Posted on Thu, May 10, 2012 @ 05:16 AM
1. Is it unusual for adults to have orthodontic treatment?
- More and more adults are having orthodontic treatment to correct crooked or crowded teeth.
- Orthodontics can make the teeth more attractive and more functional, by improving jaw alignment, and correcting "the bite".
- Improved techniques have been devised for treating adults.
- Modern orthodontic braces are less obtrusive and adults are more willing to wear them.
2. Is adult orthodontic treatment successful?
- Adult orthodontics is particularly successful for correcting crowding and jaw problems.
- Healthy teeth can be moved with braces at any age.
- Very similar treatments and appliances are used for children and adults.
3. I've always had crooked teeth. Does it really matter?
- It does. Crooked teeth can prevent you from chewing properly, from cleaning your teeth properly and lead to jaw joint problems.
- Improving "the bite" can make eating more efficient and comfortable.
- Crooked teeth affect your appearance and most people want to look their best at any age.
- People with unattractive teeth are often too embarrassed to smile. Orthodontic treatment enables you to smile with confidence.
Looking better can make you feel better about yourself, and can increase your self-confidence.
4. What are the most common orthodontic treatments for adults?
- Correcting crowding or crooked teeth.
- Closing newly developed or old spaces between teeth.
- Correcting the position and alignment of teeth
Teeth often tilt into gaps left by extractions. These teeth have to be moved into a more upright position.
This correction makes it possible to use replacement crowns, implants, fixed bridges, or removable partial dentures to replace the missing teeth.
5. What problems could make orthodontic treatment for adults more difficult?
- Periodontal Disease
- Adults may suffer from gum disease, which is a deterioration of the gums and underlying bone.
- Periodontal treatment will be necessary before the orthodontic treatment can start.
- Tooth decay
- All dental decay should be treated before orthodontic treatment starts.
- It is less comfortable to have dental treatment after braces have been fitted.
- Abnormal jaw relationships
- The growth of the jaws has been completed in adults, and so this can make the out come less predictable than in children
- In children, the ongoing growth of the jaw can be directed to correct the abnormalities that are present. In other words you can take advantage of the growth of the jaws in children where you can’t in adults.
- Worn down or broken teeth
- These must be built up or restored before orthodontic treatment can start.
- Lack of commitment
- Adult patients may find it hard to commit to long term treatment, especially to wearing braces for long periods.
Posted on Thu, May 10, 2012 @ 05:15 AM
White fillings have existed for many decades and have been traditionally only used in front teeth. The use of White fillings was avoided in patients’ back, grinding teeth as in years gone by they were not very hard wearing and those white filiings tended to break down after a few years. As a result, the much more durable silver (amalgam) filling material was used rather than white fillings for the back teeth.
Redmond Molloy your Dublin Dentist as a routine places white fillings as the latest generation of white filling materials are much stronger and durable than ever before. They are more clinically challenging to place than the old amalgam material, but there is really no excuse not to use white materials for all fillings nowadays and many dental schools around the world have now stopped teaching dental students how to use amalgam filling material.
White fillings are becoming more popular now as patients like their fillings to look like teeth as opposed to a more noticeable silver or metal look. Another benefit is the fact that they actually bond to the tooth and thus tend to add strength to weakened teeth. This is not the case with amalgam fillings as teeth filled with amalgam can be more likely to break and fracture as it does not bond to the tooth and adds less strength to the tooth.
CHANGE YOUR OLD BLACK FILLINGS FOR WHITE TODAY
Posted on Tue, May 01, 2012 @ 06:38 AM
A confident smile can fill up a room, projecting an image of self-assurance and inner self-confidence. That magnificent smile is no longer a fantasy. Now it can be yours! Recent advances in techniques and materials offer patients many alternatives in the creation of brilliant smiles. We have not yet discovered the magic wand, but we are getting closer.
