Frequently asked Questions

To help ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy, we recommend that most people come in for a check every six – 12 months. This check usually forms part of your hygiene appointment but can also be done separately if you prefer.

Like adults, a dental check-up every six – 12 months is recommended for children in order to ensure that their teeth and gums remain healthy. This frequency could change depending on the current state of your child’s oral health or if they are undergoing any dental treatment.

Yes. Fluoride is a natural mineral which can be found in air, rock, soil, water. It is commonly found in toothpastes and in teeth-cleaning gels because it helps to prevent and repair any damage caused by acid on the surface of the tooth and protects against tooth decay. The use of fluoride has been a major factor in the significant decreased incidence of dental decay and tooth loss in Australia since its introduction in the 1950’s.

While dental floss and dental tape are certainly very similar, they do have their important differences. Dental tape is essentially a wide, flat ribbon made from nylon and comes in waxed or unwaxed varieties. Dental tape is a great way to introduce yourself to the action and routine of regular flossing. As it is in thinner than traditional floss, people generally find it easier to get in between those small, hard to reach spaces in between our teeth.

If you’ve ever been to a supermarket and felt a little overwhelmed looking at all the different types of dental floss, then you are not alone. To help you cut through the clever marketing, it’s important to remember that there are generally only two main types of floss – multifilament (also known as nylon or silk floss) and monofilament (made from a type of rubber or plastic). Of these two types, nylon floss is the most common and traditional type that you will most likely come across at your local dentist, while monofilament floss is a more modern invention. Unlike nylon floss, monofilament floss doesn’t rip or tear and as such, you may find that it glides easier between your teeth. If mint doesn’t appeal to you, floss can come in a range of different and interesting flavours and thicknesses. The thickness of the floss is quite important and a personal choice depending on the spacing of your teeth and what is most comfortable for you. You may also come across the terms, ‘waxed’ or ‘unwaxed’ when searching for the best floss for you. Monofilament flosses do not need wax, while traditional nylon floss uses it to help the floss glide in and out of the spaces between your teeth with ease. At the end of the day, it really does come down to a personal preference as to what dental floss you use but ultimately, the best type of floss is always the type that is being used.

You can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or all your teeth with implants. You don’t even need one implant for every missing tooth. As few as two Implants can support a removable lower denture, while as few as four implants can provide a full, permanent set of top or bottom teeth.

Most people find dental implant surgery very easy to tolerate. Any post-operative discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or OTC pain-relievers. Ice can also be helpful.

At the outset, implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods such as dentures or bridgework. But they also last many years longer and in fact should never need replacement. So they offer the best, most cost-effective option when viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort and well-being.

They require exactly the same care as natural teeth: daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Although implant teeth will never decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected in the absence of good oral hygiene. Properly cared-for dental implants should last a lifetime.

Strictly speaking, dental implants can’t be rejected because they contain no living cells or genetically coded material. The titanium of which they are made is completely biocompatible, and allergies are extremely rare. But an implant can fail to integrate with the jawbone if an infection develops in the absence of good oral hygiene, or if it is subjected to biting forces too soon. However, this is rare; implants regularly achieve success rates in excess of 95%..

Cavities can cause toothaches and sensitivity, but they can also lead to infection, which can cause more painful and complicated oral problems. When a patient experiences a toothache or sensitivity in the tooth, they should get the tooth checked out immediately to prevent further problems.

The answer to this question depends on the cause of the break. If the tooth is broken because of decay, the patient will be at risk of losing the tooth if the decay has spread and been left untreated for some time. The dentist will try to save the tooth with a root canal, which involves cleaning out the tooth and removing the pulp. If the tooth can be saved, the dentist will cover it up with a dental crown, protecting the remaining tooth from further damage and possible infection. If the decay has gone too far, the dentist will extract the remaining tooth. If the tooth was broken from an accident or while eating, the dentist will likely be able to save the tooth and protect it with a dental crown.

