Tag Archives: st michaels orthodontics

Frequently asked questions about your NHS referral

Frequently Asked Questions about NHS Orthodontics

Q. What is NHS Orthodontics?

A. Each year the practice is allocated a contract with a set amount of funding to use for free orthodontic treatment. This funding is available to people under the age of 18 years who require treatment on the grounds of dental health. However restrictions now apply to who is eligible for NHS treatment. In addition, the amount of annual funding provided to us is limited. As a result patients who are eligible for NHS treatment may have to be placed on a waiting list until more funds become available.

Q. Why do some people qualify for orthodontic treatment and some do not?

A. One of our Orthodontic Specialists will assess if your child is eligible for NHS treatment using an assessment scale called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). This is made up of 5 grades, 1 is the least severe and 5 the most. NHS treatment is available to those who grade at levels 4 or 5 on this scale.

 

IOTN

 

Q. Do all Orthodontists use the IOTN?

A. Yes. All orthodontic specialists who carry out NHS treatment in England and Wales use the IOTN to grade their patients.

Q. Why is the list so long?

A. A large number of patients are referred to us by their dentist for an NHS Orthodontic assessment. Regrettably it is not possible to see everyone straight away given the amount of funding we receive. We therefore use an assessment waiting list system to ensure patients are called for their assessment in turn, which can be up to 40  months. If your child qualifies for NHS treatment and their dental health is of the required standard they will commence treatment.

Q. So what do I do now?

A. We will contact you in writing once your child has reached the top of the waiting list. (Please remember to inform us of any change of address)

We hope this information helps to explain the procedures surrounding NHS Orthodontics but if you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us on 01924 380680 and our staff will be happy to help.

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How to care for your fixed brace

Caring for your fixed appliance

Follow the instructions below to ensure that you care for you brace as well as possible!

grren monseter                                 Toothbrushing

Toothbrushing is very important. The brace should be cleaned after every meal. This means that you will need to clean your teeth at school or work. You will need two types of brush to clean your teeth thoroughly. The first is an orthodontic toothbrush it has a ’v’’ shape, designed to go around the brackets. The second is called an interdental brush. This one is essential to clean between the brackets and under the wire, areas which your toothbrush will not reach!

All the necessary items to care for your brace and oral health during treatment can be purchased at reception.

blue monster                                   Eating and drinking

You are not allowed to eat sticky foods, toffees, chewing gum etc. as these damage the brace. Sugary foods should be avoided, especially snacking between meals. Tough or crunchy foods such as apples, carrots,pizza crusts and baguettes should be limited and if eaten should be cut into bite size pieces. Do not consume fizzy drinks (including ‘diet’) as these can cause irreversible damage your teeth. Milk and water are the only safe drinks.

purple monseter                                             Mouthwash

A fluoride mouthwash is recommended to keep the enamel of the teeth strong when the fixed appliance is in place. This should be used every night, at a different time to brushing. It should be held in the mouth for a full minute to be effective. The instructions on the bottle should be followed carefully and kept out of reach of young children!

This is NOT a substitute for tooth brushing.

orange monster                                  Pain and discomfort

Initially each time the brace is adjusted your teeth will be quite tender. This usually wears off after 24-36 hours. Your usual pain relief should be used during this period. However, if the pain is excessive please contact the surgery for an earlier appointment. If you have any sore areas caused by the brace rubbing, soft wax can be purchased at reception to place over the brace. This provides protection to the soft tissues of the mouth allowing them time to harden up to the new brace.

Broken or loose parts

It is very important that you check your brace thoroughly for any lost or broken parts. Things to look for are the square brackets sliding along the wire or completely missing and wires which are no longer tucked into the brackets. If you notice this happening or anything else which seems unusual contact the reception on 01924380680 (the repair clinic is run every day 12.30 – 12.50 by appointment only). Remember failure to have the brace repaired can extend treatment times by months!

DO!

Keep your regular dental check-ups with your own dentist.

