Mark Skimming – Dentistry on the Square

‘I hope your going to be better than the last dentist I saw, they had their knees on my chest to get that tooth out’ is a phrase I’m sure many of you have heard repeatedly from new patients to your practice. I think you will agree that this is not what has happened to the patient but what we can say is they have had such and unpleasant experience their last visit has become worse every time they think of it. Current research has shown that around 35% of the population has a moderate dental phobia with 10-15% having a severe phobia. That is an enormous 50% of our patients. Who is treating these patients? What do these patients expect? Why would anyone wish to see these patients as they are obviously more difficult to treat?
There is no patient more grateful at treatment completion and none more fulfilling to treat than those with a dental phobia. Now, there are many facets to treating these patients. These can come under two headings; patient management skills and clinical skills. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover the various techniques of patient management but I would like to cover the clinical aspects of what my team and patients call their pain free dental experience.
As with any new patient but even more specifically to phobic patients you need to give them your undivided attention until their visit is concluded. This can be a very demanding for a busy principal/associate. What I would say is if you do not have the passion or time to treat these patients then refer them elsewhere. These patients will not sing the praises of your practice if you do not provide the very specific management techniques they require.

Our pain free process

Topical anaesthetic – 20% benzocaine gel
The ‘numbing gel’ is your patients best friend. With around 30% of patients reportedly extremely anxious about dental injections this is a necessity for any practice. Speaking to colleagues they report different success with varying topical gels but most important is how it is applied. The soft tissue MUST be dried prior to application of the gel and left on the tissue for at least 1 minute if injecting into the sulcus and 2-3minutes if injecting into the palate or into the papillae. What about inferior dental block injections? This is very challenging but covered below. ASK your patient if they feel the gel working, they will report what they feel. On occasion they report that there is no or minimal effect. Often this is despite the gel working at full effect. Don’t test with a needle or probe, apply the gel a second time and educate your patient again what to expect. They will appreciate that you are listening to them.
For those patients reporting that they have discomfort during the scaling it is important to establish if they experience root sensitivity of gingival discomfort. Those who find working around the gingivae uncomfortable can have oraqix applied to these areas which will create a profound localised anaesthesia to allow adequate root surface debridement. Those who experience root sensitivity will require an injection.

Warm lignocaine – 2% with 1:80,000 adrenaline
I am always a proponent for evidence based dentistry and must admit there is very little supporting evidence to warming LA. There are far more important factors which are discussed below, however, my own research which examined pain experience during injection at 3 different points (1.penetration and advancement of needle, 2. deposition of solution and 3.removal of needle). I found that by warming the solution there was a statistically significant reduction in pain/sensory experience. (p<0.0004)

Quicksleeper
There are a few digital injection systems with the most well known being ‘The Wand’. There are are also systems that can be used with traditional syringes such as the ‘dental vibe’ system which is essential of nociceptor distraction technique. I looked at all the systems and chose the ‘Quicksleeper’. This injection system has the benefit of allowing me to avoid giving inferior dental blocks. Now, I was very skeptical when I was first introduced to the system as intra-osseous injection sounds like a terrifying technique. This system utilises osseocentral and transcortical injection techniques. The benefit being: immediate, no failures, no lip or face numbness, no post-operative side effects, no complementary lingual or palatal injections required. .

Dental Button
Although not strightly a pain free method it gives the patient a sense of control over ‘the dentists tools’. It is essentially a method of cutting out the turbine units. The control acts as a security blanket for patients and although every patient will press the button when you first put it to use, patients very rarely use this but do appreciate that it is utilised.

Waterlase
I have a waterlase MD (hard and soft tissue laser) and cannot compliment its use highly enough. On my first days use I place multiple composite restorations without LA and have not looked back. It creates and efficient tissue incision through exploding water droplets. Many of its applications can be completed without LA after significant training. I love its use mainly in the field of implants and soft tissue augmentation (particularly osseous crown lengthening, disinfection of perio pockets and atraumatic extraction). Current research is underway to fully understand its benefits in treating peri-implantitis together with its well established benefits in endodontics.

