Specialist Dental Group has launched an on-going series of blog posts by our individual dental specialists. All views provided are the dentist’s own opinions and are posted on this blog as part of our on-going efforts to educate the public about dental issues and other matters of interest relating to dentistry and healthcare.

How long is 20 years? A little arithmetic will show it is 7000+ days and a whopping 170,000+ hours!  It has been almost 7300 days since I left Chicago for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study under Professor John Beumer as his post-graduate resident at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA is known for its academic excellence and its sport teams – basketball, football, swimming, track and field, etc.

On the professional front, UCLA is also known for its pioneering work in implant dentistry. While most other places in the world were trying to get dental implants surgically placed successfully, under the direction of Professor John Beumer, the UCLA team was full steam ahead in creating predictable implant teeth that looked, felt and functioned exactly like natural teeth. This meaningful clinical advancement is commonly known in the dental field as the ‘UCLA abutment’.

After I was done with my training in UCLA, I have since taught many batches of post-graduate students at the University of Toronto and later, at the National University of Singapore after I relocated to Singapore in 2004.

Sometime last year, it suddenly dawned on me that it was time for me to visit my alma mater in Los Angeles. After a little emailing, I was scheduled to give a lecture to the current UCLA post-graduate students in implant and reconstructive dentistry.

When I arrived there on May 7, 2012, I noticed that the campus was pretty much the same as in 1992 except that there were many new buildings that never used to be there. Many of my former colleagues are still at UCLA doing their good work. It was so exciting that I could almost feel the super high concentration of exceptional human IQ. It was refreshing to see the younger trainee specialists and their enthusiasm, energy dedication to the art and science of the specialty.

The current co-director of the UCLA Advanced Prosthodontics Postgraduate Residency Program, Dr. Kumar Shah (who is from Singapore) kindly allowed me to take his post-graduate residents under my wings and I went on to have a very interactive lecture with the new boys and girls.  Surprise, surprise; I learned a lot from them even though I was the one who gave the lecture!

There is no doubt, teaching a good group of bright students is one of the most gratifying experiences in life, especially if you are a teacher. I am fortunate to have my own group of fantastic post-graduate students at the National University of Singapore

Dr. Ansgar C. Cheng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics (Teeth Replacement) with Specialist Dental Group™. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor with the National University of Singapore.  He has a special interest in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and treatment of  medically compromised patients, including cancer patients. For more information about Dr. Cheng, click here

On May 7, 2012, our colleagues at Oral-B announced the results of a nationwide survey in conjunction with the “Brush More, Smile More Singapore” movement. Conducted by research company, TNS, the survey indicated that 88% of respondents think that Singaporeans should smile more, with a majority of 67% agreeing that they would smile more if they had healthy teeth. However, only 21% of Singaporeans had a positive rating of their dental health.

While many Singaporeans have general dental awareness, they still struggle with fundamental oral care habits. The objective of the Oral-B campaign is to debunk dental myths that Singaporeans have and encourage them to go back to basics with three simple steps to inculcate the right oral care habits for healthy teeth and confident smiles.

The three simple steps are:

1. Brush twice a day with the right toothbrush
2. Brush for at least two minutes each time
3. Visit the dentist every six months

The Orab-B survey involved 364 Singaporeans between the ages of 16-55 years old. Other highlights of the survey include the following:

• 25% of Singaporeans visit the dentist every six months.
• 22% of Singaporeans agree that they are embarrassed to visit the dentist because they have unhealthy teeth.
• 38% of Singaporeans only visit the dentist when they feel pain.
• 18% of Singaporeans brush their teeth only once a day!
• 12% of Singaporeans would change their toothbrush when its bristles have traces of mold on it or an unpleasant smell.

According to Dr Neo Tee Khin, Prosthodontist at Specialist Dental Group, dental problems can build over time and visiting the dentist every six months is vital in maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy smile.

“We need to change the misconceptions that Singaporeans have about oral care and dental visits”, adds Dr Neo.

Prevention is key; Singaporeans should look forward to their regular dental check-ups and make it an essential part of their basic oral care regime with brushing twice a day and for at least two minutes.

For enquiries on dental problems or to make an appointment request, visit the Specialist Dental Group website at: http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com/

Specialist Dental Group has launched an on-going series of blog posts by our individual dental specialists. All views provided are the dentist’s own opinions and are posted on this blog as part of our on-going efforts to educate the public about dental issues and other matters of interest relating to dentistry and healthcare.

