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Dental Practice Description for Accessibility Practice The building was purpose built in 1908 as a dental practice with owner accommodation and has been a dental practice since. There have been 4 owners in the intervening years culminating in the present Partnership of Mr. Stephen Woodhouse , Mr. Howard Hunter , Mr. Geoffrey Readshaw and Mr. Andrew Carter. In its early days the practice had one surgery for the dentist at the front, a waiting room where Mr. Hunter now resides, a technicians surgery where the present waiting room is situated, a technicians work room at the back and a three bedroom owners accommodation upstairs. The building was entirely redesigned in 1989 when Mr. Woodhouse purchased the building from Mr. J. Mitchell and expanded to the present 4 surgery practice by utilising all the building for dentistry doing away with living accommodation. Patients will notice since then there has been constant updating and additions to the practice to conform with access and health and safety regulations. Our thanks extend to our gardeners for maintaining the small gardens to the front and side as well as the long hedges that keep our privacy. Dentists Mr Stephen Woodhouse BDS Dentist GDC Reg No. 49383 “Sand grown” I went to Waterloo primary school and then Arnold as an 11 plus sponsored student. It was there I discovered a lasting love of science generally and specifically physics, together with shooting that has never left me. Dentistry was a reflection of the science and the love of making things. Dentistry was studied at Liverpool and I graduated in 1975. I went to work for Mr. A.W.J.Lovatt in 1976 and as a partner with Mr.D.T. McLellan bought the King St. Practice in 1978. This practice grew to 20,000 patients and in 1989 I acquired Whitegate Drive surgery. King St. was sold and all efforts directed to enlarging and building a different and better practice, which I hope you will agree has happened. The interest in the new continues and I have attended the Manchester implant course with Mr. C. Ucer which now forms an increasing part of the practice. I am currently researching to find the best and most predictable way to whiten teeth. General dentistry still holds its fascination and is ever changing with new materials and techniques coming almost weekly, so change is part of life and keeps it interesting. I am married to Susan an Applications Specialist in Computed Tomography with two boys Paul who is a computer graduate and Daniel currently studying radiography. Life is good! Mr Geoffrey Readshaw BDS FDS RCPS Dentist GDC Reg No. 65396 I qualified from Edinburgh University in 1990 and spent 5 years after qualification working at the Dental Hospitals in Edinburgh and Glasgow, gaining experience in restorative dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. In 1995 I became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Glasgow having gained the post graduate qualification of FDS RCPS. I regularly attend postgraduate courses and lectures to stay up to date with the latest techniques and materials. I joined the practice in 1995 and became a partner in 2002. In 2003 I was appointed as a Dental Vocational Trainer by Manchester University, a role designed to guide and advise newly qualified dentists in the rigours of dental practice. I am a fully certified implantologist and a member of the Association for Dental Implantology. In 2007 I became accredited as a Dentist with a Special Interest (DwSI) in Oral Surgery allowing me to accept referrals from other practitioners. I remain committed to uncompromising quality of care for my patients and I am constantly seeking to expand my interests in surgical and cosmetic work. Outside the practice I enjoy photography and hill walking (preferably when it’s not raining)! Mr Howard John Hunter BDS Dentist GDC Reg No. 67116 A big hello to you all. I have been practicing dentistry since qualifying in Liverpool with honours in 1991. My particular interests within dentistry are sedation and treatment of the anxious, nervous and phobic patient, this is my forte. In addition to this I do have a very keen interest in cosmetic dentistry as this gives both myself and the patient the feel good factor when their smile and confidence is transformed! When not at work I love to while away some hours sailing or drifting around in the open sea. Unfortunately my hobby is not reciprocated by my wife and daughters who prefer the horsy world, but then hey, who says you can have it all!!!! Mr Andrew Carter BDS Dentist GDC Reg No. 83318 After qualifying at Newcastle upon Tyne Dental School in June 2004 I joined the practice in August the same year. I spent my vocational training year at this practice under the supervision of Mr Readshaw. I very much enjoy caring for the whole family, but also have an interest in conscious sedation. Outside of dentistry I enjoy playing and watching sport and keeping fit. I am also a committed Christian, being involved in leading the youth work in the local church I attend. Dental Team Elena Barlow (Practice Manager) Elena has been with the practice since 1996. She has gained her National Certificate in Dental Nursing, BTEC in Oral Health Promotion, National Certificate in Dental Nurse Sedation and has recently studied at the University of Central Lancashire for her Advanced Certificate in Health Service Management. Julie Mickelthwait Julie has been with the practice since 1991. She has gained her National Certificate in Dental Surgery Assisting and has attended Manchester Dental School to study Dental Sedation Nursing. Lesley Geenhill Lesley has been with the practice since 1998. She has gained her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health, National Certificate in Dental Radiology and is currently studying for her National Certificate in Dental Nurse Sedation at Manchester Dental Hospital. Sarah Readshaw Sarah has been with the practice