Posted on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 @ 07:52 AM
1. Share your fear with your dentist - explaining your anxiety generally leads to a straightforward solution.
2. Ask your dentist to give you an overview of the whole procedure. For some, a running commentary works so you are sure about what is happening at every stage.
3. Ensure you have a good relationship with your dentist, if you don't, find a dentist you feel comfortable with.
4. Distractions can help - if you fear the noises that you associate with the dentist then ask can you listen to your own music, dock your own i-pod or just pop your headphones on, anything that makes the experience more pleasant is a good thing.
5. Ask the dentist if you can raise your hand if you want them to stop - that way you are in control.
6. Don't be afraid to ask the dentist about pain relief, all procedures can be carried out totally painlessly when the anesthetic has made the area numb
7. Choose a time to go to the dentist when you are not rushed or under another pressure - anxiety breeds anxiety.
8. Become a regular attendee. Don't let the gaps between visits get too big. If you visit every six months, you're far less likely to need complex work.
9. Bring a friend or relative and ask your dentist if they can come into the surgery with you.
10. Do not let your fear stop you from going for a routine check-up. Your dentist can just give you the diagnosis, so you can find out exactly what treatment you require, and its up to you to decide over what time frame you would like to have the treatment completed.
Posted on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 06:58 AM
Watch how a TV3 viewer overcomes his fear and phobia of a visit to the dentist.
Click below to view a 6 minute video as a patient, Damien, with a complete phobia regarding a trip to the dentist, takes the leap of fate and comes in for a visit to one of our Redmond Molloy Dublin Dentist Clinics.
Damien explains his fears, nervousness, concerns, dread and prior bad experiences to TV3 presenter Anna Daly.
Damien saw one of our Dublin dentists, Dr. Robert Molloy, being interviewed on TV3 and he took down the Redmond Molloy phone number for one of our 'Fear Free Dentist Visits'. Once Damien got over his serious phobia and came in the front door, he saw that Redmond Molloy Dublin Dentists take a fresh and friendly approach to
Recent surveys show that up to 45% of people have a fear, phobia and dread of a visit to the dentist. If you are one of these people who actively avoid thinking about your dental fear and have a phobia of going to the dentist, then take a look at this TV3 interview and you will see how the Redmond Molloy Dublin Dentists promise to change the way you feel about a visit to the dentist.
Don't leave it until too late to get a dental check up. And don't let a prior bad experience at the dentist stop you taking care of your health. Problems caught early can be treated more simply.
For more information, call us on 1850 247 230 or take a look at our
BLOG section to take a look into our clinics and see our fresh and friendly approach to patients who dread, fear and hate dentist visits.
Posted on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 06:46 AM
The reason that Dentists care about sugar so much is that it can cause disease in your Teeth and Gums. It is a very simple equation Bacteria when it combines with sugar produces Acid as a bi-product. Dentists don't like this to happen, as the acidity when it reaches a ph below 5.5 can start to break down the tooth.
Dentists know that in general teeth can tolerate three acid attacks a day ; breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. That is why Dentists advise their patients that if they eat their sweet/sugary things around those meals, the mouth is better able to counteract the acid attack, as there is more saliva produced at meal times and this helps limit the damage caused by the acid.
Dentists realise that we can't cut sugar totally out of the diet, so this is why Dentists advise avoiding sugary snacks between meals in order to limit damage to your teeth.
How can you simply follow the Dentists advice? The best way is to first analyse the amount of times a day that you expose your teeth to sugar, an easy way that Dentists do this is to compile a diet sheet on three non-consecutive days (tues, thurs, Sat) writing down the food that you eat and the times eaten. Then examine, not the amount in total of sugar that you consume but the frequency of the intake.
The thing that surprises most patients is the hidden sugars that we are not realizing are damaging our teeth such as sugar in tea or coffee which seems innocuous but are as damaging as jellies or mints.
Dentists can help you interpret these diet sheets, so don't be afraid to bring these to your dentist if you are concerned. The main messages that Dentists want patients to leave with are that dentists alone cannot stop tooth decay, the cleaning of your teeth and the reduction in the amount of times a day that you eat sugary foods are the best way to counteract the acid attacks that cause your Dentist to need to place fillings. 
If you are unsure about the health of your teeth, can we suggest you arrange an appointment for a check up. Book a Dental Appointment
Posted on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 @ 06:40 AM
The Inman Aligner (www.inmanaligner.com)
Many patients want a viable alternative to having to wear permanent "train-tracks" now there is one, the revolutionary new technique to straighten teeth in 3 months using the ‘Inman Aligner'.
The Inman aligner 3 month brace is a device invented in the United States where it has been used and refined for a number of years. In the last 5 years cosmetic dentists in London have started using and seeing its benefits.
Our Dentists at Redmond -Molloy; are proud to be among the first dentists in Ireland to be able to offer their patients this new 3 month treatment.
The Inman Aligner is a removable, retainer-like /gumshield appliance with a clear thin plastic strip across the front teeth. It is designed to straighten the top or bottom front six teeth.
before and after.
