blog

Bright Smiles in Surrey

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:21:38 +0000

Stained Teeth Solutions From Cedar Dental in Sutton Surrey

Its common for our teeth to stain from food, drink and smoking. Dyes leach into the enamel of your tooth leaving behind a coloured residue that anyone who knows 'red wine' teeth will be familiar with.

As this picture of tooth enamel shows, the surface is porous. Your tooth may feel smooth and look shiney but under a microscope these little holes become traps for stains. A great way of preventing this is to visit your hygieniest regularly. In particular a hygiene treatment that uses a mild abrasive system such as airflow can remove stains quickly and efficiently.

I would describe airflow as similar to having bicarbonate of soda blasted onto your teeth. Its painless and the feeling of cleanliness after treatment is fantastic. At Cedar Dental in Sutton, Surrey our hygienist, Pam Fuller, is well experienced with the advantages of airflow to our patients.

If You Want Your Teeth Lighter.

Teeth whitening is very common today. I will repeat what I always say, ONLY SEE A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL. There are many boutiques with no dental training who offer teeth whitening without the ability to understand the potential damage teeth whitening can do to teeth and gums.

In Dentistry we have several ways of recording teeth whitening. The most common records teeth shades

A1-A4 B1-B4 C1-C4 D1-D4. If you teeth are currently a combination of A3/B3, teeth whitening can lighten them to an A1/B1. This can be a big difference. At Cedar Dental in Sutton Surrey, we use the Zoom surgery based system as well as home whitening kits to keep your teeth lighter.

Sometimes we can combine teeth whitening with clear brace treatments, such as Invisalign. Please click on this video link from Dr Boris Atlas to find out more.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel.

Crooked Teeth in Surrey

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:18:39 +0000

Dental Veneers- an effective solution

What is the perfect smile? As no two smiles are ever the same, how do we choose what is the most attractive? A faces are asymmetrical, in other words not perfectly balanced.

It is very rare indeed to have someone with a near symmetrical face so when we are considering how best to improve your smile we are looking for a smile that is in proportion to your face and therefore enhances it rather than is the first thing someone notices.

A Complete Smile is Noticed- This includes the eyes.

When someone smiles at you, what do you notice first? In smiling we use our whole face and its important to achieve a near perfect balance between teeth and the rest of the face.

A great way of achieving this is using dental veneers. If your teeth are crooked , have gaps, are stained or are chipped then veneers are an effective way to cover and reshape your teeth. Veneers are made from either porcelain or a plastic composite material which are so thin that they can mimick the colour of your natural teeth whilst blocking out any stains you no longer want. They are shaped and crafted at a dental laboratory and bonded to your teeth where they gain their strength to survive chewing.

To find out if Cedar Dental can improve your smile please contact us for a free no obligation consultation where we can discuss your options.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Cedar Dental Newsletter Autumn 2011

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:34:05 +0000

Please check our latest newsletter here.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Brush your teeth to keep your heart healthy in Surrey!

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:12:45 +0000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10176410.stm

Crooked teeth in Surrey. Something to smile about.

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:36:26 +0000

Lets talk about crooked teeth. Are any of your teeth out of line with the rest of your smile? Its funny how 90% of your smile can be just as you would like it only for a few misaligned teeth to throw the whole thing out of shape.

There are simple ways to dealing with this. You could consider porcelain veneers or direct composites bonded to your teeth to reshape them or you could consider one of the several techniques we offer to move your teeth back into a natural,beautiful line. Have a look at Ugly Betty, how long has she had those braces on for??? She is not ugly either, but you get the point.

Most simple teeth religning is quicker and a lot less hassle than Betty has to go through. Many of you know of the benefits of Invisalign invisible braces. Clear trays fit in your mouth to move your teeth,expand your arch and bring your teeth into a natural line. Despite many attractive offers this is still a relatively expensive course of treatment. What if you only want to move a few of your front teeth a small distance? At Grand Smile Designs we offer the Simpli5 system when all you need is to move a few of your front teeth back into your optimum dental arch quickly and with less expense. Associate dentist Dr Boris Atlas http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/dr_boris_atlas.html offers Simpli5. For a free consultation, please contact the practice at anytime.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel
Clinical Director
Grand Smile Designs
Surrey

Avoid illegal tooth whitening in Surrey, please see a dental professional

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:20:33 +0000

This was put on the BBC website in 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7014615.stm

and only 4 years later….

http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/3845–Teeth-whitening-Teeth-Whitening-UK-Tooth-whitening-Tooth-whitening-GDC-wins-first-ever-qaposil#

If you want your teeth whitened and brightened go to your dental practice. We are qualified to look after your teeth and valuable smile.

