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LATEST TECHNOLOGY USING LATEST LASER, CAD CAM TECHNOLOGY AND ABRASION
CROWNS AND VENEERS
COSMETIC DENTISTRY RESTORATION OF BROKEN TEETH AND MOUTHS
BRIDGES
I V SEDATION FOR NERVOUS PATIENTS AND NITROUS OXIDE
IMPLANTS - CROWNS
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
DENTAL HYGIENE
LASER WHITENING
TAKE HOME BLEACHING
JAW PROBLEMS
ORAL SURGERY
PARTIAL AND FULL DENTURES

LATEST TECHNOLOGY USING STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT

We have had some exciting developments at Avondale Dental, which reflect our policy to provide the best dental treatment for you, using the most up to date equipment available.

We are one of the first dental practices in NZ to have an E4D Cad/Cam unit.

The E4D unit can create very strong, beautiful porcelain crowns and veneers in one appointment.  Instead of two trips to the dentist, your tooth is prepared and then digitally scanned.  The resulting 3D image is then computer designed.

The new restoration is milled at our rooms using a powerful computer driven milling unit, producing a beautiful, natural looking crown.  We also use soft tissue lasers to treat inflamed gums.  This lasers and heals the gum at the same time.

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CROWNS AND VENEERS

Your teeth are made up of the root, which is buried in the gum and bone, and the coronal, visible part.

There are situations where the coronal part of the tooth requires protection with a crown.

A Crown is required when a tooth is:
Severely Decayed
Broken-down beyond repair
Had root canal treatment
Or the tooth is cracked (cracked tooth syndrome)

Over time, teeth can become worn down, broken or cracked.  They may have large fillings that can weaken the tooth structure or have internal staining.  If the tooth is heavily restored but the root system is still in good health, a crown is the best choice.

Replacing broken down teeth with crowns can protect the teeth from further damage, preserve the jaws correct natural alignment and can increase the strength of a weakened tooth.

A small amount of the tooth is removed from the top and sides.  The crown is like a thimble that goes over the remaining tooth structure, surrounding it and providing structural support.

They provide durability and stability to help the teeth function normally and provide a nice aesthetic appearance by replacing unsightly teeth and improving your smile.

What is a crown made of?

Crowns can be made entirely of porcelain, a combination of gold and porcelain, or all gold.  Each crown is custom made.

Crown placement is a simple procedure that can be completed in one appointment.

All Ceramic Crowns - Metal Free

All ceramic crowns are made entirely of porcelain.

The ceramic crowns are hard and durable providing sound support.  Because there is no metal involved, ceramic crowns are more aesthetic in appearance, providing a more natural result.

These metal free restorations may also be indicated for patients with metal sensitivities.

The crowns are then gently cemented or bonded onto the tooth with a biocompatible cement.

VENEERS

Veneers are great when you want a better colour or shape to your teeth, without much drilling.  It is similar to a "false fingernail" providing a beautiful and natural appearance.

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COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Cosmetic dentistry is the art of creating the beautiful smile.  All modern dentistry involves cosmetic dentistry.

When you first meet someone, your eyes are naturally drawn to distinguishing characteristics about their face.

Guess what?

If you have bad teeth, this could be what people notice first!

With cosmetic dentistry the appearance of your teeth are transformed to a more beautiful, healthy and often stronger smile.

We can give your smile a small 'lift' or an extreme makeover in a very short amount of time.  We treat common problems such as:

Yellow or discoloured teeth

Chipped teeth

Worn teeth

Crooked teeth

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BRIDGES

A bridge is an artificial tooth supported by the teeth on either side of the space.  Your dentist prepares your teeth on either side of the gap, and takes a mould, which is sent to a dental technician.

The dental technician makes the complete structure, using porcelain (for appearance) and a core (for strength).

Your dentist then places the bridge into your mouth.

Bonded bridges that do not require shaping of the neighbouring teeth are sometimes used,

Stronger materials are sometimes necessary for bridges involving back teeth.  Your dentist may use Zirconia or gold for this.

A bridge is a long term, very attractive way of helping you fill the gap.  These are fixed in your mouth and unlike plate, do not have to be taken out.

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I V SEDATION - ORAL SEDATION AND NITROUS OXIDE FOR NERVOUS PATIENTS

Are you putting off urgent or elective dental treatment because of fear of pain?  Do you get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist?  This is a perfectly normal feeling.

Many people have had a bad experience with the dentist or dental nurse at some point in their life, and this has triggered a reaction to dental treatment from that point forward.

However, if you avoid the dentist because of a fear, your teeth are likely to deteriorate to the point where you will need extensive and costly treatment to get them functioning again.  This means MORE time in the dental chair!

