Avondale Dental

Crowns

Your teeth are made up of the root, which is buried in the gum and bone, and the coronal or visible part. The coronal part of a tooth may require protection with a crown if it is severely decayed, broken- down beyond repair, after root canal treatment or if the tooth is cracked (cracked tooth syndrome). Over time, teeth may become worn, broken or cracked, they may have large fillings that can weaken the tooth structure or have internal staining. If the tooth is to be heavily restored and the root system is still in good health, a crown is the best choice. Fitting a crown will prevent further damage, preserve the jaws correct natural alignment and increase the strength of a weakened tooth.

The procedure involves removing a small amount from the top and sides of the tooth. The crown is then fitted over the remaining tooth structure like a thimble, surrounding it and providing structural support. This provides durability and stability to help the teeth function normally and gives a nice aesthetic appearance, replacing unsightly teeth and improving your smile.

All crowns are custom made and are generally made entirely of porcelain (metal free) for a more aesthetic and natural appearance. Metal free restorations may also be indicated for patients with metal sensitivities. The crown is gently cemented or bonded onto the tooth with a biocompatible cement.

A crown can also be made from a combination of gold and porcelain, or entirely from gold.

At Avondale Dental crown placement is a simple procedure that can be completed in one appointment.

Veneers

A veneer is a great solution if you are wanting a better colour or shape to your teeth without requiring too much drilling. They are similar to a false fingernail and provide a beautiful and natural appearance. They are manufactured and fitted in the same way as a crown.

Cosmetic Dentistry

When you first meet someone, your eyes are naturally drawn to distinguishing characteristics about their face. If you have bad teeth they could be the first feature people notice. Cosmetic dentistry will transform the appearance of your teeth and give you a more beautiful, healthy and stronger smile. In a very short time Avondale Dental can give your smile a small lift or an extreme makeover.

We treat common problems such as:

• Yellow or discoloured teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Worn teeth
• Crooked teeth

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 gaps in your teeth. These are fixed permanently in your mouth and unlike plate, do not have to be taken out.

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 and 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 confidently and without pain. A full upper denture covers the palate of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods. With dental implants, you can have the palate area removed from your upper denture so you can taste and enjoy your food.

How long does it take?

Each case is different and the complete implant process can take from three to eight months. 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 than 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.

Sedation

Are you putting off urgent or elective dental treatment because of fear of pain or do you get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist? Many people have had a bad experience with the dentist or dental nurse at some point in their life and this has often made them very apprehensive about undergoing dental treatment. This is a perfectly normal feeling. If you avoid dental treatment because of this, 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 no longer have to worry. Avondale Dental have a range of sedation options perfectly tailored for your needs. You can literally sleep through your dental treatment.

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe through your nose while having treatment, reducing anxiety and relieving 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 to help you relax, taken one hour prior to treatment. The tablet creates a sleepy, relaxed feeling and helps to dull any discomfort associated with treatment.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV Sedation is very popular with our patients. To relax you, we administer a sedative into a vein in your arm. The sedative produces a sensation of deep relaxation and well being. Many patients actually sleep through an entire procedure and even the most anxious can be successfully treated with this technique. Once sedated you will experience either full or partial memory loss of the treatment, and therefore a much more pleasant dental experience.

TALK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT ANY OF THESE OPTIONS IF YOU ARE NERVOUS ABOUT DENTAL TREATMENT.

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 be given thorough check-up examination, x-rays will be taken, and your teeth will be professionally cleaned, scaled and polished.

Regular appointments are important to detect problems that you may not notice on a day to day basis. Our advanced diagnostic equipment ensures that we can detect potential issues long before they become more serious, saving you time, discomfort and unnecessary expense.

Dental Hygienists

Our dental hygienists are fully trained dental health professionals who treat gum diseases and help you to maintain good oral and general health. They will 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 and regular visits will help prevent periodontal (gum) disease, bleeding gums and dental decay (caries). They will ensure that the foundation of your teeth (gum and bone support) is 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 fresher and cleaner smelling breath.

Laser Whitening

Some people are satisfied with the results they get from brushing twice daily but this only removes surface staining from your teeth. Our revolutionary teeth whitening service is fast, effective, and safe. We can whiten your teeth in just over an hour and you will walk out of our practice smiling with whiter, brighter teeth!

International studies show that more people are now retaining their teeth for life and as people age so do their teeth. Years of coffee, cola, red wine, smoking and many other foods all contribute to the dulling and discolouration of your teeth. Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your appearance and give you more 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?

During whitening treatment a gel is applied directly on your teeth and a xenon-halogen light is used to activate the gel and 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 very effective in removing tooth discolouration. With all teeth whitening procedures you may experience some sensitivity but this should only last for a short time. Using Sensodyne toothpaste for a short period can also help. Included with your treatment is a take home bleaching kit for touch-ups and further whitening if desired.

Take Home Bleaching

We can also offer a whitening kit that you can use at home. Impressions or moulds of your teeth are taken and custom made trays that look like thin mouthguards are made. The bleach is placed into the tray. The bleaching process is then carried out by you at home on a daily basis, usually for 5-7 weeks. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through this process and are only be too pleased to talk to you about any aspect of the treatment.

Jaw Problems

The facial muscles surrounding your jaw work together in harmony so you can chew, yawn and open your mouth effortlessly. 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. TMD commonly arises 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 TMD include:

• a vague aching pain on the sides of the face that may spread
• difficulty in opening the mouth or chewing
• clicking or popping sounds and muscle tenderness around the jaw
• ringing in the ears, hearing loss, sinus pain and dizziness

Your dentist is 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. The diagnosis and management of chronic TMD disorder can be complex and may sometimes require specialist assistance to confirm the diagnosis and decide on the best course of treatment. If you have a problem that you think may be a TMD, 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 them with a muscle relaxant. Chronic sufferers of clenching and grinding have found this to make a huge difference, with less pain, tension and tightness around the area.

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. However, as wisdom teeth sometimes become impacted, oral surgery may be required to remove them. Patients find that IV sedation is very helpful during this procedure. In a few cases we may have to refer you to a specialist if the wisdom teeth are very impacted or difficult to remove.

Partial and Full Dentures

There are several types of dentures that are suitable as a short or medium term solution to teeth replacement. A plastic partial denture fits on the gum and sometimes has wire clasps to hold it in place. Metal precision partial dentures fit with clasps more precisely and rest on existing teeth. Both types of denture are removable and are taken out for cleaning. Full dentures are a long-term dental solution for people who have lost all of their teeth.