Practice update

Dear patients,  
Many of you tried to book their dental appointments with me and realised they could not see me at Oracare Dental Practice anymore.
I am currently taking a break from Dentistry and now specialise in the Medical and Aesthetic use of Botulinum Toxin  (Botox) which can treat various conditions such as migraines and headaches, excessive sweating, bruxism (teeth grinding) as well as being an anti-wrinkle treatment, and Hyaluronic Acid treatments (dermal fillers) to restore symmetry and proportions in the face. As a dentist I’ve always been passionate about approaching the face as a whole and I am now excited to dedicate myself to this aspect of my qualifications. I will hence no longer be available to provide dental care as your primary care dentist but you can still see me at Omniya Clinic, Knightsbridge, for Medical and Aesthetic treatments described above.

It is very important to me that you maintain continuous dental health care. Your medical record will remain at Oracare. For your convenience, Oracare’s electronic medical records system allows your dental record to be accessible to the practice associates. Though I am sad to have to say goodbye to you as a dentist, I have complete trust and confidence that my associates at Oracare will continue to provide you with outstanding care.

Dr Thu-Linh ALLAIN NGUYEN.

The Zoom Effect

Wow. It’s been a year now since first UK lockdown and so many people have been working from home, spending their entire day doing Zoom meetings. I think that’s what I hear the most from my patients lately: ‘ I am staring at my face all day long on Zoom and I don’t like what I see’. First of all, I want to say that your face on Zoom is not your real face. The angle, the light, the make-up (or non make-up), the face we see is created by all these factors. You can even apply a filter and look like a completely different person. Before Covid, it was all about our faces in pictures. Now it’s not just pictures, it’s live camera, our reflection constantly on the screen. When you think of it, it’s very strange: people used to attend meetings and speak in front of their colleagues. During Zoom meetings, you create eye contact with your colleagues and…with yourself! So don’t judge your face through this prism, it’s a lot better to look good in real life than in images. But I get it, lockdown has changed us all. The stress and anxiety are literally painted on us, associated with weight loss or gain. Squinting at the screens and worrying about the loved ones, about the future may have created new lines, lack of exercise and a different diet may also have impacted the look of our skins. And the way we look can directly affect our spirits, even if it might sound silly for some people. Seeing a fresh and rested face can make us feel better and more optimistic and it’s not necessarily about how we look through other people’s eyes. Sometimes it’s just for ourselves and our personal well-being.

botox bocouture forehead and frown lines
Forehead and frown lines before treatment
botox bocouture forehead and frown lines
After treatment with Bocouture (botulinum toxin)

Lip filler: natural enhancement

A natural and subtle enhancement of the lips can be achieved using hyaluronic acid filler. Several types of fillers can be used depending on the desired effect. Asymmetry can be corrected, balance between upper and lower lip restored and even a gummy smile can be improved .

Welcome back

Oracare Dental is open and currently prioritising those with the most urgent need. In order to keep patients and staff safe during this high alert phase, we will only be seeing patients with booked appointments during modified hours. You will be asked to sanitize your hands upon arrival and to wear a mask in reception and waiting areas. Thank you for your understanding and looking forward to seeing you!

Fabric mask: use and care instructions

Wash before use

A fabric mask is not like a surgical or FFP2 mask, but used properly, it can help to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus by protecting the wearer from drops of saliva coming from people around and also by protecting people the wearer will meet. (Don’t forget some persons can be infected and not show symptoms but still can be contagious for others). The mask also helps preventing the wearer from touching his face. It is then useful for a domestic use and can be worn a few hours, for example to run errands.

This mask does not replace the measures of social distancing, hand washing etc…

Place the mask high on the nose bridge (it should not ‘fall down’ the tip of the nose) and open it until it goes slightly under the chin. Ideally the ‘hollow’ of the fold should be downwards to unfold the mask easily. This mask is reversible but it is important to be aware of the outer side because it’s the side exposed to external contamination. Don’t consider the inner side (in contact with your face) is clean though because you can be infected and not show symptoms, hence the importance of handling the mask carefully and washing hands before and after use.