The good news is you don't have to worry any longer.  We have a range of sedation options perfectly tailored for your needs.  You can literally SLEEP through your dental treatment!

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrous is a gas that you breathe through your nose while having treatment.  Nitrouse oxide reduces anxiety and relieves pain.  Most patients describe having nitrous oxide sedation as a euphoric and relaxing experience.

A nitrous oxide mask is comfortable to wear, and the gas makes the appointment far more pleasurable.  Contrary to popular opinion, you won't break into uncontrollable laughter!

Oral Sedation

We can prescribe a tablet for you to take one hour prior to treatment, which helps you relax.  The tablet creates a sleepy, relaxed feeling, which helps to dull any discomfort associated with treatment.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

I V Sedation is hugely popular with our patients.  We administer a sedative into a vein in your arm which relaxes you.  The sedative produces a very strong sensation of deep relaxation and well being.

Many patients actually sleep through the entire procedure.  Even the most highly anxious patients can be successfully treated with this technique.  You will experience either full or partial memory loss of the treatment following I V sedation, and therefore better dental experience.

Talk to your dentist about this if you are nervous about dental treatment.

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IMPLANT CROWNS

Dental Implants replace missing teeth without interfering with adjacent teeth; they also eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures. Since dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums, continuous shrinkage of the jawbone alters the fit of the denture resulting in slipping or rocking of the dentures. Exposed nerves and irritation of the gum tissue may add to the discomfort.

Implant supported replacement teeth are like natural teeth because they are anchored securely to your jawbone. Gum irritation and the pain of exposed nerves associated with conventional full or partial dentures are eliminated.

Improved speech

With ill fitting dentures, the teeth slip and slide around the mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling, slurred speech or clicking noises. You can secure your denture once and for all with implants. Special attachments on the implants lock on to the underside of your denture, fixing it in place.

Eat better

Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth. This allows you to eat your favourite foods with confidence and without pain, enjoy what everyone is eating and not think twice about it. If you have a full upper denture, it covers the palate of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods. With dental implants, you can have the palate removed from your upper denture so you can taste and enjoy your food.

How long does it take?

The complete implant process can take from two weeks to twelve months. Each case is different. Time is needed for your jawbone to grow around the implant and for your replacement teeth to be made. There are usually three steps: 1. Implants placed in the jaw; 2. Healing phase; 3. New crown placed on top

Is there pain?

Just as with any minor surgery, there can be some discomfort. Anaesthesia and sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the procedure. Most patients report that there is very little discomfort and that they were much more comfortable following the procedure then they anticipated.

Are dental implants successful?

Research and documentation studies have proven the effectiveness and long lasting results of dental implants. Properly placed implants have over 90% success rate at 30 years. Good oral hygiene is one of the most critical factors to insure the health of your dental implants. We can instruct you on the proper home hygiene procedures to keep your dental implants and remaining teeth clean and healthy. You can rely on your replacement teeth to look, feel and function like natural teeth for years to come.

Who is a candidate?

Anyone, who is missing one or more of their teeth due to injury, disease or decay, may be a candidate for dental implants. If one or a few teeth are missing, dental implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth quite easily.

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PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

Everyone knows that prevention is better than cure. This is why we discuss a customised preventative care plan for EVERY PATIENT.

At Avondale Dental you can see your dentist and hygienist together at least once a year for your preventative care appointment.

During this appointment, you will have a thorough check up examination, x-rays taken, and a professional scale and polish (cleaning).

Regular appointments are important to detect problems with your teeth that you won’t notice on a day to day basis.

Using advanced diagnostic equipment, we can detect potential problems long before they become painful.

This means we can save you time, pain, and expense by treating problems earlier.

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DENTAL HYGIENESTS

Dental hygienists are fully trained dental health professionals who treat gum diseases and help you to maintain good oral and general health.
They also educate you about how to prevent oral disease through care of your teeth and gums.

Our hygienist service is an important aspect of ongoing dental care. Regular visits to the hygienist will help prevent Periodontal (gum) disease, bleeding gums and dental decay (caries).

They keep the foundation of your teeth (gum and bone support) healthy and strong for good support.

With good plaque control and healthy gums, there will be less bleeding, less sensitivity and a stronger foundation for your teeth.

Not to mention a fresher and cleaner smelling breath!

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LASER WHITENING

In-office teeth whitening is a revolution in teeth whitening. It is FAST, EFFECTIVE, and SAFE. We can whiten your teeth in just over an hour. You can walk out of our practice smiling with whiter brighter teeth!

Some people are satisfied with the results they get from brushing twice daily, although, all brushing does is remove surface staining from our teeth.

