Brad and Tim strongly believe in a philosophy of prevention to maintain your dental health at optimal, pain free levels for life.
This strategy requires regular examinations, cleaning and radiographs so we can identify problems earlier-meaning cheaper dentistry for you long term.
Everyone has individual requirements, i.e. some of our patients may require 3 - 4 monthly cleans due to severe gum disease; others regularly crack fillings due to heavy grinding.
X-Rays can identify "hidden decay" that patients may be unaware of and regular professional cleans prevent damaging Gum Disease.
Most of our patients require examinations and cleans on a 6-12 monthly basis and X-Rays every 2 years.
Tim & Brad run a family oriented Dental Practice. We are experienced in treating children of all ages. See Kids page for more information.
This involves either:
-
Restoring your teeth to match the shape and shade of your natural teeth
OR
- Changing these parameters to create a new look. Whenever possible we will try to do "tooth coloured fillings". Composite or porcelain veneers on front teeth can create a more pleasing smile. We utilize modern, all porcelain crown technology that is both strong and aesthetically "state of the art". We will discuss the best options for you to maintain a smile or create a different look.
See Our Dentist Photo Gallery for before and after images.
Our Practice employs modern sterilization techniques, to prevent cross infection. All instruments are sterilized before each patient and our dentists wear gloves, masks and glasses for your protection.
Brad and Tim are very skilful in administering pain relief. A numbing paste is first applied to the gum followed by the L.A. Many of our patients comment that they hardly feel the L.A. when it is administered.
This is an effective relaxant therapy that is used safely for children and adults. It is especially useful for nervous patients. We will administer this sedation if you feel you require it.
Cast gold is the most naturally wearing, long lasting and highly accurate filling for back teeth. An impression of the cavity is taken; it is manufactured at the Lab and then cemented at another appointment. It is best suited where strength is of paramount importance and aesthetics less so.
Amalgam is a combination of silver, tin and mercury, which are bound in an inorganic compound. It is used for large fillings in back teeth, which require a strong material however it is not aesthetic.
Composite fillings can be directly placed in a single sitting or indirectly in two sittings when it is lab manufactured to be stronger. Continual development of composite means it is getting closer to amalgam in strength and is suitable for small to medium sized fillings in back teeth. It is highly aesthetic as it can be matched to the same shade as your teeth, and is the material of choice for front teeth fillings.
Porcelain is the most aesthetic of filling materials due to its translucency. It is used more often for veneers and crowns.
This is an alternative to having your tooth extracted when the nerve in the middle of your tooth is either dead, in the process of dying, or where decay has substantially exposed the nerve. Strong pain is often associated with either "Pulpitis" (dying nerve) or a tooth "abscess" (tooth infection).
At the initial appointment
we aim to relieve your pain by putting a sedative dressing in the nerve.
The treatment will take a further 3-4 appointments to complete the cleaning
and sealing of the nerve canal and core filling. Crowns are often required
over root canal treatment to guarantee long-term strength of the tooth.
Front teeth usually have a single nerve but back teeth often have 2-4
nerves.
See Endodontic
Crowns surround the whole tooth and are used to (a) strengthen very large fillings or root filled teeth and/or (b) for cosmetic reasons. Crowns can be made of gold, gold/porcelain, porcelain or composite glass. All these materials impart different properties. Modern technology, all porcelain crowns are "state of the art" in combining both strength and aesthetics. We will provide expert advice on the material best suited to your case. Two or more crowns either side of a gap can be joined to form a bridge.
We utilize the services of Mr Robert Delieu, who is one of the finest local Dental Technicians and uses the best materials and most up to date techniques (eg Swedish Procera Crowns).
These are titanium screw fixtures that bond strongly with bone (osseointegration) to replace missing teeth. Following the bonding process an abutment and crown are placed to match your natural teeth. Where a single tooth is missing an implant can be the treatment of choice over a bridge as teeth either side of the gap need not be cut. Multiple implants may be joined to form a bridge or used under dentures to create a more secure hold. The treatment is highly successful in the right cases (95%). See Implants
Veneers cover the outer surface of front teeth to mask stains, fill small gaps or adjust a tooth's contour. Direct composite bonded veneers are placed in one sitting, Indirect composites or porcelain veneers take two appointments as they are manufactured in the lab to be stronger and then bonded on to the tooth. Porcelain is usually the more aesthetically pleasing because of its translucent properties.
Children
During children's regular preventative examinations we monitor the eruption patterns and jaw relationships of their teeth. Where necessary we refer to local experienced orthodontists for active treatment. See Orthodontic
Adults
Increasingly we find adults wish to have orthodontics with the new aesthetic porcelain brackets.
Many of our patients have either mild gum infection (gingivitis) or severe gum disease with loss of supporting bone resulting in loose teeth or in the worst cases loss of teeth.
The good news is that gum disease is preventable by regular professional dental cleaning together with careful patient maintenance. See Periodontic
At your regular preventative examination we scale and clean your teeth to remove calculus deposits and plaque that cause tooth decay and gum disease. An added bonus is that your teeth feel great and you will have fresher breath to improve your love life.
Where possible we will always try to help you retain your teeth. Severe gum disease, impacted teeth or severely split teeth, however, may compromise tooth longevity. In many cases severely broken teeth can be rebuilt with crowns.
As a preventative
service to the sports minded patients we will take impressions and make
custom fitted mouth guards. This is particularly popular with the rugby,
Aussie Rules and soccer-playing children.
See Sports Dentistry in Kids
Internet Site.