How Posture affects your spine

Find more information about the importance of your posture in our website

www.woollahradental.com

source:visual.ly

Are you anxious about visiting a dentist?

We help a large group of patients with anxiety about dental treatments at our practice. We provide a calm environment and friendly service. All procedures are explained prior to the treatment. We also allocate extra time for those patients that experience nervousness.

We offer various technologies to help you feel as comfortable as possible during your visits with us.

These include Local anaesthetic, Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide), Sleep Dentistry (I.V Sedation) and Rubber Dam.

Local Anaesthetic

We offer a range of Local Anaesthetic to suite different individuals depending on the complexity of your medical history or the number of medication you are currently taking. Also we offer long or shorter acting anaesthetic to stop you from experiencing numbness for hour after your treatment.

Happy Gas

Happy/ Laughing gas can be offer at the beginning of treatment to help you relax and calm your mood.
It is absolutely safe and the effect stops with a few deep breath of fresh air. The gas exits the body within 12-24 hours.

Rubber Dam

A dental dam is used when putting fillings into teeth or during Root Canal Therapy. They are thin squares of latex rubber. Silicone versions are available for those with latex allergies. Rubber Dam allows you to relax without having water rushing to the back of your throat during treatment while a plastic block keeps your mouth open allowing you to relax.

I.V sedation

I.V Sedation also known as Sleep Dentistry is a good way to tackle complex and lengthy treatments for anxious patients. We offer Sleep dentistry as an option to all our patients who are aged 12 years and over.

If you would like to know more about sleep dentistry or find out how we can accommodate your needs please call us on 02 9363 5690.

www.woollahradental.com

Holistic Orthodontics

When a person’s teeth or jaw structures do not function properly, the body compensates in order to survive. However this leads to many other potential problems such as increase risk of injury to jaws and teeth, chronic head aches, sore jaws, malocclusion (bad bite) and excessive and premature wear of your teeth.

• Orthodontic treatment addresses many of these issues and aids in treatment of;
• Tempromandibular joints (Jaw joints) dysfunction.
• Chronic head/ neck pain.
• Improves intraoral volume to ease breathing and tongue posture.
• Reconstructing the bite.
• Improves aesthetics of your smile.

Orthodontic treatment can be achieved through many different ways to suite your lifestyle. Please feel free to Ask Dr. Ancell any questions that you may have if you think you experience any of above.

www.woollahradental.com.au

Concerned about what’s in your water supply? Is your water filter really working?

If you care about water quality you know that a bad taste or bad smell can ruin the pleasure of drinking. If your water tastes “weird” or smells “chemically” then there is clearly reason for concern. However, not every water pollutant can be tasted or smelled. Some dangerous forms of bacteria and many common pesticides cannot be detected without lab analysis. Not knowing if your water supply is safe can cost you more than just anxiety, and investing in bottled water or water purification can be expensive and unnecessary. Water samples can determine if filtration is necessary or effective.

The young and elderly, immune compromised, or pregnant should be especially cautious.

Through precise lab analysis scientists can make the invisible – visible. User-friendly reports will indicate if additional filtration is recommended or if your existing filtration system is sufficient, providing peace-of-mind and clear direction for maintaining good water quality.

At Woollahra Dental we can help you identify if the quantity of water you are consuming is enough for your body type and also if the quality of your drinking water agrees with your body and your well-being. Book a consultation with Tony Ancell calling our practice on  02 9363 5690 or email us.

What you lack can cause cavities!

Eating habits and every day diet play a huge role in oral health care. Food and drinks that are high in sugar have been linked time and time again to being the culprit of plaque build-up and tooth decay. The Australian Dental Association states, “The bacteria in plaque use sugars in food and drinks to produce acid. This acid dissolves the tooth’s strengthening minerals (calcium and phosphate) from the tooth surface thereby increasing the risk of cavities”.  According to Better Health Victoria, foods that are acidic (citrus fruits, wines) can weaken enamel and make them prone to decay.

Obviously, minimizing the consumption of sugary and or acidic foods, along with regular daily brushing and flossing teeth will help prevent cavities from forming……but that may not be enough.

Turns out there are 3 things lacking in most modern day diets that are linked to cavities forming, according to research by Dr Weston Price and other dental pioneers.

Natural News published Dr Price’s research stating what actually causes tooth decay is:
• Not enough minerals in the diet.
• Not enough fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
• Nutrients not being readily bioavailable, and the intestinal system not properly absorbing them. The presence of phytic acid largely influences this factor.

