Archive for June, 2009

Crowns

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

crown_bridge_01-1

The terms “crown” and “cap” describe the same thing. It is like a “helmet” that covers and protects a tooth.

This cover fits over a tooth that has been damaged by decay, fractured, or is aesthetically not pleasing. The tooth is “prepared” by your dentist, and usually requires more than one visit to complete.

A crown can be made of acrylic, metal, porcelain, or porcelain bonded to metal. Porcelain crowns look more like your natural teeth, and therefore are usually used for front teeth, while porcelain bonded to metal is stronger and better for crowns in the back of the mouth. Sometimes all-metal crowns are used for back teeth because of its increased strength.

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Marketing for dentistry

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

The writing or content for your website is an important part of your marketing.

Talk like you speak. Write your biography and I can help you edit this.

Know your existing and potential patients. Respect their intelligence.

If you speak in technical, dental textbook language, you will likely lose your reader.

Original, credible content is the most important part of your site.

You should provide valuable information in user-friendly language.

Your site should be well-organized/easy to navigate. First impressions count. (pun intended)

Potential clients can click away to another place in a second so we want writing to hold their attention and provide relevant information in scannable format.

As a dental hygienist, I have spent time explaining dental procedures and terms to patients. I have had the time and a “captive audience” usually for an hour. It doesn’t matter if your patient is a millwright, a physician or a retired nurse, dentistry is still a mystery and something for which most people would rather be in denial. So we need language that is compassionate, comprehensible and not patronizing. Pictures help.

Check out:

http://www.thewealthydentist.com/
http://www.thevisibledentist.com/blog/copy-writing-save-time-solve-problems/#comments

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Implants

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Although there are many ways to restore a tooth, a dental implant is the only way to replace a root.
There are two basic uses for dental implants:

-As an artificial root for a single tooth replacement.
-As anchors for a fixed or removable prosthesis to replace multiple teeth.

While dental bridges and dentures can restore chewing ability along with the appearance of a gap-free smile, only dental implants can help to halt loss of bone material. When teeth are lost, the bone that formerly supported those teeth can begin to atrophy and weaken over time. If left unchecked, this process, called resorption, can cause the jawbone to become unstable and lead to further tooth loss.
Implants provide permanent teeth replacement. Titanium screws are surgically inserted into the jaw bone like the natural roots of teeth then the Implant can hold crowns, bridges or dentures in order to give you the most natural and best fit possible.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm

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Check out http://www.dentalmuseum.org/

Friday, June 12th, 2009

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When your teeth are alive

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.

Pressure
Sensitivity to chewing pressure can be caused by:
• Clenching/Grinding
• Decay
• Abscess
• Cracked tooth

Sweets
Sensitivity to sweet foods is usually caused by decay.
 
Hot and/or Cold
Sensitivity to hot and/or cold foods usually indicates:
• Decay
• Abscess
• Worn Teeth (Attrition)
• Receded Gums
It is not unusual for recent dental restorations to be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. This sensitivity should decrease with time. If sensitivity from a recent dental restoration worsens or persists, contact your dentist.

Bleaching can also temporarily cause mild sensitivity during treatment that disappears within a few days.

Toothache
Sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache. It won’t just go away, even if the pain temporarily subsides. The problem that is causing the pain will just get worse, as will the pain, and simple treatment may no longer be possible. At the first sign of a toothache, contact your dentist.

http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/cda/news_events/media/news_releases/2003/03_27_2003.asp

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