As part of my routine for the last 13 years, I was at the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of Singapore (NUS) last week for my undergraduate teaching commitment. There was an unusual buzz in the school. It was the time of the year for the manual dexterity test and interview for admission into the Dental School. A crowd of earnest young men and women waited anxiously, eager to impress upon their interviewers that they deserved a chance to be admitted into the art and science of dentistry.

I recalled how I, myself, stumbled upon dentistry as a career. As an 18 year old with an outstanding academic result, I found myself uncertain on what my future would be. Coming from a humble background, there was no advantage of any career guidance from my parents or relatives. Hence, it was under the influence of fellow classmates that I had chosen Medicine as my first choice and Dentistry as a natural second choice. I had not the slightest inkling of what either career entailed then. That resulted in my making a less favourable impression during the medical school interview process.

Despite the circumstances, destiny led me to be successfully admitted into the NUS dental school which turned out to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

About 25 years ago when I had started my training, Dentistry was not a popular course of study, and was known to be populated by ‘medical school rejects’. It is interesting to note how things have changed since then. We now have thousands of candidates vying for the coveted 50 places in the dental school.

There are a few reasons that has led to the change in perception towards dentistry. Clearly, awareness in dental health has improved exponentially, with credit to the dental profession and the Health Promotion Board who have made a tremendous effort to raise public awareness about dentistry. Also, with an increase in the ageing population and a desire to lead more fulfilling golden years, there is a growing demand to restore worn teeth or replace missing teeth.

The dental profession has also moved forward to respond better with advanced technology. While extractions and dentures were the norm in the yesteryears, patients now want better quality of life. For example, we now have implants that can replace missing dentition. Implant teeth now look, feel and function just like real teeth.

I remembered there was once a 75-year-old man who was having problems to function well with his removable lower denture despite treatment by multiple dentists. I convinced him that with the bone loss in the jaw, his best solution was to have implant-supported teeth. With the NobelGuide Teeth-in-an-Hour procedure, he was able to have a full lower fixed dentition with minimal pain, swelling and downtime. He was indeed grateful that he was able to eat, smile and talk shortly after the procedure.

The perception of dentistry has definitely changed in the recent years. In my opinion, the dental profession has risen to the challenge with technology that has improved the quality of life for our patients. In fact, I am ever proud to be a dentist, knowing that I can make a difference…

Dr. Neo Tee Khin is a Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group™. He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and a Consultant at the National University Hospital. He has over 10 years experience teaching in dental schools and sits on the Committee for Prosthodontics of the Division of Graduate Dental Studies of the National University of Singapore. Dr. Neo has given presentations and courses on implant dentistry and restorative dentistry at professional conferences in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Mongolia. For more information about Dr. Neo, click here.

Specialist Dental Group’s 2^nd team event of 2012 started off with a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon. However, even the rain could not dampen the spirits of the 10 ladies who represented SDG in the Nike Goddess 5km Run on Sentosa Island.

Participating in the Nike Run is part of our company’s efforts to encourage team bonding as well as a healthy lifestyle. We really have to thank one of our patients, Laura F., from Canada, who encouraged one of the SDG team members to sign up as her BFF (Best Friends Forever)… well, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we had 10 ladies from SDG signing up barely one month before the run !

According to official sources, there were about 4,600 ladies who braved the weather to have an opportunity to run together on the scenic route in Sentosa. It didn’t matter whether one walked, jogged, ran or sprinted – it was great to see the spirit of camaraderie present.

Our SDG team was a diverse bunch, with representation from four different nationalities, ages ranging from early 20s to mid 40s, and a variety of fitness levels from newbie runners to serious long distance runners. Although we all wore the official running t-shirt, a purple wristband (or in some cases, ankleband!) identified us as being part of the SDG team.  We all had a great time, and the rain was rather refreshing despite the worry that our precious phones would be soaked!

Many thanks to the supportive husbands and kids who showed up and helped take photos to capture the moment. Our next run is the July 15 Shape Run and we have already signed up 25 ladies to run for SDG in that event, in the 2.4 km non-competitive category, 5km competitive, and 10km competitive.  See you at the next run !

Specialist Dental Group has launched an on-going series of blog posts by our individual dental specialists. All views provided are the dentist’s own opinions and are posted on this blog as part of our on-going efforts to educate the public about dental issues and other matters of interest relating to dentistry and healthcare.