Phytic acid impairs the absorption of calcium, iron and zinc. “Over a period of time, if your diet lacks vitamins and minerals from a poor diet and/or contains high levels of phytates (from grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes), the blood chemistry and the ratio of calcium and phosphorous become out of balance, which results in minerals being pulled from bones, causing tooth and bone loss.”

Woollahra Dental Practice has a holistic approach to dentistry and understands the importance of diet on your oral health care.  For further information on how you can minimize your risk of cavities call 02 9363 5690 to schedule a consultation with Dr Tony Ancell.

Source: Natural News

Is Whitening Safe?

Whitening

Is whitening safe?

If done correctly, Whitening is one of the safest procedures in dentistry. Extensive research has indicated that whitening under a supervision of a dentist is safe. However Tooth whitening is not recommended for children under 13 years of age or pregnant or lactating women.

What results should I expect?

In office whitening can whiten teeth from six to ten shades lighter. The results can be surprising for most patients who choose this technique.
At home whitening provides results that are typically two to four shades whiter than the starting shade.

How long does the result last?

It depends on your dietary habits. Frequently drinking coffee, tea, red wine or smoking can reduce the whiteness of the teeth quicker. Also consuming colourful spices in your food can have similar effect.

However by following the post whitening care instructions you can ensure that your teeth stay brighter than ever before. A home top up kit is provided to you at the end of your In Office Whitening session to use as a touch up from time to time.

Is there side effects?

Some patient can experience temporary sensitivity to the cold temperature between 1-4 days after in office whitening.

In Office Whitening

In office whitening can take up to 70 minutes. It is effective and fast and is tailored for people with a busy lifestyle. This technique provides patients with fastest results possible.

The procedure is safe and has minimal discomfort. It consists of initial preparation to isolate the soft tissue and lips. Whitening gel solution is then applied by the clinician to cover the teeth and activated by light to start the procedure.

A home whitening kit is given to the patient at the end of this appointment if they wish to touch up from time to time.

What Whitening system do we use?

We use PHILIPS Zoom! Whitening for our in office sessions. This system has been proven to provide one of the best results Australia wide and Philips Zoom at-home whitening products have two mild desensitizing agents, potassium nitrate and Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP), to minimize tooth sensitivity.

How does the whitening work?

Whitening gel contains Hydrogen peroxide solution which is activated with our special light. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching coloured substances while the structure of the tooth is completely unchanged.

At Home Whitening

This technique gives more gradual and provides result slower. It is great for people who are already experiencing slight sensitivity. The procedure consists of two 15 minutes appointments.

The clinician takes an impression of the teeth at the initial appointment. The technician will then prepare a unique set of trays that fits only your teeth according to the impressions.

At your second appointment the trays will be fitted and adjusted accordingly. You will receive instruction on how to use the material. Whitening gel and all the necessary instructions and material is provided at this appointment.

Contact Woollahra Dental and find more about whitening your teeth today!

Orthodontics without extraction

Gone are the days when the only way a person with crowded teeth could have a straight smile was by undergoing an extraction. Thanks to the inventors Dr. Darick Nordstrom and laboratory technician Heather Ashton, there is a way to straighten teeth without extraction or braces!

 

They created the Advanced Lightwire Functionals (ALF) appliance that is custom designed to help correct improper development and growth that resulted in crooked teeth or cranial distortions.  Dr Anthony Ancell uses this method of treatment in Woollahra Dental Practice. Being a holistic dentist, he looks beyond just the teeth and gums to understand why and how the entire body is functioning the way that it is.  

When it comes to orthodontics, Dr Ancell evaluates body posture, the TM joint, the craniofacial structure and even does muscle testing before proceeding with a treatment plan. The use of ALF often is more beneficial than traditional braces as it puts a light force on the teeth from the inside of the mouth. This allows the muscles and bones in the jaw along with the cranial structure to expand creating space for teeth to move into alignment instead of forcing them to be straight. ALF treatment makes powerful corrections in not only the aesthetics of the teeth but also of facial features such as; creating higher cheek bones or bringing the chin forward.  Unlike traditional braces this appliance doesn’t hinder speech and isn’t painful during adjustments.

This treatment can be done at any age. The younger a patient is when treatment is commenced the more rapid the results will be. If you or your child require orthodontic treatment call Woollahra Dental Practice 9363 5690 to make an appointment for a consultation on how you can have a beautiful long lasting straight smile.

Is your dentist addressing the real reason your child’s teeth are crooked?

As a parent it is important to help your child grow and develop in the best way possible. This should apply to your Dentist too. It’s important for you to understand WHY a dental treatment is being recommended and if it really is the best method for your child.

Too often dentists treat children with “traditional orthodontics” (metal braces on the outside of teeth) or Invisalign with disregard to the reason WHY teeth are not aligned in the first place.  Teeth grow and move into place based on the structure of the bones and muscles around them. They also move due to how the tongue is positioned in the mouth.