Since no single approach serves the needs of every patient, careful evaluation of alternative or combined approaches is essential to getting a pleasing and lasting result. This is what an examination at Redmond Molloy is all about, No one size fits all, so a combination of treatments can sometimes be the answer.
Porcelain Veneers
These offer the most exciting and revolutionary advancement in aesthetic dentistry. Results can usually be achieved within 10-14 days to correct somewhat misaligned, mis-shapen, discolored or broken teeth. Veneers are quite suitable as an alternative to minor orthodontics, but not recommended in cases of severe crowding or misalignment of teeth or malocclusion. Veneers are a more conservative restoration and are preferable to full crowns when there is adequate remaining tooth structure to support the veneer. The approach requires less reduction of healthy tooth structure than full dental crowns, without compromising the periodontal health.
Crown & Bridge Dentistry
While porcelain veneers offer dazzling aesthetic results, they require there to be adequate remaining tooth structure as a foundation. Where there is not sufficient tooth structure remaining, crowns offer greater strength and durability than veneers. These dental restorations are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure, or to replace missing teeth. Crowns and bridges may be placed on natural teeth or dental implants.
Aesthetic Recontouring
In some instances, simple reshaping of the front teeth, even without anesthesia, may produce a dramatic result to correct jagged, slightly uneven or chipped teeth. The dentist employing sanding discs and creativity can get you back your smile with little cost and no pain.
Bleaching and Micro-Abrasion
Have your teeth become darker and yellowed over the years? Dentists have discovered a simple, safe and inexpensive technique to manage discolored teeth, when used in indicated circumstances. An in -office whitening along with a customized tray, can be fabricated for the application of gentle bleaching agents for teeth whitening at home. Even intrinsic blemishes may be improved with the select utilization of micro-abrasion. An evaluation our dentists, of the causes of the discoloration is indispensable to a predictable outcome.
Dental Bonding
This was one of the first and most promising techniques developed for "instant" smile enhancement. It is using white filling material to add on to teeth to change their shape or to rotate or replace a worn down tooth. It is suitable in many circumstances to correct broken or misshapen teeth, but is neither as durable as porcelain veneers, nor as spectacular in addressing more complex cosmetic concerns. Once again, prudent employment by our dentist's will enhance your smile to achieve the best and happiest endings in your quest for that beautiful smile. It is not a way to achieve perfection but will definetely enhance your smile.
Orthodontics
Many orthodontists claim that over 50% of their practices include adult patients. The use of simple removable braces like our Inman Aligner brace affords an opportunity for many dental patients to realize the value of adult orthodontic care.
Periodontal Resculpting
With the use of modern periodontal "plastic surgery" techniques and the employment of synthetic bone, very pleasing aesthetic outcomes may be achieved in selected instances with periodontal surgery. Dr Maher Kemmoona performs this surgery in our Forbes St branch.
Dental Implants
Nothing is a substitute for your natural teeth but this is as close as you can get, though not as ideal as a natural, healthy teeth, dental implants, when judiciously diagnosed and skillfully restored, offer select patients an opportunity to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Dentures
Advances in modern dental care offer more patients alternatives to losing all or most of their teeth. However, full or partial dentures are still an available option in treating dental conditions ravaged by extensive periodontal disease or tooth decay. Full dentures are not as functional as a healthy dentition, but may provide dynamic aesthetic results. There may be no other dental discipline that requires the practitioner to fully integrate his skills in art and science as the delivery of full dentures.
Posted on Wed, Apr 18, 2012 @ 08:10 AM
Demi Moore
She has had full upper mouth reconstruction with either full coverage crowns or veneers, she also appears to have had gum reconturing to give a better symmetry to the end restorations.
Create your own before and after pictures
Catherine Zeta Jones
From what I can see here she has had a similar treatment to Demi Moore Gum reconturing to achieve symmetry and the full mouth rehabilitation with either full coverage crowns or veneers.
