Frequently Asked Questions

If your amalgam fillings are in good condition, the teeth in which they are located are asymptomatic, and there is no radiographic indication of recurrent decay, then there is no medical advantage to having them replaced.  Whilst we do not place aamalgam restorations in our clinic, there is little or no valid data suggesting that retaining such restorations is detrimental. However, if you are concerned about your restorations, or would like more information, please make an appointment for a check-up with one of our friendly dentists today.

A bridge is a structure designed to replace one or more missing teeth. It relies on constructing crowns on the teeth located on either side of the missing teeth and joining them together with a span designed to resemble the missing teeth.

The best way to have your teeth bleached is by an experienced professional who is familiar with the biology of the teeth and their supporting structures.Superficial discolouration from food and accumulation of debris can give the impression of badly discoloured teeth.  “Whitening” or bleaching treatments are ineffective unless your teeth are scaled and cleaned professionally prior to the bleaching treatment.
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Having had your teeth cleaned, it is very important that the bleaching is carried out in a controlled fashion.  If the teeth are heated up too much by an inappropriate bleaching light, or a bleaching solution that is too strong is used, the pulp chambers within your teeth could be damaged leading to ongoing pain and in some cases,  the death of the teeth.

A crown is a custom-made outer shell individually designed to cover a specific tooth. It gives us the opportunity to reconstruct the tooth in an ideal formation to give a good cosmetic outcome and restores the tooth to full function

If you have some teeth missing, or your teeth are in need of some restoration, the best path forward is to make an appointment with a dental  health professional for assessment of your situation.It is an important step to choose to have your teeth removed and can have far reaching implications for your general health and quality of life for the rest of your life.  False teeth not only fill the function of making you look like you have teeth, they also allow you to eat a normal diet, to speak, and dictate the relationship of your lower jaw to your upper jaw.
If, after consultation, you do need to consider having some or all of your remaining teeth removed, there are  a number of possible solutions available starting with conventional full or partial dentures, to implant supported removable over dentures, and ultimately to full fixed implant supported bridges.

Symptoms commonly associated with dental decay include sensitivity to hot and cold, tenderness when biting on the tooth, and sometimes a generalized discomfort associated with the tooth.
Many dental cavities are totally asymptomatic until they become so significant that the entire tooth is threatened.
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If you are experiencing any symptoms, the best path forward is to have a dental check-up including x-rays if you haven’t had any recently.
It is always advisable to have regular chek-ups.  Early decay can be identified and treated and in many instances the need for a restoration can be prevented. There are also other benefits such as minimizing the risk of periodontal inflammation and disease, and in the long run, improving your general health.

In most instances the answer is yes. If a child has decay in their tooth that is left untreated, it can cause discomfort and toothache. It can also lead to decay in an adjacent tooth which can be a permanent tooth in some circumstances.

Gum disease is a general term that often refers to chronic inflammation of the soft issues surrounding teeth and the underlying supporting bone.  In the most extreme cases, the underlying bone is totally resorbed away, the teeth become infected and either fall out or have to be removed.

Gum disease is an immune response to residual bacteria deposited in and around teeth .  If a person’s teeth are not cleaned regularly, then a plaque build-up occurs which incorporates bacteria which are part of the normal flora of the mouth.  An immune response takes place as receptors in cells in the surrounding tissues identify the presence of what they perceive as invading bacteria. Some people  experience a greater response than others .  

This can be because of the presence of a background condition elsewhere in the body or because of their particular genotype.  The result is that the immune response is not only aimed at the invading bacteria, but also causes collateral damage leading to resorption of the bone surrounding the response and inflammation of the surrounding tissue.  If the inflammation is not controlled at an early stage, the condition worsens as deep pockets form around the involved teeth, new bacteria occupy the new space and the problem becomes progressively magnified.  If you are concerned about your oral heath, make an appointment for a check-up today.

Gums refer to the gingival tissue around teeth.  They bleed because they are inflamed as a result of an immune response to residual plaque and debris around your teeth. The treatment is identification of the extent of the process and cleaning of the teeth both above and below the soft tissue. And the institution of effective regular  daily cleaning by the patient and regular maintenance by a dental professional. If you are concerned about your oral heath, make an appointment for a check-up today.

A dental implant is a fixture that is inserted into the bone in the area where a missing tooth is to be replaced.  The surrounding bone fuses to the implant and it acts like an artificial tooth root.  Once the implant has achieved stability, an abutment (post like structure)  can be attached to the implant on which a crown can be constructed to give the appearance and function of a natural tooth.