Month: March 2020

Confidence in quality of treatment

Dr Sean Power comments on the industry-leading ClearCorrect aligner system from the Straumann Group:

“ClearCorrect is easy to use and delivers great results. Uploading cases through the online portal is straightforward, and the 3D treatment set-up you receive is simple to view. This set-up is fully interactive, which enables you to carefully review the types of movements being proposed before proceeding with aligner manufacture. It’s easy to communicate with the technicians if alterations are required.

“In addition, I like the extended trim line over the gingiva, which is evidence-supported to boost the retention of the aligner. This, in turn, reduces the need for engagers (attachments). Patients appreciate this and it benefits me with reduced surgery time spent placing engagers.

“The Straumann Group has always had a reputation for quality in the implant field. As such, I’m sure when they took over ClearCorrect in 2017, they did so with belief in the product. For me, this further confirmed the quality of the system itself.”

To find out more about this and the many other features available, contact the Straumann Group today.

 

For more information on ClearCorrect, visit https://www.straumann.com/clearcorrect/en/home.html

BACD freezes all membership subscriptions

We are all facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty fuelled by the current global health crisis. The BACD recognises that there may be further challenges ahead, especially financially for both dental businesses and associates.

In the spirit of solidarity, the Academy has taken the decision to freeze all membership subscriptions for the next three months in order to help ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. By July, the BACD hopes to provide an updated programme of outstanding dental education and networking opportunities.

Rest assured that the BACD will continue to operate as normally as it can during these difficult circumstances, providing regular updates where possible. It remains as committed as ever to supporting its members and the profession overall.

 

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com

Covid-19: Dental Protection announces two months free membership

A package of support – the equivalent of offering the next two months of membership for free – has been set out by Dental Protection for members who have experienced a significant drop in their workload and a dramatic fall in income due to Covid-19.

Members of Dental Protection are being offered subscription relief. A payment into members’ bank account would be made that is equivalent to two months’ subscription.

As it is unclear when normal patient activity will resume, the organisation has confirmed that it will keep the support provided by subscription relief under review in the months ahead.

Dental Protection says it is finalising the process for issuing these subscription refunds to members and that they expect to start issuing these payments within the next few weeks.

Alternatively, members who choose to stop practising completely – even for a short period during this crisis – can instead opt to become a deferred member of Dental Protection. They will not pay a subscription during this time and they may return as an active member on the same terms when they resume practice at a later date. It is important to note that while membership is deferred members will not be entitled to the benefits of membership if they carry out any clinical activity including providing telephone triage for patients with urgent needs.

Dental Protection has been speaking to members around the world – from the UK and Ireland to South Africa and Hong Kong – with many reporting a sharp decline in their private practice. Dentists in the UK have also had to wait for confirmation about how NHS payments will be calculated during this time. Dental Protection has welcomed the assurance that NHS England will continue to make payments during the 2020/21 contracting year and await details on the calculus applied to support practices financially, particularly those that provide a mixture of NHS and private care.

In a letter sent to members today, Dental Protection has also confirmed it is extending its counselling service for those experiencing work-related stress. The counselling service is provided through a third-party partner and is completely confidential.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said:

“As colleagues and as a fellow health professional, we want to support members during these unprecedented times.

“Above all else we want to reassure members that Dental Protection is here for them through good times and bad.  As a mutual organisation we know there has never been a more important time for us to use our discretionary powers to step in and offer the assistance members need.

“This is not going to be an easy time for any of us, but we are going to get through it.

“We hope that the subscription relief being offered will make a difference to members during this time. Further information will be shared as soon as possible. We will also continue to monitor the situation closely and we will keep the support provided by subscription relief under review in the months ahead.

“Members do not need to contact us at this stage. We are sharing our intent to help in this way now, prior to finalising the process, so that the cost of subscriptions is one less thing for them to worry about.”