Cheryl Cole
Teeth have had veneers full mouth, the give away is the fullness of her smile in the after picture her restorations have been made to thicken her premolar teeth to give her a fuller smile with the overall appearance of a wider smile making her look more friendly in the after picture along with the veneers being longer and whiter after.
Give your teeth the X-Factor now!
Kate Beckinsale
Not much going on here, definitely the gums look less red and healthy in the after picture so she has had some deep cleaning, maybe a wee bit of whitening and gum reconturing at most maybe teeth have been filed for the symmetrical benefits also.
Katherine Heigl
Some simple conservative dental treatment here, just a little bit of 3-month Orthodontics on the front teeth with something like an Inman aligner and then some whitening, best possible course of treatment if teeth are relatively good to start with, as no complicated major long term maintence is required.
Posted on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 @ 03:09 AM
1: Reduces Sexual Problems
Not brushing your teeth can actually interfere with your sex life. Redmond Molloy has read a study released in 2011 showed that gum disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) were related. Four out of five men in the study with severe erectile dysfunction also had gum disease. An Israeli study had similar findings > 15% of the men they studied with ED had chronic gum disease.
The link is that oral bacteria, built up from a lack of teeth-brushing, combined with plaque can enter the bloodstream through the swollen gums. This can causes penile blood vessels to narrow, blood vessels needed to provide blood for a normal erection.Teeth brushing can also improve a man's sperm count. A separate Israeli study found that of 56 male subjects, more than 50% of men with low or no sperm counts also had gum disease. Of the men with no sperm count at all, half of them had chronic periodontal disease.
2: Improves Brain Function
Sudoku, green tea, exercise and Omega-3s are just some suggestions on how to improve our cognitive functioning. But studies show we should add teeth brushing to that list. Gum disease has been shown to have an effect on cognitive dysfunction, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Redmond Molloy found a 2010 study by NYU researchers that tested 152 people to evaluate cognitive abilities. Using the Digit Symbol Test (DST) measureing adult IQ, the researchers found a relationship between periodontal swelling and low DST scores at age 70. In fact, participants with swollen gums were nine times more likely to get low scores. A British study also supported these findings it studied thousands of adults between ages 20 and 59 and found that bleeding gums and advanced gum disease were connected with poor cognitive function and health -- not just in advanced age but throughout adulthood.
3: Helps with Weight Loss
If you have gulped a glass of orange juice in the morning, right after brushing your teeth, it probably didn't taste so good. Brushing your teeth after you're done eating has that effect with more than just orange juice. Once your mouth feels minty-fresh, food and drink will not be that palatable, so you're more likely to stop eating. Teeth brushing is a signal for your brain to tell your body that eating is over. So after dinner, go ahead and brush your teeth. It will help you fight the urge to eat anything else. This alone can help with weight loss since many people eat out of habit or boredom at night. These calories are the worst because they don't get used up you just take them to bed and they become fat
4: Improved Pregnancy
Pregnant women are more prone to what is called "pregnancy gingivitis." This is a mild form of gum disease usually associated with bleeding and swollen gums . Focusing on good brushing helps with pregnancy gingivitis and also keeping your Dental appointments when you are pregnant.
Bleeding gums can be the beginning of full-blown gum disease, and that can cause more than just irritation or discomfort. There have been studies showing links between women who have chronic gum disease and premature births, or preterm/low birthweight babies. One study on 450 women that Redmond Molloy read found that of those with untreated gum disease, a staggering 79% delivered early or had babies with low birth weights. Compare this to a low 4.1 percent of women with healthy gums who had similar issues.
5:Prevent Respiratory Diseases
You don't usually associate teeth brushing with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and pneumonia, but it turns out, you can. So, what's the correlation?
COPD and pneumonia are potentially disabling respiratory infections and primary causes of death in the United States. These infections occur when bacteria get into the lower respiratory tract. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and it starts when bacteria from plaque gets in and around the teeth. Can you see where this is leading?
