Click below to read answers to these popular frequently asked questions.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a process where the teeth are bleached to lighten the shade. There are many benefits of teeth whitening. This can include increased personal attractiveness, makes you look younger, perception of healthy teeth and lifestyle, and many more. If you are unhappy about the colour of your teeth, contact Summer Hill Dental Care. |
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What are the side-effects of teeth whitening?
Sensitivity during teeth whitening may occur with some patients. For patients experiencing tooth sensitivity, we recommend only bleaching every second or third day or night and using Sensodyne toothpaste while the bleaching program is in progress.
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How long will the teeth whitening last?
Teeth Whitening is a simple process. By following simple post whitening care instructions such as flossing, brushing twice daily, regular checkups and occasional touch ups or re-application every few months, your teeth will continue looking their sexy sparkling best!
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I brush and floss my teeth regularly, why aren't my teeth white?
Teeth discolouration and staining is a relatively common problem. Your teeth are porous and are therefore not stain resistant. Red wine, cigarettes, colas, curries, coffee and tea, among other food and drinks, contribute to the discoloration of your teeth over time. Medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline may cause significant staining, resulting in yellow, greyish teeth. Teeth can become permanently stained if the discoloration is not treated in a timely manner. Unfortunately, teeth brushing alone can’t brighten teeth dulled by years of exposure to such discolouring agents. Teeth whitening work by getting in to the tooth enamel and creating a chemical oxidation reaction that breaks the stains apart. Contact Summer Hill Dental Care today to see how we can help with teeth & tooth whitening. |
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What are veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth coloured porcelain (ceramic) shells carefully crafted to bond to and cover the front of unsightly teeth. Similar in a way to a false fingernail, the veneer covers dark or yellow teeth, fills unsightly gaps, lengthens short or stubby teeth, straightens a crooked smile and in general improves your smile. Veneers create very life-like tooth appearance with its translucency as it mimics the light absorption of your teeth enamel. Veneers are a more conservative treatment than a crown and can often be used as an alternative if the underlying tooth is strong and healthy.
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How long do Veneers last?
Porcelain veneers are the most conservative aesthetic restorations available in dentistry today and when well looked after, porcelain veneers can last from ten to fifteen years.
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How many appointments do I need for Veneers?
You will need two appointments for veneers treatment. The 1st appointment is to prepare the tooth and to take impressions for the veneers to be made by the dental laboratory and the 2nd appointment to cement the veneers.
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How Does Root Canal Disease Occur?
The dental pulp is the name given to the soft tissue inside the canal that runs through the root of your tooth. The dental pulp consists mainly of blood vessels, tissue fibres and some nerve fibres. The main function of the pulp is to regulate the growth and development of tooth since childhood. Once the tooth is fully formed nutrition for the tooth comes from the tissues surrounding the root.
The most common cause of pulp damage is deep tooth decay which allows bacteria to reach into the pulp. The pulp becomes inflamed or infected, with products of infection spreading through the tip of the root into the surrounding bone oftentimes forming an abscess that causes the pain and swelling. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic blows to teeth, loose fillings, and excessive wear and tear of teeth, cracked teeth and gum disease.
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Does Root Canal Treatment hurt?
Root canal treatment is a comfortable procedure and it involves little or no pain as the tooth will be anaesthetised with local anaesthetic during treatment. However, sometimes you may have discomfort after an appointment due to the inflammation in the tissues surrounding the tooth. This may take a few days to settle and sometimes a mild analgesic may be required.
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Why Couldn''t You Just Remove the Tooth?
There are many disadvantages to losing a tooth. When a tooth is removed and not replaced, the teeth next to the empty space begin to shift from their normal position. This may cause teeth to become crooked or crowded, which decreases chewing and biting efficiency. Crowded or crooked teeth may be more prone to dental disease because they are harder to keep clean than properly aligned teeth. As a result, other teeth may be lost if the missing tooth is not replaced.
A replacement tooth (an implant or a bridge) is usually more expensive than root canal treatment and involves more extensive dental procedures on adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment can safely and comfortably save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed. In fact, root canal therapy is successful approximately 95% of the time.
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Why shouldn't I see a specialist Endodontist to fix my root canal problem?
The choice is yours however, if you are in a lot of pain, it may take more time and cost to see a specialist. We can get you out of trouble straight away and if your infection is more complicated, we will always refer you to our specially selected list of endodontists. At the very least your pain has already been managed. Our team of dentists are qualified to treat endodontic problems.
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What is periodontal disease?
Almost half of Australian adults have some form of periodontal disease. However the majority of these people do not even realize they have it. Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums, bones and periodontal ligament (attachment fibres that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw). Periodontal disease is usually painless and silent, until its advanced stages. If left untreated, symptoms can include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- Red, swollen and tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Our practice is specially set up to treat and prevent the symptoms of periodontal disease.
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Why should I be aware of the link between heart disease and periodontal disease?
Healthy hearts and healthy gums play vital roles in maintaining a healthy body. Because periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. The heart is one of the most susceptible organs. Heart disease (or cardiovascular disease) affects more than 60 million Americans. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet many types of heart disease may be prevented. Taking care of your periodontal health may be one important step toward prevention along with controlling the well-known risk factors for heart disease.