The INMAN ALIGNER has three main advantages over conventional fixed wire braces:
(a) The average treatment time is around 12 weeks compared to (circa) 2 years for traditional fixed braces.
(b) The cost of conventional fixed braces can be between €4,000 - €6,000, whereas the Inman aligner is €1,700 per arch. (Also, see tax note below)
(c) It has the ability to be removed during treatment if you have a special event to attend, etc.
If you would like to discuss the Inman Aligner in more detail or would like advice on any of your dental needs you can contact us at any of our branches (details on the home page) or at dentist@redmondmolloy.ie or telephone 01 678 6070 where we would be delighted to set up a consultation to assess your suitability for treatment.
The inman aligner is not a total replacement for train tracks and should the Inman not be suitable in any particular case our in-house Orthodontist Sharon O'Flynn is more than happy to talk through the alternatives.
As with all Orthodontic treatment, there is also tax relief @ 20% available with the Inman Aligner, in real terms that means that the cost of the treatment after the 20% tax relief (taking thresholds into account) is €1385.
Posted on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 @ 07:09 AM
If every time you washed your hand they bleed you would not ignore this but would seek the advise of your doctor to help heal the problem
Yet hundreds of thousands of us ignore the fact that our gums bleed every time we brush, because we have learned to accept it as normal. This bleeding is a disease process called gingivitis caused by bacteria and if left untreated can lead to tooth loss at a minimum and also an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and various inflammatory diseases.
If left untreated the gingivitis will most likely progress to be a much more complex condition in which both the gums and the bones, that support the teeth are affected called Periodontitis.
If the gum disease progresses to active periodontitis the chances of loss of teeth rises.
The good news is that it is totally preventable, usually very easy to treat needing only a scale and polish. In this case prevention is not only better than cure but also less expensive, so the message is dont ignore treat thsi early and this can save a lot in the long run on other dental and medical bills.
Posted on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 @ 06:46 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.
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 crown 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.
Kate Beckinsale
Not much going on here, maybe a wee bit of whitening and gum reconturing at most maybe teeth have been filed for the symmetrical benefits also.
Katherine Heigl
Conservative treatment here, just a little bit of Orthodontics on the front teeth with something like an Inman aligner and then some whitening, best possible course of treatment if teeth are relative nice to start with, as no major long term expensive maintence.
Posted on Wed, Aug 11, 2010 @ 05:43 AM
‘Playing’ with a pierced tongue stud could lead to a gap between the front teeth – according to a new study.
The Research, which was carried out at the University at Buffalo in New York, suggested that tongue piercings could be a major cause of unnecessary orthodontic issues.
The report claimed that those with tongue piercings were likely to push the metal stud up against their teeth and consequently cause gaps and other problems to arise.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said the study highlighted the risks that tongue piercings have on oral health.
Dr Carter said: “It’s certainly something to think about before going out to get a tongue piercing. The temptation of playing with the stud in the mouth can be very high and in time this could lead to hundreds of euro worth of corrective treatment.
“The results of this study stress the risks that are associated with tongue piercings. As well as causing an apparent gap, oral piercings can also lead to chipped teeth and infection.
“In order to avoid such health problems in the future, along with the spiralling costs of any related treatment, I would advise people to stay clear of tongue piercings.”
Lead author of the study, Sawsan Tabbaa, said that ‘force, over time, moves teeth’ and that the results are caused by people playing with their studs crop up in a ‘very high percent of the cases’.
A professor of orthodontics at the University at Buffalo School Of Dental Medicine, Tabbaa, explained that tooth damage was common in both past and current case studies.
The current study featured a 26 year-old female patient and showed that a space between the upper front teeth had appeared during a period of seven years, as the metal bar was pushed against and between the teeth.
The patient provided researchers with photographs to show that she had no diastema before having her tongue pierced. It was strongly thought that positioning of the tongue stud between the maxillary central incisors caused the midline space between the front teeth.
The only solution was for the patient to wear a fixed brace for an extensive period of time. 
The author concluded that tongue piercings could result in serious injuries, not just to teeth but said they have also been associated with haemorrhages, infections, trauma to the gums and, in the worst cases, brain abscesses.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics.
Posted on Wed, Aug 04, 2010 @ 10:14 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, Aug 04, 2010 @ 06:39 AM
NEW EVIDENCE FROM NYU COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY SUPPORTS LINK BETWEEN GUM INFLAMMATION AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
NYU dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease in healthy individuals as well as in those who already are cognitively impaired.
The NYU study offers fresh evidence that gum inflammation may contribute to brain inflammation, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team, led by Dr. Angela Kamer, Assistant Professor of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry, examined 20 years of data that support the hypothesis of a possible causal link between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
“The research suggests that cognitively normal subjects with periodontal inflammation are at an increased risk of lower cognitive function compared to cognitively normal subjects with little or no periodontal inflammation,” Dr. Kamer said.