In January 2011, a new study which Redmond Molloy has seen was published linking gum disease with respiratory disease. Research showed that the bacteria associated with gum disease could increase the risk of developing COPD and pneumonia. On the other hand, teeth brushing can reduce your chances of gum disease because it takes care of tartar and plaque, preventing the bacterial build-up in your mouth. By working with your dentist or periodontist, you may actually be able to prevent or diminish the progression of harmful diseases such as pneumonia or COPD," said Donald Clem commenting on the research
So, while it doesn't seem like much,but those six monthly visits to Redmond Molloy and that two to three minute brushing a few times a day could actually save your life.
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 09:15 AM
There is no truth in the rumour that tooth loss is an inevitable part of ageing. The majority of people now turn 50 with many, if not all, of their own teeth.
Modern dentistry provides many effective ways to repair and replace your teeth and restore your appearance. Today, treatment concentrates on prevention of dental disease. This means that you can keep your teeth for life, and they no longer need to have large unsightly fillings.You may need a little help to achieve the smile you want but as you can see in the picture below anything is possible.
George Clooney who turns fifty in 2011
Top tips
- It is most important to visit your dentist at recommended intervals which suit your dental condition and age, to screen for dental disease and more serious diseases of the mouth such as oral cancer. Generally every six months if fine for most people.
- Tell your dentist about any general health problems and any medication you are taking as this may affect your dental health and treatment some medication can lead to a dry mouth which will make cleaning your teeth and diet all the more important to watch.
- Bad breath can be eliminated by something as simple as a 15 minute scale and polish and some advice on brushing you teeth gums and tongue.
- Dental decay is often a problem for the mature adult. To prevent decay of the necks of the teeth near your gums, pay strict attention to toothbrushing (at least twice a day, especially after meals) and use dental floss or inter-dental brushes between the teeth to remove plaque which causes gum disease and tooth decay.
- In addition to using a fluoride toothpaste, your dentist may be able to recommend a special toothpaste for sensitive areas of your teeth.
- A healthy, balanced diet with avoidance of frequency of sweet food and drink between meals is important to prevent the need for fillings or tooth loss.
- Often, you will need advice from your dentist about dry mouth. If your mouth gets dry for example sugarless chewing gum may promote saliva stimulation but do not suck on sweets, jellies or sugary drinks. If dry mouth persists, book an appointment at Redmond Molloy for advice.
- Loose dentures can be simply fixed in place using implants which can be free in the lower arch for VHI covered patients in certain cases.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR A CHECK UP NOW
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 09:12 AM
Many people are reminded time and time again that it is important to go to the dentist regularly, but sometimes the full reasoning is not always explained. Since many people have an intense fear of going to the dentist, it helps to know why it is important to go to the dentist on a regular basis, as it may encourage otherwise nervous individuals to make a dental appointment. People should visit the dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and a dental checkup, with some individuals may need to visit more than twice a year. If y
ou have not been within the last six months, you should probably make an appointment to go to the dentist soon.
The main reason to go to the dentist is to keep your teeth in excellent health. During a tooth cleaning session, a dental hygienist can be much more in depth than you can at home. At Redmond Molloy we have specialized equipment which is designed to remove plaque and tartar while cleaning all around the tooth. The dental hygienist can also offer tips and suggestions for keeping your teeth healthy now and for the future.
It is true that most dental problems do not become painful or visible until they are highly advanced. And unfortunately by then the dental issues are usually irreversible, meaning that an extremely painful tooth will have to be drilled and filled or extracted. By going to the dentist regularly, you can keep an eye on your teeth and the general health of your teeth and also your soft tissues in checking for oral cancer amongst other conditions. The dentist can identify areas of potential risk and head off major dental problems before they occur and reach that painful stage.
So if you want to take the best care of your teeth and have that perfect smile don't wait until you have a toothache before you call your dentist. Prevention is both better and less expensive than cure.
Book an appointment at Redmond Molloy!