Best wishes

Cedar Dental

Teeth Grinding in London a response to the Daily Mail Article - "Tiny electric shock that will stop you grinding your teeth" - 9th March 2010

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:24:34 +0000

I read this article and thought I would share with my opinion with you. Whilst I find it useful that the subject of malocclusion and bruxism is getting more coverage, I think this article over simplified a far more complex issue and the currently available treatments.

There cannot be a ‘one size fits all’ approach to teethgrinding.When it comes to bruxism, teeth position and the muscles of your head and neck are not limited to the Temporalis muscle and malocclusion . There are at least four different muscle groups that play their part as well as the balance of your jaw in its sockets. Simply relaxing the muscles does not eliminate the incorrect tooth position, it provides a helpful though temporary respite.

When I treat a person with tooth grinding symptoms, I first assess all the muscles in the head and neck area identifying any trigger points by gently pressing the muscles to see how much pain is felt by the patient. This palpation of the muscles is critical to understanding the patients perception of the pain they feel as well as any tension because of increased activity.I also assess the tension through biting pressure, checking for muscle enlargement and tenderness. I look for any unnatural movements on opening or closing of the jaw, or when teeth first touch when closing. I would then prescribe a treatment according to this assessment which may include adjusting the teeth, building the teeths biting surfaces up, replacing missing teeth or making a hard occlusal splint for wearing at night time which will be able to effect and retrain all muscles of mastication.

Unless you deal with the position of teeth, the jaw cannot seat properly, imbalancing the bite . The treatment goal is a comfortable position with the chewing load evenly distributed. Muscle pain tends to be a malocclusion and jaw pain is different to muscle pain. Signs such as teeth wear, teeth cracking and breaking can be indicators not only of bruxism but clenching which has different symptoms- Clenchers are usually in pain and their habit can occur as much during the day as night.

Splint therapy has been proven over more than 30 years, but it requires the patient to take ownership of their condition. There is no quick fix to this. PLease visit the website www.pankeydentist.org for more information.

Estimate cost of treatment splint therapy- £ 600-£1000

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Clinical Director

Grand Smile Designs

London

London make us smile, your teeth deserve it!

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:18:41 +0000

As additional consideration when having your teeth bleached is that I can reshape some of your teeth in my treatment room matching your teeths new shade. For example, if you have a gap between your front teeth that you want to close, I can use dental composites to fill and reshape this space leaving a natural an unoticeable restoration. This treatments are simple and can be undertaken as soon as your teeth are at your desired shade.

Many people come to me looking to improve their smile. Expectation in modern Britain is high and we do have many techniques to hand to get the best for you. For example, we can replace spaces with dental implants meaning that noone, unless you want to tell them of your wise investment, can tell that you have lost a tooth in the first place!

I like smiling, I want people to smile more. I saw a tv trailer this week and the presenter, comedian Russell Howard, stated that a child laughs 300 times a day, an adult on average 15. So I have work to do…..

I like getting the credit for my hard work, but the team I work with and the dental ceramist I work with in particular are key to meeting your expectation. So what is a dental ceramist? Ceramists are dental technicians who specialise in the construction of your veneers,crowns,inlays, and implants. They are a pretty creative and technically clued in bunch. They make me look good.

When I take an impression of your mouth, this is sent to the lab. They fill the impression with hard stone and hey presto, you have an exact replica of your mouth for them to work on. Technicians cannot work inside your mouth, so a stone model is effective,accurate and gives the ability to work in any part of the mouth without lips, head or patient getting in the way. These stone models are then fixed onto dental articulators. These mechanical jaws help mimic your jaw movements, its a bit like the film Terminator really except less violence. With the stone model on the articulator the technician can begin to design your new smile. I often supply photos of your old smile to give the tech an idea of your whole face. Remember my blogs about the face and smile? If not, check them out.

The technician works with waxes,metals and porcelains to create the finished restorations. They are then returned to me and then fixed in your mouth.