Distraction
It is well documented that pain perception is extremely variable between patients. Recently the University of Glasgow documented the use of distraction with televisions in surgical theatres and wards. 200 patients reported a statistically significant reduction in ‘pain experience’ when compared with control group. We currently employ the use of DVD glasses and noise canceling headphones in every surgery. Patients are more impressed with this piece of tech than any of my expensive ‘dental gadgets’. Having patients laugh through a surgical procedure to an episode of ‘Still Game’ is extremely satisfying!

IV Sedation
I rarely recommend sedation to carry routine treatment out however, IV sedation has its place in the general practice environment. I would advise its use for some of the larger block grafting techniques we use but not for general dentistry. There are a group of patients however, who cannot feel comfortable and allow treatment to proceed under LA alone. These patients often have an extreme mistrust for our profession due to previous bad experiences.

There is no one magic tool for every patient. During our everyday practice we will come across patients with some degree of phobia. It’s often a good idea to determine if someone in your practice is willing to take ownership of this group of patients rather than spread the load, which often leads to patient dissatisfaction due to their needs.

Dentistry on the Square accepts private referrals for restorative dentistry, implants and aesthetic dentistry. The clinic provides unique a service to maximize the patient experience and minimize discomfort. If you would like to refer a patient please call or send a letter by post or email.

Pain-free dentistry

Here is an unfortunate story of a women who decided to rob a bank to cover the costs of her dental treatment. At D.O.T.S. we ensure all our treatments are affordable with various payment plans including 2 years interest free payment and up to 4 years low cost APR.
If only she visited Dentistry on the Square!

http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=cos&pag=dis&ItemID=309711&wf=33

Emergency Dentist Glasgow

Are you suffering from a tooth crisis?

Dear Glasgow friend,

How would you like to:

1. Avoid painful toothache?
2.Fix loose crowns?
3.REPLACE broken fillings?
4.Heal sore and bleeding gums?

Emergency dentist Glasgow is here to help…pain-free assistance within 59 minutes of your advised arrival at award winning Dentistry on the Square – or your visit will be FREE– my personal rock solid guarantee by Mark Skimming!

Dental Emergency Guarantee..

PAIN FREE help in one of the leading dental clinics. Get a free visit if we don’t help you within 59 mins of your visit on the day of your call, including Saturday mornings (except Sunday).

Full TOOTH CRISIS treatment to relieve your pain for £49 with full and clear guidance of any further treatment cost!

The Emergency Dentist Tooth Crisis Clinic Glasgow

End Your Pain in “59 Minutes or less”.

Call Us Now 0141 423 8877

Mon 9am till 9pm, Tue, Wed, Thu 9am till 6pm Friday & Sat 9am till 1pm

Dentistry on the Square – 12 Niddrie Square, Queens Park, Glasgow.

Free Guide: “What Can Happen If Pain Is Ignored”

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF DENTAL APPOINTMENTS ARE MISSED: It is perfectly understandable – many people try to “tough it out”…”true grit”…some people think it is “soft” to go to a dentist for “a little tooth ache” or an annual check up…

However, constant or periodically re-occurring teeth problems is your mouths (only) way of warning you…maybe a potentially serious problem exists…pain is an alarm that should not be ignored.

IT COULD GRADUALLY GET WORSE- YOU COULD LOSE TIME AT WORK

After back pain dental problems is one of the leading cause of time lost from work. In these days of company downsizing and and job insecurity, you want to be at work and at your best when you are there.

IT COULD MAKE FUTURE NECESSARY DENTAL CARE MORE DIFFICULT, MORE TIME CONSUMING, MORE COSTLY AND LESS EFFECTIVE.

Delaying needed treatment…masking pain with aspirin, other drugs…may only succeed at making treatment more difficult when time comes that you no longer put it off.

IT COULD CREATE A NEED FOR DENTAL SURGERY.

Dental Surgery is no minor matter. Going “under the knife” always has some element of risk. Your ability to work and play may be restricted after surgery. Surgery and recovery can be very costly.

The Emergency Dentist Tooth Crisis Clinic Glasgow with Glasgow Emergency dentist Mark Skimming and team

End Your Pain in “59 Minutes or less”.

Call Us Now: 0141 423 8877

Safe Sedation Solutions

Relax through your next dental appointment!

