Oral Hygiene Plans and Treatments
While at our office, we make sure that you receive the highest level of service and ensure that our dental work is of the highest quality. To ensure that you maintain great oral health, this level of quality needs to extend into your personal oral hygiene routine. We can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and white. If you have any questions about your current hygiene plan please ask us.
Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to oral hygiene as well. We can provide periodontal cleanings and treatment, or refer you to one of our recommended specialists. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Tooth Whitening
Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little lacklustre. Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural colour of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural colour if you would like.
To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we utilise a tray whitening system. This tray whitening system is completed in 2 steps. The first step is to make an impression of your teeth. With this impression, we’ll craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over. Finally, you will take the whitening gel and put it in the gel for a short period of time over a period of a few days. This often results in a whiter smile of 4 to 8 shades!
Please contact us today to see if you are a candidate for this type of teeth whitening.
Dental Crowns
Over time our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discolouration and others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.
The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit the tooth will be reshaped by shaving down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anaesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mould will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This mould will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, we will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.
The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anaesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.
The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been created, a mould is taken of the area which is sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the mould to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.
We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and the dentist will then use an adhesive to make sure that the bridge is set.
The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.
If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.
Root Canal (Endodontics)
Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.
“Root canal” has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less “scary”. Local anaesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with virtually no pain in most cases. Over-the-counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but sometimes we may prescribe something else. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain consult your dentist today.
Dentures
Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be removed and put back into your mouth as you please. Depending on each individual patient case, they may receive full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed from the mouth and replaced with a full set of dentures. There are two types of full dentures:
- Conventional Full Dentures
- This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.
- Immediate Full Dentures
- Prior to having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have a follow up visit to refit your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heals. The dentures will need to be tightened after the jaw bone has healed.
Partial dentures are another option when not all of your teeth need to be removed. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.
Your dentures may take some time to get used to. The flesh coloured base of the dentures is placed over your gums. Some people say that it feels bulky or that they don’t have enough room for their tongue. Other times the dentures might feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel more and more like your natural teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but it is much better than the alternative of not having teeth.
Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles before removing your dentures. After they have been removed you should place them directly into room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don’t drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. Wisdom teeth often cause problems as they are trying to protrude through the gums. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it means the tooth is coming in at an angle and not straight through the gum line. This can cause pain, the tooth can come in unevenly, or the tooth may only emerge partially.
When a wisdom tooth only emerges partially a flap of skin, called an operculum, may form over the tooth. This can make the tooth hard to clean, and pieces of food may be caught under the skin. This makes it easy for an infection, called pericoronitis, to develop. It will usually go away on its own, but it causes swelling and pain in the area.
Impacted teeth and wisdom teeth that can potentially cause problems, like infections, need to be removed. Extractions can range from a single tooth, to removing all four wisdom teeth at once. Based on the preference of the doctor and/or the patient, a local anaesthetic could be used to numb the areas where the teeth will be extracted. Others will prefer to go under a general anaesthetic so that they will be sedated during the procedure.
Bonding / White Fillings
Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discoloured teeth. A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is moulded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile. Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.
Orthodontic Braces
A healthy, well-aligned smile does more than just look great — properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, place less strain on your jaw, and can prevent a range of long-term dental problems. Braces work by applying gentle, continuous pressure to your teeth over time, gradually moving them into the correct position through the surrounding bone. They can be used to correct crowded or crooked teeth, close unwanted gaps, and address problems with your bite such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Braces are suitable for both children and adults. While orthodontic treatment is most commonly associated with teenagers, teeth can be successfully moved at any age. Treatment typically takes between 18 months and 3 years, depending on the complexity of your case and how well your teeth respond. Traditional metal braces remain the most reliable and cost-effective option for most patients, though ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces are available for those who prefer a less noticeable appearance.
Once your braces are fitted, you will need to attend regular adjustment appointments — usually every six to eight weeks — so that your dentist can monitor progress and make the necessary changes to the wire. After your braces are removed, a retainer will be provided to hold your teeth in their new position, as teeth have a natural tendency to shift back over time. With proper care and good oral hygiene throughout your treatment, braces can deliver a lasting result that makes a real difference to both your smile and your confidence. Please contact us today to find out whether braces are the right option for you.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are widely regarded as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, offering a long-lasting solution that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. Unlike dentures or bridges, which sit on top of the gum or rely on neighbouring teeth for support, an implant is anchored directly into the jawbone — providing a stable, secure foundation that helps to preserve the bone and prevent the changes in facial structure that can occur after tooth loss.
The implant itself is a small titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. Over the following weeks, the bone gradually fuses around the implant in a process called osseointegration, which typically takes around three months. Once this healing phase is complete, a custom-made crown is attached to the implant, crafted to match the colour and shape of your surrounding teeth. Because all of our cosmetic work is completed using experienced Australian dental laboratories — not overseas suppliers — you can be confident in the quality and precision of the final result.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for implants. Factors such as sufficient jawbone density, healthy gums, and overall general health all play a role in determining eligibility. Your dentist will assess these thoroughly during an initial consultation, including x-rays and a review of your dental and medical history. With proper care — regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups — implants can last many years, and in a great number of cases, a lifetime. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to explore whether implants are right for you, contact us today.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain that are custom-made to bond to the front surface of your teeth, instantly transforming the appearance of your smile. They are an excellent option for patients who are unhappy with teeth that are discoloured, chipped, worn, slightly misshapen, or have small gaps between them. Because veneers are crafted to match the natural translucency and shade of your surrounding teeth, the result is a beautifully natural-looking smile that is also highly resistant to staining.
The process generally takes place over two to three appointments. At the first visit, your dentist will assess your teeth and discuss your goals in detail. A small amount of enamel is then carefully removed from the front surface of the tooth — usually less than a millimetre — to ensure the veneer sits flush and looks natural rather than bulky. An impression of your prepared teeth is then taken and sent to our trusted Australian dental laboratory, where your veneers are crafted to the precise shape, size, and colour specified. A temporary veneer may be placed to protect the tooth in the meantime. At your final appointment, the permanent veneers are bonded to your teeth using a strong dental adhesive and checked for fit, bite, and appearance before you leave.
It is worth noting that because a small amount of enamel is removed during preparation, veneers are considered a permanent commitment — the tooth will always require a veneer or similar covering going forward. However, when well cared for, porcelain veneers can last ten years or more. We take great care to ensure our patients are fully informed before proceeding with any cosmetic treatment, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us today to find out whether veneers could be the right choice for your smile.