Being in prosthodontics and dentistry in the last 20 years has been a very interesting experience. The development of computer technology has changed the landscape of dentistry dramatically. Those of us who are of a certain vintage may still remember the days when computers were meant for “Pacman” games and storage of a few bytes of data would require a ‘floppy disk’ that literally flopped in our hands. Little did we know, two decades later, that it is all possible to keep numerous radiographs, CT scans and patient information on a single hard disk that is measured in terabytes. It is practically impossible to visualise what the future computer storage format may be.

With computers integrated into our daily life, the field of dentistry has not been spared. Computer assisted design and computer assisted manufacturing (CAD-CAM) have also changed the nature of prosthodontics. Most of us in prosthodontics were trained in the ‘manual era’, i.e. all good prosthodontic work with a high level of precision had to be fabricated by manual means by highly trained hands. Nowadays, CAD-CAM procedures allow the fabrication of predictable restorations with great reduction of possible human errors.  The integration of digital imaging and computer software has also evolved into fancy implant treatment planning.

At the time when I was in the dental school, prosthodontics was known as fixed crown and bridge or removable prosthesis. The term “prosthesis” implied that the replacement teeth were meant to be ‘fake’. Back then, implantology was more a research interest rather than a predictable clinical treatment modality. For more than one time, I had heard of senior clinicians dismissing dental implants as a research vanity. However, my personal experience with dental implants at UCLA, Northwestern University, Chicago and the University of Toronto, Canada has showed otherwise. From the time when the University of Toronto announced their research results on osseointegration in 1982, the ‘news’ of osseointegration has spread like wildfire. As of 2012, most of the meaningful prosthodontic training programs are a 3-year full-time combined program of fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics.

The original osseointegration concept mainly focused on replacing teeth in a predictable functional manner for the fully edentulous mandible (i.e. toothlessness in lower jaw) in the older population. More and more work has been done since and implant treatment has moved from fully edentulous cases to partially edentulous cases where the new teeth are made to look, feel and bite exactly like natural teeth in adult patients. From multiple stage procedures over a period of 6 months to a year in the past, the completion of the new implant teeth can be accomplished even before an incision is made in some selected cases.

Who knows, may be one day, we will have robotic prosthodontic procedures in the form of computer screen navigation…

 Dr. Ansgar C. Cheng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics (Teeth Replacement) with Specialist Dental Group™. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor with the National University of Singapore.  He has a special interest in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and treatment of  medically compromised patients, including cancer patients. For more information about Dr. Cheng, click here

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. Here are a few facts that you should know about oral cancer for early detection and improved survival rates.

Knowing the Symptoms

Although oral cancer is not as common as lung and breast cancer in Singapore, it is important to treat it during the early stages. Thus, being aware of oral cancer symptoms enables early detection and treatment when the odds of survival are still very good. Some of the symptoms are:

- A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.

- A lump in the cheek.

- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or tonsils.

- A sore throat and difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.

- Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.

- Bleeding in your mouth and loose teeth.

Possible Causes of Oral Cancer

The leading causes of oral cancer are lifestyle-related.

• Approximately 75-90% of oral cancer cases are caused by the high consumption of cigarettes and alcohol.
• A person who has had a history of head and neck cancer may be at a higher risk to develop oral cancer.
• Exposure to the sun may also be one of the causes of lip cancer.

Where to find help

1. Get help from support groups! Since smoking and alcohol are the leading causes for oral cancer, support groups may be helpful to give you mental support and guidance during your fight to quit smoking or overcome alcohol addiction. The Singapore Cancer Society and Health Promotion Board have smoking cessation programs to support and counsel smokers below 18 years of age who wish to quit the habit. Of course, family and friends play an important part as well.
2. Get help from the professionals! If you feel discomfort / abnormalities or notice one of the symptoms mentioned above, please visit your dentist or doctor for a check-up. Your dentist/doctor will perform a thorough examination and may take an x-ray, CT Scan and/or recommend a biopsy.  Treatment options can then be recommended based on the results.

When surgery and chemotherapy or radiation are recommended to treat the cancer, your dentist will do a thorough dental assessment prior undergoing the treatment to identify and address any outstanding dental issues such as gum disease and or tooth decay. This will assist in minimizing the risk of oral complications during and after treatment cancer treatment.