The welcoming environment and friendly  staff at Dentistry on the Square help put our patients immediately at ease.  In fact, our staff are complimented regularly on their laid back demeanor and calming chairside manner, which helps even the most anxious patients feel comfortable and confident in the care they will receive.

However, we understand that many people suffer from dental anxiety, which can make any visit to the clinic nerve-wracking.  For our patients who feel nervous or uneasy, we have a number of safe and effective sedation dentistry options available at Dentistry on the Square to help them relax.

With a number of anesthesia and sedation dentistry options available at Dentistry on the Square, dental anxiety is no longer a worry for our patients.  If you have been postponing necessary dental treatment or putting off the cosmetic dentistry you have always wanted as a result of dental phobia or anxiety, there is hope.

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

Sedation Dentistry is Safe: You will not be unconscious, but will merely be in a deeply relaxed state.

Sedation Dentistry is Pain-Free: You will feel no pain while in the dental chair and you will have little to no memory of the experience.

Sedation Dentistry is Flexible: Depending on the treatment you require, sedation dentistry can help you remain relaxed for 45 minutes to four hours.

Complex Dental Treatments can be Completed in Just One Visit: Dr. Mark Skimming can replace crowns or bridges, place implants, veneers, improve the health of your gums and whiten your teeth while you remain comfortably relaxed.

If you would like to learn more about sedation dentistry at Dentistry on the Square, right here in Glasgow, why not give us a call to schedule your FREE AUDIT (normally worth £97)  so you can get the care you need!.

Glasgow’s Life Transformational Pain Free Dentist, Dentistry On The Square have been shortlisted for “Best Scottish Practice” at this years Dentistry Awards! Not only that but their very own Dr Mark Skimming has been shortlist for “Best Young Dentist”!

Mark who will be travelling to leicester for the awards ceremony in december said, “To be shortlisted is an outstanding achievement in itself and our team are extremely proud of this accomplishment” Mark

Good Luck to all the team At dentistry On The Square.

Some teeth are more prone to staining due to their position within your mouth and lifestyle has effects especially with the consumption of tea, coffee and red wine. If you smoke will be more likely to experience severe discoloration of many teeth. Often this has a major affect and canleave you lacking in self confidence if you feel you cannot show off your smile.
Zoom laser whitening is a very effective way of improving your teeth to colour you can proudly show off and keep you grinning ear to ear. It is highly effective process which can be completed in around 1 hour with many patients having the process carried out during their lunch break.
The process is completed within the clinic by your dentist so you will know that someone with the required training and qualifications. The process involves the application of a concentrated whitening gel containing carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient This will clean deep into the pores of the teeth and create a fantastically white appearance. The major difference with the Zoom whitening system is the activation carried out using the laser. This accelerates the action of the bleach producing whiter teeth in a shorter time.
Talk to your Glasgow cosmetic and pain free dentist Mark Skimming about Zoom teeth whitening if you have any questions about the fantastic effects of the Zoom whitening system. He will be more than happy to show you examples the the fantastic results he has achieved.

Today our new dental therapist Amy Workman started on his mission of creating healthy mouth. Glasgow based dental therpaist Amy is a fantastic addition to our team. She will concentrate her time between dental hygiene, placing white composite fillings and treating children. We’ve had a busy week at the clinic with Barry recently moving posts to work in the hospital and we are looking forward to Jamie Kinnel starting in his place.

Our very own Glasgow dentist Mark Skimming has been spending even more on the toys he loves to use when creating perfect smiles. The practice has recently upgraded the digital xray system to include dental panoramic radiographs. This will allow him to quickly assess the suitability of his patients for complex implant and straight teeth procedures.
As a practice that is committed to clinical excellence we continue to stay at the sharp end of dental technology in order to provide the highest levels of care.
When it comes to the latest gadgets and toys, Mark Skimming is always at the front of the queue!

Cost of Invisalign, Inman aligner and Clearstep Glasgow Dentist offers you straight teeth like DJ Chris Evans.
Just ask and we’ll send you a FREE GUIDE!
Dr Mark Skimming will show you how you can have straight teeth from less than £4.99 per day. Mark and his team can offer you invisible braces to have you teeth straightened in 6 – 16 weeks.
Call Us NOW: 0141 423 8877 or visit our website