Examination and treatment planning
The initial comprehensive examination will include the following:
- Discussion of your dental concerns and history
- Head and neck exam
- Temporomandibular joint (jaw) exam
- Oral cancer screening
- Occlusal (bite) exam
- Periodontal (gum) exam
- Hard tissue exam (teeth and fillings)
- Taking the shade of your teeth
- Any special examinations that may be required including x-rays and study models.
We will use an intra oral camera to clarify points of interest and to educate you on your oral health.
Following the initial examination a personalized treatment plan will be completed and discussed with you.
Dental hygiene
The purpose of dental hygiene is to promote and maintain oral wellness and, thereby, positively contribute to your quality of life.
A dental hygienist helps you keep your teeth for life by preventing decay and gum disease, through education, treatment and maintenance.
As a clinician they will provide complete preventive and therapeutic oral health care including
- Removal of plaque, extrinsic staining, and calculus from teeth
- Root planning
- Periapical and bitewing radiographs
- Cleaning and polishing of teeth restorations
- Measurement and recording of periodontal disease
- Dental Health education
- Fluoride therapy
- Study cast impressions
- Oral cancer screening
- Health history updates
- Continuing care system implementation and maintenance
Preventative dentistry
Preventive dentistry involves education and the application on non-invasive procedures to to prevent the initiation and progression of oral diseases. Prevention and control of caries and inflammatory periodontal disease depends on the control of bacterial plaque as this is considered the primary aetiological factor for these diseases. Diet appears to be the major environmental factor affecting the development of cariogenic bacterial plaque.
In surgery practices include:
- Oral hygiene instruction will allow for improved plaque control
- Diet analysis, assessment and counseling
- Topical application of agents to prevents caries progression
- Application of fissure sealants in pits and fissures of teeth that are deemed to be susceptible to caries
- Scheduling of maintenance preventive programs
Children's dentistry
A childs first dental visit, also known as a well baby dental visit, can be at 1 year of age. At this age we examine the child with the parent after taking a thorough history and plan their review. Encouraging early attendance to the dental clinic will eliminate anxiety of the dental environment and encourage regular attendance.
Tips to avoid early decay in childrens teeth:
- Promote early brushing as soon as first tooth erupts
- Wipe mouth and teeth after feeding
- Promote well baby dental visit at 12/12
- Do not sweeten pacifiers
- Do not put baby to sleep with bottle
- Regular healthy meals and limited snacks
Only 4 liquids go in bottle:
- Milk (plain)
- Water
- Breast milk
- Formula
Loss of our first teeth prior to natural exfoliation can lead to a number of problems including:
- Crowding of erupted teeth
- Impaction
- Asymmetry
- Cross bite
- Deep curve of spee
Examination of a child involves at looking at signs of:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Any anomalies
- Growth and development
- Assessment of disease risk
- Motivation and compliance
- Traumatic dental injuries
Root canal treatment
Your dentist will recommend endodontic treatment or root canal treatment when a tooth's pulp (nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) has been damaged. Root canal treatment is undertaken to save a tooth with alternative options being extraction and tooth replacement. Treatment must begin as soon as possible following diagnosis by your dentist to increase the chances of success. Treatment is aimed at removing bacteria from the root canal system and providing a seal to prevent there re-entry. This should provide an environment to allow healing of the injured tissues.
Treatment required:
- Inflamed or infected pulp is removed
- Root canal are cleaned and shaped
- The root canals are filled and the tooth is sealed.
Restorations
Present day dentistry is based on the philosophy of minimum intervention. Minimal intervention dentistry is based upon 5 principles:.
- Prevention of dental decay is achieved through modification of the oral flora-caries aetiology.
- Patient education-caries aetiology.
- Remineralisation of noncavitated lesions of enamel and dentine- saliva and remineralisation techniques.
- Minimal operative intervention of cavitated lesions (remove friable enamel and infected dentine).
- Repair of defective restorations.
Extractions
Unfortunately there are times where extraction is the best treatment option. Your dentist will only recommend extraction when it becomes the most feasible option. Your dentist will need an x-ray film in order for him to plan the most effective way to remove the tooth. Your dentist will inject anaesthetic into the gum around the region of the tooth to numb the area and make the extraction more comfortable. Your dentist will take a thorough medical and dental history prior to beginning the treatment and will also discuss possible side effects prior to the procedure and home care instructions following the procedure.
Crown and Bridges
Crowns- a weekend tooth from tooth decay, root canal therapy or large restorations may require an artificial crown to strengthen it. Two visits are normally required one to prepare the existing tooth and the second to insert the artificial crown.
Bridges can be used to replace missing teeth. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared and act as anchors for the replacement tooth that is attached to the framework of the adjacent crowns. Implant supported prosthesis
Implant supported prosthesis
The implant supported prosthesis is the gold standard of treatment when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Preservation of bone, provision of additional support to increase occlusal force and biting pressure, resistance to disease are some of the advantages of an implant supported prosthesis. Implant supported restorations may replace one tooth, multiple teeth or even the entire dentition. The are are 2 phases involved in the fabrication of an implant supported prosthesis.
1. The surgical phase where an implant fixture is placed and anchored into the jaw bone
2. The prosthetic phase where a tooth or teeth are attached to the implant fixture.
Following placement of the implant fixture, a period of 8 weeks is required prior to placement of the prosthesis. Your dentist will advise you whether you are suitable candidate for this treatment option, following analysis of all the variables.
Full and partial dentures
Dentures are one of may options to replace missing teeth.
There are four types of dentures:
- Partial dentures which replace a few missing teeth
- Full dentures to replace all teeth
- Immediate dentures- which replace teeth on the same day teeth are extracted
- Over dentures which fit over the top of remaining teeth or by attachment onto dental implants.
The dentist will discuss the different type of materials that dentures are made form and what type of denture you require to replace your missing teeth.
Tooth whitening
Tooth whitening can be effective in treating some stained or discoloured teeth. The procedure involves the following steps:
- Taking impressions of your teeth so that a custom made mouth tray can be made.
- Following mouth tray fabrication the bleaching gel and instructions will be provided.
- The tray with the bleaching gel will be worn for approximately 30 minutes to an hour a day for a period of 1 to 2 weeks and will gradually lighten your teeth.
- The bleaching process may be continued longer for stubborn stains or until you are satisfied with the appearance of your teeth.
Aesthetic dentistry
Aethetic dentistry changes the appearance of your teeth and encompasses the following procedures
- veneers- ceramic shells bonded on the front of your teeth to improve appearance
- bonding- use of composite material to repair small irregularities on front teeth
- bleaching- tooth whitening
- composite fillings- "white fillings"- have been used as an alternative to amalgam "silver fillings" for many years due to their bonding capabilities and aesthetic appeal
Occlusal splint therapy
Grinding and clenching of teeth can lead to increased wear of enamel and dentine and potential damage to the pulp leading to pulp death and the need for root canal treatment. There are numerous signs and symptoms associated with bruxism including headaches, sensitivity of teeth, worn tooth surfaces, fractured teeth, pain in the jaw joint etc. Treatment option include physical therapy, painkillers, relaxation therapy or occlusal splint wear but as always talk to your dentist to ensure an accurate diagnosis is made.