Our End Of Year Quiz For Epsom Dental Patients

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Our End Of Year Quiz For Epsom Dental Patients

What can you remember from the blogs we posted in 2024?

The year will soon be coming to an end and we all have the Christmas festivities to look forward to. We are sure that many of our patients are counting down the days to some well-deserved leave from work as well. As this will be our last blog of the year, we thought that we would look back and see what patients of the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre can remember from the information that we have posted over the year.

All the answers are at the bottom of the page so no cheating now 🙂

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all patients of our Epsom dentists clinic a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and we will see you again in 2025.

  1. What are ‘teeth in a day’?
  2. Why have dental veneers also been known as a ‘Hollywood smile’?
  3. How are Invisalign orthodontics different from traditional dental braces?
  4. What are the risks to dental implants if you smoke?
  5. What is a ‘smile makeover’?
  6. Is a teeth whitening procedure a one off treatment or can it be repeated as necessary?
  7. What is ‘bruxism’?

Answers

  1. ‘Teeth in a day’ is another term for when a full arch of teeth needs to be replaced with dental implants. The reason that it is called this, along with ‘all on 4’, is that the whole procedure can sometimes take place in a single visit to our dental clinic. Unlike individual implants which have to be allowed to fully integrate with the bone before being used, this method uses a small number of implants, sometimes four or six, which then secure a fixed bridge of replacement teeth securely in place. The procedure uses special implants towards the rear of the mouth which are placed at an angle to provide solidity and security once the bridge is attached. Like any dental implant procedure, it is advisable to eat cautiously for a short while to help prevent discomfort from what is quite a complex procedure.
  2. The first recognised dental veneers came about in the 1920 and were created by a dentist called Charles Pincus who was tasked with the job of improving the smiles of Hollywood stars around that time. As many of these were smokers, a romantic close up shot would reveal teeth that were badly stained. In order to improve this, Pincus devised a method of creating a ‘cap’ that would fit over their teeth for the purpose of filming. These were very temporary though and did not have the longevity of modern teeth veneers which can last for ten years or more.
  3. Traditionally, dental braces have used a combination of metal wiring and brackets that are tightened in order to apply pressure to the teeth to correct their position.  While Invisalign orthodontics also apply a gentle pressure to do this; instead of wires and brackets, a series of transparent ‘trays’ are used that fit over the teeth. Each one is worn for a short while before being replaced with the next until the teeth are straight and even. Unlike traditional braces, these trays can be removed when eating meals or cleaning the teeth. This makes them not only a discreet teeth straightening option, but a very convenient one too.
  4. Smoking is harmful to our general health and our oral health. Not only is it a significant factor in many cases of oral cancer, but can affect the gums too. Not only do the chemicals in cigarettes irritate the soft tissue of the gums, but the nicotine in them narrows the tiny blood vessels within our gums. This reduces the blood flow and reduces the ability to fight infections. It also causes a dry mouth which increases the risk of gum disease. When this becomes advanced, it affects the bone. With natural teeth, this can cause them to become loose and fall out and the same applies to dental implants which rely on a firm bond between the implant and the bone it is placed into.
  5. A ‘smile makeover’ is not a specific treatment but, in many cases, a combination of cosmetic dental treatments that can help to improve your smile. These might include a teeth whitening procedure, dental implants or a crown among others. Your dentist will be able to recommend a treatment plan to help you have the smile of your dreams.
  6. While some patients do have their teeth whitened as a ‘one off’, perhaps for a big occasion like a wedding, many have this done to maintain a white smile over a longer period of time. This is perfectly safe and our dentists will be able to help you plan when to have this done so that you can maintain a consistently white smile for as long as you wish.
  7. ‘Bruxism’ is another term for teeth grinding. It usually happens when we are asleep and is therefore very difficult to control. It is largely believed that it is caused by stress and while mouthguards can be used, the only long term solution is to relieve the cause of the stress and anxiety.  From a dental perspective, bruxism can result in worn, chipped or broken teeth as well as a jaw issue known as TMJ which can cause painful and clicking jaw movements.

We hope that you enjoyed this quiz and learned something from it to help you with your oral health journey. Until the new year then,  we hope that all of our patients at the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre have a great time and a well deserved break. In the event of any dental emergencies, please call us on our usual number of 01372 720136 where, if we are closed, you will hear further instructions on where to go for help.