FAQ's

 

 

 

 

To view the answers for the questions listed below simply click on the respective question.

IMPLANTS

An implant is a titanium screw which is placed into the jaw bone to replace the root of a lost natural tooth. The implant integrates with the bone to form a secure foundation for a replacement tooth.

The end result... replacement teeth that look, feel and function just like natural teeth. The embarrassment , irritation and self-consciousness often experienced by people who have missing teeth, who wear dentures or who have suffered through older methods of tooth replacement are overcome with the confidence of permanently anchored dental implants.
  • Improved appearance: When you lose entire tooth - crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or bridge doesn't.
  • Maintained natural teeth: With traditional practices, two teeth adjacent to a missing tooth must be ground down to anchor a bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
  • Permanent solution: There are no loose parts to worry about. The implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after installation. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.

No. An effective local anaesthetic and sedative is used during the surgery so that you do not have any discomfort during the placement of the implants. The mild discomfort you might experience after surgery can be controlled with medication.

The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants will depend on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of implants required to support the replacement teeth.

Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term success.

Typically, there is a fee for the surgical procedure and a separate fee for attaching the posts and constructing your replacement teeth.

To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have a dentist examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, the dentist will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
 

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

The purpose of root canal therapy is to clean out the inflamed or infected tooth pulp tissue within the roots. Root canal treatment is required when the nerve of the tooth becomes irreversibly damaged. This damage can occur from decay, trauma, or a crack in the tooth. The treatment involves 3 stages and can take several appointments depending on the complexity

Stage 1 - The canals of the tooth are located and the infected or damaged pulp and tissue is removed.

Stage 2 - The canals of the tooth are cleaned and shaped.

Stage 3 - The canals of the tooth are filled to prevent re-infection.

Between each stage, sedative dressings and temporary fillings will be used to help the tooth settle down and destroy any remaining Bacteria.

Yes, the tooth will require a permanent restoration. The tooth is more brittle after a root canal treatment and therefore is more susceptible to fracture. A crown or onlay is usually advisable to protect the tooth from breaking.

During the actual treatment, your tooth will be numb as it would be for a simple filling. Generally a mild painkiller is enough to keep you comfortable immediately after treatment if necessary.

If something stronger is needed, we will prescribe it. If the tooth is badly infected, an antibiotic may be needed.

The cost of root canal treatment varies with the number of canals which need to be treated. There will be a separate charge for the restoration, depending on the extent of the procedure.

We will be glad to discuss the charges with you for all the expected treatment.
 

DENTAL HYGIENE

Dental Hygienists are specially trained members of the dental team who work together with your dentist to provide fully integrated dental care.

They play an important role in oral health by providing individualized preventive treatment and demonstrating correct home care to patients to prevent dental disease and tooth wear.

Hygienists perform 4 main functions;

  • Educating patients in oral hygiene technique on an individual basis. This one-on-one instruction includes care for your gums and teeth, and advice on a healthy diet to prevent dental disease.
  • Evaluation and assessment of your periodontal (gum) tissue, including x-ray discussions and review of medical history.
  • Non-surgical periodontal (gum) therapy by removing disease-related deposits (plaque and tartar) on the tooth surfaces, and cosmetic removal of tooth stains.
  • Application of decay preventing agents and recommendation of products for home use.
  • Our Hygienists also have a Dental Therapy qualification which authorises them to do fillings and extractions on children and young adults.

It is only through a regular maintenance program that we can optimise the likelihood of you keeping your natural teeth for life, and also to maintain the dental work that we have done for you.

Our dental hygienists are skilled in the detection and treatment of dental disease, and are able to deal with preventive measures and maintenance of your mouth, teeth and gums in a more efficient & cost effective manner than the Dentists.

Any preventive care will ultimately lead to savings. Depending on the type of treatment carried out, costs will vary. Recall visits are standard and intervals are set to the requirements of specific individuals.

More detailed preventive programs will be discussed & quoted before any treatment is carried out.

 

TOOTH WHITENING

Tooth whitening has been used in dentistry for many years and no serious adverse affects have been reported. Tooth Whitening does not soften the enamel or tooth structure nor does it affect the quality of existing restorations.

The degree and speed of whitening varies from individual to individual. Teeth that are yellowish will generally bleach more quickly and noticeably than teeth with grey tonings.

One hour in-office whitening (Zoom) provides the quicker results.

Take home whitening using less concentrated bleaching gels in custom made trays is more predictable but slower.

We recommend a combination of both techniques for best results.

The effects of whitening are usually quick and long lasting. Some relapse may occur depending on lifestyle and exposure to highly pigmented food and beverages.

Our recommendation is that every six months after your recall hygiene, you boost your whitening by using your trays for a couple of days.