Tag Archives: st michaels orthodontics

Finally… All smiles for teenager after A-Levels!

WHEN a once in a lifetime trip knocked a Wakefield teenager to the bottom of an NHS waiting list her parents stepped in to help give her the smile she had always craved.  In National Smile Month they are hoping her A levels will give her reason to show off her new smile.

MAISIE Sharp didn’t make too much fuss about her slightly crooked teeth until she was 14.  Becoming increasingly self-conscious the bright Ossett student persuaded her dentist to refer her for NHS orthodontic treatment.

But her hopes were dashed when her appointment came through while she was on once in a lifetime family holiday Down Under and she was knocked to the back of the queue. 

“That was life changing,” said Emma Sharp, Maisie’s mum.  “Maisie had pinned so much on the appointment and then when she missed it because we were away it really made Maisie lose her confidence.  She started to worry that her teeth would never look as she wanted them.” 

“The dentist had just completed treatment with invisible braces herself and suggested Maisie seek treatment down that route.

Determined, Maisie and her mum headed to Dr Catherine McCanny who as one of the UK’s top orthodontists has performed almost 1000 invisible brace treatments and is an international speaker on the subject.

Having worked with invisible braces since their introduction 20 years ago Dr McCanny reassured Maisie and her mum that the treatments were developing all the time and with proper care at home would help straighten her teeth and give her the smile she craved without having to wear conventional train track braces..

Recently appointed to the UK Invisalign Advisory Board and the UK representative of the Invisalign Practice Development Cookbook, Catherine has plenty of experience working with very complex cases and realised early on that Maisie’s teeth could be helped.

“Invisalign Teen is a popular treatment choice, particularly for older teens and has been designed to adapt to the needs of teenagers who are sporty or play music and so need to be flexible in the approach,” she said.

For Maisie it was a no-brainer.  “The invisible braces didn’t show up and were so easy to use.  You can take them out to eat or have hot drinks which makes them easy to keep clean,” said Maisie.

 “I never realised until I looked back on her Prom photographs how embarrassed about her teeth she was,” said mum, Emma.  She looked beautiful her dress was gorgeous and she looked really happy, but unlike her friends her smiles were all through a closed mouth because she was embarrassed about her teeth. 

“Maisie completes her ‘A’ Levels this summer and hopes to go to Durham University to study psychology.  Having the confidence to smile and show off her teeth will mean everything to her.”

“We all take our smiles for granted unless we have misaligned teeth,” said Dr McCanny. 

“Maisie was determined to persevere with the treatment, now she can look forward to showing them off.”

 Maisie Sharp

 

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Yorkshire orthodontist joins UK advisory board

cmc pic

 

 CATHERINE McCanny was inspired to train as an orthodontist when she realised the difference straight teeth made to the physical and emotional well being of patients at the Wakefield clinic she shares with her dentist husband, Joe Hendron.

Passionate about patient care and ground breaking practices that delivered improved results she invested in her training to qualify and build up one of most respected all women run orthodontic clinics that has won multiple awards for best practice, patient care and innovative treatment.

Now the Wakefield based specialist has been invited to join a UK advisory board to help promote best practice, share ideas and encourage innovative methods.

The UK Invisalign Advisory Board has traditionally been male dominated but Dr McCanny, who founded and runs St Michael’s Orthodontics, Wakefield, has been invited to join as the number of female practitioners now equals that of men.

“More women have entered the profession which has brought with it an appreciation that women see things differently and can add real value when mentoring and sharing best practise,” she said.

“Having been in at the beginning of Invisalign and invisible braces I can share my early experiences and talk about how things have changed and the potential issues that orthodontists could face in their first cases,” she said.

“We are all trained in using fixed appliances and it is easy to stay in our comfort zone.   However, I hope that by demonstrating how I have treated my patients with Invisalign that other colleagues will start to see the benefits of this system.”

For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk http://invisiblebraces-yorkshire.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Editor’s notes:

 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Dr Catherine McCanny has achieved Invisalign Platinum Elite Standard for both the quality of her work and the number of treatments she has performed
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • More recently, Catherine – a member of the British Orthodontic Society – was delighted to win two awards in the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards.
  • In 2015 St Michaels Orthodontics won three awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including ‘Best Team’.