Improving patient compliance

The removal of plaque through a combination of at-home oral care and professional intervention in practice is the cornerstone of achieving excellent oral health. Success ultimately depends upon good patient compliance with recommended oral hygiene regimens. Dental professionals strive to emphasise the importance of oral healthcare to patients, yet there are many individuals who still fail to look after their teeth and gums properly. This leaves them vulnerable to future complications, including oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis. Indeed, the statistics paint a concerning picture in relation to patient compliance with even the most basic of oral care exercises.

According to Simplyhealth’s Consumer Oral Health Survey 2019, four out of five adults in Britain recognise the importance of prevention, with 84% agreeing that the better they look after their teeth and gums, the better chance they have of avoiding costly and invasive dental treatment in the future. However, despite public awareness of the need for preventive oral care, 23% of UK adults still only brush their teeth once a day. Even more alarming is the fact that 33% say they never floss, while 1% admit that they don’t brush at all. Moreover, 11% think that they don’t need to visit the dentist regularly. With patients’ oral health at stake, how can clinicians improve compliance and convince patients that prevention is important?

Listen

Listening is a skill that every dental professional should aim to master. There is a lot to be said for simply engaging with patients and finding out a little bit about their lifestyle and oral hygiene habits. It is vital that you actively listen to what they have to say, as this is key to building a good patient-practitioner rapport. In turn, patients are more likely to trust that you have their best interests in mind, which increases the chances that they will comply with recommended treatment. Gaining a better understanding of the patient will also enable you to tailor your professional advice and guidance according to their individual needs and preferences.

Inform

Once you have an accurate picture of the patient’s oral health, you will be in a better position to offer the right support. It may be worthwhile using visual aids and props during discussions with the patient in practice. It is important to clearly explain the risks and realities of their situation, providing relevant information that will be useful to the patient, without using a lot of technical jargon. For instance, if a patient has gingivitis, you can explain that problems with their gums can be stopped, reversed and prevented from reoccurring so long as they improve their oral hygiene. Furthermore, you can stress how important it is that the patient acts now, as gingivitis can develop into a much more serious and irreversible condition.

Motivate

Patients have to want to make improvements for oral hygiene to be effective. There is no better way to do this than by using praise and positive reinforcement to motivate patients about their oral health. Fear and financial constraints are the biggest barriers to dental care – patients don’t need another excuse not to seek professional support, so it is essential that you avoid nagging them wherever possible. Instead, reassure them that routine oral care and visits to the dental practice are worthwhile, cost-saving exercises. By motivating patients rather than chastising them, you are more likely to find that oral hygiene compliance improves.

Recall

Recall appointments are vital to ensuring that patients maintain a high standard of oral care at home – proof that they are will be evident upon their return to the practice for a professional examination and cleaning. These recall appointments will also provide you the opportunity to regularly review the patient’s oral hygiene techniques, enabling you to offer advice and guidance on how they can improve their regime and boost oral health. After you have gone through all the effort of getting the patient to schedule a recall appointment, it is essential that you remind them to attend the appointment through persistent and consistent prompts.

Empower

Armed with knowledge about their condition, patients require the tools to maintain good long-term oral health. This is when you can recommend the use of products that will empower patients. For example, traditional chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinses offer optimal protection against plaque, and can be prescribed to patients with acute dental problems, as well as those at high risk of oral disease. However, these solutions are associated with adverse side effects such as discolouration and disrupted taste. As such, consider recommending the new Perio Plus+ product range. Designed to effectively combat plaque, Perio Plus+ combines CHX with CITROX® – a natural bioflavonoid extracted from bitter oranges. The joint performance of these ingredients is scientifically proven to afford greater efficacy than CHX alone, with minimal risk of adverse side effects to encourage high patient compliance.

Many dental professionals would agree that compliance is one of the most challenging aspects of clinical practice. Although success is not always certain, clinicians can help improve compliance through patient education and empowerment, which takes but a little time, effort and patience.