Best wishes

Tom

Grand Smile Designs on facebook

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:14:44 +0000

We are now on Facebook. Please join up to be first to receive our latest offers

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Grand-Smile-Designs-London/110642474989

With 2011 fast approaching we are busy with our offers for the first months of the year. It is usually a quieter time with budgets being stretched after holiday spending. What a good time to come in for a free consultation.

We offer free consultations for

Monday and Wednesday- Smile Consultations

Tuesday and Thursday- Clear Brace and Jaw Pain consultations.

Just phone us at the practice and book your time now.

There is a saying that some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Our free consultation is geared for you to get answers to any dental questions you may have and to meet us. Yes, its good to get an idea who your dental practice is before you join. It makes common sense. How is that for value?

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

Sutton

South London

Surrey

New Teeth in a Day. Response to Daily Mail Article Nov 7th 2010

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:40:20 +0000

On the 7th November 2010 The Daily Mail newspaper carried this article. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-176868/How-new-teeth-day.html

As the article correctly states, this type of implant treatment is not appropriate for everyone. Bone density and health is as important as good foundations for a house build. At Grand Smile Designs we have treatments to build up the bone in your jaws if it is weak or unhealthy.

Of course, not smoking is pretty much essential.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

London

www.grandsmiledesigns.co.uk

Modern Dentistry in Surrey. Look at my lovely teeth!

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:58:23 +0000

You may recognise this famous painting by Thomas Rowlandson. The wonderful new teeth being presented by the ‘dentist’, an admirer clearly in need of similar treatment. It seems funny today that replacing teeth was fashionable rather than keeping what you have. But is was only a few years ago that mass ‘clearances’ were common place. It was not uncommon to have all the teeth removed and dentures fitted as a birthday present! I am very capable and see the need for dentures, but a request to have healthy teeth removed just seems plain daft to me.

Thankfully education and preventative dentistry have minimised this.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

Surrey

www.grandsmiledesigns.co.uk

Clean and bright teeth in Surrey.

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:05:14 +0000

What are Some Types of Bacteria in the Mouth?

Here are some examples of the sorts of bacteris that can be found in the mouth.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and similar related species cause tooth decay. The bacteria digest the sugars and starches in foods and produce acids which dissolve tooth enamel.

Porphyromonas gingivalis are associated with periodontal (gum) diseases.

Other types of mouth bacteria include Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus salivarius, and Lactobacillus sp.

In August 2008 scientist at King’s College Hospital in London discovered an entirely new mouth bacteria species. It’s called Prevotella histicola, nestles in the flesh lining the mouth, and is believed to contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to make a name for yourself and discover a new bacterium then the mouth is a pretty good place to start. Every drop of saliva contains millions of bacteria, and about half of them are unknown to science.

Mouth Bacteria and Health

There are also strong links between the bacteria in your mouth and overall health and well being, and some types have mouth bacteria have been linked to serious diseases.

In 2005 researchers from the Forsyth Institute in Boston USA discovered high levels of mouth bacteria C. gingivalis, P. melaninogenica and S. mitis, present in oral cancer patients strongly suggesting a link.

In 2009 University of Buffalo in the USA reported a link between the amount of mouth bacteria and an increased risk of a heart attack. That is, the link is not due to the types of bacteria but their numbers.

If mouth bacteria are linked to diseases elsewhere in the body they will provide the basis for simple diagnostic tests that can be used as early predictors of disease. And knowledge of friendly mouth bacteria is spearheading the development of more chewing gums and toothpastes containing the helpful bugs. The idea is that their presence will prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to teeth and causing damage.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

London

www.grandsmiledesigns.co.uk

References

1) Koshy Philip et al. Identification of Major Cultivable Aerobic Bacteria in the Oral Cavity of Malaysian Subjects. American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 4 (4): 367-370, 2008

2) S. Nyfors et al. Impact of antimicrobial exposure and β-lactamase-producing bacteria on salivary β-lactamase activity in infancy. Intenational Journal of Antimicrobial Agents: 24 (5) 463-467, 2004

Discoloured Teeth, let the stains vanish London!

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:24:49 +0000

Many people’s teeth are not the ideal colour/shade they would like. Sometimes childhood medication can effect the enamel of teeth in later life, as can food, wine and smoking. As we get older our teeth tend to darken a little as well as the enamel gets worn away by years of chewing and brushing.

So what can you do?

Changing your diet,quitting smoking and not brushing your teeth too hard will help for more than just the colour of your teeth. You can use some of the teeth whitening systems that are available both in the surgery or at home treatments being available. Finally you can get your teeth covered with porcelain veneers to block out the discolouration.