Press release issued by: Carmel Harrison PR, The Plex, Margaret street, Wakefield. For further information, please contact Carmel Harrison on: 01924 632263. Alternatively, email carmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

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Ready to smile with confidence?

So you’re ready to change your smile, but how do you choose an orthodontist?

Thinking

For over 20 years, Dr Catherine McCanny has been changing the lives of patients at St Michael’s Orthodontics. Aside from the attractive smile and self-esteem boost that orthodontic treatment offers, there are many other benefits to a straight smile such as improved oral hygiene.
 
No doubt if you are looking to begin your journey to a straighter smile you have done your research and will be familiar with the types of orthodontic appliance available. For many, understandably, the cost of treatment greatly impacts the decision for the practice you will choose for your treatment. “Why does the cost of treatment vary between different practices?” is a question we are often faced with. Many General Dental Practitioners are now expanding their scope of practice into the field of orthodontics, which is a factor that can affect the variation of treatment prices. Generally speaking, the cost of treatment provided by a Specialist Orthodontic Practice will be slightly more, but with that comes many advantages.  

What is an orthodontist?

Dentists and orthodontists both work to improve oral health. A dentist carries out general dental treatment, such as a check-up or fillings, however they may have a special interest in other areas like orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry. An orthodontist would firstly qualify as a dentist, then undergo 3 years of additional training to gain their Masters in Orthodontics. Specialist training means that an orthodontist would be able to carry out complex and comprehensive treatments.

Advantages of treatment with St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd.

We specialise in the field of Orthodontics. Our clinicians exclusively work within the orthodontic field, meaning all the staff know the treatments inside out.

Our Principal Orthodontist has over 20 years’ experience in orthodontics, and more than 10 years’ experience of working with Invisalign. This year our orthodontist Catherine has reached her milestone of treating 500 patients using Invisalign and she has achieved Platinum Elite status, making her one of the most experienced Invisalign providers in the UK.  Last year Catherine was appointed a clinical speaker for Invisalign- a recognition of her experience and expertise in this field.
She is now a member of the UK Invisalign advisory board and has been appointed as the UK representative for the Invisalign Cookbook which she has developed with 4 other European orthodontists in sharing their secret recipes for growing a successful Invisalign practice.

Our treatment packages include: –

  • ITero scan which will show patients how their teeth will look after treatment
  • Additional aligners if needed to fine detail the position of the teeth
  • Emergency or any extra visits
  • Patient care pack
  • Fixed and removable retainers as needed to ensure the teeth remain in position
  • Before and after photographs
  • 3 sets of Invisalign Vivera retainers
  • An 18-month supervision of retention



We offer different finance packages to spread the cost of your treatment (including 0% finance).

We offer a range of orthodontic appliances. Fixed metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign First…so whatever your preference or concern we’re sure to have a solution.

We have won 17 awards including :-

Best orthodontic practice
Best Team
Best Invisalign case (on 3 occasions)
Best adult fixed appliance case
Best child/teenager fixed appliance case

All our staff are actively involved in the world of Orthodontics. We are all keen to progress with training, and stay updated with the most recent treatment techniques by attending the British Orthodontic conference annually.

We have two members of staff appointed the position of treatment coordinator. Our treatment coordinators are trained and experienced in communicating with patients to find the best way to work with you. They can offer advice, guidance and reassurance help patients discover all their options and what will work best for them.

We hope our guide to the advantages of seeking treatment with St Michael’s Orthodontics has helped in your decision making for your own smile transformation. There are also many benefits to orthodontic treatment with a specialist orthodontist, and as with most things it comes down to personal preference and what you feel would give you the best options.

If you would like to arrange a complimentary chat appointment with our treatment coordinator to find out your options for a straighter smile, call today on 01924380680 or email orthostmichaels@tiscali.co.uk

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ALL SMILES FOR COUPLE’S BIG DAY  

 

Vicki and Sam Shute Colin Powel (1)

ONE Yorkshire couple had more reason than many to smile on their big day as they showed off their dazzling new smiles, having had Invisalign treatment to straighten their teeth.  

