Never underestimate the importance of your teeth – they’re the first thing people notice when you smile.
According to Dr Sam Elassar, owner and principal dentist of Dundee’s City Quay Dental Clinic and Implant Centre, the healthier your teeth are, the happier you’ll be. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew, speak clearly and yes, they help you look your best.
Tellingly, a survey of nearly 5,500 single people by dating website Match.com revealed that nearly 60% of men care most about good teeth in a potential date compared to a staggering 71% of women who ranked ‘teeth’ as most important.
But what about if you’ve already got decay, gum disease, receding gums and missing teeth? Perhaps you’re even wearing dentures?
If you’re worried it’s too late, think again. Whatever your dental dilemma, help is at hand at City Quay Dental Clinic and Implant Centre.
Set up in 2007 by Dr Elassar, the state-of-the-art clinic takes on both NHS and private patients.
The practice has grown to be the largest in Dundee with eight surgeries – all boasting views across the water – and with a staggering 17,558 patients.
While offering all areas of dental expertise, Dr Elassar has undertaken extensive training in the field of implantology.
He’s one of only seven dentists in Scotland to have a Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons in London. This rigorous training course has a 35 per cent pass rate and involved Dr Elassar and the practice both being assessed and found to have standards worthy of the Diploma.
The clinic’s services include implant placement, implant restoration, bone grafts, sinus lifts, gum grafting, whitening and veneers. It also hosts study clubs for dentists.
“This was the first purpose-built dental practice in Dundee,” says Dr Elassar. “We started with no patients in 2007 and now we have more than 17,500. Since 2007, we’ve been re-investing in the practice and building on new technology. We’ve got the only CONE BEAM CT scanner in Dundee outside the dental hospital and we’re one of the first practices in Scotland to get the latest intra-oral scanner. This means there’s no need to take messy impressions; we can take digital impressions.
“We also offer sedation for nervous patients and are at the forefront of digital dentistry – so we offer treatment plans virtually, on a computer, before we carry out the procedure. Our equipment is on a par with what you’ll find on Harley Street in London, at a fraction of the price.”
How do they manage this?
“We keep prices down to suit Dundee,” says Dr Elassar. “We give good treatment using the most advanced technology and equipment but keep the price as low as we can afford to.”
Originally from Egypt, Dr Elassar studied dentistry at Dundee University from 1992 to 1997. On graduating, he worked as a general dental practitioner for Duthie Dental Practice.
In 2007, he took the major step of setting up on his own. “The idea was to make this the best clinic we could, with stunning views over the water. It’s like a mini hospital as opposed to a practice. I knew if I built something special and unique, people would come.”
Dr Elassar’s field of interest is implants and cosmetic dentistry; much of his work is with patients with missing teeth, no teeth or dentures.
“Nobody else in Dundee is formally qualified to do implants,” he says. “I get referrals from all over the UK. We’re a family practice with patients from a year old to 95 years old – we cater for everybody.”
Fancy a smile like Cheryl Ferndandez-Versini’s? You’ll probably need veneers, says Dr Elassar. “Every case has to be assessed. I’m not in the habit of putting on veneers unless there’s a real need to. I’m very conservative; I’d rather save teeth as much as possible. Natural shapes are beautiful. We’re moving away from the idea we all need to have perfectly aligned teeth. Yes, white teeth look cleaner and a bit of reshaping can make a huge difference but I like to keep the natural anatomy of the teeth. I’d only use veneers if there’s something fundamentally wrong with the teeth that we need to mask and hide.”
As to whitening, the team at City Quay has developed its own bleaching kit, which Dr Elassar claims is far more effective than ‘in-chair’ treatments, or whitening toothpastes. With prices starting at £200, it’s worth investigating if you fancy a set of pearly white gnashers.
The practice also accepts referrals from dentists around Dundee and beyond for implant treatment.
Dr Elassar’s hope is to get all his patients to smile openly: “There’s no need for insecurities with teeth. I’d like to help everyone to have a good smile.”
City Quay Dental Clinic now offer teeth in a day and full mouth rehabilitation, based on the world-renowned Mayo clinic protocol. The clinic is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
See more at www.cityquaydentalclinic.co.uk.