Regular dental check-ups keep you in the best possible dental health as any problems can be detected and treated early and effectively. Professional cleanings on a regular basis will also make sure your teeth are free of any plaque that you cannot quite reach in your daily brushing and flossing routine. It is during these regular hygiene appointments that early detection of gum disease is made. Your dental health is of the utmost importance to our team and we take your regular check up very seriously.
Gum disease, if not treated correctly, can lead to some very severe conditions, even the loss of one or several teeth. From gingivitis to periodontal disease and even halitosis (bad breath), these are problems that can be solved through regular dental visits, coupled with listening to and understanding the hygiene guidelines put in place for your individual needs.
Radiographs are a diagnostic tool we could never practice without. While most offices still use film, dental digital radiography has been shown to be every bit as diagnostic, and more.
With better resolution, dramatically reduced radiation to the patient, and the ability to zoom into parts of the image, digital dental X-ray is more friendly to the patient, and to the doctor.
The biggest hurdle for patients to accept treatment is that they often do not understand their condition. With an intraoral digital camera, patient education is simplified by being able to help the patient see what you see.
It is estimated that over 80% of people will experience varying degrees of gum disease at some point in their life. Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults, however when diagnosed early the condition can be reversed, returning you to optimal oral health.
Gum disease results from the accumulation of plaque, a sticky clear film that builds up on the surface of your tooth enamel, at and below the gum-line. When plaque is not removed effectively through your daily brushing and flossing routine it hardens into calculus, commonly known as tartar. Calculus is too hard to be removed by brushing and flossing.
As gum disease develops, your gums become red and swollen and bleed easily when you brush and floss, this is the first sign of gingivitis, constant bad breath is also common with gum disease.
The formation of calculus can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth; from which gum-pockets develop, this allows the accumulation of food particles and bacteria to build up in these pockets next to your tooth roots and can cause irreparable bone damage in its advanced stages, this then becomes known as periodontitis.
One of the biggest concerns with developing gum disease is that it very rarely causes any pain, therefore can go unnoticed until it becomes a severe problem. Only through regular check-up appointments can we diagnose gum disease in its early stage and treat it before permanent damage to your bone and soft tissue or tooth loss occurs.
The traditional way of restoring a tooth with a silver or grey looking amalgam filling is giving way to the more popular and natural looking white composite filling.
A blend of fine glass particles and silica mixed to a paste-like consistency, the composite material is able to be moulded to the exact shape of the tooth being repaired. This enables your restoration to be completed with much less natural tooth structure needing to be removed than if an amalgam filling were to be placed. Once shaped the composite filling is hardened through use of a specially developed light.
One of the most notable advantages white composite fillings have over metal fillings is they achieve a stronger bond with your natural tooth. Previously, composite fillings were confined to restoring front teeth where the biting force is less strenuous. Through the development of quality of materials now available, composites can successfully be placed in back teeth where chewing and grinding forces are far greater.
A mouthguard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. Mouthguards are most often used to prevent injury in contact sports, as a treatment for bruxism or TMD, or as part of certain dental procedures, such as tooth bleaching.
Occlusal splints (also called bite splints, bite planes, or night guards) are removable dental appliances carefully molded to fit the upper or lower arches of teeth.
They are used to protect tooth and restoration surfaces, manage mandibular (jaw) dysfunction, and stabilize occlusion or create space prior to restoration procedures. People prone to nocturnal bruxism, or night time clenching, should routinely wear occlusal splints at night.
Occlusal splints are typically made of a heat-cured acrylic resin. Soft acrylic or light cured composite, or vinyl splints may be made more quickly and cheaply, but are not as durable, and are more commonly made for short-term use. Soft splints are also used for children, because normal growth changes the fit of hard splints.
A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement. Crowns can be made from many materials, which are usually fabricated using indirect methods. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. While unarguably beneficial to dental health, the procedure and materials can be relatively expensive.
Why get a crown?
A crown is used to strengthen a weakened tooth, such as a tooth which has had root canal therapy, a large restoration or has a crack syndrome.
What is involved?
Usually a crown is made and fitted in 2 visits. The first visit can take up to 90 minutes, and involves cutting the tooth, taking an impression and making a temporary crown. The second visit is the fitting appointment, and this usually only takes 20 minutes.
How long does it last?