Veneers are think layers of porcelain designed specifically to be the colour you would like of your teeth. The veneers are so thin that sometimes alot of the colour is derived from the bonding cement I use to fix the veneers in your mouth. Each mouth is different, thankfully we can make your veneers as thick or thin as is needed. These veneers are fragile, but they are strong when bonded to your teeth. Sometimes I do not need to remove much, if any, of your natural tooth. On other occasions to achieve the best result more tooth needs to be cut away. Please look at these cases on the GSD website

http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html

What is important is that you have the time with us before you decide on any treatment and that we provide you with all the information you need.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

London

Look after your teeth Surrey!

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:54:37 +0000

A recent BBC article ( click on the link below) claims that nearly 30,000 children a year attend a hospital for dental treatments . What is more concerning is that over 60% of children were treated for tooth decay.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7993292.stm

This rather disturbing statistic indicated a link between family income and a childs dental health. I am fortunate enough to have an income that gives my children access to good dental care, me. But what if you cannot afford toothpaste,tooth brushes or perhaps have never been given the information you need?

Check out these sites, they have useful information and tips.

http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/browseleaflets.php .

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/9/

And finally check out your local NHS dentist. They may be taking on more patients and are commited to helping you look after you and your childrens teeth.

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/servicesearch.aspx

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

Surrey

Cracking teeth Gromit! SImple dental solutions in Surrey.

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:58:12 +0000

Teeth are not meant to crack, enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. but crack they can because of the following;

&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;1) Trauma- Sports or accidents.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;2) Acidic diet wears down enamel leaving your tooth weaker and more likely to break.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;3) Malocclusion- Where your teeth erupt into your mouth. In an ideal world your teeth erupt perfectly, but genetics and habits such as thumb sucking can leave them in a place where excessive biting force can crack them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;4) Stress- Grinding your teeth at night is about the same force as a biting Pitbull.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;I have written about this a few times, for more information on teeth grinding and jaw pain please go to our website page &lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #4e6c95; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #4e6c95; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html"&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;Many people come to me looking to restore their smile. What I explain to them is that it is as important to ensure the function of your teeth is directly linked to the form of their new smile. The function of your teeth ensures that you chew, talk and live in comfort. Either as a stand alone treatment or as a precursor to restorative work having your teething functioning as well as possible using splints or occlusal equilibration is crucial.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html"&gt;Best wishes&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/headaches_neuromuscular_dentis.html"&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;Tom&lt;br/&gt;Dr Tom Keppel&lt;br/&gt;Grand Smile Designs&lt;br/&gt;Surrey&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Dentists in Surrey. I chews you!

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:05:25 +0000

Have you ever been at the beach, enjoying a Sunny day, eating an icecream? Has a grain of sand ever got between your teeth? This miniscule piece of rock or shell can be felt across the entire surface of your teeth. The sensation on your teeth of a tiny interuption in contact triggers a muscular response known as proprioception. Proprioception is the sense that indicates whether your body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other. So if something even as small as a grain of sand comes between the biting surfaces of your teeth when you do not expect it to, this unconscious response kicks in.

As you can see, this is a highly sensitive system. It exists throughout your entire body. So imagine the amount of compensation and shift your teeth and jaw muscles have to make if something greater is interupting the natural relationship of chewing. We are lucky that our muscles are flexible and can adapt, but over a prolonged term a painful imbalance can occur leading to headaches, jaw pain and teeth grinding.

We have many treatments that can help this imbalance. So the next time you have sand between your teeth rather than your toes, remember how big an impact such a small grain of sand can have.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel
Grand Smile Designs
Surrey

Dentists in Surrey. Smile like you mean it.

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:06:52 +0000

This song is our practice anthem. Ok, not really but I do like the title. Did you know that a natural smile uses less muscles and alot less effort than a forced for a photo smile? Yes, a natural smile is better for you. I have been helping people with their smiles for a while. I have yet to really talk about veneers and how they can reshape,recontour and recolour your natural teeth without your natural teeth being cut down too much if at all.

