Yay! Now the pressure was on!
The patient was embarressed by his smile, as he had missing teeth, decay and discoulored teeth. As Dental Implants are an investment and the “Rolls Royce” of dental treatment, our patient needed something to get him through to his wedding day. He needed to have his smile back! By working with our laboratory, getting various study models and diagnostic wax models made up of what the teeth should look like, we were able to provide our patient with a new set of teeth.Now ,the teeth we made are only a temporary measure as the patient is getting married, but what a difference a few hours in the dental chair made! He walked out of WH with a brand new smile. It was all a bit alien to him as he had gone so long with no teeth, and smiling just was not something he naturally did, but he was very pleased with the result. He actually said to me “its the missus you got to impress, not me”. Lets hope she was pleased with the results aswell
If you are suffering from broken teeth, missing teeth, or you would like some more information about full mouth reconstructions or Dental Implants then please talk to one of our team. They will be more than willing to help.
Tags: advanced cosmetic dentistry, crowns, dental examination, dental implants, Dentures, general dentist, Pangbourne, smile makeovers
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