For more information please call 01480 862084, email info@curaprox.co.uk or visit https://perioplus.com/uk/home-uk/

About the author

Dawn Woodward is National Sales Manager at Curaprox UK

Combat sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a debilitating condition that can lead to interrupted sleep and eventually a host of mental and physical health conditions.

Help your patients today by choosing a scanner that works in tune with sleep medicine – the CS 3600 from Carestream Dental.

As well as being able to capture incredibly accurate images, the scanner also has sleep medicine specific functions such as a multiple bite capture option. This aids the fabrication of an effective mandibular repositioning device and streamlines the workflow from start to finish.

Find out more today.

 

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl

and Facebook

Ashish Parmar Discusses Bad Breath

Dental hygienists and therapists will be spoilt for choice regarding education at this year’s British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show.

Among the exceptional speaker line-up will be Dr Ashish B Parmar, discussing bad breath in the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium, sponsored by UltraDEX.

“This is a taboo subject among patients, but in around 90% of cases the cause of bad breath is related to dental problems. As a profession, we are therefore well-placed to help sufferers.

“I will cover the diagnosis and management of bad breath, as well as some of the products professionals can rely on.

“I would encourage dental professionals to attend this event because it presents an excellent opportunity to acquire more knowledge and information on the latest trends in dentistry.”

 

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 – Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May – Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

Visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

Rodericks listens and actively supports career development

Laura-Leigh Jenkins started with Rodericks in 2016 with no previous dental experience. She has since become a qualified dental nurse, practice manager and is currently an Area Manager for Wales. She says:

“Finding a balance between home, work and education was hard, but my team at Cefn Coed were amazing. They really supported me, lifted me up on bad days and shared the workload.

“The Head Office team were fantastic as well. I could call with any concerns and they would actively help me overcome the problem. Dawn Farrell [Chief Operating Officer] has supported me no end and gave me the push I needed to take the most recent career step into area management.

“Rodericks has listened to me and supported me 100% over the past few years and I’m proud to have gone through massive career changes in such a short space of time.”

 

For more information on the career opportunities available at Rodericks, please visit www.rodericksdentalcareers.co.uk,

or contact Ashley Lillyman at  recruitment@rodericksdental.co.uk or on

01604 970988 (option 1)

#wearerodericks

Peri-implant disease – patients on the first line of defence

Implants are a true success story in modern dentistry. In the UK alone, hundreds of thousands of patients have benefited from implant treatment, resulting in a functional, aesthetic and also natural end result. The last Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS) called implant therapy “an increasingly mainstream part of dental care” and reported that half a million patients now have at least one.[i] This was in 2009 – we can anticipate a swell in the numbers when the next report is published. Over in the US, the implant market is estimated to surpass an astonishing $5.2bn by 2024.[ii] Research and development, leading to advances in technology and technique, are the key drivers for pushing the global market onwards and upwards. We are now hearing a lot about the potential of 3D printing and, in 2017, a Chinese robot performed the world’s first fully automated implant surgery.[iii]

Putting the challenge in context

Back in the UK, implant dentists probably don’t need to worry about the rise of the machines just yet! The main priority is the delivery of safe, stable treatment which has the best chance of long-term success in every unique case. In recent years, peri-implant diseases – which significantly compromise the stability of implants – have received coverage in the dental and general media. In 2014, The Telegraph declared, “Peri-implantitis: The ‘time bomb’ in dental implants”.[iv] Unnecessary scare-mongering? With more implants being placed, are more cases of peri-implant disease simply just a natural consequence (albeit one that must be managed)?

Professional studies about peri-implant disease, specifically peri-implantitis (when the soft tissue around the implant becomes inflamed, leading to bone loss) describe it as “a challenge for the profession, from an aetiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic perspective”, also stating that it has “many disease definitions, leading to varying figures regarding (its) true burden”.[v] Peri-implant mucositis – a plaque-induced inflammatory condition with symptoms including red, swollen gums and bleeding on probing – can be detected at a routine appointment and reversed, before it leads to peri-implantitis. It presents similar to periodontitis on natural teeth; however, around an implant site, any redness and/or swelling isn’t always obvious.[vi] So early diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis is necessary for saving the implant, with an appropriate care plan in place.

