Changes in Professional Staff: Many of you will now be aware that Barry left us in the spring of this year. Barry has been at Hurst Park Avenue since Ian Brown retired three years ago. Unfortunately, Barry feels that he has not settled in Cambridge and will be moving to position close to his home in London.

We thank Barry for his devoted attitude and hard work in caring for his patients and wish him well in his new job.

Barry will be replaced by Andrew Egan, we will also expand the practice in welcoming Patrick Humphrey. Both Andy and Pat qualified in 1996, they have a wealth of experience in general dental practice which we feel will compliment and enhance the existing team.

Short biographies for Andy and Pat can be found on The Team page.

Anglia Orthodontics: Orthodontists Paul Williams and Francis Scriven came to Hurst Park Avenue almost three years ago on a temporary basis while they looked to find their own premises. They will be moving to new premises in Newnham in the early summer. We will miss having their specialist knowledge on site but moreover we will miss their good humour and the friendliness of their nurses.

Text Reminders: We will be moving away from our existing written appointment reminder system over to sms text reminders. Please use the written reminder letters to record your mobile and home phone numbers and hand these in at reception during your next visit. With your help the gradual transition should be in full operation by the end of the year.

Computer Guided Implants: With advances in computer technology and the wish to place implants very accurately, less traumatically and restore them immediately we invested in the using computer guided implant placement a number of years ago. To complement the process we have become one of the few sites in the UK to have in house 3D scanning facilities.

In this fast developing process we use cone beam scan data in our computers, this data will produce a very accurate three-dimensional map of the jaws and soft tissues. We then plan implant placement on the computer model in conjunction with ideal tooth positions gained from scanning a denture indicating the best position for each tooth. We then manufacture a computer formed stent to guide the accurate placement of implants in the positions generated on the 3D computer model.

The technique has the added advantage of allowing us the place the implants without the need to cut the gum and then stitch up afterwards in a conventional fashion, this speeds up the operation time and reduces the post operative recovery period dramatically. More significantly the accuracy of this process allows us to produce a temporary bridge in advance that will be fitted at the time of surgery.

For more information visit: www.nobelbiocare.com

More details on our Dental Implants service can be found here.

We offer a free initial consultation and treatment plan for those patients interested in Dental Implants.

Tooth Whitening: We now have use of a new improved bleaching system developed in America. The system allows you to lighten the shade of teeth and remove stains it is both fast and effective. Please ask your dentist for more information.

Patients are becoming increasingly aware of recession of the gum at the neck of teeth and wear at the tips of teeth. Similarly, migrainous type headaches and tension in the neck may all be caused by tooth grinding at night. In most cases simple pain free treatment can relieve these symptoms and prevent further problems in the future.

Stabilise your lower denture: Patients who experience difficulty with lower dentures can have their problems solved by attaching the existing or new denture via press stud type fixings to two dental implants.