It’s important for your dentist to evaluate if your child’s teeth are crooked due to an improper development. There are several indicators that your child may have an improper development and growth in their jaw, teeth, and or muscles of the skull:

·         Lack of spacing in baby teeth
·         Difficulty nursing
·         Cross-bite
·         Under-bite
·         Forward head posture
·         Speech issues
·         Asthma
·         Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
·         Recurrent ear infections

If these factors are overlooked, the use of traditional braces being used can restrict your child’s genetic potential, as it can “pull” teeth into a tight position causing bones to become narrow.  As your child grows up they may experience headaches, neck and back pain, jaw joint pain, and or difficulty breathing.

Luckily, Dr Anthony Ancell and his team at Woollahra Dental Practice have a holistic approach to dentistry. During a consultation these indicators are evaluated before commencing any treatment. In these cases the use of Advanced Lightwire Functionals ( ALF ) is used to help your child develop to their full potential and create a beautiful smile. ALF promotes growth and alignment of the teeth without the use of braces.  If you are concerned your current dentist’s doesn’t have your child’s growth and development in your best interest be sure to call  9363 5690 for a consultation with Dr Ancell. His team is happy to see how they can help your child. 

 

www.woollahradental.com

 

 

 

Align your child’s teeth without braces!

It is possible to improve the aesthetics and function of your child’s smile without braces via the use of ALF. ALF is short for Advanced Lightwire Functionals, known to be a self-healing appliance.  The use of this appliance being worn incorporates a method of orthopaedic and orthodontic treatment.  From an orthopaedic perspective this appliance aides in aligning the bones in the jaw and cranium aka cranial osteopathy. Additionally, the ALF improves craniofacial muscle function. This is very important in creating a long lasting straight smile.

 

Teeth can be moved into a straight position but, over time may revert back to their “natural” (original) position if the bones in the jaw and skull aren’t first adapted into the correct position. This is why many people who have undergone treatment such as Invisalign require a permanently fixed metal bracket behind their teeth or a night guard.

The benefits from an orthodontic perspective is the appliance is far more comfortable than braces and it’s barely noticeable when smiling. Instead of traditional orthodontics where metal is placed on the outside of the teeth to create movement, the ALF creates space for teeth to align by being placed on the inside of the mouth. The placement of the appliance in the mouth has also been known to calm the nervous system, improve the airway, and enhance facial growth and development in children.

This treatment requires a high skill set and a holistic view to which Dr Anthony Ancell and his team at Woollahra Dental provide. If you believe your child would require braces, call Woollahra Dental 9363 5690 to make an appointment for a consultation. Dr Anthony Ancell is happy to see children as young as ages 3-5 when this treatment can be the most beneficial.


www.woollahradental.com

Ortho-postural Dentistry: A Broader View of Oral Health | Dr Anthony Ancell

At Woollahra Dental we would like to share a podcast from The Good Doctors / Health Podcast. The podcast is called: Ortho-postural Dentistry: A Broader View of Oral Health | Dr Anthony Ancell.

If you thought oral health was only about brushing and flossing this will open your eyes (and your mouth) to a much bigger picture. A must for anybody with a mouth and interested in their health, and yet may never have fully connected the two.

Visit the Good Doctors Blog to hear the podcast 

Dr. Anthony Ancell joins us today to discuss ortho-postural dentistry. Anthony is not only a dentist in a private practice in Sydney, but he is also a world-leader in the concept of ortho-postural dentistry; how the shape and health of your mouth impacts your ability to breathe well, sleep well, your posture and much, much more.

About Dr Anthony Ancell

Dr Anthony Ancell is an Australian-based health professional. Anthony is trained as a Dentist and a pioneer of ortho-postural dentistry. Anthony has practice located in Woollahra.

To make an appointment…

in Woollahra, please call 02 9363 5690 - www.woollahradental.com


SOURCES:

The Good Doctors / Health Podcast
Links mentioned in this episode:
Weston A Price website
A website on Buteyko breathing

Orofacial pain

The treatment of chronic pain of the head and neck is a difficult diagnostic puzzle. In an acute injury, the pain is at the site of origin, in a chronic condition however, the brain and body have instigated a variety of compensatory mechanisms that may drastically alter the degree and location of symptoms.

Diagnostic postural balance tests are used to prioritise treatment and identify the origin of the presenting systems, which may involve: muscle pain of the head, neck or back; dizziness or vertigo; migraine; pain in the arms, hands or shoulders; sleep deprivation; swallowing difficulty; and many other symptoms. Treatment involves jaw joint stabilisation using removable pivots or splints and mandibular postural appliances to correct any structural injuries. Referral to other medical and allied health practitioners is required if systems persist for treatment of biochemical, physiological, hormonal or respiratory disorders.