With regular check ups and good home care, a crown can last a lifetime, but on average it will last around 8-10 years.
A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. There are different types of bridges, depending on how they are fabricated and the way they anchor to the adjacent teeth. Conventionally, bridges are made using the indirect method of restoration however, bridges can be fabricated directly in the mouth using such materials as composite resin.
Why get a bridge?
If you have a missing tooth, it can cause a malocclusion, or "bad bite", as teeth beside the gap can move and become misaligned. A bridge may be the best option if the neighboring teeth are weakened and require crowns, as it not only fixes the gap, but also protects the neighboring teeth.
What is involved?
A bridge preparation has the same steps as the crown, but more time consuming.
Is there other alternatives?
Missing teeth can also be replaced by a dental implant or removal appliance. Consult your dentist about which option best suits you, as everyone's treatment plan is different and tailored to there specific needs.
Immediate appointment can be made to fit you in.
Please call as early as possible, even by leaving a message on the answering machine.
The common misconception regarding root canal therapy is that it is a painful procedure; however, the main objective of root canal therapy is to relieve pain caused by an infected root and nerve tissue and save your natural tooth from extraction.
The thought of root canal therapy causes many patients to procrastinate making an appointment, but the longer you delay having a root canal procedure the more severe the pain and extensive the infection will become.
The introduction of new dental techniques and the development of fine instruments means root canal therapy can be completed with little to no discomfort, in as few as two appointments.
Your tooth can be divided into two sections; the crown, being the visible white enamel above your gum-line and the root, consisting of what lies below your gum-line. Beneath your tooth enamel is a layer of dentin; this is a porous tissue harder than bone surrounding the pulp, the soft tissue inside your tooth chamber made up of nerves and lymph vessels. A tooth can have as few as one or as many as four root canals.
Our dentists will conduct a thorough assessment examination to ascertain the best treatment option; this may include a comprehensive set of x-rays. Following this, We will develop with you a personalised treatment programme.
To ensure your complete comfort, a local anaesthetic is administered to numb the entire area. A protective latex sheet called a dam is placed around the tooth receiving treatment to keep the area sterile, dry and prevent the spread of infection.
If treatment is required as a result of extensive tooth decay, it is treated and removed before an access hole is gently made in the top of your crown. With clinical precision, the infected pulp removed, the root chambers are cleaned sterilised and each root chamber re-shaped and made smooth.
Miniature cone shaped rubber seals called, gutta percha are placed inside the root chambers, and these are used to prevent any further infection. Depending on the extent of the infection that has caused the need for treatment, antibiotics or some other medication may be placed to fight the bacterial infection, prior to sealing your tooth chamber. After your tooth has been sealed, it is restored with a porcelain crown giving it a natural appearance and strength. In the event that much of the tooth structure has been extensively damaged through decay, a titanium post, similar to that used for an implant can be placed to provide additional support.
For several days following your treatment, you may experience some post-treatment swelling and a slight dull ache. Over the counter pain relief medication will alleviate any discomfort. A follow-up exam will be scheduled to monitor the healing of your gum tissue. For several days following your treatment, you may experience some post-treatment swelling and a slight dull ache. Over the counter pain relief medication will alleviate any discomfort. A follow-up exam will be scheduled to monitor the healing of your gum tissue.
Over 90% of root canal treatments are successful; however, there are rare occasions when the procedure will need to be redone due to further infection. The earlier your treatment is performed the less likely this will be required.
Unfortunately as the caries rate in children has declined significantly over the past twenty years, the same fall has not been observed in the rate of dental traumatic injuries. The causes of these injuries not only varies considerably, but has been changing in nature as well. While contact sports such as, Australian Rules Football and Rugby continue to be responsible for a steady stream of dental trauma, leisure activities are also becoming increasingly associated with traumatic injuries. Activities such as roller-blading, skate-boarding, mountain bike riding, trampolining and horse riding are now associated with a significant amount of dental trauma.
Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. A child's deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. Certain antibiotic medications (like tetracycline) can also cause teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel.