Even better, before accepting implant therapy, patients need to understand their role in the treatment’s stability. Effective biofilm management as part of an excellent understanding of oral hygiene and good home care is one of the best things they can do. Other risk factors for peri-implant disease include a history of periodontal disease, smoking and genetic factors.[vii],[viii] The latter opens up exciting possibilities for treatment, with “genetic biomarkers” used for “early identification of individuals predisposed to increased peri-implantitis risk”.[ix]

Prevention and on-going home care

Among patients, there is now a wider acceptance of the value of prevention than there was at the beginning of the last decade. A once-over with a toothbrush twice a day, eschewing routine maintenance appointments and only going to the dentist in an “emergency” like a chipped tooth or chronic pain – this simply isn’t enough to maintain optimal oral health. And for an individual with implants, they need to do much more.

Every-day brushing must be meticulous and patients should be shown how to do this before implant therapy and at every follow-up appointment. Pain and tenderness around the implant site can inhibit thorough cleaning, but with the right tools and correct technique, a gentle yet deep clean is possible to achieve. Brushing must be supported by use of specially selected adjunctive products; implant patients need a kit for home care. This kit should be both preventive and supportive, given to them as soon as treatment has been accepted. If elevated oral hygiene practices start pre-surgery, this can promote healing of the site post-surgery, while also helping to prevent peri-implant diseases. Along with appropriate brushes and interdental cleaning aids, a mouth rinse is essential. Curasept ADS Implant, available from J&S Davis, is a high-quality, anti-plaque formula, to be used for one week before surgery and for a week after. It will slow down the development/accumulation of bacteria and assist both the healing process and tissue regeneration. The product can also be used for support after peri-implantitis treatment and alongside treatment for peri-implant mucositis.

The challenge of peri-implant diseases must be balanced against the incredible advances in implant therapy, which have helped millions of patients across the world achieve a better quality of life. Implant therapy is the gold standard in restoring patients’ teeth in function and aesthetics when the natural teeth have a hopeless prognosis, although patients must understand their part in preventing failure. With more research and education, diagnosis of peri-implant diseases will continue to improve. However, good prevention is everything and with support, more patients will enjoy the long-term benefits of stable, successful implant therapy.

 

For more information on the industry-leading products available from J&S Davis,
visit www.js-davis.co.uk, call 01438 747 344 or email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk

 

[i] The Health and Social Care Information Centre. Executive Summary: Adult Dental Health Survey 2009, 24 March 2011. Section 4: Complexity and Maintenance. Found at: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/publicationimport/pub01xxx/pub01086/adul-dent-heal-surv-summ-them-the4-2009-rep6.pdf (accessed January 2020).

[ii] Dental Implants Market 2019 Detailed Analysis of Current Industry Figures with Forecasts Growth By 2025. Marketwatch, 13 September 2019. Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/dental-implants-market-2019-detailed-analysis-of-current-industry-figures-with-forecasts-growth-by-2025-2019-09-13 (accessed January 2020).

[iii] A Chinese robot has performed the world’s first automated dental implant. Time, 22 September 2017. Link: https://time.com/4952886/china-world-first-dental-surgery-robot-implant/ (accessed January 2020).

[iv] Peri-implantitis: The ‘time bomb’ in dental implants, The Telegraph, 14 July 2014. Link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10964601/Peri-implantitis-The-time-bomb-in-dental-implants.html (accessed January 2020).

[v] Klinge B, Klinge A, Bertl K, Stavropoulos A. Peri‐implant diseases. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 2018 Oct; 126: 88-94.

[vi] European Journal of Oral Sciences. 2018 Oct; 126: 88-94.

[vii] Fourmousis I, Vlachos M. Genetic risk factors for the development of periimplantitis. Implant Dentistry. 2019 Apr 1;28 (2): 103-14.