As there may also be side effects such as dry mouth syndrome (Xerostomia) due to medication, keeping one’s mouth and teeth clean and hydrated is important in reducing the risk of tooth decay and other oral problems.

Tips on dry mouth management include:

•  Using non-alcohol based mouthwashes – however, do be aware that the chemicals in some mouthwashes may cause some discomfort for oral cancer patients post-treatment;
• Using mouthwashes that contain natural enzymes to help to digest food that is trapped in the mouth;
• Using fluoride gel on the teeth and moisturizing gel on the lips and gums;
•  Drinking lots of water; and
• Seeing your dentist regularly to ensure that your oral hygiene is well maintained.

Regular visits to your dentist will help in early oral cancer detection and save you much cost, pain and psychological trauma. In short, prevention is always better than cure.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the theme for Good Nutrition Month which falls in March 2012 is “Get Your Plate in Shape.”  To enable healthy eating, a complete set of teeth and a good bite play an important role. You may have family members or friends who have missing or crooked teeth, causing them to be extra picky about the food that they consume.

People with missing teeth who wear dentures tend to avoid hard food. Studies have indicated that those with ill-fitting dentures have a higher risk of developing diseases caused by malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. They may be unable to chew certain foods such as meat (high in proteins), fruits and vegetables (high in fibers). Instead, they resort to a soft diet such as mashed potatoes, cakes and pastries, which are high in sugar. The result is weight gain while not getting the necessary nutrients.

Those with crooked teeth may eat less vegetables, as their teeth alignment does not allow them to chew the vegetables properly, causing difficulty in digestion and stomach discomfort. Furthermore, according to the Singapore Cancer Foundation, unbalanced diets (high or low consumption of certain foods) may increase the risk of cancer.

Never let your dental issues affect your health and… smile. The solutions available, range from dental implants to replace missing teeth or orthodontic treatment (i.e braces and Invisalign) and crowns to correct your bite. Seek advice from your dentist for your best treatment options.

What do you get when you put a room full of excited 4 year-olds together? A lot of fun !

We just love to see happy children with healthy smiles visit our clinic – the Specialist Dental Group team was delighted to host the visit of 28 children from Little Skool House for a dental field trip on March 14, 2012.

Dr Daylene Leong, our friendly dentist with specialty training in periodontics (gum treatment), bonded with the children through an interactive story-telling and Question-and-Answer session.  We were impressed that many of the little ones were so knowledgeable about their teeth. Their parents and teachers have done a great job!

It’s fun to visit the dental clinic

Our dental nurses also introduced our little friends to the clinic and showed them all the cool and fun things that the dental instruments could do – from the high-tech dental chairs that could “rock and roll,” to the very thirsty mommy straw and the special blue light that could harden the “playdoh” in seconds.

We hope that the kids had a great time visiting us, and more importantly, that they have learned to see a visit to the dentist as a positive experience. This will go a long way to getting them started on the right track to lifelong healthy teeth and gums.

When should a child first visit the dentist?

We often get asked when is the right time to bring a child for his or her first dental visit – the answer – as soon as they have teeth!

Ideally, parents should bring their children with them when they themselves go for their dental appointments, so that the child will become exposed to the dentist and clinic environment in a stress-free manner. This way, the child will be more likely to have a positive memory of the dentist and clinic.

Most people, however, tend to wait until their child has more teeth before taking them for their first dental appointment.  Thus, we recommend that parents bring their children for a check-up between 1 and 2 years of age. It is important to establish a relationship with the dentist at an early age – your dentist  or pedodontist  (specialist in children’s dentistry) is your partner in ensuring that any potential dental issues are identified and addressed at the early stages, and that your child’s dental development is proceeding smoothly.  For more information, visit our Children’s Dentistry page. We would be happy to assist with your enquiries or book an appointment for your child.

Specialist Dental Group has launched an on-going series of blog posts by our individual dental specialists. All views provided are the dentist’s own opinions and are posted on this blog as part of our on-going efforts to educate the public about dental issues and other matters of interest relating to dentistry and healthcare.

Dental emergencies can be really painful, especially when it happens in a foreign land. Most of the time, just when one is thoroughly enjoying the local attractions and food delicacies, the dreaded toothache or oral discomfort is enough to put a stop to the holiday mood.