International studies show that people are now retaining their teeth for life, and as people age, their teeth age too.

Years of coffee, coca-cola, red wine, smoking and other foods all contribute to the dulling of your teeth. Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your appearance, and confidence in your every day life.

What can I expect?

The procedure is simple and painless. You will be consulted by our dentist who will talk you through the procedure and discuss any concerns you may have.
During this consultation, your dental health will be checked.

How does it work?

The whitening treatment procedure involves a gel being applied directly on your teeth, and then a xenon-halogen light activates the gel to brighten your smile.

This painless effective technique takes just over an hour to whiten your teeth to their optimum colour.

The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which is effective in removing tooth discolouration.

You may experience some sensitivity with all teeth whitening procedures but this usually should only last for a short time. Using a Sensodyne toothpaste for a short period can also help it.

Included is a take home bleaching kit for touch-ups and further whitening if desired.

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TAKE HOME BLEACHING

We can also offer a take home bleach kit that you can do at home. Impressions or moulds have to be taken of your teeth and custom made trays that look like thin mouthguards, are made. The bleach is placed into this.

The bleaching process can be done anytime of the day and whenever it suits you.

This procedure needs to be done on a daily basis usually about 5-7 days and our staff guides you through this. The staff at Avondale Dental would only be too pleased to talk to you about any aspect of the procedure.

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JAW PROBLEMS

Most of us can chew, yawn and open our mouths effortlessly. The facial muscles surrounding our jaws work together in harmony to do this.

Some disruption in this harmony can trigger the chronic facial discomfort called temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular is the joint that connects the jaw to the base of the skull. You will be able to feel it moving just in front of the ear as you move your jaw side to side.

TM disorders commonly arise from a tendency to deal with stress by tightening the jaw muscles and clenching the teeth. This habit is known as bruxism, which also describes grinding of the teeth during sleep.

Common symptoms of TM disorder include:

  • A vague aching pain on the sides of the face that can spread
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth, or chewing
  • Clicking or popping sounds around the jaw and muscle tenderness.
  • Other symptoms include ringing in the ears, hearing loss, sinus pain and dizziness.

We are best qualified to manage these problems for you. We use a wide range of treatments from splints, muscle relaxant therapy and exercises to resolve these problems.

However the diagnosis and management of a chronic TM disorder can be complex and sometimes may require specialist assistance to confirm the diagnosis and decide on a course of treatment. If you have a problem that you think may be a TM disorder, ask us about it at your next appointment.

There is also another treatment in which we can relax the size and strength of the big jaw muscles by injecting a muscle relaxant into them. Chronic sufferers of clenching and grinding have found this to have made a huge difference, with less pain, tension and tightness around that area.

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ORAL SURGERY

Most people will at some stage need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. In the majority of cases we are able to do the extractions in the surgery.

As some wisdom teeth can be impacted this is when oral surgery may be needed.

Patients find that this is where the IV sedation is very helpful.

In a few cases we may have to refer you to a Specialist if the wisdom teeth are very impacted or difficult to remove.

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PARTIAL AND FULL DENTURES

There are several types of dentures suitable as a short or medium term solution to teeth replacement.

The plastic partial denture fits on the gum and sometimes has wire clasps to hold it in place.

The metal precision partial denture fits exactly with clasps and rests on existing teeth.

Both types of denture are removable and you take them out to clean.

Full dentures (top and / or bottom) are a long-term dental solution for people that have lost all of their teeth.

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In-office teeth whitening is a revolution in teeth whitening. It is FAST, EFFECTIVE, and SAFE. We can whiten your teeth in just over an hour. You can walk out of our practice smiling with whiter brighter teeth!

 

Some people are satisfied with the results they get from brushing twice daily, although, all brushing does is remove surface staining from our teeth.

 

International studies show that people are now retaining their teeth for life, and as people age, their teeth age too.

 

Years of coffee coke cola, red wine, smoking and other foods all contribute to the dulling of your teeth. Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your appearance, and confidence in your every day life.

 

What can I expect?


The procedure is simple and painless. You will be consulted by our dentist who will talk you through the procedure and discuss any concerns you may have.

During this consultation, your dental health will be checked.

 

How does it work?


The whitening treatment procedure involves a gel being applied directly on your teeth, and then a xenon-halogen light activates the gel to brighten your smile.

 

This painless effective technique takes just over an hour to whiten your teeth to their optimum colour.

 

The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which is effective in removing tooth discolouration.

 

You may experience some sensitivity with all teeth whitening procedures but this usually should only last for a short time. Using a Sensodyne toothpaste for a short period can also help it.

 

Included is a take home bleaching kit for touch-ups and further whitening if desired.