Yearly Archives: 2014

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
13th December 2014

In this, the second column looking at how your smile can be improved, I look at the use of veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants and orthodontics.

If teeth are more heavily restored (have a lot of fillings), are discoloured or out of place then one possible solution is the option of veneers and/or crowns. A veneer is a thin porcelain cover designed to go on the outside surface of a tooth. Veneers are only used on front teeth and are generally used for cosmetic purposes, for example to restore chipped or broken teeth, or to change the colour, size or shape of teeth. The teeth generally require a small amount of preparation.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
29th November 2014

A healthy, white smile is an asset for anybody, professionally and personally but you may have noticed as you get older that your teeth have changed; they may have lost some of their whiteness and started to take on a more yellow/ brown or grey colour. This is normal and comes with aging, as the tooth enamel becomes worn and less translucent due to tiny micro-cracks and the dentine inside the tooth becomes thicker and darker. You may also be more aware if irregularities and an uneven smile as the teeth may be displaying signs of wear, the teeth may have moved (drifted) or there are restorations placed in the teeth. So, how can you get that perfect smile?

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
15th November 2014

Following on from my last column, this piece continues to look at issues you might be experiencing in your mouth and their wider implications for your general health.

Ulcers/ Recurrent Sores: Stress, compromised immunity (common), Oral cancer (less common but serious)
When an open sore in the mouth doesn’t go away within a week or two, it always warrants visiting a dentist or doctor. Although it is common to suffer from mouth ulcers when we are stressed and our immune system is suppressed, if a problem area persists, this should be checked. Look out for raised sores with red or white borders as well as bleeding and numbness. More than 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, most over the age of 60. Cases are often detected late and if you are a smoker your risk is increased.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
18th October 2014

I was interested to read that a new survey conducted in the UK, found that tooth decay affects over 10% of three-year-olds, a number which rises to 25% by the age of five. Public Health England researchers checked the teeth of nearly 54,000 children at nurseries, children’s centres and playgroups and found 12% of children had evidence of tooth decay. These youngsters had an average of three teeth that were decayed, missing or filled. Although we don’t have the studies done here, this is definitely something that I see here in Turks and Caicos, particularly amongst certain segments of our community and there are definitely some things we can learn from the UK.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
4th October 2014

It is no surprise that we all find bright, white teeth more attractive than dull, brown or grey teeth; white teeth are associated with youth, as well as cleanliness and health.

Dental whitening (or ‘bleaching’) is a cosmetic procedure which uses hydrogen peroxide to change the colour of teeth and help return you to a whiter smile.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
20th Sept 2014

A study has recently been published in the British Dental Journal which looked at the brushing advice given by different dental ‘authorities’ including dental associations across ten countries, toothpaste and toothbrush companies and in dental textbooks. They found a surprisingly wide range of recommendations on what brushing method to use, how often to brush and for how long.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
6th September 201

Coffee and wine are beverages that many of us enjoy every day, or- for some of us- even more frequently! For a long while medics have debated the potential health risks and benefits of both of these substances, often coming to very different and even contradictory conclusions. Focusing particularly on the dental aspect here, there have recently been a couple of studies on the impact of both of these drinks on teeth.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
23rd August 2014

This is the final piece looking at the topic of Oral Surgery. I want to look at a couple of procedures that are general performed in the setting of a dental office and then briefly look at more involved procedures that would be performed in hospital by an oral surgeon, possibly under general anesthetic.

Gum/ Periodontal Surgery including Crown Lengthening
In cases of periodontal (gum) disease where bone has been lost, a deep pocket between the gum and the tooth can develop which can be difficult for the patient to keep clean. One option is to reduce the depth of the pocket surgically. This is a simple, inexpensive procedure that enables easier cleaning and maintenance of the teeth and gums, which so reduces the chance of recurrent periodontal disease.

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
9th August 2014

In this second article looking at the topic of oral surgery I will continue to focus on surgery that is still generally performed within a dental clinic setting either by specialist oral surgeons, periodontists or expert general dentists.

Dental Implants
Dental implants are metal (titanium) screw-like fixtures that are secured into the jaw bone and replace the missing root of a natural tooth. Titanium has a unique property in that bone will fuse with it, thus fixing the implant firmly and permanently into the jaw-bone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the implant that has the appearance of a normal, natural tooth. A single implant stands alone and it not attached to teeth on either side (unlike a bridge). Two or more implants can be used to carry a bridge in a situation where several teeth in a row are missing and implants can also be used to hold a denture in place.