Following jaw joint stabilisation, pain relief and a full range of jaw movements, restorative dentistry is undertaken (if required). This involves protecting compromised heavily restored teeth, improving aesthetics, reconstructing the correct intermeshing of teeth using restorative techniques (crown, bridges, implants or only) orthodontics, orthognathic surgery or cosmetic dentistry,

Do you suffer from Head/Neck pain? Regular headaches? Jaw ache?
Find out how we can help!

www.woollahradental.com 

A Mental Headache

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and muscle disorders, often known as TMJ or TMD, can be not only a real physical pain but a psychological pain as well. When the muscles and nerves of the TM joint are injured; inflammation, headaches, blurred vision, jaw tightness, ear pain, ringing in the ear, facial swelling, shoulder/neck stiffness and even depression can occur.  According to the TMJ Association, approximately 12% of the population is affected by TMD.  A research article by The School of Psychology and Life Sciences concluded that, “depression is particularly common among TMD patients” and pain symptoms associated with TMD can be treated with occlusal appliances or dental splint.

The TM joint is where the bones of your skull connect to your jaw located just in front of your ear. Injury to the TM joint can occur directly through experiencing physical trauma or occur over time such as:

• Experiencing excessive stress or anxiety 
• Teeth grinding/clenching
• Poor posture
• Misalignment of teeth position
• Genetics
• Poor Orthodontic treatment 
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Excessive gum chewing
• Arthritis 

When people experience chronic pain, such as that experienced from TMD/TMJ depression becomes prevalent. According to WebMd, “depression can magnify pain and make it harder to cope”, which make it a vicious cycle if left untreated. TMD patients have said that the pain they feel stops them from doing daily activities, socialising with friends, going out to eat, talking on the phone and it disrupts their sleeping so they are always tired and have clouded thoughts.

Pain brings people to their GP first for immediate relief through medication.  However, there are other options for long term relief such as a visit to see Dr Tony Ancell of Woollahra Dental Practice.  His practice takes a holistic approach and can help treat TMD/TMJ through orthodontics, bite reconstruction, creating an occlusal appliances or dental splint.

If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain from the TM joint call today 02 9363 5690 to seek treatment that is life changing.

www.woollahradental.com

Sweet Destruction

‘Our “sweet tooth” has been the basis of one of the most long standing controversial topics in the health and food industries. The food industry believes and markets refined sugar to be a food that is harmless and “natural”. Whereas doctors and nutritionists in the health industry have been conducting studies and releasing research that is proving that refined sugar is actually a “poison”!

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines poison as, “A substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism.” In 1957 Dr. William Coda Martin concluded that refined sugar is a poison. He stated, “The refinement process, creates a product our bodies can’t use, because we can’t digest it. It is more of a pharmaceutical drug than it is a nurturing food.”

In the early 1900’s the average consumption of sugar per year was 6-9kg. It’s scary to say that now the sugar consumption is closer to our weight in sugar each year as it has been made readily available and put into almost every packaged food on the grocery store shelfs. Sugar has become a habit in the majority of our daily lives and for many people, it has also become an addiction. At a neurobiological level of addition a study titled, Sugar addiction: pushing the drug-sugar analogy to the limit, showed sugar to be more robust than those of cocaine.

Over consumption of refined sugar causes the body to become more acidic. Excess sugar get stored as glycogen in the liver and causes it to swell.  From the liver the refined sugar re-enters our blood stream as a fatty acid which inevitability get stored around the belly, thighs and bum. Unfortunately, when these areas no longer have room to store the refined sugar it end up in our vital organs such as the kidneys, pancreas and heart.

This leads to serious health issues:
• Increased Risk of Diabetes
• Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
• Increased Risk of Stroke
• High Blood Pressure
• Poor Digestion- IBS, Intolerances, Constipation, Bloating
• Ineffective Immune System
• Gallstones
• Tooth Decay/Loss of Teeth
• Short Term Memory Loss

As we take a holistic approach to dentistry here at Woollahra Dental Practice, we urge you to become more mindful of your food choices and take note of the sugar content they contain. Reading food labels can be difficult a quick way to find out really how much sugar is in a product is to take the number of grams per serve and divide that number 4. This will tell you how many teaspoons of sugar are in your food as 1gram equals 4.2 teaspoons.

Contact us today 

Woollahra Dental Practice

27 Queen Street

Woollahra NSW 2025

Phone: 02 9363 5690

admin@woollahradental.com