Tooth Filling & More
Servicing Shailer Park, Loganholme and Slacks Creek
A filling restores the cavity which may have been caused by decay or trauma. We offer a range of materials and will select, and discuss with you, which is the most suitable for your teeth. Composite fillings are made of a plastic material mixed with small glass particles – they are suitable for repairing both the front and back teeth. After preparing the tooth your dentist will place layers of the composite filling into the area to be repaired. Each layer of the composite material is hardened by exposure to a special light. Once the cavity or defect is filled, your dentist can trim the composite to fit the tooth, and then polish it to reduce discolouration or staining.
The complete Australian Dental Association patient education pamphlet is available from your dentist.
MOUTHGUARDS
We offer custom-fitted mouthguards. These are made by our dentist using an impression taken of your teeth. Custom fitting ensures it is the best fit, size, coverage, thickness, and the best type appropriate for your sport. These mouthguards should be reviewed every twelve months to ensure it fits correctly. Sometimes, a mouthguard needs to be replaced if major changes occur to the teeth, like restorations or adult teeth coming through.
The complete Australian Dental Association patient education pamphlet is available from your dentist.
BRUXISM (CLENCHING/GRINDING)
Bruxism is excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth that is not a part of normal chewing movements. It can lead to excessive wear on the teeth and may cause permanent damage to the teeth and the jaw joints. Excessive clenching and grinding of the jaws are not healthy actions and may occur during the day or at night.
Depending on your symptoms, your dentist may prescribe:
An Occlusal Splint – Also known as a ‘night guard’, this is an option for someone with mild to severe grinding behaviour. Worn at night the splint is made from moulded hard plastic that fits over the upper teeth. It prevents further wear of the tooth surfaces.
The complete Australian Dental Association patient education pamphlet is available from your dentist.
DENTAL CLEANS / PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Regular clean appointments are highly recommended in order to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and to help prevent our patients from developing Periodontal Disease. Periodontal Disease, if left untreated, can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums, and the bone that supports the teeth. As a result, the teeth can become loose, fall out, or require extraction by a dentist. It is caused by plaque, a thick and sticky film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth. Plaque can harden to become calculus. Both plaque and calculus are caused by poor oral hygiene, that is, the teeth have not been cleaned thoroughly or often enough.
Signs of Periodontal Disease:
- Red, swollen, tender, painful or bleeding gums,
- Gums that have shrunk from the teeth,
- Persistent bad breath,
- Bad taste in the mouth,
- Abcesses between teeth and gums,
- The fit of a denture has changed
- Loose teeth, drifting apart of teeth, and gaps appearing between teeth.
The complete Australian Dental Association patient education pamphlet is available from your dentist.
DENTAL X-RAYS
Using radiographs, your dentist can detect problems that may not be seen during a routine examination, and sometimes before symptoms appear. Oral Cancer, cysts, infections, hidden caries, impacted teeth and bone loss due to gum disease are among the many conditions that can show up during examinations. With early detection, a problem can be treated before it becomes serious, requiring treatment that is more involved.
Radiographs fall into three main catergories:
BITEWINGS: So named because you have to bite down on a piece of paper or plastic that is centred on the film. These are used mainly to detect or confirm decay in teeth and to assess the presence of gum disease between teeth.
PERIAPICAL FILMS: These show the entire tooth, including its root and surrounding bone. These images may be used for examining root tips of teeth, diagnosing bone loss due to gum disease, locating cysts and abcesses, and detecting inflammation of the bone due to infections within the root canals of teeth.
PANORAMIC FILMS (OPG): These give a view of the entire upper and lower jaws. These images give the dentist an overall view of a patients teeth. They are particularly useful for identifying: Abnormal growths in the jawbone, Trauma to the jaws, and Problems with wisdom teeth.
As panoramic films show less detail than bitewing and periapical films, bitewing and periapical films are often required in addition to the panoramic film.
The complete Australian Dental Association patient education pamphlet is available from your dentist.