[viii] Kasat V, Ladda R. Smoking and dental implants. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. 2012 Jul;2 (2): 38.

[ix] Implant Dentistry. 2019 Apr 1;28 (2): 103-14.

The key to optimal implant aesthetics

Dr Kunal Shah explains through a case study how he delivered a high quality restoration using the TBR Z1® dental implant with a zirconia collar.

 

A 58-year-old male patient presented with a gap in his teeth where the UR5 had been missing for many years. He had been recommended to the practice by another patient. He was fit and healthy with an unremarkable medical history.

Having undergone extensive restorative treatment in the past, the patient was very aware of the different procedures that are currently available to restore teeth. As such, the challenge of this case was to effectively manage the patient – the restorative aspect of treatment was crucial to success, especially as the patient had high expectations of the overall result.

All treatment options were discussed with the patient, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. The patient chose a dental implant as he preferred a fixed solution. The different types of implants available were then discussed with him, including bone- and tissue-level systems. It is important for clinicians to explain treatment options in this level of detail, as patients need to know what each dentist can offer them and/or what else they could access through professional referral. Many patients are also very conscious of what they are putting in their mouth.

As improved aesthetics could be achieved with its zirconia collar design, the patient decided on the Z1® implant system from TBR. This was the most superior yet cost-effective option compared to the alternatives offered. As the Z1® is a tissue-level system, the surgical site does not have to be reopened for the implant to be accessed in order for clinicians to remove the cover screw and replace it with a healing abutment. This saves the patient from having to attend an additional appointment for this, thereby maximising on valuable chairtime.

Furthermore, the Z1® enables clinicians to place the implant in one surgical step, which helps optimise operating room planning and sterilization protocols, making the Z1® much more convenient for patient and practitioner. The versatility of the Z1® also optimises stock management for practices and helps to minimise maintenance treatments for patients. In addition, the Z1® itself was more affordable than the other implant systems that were offered to the patient in this case, providing further cost-saving benefits.

Modern patients are particularly price-conscious, so they need solutions that can achieve the best clinical outcomes whilst meeting their budget.

Treatment planning

Standard treatment planning protocols were followed. This involved taking a CBCT scan to assess the sinus and bone level, as well as provide a 3D view of the proposed surgical site for improved visualisation. A comprehensive assessment confirmed that there was adequate width and height of bone to place an implant. Digital software ensured that the treatment planning process was very precise.

A 4 x 10.5mm tissue-level Z1® implant was planned for, as this solution provides excellent aesthetics and, in this case, did not require a bone grafting procedure prior to surgical placement. Every aspect of treatment was discussed with the patient, before informed consent was obtained for treatment to begin.

Implant placement

Surgery proved to be unremarkable. A delayed implant placement protocol was followed, which involved making a small incision in the gingiva and raising a flap. The surgical site was cleaned and prepared for the implant to be placed successfully and achieve primary anchorage. 

The zirconia collar was sunk 1mm into the bone to provide additional stability and boost aesthetics by promoting a good emergence profile. This was accomplished by using the countersink drill in the implant kit. A healing cap was not required due to the transgingival nature of the implant and the design of the zirconia collar, so a cover screw was placed post-surgery.

The surgical site was then assessed, before the patient was sent away with appropriate post-surgery care instructions to take anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to aid the healing process and prevent infection.

Restoration

Following 3 months of healing, the implant was evaluated and found to have achieved excellent stability (Figure 1). The soft tissue around the implant was also pink with no inflammation, indicating that it had healed well and was healthy (Figure 2).

The cover screw was removed (Figures 3, 4 & 5) in order to fit a TBR Swiss Clip impression coping (Figures 6, 7 & 8). This is a very efficient and convenient solution that is quicker than traditional methods of taking an impression, as it simply clips onto the implant. A closed tray impression was taken, alongside a digital scan, which were both sent to the lab to produce a screw-retained E.max crown. The patient chose an implant-retained crown that was a whiter shade than his existing restorations, as he was keen to replace these in the future.