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 09:09 AM
Establishing good habits can help your child avoid oral health problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease and also wont lead to them having anything to fear about going to the Dentist. Redmond Molloy tries to answer some questions to give your kids the best start in life. As the proverb says “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”
Can I let my child have sweets?
Most children want sweets, so denial does not work, try and make sure they don’t eat them often and encouraging them only to eat their sweets with a meal. This way, your child avoids having extra 'acid attacks' from eating sweets between meals. This helps prevent tooth decay by giving the teeth time to recover from the effects of the acids. We give the same advice to adults who are trying to reduce their cavities.
What are the best snacks to give my child?
The best snacks are the ones that don’t contain refined sugars like fruit and raw vegetables. Try tangerines, bananas, pieces of cucumber or carrot sticks. Other good snacks include breadsticks, crackers, rice cakes and plain popcorn.
Should I let my child have fizzy drinks?
No. Fizzy drinks contain sugars and acids that can affect the enamel on your child's teeth, making it thinner and weaker more susceptible to acid attack and decay
What are the best drinks for my child?
The best drinks for children aged over one year old are water or milk. Cow’s milk is not suitable as a drink until your baby is 12 months old. Where formula is a better alternative.
Fruit juices contain sugars and acids so it's best to have these at mealtimes and use a straw, as then the drink avoids the teeth as it is ingested straight down to the tummy. If your child is thirsty, it's better to give them water than to encourage a taste for sweet drinks. It's best to avoid giving babies fruit-flavored 'baby juices' as then they will develop a sweet drink habit and it is harder to wean them off these drinks, and never give them in feeding bottles."
Fruit juice is not suitable for babies under six months.
Can I let my child have milk at bedtime?
Water is the best drink to give at bedtime, but if you do give milk, don't add anything to it. Chocolate-flavoured 'bedtime' drinks and milkshake powder usually contain sugars, which can increase the risk of decay if given at bedtime. It is best to try and develop the routine where the last thing before bed is brushing the teeth, which can be made into fun time like counting the teeth etc and then after that brushing the only thing allowed is water.
Are sugar-free medicines better for my child?
Yes. Always ask for sugar-free medicines, the usual ones you would use like Calpol and Neurofen also have sugar free versions and remind your doctor about this if you're being given a prescription for your child. This is especially important if your child is taking long-term medication.
When should my child give up bottles?
Your child should begin moving off the bottle and on to a feeder cup at six months and try and get them using normal cups with a straw. Bottles should be given up completely by the age of one especially the night time one, because the teats and spouts encourage children to suck for long periods of time, which can mean the drinks that cause tooth decay stay in contact with your child's teeth for a long time.
Will a dummy or thumb sucking harm my child's teeth?
These won't harm teeth but will encourage an open bite. This is when teeth move to make space for the dummy or thumb. They may also affect speech development. Thumb sucking and dummies won't cause permanent problems as long as the habit stops by the time your child gets their second teeth, but it can be a hard habit to break. Discourage your children from talking or making sounds with their thumb or a dummy in their mouth, and don't dip dummies in anything sweet such as sugar or jam."
What are fissure sealants and should my child have it done?
This is a special filling that is painted onto a child's adult teeth to help protect them. It is generally done within two years of the first molar teeth erupting to protect them from decay it is painless no injections or drilling and it is done at the dental surgery. Talk to your dentist to find out if your child would benefit from this extra protection."
Posted on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 @ 07:59 AM
Headaches are one of the more common medical complaints people have. Headaches can range from mildly painful to debilitating. The problem with headaches is that they can be chronic, returning day after day. Despite their frequency, it can be very hard to track down the cause of headaches.
If you have been to one or more doctors to seek help with your headaches, but have been able to get a true diagnosis and successful headache treatment, perhaps you need to go in a different direction. Perhaps you need to see our dentists at Redmond Molloy.
Where you feel the pain is not necessarily the source of the pain. Your headaches could actually be caused by your teeth and jaw. If you have a cavity, the pain could lead to stress that becomes a headache. In addition, your dental pain could be trigger for headaches, especially migraine headaches.