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How does periodontal disease increase my risk for heart disease?
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the build-up of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease also has been linked to other significant health problems, including respiratory diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and premature and underweight births. It is very important that you always provide our office with a comprehensive and accurate medical history, including any problems you are aware of with your heart. We can work together to help you protect both your gums and your overall health.
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Overview
The initial healing period typically takes from one to two weeks, gum tissue takes about 3-4 weeks to heal and complete healing of the bone can take about 6-8 months depending on your care of this area.
Some discomfort, bleeding and swelling should be expected in the next 24 hours as your mouth heals. Following these simple instructions will normally be all that is needed. As your mouth heals, you can promote faster healing and avoid complications by simply following the instructions below.
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Do not disturb the wound.
In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. The healing process begins immediately after surgery as your body sends blood to nourish the tooth socket. Complete healing will take one to two weeks and swelling may last 48 hours. Simple pressure from a piece of gauze is usually all that is needed to control the bleeding and to help a blood clot to form in the socket.
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Avoid tobacco products and alcohol.
Do not smoke or use tobacco products or alcohol for 72 hours after the tooth/teeth have been extracted. Smoke can interfere with the healing process, promote bleeding and can cause a very painful situation know as "dry socket".
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Brushing
For several days after the extraction, it is important to keep the area as clean as possible to prevent infection and promote healing. Do not directly brush the extraction site for the first 3-4 days after surgery to prevent dislodging of the blood clot from the socket
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Mouthwash
Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a blood clot. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased bleeding or the loss of the blood clot.
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Do not spit or suck through a straw
This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot.
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Bleeding
When you leave the office, you will be given verbal instructions regarding the control of postoperative bleeding. A gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site that you are asked to keep firm pressure on. You will also be asked to change this dressing every 30 to 40 minutes or so depending on the amount of bleeding that is occurring. The gauze should be dampened before placing them over the surgical site. Change gauze only 3-4 times so as not to remove the blood clot. Do not chew on the pack. It is normal for some blood to ooze from the area of surgery for 12 hours. We will also give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home if the bleeding should continue. Should you need to use the gauze at home, remember fold the clean gauze into a pad, thick enough to bite on. Than moisten it and place it directly on the extraction site. Hold it firmly in place, by biting down on the gauze pad or use finger pressure, for about 30-60 minutes. This pressure helps reduce bleeding and permits a clot to form in the tooth socket. Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. Use a towel on the pillow the first night.
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Medications
Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Analgesic tablets i.e. Tylenol or Motrin or non-aspirin can be taken (2) every four hours as needed or as directed by your dentist. Prescription medication, which may have been given to you, should also be taken for 2-3 days after surgery or as directed. Don't drive while taking any pain medication due to drowsiness. If antibiotics are prescribed you should carefully follow the instructions and finish the antibiotics until they are completely gone. Avoid aspirin as it may increase bleeding. A side effect of aspirin is it can increase bleeding by inhibiting blood clotting making it unsuitable following extractions. To avoid nausea do not take pain medications on an empty stomach.
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Sore jaw joint
Your jaw may be sore from holding your mouth open during surgery. This may last 4-5 days. Massage the jaw muscles gently. Apply moist heat for 10 minutes on / 10 minutes off. Eat soft foods. Do not over extend opening your mouth, it can further aggravate this area. There may be some semi-permanent numbing in the area of the extraction. It will decrease in size within the first 6 to 8 weeks and may continue until 6 months after surgery.
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Diet
For the first 24-48 hours, you should maintain a diet of soft foods, such as Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, clear soups, etc. Food that crumbles such as potato chips, popcorn, crackers, cookies, etc. should be avoided. Hot spicy foods should also be avoided to prevent irritation and burns of the extraction site. Also avoid carbonated and hot beverages for 3-4 days. Avoid sticky foods like taffy. Eating immediately following the procedure is not recommended. When the numbness has worn off you may eat yet be sure to chew on the opposite side for the first 24 hours in order to keep food away from the extraction site. Also, keep anything sharp from entering the wound (i.e. eating utensils, fingers and other objects etc.) It is also important to drink 8 glasses of fluids in between meals and with meals. Try vegetable and or fruit juices or high-protein drinks. Cut food into small pieces to ease chewing. Return to a normal diet as tolerated.
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Pain
Pain that lasts for up to a week or so but is gradually improving should be considered typical. Pain that seems to be getting worse after two days should be considered abnormal and may require an evaluation by us. After 24 hours, applications of heat over the surgical area may help.
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Anesthesia warning
When a local anesthetic is used, your lip tongue and cheek will be numb for several hours after the procedure. While it is numb, it will feel "funny". During this period you must be careful not to bite, chew, pinch and/or scratch this area which can lead to serious soft tissue trauma.
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Long term problems
You may have a numb, tingling feeling in the area for 4-6 weeks or longer. Having a missing tooth can lead to several problems such as shifting teeth, difficulty chewing and malocclusion which could lead to TMJ problems. This area will need to be restored with a fixed bridge, implant, a removable partial or a denture to insure good long-term dental health.
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