The patient later returned to the practice for placement of the final restoration. The PFM crown was seated (Figures 9, 10 & 11) and the access hole sealed with PTFE tape, before being filled with a temporary dressing (Figure 12). After a week, this was removed and the crown tightened to 25-30Ncm. The screw-access hole was then sealed with PTFE tape and composite.

Clinical and radiographic assessments post-implant restoration show optimal aesthetics and osseointegration (Figure 13). The patient was very happy with the final outcome.

Discussion

In this case, the zirconia collar of the Z1® acted as a healing abutment for the implant to encourage gingival flaring and soft tissue healing for a good gingival profile to develop. This meant that a cover screw could be fitted to the implant and left for 3 months to achieve excellent osseointegration. Simultaneous healing of the hard and soft tissues further emphasised the time-saving benefits that the Z1® provided throughout this case.

The zirconia collar also promoted gingival attachment and served as an antibacterial shield to the crestal bone to prevent iatrogenic inflammation and infection.[i], [ii] This is the only implant system that encourages natural gingival growth, whereas other solutions tend to result in gingival recession over time. Moreover, there are fewer surgical steps involved with placing the Z1®, as you do not need to reopen the surgical site to access the implant for the restorative phase of treatment.

The success of a dental implant is always based on planning treatment correctly. It is also important to offer an implant solution that caters to the needs of the patient. Together, these elements can ensure outstanding results, as was demonstrated in this case. The unique design of the Z1® enabled placement of the implant at tissue-level, thus minimising the number of surgical steps required, which ultimately ensured treatment was less invasive and more convenient for the patient.

Images

Figure 1 – PA Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity 4×10.5m Implant 3 Month Review

Figure 2 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Cover Screw

Figure 3 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Cover Screw Removal

Figure 4 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Cover Screw Removal

Figure 5 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Cover Screw Removal

Figure 6 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Swiss Clip Impression Coping for Closed Tray Approach

Figure 7 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Swiss Clip Impression Coping for Closed Tray Approach

Figure 8 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Z1 Infinity Implant with Swiss Clip Impression Coping for Closed Tray Approach

Figure 9 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Screw Retained Implant Crown Seated

Figure 10 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Screw Retained Implant Crown Seated Buccal View

Figure 11 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Screw Retained Implant Crown Seated Palatal View

Figure 12 – IO Photo Showing UR5 Screw Retained Implant Crown Seated with PTFE tape to protect access hole

Figure 13 – Post-op PA Showing UR5 Screw Retained Implant Crown Seated

 

For more information on the Z1® implant, visit tbr.dental, email support@denkauk.com or call 0800 707 6212

 

Author bio:

Dr Kunal Shah is the Principal of LeoDental in London. He graduated from Birmingham, was selected as a Finalist for ‘Best Young Dentists South’ 2018 at The Dental Awards, and has the accolade for Best Implant and Imaging Clinic – London 2018. Having published several articles in the professional press and lectured internationally, he has a keen interest on the topics of digital dentistry, implantology and restorative dentistry specific to direct resin composites and impression materials. Dr Shah is also a clinical mentor for students on the year-long Post-graduate Implant Course at LeoDental in conjunction with SmileTube.tv.

 www.leodental.co.uk

referral@leodental.co.uk

  

[i] TBR Research Center. (2010) Soft tissue level implant solution: from osseo-integration to perio-integration. Link: https://www.tbr.dental/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Brochure-ETUDES-2016.pdf. [Last accessed: 16.12.19].

[ii] Yeung, S. C. H. (2008) Biological basis for soft tissue management in implant dentistry. Australian Dental Journal. 53(S1): S39-S42. Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.00040.x. [Last accessed: 16.12.19].

Should we consider mental health more?

By all accounts, diagnoses of mental health disorders are on the rise. Whether this is due to more people seeking the help they need and getting these disorders recognised, or a rise in certain environmental stresses leading to the formation of these conditions it’s difficult to say, but the numbers are certainly growing.