Once the mask is placed and while using it, don’t touch it because the external side will possibly be contaminated.

To remove it, only touch the elastic bands, making sure you don’t touch the fabric. Iron it using max temperature for a few minutes each side, without ironing the elastic bands to avoid damaging them, to ‘decontaminate’ it. Wash it regularly with warm water and soap and avoid using the washing machine at hot temperature or the elastic bands won’t last long. Some advise 60° washing machine programs but other experts say the virus is altered by the use of soap/detergent without using hot temperature. Ironing at max temperature for more safety is a good addition to the washing measures.

COVID 19 – Make your own fabric mask with or without sewing machine – very easy

You need:

  • cotton fabric (like bed sheet, pillowcase, old shirt, table cloth)
  • sewing thin elastic band (17-19 cm per side, check on your face) or shoe lace, ribbon to make tie bands
  • thread, needles
  • paper or cardboard
  1. Cut 13 x 22cm rectangle (woman size) or 14 x 22 rectangle (man size) in paper or cardboard to make your pattern
  2. Use the pattern to cut 3 rectangles of fabric

3. Pin together the 3 layers, right sides together

4. Sew along the long sides of the rectangles at 5mm and then cut at 2-3mm to remove excess

5. Turn right side out

6. Prepare the short sides of the rectangles to place the elastic bands by folding in a little the edges and pin the elastic bands (leave 4-5mm in)

7. Create a fold in the middle so the short side is about 9 cm

8. Sew along the short sides making sure the elastic bands are secure in the seam and setting the fold. (If you are not using a sewing machine, it may be easier to secure the elastic bands and sew along first and then do a few stitches for the fold)

Done! Now check the Use and Care Instructions

Hyaluronic acid fillers

With years, skin looses its moisture and becomes thinner. Lines and wrinkles start to settle. Hyaluronic acid injections can help smoothing them without surgery.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body. Like a sponge, it absorbs water and maintain the skin deep layers hydrated. It’s possible to inject this molecule as a gel to give volume and plump the skin or smooth wrinkles. The hyaluronic acid will mix with the one contained in the body and will progressively resorb. It is advised to have regular injections done, between  3 and 12 months depending  on patients and area treated. Reversibility is an advantage compared to the permanent effect of a cosmetic surgery.

What can we treat?

The most common treatments concern the naso-labial and marionette lines around the mouth. It’s also possible to reshape the lips or give them more definition, or contour the face and add volume on the cheekbones but also sharpen a jawline or enhance a chin.

The treatment in itself

Most of product contain local anesthetic but some don’t. A numbing cream can be applied before to improve the comfort during the injection. The procedure is quite quick, beetween 15 and 30 minutes depending on which areas are treated. A massage of the area will be performed to make sure the product is well placed.

Cost

From £350 per syringe

The results

They are visible instantly but the the effects are optimum about 2-3 weeks after the injection when the body integrates the molecule and pumps water. The treated area may swell for a few days, bruise or present redness, but you can apply make up while everything is getting back into order. Depending on people, their metabolism and their personal habits (cigarette, sun exposure, physical activity), injections have to be repeated every 3 to 12 months.

Contra-indications

There are very few as the molecule is naturally present in the body, the risk of allergy is extremely low. Injections should be avoided when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Protecting permanent teeth with Fissure sealants

french-dentist-children-londonSee full article in L’Echo Magazine: Londres version française, April-May 2017, page 45 by Francine Joyce.

Fissure sealants are prevention treatments for permanent teeth, treating mostly molars and premolars for children from age 6. Brushing is often difficult due to the lack of access. These sealants protect the natural grooves on the chewing surface of the teeth (80% of tooth decays start in these grooves/fissures for children), brushing is made easier as the retention of food debris is reduced and they often contain fluoride to reinforce the protection.

The procedure is simple, quick and painless: only a few minutes per tooth including the clean of the fissures, preparation of the surface with an acidic gel and the application of the fluid resin which will be light-cured to set instantly.

It’s very important to have them checked regularly, they can last for years but sometimes need replacement.