I encountered two such lady patients within a week not too long ago. The first lady was from Germany, and she was visiting Singapore, enroute to Bali and Bangkok. All in all, she was about to spend 8 weeks touring South-East Asia. The moment she presented in our clinic, my dental assistants and I could feel the apprehension and anxiousness in her. She could not sleep the previous night and had to take painkillers to ease her toothache. After a thorough examination with accompanying x-rays, this lady presented with a root canal infection on one of the upper left molar teeth. She also had concurrent gum infection on the upper left wisdom tooth. She needed emergency root canal treatment and deep gum cleaning on the upper left hand side. When the treatment plan was proposed, she broke down out of over-anxiety. After some hand-holding, we managed to do the required treatment and she got well enough to travel the next day.

The next patient was a Russian lady. She was on a tour of South-east Asia for one month. She came into our clinic crying in pain and requested us to help us ease her pain. She was found to have a root canal infection from a lower premolar tooth and concurrent gum abscess. We immediately had to perform a minor surgery to drain the pus and relieve her pain. She recovered quickly, such that she was able to continue with her travels a few days later.

It is indeed unpleasant when one needs to seek emergency medical or dental treatment when travelling. I once had to seek out emergency medical treatment during a trip to USA after contracting a severe bout of flu and confined to two days rest in the hotel room (which means wasted time). Through my own experiences, I could fully empathize with my two lady patients who were suffering in pain and at the same time deal with a totally unfamiliar environment, which adds on the distress.

Maintaining good dental health is not difficult. All it takes it daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist. Early detection of dental problems allows easier, faster and cheaper resolution to these problems. It also means peace of mind while travelling.

To all those travelling soon, have you seen your dentist yet?

Dr Elvin Leong is a Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group. He is currently the President of the Prosthodontics Society (Singapore)  and has published in scientific journals in Singapore and internationally. He has a special interest in crowns, implants and cosmetic dentistry. For more information on Dr Leong, click here.

Here are a few questions  that we received from Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty Magazine – Indonesia‘s readers.

Q. How Do You Stop Plaque Attacks?

Answer: Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and sugars that constantly form on our teeth. You cannot stop plaque formation however you can prevent or minimize its accumulation and the damage it may cause. Bacteria is always in our mouths and they feed on carbohydrates in our diet and saliva to grow. Plaque accumulates quickly over a short period of time and going without brushing or flossing regularly to remove it can result in deterioration of one’s overall dental condition. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease and tooth decay, and can harden to form tartar (calculus) if not removed daily.

Many would assume that brushing alone is sufficient for achieving that bright sparkle, but this is insufficient. Research shows that brushing is only effective for the outer and inner teeth surfaces, but has very limited effect for cleaning in between teeth. Flossing daily in addition to toothbrushing is the only way to ensure that one’s teeth is free from plaque that leads to gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease. Brushes are not able to reach in between individual teeth and this allows microscopic residues of food to remain on the surface of the enamel – allowing bacteria to feed on them and produce sticky substances that eventually become plaque.

Diligent daily flossing, combined with thorough brushing at least twice a day, is important for preventing plaque buildup. Regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings will also go a long way in helping to ensure that the teeth stay bright and healthy for a lifetime.

Q. When I visited my dentist for my last checkup, she told me that I have impacted wisdom teeth and she wants to remove them. They are not bothering me. Should I see a specialist if I decide to have them removed? What should I do?

Answer:
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, emerge during early adulthood. A panoramic dental radiograph (x-ray) will confirm the number of wisdom teeth in a person’s mouth and indicate whether any of these teeth are buried or unerupted. It also allows full radiographic examination of the upper and lower jaw architecture and all the teeth present.

An impacted tooth is a tooth that fully or partially buried under the gum line and is unable to erupt properly. Wisdom teeth are the most common type of impacted teeth requiring removal because they are growing at the wrong place and/or at a wrong angle. Seldom do they come out straight. The obstruction is caused either by the tooth in front of it or by the surrounding bone and gums.

Impacted wisdom teeth are frequently food traps and breeding grounds for bacteria. Thus, maintaining their cleanliness is difficult and infection is very common. Research lately has shown that overall dental condition improves after removal of wisdom teeth. Healing, after removal of infected wisdom teeth, is complicated. It is therefore common to remove wisdom teeth before they are symptomatic.

Read our previous blog post: When Losing your Wisdom Teeth is a wise thing to do

If you have dental related questions in mind, we would be happy to answer them. You can send them through our website online enquiry form, and we will get back to you within one working day.