There are many methods to whiten teeth: bleaching strips, bleaching pen, bleaching gel, laser bleaching, and natural bleaching. Traditionally, at-home whitening involves applying bleaching gel to the teeth using thin guard trays. At-home whitening can also be done by applying small strips that go over the front teeth. Oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidizing agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidizes interprismatic stain deposits; over a period of time, the dentin layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached. Power bleaching uses light energy to accelerate the process of bleaching in a dental office. The effects of bleaching can last for several months, but may vary depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Factors that decrease whitening include smoking and the ingestion of dark colored liquids like coffee, tea and red wine.
Internal staining of dentine can discolor the teeth from inside out. Internal bleaching can remedy this. If heavy staining or tetracycline damage is present on a patient's teeth, and whitening is ineffective, there are other methods of whitening teeth. Bonding, when a thin coating of composite material is applied to the front of a person's teeth and then cured with a blue light can be performed to mask the staining. A veneer can also mask tooth discoloration.
A veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement such as Panavia. In contrast, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.
Why get a veneer?
They are a more conservative treatment than a crown and can often be used as an alternative if the underlying tooth is strong and healthy. Veneers are excellent for treating chipped, discolored, slightly misaligned or misshapen teeth or gaps between teeth, especially if these defects affect the front teeth. A tooth that is too small or has irregularities can be successfully treated with a veneer.
What is involved?
A veneer is made and fitted in 2 visits. The first involves the minimal preparation of tooth and Impression. At your second visit, veneer is bonded to the prepared tooth.
Although it is ideal for your oral and general health to retain your natural teeth, there may be times when a tooth needs to be removed due to extensive decay, periodontitis that has caused a bone infection, an irreparable fracture causing pulp damage or impacted wisdom teeth.
There also may be rare occasions when removal of children's teeth is required to prevent crowding or teeth coming through crooked, however if possible it is preferred to address these problems through the use of orthodontics.
Removing a tooth is done only after every alternative option has been explored and a thorough examination conducted, including detailed radiographs, confirms it is the best option for your long-term oral health.
Depending on the tooth, its location in your mouth, your current oral and general health there are several different procedures and anaesthetic options available:
Following removal of your tooth or teeth, we will give you post-operative care instructions. You may experience swelling and soreness, which may last a few hours or a few days depending on your procedure. No matter what procedure you have, due to the effects of the anaesthetic you will need a friend or family member to drive you home and you should rest for the remainder of the day.
You should avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 24 hours or as long as advised by our dentist or oral surgeon and eat a soft foods diet for several days. Pain relief medication may also be prescribed, be sure you follow the dosage instructions exactly.
The dental profession like all areas of medicine has seen significant advances in recent years, with the biggest impact being dental implants. Although dental implants have been available for over thirty years, new technologies and innovative procedure techniques makes them easier to place in the precise position, more successful and are a higher quality than their predecessors.
If you are missing one or several teeth, it is important for your general and oral health to replace them as soon as possible to prevent various problems from occurring. By not replacing missing teeth, your adjacent teeth move into the vacant space and opposing teeth move out of alignment affecting the way your teeth fit together, known as you occlusion.
This can have a significant influence on your ability to eat efficiently and speak without impediment. It is also possible that a reduction in the density of your jawbone will develop due to a missing tooth root, this can inhibit the successful placement of an implant in the future, thereby making it a lengthy and more difficult procedure and sometimes not possible without bone grafting surgery.
Dental implants are a strong and natural looking replacement option with many versatile applications such as replacing a single tooth, utilised to secure a bridge or an entire upper or lower arch. One of their most salient advantages is they are completely independent, not replying on other teeth for support.
Prior to receiving your implant our dentists will conduct thorough oral and general health examination, a detailed set of x-rays may also be required, from which we will develop with you a comprehensive treatment plan. This examination is essential so we can determine the most suitable placement option for your implant.
Essentially a dental implant is an artificial tooth root developed from medical grade titanium. Your implant will resemble a screw with a slightly textured surface to ensure a strong bond with your jawbone is achieved. This becomes the solid foundation to support your replacement crown, bridge or denture.
Placed under a local anaesthetic with clinical precision, the procedure involves making only a minor incision in your gum-line and your implant being gently guided into its pre-determined position. The incision closed with a few stitches. Many patients report little to no discomfort and return to work and their normal routine the following day. Should you experience any discomfort after the anaesthetic has worn off, an over the counter pain relief medication can be taken.
Dependant upon your personal situation, a replacement crown or bridge may be placed at the same time you receive your implant, or temporary teeth may be placed whilst your implant bonds with your jawbone, this may take between three to six months.