Sam and Vicki Shute were both patients at St Michaels Orthodontics, Wakefield, when they decided to take the plunge and have orthodontic treatment.

But rather than Vicki persuading Sam to have treatment, he was first to book his consultation with  Dr Catherine McCanny, after seeing photos of himself at his brother’s wedding and deciding enough was enough.

“I was always aware that my teeth weren’t straight but seeing how pointed they were at the front on my brother’s wedding photos made me decide to do something about it,” said the business development manager from Sandal.

“Dr McCanny fitted Invisalign braces, which are almost invisible so I wasn’t conscious while I was having treatment and no one commented.”

Sam had almost completed his treatment and the pair were engaged when Vicki noticed how her teeth were moving.

“I was about 24 and my teeth had always been fairly straight but then my wisdom teeth came through and severely impacted the alignment of my bottom teeth.  There wasn’t enough room and they started to collapse in.  Being a teacher, I was more conscious of it in front of the pupils so I decided to get treatment.”

Dr McCanny of St Michael’s Orthodontic Ltd has treated nearly 500 patients with Invisalign since it launched 20 years ago but was delighted to treat a couple who were planning their big day. ‘It was a great feeling to be able to give this lovely young couple a fantastic new smile for their wedding day and be part of the whole plan. We were all so excited to see their wedding photographs’.

“Increasingly men are aware of their looks and how it affects their careers and confidence so I wasn’t surprised that Sam came along but it was really special to be treating his fiancée at the same time.  The tricky part was timing the treatment so that the aligners came off for the big day.  Sam’s treatment was finished while Vicki need some refinements after the wedding that were easy to schedule in,” said Dr McCanny.

“I’m just so delighted that we could do the treatment in time so they were both able to smile with confidence on their big day.  Congratulations!”

Photography by Colin Powel

 

Editors’ Notes:

About St Michaels Orthodontics: 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • More recently, Catherine – a member of the British Orthodontic Society – was delighted to win three awards in the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards, including the ultimate accolade of Best Aesthetic Dentist 2013. This success was repeated in 2015, when the practice picked up a further three awards, including ‘Best Team’.
  • Catherine McCanny is an Invisalign Elite Platinum Provider.
  • For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk
  • Press Contact
  • Press release issued by: Carmel Harrison PR, Unity Works, Wakefield. For further information, please contact Carmel Harrison on 01924 831114 or 07714 708 271. Alternatively, email Carmel at carmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Orthodontist appoints two treatment coordinators

TC and CMC

AWARD winning Wakefield orthodontist, St Michael’s has appointed two treatment coordinators as part of its investment in patient care.

The two will work alongside orthodontists at the Dewsbury Road practice to offer advice, guidance and reassurance to patients throughout their treatment.

Clinically trained, Dawn Rimmington and Joanne Reape will be the first point of contact with patients to explain the orthodontic procedures they will undertake, how to care for their braces at home and also discuss payment plans.

Dr Catherine McCanny, orthodontist explained: “Patients are keen to enjoy the end result of the treatment which is attractive and healthier aligned teeth, but naturally they have questions.  I was very conscious that some patients were reticent to ask me about things such as payment plans or even ask questions about their treatment or teeth because they thought they were too silly.

“We completely understand that but at the same time we don’t want patients to go away feeling they are in the dark about their treatment.  Dawn and Joanne act as a bridge between clinicians and patients and can often pre-empt questions through the comprehensive advice they provide about home care during treatment.  They offer advice about care of braces, how long to wear them and the best kinds of foods to eat to enhance a patient’s results.

“With their own consultation room patients are confident of being able to ask anything discretely,” she added.

“We are the first point of contact when patients first come in for a consultation about orthodontics and so they are able to build a long lasting informal yet confidential rapport with us so that they get the most out of their treatment,” said Dawn.

 

Photograph: Dawn Rimmington, Dr Catherine McCanny and Joanne Reape

 

 

 

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Equality, Diversity and Ethnicity

Equality BLOG

We gave patients a questionnaire to fill in whilst waiting for their appointments. The results are from forms that were completed correctly.  