Another common cause of headaches is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
What Is TMJ?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a neuromuscular jaw condition caused by an imbalanced bite. The temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your skull, where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.
This joint has to be flexible to perform its role in eating, speaking, and breathing, but also has to be strong enough to perform those roles and to support itself constantly. You may not be aware of it, but your jaw is constantly working, even while you sleep. When your joint is out of order, it can lead to a number of problems.
Some of the more common problems relate to the joint's proximity to nerves, muscles, and blood vessels involved in supporting and supplying the head. When you suffer from TMJ, the jaw joint can put pressure on these nerves, muscles, and blood vessels, which can lead to facial pain and headaches.
TMJ and headaches
When TMJ causes pressure to be put on the nerves, muscles, and blood vessels that pass nearby it, the result can be headaches.
The trigeminal nerve passes very near the temporomandibular joint. This nerve controls messages that pass between the brain and the face, including pain signals.
When pressure is put on the trigeminal nerve, the result can be spasms, pressure, or pain in the face or behind the eyes. This can cause inflammatory reactions and contribute to 'sinus' headaches.
When you are suffering from TMJ, the muscles of the head and neck may have to work harder to keep your head balanced and to perform the normal functions of speaking, breathing, and chewing. This can cause tension all around the head and in the upper neck, which can lead to chronic tension headaches.
Migrains are among the most intense headaches, and TMJ can serve as a chronic migraine trigger. When TMJ leads to irritation of the trigeminal nerve, it can cause the release of a number of chemicals in the brain that eventually lead to a migraine. Migraines can also occur if you are experiencing reduced flow of blood in the brain due to pressure of blood vessels.
How a dentist treats TMJ
Our dentists can help you with TMJ treatment. Dentists are trained in handling theTMJ. Our dentists will examine the mouth system as a whole and maneuver your jaw joint back and forth to see where the problems may be. The dentists at Redmond Molloy may suggest constructing a splint to help re-align the joint to allow it to rest and to move without interfering with adjacent systems. This is generally a better alternative to more medications and drugs which may just mask the problems rather than cure it.
Book an appointment at Redmond Molloy to discuss headaches
Posted on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 @ 07:57 AM
A growing trend for eating on the go is impacting on our oral health.
The new breed of grazers is putting their dental health at risk by failing to clean their teeth as frequently as they eat.
A new survey reveals that 68% of people snack more than six times a day, as they spend longer hours chained to their desks.
A faster-paced work ethic, longer working hours and shorter lunch breaks means 25% of office workers find it more convenient to snack throughout the day than stick to the traditional three meal regime, with 62% admitting to eating on the go at least four times a week.
But the oral health regime is failing to keep up – and 65% of people admitting that despite snacking more throughout the day, their teeth cleaning routine hasn't evolved to keep up.
Chief executive of the BDHF, says: When we are grabbing a bite to eat, it is easy to forget that it's still just as important to clean our teeth as we would after eating a meal.'
Lawyers and bankers are the worst culprits, with 67% eating sporadically throughout the day but buck the national trend by consciously cleaning their teeth after every snack and drink.
For those working in marketing and media, 35% were seemingly unconcerned about keeping their teeth clean throughout the day.
Teachers are also skipping the dental health lessons with 68% admitting that, despite digging into their food up to six times a day, they only clean their teeth in the morning and evening.
It also seems wisdom does not always come with age, with 70% of over 55 year olds stating they are not concerned that their dental routine has deteriorated.
As the snacking culture continues to rapidly grow, and our diets evolve to having smaller meals throughout the day, we need to make sure our oral health care habits are changing to reflect this. Chewing sugarfree gum is a great solution to oral care on the go.
You can't always use a toothbrush but chewing sugar free gum after a meal is a suitable alternative, stimulating the production of saliva which helps to neutralize plaque acids that may lead to tooth decay.