What treatments are performed in general dentistry?

General dentistry involves having regular check-ups to ensure the health of your teeth. Maintaining their health involves, cleaning, fluoride treatments and extensive check-ups to insure your teeth against decay, cavities and infection. General Dentistry treatments include anything that helps maintain oral health, including fillings, cleans and scaling, root canal treatments, wisdom teeth, extractions and more. Our professionals will also provide you with brushing and flossing techniques to keep your personal dental health in order.

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is closely linked with general dentistry to prevent the occurrence of cavities, decay and infection. Redbank Plains Dental provides patients with proper hygiene techniques and education on how to prevent plaque build up and harmful bacteria.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is the combination of a scientific approach and an artist’s touch to improve the overall appearance and function of the teeth and smile. We offer a variety of cosmetic dental treatments that can enhance the appearance of your smile while maintaining your oral health. We provide the following cosmetic dentistry treatments: Dentures, crown and bridge work, ceramic crowns, porcelain veneers, teeth bleaching, composite bonding, replacing old stained resin fillings.

What restorative dental treatments do you offer?

Restoring the function of your teeth is very important as missing teeth, overlapping or overcrowded teeth can affect chewing, speaking and overall confidence when smiling. We offer our patients the following restorative dentistry treatments: Dental Implants, dentures, orthodontics, mouthguards and splints.

How can my broken tooth be fixed?

Crowns or Bridges are the solution to this problem. If your tooth is cracked and broken beyond repair a crown will fit over the damage and restore the strength and appearance of the original tooth. If you have more than one tooth missing, bridging may be the solution to your missing teeth. Bridges are an artificial tooth fixed with two crowns beside it to secure the stability of your remaining teeth and fill the vacancy.

What is a dental implant and how can it benefit me?

A Dental Implant is composed of a surgically secure titanium rod that is implanted into the gum to ensure gum and bone stability. A denture or veneer is then affixed to the dental rod to ensure a near natural and healthy looking tooth. Not only will an implant improve your smile aesthetically, it will also ensure the stability of your remaining teeth.

Do you offer emergency dental care?

Yes! At Redbank Plains Dental, we care about the oral health and safety of our patients. This is why we keep 2 emergency appointments available everyday for patients who require immediate attention. We will do everything to ensure your dental experience is as comfortable as possible and that your dental emergency is attended to promptly. To book an emergency appointment, contact us right away and we’ll do all we can to have your issue resolved.

What will happen on my first visit to our practice?

During this appointment, we want to make sure that we have all the information to thoroughly understand your dental needs. You will be asked to complete a medical history questionnaire that provides us with a great deal of information relevant to your treatment and to us. You can choose to print this form and fill it out prior to your arrival. Please tell us your concerns, and what you may like to change. Your aim for your dental health is an essential starting point for us.

I’m nervous about visiting the dentist. What pain relief can you offer me?

Redbank Plains Dental understands how many people can be afraid of visiting the dentist out of fear of pain or discomfort. This is why we offer the Penthrox inhaler to combat this fear. This is an inhaler with a substance similar to happy gas yet much more effective at a small additional cost. You will need to inform the staff when you call for your appointment in order to allow extra time, and will also need to arrive a little early to sign the consent form. You must not leave the surgery unaccompanied. You will be unable to drive or sign official documents for 12 hours after receiving Penthrox.

Why would I require a dental x-ray?

During your dental treatment, we may need to take some x-rays of your teeth. This helps a great deal in getting a sound understanding of any problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye and increases the accuracy of the diagnosis. A check-up is not complete without Bitewing x-rays. Extractions of teeth cannot be performed without a Periapical x-ray which would enable us to check the shape and number of roots for that particular tooth inside the jaw bone, and any major nerves around the tooth in question. Your x-rays are kept in your computer file and referred to when assessing progress or deterioration of your dental health.

Where can I get more information about my dental treatment?

Because we believe the best patient is a well informed patient, we offer a treatment DVD so you can learn all you need to know in the comfort of your own home. This is a unique and comprehensive DVD on all the topics you can think of relating to your dental treatment. All the sub-topics will cover any questions you may have. The sub-topics are explained very well using language which is easy to understand. They run for approximately 2-4 minutes each. To request a copy of this DVD contact us today.

When should I take my child to the dentist for their first check-up?

It is recommended to bring your child in for their first dental examination by the time their first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This examination allows us to assess your child’s jaw, bite and gums and to educate you on the best way to look after your children’s teeth.

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry involved in restoring the aesthetics and functionality of your smile. Treatments such as dental implants, fillings, veneers, crowns and bridges, full and partial dentures are performed under restorative dentistry.

What is dry mouth syndrome?

Dry mouth syndrome occurs due to a lack of saliva production in your mouth caused by medication, dehydration, mouth breathing, nerve problems and some cancer treatments. Dry Mouth Syndrome affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. It is important to seek professional treatment as this condition can lead to malnutrition and, in serious cases, can produce significant and permanent mouth and throat disorders. Early diagnosis can help in developing a plan for management and treatment of dry mouth.

How can I whiten my teeth?

Teeth whitening is one of the most effective, easiest and quickest ways to brighten your smile and correct teeth discolouration. At Karalee Family dental, we can help whiten your smile with our advanced teeth whitening system to produce optimal whitening results and a healthy looking smile. It is important to ensure you seek professional whitening treatment as some supermarket brands can cause damage to your gums and tooth enamel. For a smile that lights up any room and is 100% safe to use, our teeth bleaching system may be the solution for you.

How to care for your teeth during orthodontic treatment

During orthodontic treatment it is vital you take special care of your entire mouth. Food particles can easily lodge between the crevices of your braces which can cause tartar build up and tooth decay. Taking extra care means paying attention to your teeth and gums as well as your brackets and wires to avoid tooth decay. Following a consistent oral care routine includes brushing at least twice a day, (making sure to use an FDA approved fluoride toothpaste), and flossing after every meal, if possible. Using an interdental brush is also a great tool to clean in-between the cracks and crevices of your teeth. When brushing your teeth, apply firm pressure against the brackets and brush in a circular motion. Be sure to clean the inside, outside and the chewing surfaces of your teeth for approximately 3 – 4 minutes.

How do I care for my teeth and gums?

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day with FDA approved fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. Be sure to brush the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of your tooth for approximately 2 – 3 minutes in total. Be sure to follow up your at-home care with professional cleaning and dental check-ups every six months to remove tartar build up and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Should I get my wisdom teeth removed?

If your wisdom teeth are starting to erupt or causing you any pain or discomfort we advise visiting us as soon as possible for an examination. This examination enables us to determine whether your wisdom teeth have or will become impacted (partially erupt) which can cause oral health problems such as infection, gum disease and tooth decay. Generally it’s advisable to remove wisdom teeth that are impacted, even if they don’t cause you any pain to avoid the risk of such dental problems mentioned above.