CEREC Crown – Female – Age 36

I came to The Courtyard Clinic today from Cobham, to have a CEREC Crown placed. My Dentist, David Lewis was extremely good and I’m very pleased with the result.

Check up – X-rays and treatment for a Veneer – Male – Age 42

Although my teeth are too bad, I’ve always been keen to improve them if possible. Today I had an old inappropriate veneer removed and some models taken. My Dentist, Yasmin George is lovely and as I am from Walton, the clinic is nice and local.

Fillings – Female – Age 29

Today I had 3 fillings placed and since my first visit my teeth have really improved. I am a nervous patient and have found all my treatment painless.  I found my Dentist, Yasmin George professional yet very relaxing.

CEREC – Female – Age 38

I’m very happy with my teeth since seeing Yasmin George. She is very considerate, kind and caring. While I was having my CEREC’s, Yasmin explained the treatment very clearly.

Gold Crowns – Male – Age 45

I travel from Walton-On-Thames to see Yasmin George at The Courtyard Clinic. I find her very professional and my gold crowns are very good.

Lingual Brace – Female Age 56

My lingual brace is comfortable so far and Yasmin George is very informative of my progress.

Photographs – Male – Age 30

I live in Ashford, Middlesex and came to the clinic for lingual braces and I’m progressing well through the treatment. The receptionist and staff are excellent, very knowledgeable and I have every confidence in their ability.

Damon Braces – Male – Age 37

I have had the Damon brace in for 4 months and already I can see a drastic improvement, I’m very pleased with the results so far. My Dentist is very professional, very explanatory, if I am worried about anything Yasmin explains things thoroughly. Yasmin knows exactly what is required. I have full confidence in my Dentist and all the staff here.

CEREC inlay – Male – Age 66

My Dentist is brilliant, my teeth are excellent and I’m very happy with my Cerec inlay.

CEREC, Implant and crown – Female – age 70

I have had a Cerec on one tooth, a crown on a front molar and I’m having an implant on a back tooth. I am delighted with my teeth, particularly the crown on the front molar as it looks very nice and match my other teeth, and hence a good smile. My Dentist is very good and also caring. I travel from Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent. It takes me 1 and half hours to get here. A round trip of 120 miles but it is well worth it. The treatment I’ve received is excellent.

Removable Brace – Male – Age 12

My upper jaw was expanded and my lower jaw stopped from growing. It has improved my profile and my upper jaw. My teeth are more or less the same but that is the second part of my treatment. My face has defiantly changed though. Yasmin is very good and always puts her patient’s wishes first. She is also aware of my lifestyle and understands as she has a son herself.

CEREC Crown – Female – Age 36

I came to The Courtyard Clinic today from Cobham, to have a CEREC Crown placed. My Dentist, David Lewis was extremely good and I’m very pleased with the result.

Check up – X-rays and treatment for a Veneer – Male – Age 42

Although my teeth are too bad, I’ve always been keen to improve them if possible. Today I had an old inappropriate veneer removed and some models taken. My Dentist , Yasmin George is lovely and as I am from Walton, the clinic is nice and local.

Fillings – Female – Age 29

Today I had 3 fillings placed and since my first visit my teeth have really improved. I am a nervous patient and have found all my treatment painless.  I found my Dentist, Yasmin George professional yet very relaxing.

CEREC – Female – Age 38

I’m very happy with my teeth since seeing Yasmin George. She is very considerate, kind and caring. While I was having my CEREC’s, Yasmin explained the treatment very clearly.

Gold Crowns – Male – Age 45

I travel from Walton-On-Thames to see Yasmin George at The Courtyard Clinic. I find her very professional and my gold crowns are very good.

Lingual Brace – Female Age 56

My lingual brace is comfortable so far and Yasmin George is very informative of my progress.

Photographs – Male – Age 30

I live in Ashford, Middlesex and came to the clinic for lingual braces and I’m progressing well through the treatment. The receptionist and staff are excellent, very knowledgeable and I have every confidence in their ability.

Damon Braces – Male – Age 37

I have had the Damon brace in for 4 months and already I can see a drastic improvement , I’m very pleased with the results so far. My Dentist is very professional, very explanatory , if I am worried about anything Yasmin explains things thoroughly . Yasmin knows exactly what is required. I have full confidence in my Dentist and all the staff here.

CEREC inlay – Male – Age 66

My Dentist is brilliant, my teeth are excellent and I’m very happy with my Cerec inlay.

CEREC, Implant and crown – Female – age 70

I have had a Cerec on one tooth, a crown on a front molar and I’m having an implant on a back tooth. I am delighted with my teeth, particularly the crown on the front molar as it looks very nice and matches my other teeth, hence a good smile. My Dentist is very good and also caring. I travel from Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent. It takes me 1 and a half hours to get here. A round trip of 120 miles but it is well worth it. The treatment I’ve received is excellent.

Removable Brace – Male – Age 12

My upper jaw was expanded and my lower jaw stopped from growing. It has improved my profile and my upper jaw. My teeth are more or less the same but that is the second part of my treatment. My face has defiantly changed though. Yasmin is very good and always puts her patient’s wishes first. She is also aware of my lifestyle  and understands as she has a son herself.

What is TMJ?

TMJ, also called Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is a condition of facial pain in the joints of the lower jaw. The Temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw to the skull.

What causes TMJ?

TMJ can be caused by many things. The usual causes are: arthritis, jaw fractures, jaw dislocations, jaw clenching, and tooth grinding.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ?