&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;I became interested in porcelain veneers as a solution to people who were unhappy with their smile as the results I had seen in the USA were outstanding. There had been some disagreement on the lifespan of them but this has been shown to be inaccurate if I follow certain rules. You see the porcelain veneer is thinner than your fingernail at its thinnest point. If you hold a veneer too hard between your fingers it can break easily. So where does the strength come from?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;The strength is the bond between the veneer and your natural tooth. When designing a new smile it is important for me to consider how much space I am filling with porcelain, how much ‘gum’ will be shown with the new smile and what is the ideal shade for the veneers. I have had some requests for the whitest of teeth, but usually most people who come to me want a natural and long lasting result. Please visit the gallery on my website to see what I mean.&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #4e6c95; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #4e6c95; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt;Best wishes&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt;Tom&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #e4c5b5; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html" mce_href="http://grandsmiledesigns.co.uk/folio.html"&gt; &lt;p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"&gt;Dr Tom Keppel&lt;br/&gt;Grand Smile Designs&lt;br/&gt;Surrey&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Get cracking my teeth in Surrey !

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:25:43 +0000

My grandfather could crush walnuts with his teeth. Nice trick if you can do it, it certainly made Xmas day more interesting. The force required to crack the shell of a walnut is considerable. I had no idea it could be done. I never got to check his teeth out but, maybe unconsciously, I do take a professional interest in how teeth can be strong one minute, then fracture, chip or crumble so easily. It was probably a good idea that I moved into dentistry, no other career is appropriate!

Dentists in Surrey. When is a crown not a crown?

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:38:29 +0000

Dancing teeth, now there’s a thought.

Have a look in the mirror. Really pay attention to your teeth. Choose one tooth and focus on it. Start to pay attention at the different surface textures, the shape,the changing colours that exist on the surface and within the tooth. If light reflects on the tooth, look how its appearance can change. Look how this one tooth is one part of your complete smile. Welcome to the world of crowns.

<p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">A crown fits ontop of your old tooth to protect it and to replace the part of your tooth that has broken or decayed away. Imagine if your replacement tooth does not have similar colour, surface texture,natural appearance and not function as part of your complete smile. Yes, it would stick out like a sore thumb, or tooth. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">You can purchase crowns as part of your dental treatment. Their costs can vary depending on what you and your dentist think is good value. At Grand Smile Designs we have developed long standing professional relationships with excellent dental laboratories. How do I define an excellent crown? I define it as being able to replace and mimic the natural tooths form and function and to blend in with the remaining teeth. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">In other words, you can’t tell the difference! It looks good and feels good. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">From the preparation of your tooth, the taking of impressions, recording of jaw position in relation to your teeth (very important) and matching the shade of your teeth as accurately as possible I undertake a process that is the standard of care that I wish to provide. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Go back and look at your teeth in the mirror. Flecks of white,areas that are clear, richer colours showing through from your dentine, the three dimensional asymmetery that each crown needs to reproduce to function and appear as natural as your remaining teeth. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">There is alot going on. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more information, please contact us at the practice. <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Best wishes <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Tom <p style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" mce_style="margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Dr Tom Keppel Grand Smile Designs Surrey SM2 5DA

Improve my smile please, Surrey I have not got a clue

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:16:38 +0000

Communications, its easy for the clinically trained to think that by speaking in clinician talk means that we are communicating. Seeking professional opinion ensures that you get the best advice, sometimes however it is difficult to understand this advice. Most of us consider ourselves to be expert in our careers, lawyers,accountants, plumbers or IT specialists all speak their own language. If you are seeking out IT advice and you are a lawyer, it may be as difficult to understand what is being said to you as it is for you, my patient when I explain my treatment prognosis.

Our ability to communicate is far more important than our ability to spell acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis. Communication is at least a two way process, the ability to listen and to use a language that helps you understand my suggested treatments is essential.

When we meet, I am the dentist, yes. I see being a dentist as about education, creating an environment of care and the delivery of the best dental health. I expect my patients to treat their mouths with the same care that I do. If they come to me and this is not the case, it is important to listen to the reasons why their mouth is the way it is. Sometimes fear,finances,complacency and ignorance are the reasons why someone has avoided looking after their mouth. It can be a very emotive issue, it is important to listen, after all we are human.

There are often options available when treatment is discussed. Your wish could be to be dentally fit, keeping what you have clean and healthy. Others may wish to have more involved treatments with restorations, Invisalign braces or even implants. Whatever your choice I want you to be able to feel confident that your wishes are being met. Finance can be another issue, our practice always takes the time to run through what options are available, there will be no surprises.

Best wishes

Tom

Dr Tom Keppel

Grand Smile Designs

London