since 1995. She gained her Dental Surgery Assistants qualification at Glasgow Dental Hospital. Sarah is one of our specialist implant nurses and is responsible for child protection. Georgina Ingham Georgina has been with the practice since 2003. Georgina gained her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health Care and is one of our specialist implant nurses. Emma McKeown Emma has been with the practice since 2004 and has gained her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health. Kate Wilks Kate has been with the practice since 2004 and has gained her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health Care. Lauren Cross With us since 2006, Lauren has completed her NVQ level 2 in Customer Service - Dental Reception and has moved into surgery. She is currently undertaking her NVQ level 3 in Oral Health Care with Training 2000. Deborah Buckley Debbie has been with the practice since 2006 and has gained her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health Care. Miles Arrowsmith With us since July 2008, Miles is out most recent Dental Nurse Cadet from the Blackpool PCT/Training 2000 Cadet programme. Sarah Dickenson Sarah has been with us since 2005. Sarah is currently studying with Training 2000 for her NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health Care Natalie Good Natalie Good started at the practice as a full-time receptionist in December 2008. Natalie has been working for the practice since November 2006 as one of our evening telephone reminders, therefore some of you will recognise her voice! Dental Treatments At Ivory Dental Care, it is our aim to provide the highest quality dental care in a relaxed friendly environment. Our fundamental philosophy is that everything we do within the practice is centred entirely around what is best for you as an individual. We will spend as long as is necessary with your treatment and ensure that everything is explained clearly before we start. We will always discuss all the treatment options with you and help you decide which you feel is best, showing and explaining any x-rays that are taken. You will be given a personalised computer estimate before any treatment commences, with all costs fully itemised. If for any reason your treatment plan may change, you will be kept fully informed and all cost implications will be explained in advance. At Ivory Dental Care we only use the most up-to-date materials that are of the highest quality, which have been extensively tested and that are designed to last. Cosmetic Dentistry - Smile Makeovers Teeth Whitening Brighten your teeth by several shades with our custom home whitening maintenance kits. Porcelain Veneers Improve your smile by lengthening and reshaping teeth and closing gaps between teeth. Ask about a complete smile makeover! White Fillings Remove unsightly silver metal fillings and replace them with tooth coloured fillings for a whiter smile. Gum Contouring and Teeth Reshaping Reshape your gums and teeth to lengthen or shorten the appearance of teeth and improve your smile line. Teeth Whitening Teeth are stained by the foods and drinks we consume. Smoking further stains teeth and the natural bright, white shade becomes darkened. Teeth whitening is a successful and simple method of lightening the colour of your teeth. The degree of whiteness achieved will vary from patient to patient and with the type of bleaching process chosen. Tooth whitening is a simple, safe and effective way to create a brighter, whiter smile which can make you look years younger. A custom-made mouth guard containing a flavoured gel is worn at night. As the effect is cumulative, you are in control and can choose to stop wearing the mouth-guard when the desired result is obtained. Porcelain Veneers If your front teeth are stained, chipped, or malaligned, veneers will give you a good life-like appearance with minimum tooth adjustment. A veneer is a facing on the front of your teeth usually your top teeth, it is just like a false finger nail. Veneers are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons. Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed. Porcelain veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones) generally. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others. White Fillings If the decay is not too serious, our cosmetic dentist will remove all the decay and restore the tooth with a white (tooth coloured) filling. We can safely replace silver amalgam fillings with white tooth coloured fillings. Dental decay happens when the enamel and dentine of a tooth become softened by acid attack, producing a cavity (hole). More about decay detection in our Preventive Dentistry section. Gum Contouring and Teeth Reshaping Lengthen the appearance of your teeth by reshaping your gums. Shorten, smoothen or level your teeth to improve your smile line. Restorative Dentistry - Restore Your Smile Dental Implants Permanent solution for restoring missing teeth Crowns & Bridges Replace a few missing teeth with a natural looking caps Broken Teeth Restore broken and chipped teeth after accidents Dentures Replace many missing teeth with support to your cheeks and lips Flexible Dentures Flexible partial dentures are the comfortable, beautiful, and affordable choice. Dental Implants Dental implants offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth. Mr Woodhouse and Mr Readshaw offer advanced dental treatment using implants. These state of the art devices can be made to fuse with the underlying bone to provide support for bridge work, dentures or single missing teeth. They are very good for stabilising loose lower dentures and to restore missing teeth, leaving the patient denture free and having teeth as nature intended. A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root and commonly it is screw or cylinder shaped. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully drilled at the precise location of the intended tooth. Often the implant can be placed at the same time as removal of the tooth all on the same day. If an implant has a screw-thread on its outer surface it can be screwed into position and if it does not, it is usually tapped into place. The main aim during placement of any implant is to achieve immediate close contact with the surrounding bone. This creates an initial stability, which over time is steadily enhanced by further growth of bone into microscopic roughnesses on the implant surface. In order to support replacement teeth, dental implants normally have some form of internal screw thread or post space that allows a variety of components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long-term support of crowns, bridges or dentures. Click here for illustrated information. Crowns A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance: You may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth You may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it It may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place. Bridges Besides having dental implants, there are two main ways to replace missing teeth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge. A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base. If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost. You should replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. Your appearance is one reason. Another is that the gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side. A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease. Broken Teeth A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of the tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken part. Bonding: sometimes a natural colour 'composite' material is used instead of porcelain - to avoid repetition A natural-coloured filling material can be used for minor repairs to front teeth like chipped or broken tooth corners. Dentures Replacing lost or missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and appearance. A complete or full denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce their ability to eat and speak. A denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. The base of a denture is called a plate and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of partial dentures. Flexible Dentures Nobody has to know that you're missing teeth Flexible partial dentures are the comfortable, beautiful, and affordable choice. It was long thought that removable partial dentures had to be rigid to be effective. The innovation of the Valplast® Flexible Partial allows the restoration to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility in your mouth. Comfortable Non-Invasive Affordable Virtually Invisible This is the underlying thinking behind Valplast's innovative flexible, removable partial denture. The flexibility, combined with strength and light weight, provides total comfort and great looks! General Oral Surgery Minor extractions for teeth in pain or widsom teeth Root Canal Treatment Treatment for infected blood or nerve supply of teeth Sedation for the Nervous Relaxation for anxious and dental phobic patients Oral Surgery Oral surgery can be provided with sedation for nervous patients. Wisdom Teeth Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist. The dentist will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how - or if - your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be. Extractions can also be done under sedation. Extractions Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers: For the first 24 hours, try to avoid eating hot food, don't smoke, don't drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed. Don't rinse your mouth for six hours after extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water - half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough. Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth as clean as possible. You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket - don't worry, this is perfectly normal. There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers - aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetomol will be fine. If you feel pain immediately after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down leaving an empty hole in the gum. If the extraction socket starts to bleed This is called a 'dry socket' and will need to be looked at by your dentist. Simply go back and the dentist will pack the wound to ease your discomfort. Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed - if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue). Roll it into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm). Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky. Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes. Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist. Root Canal Therapy What is root canal treatment? Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury. Why is root canal treatment needed? If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. If root canal treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out. Does it hurt? No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done. What does it involve? The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist. At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled. What will my tooth look like after treatment? In the past, a root filled tooth would often darken after treatment. However, with modern techniques this does not usually happen. If there is any discolouration, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance. What if it happens again? Root canal treatment is usually very successful. However, if the infection comes back the treatment can be repeated. What if I don’t have the treatment? The alternative is to have the tooth out. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can’t heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth. Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible. Will the tooth be safe after treatment? Yes. However, it is better to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth. Where can this treatment be carried out? Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure, which your dentist will be happy to do for you. What about aftercare? Root-treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste. Cut down on sugary snacks, and keep them only to mealtimes if possible. See your dentist for regular check-ups. Sedation For nervous patients we offer sedation to relax you through your treatment. Our highly trained staff will guide you through a dream like state which leaves you with little memory of the treatment. Adults can be offered intravenous sedation. All systems are monitored during use. Please ask your dentist or one of our sedation nurses for further information. Is there anything that can help me with my fear of the dentist? Yes. Some people are so frightened of the dentist that they will not go for dental treatment. They can overcome their fears with relaxation or sedation. Our dentists are sympathetic about these feelings, and you can ask our dentists about these ways to help. What is sedation? We offer an intravenous or IV sedation. This is given by injection, either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and the length of time it will take to complete. How will IV sedation in the surgery affect me? You become drowsy and unaware of any treatment, but you are still able to co-operate with the dentist. The effects of sedative medicine take some time to wear off and your dentist will tell you how long the drugs will take to clear from your body. You won’t be able to drink alcohol, drive or work machinery during this time. You can be helped to feel relaxed by ‘relative analgesia’ sometimes known as inhalation sedation. This means breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (‘laughing gas’) which quickly leads to a pleasant, relaxed feeling. The dentist puts you at ease at the same time, by talking softly and suggesting what you feel. You remain conscious all the time, although you may be a little drowsy, and any treatment given causes you no discomfort. You breathe in the mixture through a nosepiece, which is very comfortable. You can’t overdose on the gas, as the mixture quickly leaves the body if you breathe in one or two breaths of ordinary air. There are no after-effects either, and you can drive a car after about 15 minutes. Many dentists use this safe and effective technique. How does relaxation work? When we are faced with a challenge or something we’re afraid of, such as a visit to the dentist, our bodies produce substances, which raise our anxiety. However, we can train our bodies to work against this anxiety, by learning to relax. It’s not possible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time, so learning relaxation helps control our anxiety. Preventive Dentistry - Maintain Your Smile Children Fluoride applications and fissure sealants for protection against decay Dental Hygiene Scale & polishing teeth and teaching you how to keep them clean Bad Breath Improve your social life with fresh breath Gum Disease Treatment of swelling, soreness or infection of the gum tissues Decay Detection Detect early decay and prevent unnecessary discomfort Mouth Cancer Screening Smoking, drinking and unhealthy diets increases risks of mouth cancer. Early detection increases chances of survival. Children We aim to prevent dental disease rather than treat it at a later date. Fluoride applications and fissure sealants (tooth coloured sealants) are applied to biting surfaces of children's teeth to prevent decay. Dental Hygiene Dental hygiene treatment includes professionally cleaning the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps our most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque. The dentist also plays an important role in treating gum disease. Bad Breath Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. However, strong foods like garlic and onions can add to the problem. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions. Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh. The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems. Gum Disease Screening for gum disease forms an integral part of your routine examination. Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. What is gum disease? Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. What is gingivitis? Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning. What is periodontal disease? Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out. What is the cause of gum disease? All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing. What happens if gum disease is not treated? Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult. How do I know if I have gum disease? The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant. Decay Detection Decay may or may not cause discomfort; even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating. Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat. Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the roots, or any bone loss around the tooth. Mouth Cancer Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat. Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. This is because of late detection. Visit your dentist at once if you notice any abnormal problems or are not sure. Regular dental checkups allow early detection of abnormalities in the mouth. Mouth Cancer Foundation The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity that raises awareness of mouth cancers and proviedes information and support to patients, carers and health professionals. Giving Up Smoking It's not easy... So that's why this web site is here. Giving up smoking requires preparation, determination, and support. This site is here to help you with each of these. If you're thinking about giving up, have a look-in. |