The most common symptoms are: headaches, popping sounds in the jaw, difficulty chewing, decreased ability to open and close the mouth, jaw pain, and aching facial pain.

Can TMJ be Prevented?

Yes. Prevention techniques depend on the specific cause. If it is caused by jaw clenching or tooth grinding. The patient can prevent it by discontinuing to clench their jaw or grind their teeth. If it is caused by a jaw fracture or dislocation, safety measures can be taken to reduce the risk of fractures and dislocations.

Treatment options for TMJ

Some of the most common treatments are: jaw exercises, jaw alignment devices, and medication to reduce the pain. Surgery is rarely performed.

If the person is experiencing muscle spasm, a moist heat pack applied to the jaw area will help together with some anti inflammatory analgesics. Relaxation exercises may also help.

How is TMJ diagnosed?

Your dentist can determine TMJ by performing a physical examination of the jaw and face area and taking a full history. In some cases, an X-ray or an MRI may be performed.

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth causing pain that can range from the odd twinge to severe discomfort lasting several hours. Although it’s a problem that can start at any age, it’s most common between the ages of 20 and 40 and women are more likely to be affected by it than men.

Teeth become sensitive through the exposure of dentine, the softer part of the tooth that is usually protected by a layer of enamel. This layer is attacked by various elements, including harsh brushing, too much acidic food and drink, gum recession or tooth grinding. Other causes include a cracked filling or tooth, or bleaching.

The most basic way to protect your teeth from sensitivity is to brush regularly, at least twice a day, using small, circular movements with a soft to medium-bristled brush. Change your toothbrush every two to three months or sooner if it becomes worn.

Brushing with the right toothpaste for sensitive teeth can also help. There are many brands of toothpaste on the market today that are designed to treat sensitive teeth. If you need to, you can rub the toothpaste or ‘Tooth Mousse’ onto your teeth in between brushing. Don’t expect these things to work immediately however, it can take a couple of weeks before you notice a difference.

Avoid sugary foods and fizzy drinks and if you grind your teeth you can ask your dentist to fit a mouth guard that you can use at night.

Don’t put off visiting the dentist – a slight twinge now might indicate a problem that can be easily treated, but if you wait it could become a bigger problem.

Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. The denture is usually put in the mouth in the morning and taken out before bedtime.

Partial denture: a denture that replaces a few missing teeth and anchors with a tight fit to the existing teeth.

Full denture: a denture that replaces all the teeth in one jaw.

Why dentures?

• When a bridge  cannot be used because the supporting teeth are not fit to carry it. For example when the teeth are loose due to gum disease.
• When implant  treatment is not an option because of the quality and quantity of the jawbone. Or, if the patient’s health does not allow undergoing the surgical procedure.
• To temporarily replace a tooth/teeth straight after an extraction to allow time for healing before bridge or implant treatment.
• When cost is an issue. Dentures are usually a cheaper option compared to bridges and implants.

Dentures are made of acrylic (plastic) or acrylic and special metal alloys.

Tips and advice

• Visit your dentist regularly even if you have a full denture. Your dentist will be able to detect any oral tissue disorders or any tumours that may grow unnoticed.
• Reline your denture if you notice that it is becoming loose. This is very common if patients lose weight or if the denture has been used for several years.
• Take out the denture before bedtime to prevent fungal infections from developing under the denture.
• If you have low bone level and your denture is wobbling, use fixatives. These are sold over the counter at the chemist’s.
• Modern techniques can now combine dentures and implants, with this technique loose, unstable  dentures can be stabilised with as little as two implants.
• New dentures can affect the speech and the pronunciation of certain letters. Practise talking in front of a mirror before meeting with people. The tongue and the lips will adjust to the new situation.
• Clean your dentures regularly with a soft brush and small amount of toothpaste. Make sure you do not scratch the surface when brushing. This can make the denture discolour easily. Clean even the gums and the tongue. Make sure the denture is kept moist when not in the mouth.
• Clean your denture above a sink or a bowl filled with water in case you drop it.
• Keep your old dentures as spares even if you are getting new ones.
• New dentures can feel uncomfortable and strange. Try to use them all the time for the first few days. The more you have them in, the quicker you get used to them.

Some simple tips for keeping your mouth in tip-top order….

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily or use interdental brushes for those hard to reach areas
• Change your toothbrush at least every three months
• Chew sugar free gum after meals to neutralise the harmful acid that can cause plaque and tooth decay
• Try eating sugar-free yoghurt, as this lowers the levels of hydrogen sulphide, the major cause of bad breath
• Eat plenty of vitamin C in the form of citrus fruit – this promotes wound healing and can help fight gum disease
• Eating iron-rich foods can help improve the condition of gum tissue
• After eating sugary or acidic foods, trying eating a small amount of cheese to counteract the effects of plaque acid
• Quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption to reduce your chances of contracting mouth cancer
• Visit your dentist regularly for check ups and keep up to date with your hygiene treatment

Last Friday Dr George took a day out from seeing patients to attend the BAAD summer meeting in Windsor.

BAAD is the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, it is an organisation which encourages dentists  to strive for excellence in cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry. It facilitates learning within the membership and invites world class dentists to lecture at it’s meetings.  BAAD is  discerning in whom it allows to join, so a few years ago when Dr. George’s application was successful she was delighted.

Fellow members of BAAD are committed practitioners who are well respected by colleagues and patients alike, so there is plenty of dialogue during the formal lectures and afterwards in the bar!