We used a selection of questions, each designed to ensure that anyone using the service feels that they are given the same opportunities, treated fairly and their needs are being met. Each question had the option ‘prefer not to answer’

  1. What is your sex?
  1. What was your age on your last birthday?

The results showed a fairly even cross section in gender, the largest percentage attending the practice were under 18 (72%).

  1. What language do you prefer to speak in?
  1. Do you need an interpreter or help to communicate?

96% of patients preferred language to communicate was English, of the 4% that selected another language as their preferred no one required the use of an interpreter. SMOL has a Translation Policy in place if required.

  1.  Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion?
  1. To which of the following groups do you consider you belong?

Some patients (24%) preferred not to answer the question, of those giving a response 72% answered Christian, Church of England and the remaining 28% said Muslim.

  1. Did you have any difficulty accessing the Dental Practice today?

No patients had problems accessing the service.

  1. Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months?
  1.  Do you have any of the following conditions lasting (or expected to last) 12 months or more?
  1. Deafness or severe hearing impairment
  2. Blindness or severe vision impairment
  3. A condition that limits one or more basic physical activities (such as walking climbing stairs, lifting or carrying)
  4. A learning difficulty (such as Down’s syndrome)
  5. A learning difficulty (such as dyslexia)
  6. A mental health condition (such as depression or schizophrenia)
  7. A chronic disease (such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy)
  8. No
  9. Other please tell us
  10. Prefer not to answer
  11. Asthma 

The majority of patients answered no to this question (92%). Those answering yes selected depression (4%) and asthma (4%) as ongoing health problems. The practice updates medical history forms every 6 months for routine patients, this ensures we have the latest health information available to the clinical staff providing care.

  1. Feedback – Please use this space to tell use any areas in which improvement can be made

‘Friendly welcoming staff, gave me an appointment while I was here’

‘Staff very polite. Tea/coffee machine, water dispenser’

‘Great practice’

‘Fabulous service’

After reviewing the answers given in the questionnaire no patients reported having any concerns about the way they were treated at the practice and no patients had problems with access. We do not feel any changes are required at the present time but we will continue to listen to patients’ feedback and make any changes should they become necessary. We will continue to work hard to ensure all patients and visitors to the practice feel their rights are being respected and their needs are being met.

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Breathe easy with iTero technology

The taking of dental impressions is now a thing of the past thanks to our state of the art iTero dental scanner.

iTero pic

This £21,000 high tech scanner not only removes the discomfort from obtaining a dental impression but enables us to provide you with a more flexible, accurate and productive service.

The handheld scanning technology creates a digital ‘dental impression’, producing highly accurate 3D images of your mouth that can be rotated, zoomed and manipulated in various ways.

Scanner image

It provides a record of the exact dimensions of your teeth and gums and, with the magic of technology, we can even forecast what your teeth will look like after treatment.

With the ability to capture up to 6,000 frames per second, our trained staff simply move the wand-like scanner over your teeth and gums, stopping and starting it as often as necessary. The new process is far preferable for patients who no longer need to have impression material in their mouth for several minutes – a method which caused some people to gag uncomfortably.

Being able to send the impressions to the lab digitally means a quicker turn around, saving you weeks of waiting, and with the scanner able to forecast the different treatment outcomes, you will have all the information you need up front to enable you to make an informed decision about the different treatment outcomes available.

The iTero technology is not only improving the overall experience for patients but is in line with the excellent level of service we aim to provide at St Michael’s Orthodontics to ensure patient confidence.

To discover how iTero can benefit you, contact us at orthostmichaels@tiscali.co.uk or check out our websites: https://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk/ or www.invisiblebraces-yorkshire.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wakefield orthodontist snaps up two top awards

ST MICHAEL’S Orthodontics are beaming with success after their specialist orthodontist Catherine McCanny snapped up two awards at the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards.

 

2018 ADA v2

Catherine – who set-up St Michael’s Orthodontics in Dewsbury Road, Wakefield 20 years ago – won the two awards relating to the use of Invisalign plus the treatment of teenagers.

