Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to see the dentist regularly?
Teeth play several important roles. They are to:
- Chew your food
- Support your lips and cheeks. (think of grandma/pa who have lost their teeth and when they take their dentures/ teeth out, their cheeks and lips fall inwards.)
- Help with speech (remember when you lost your front tooth and you lisped/ whistled)
- Lights up your face when you smile
So, it is easy to see why we should keep your teeth for life. Seeing a dentist regularly makes sure that your teeth and supporting structures are healthy and any small areas of concern may be addressed before they become BIG problems.
Dental care can be seen like servicing your car. People invest a lot of money in their car and it gets serviced every six months. Some people change cars every 10 to 15 years. With your teeth, you only get one set in your adult years, so they need to last you a lifetime. In order to make sure you keep them for a lifetime, servicing them every 6 months is required, like your car.
Do I need to see a specialist? Why can’t I just see you guys?
In order for you to receive the best care possible for your dental health, we may need to recommend you to see a specialist. For example, if an extraction is required for a tooth with multiple roots pointing in all directions; we will refer to an oral surgeon who specialises in these kinds of cases on a daily basis. That way we do not battle with it for hours and keeping you in the chair and, therefore less stress involved.
There are 12 specialities in dentistry:
- Orthodontics: braces
- Endodontics: root canal treatment and trauma
- Periodontics: gum specialists / implants
- Prosthodontics: dealing with major reconstruction of bites / implants
- Paediatric: treating children
- Special needs dentistry: treating patients with special needs.
- Oral and Maxillary Facial Surgeon: major reconstruction of head and neck and difficult extractions
- Oral Medicine: treating patients with abnormal lumps/ bumps, colours or soreness in the mouth
- Oral Pathology: diagnosing and researching oral diseases; usually this specialty ties in with oral medicine.
- Forensic Dentistry: Helping to identify people when all other means (fingerprints, facial recognition) are not possible.
- Public Health Dentistry
- Oral Surgery: dealing with mouth and upper and lower jaw issues including difficult extractions.
Is it going to hurt?
Patient comfort is highly valued at our clinic. We understand the stress that dental visits can bring. Most treatments are carried out under local anaesthetics to prevent any discomfort during treatment. For those who are concerned about receiving local anaesthetic, we can also provide Penthrox (what footballers use when they injure themselves on the field during a game) or Valium can be prescribed for you, to help you relax during the appointment. We have access to a mobile anaesthetist/ sedationist that allows you to ‘sleep’ through your dental treatment. There are many ways that we can help with your dental anxiety. We want to ensure that your dental visits here are as comfortable and relaxed as possible for your needs.
Why not take the tooth out?
Extraction of the tooth is a dental treatment option. Generally, it would be the last option. However, in some cases when patients present, it is the only option. Whilst removing the tooth may seem like the simplest and easiest option at the time, the cost for replacement may be far greater than it is to save the tooth. Consider: once you have the tooth removed, how are you going to chew or how is it going to affect your smile and appearance.
Think of the tooth as being anchored by its root(s) into your jaw. Most replacements of teeth are sitting on top of the gums; the only thing that represents a tooth being replaced in its entirety is an implant. The implant ‘replaces’ the root, and the crown is the tooth like structure on top of it.
Once the Dentist has assessed the situation, he will advise what the options for treatment. And, if removing the tooth is your option, that is what we will plan for.
How much is it going to cost?
As a general rule, quotes are not provided over the phone or over the counter, without seeing our Dentist or Hygenist first. We do this as we want to do the right thing by you and provide an accurate picture of what needs to be done, why it needs to be done and the associated costs.
At a consultation, we do at a minimum, diagnostic testing, including any imaging, to help identify any dental issue/s. Based on the findings, suitable treatment options and fees are presented. For an emergency appointment, a consultation along with necessary testing (a radiograph/ Xray and a pulp sensibility/cold test) will be needed to help the Dentist understand what is going on and how we can relieve any pain. With the information gathered along with what you advise the Dentist, a treatment plan is created. Costs for these plans vary depending on what needs to be done. This is always discussed with you and options are provided regarding what is priority treatment and the associated costs. Our Front Office Team would also discuss funding options to maximise your health coverage and to align with your personal circumstances.
Why do I need to have a crown?
Dental crowns are required and recommended for many reasons:
- For the protection of a weaker tooth (for example, a tooth that had a root canal treatment is weaker than normal and therefore it has a higher probability to fracture)
- For the protection of a tooth with a large filling/ restoration ie the tooth has more filling than actual tooth.
- To cover/ put on top of an implant fixture
- To provide attachment support for a bridge
- To change the colour, shape of a tooth for aesthetic reasons
In order to preserve and provide protection to the tooth and maximises its life span, it is important that a crown is fitted with no delay. There is no guarantee how long a tooth may be able to avoid fracturing; especially if it does not have enough protection to withstand the constant work of chewing from day to day. And, if the tooth does fracture, it is possible that more dental treatment may be required or the tooth may be lost.