If you have an out of hours emergency contact 111.

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So your getting braces?

Braces

 

If you’re about to get braces, you’re probably wondering why they’re so important, whether or not they’ll hurt and how long you’ll have to keep them. Get the answers here, plus info on eating with braces and cleaning your braces …

Over 202,300 people in the UK started orthodontic treatment 2014-15!

What are they?

Braces straighten crooked or overcrowded teeth.

There are lots of different types of braces, including see-through ones, white ones, and some that stick to the inside of your teeth.

They exert a steady pressure on the teeth to gradually realign them.

Why have I got to have them?

You’ll get a beautiful smile. Your teeth will be easier to clean (clean teeth = less fillings = less falsies when you’re older).

What will happen at the orthodontist?

The orthodontist is the braces expert. They’ll probably take some X-rays, or some photos of your jaw. You may have to bite down on some mushy stuff or have your teeth scanned to record how your teeth come together.

Once you’re fitted with a brace, you’ll return for check-ups every month or so. The orthodontist may adjust the braces to keep the pressure on your teeth.

Will it hurt?

A little. For a few days after you first get a brace, and for a few days after each adjustment, your mouth may feel a bit sore. But nothing that a pain relief tablet can’t handle. If a wire or bracket is rubbing, smearing on some Vaseline or wax should ease it.

How long will they stay in for?

Fixed braces usually stay in for between eighteen months to two years, but it varies. The longest ever recorded? 20 years. He forgot to go back.

Do I have to stop eating?

No. For a few days after they first go in, you may be advised to stick to soft food. The last thing you want is to dislodge them on a chunk of carrot.

How do I keep them clean?

Braces are like magnets for food. Not only does debris look alarming, but it can also accelerate decay. Clean thoroughly after meals and before bed.

Am I a freak?

No way. Over 202,300 people in the UK started orthodontic treatment in 2014-15 and more adults than ever before are having treatment – often through choice. So just sit tight, safe in the knowledge that you’ll have a killer smile when they come off!

BBC Advice factfiles are here to help young people with a broad range of issues. They’re based on advice from medical professionals, government bodies, charities and other relevant groups. Follow the links for more advice from these organisations.

BBC Advice 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3ysR0SgtXwfDxJQJ67H8pBZ/braces

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New iTero technology changing the face of dentistry

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Now there is no need to imagine how your teeth could look, with the iTero scanner and the Invisalign Outcome Simulator we can share the possibilities.

You can now view potential Invisalign treatment outcomes with the Invisalign Outcome Simulator at St Michaels Orthodontics. This chairside application is powered exclusively by iTero scanners to help you visualise how your teeth may look at the end of Invisalign treatment, with a simple scan of your teeth we can produce a simulated outcome to show you the benefits possible with Invisalign treatment.

iTero scanners also improve your experience by eliminating the mess and unpleasantness associated with traditional impressions. 

DUAL-VIEW LAYOUT

See your current tooth position side by side to your simulated final positions.

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REAL-TIME ADJUSTMENTS

Intuitive touch-screen tools allow real-time adjustments to the simulated outcome allowing you to consult with your specialist about your needs.

 

View the possibilities with your specialist orthodontist.

Contact the practice  for more advice or to arrange your Outcome Simulation today on 01924 380680  or e-mail orthodontictc@gmail.com

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Special offer 50% off consultations

leahSPECIAL OFFER

50% off all consultations with our Specialist Orthodontist*

There’s never been a better time to start your transformation to a healthier, beautiful smile! What are you waiting for?

Still not ready to take the first step? Take a look at our gallery and testimonials to see how treatment has improved our patients’ confidence. https://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk/gallery-testimonia…/

*Valid for all new bookings up to and including 31st December 2016

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Orthodontist banishes nerves to create dazzling smiles for three Blushing Brides

KP1

BEING asked to create a dazzling white smile for a blushing bride is pressure enough, but for Catherine McCanny of St Michael’s Orthodontics, the pressure was tripled, when three brides-to-be contacted her Wakefield practice within weeks of each other, all wanting pearly whites for their big day.