Most professionals will be familiar with the effects that some mental illnesses can have on teeth. For instance, it’s not unusual to see very poor oral hygiene in those suffering from depression, and the obvious wear and erosion on teeth from those suffering from eating disorders are easy to recognise. However, are we taking mental health into account enough when treating patients?

Mental health disorder prevalence in the UK

According to statistics, as many as one sixth of the adult population have a common mental health disorder.[i] This means that millions of patients will have one of these conditions, and although some of these will make no difference to their oral health or how they perceive treatment, there will be cases where these conditions can make a big difference.

One of the most common of these illnesses is mixed anxiety and depression. 7.8% of the population are thought to meet the criteria for diagnosis of this condition, and those from lower economic backgrounds are far more likely to suffer.[ii]

What we also need to consider is other, less common, mental health problems. When was the last time you read anything about body dysmorphia? It is still estimated that as many as 1.7% of the general population are affected by this condition (so, still over 1 million people in the UK) and yet this is something that is rarely thought about when we provide treatment.

Body dysmorphia is a condition which impacts how people perceive their self-image, meaning that sufferers are likely to always be chasing an idealised version of themselves. It’s common for this condition to be accompanied by eating disorders – both those that cause people to lose and gain weight.

 

The quest for perfection

Patients who suffer from body dysmorphia may have healthy dentition, but want to radically change the way they look in order to buy into their idea of what perfect teeth look like. This means that they will likely start to ask for veneers or extreme whitening, and this is something that professionals need to be wary of when moving forward.

The news is peppered with stories of people who have taken their quest for perfection too far. You only need to open a celebrity magazine to see someone who has taken cosmetic treatments to the next level. Stacey Solomon famously regretted getting full veneers in a candid column written by the television personality last year,[iii] and looking at Simon Cowell’s ultra-white veneered teeth has raised concerns that the mogul might also be taking treatment to the obscene.[iv] This is not just a celebrity phenomenon, and the rise in numbers of veneers being fitted is a testament to how many people are trying to perfect their smiles with a radical fix.[v] As we all know, veneers are irreversible – are people taking the time to really consider the lifelong financial cost of these treatments as well as what it will do to their natural dentition?

Of course, not all veneers are bad. But what we need to think about before instantly agreeing is whether the patient will truly be satisfied. If they are suffering from body dysmorphia, then will veneers really make them happy? It’s likely that even perfect results may disappoint these individuals, and what can they do then? If they are dissatisfied this could easily lead to legal action, and this is a different can of worms that is better off left unopened.

 

A different approach

So, should mental health be considered more before providing treatment? Obviously, under our current remit we cannot necessarily ascertain whether a patient does have body dysmorphia or any other mental health condition unless they open up to us. What I think we could all benefit from is a more holistic approach to care where aspects such as mental health are more involved. Whether this is something that can be fully implemented in the future is unclear, but it is definitely food for thought.

 

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

 

[i] Mentalhealth.org. Mental health statistics: the most common mental health problems. Link: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-most-common-mental-health-problems [Last accessed December 19].

[ii] Mentalhealth.org. Mental health statistics: the most common mental health problems. Link: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-most-common-mental-health-problems [Last accessed December 19].

[iii] Hello! Magazine. Stacey Soloman Admits She Hates Her “Fake” Teeth And Warns Fans To Stay Away From Venerrs. Link: https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/makeup/2018061849513/stacey-solomon-hates-teeth-veneers/ [Last accessed December 19].

[iv] The Daily Express. Simon Cowell Teeth “Off the Scale” White Teeth Said To Have Cost £50,000. Link:  https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1174742/simon-cowell-teeth-surgery-2019-face [last accessed December 19].

[v] Haute Beauty. Veneers – The Rise In Popularity Due To Social Media Influencers. Link: https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/632531/veneers-the-rise-in-popularity-due-to-social-media-influencers/ [Last accessed December 19].