Orthodontics for everyone.

Of course, I have talked to Alison, our Practice Manager at Longborough, about her orthodontic treatment and I follow her blog. I have been interested to hear about her experience and also her views on the treatment. One of her blog posts was entitled "It's never too late" and this is exactly how I feel so I have taken the plunge!

I had my teeth straightened when I was a teenager and I remember how painful and embarrassing it was. In those days it was not the ‘norm’ to have fixed braces and certainly not cool as a 16 year old. However, after the treatment, my teeth looked better and I was pleased.

Having now worked in the Dental Profession for over 30 years, I knew that my teeth could still be improved in many ways and so in April I took the exciting decision to start with some more orthodontic work. It is all so different and so much easier than last time. The fixed appliance moves everything very gently, the brackets are very discreet, the orthodontist is very gentle and my teeth are already moving!

Taking care of the appliance is very easy, I even managed a week in the Algarve just 2 days after it was fitted. The only slight niggle is that I have had the veneer taken off my upper incisor so at the moment I have a very brown tooth showing but it will look perfect when everything is finished. So if you see me smiling with my brown tooth you will understand.

I feel very lucky that I am having this treatment, it makes me feel young and I am really looking forward to my new smile. My 16-year-old daughter however is mortified that her mum has a brace and walks a few paces behind me!


Janet Scott
Longborough Dental Hygiene Therapist


Janet is undergoing her treatment with a ceramic orthodontic appliance. Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) high quality ceramic material with brackets that are virtually invisible. They are a practical and effective option because they are cosmetically less obvious than traditional metal braces, cost less than a lingual brace and are are easy to adapt to.

I liked it so much...

Me and Victor Kiam

Some of you may remember Victor Kiam through television advertising some years ago. He was the man that liked the Remington razor that he had purchased so much that he bought the company. Well I haven’t bought Longborough Dental Practice, but there is a loose connection. After being so impressed with the service at Longborough as a patient, I joined them, becoming their Financial Manager in April 2008.

I have a small bookkeeping business working for seven companies in the local area and Longborough contacted me as they were looking for someone to manage the financial side of the practice. So now I am installed on the top floor of the practice with a new computer, new accounting software, plenty of numbers to deal with, and a great view towards Ranmore - bookkeeping bliss!

Although I only work here one day a week I was made to feel part of the team right from the start. I was included on the team building day which involved climbing through a forest at a height of 40 feet (see the picture above). I am not great with heights and it was probably the wettest day of 2008 but it was a great team building experience, enjoyed by all despite returning home soaked to the skin.

Longborough are passionate about training as this will constantly improve the service we offer to our patients. Very recently a one day course was held for all the team at a rather beautiful country house which has been converted into a conference centre. It was a good day, and very beneficial. (After we had finished I rejected the offer of using the swimming pool as I still hadn’t dried out from the day in the trees!)

As a patient my twice yearly visits to Longborough were quite painless and I was always impressed with the friendly welcome I received from the front desk. Many of you will know Theresa, who has been here for some years. In all that time I don’t think that she has ever stopped smiling. To improve our service further Odetta has joined us as Customer Service Manager and she is usually to be found in Reception helping patients.

The thing I like best about Longborough is that it is situated in a very comfortable detached house. For me it is like working from home (although mine is somewhat smaller)! As a patient I appreciated this because it doesn't really feel like a dental surgery. (And this is particularly good news for anyone who is nervous about a visit to the dentist.)

As you can see I liked Longborough so much, I bought into it. Come along and experience it for yourself - you won't be disappointed. One thing's certain, you'll get a very warm welcome.

Ashley

Orthodontic Treatment Watch - January 09

Just before Christmas I had my lower orthodontic Incognito appliance fitted (and just like the upper one it is 'invisible' to anyone who looks at my mouth as it’s placed on the inside of my teeth). After four months of treatment on my upper jaw our Orthodontist, Paul Ward, felt it was time to commence with the lower treatment. Yet again I was full of trepidation as it took a couple of weeks to adjust to the first appliance. What would the lower experience be like?

Paul assured me I would adjust more quickly, but I wasn’t so convinced. However, I can now report that after an initial weekend of speech difficulties, my tongue is again accustomed to its new environment. (I am amazed by how quickly my mouth adapts to change.)

Eating is not a problem if a few sensible rules are adhered to; cut food into smaller pieces and avoid things like crusty bread, crisps, peanuts etc. (Over Christmas this has been fabulous for my waistline. There was no temptation to ‘pick’ at snacks and as meals take a little longer to eat, I have actually eaten slightly less.)

As we start the New Year I have resolved to put as much effort into my fitness as my teeth. I have been inspired to take a holistic approach to myself and concentrate my efforts elsewhere too! Since I started my orthodontic treatment I have lost about 9lbs, purely through cutting out snacks and I’m going to take advantage of this. My treatment is not only an investment in my smile but in myself. I’ve made resolutions that I shall stick to and by 2010 I hope to be fitter, happier, and above all else, able to smile with confidence.

Alison
Practice Manager


Incognito is a high-tech appliance, designed specifically for your teeth and is virtually invisible so the only one who will know you are having orthodontic treatment is you. If you would like to know more about Incognito orthodontics please contact our reception team at Longborough Dental Practice on 01306 882494.