Dr. Kamer’s study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Douglas E. Morse, Associate Professor of Epidemiology & Health Promotion at NYU College of Dentistry, and a team of researchers in Denmark, builds upon a 2008 study by Dr. Kamer which found that subjects with Alzheimer’s disease had a significantly higher level of antibodies and inflammatory molecules associated with periodontal disease in their plasma compared to healthy people.
Dr. Kamer’s latest findings are based on an analysis of data on periodontal inflammation and cognitive function in 152 subjects in the Glostrop Aging Study, which has been gathering medical, psychological, oral health, and social data on Danish men and women. Dr. Kamer examined data spanning a 20-year period ending in 1984, when the subjects were all 70 years of age. The findings were presented by Dr. Kamer at the 2010 annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research July 16, in Barcelona, Spain.
Dr. Kamer’s team compared cognitive function at ages 50 and 70, using the Digit Symbol Test, or DST, a part of the standard measurement of adult IQ. The DST assesses how quickly subjects can link a series of digits, such as 2, 3, 4, to a corresponding list of digit-symbol pairs, such as 1/-,2/- ... 7/Λ,8/X,9/=.
Dr. Kamer found that periodontal inflammation at age 70 was strongly associated with lower DST scores at age 70. Subjects with periodontal inflammation were nine times more likely to test in the lower range of the DST compared to subjects with little or no periodontal inflammation.
This strong association held true even in those subjects who had other risk factors linked to lower DST scores, including obesity, cigarette smoking, and tooth loss unrelated to gum inflammation. The strong association also held true in those subjects who already had a low DST score at age 50.
Dr. Kamer plans to conduct a follow-up study involving a larger, more ethnically diverse group of subjects, to further examine the connection between periodontal disease and low cognition.
In addition to Dr. Morse, Dr. Kamer’s coinvestigators included Dr. Poul Holm-Pedersen, Professor and Director of the Gerontology & Oral Health Research Center; Dr. Erik Lykke Mortensen, Professor of Psychology; and Dr. Birita Ellefsen, Assistant Professor of Gerontology & Oral Health, all at Copenhagen University in Denmark; and Dr. Kirsten Avlund, Professor of Social Medicine at the Institute of Public Health in Copenhagen.
About New York University College of Dentistry
Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school.
Posted on Wed, Aug 04, 2010 @ 05:39 AM
Inman Aligners are a type of orthodontic appliance that can straighten or move your teeth to their best aesthetic position for straighter teeth and a more confident smile. Many dentists use the Inman Aligner as an alternative to the Invisalign invisible braces system. The Inman Aligners work best on misalignments of the upper and lower front teeth. They are not suitable for cases where the back teeth are heavily crowded for example. After a consultation, our dentists will be able to determine if you are suitable for treatment with the Inman Aligner.
Unlike the Invisalign system, the Inman Aligner is not entirely clear and does have some wire components on the back teeth. However, the Inman Aligner does have many of the same benefits as the invisible braces system.
How does the Aligner work?
Similar to the Invisalign system, the Inman Aligner is a removable appliance used to move the teeth over time. It relies on forces created by a coiled spring on the lingual side of the aligner (that on the inside or back of the teeth), and a bar that sits across the front of the teeth to “squeeze” the teeth into position by “pushing” and “pulling” them into position.
How long does treatment with the aligner take?
Treatment times are generally shorter than with most invisible braces systems, with treatment times varying from six to 16 weeks. The speed of the results is highly dependent on how long you wear the appliance for each day. With the Inman Aligner you can take the appliance off to eat or for an important meeting; however, the longer you wear it, the quicker you'll see results. It is recommended that you wear the aligner for around 20 hours a day, every day, if possible.
Is it uncomfortable?
Just like any new appliance the inman aligner when in your mouth, may feel uncomfortable at first and will take some getting used to. Many patients say that it initially affects their speech more with the upper inman aligner rather than the lower inman aligner and causes them to salivate more, but after about a week or so you should become accustomed to wearing the Aligner.
How much does the Inman Aligner cost?
The cost of treatment with the Inman Aligner is significantly less than with comparable treatment with invisible braces. the total cost does depend on how complicated the treatment is and the amount of movement required. The cost is €1700 if there is sufficient room to facilitate the teeth moving easily, if expansion of the arch is required to gain more space, the treatment time can be prolonged by 3 months and the cost may be €2200, but at your consultation all this will be explained to you.
As with all Orthodontic treatment, there is also tax relief @ 20% available with the Inman Aligner, so €1700 in real terms that means that the cost of the treatment after the 20% tax relief (taking thresholds into account) is €1385.
What are the advantages of the Inman Aligner system?
- Shorter treatment times than invisible braces.
- Removable, so that you can eat and clean your teeth easily during treatment.
- Cheaper than invisible braces.
- Only one Aligner is needed per arch for the entire treatment, top or bottom.
Disadvantages?
- It is not totally invisible.
- It can initially effect your speech.
- it is only suitable for your front top or bottom six teeth.