Dentists always tell their patients they are better off with their natural teeth as opposed to artificial teeth because no matter how advanced technology gets, there is no substitute for the real thing. Having teeth extracted can cause problems like the bone density loss in the jaw, which affects the patient’s appearance and eventually makes them appear older than they really are.

Restorative dentistry can be used to treat patients with missing teeth using several tools. The missing teeth can be replaced with dental crowns, dentures, dental bridges and dental implants. Dentures are the cheapest treatment option, but they are not as durable as the others. Dental crowns can be used to replace the missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to two dental crowns that are cemented on the two adjacent teeth to the gap. Dental implants require surgery, but they are the most durable and natural looking replacements.

Yes, a chipped tooth can be saved using dental crowns, bonding or dental veneers. Bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin material to the surface of the teeth and molding it to look like natural teeth. Dental veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that are bonded on the surface of the teeth to hide flaws like chipped teeth.

Tooth discoloration is a normal part of aging. As people age, enamel wears down, and teeth take on a duller appearance. Teeth can also become discolored from smoking and heavy consumption of coffee or tea. Other causes of tooth discoloration include side effects of medications (specifically certain antibiotics) used during the developmental phase of the teeth, an individual’s genetic makeup, and excessive fluoride consumption (fluorosis, seen in both children and adults). Teeth whitening and veneers offer an aesthetic solution for people with discolored or dull-looking teeth.

Dentists take protective measures to prevent discomfort during teeth whitening procedures. Typically, a protective gel or rubber shield is used to prevent bleaching agents from damaging gum tissue. The most common bleaching agents used by dentists are approved, ensuring safety and effectiveness. After the whitening procedure, you may experience minimal tooth sensitivity for a short period of time.

No. In cases involving severe discoloration, teeth whitening may not result in a bright, white smile. Individuals with severe tooth discoloration should consider other options, such as porcelain veneers or composite bonding.

Although dentures are not considered a cosmetic procedure, they provide an aesthetic benefit for people who have lost all or some of their teeth. People who are missing only certain teeth, or rows of teeth, may be better served by a dental bridge or dental implants. It is best to have your situation evaluated by a dental professional in order to establish candidacy for any of these procedures.

Smoking is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smokers also have an increased risk for periodontal disease (gum disease), leukoplakia, loss of bone structure, inflammation of the salivary gland, and development of lung, throat, or oral cancer. Smokers therefore face an additional set of considerations when exploring cosmetic treatment. One restriction for smokers involves dental implants. Smoking increases the risk that a dental implant will fail to integrate with bone tissue (osseointegration). Smoking also affects gum health, and unhealthy gums can lead to dental implant failure. If you smoke, you need to quit before having an implant. Another restriction involves teeth whitening. If you whiten your teeth but continue to smoke, the whitening effect will not last as long, because smoking stains the teeth.

Dentists indicate that implants cannot be considered until bone growth has completed. This typically occurs during adolescence, but may vary from one child to the next. Implants placed prior to bone growth completion may shift out of place and cause severe problems. If a child loses a tooth before bone growth has completed, an orthodontic device called a “space maintainer” may be used to prevent an abnormal growth of surrounding teeth. Once bone growth has completed, the space maintainer can be removed and the missing tooth restored using an implant or bridge.

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. We recommend that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every four orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam. If you are ready we would be happy to make every effort to get you started right away!

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic needs. In general, treatment time lasts from 6 months to 30 months and varies based on individual treatment complexity, needs, and personal treatment goals.

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way in recent years. New technology allows us to use lighter forces to move the teeth over a much shorter amount of time. You can expect the braces to make your teeth sore for a few days after they are placed and after each adjustment. These adjustments will make you more conscious of your teeth, but they should not be painful. This annoyance can be relieved with an over-the-counter pain reliever (use as directed). Today’s braces are smaller, more comfortable and use technology that reduces the discomfort. We use the latest in technology in order to reduce discomfort and treatment time.