Hygiene & gum disease
There are important steps we can all take to ensure good oral hygiene, to help avoid serious dental problems and keep our dental treatment needs to a minimum.
Remember these three important points:
• Daily Cleaning – brushing and flossing.
• Healthy Diet – a balanced diet and a reduction in sugary and acidic foods.
• Regular Examinations – regular visits for continuing care.
Our Dentocare dentists and trained professionals will offer advice, support and direction in the prevention of decay and gum disease.
Periodontal treatment
Periodontal or gum diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, although smoking, stress, diet and other factors can also affect the health of your gums.
Regular checkups with Dentocare can help alleviate the risk of gum disease.
Mouth guards/splints
A properly fitted mouthguard can help prevent broken teeth and other injuries while playing sport. A good custom-made mouthguard will stay in place, making it easy for you to talk and breathe.
Splints can prevent tooth damage in cases of Bruxism, or grinding. Most people do not even know they are clenching and grinding, until they experience headaches or pain in the joints of the jaw. Our custom-made splints can help.
Children’s dentistry
Maintenance of good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can teach your child. An early visit to the dentist can help educate you about your child’s oral health and correct hygiene.
If your child has any problems, such as crowding or abnormal tooth development, or if there are any risk factors for developing cavities, then a preventative program can help identify them before they become serious.
Regular checkups can also identify any persistent habits, such as thumb sucking or tooth grinding at night (bruxism).
Fillings
Gone are the days of unsightly metallic or dark fillings. We use tooth coloured resin for the most natural aesthetic results, an ideal option for small to medium sized repairs and restorations.
TMJ
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You may subconsciously, during times of stress or during sleep, clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TMJ joint. You may have even sustained damage to your jaw joint in an accident. Whatever the cause, the results may include misalignment of the teeth, pain, clicking or grating noises when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.
It is possible to have a TMJ disorder for a long time without realising it. That’s because some of the symptoms, such as headaches, may seem unrelated to your jaw joints and muscles and therefore misdiagnosed as a back or neck muscle problem.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
- Waking up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws
- Frequent headaches or neck aches.
- Clicking, popping, grating when you open your mouth
- Difficulty or pain when opening your mouth to eat, or yawn
- An injury to your neck, head or jaw
- Arthritis in other joints
- Teeth that no longer touch when you bite
- Teeth that touch differently from time to time
- Sensitive, loose, broken or worn teeth
A thorough dental and medical history and evaluation will help pinpoint the cause of your TMJ disorder and is the first step in planning a personalised treatment programme for you.
Malocclusion is relatively easy to correct by adjusting your bite with a custom-made bite splint. This is usually worn at night or during times of stress as malocclusion can lead to tooth grinding and clenching.
Patients who undergo treatment for TMD experience many benefits from decreased or eliminated pain and discomfort to better overall health, longer-lasting dental restorations and more restful sleep.
Snoring & sleep apnea
Caused when the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse and vibrate, snoring and sleep apnea can be annoying and potentially dangerous health problems. Fortunately, the problems relating to sleep apnoea can be relieved quickly with the correct treatment. We can refer you to a nearby specialist in this field.
Endodontic Treatments
Also known as root canal treatment, Endodontic treatments can save a badly decayed, diseased or damaged tooth. The root canal is cleared of pulp including the nerve, and then cleaned and filled. Root canal treatment is highly successful in most cases.
Wisdom teeth removal
It’s quite common for there to be insufficient space in the jaws to allow wisdom teeth to take their correct position, and consequently they remain partly or completely below the surface of the gum.
Wisdom teeth which have failed to develop into a normal position are commonly referred to as being “impacted”. A consultation with your Dentocare professional can determine whether impacted wisdom teeth should be removed.
Tooth removal
Though usually we’d prefer you retained your own teeth, sometimes tooth extraction is unfortunately the best or only option. We can perform dental extractions and other minor oral surgeries in-house, and mild sedation is available for nervous patients. For potentially complicated cases or if deep level sedation is required, we will refer you to one of our recommended oral surgeons.
Have you ever thought your smile could be improved? At Dentocare we have the experience and knowledge to give you a smile you’ll be delighted to display!
Utilising the latest technology, cosmetic dentistry can help create a smile that is as individual as you are. From simple whitening to a full combination of treatments, Dentocare professionals will expertly assess your needs and provide you with an individualised solution that’s right for you.
Implants
Used when replacing an entire missing tooth, dental implants utilise titanium screws that are inserted into the jawbone, to which crowns or a bridge can be attached once the surrounding tissue heals. Clients with adequate bone structure and without a serious medical condition are ideally suited to this popular surgical option.
Designed to look and function in a similar way to natural teeth, implants are an excellent solution where there is not enough anchoring teeth for bridges, or when a denture cannot be worn.
Crowns & Bridges
Providing protection and a natural tooth-like appearance, crowns and bridges are used to restore or replace decayed, chipped or cracked teeth. A crown is a complete cover for a single tooth, while a bridge can replace one or more missing teeth, by utilising the teeth either side of the space as support.
Both treatment options offer strength, durability and performance, and are custom made and fitted to ensure your long-term protection and improved appearance.
Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays are a natural looking alternative to fillings. Made from porcelain for strength, they are custom made to fit and fill most types of cavities, and are almost impossible to distinguish from your natural teeth.
Unlike conventional fillings, which require the removal of large amounts of healthy tooth, only the damaged portion of the tooth needs to be removed.
Veneers
A thin shell-like piece of porcelain, a veneer is placed over your existing front teeth to offer a fantastic solution for chipped, discoloured or crooked teeth. A fast and extremely aesthetic solution, veneers are made from strong material to provide you with a great looking and long lasting smile.
Dentures
A denture is a removable option to replace missing teeth. It is usually made of acrylic and may incorporate porcelain or metal for additional strength and comfort. A denture is fitted with artificial teeth, chosen to closely resemble your natural teeth. In some situations dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help improve the appearance of your face and profile.
Teeth whitening
Unfortunately, some of the things many of us most enjoy such as coffee, tea, red wine, nicotine and cola, can darken our teeth over time. The natural thinning of tooth enamel with age can also cause yellowing of our teeth. Fortunately, these are the types of stains that respond well to whitening.
At Dentocare we offer either our convenient at-home whitening kit, or our very popular one visit teeth whitening service. If you have an anterior white filling or a crown, the whitening process will affect the colour of the natural tooth but not the restorations. That’s why if you are thinking of whitening your teeth, we’d be pleased to discuss this with you first, to determine which method best suits your needs.