After your implant has fused with your jawbone it is uncovered and an attachment referred to as an abutment is secured, it is to this your replacement teeth are permanently bonded. Dental implants function, feel and are indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
A thorough oral hygiene routine is just as important for your implant as it is for your natural teeth. Even though your implant is titanium and your replacement teeth are made from high-grade porcelain, your surrounding teeth and gum tissue is still vulnerable to gum disease. It is therefore recommended to schedule checkup appointments every six months to ensure your implant and natural teeth remain in perfect health.
Overview
3M ESPE's MDI mini dental implant system is minimally invasive and immediately stabilizes loose dentures using a 90-minute patented protocol, often completed without a flap and sometimes even using the patient's existing denture.
MDI mini dental implants are designed for stability in soft and dense bone which is essential for immediate loading. Attachment designs are available for custom retention for each case with three retention options as well as attachment designs that forgive up to 30 degrees divergence between two implants with no need for an angle correction inventory. Original retention can be restored in minutes by simply changing o-rings.
Benefits
Dental braces (also known as braces, orthodontic cases, or cases) are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help to position them with regard to a person's bite, while also working to improve dental health. They are often used to correct underbites, as well as malocclusions, overbites, open bites, deep bites, cross bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.
1. General anesthesia
General anesthesia (GA) is a medical procedure that renders the patient unconscious, allowing for the safe and humane provision of medical and dental diagnostic and surgically invasive procedures. Dental treatment under GA is an effective way to provide medically necessary care to those children who may be cognitively immature, highly anxious or fearful, have special needs, or medically-compromised and unable to receive treatment in a traditional office setting. Delivering dental treatment under GA can have significant positive effects on the quality of life for children and their families and can improve access to dental care.
2. IV sedation (available soon)
Intravenous sedation (IV sedation) is an option that allows for dental procedures to be performed while you are under the influence of a sedative drug administered via an injection. It is often referred to as "sleep dentistry" or "twilight dentistry". Sleep dentistry is different to surgical procedures performed under general anaesthetic—you are not unconscious, but rather in an induced highly relaxed, sleep-like state. When you 'wake up' you will not remember anything about the entire procedure, will feel no pain during the procedure and will feel like no time has passed.
Philips Zoom is not only proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades, it’s also safe. While other whitening products can harm teeth and gums, using Philips Zoom with Relief ACP actually gives you greater luster and protects enamel.
Philips Zoom is only available at a dentist’s office to ensure optimum safety, and comes in different treatment types and strengths to fit your lifestyle and sensitivity.
CDBS provides eligible children who receive certain government benefits - such as Family Tax Benefit Part A - with access to up to $1,000 in benefits, capped over a two calendar year period that can be used towards the provision of certain 'basic' services for children aged between 2 and 17 years in a calendar year.
Your Invisalign treatment consists of a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only. As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by your dental provider.
What's more, a virtual treatment plan generated by Align Technology's unique ClinCheck® software shows the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment. This allows you to see upfront what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of the treatment. From the results of the ClinCheck software, your custom-made, clear aligners are produced especially for you.
If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other treatment works as comfortably as Invisalign.
Dentures, also known as false teeth, are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth; they are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable. However, there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. There are two main categories of dentures, the distinction being whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch or on the maxillary arch.
Removable partial dentures are for patients who are missing some of their teeth on a particular arch. Fixed partial dentures, also known as "crown and bridge" dentures, are made from crowns that are fitted on the remaining teeth. They act as abutments and pontics and are made from materials resembling the missing teeth. Fixed bridges are more expensive than removable appliances but are more stable.
Another option in this category is the Flexible partial, which is widely considered to be the most comfortable. The final restoration can now be made very quickly with innovations in digital technology. Flexible partials are becoming much more popular due to their aesthetic qualities. While the cost may be higher than a partial made with visible metal clasps, the results of the flexible partial are beautiful, with high levels of satisfaction. Flexible partial fabrication involves only non-invasive procedures, and serves as a virtually invisible tooth replacement option.
Complete dentures are worn by patients who are missing all of the teeth in a single arch (i.e., the maxillary (upper) or mandibular (lower) arch).
thedentalclub
Contact Details
Health Fund