Rather than being overwhelmed Catherine, and her all female team banished their own nerves at such a big ask and made sure there were no blushing brides on their big day, just beaming brides.

The job wasn’t straight forward though because all three had unique needs that made each case a race against time in the team’s bid to create dazzling white smiles that would be remembered for a long time.

Katy Young, nee Pargeter is a support worker in Leeds who was terrified of having tram lines in her mouth that clients might tease her about.

“I wasn’t vain but I noticed one particular tooth was starting to develop a life of its own moving further and further back. I love smiling, even worse I always pull funny faces in photographs but I was becoming more and more self conscious and didn’t want it to spoil my big day.

“I was a bit worried when Catherine explained that the treatment would last 18 months because I only had a year before my wedding. The St Michael’s team were great though. They made sure that the first part of the treatment was over and removed my invisible attachments a week before hand replacing them for the rest of the treatment after I came back from my honeymoon.

“The best part was everyone complimented my smile and no one realised I was undergoing treatment. Now my confidence is sky high and I am back to smiling as much as I ever did,” she said.

Gemma Peters was terrified at the prospect of a full metal brace. She needn’t have been. “At 25 and having booked my wedding I did not want to have to go through having a full metal brace fitted and I knew I would not have time for my teeth to be straightened, before my wedding.

“Sometimes you feel as if you’re just a number when you go for procedures like this; they just want to get you in and out. But they were really lovely at St Michael’s, always asking me about the wedding and how far I’d come along with the planning.

“I was so pleased with the result and felt really confident on my wedding day, both at the ceremony itself and at the reception at Bagden Hall.

Claire, who got married on August 20 at 315 Bar and Restaurant, Lepton, said: “I couldn’t stop smiling on my wedding day. My Mum said all I did was ‘flash my new teeth’ down the aisle and during the reception. It made a real difference on the close-up photos too and my teeth look so natural and lovely now.”

Dr Catherine McCanny admitted she had some nerves of her own when the three signed up for treatment within weeks of each other. “Every patient wants to be confident and look great, but it felt as though we were part of their wedding preparation team along with their mums, dress makers and make up artists.

“I am so delighted the girls all looked and felt great on their big day and afterwards.

The benefit of having Invisalign treatment is that there is scope to adapt the treatment if it is not complete in time for an important event. Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligners which move the teeth step by step into their correct position. The technology means that the end result can be digitally planned. St Michaels is the first practice in Yorkshire to have the newest iTero scanner, which allowing patients to visualize the end result within minutes of having a scan of their teeth. As an introductory offer to all our patients we offer a complimentary scan. Just give us a call to arrange an appointment.

For more about the practice or the treatments offered, go to www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk

Caption: Katy Young ( nee Pargeter) on her wedding day

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– See more at: http://topicuk.co.uk/orthodontist-ban-blushing-brides/#sthash.eqC2JzXU.dpuf

 

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Invisalign® Questions for your consultation.

invisalign-logo

 


What you should ask your Invisalign Provider.


Now it is time to talk more in-depth about treatment options with your local Invisalign Provider. Past patients have found the following list of questions useful, as not all Invisalign Providers offer the same treatments.


Questions for your dental provider.


• What is your level of experience in treating patients with Invisalign?

• If other treatment options are presented how would they suit my needs?

• Have previous patients enjoyed any Invisalign benefits in particular?

• Have you treated cases similar to mine in the past?

• Can I talk to any of your past and/or existing patients?

• How long should I expect to be in treatment to achieve my desired results?

• How long would I expect to be in treatment with traditional braces to fix the same issues?

• How much does your practice charge for Invisalign for a case similar to mine?

• Do you offer flexible payment plans to your patients?

Ready to take the next step? Contact our expert team on orthodontictc@gmail.com or 01924 380680 and make your dream smile a reality!


