Archive for the ‘Treatment FAQs’ Category

Oral Cancer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Did you know that in the UK, oral cancer is more common in men than women?

Studies have shown that the risk of developing oral cancer increases with age. In the UK the majority of cases occur in people aged 50 or over.

At least three-quarters of oral cancers could be prevented by the elimination of tobacco smoking and a reduction in alcohol consumption. At The Courtyard Clinic we have wonderful resources to help our patients reduce or stop smoking; our team is skilled and motivated to provide smoking cessation advice. The Courtyard Clinic also works with recommended individuals that provide coaching, mentoring and counseling therapy.

When in the sun for work or pleasure it’s very important to protection against UV irradiation. Lip block should be used to reduce the incidence of lip cancers.

Our community in Surrey is a very cosmopolitan one. Different ethnic groups have different cultures. Studies have shown betel or areca nut chewing in the south Asian and Chinese populations does have a higher incident of oral cancer development.

At The Courtyard Clinic we delighted to offer our patients a cancer screening service which will help identify possible early lesions. This service is inclusive of our examination fees.  We feel that regular screening of our patient’s mouths will help indentify early lesions, this would help treat our patients earlier and quicker.Our philosophy is to provide education and support to all our patients.

Snap On Smile!

Friday, January 29th, 2010

We at The Courtyard Clinic are delighted to be able to offer an exciting and innovative addition to our treatment menu which is proving very popular in the USA!

‘Snap on Smile’   appliances (www.snaponsmile.com) can transform your smile instantly and can be a great option for all sorts of patients….those undergoing complex dental work who want to look good throughout…. or for those who, for whatever reason cannot commit to a lot of treatment…..in 2-3 visits we can solve your problems. 

Snap on Smiles  can help individuals who want to see the ‘After’ result in their mouth before they commit to treatment…or if you have an important special occasion quite soon…. in 2-3 weeks we can transform your smile without the hard work!

How often will I need an appointment if I start orthodontic treatment?

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Appointments for orthodontics usually are between four and eight weeks depending on each individual case.

Once the appliance has been fitted…the appointments tend to be short ie: 20 to 30 minutes, therefore they won’t take up too much of your time.

General dentistry

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

 

Someone came to the surgery the other day, and…. this happens a fair bit….. they apologised for their teeth.

It reminded us that we should put  ‘something on the website’ about this, as we’re really not here to judge anyone and people should not feel the need to be embarrassed (even if it is human nature) or concerned about being nervous or the condition of their teeth.

We are here to help…..You see, its only when people really need us that we get to make the most difference.

And if its not too selfish of us, we’d be delighted to see you.

Pictures before and after whitening

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

before and after photos 001before and after photos 002This is the result that you can get with professional whitening treatments.

Tooth whitening is a perfect solution if your teeth are not  as white as you wish. The latest ‘Beyond’ whitening can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single appointment.

Why not give your loved one something  special this Christmas? For example a tooth whitening package, which also includes a free consultation.

We are currently running a special offer up to Christmas that will give you 25% off any tooth whitening package. We can also provide a Gift voucher.

Please contact Alison at reception to book your appointment on 01932 582949.

Am I too old for braces?

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

No! Treatment can start at any age. Adults in their 50′s have had succcessful treatment.

‘Invisible’ braces are more popular with adults…these can be aligner based (such as Invisalign) or fixed metal braces put on the insides of the teeth where they don’t show.

Here at The Courtyard Clinic, we offer a variety of techniques and a free orthodontic consultation so you can see what options there are for you

Contact Alison on reception on 01932 582949 to find out more.

Do I have to change my diet during my orthodontic treatment?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Not really but  avoid chewing ice cubes, and eating very hard foods such as nougat and pork crackling. It is also a good idea to reduce sweet, sticky, sugary foods.

Oral hygiene does have to be good during orthodontic treatment, therefore we at The Courtyard Clinic recommend regular visits with Marie our hygienist.

Will my teeth move after orthodontic treatment?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Yes, unless proper retainers are fitted and worn as we advise.

Retainers can be removable or fixed in….Full advice is given on this at the start of    treatment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         At The Courtyard Clinic our courses of treatment include retainers at no extra charge.

What are Composite fillings?

Monday, October 19th, 2009

before

afterDon’t you find sometimes when you go to your dentist you just don’t know what they are talking about. Mrs. Jones we are going to put a “composite filling” on this tooth. What is a composite filling? Well let me try and explain. As long as I can remember there has been various types of filling material available, from the well know amalgam filling (metal fillings) which I might add…. The Courtyard Clinic does not use , to more modern white filling materials. Composite is the technical name for a white plastic filling material.

What does it offer to you…. the patient? Composite fillings bond (stick) to the tooth, so if the tooth was heavily broken a composite filling could be bonded to the tooth and provide more strength. Now I’m not saying this form of treatment is applicable to all cases but it is a good alternative to a large amalgam filling. Composite fillings are usually placed using rubber dam isolation so as to minimize saliva contamination and to enable the filling to be placed under optimal conditions. In some cases where there is very little tooth left alternative options may need to be considered such as porcelain crowns/ onlays/inlays.

I hope this has helped.

What is an implant?

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Dental implants offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth. Loose dentures or embarrassing gaps in your smile can become a thing of the past. Everyone deserves a beautiful smile.
Each implant is placed into a socket at the precise location of the intended new tooth, and then a crown is placed on the implant.
It looks and feels like a real tooth.
Whether you have one tooth missing or several missing….. implants can be an affordable solution to make poor dentures fit better, allow patients to get rid of their dentures completely or mean that dentures are never required in the first place.
Our implant surgeons offer a free initial consultation to allow you to explore what might be possible at no cost or obligation.