She had submitted two case studies, including photographs before, during and after treatment, showing how the work she had carried out improved the appearance of a 13 year-old boy with very crowded teeth plus highly prominent ‘fangs’ plus a 31-year-old woman who was really unhappy with the appearance of her teeth, especially on the top right.

The practice was also shortlisted for the Best Aesthetic Practice Award, recognising the practice as a centre of excellence and the hard work every team member brings to the patient experience. St Michael’s Orthodontics have previously secured wins at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards in 2013 and 2015.

“I am delighted to receive the recognition that winning these awards brings. I tend to enter such events with no expectation of success, knowing what strong competition I’m up against and to come out on top is a welcome endorsement of the standard of service and outcomes we are delivering for our patients at St Michael’s Orthodontics,” commented Catherine.

“I view the awards very much as a team achievement as it’s the service we all provide that gets results.”

The Invisalign award entry outlined how Catherine used the clear, virtually invisible, aligner system which gently moves teeth into position, to treat a particularly challenging case.

“Invisalign was the only treatment the patient would have but the level of complexity involved saw us taking the use of the system to a totally new level. The patient was on board all the way and by going that extra mile over two years of treatment we achieved outstanding results. We would never have used Invisalign for such complex challenges several years ago but, in doing so, it has given me more confidence to treat more difficult cases with it in future,” said Catherine who also won the Aesthetic Dentistry Award for Invisalign in 2013 and 2015.

“A key factor in the successful outcomes of both case studies that we submitted for the awards was that the patients were willing to work with us. Our teenaged case study involved 27 months of treatment, combining twin block removable braces and fixed braces.

Both patients were extremely dedicated in working with me and as a result, they a had such a difference to their smile and self confidence.

Editor’s notes:

 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Dr Catherine McCanny has achieved Invisalign Platinum Elite Standard for both the quality of her work and the number of treatments she has performed
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • More recently, Catherine – a member of the British Orthodontic Society – was delighted to win two awards in the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards.
  • In 2015 St Michaels Orthodontics won three awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including ‘Best Team’.
  • For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk http://invisiblebraces-yorkshire.co.uk

 

Press release issued by: Carmel Harrison PR, The Plex, Margaret street, Wakefield. For further information, please contact Carmel Harrison on: 01924 632263. Alternatively, email carmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

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Start your New Year with a healthier smile

As a New Year begins and we are all looking to live healthier lifestyles, don’t forget how important it is to maintain a healthy mouth.

smile 1

 

3 simple steps to improving your oral health:-

• Visit your dentist for regular check ups

• Brush your teeth for 3 minutes at least twice a day (and remember to floss in between your teeth)

• Cut down your sugar intake especially snacking between meals

If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, now is the time to seek advice from your orthodontist on how we can make your teeth look better.

There are many health benefits to straight teeth and these may include:-

• Simpler brushing: Crooked teeth are harder to clean, allowing food particles to get trapped in the crevices between the teeth. If plaque builds up this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

• Healthier gums: When teeth are crooked, the gums can become irritated, inflamed and red. These characteristics not only look bad, but also are a warning sign of gum disease.

• Tooth function: Teeth and jaws that are misaligned can cause unequal pressure on some teeth leading to abnormal wear or gum recession.

• Improved speech: Sometimes the simple formation of sounds and the enunciation of words can be a challenge for those with very prominent teeth or with an open bite (i.e. no vertical overlap of the top & bottom teeth). If the teeth are put in a better position this may make it easier to produce the correct sounds correctly.

So, what are you waiting for?

Contact our team of experts today and make 2018 the year you transform your smile!

Contact us: orthostmichaels@tiscali.co.uk or check out our website: https://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk/ or www.invisiblebraces-yorkshire.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS OPEN HOURS

 

Holiday

The practice is now closed for the Christmas holidays.

Our open hours are;

Monday 25th December – CLOSED

Tuesday 26th December – CLOSED

Wednesday 27th December – 9am – 1pm         2pm – 5pm

Thursday 28th December – 9am – 1pm         2pm – 5pm

Friday 29th December – 9am – 1pm         2pm – 5pm

Monday 1st January – CLOSED

Tuesday 2nd January – 9am – 1pm         2pm – 5.30pm

If you require urgent care outside these hours please contact 111.

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