TREATMENTS
We offer treatment to patients of all ages. It is advisable for one to do their first check-up as soon as their first teeth appear or at around one year of age. Elderly patients may experience a variety of dental issues which we are more than willing to assess and treat. Should you wish to make a group appointment, please contact our rooms to arrange for a suitable time. Optimum oral health should be assessed and maintained every 6 months.
A scaling and polishing is recommended every 6 months. This prevents the accumulation of unwanted deposits such as plaque, staining and calculus which effects the overall gingival and periodontal health. If not done regularly, it can lead to other challenges such as gingivitis, halitosis and eventually periodontal disease. We complete this treatment with a polish to add that extra spark your smile, and topical fluoride treatment for stronger teeth.
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth. Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine. Please free to contact us regarding your teeth whitening options and to assess if you are a candidate.
Root canal treatment is done when decay has extended into a tooth towards the blood vessels and nerves (pulp) that supply the tooth with nutrition and sensation (vitality). Once this happens, one may complain of pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, difficulty chewing or eating on that side and sometimes spontaneous pain that keeps you up all night. This may also happen to teeth which undergo physical trauma and would require root canal treatment.
A crown, also known as a “cap” is used to restore teeth without actually removing any teeth. The crown is placed over an existing damaged tooth and is cemented in place. While a crown is used to cover an existing tooth, a dental bridge is used to fill in the missing space caused by one or more lost teeth. A bridge is made up of one or more false teeth with one crown on either end of the bridge. The crowns are placed over existing teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, functioning as anchors for the bridge. A veneer is a thin coating of white, gleaming porcelain which is used to cover the surface of a tooth. Unlike crowns, bridges and implants, veneers are primarily aesthetic, and are less commonly used for functional dental health problems.
Direct fillings are used when the dentist removes the cavity and applies a tooth-coloured composite resin material directly to the tooth. Afterwards it is shaped, cured and polished by the dentist, leaving the patient with something equivalent to a traditional filling. Indirect fillings use a laboratory method to make the dental impression. The dentist cleans out the cavity and then takes an impression of the teeth using specific impression materials that is sent to the laboratory to be customized for the patient. In the lab, technicians will create the restoration, which will then be cemented by the dentist permanently.
Wisdom teeth (3rd molars), are the last teeth to appear in your mouth. This generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned do not cause problems, but more often they are misaligned or impacted and require removal. Symptoms that may mean your wisdom teeth need to be removed come from pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth, headaches or an inflamed swelling in the flap of gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has partially erupted through the gum. Root remnants, soft tissues, or other teeth which may require surgical removal is also offered.
A dental implant is a surgical fixture which is commonly made from titanium. It is placed in the jawbone in areas where teeth are missing and is allowed to fuse with the bone. This is essentially a replacement for a root of the missing tooth. In turn, this “artificial root” will facilitate the necessary foundation for placement of a prosthesis such as a crown or bridge. If successful, this will result in a permanent, stable and highly aesthetic result.
Active Aligners are specifically designed to align teeth in a predictable, comfortable and discreet manner. Instead of metal brackets, wires or screws, a series of transparent thermoplastic ‘aligners’ are worn in stages to achieve the desired results. Active Aligners are frequently prescribed to correct varying cases of misaligned teeth, gaps between teeth and rotated teeth.
Situations that are likely to require more immediate attention are those involving intense pain, the immediate risk of tooth loss, or uncontrolled bleeding. Typically, these are the result of traumatic injury or untreated dental infection, thus any of these symptoms would warrant a visit to an emergency dentist without delay. Patients can contact me on 082 572 1619 for emergencies.
Facial aesthetics treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers are excellent complementary treatments to cosmetic dentistry. Treatment with Botox works by blocking nerve impulses to the tiny facial muscles, forcing them to relax and smoothing out the skin to lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is commonly used to treat lines and wrinkles on the forehead, to lift the jowls, and to combat pockets under the eyes. Lip beautification can be achieved using these techniques. Many of those who are experiencing pain and difficulty due to bruxism/teeth clenching can find muscle relief from relaxing the affected muscles.
Paediatric dentistry is focused on the oral health of children from infancy to teen years. Throughout the various stages of childhood, it is vital to care for a child’s teeth as well as gums. During the first 6 months of life, children begin to get their baby teeth. It is important to see a dentist after the first tooth eruption to ensure that a good relationship with dental health is formed and to avoid the fear of the dentist. By the age of 6- or 7-years children start losing their baby teeth, also called primary teeth, which is then replaced by permanent teeth. If proper dental treatment is not enforced children can have a lifetime of complications and discomfort. Patients can also be treated under general anaesthesia or under conscious sedation if it is difficult to complete treatment on the dental chair.
Many patients experience discomfort due to bruxism (grinding). Symptoms can range from tense and painful muscles of mastication, headaches, tooth wear and TMJ pain. Bite plates can be worn to help treat these symptoms. A simple impression and bite registration is sufficient to construct a biteplate for those patients who may need it.
Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion impact to the face, thus minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the hard and soft tissues intra-orally. Impressions are taken to ensure a good and comfortable fit of the mouth guard. A variety of patterns/colours can be selected.