© 2014 Align Technology (BV). All Rights Reserved. Invisalign®, ClinCheck® and SmartTrack®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries

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A perfect smile for a beautiful bride!

If you still aren’t convinced that Invisalign is the right solution for you before your big day, read Katy’s blog and then decide! I think you’ll agree with us that she looks stunning!

KP2

I’ve never been particularly vain, but after a recent holiday I was appalled to notice how much my teeth had moved over the last year without me really being aware. One tooth in particular seemed to be twisting and heading towards the back of my head on some mystery exploration known only to him. And then my other half popped the question and my paranoia increased ten fold. A year before the wedding I finally approached my dentist for advice and I was referred to St Michael’s Orthodontics and I found myself having a consultation with the lovely staff there. Being 28, I wasn’t keen on having “tram tracks” which I still associate with teenagers, and being in a customer focused job, I didn’t want more attention bringing to my wandering teeth, so I went with Invisalign. I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive after hearing stories of other adults having braces and being in agony but the calm reassurance of the team at St Michael’s soon put me at ease.

At first, braces feel weird and do take some getting used to. You do need to be a little organised too with regards to carrying floss and mouthwash when eating away from home. The ability to take them out for a rest was a god send and meant that they weren’t too painful; just a little bit tight. As a bride, the braces were brilliant for the pre-wedding diet; you have to leave the braces in for 22 hours out of every 24, and whilst wearing them you can only consume water and if you can avoid binging in the two hours you’re not wearing them, slimming down is a doddle. Win!

Although you may be conscious of wearing braces, no one else can tell and I have some brutally honest friends who I tried this out on! People were shocked when I admitted to wearing braces; they really were that invisible. The other big benefit is that for my hen do, the lovely team took off my attachments (the little cement blobs put on your teeth to make the braces work) so that I was brace free. My teeth weren’t completely finished by my wedding (they were beautiful but not perfect and the St Michael’s team are perfectionists!) so the team left me without braces until after my honeymoon before doing some final adjustments. This flexibility meant I did not panic about having to wear braces on my big day.

I was amazed at how quickly my teeth straightened and how easy and pain free it was. My photographer kept making great comments about my smile and I have never felt more confident that my smile really was dazzling. I am so glad that I got braces, my photos looked amazing and it was such a simple procedure to go through. I have a number of friends now asking questions about Invisalign and considering it for themselves as they have been that impressed by my results. The St Michael’s Team have been amazing and supportive throughout, and their facilities are brilliant. They have provided reassurance and expert advise throughout and I always felt well looked after. If you’re in any doubt please book a consultation and get some advice; I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed by the results they’ll get!

KP1 Photos courtesy of David Webb Wedding Photographer

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Invisalign special offer

One day special event

invisalign-open-day

 Wednesday 13th April

2.30-6.30pm

FREE INVISALIGN CONSULTATION

0% FINANCE

*10% OFF TREATMENT

*FREE TOOTH WHITENING

A saving of over £900!

CALL 01924 380680 or e-mail orthodontictc@gmail.com to reserve your place.

Introducing the iTero® Element™ 

itero2

St Michaels Orthodontics Ltd offers the latest in scanning technology. This enables us to produce a simulated outcome, which will give you a preview of possible results which can be achieved after treatment. It offers a better experience for patients by eliminating the need for messy impressions and reducing the waiting time from the initial scan to the fitting of your aligners by up to 50%.

*applies to patients who sign up on the night

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A glimpse at your future perfect smile

itero 1

Have you ever wondered what your teeth would look like if you had orthodontic treatment? With our new itero scanner you can do just that.

This new technology enables us to take a digital scan of your teeth and to produce a simulation of how your teeth could look. This exciting technology is now available at our practice and we are offering this service free of charge.

This means we no longer have to take impressions for Invisalign treatment. The fit of the aligners is more predictable and we can start your treatment much sooner than before. Why wait till tomorrow to start creating the beautiful smile you have always wanted?

itero3
itero2

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