Here at Balmoral Dental Centre, we have the latest imaging technology to provide you with the best treatment.

What is a cone beam image and how is it different from normal xrays?

Common dental xrays such as bitewings and OPGs provide us with 2D images of your teeth and the surrounding structures. These are used routinely for diagnosis during your regular check up and clean appointments.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) produces a 3D reconstruction of a selected area. This type of imaging provides extra information that ordinary xrays cannot, such as the 3 dimensional shape of your jaw bone and the location of nerves. This is essential for some complex procedures such as placement of dental implants, removal of wisdom teeth, and even root canal treatment.

But how much radiation is involved?

This all depends on the size of the area that needs to be scanned, but typically the amount of radiation would be less than 50 microsieverts. This is less than ¼ of the radiation in a chest xray, and you’re likely to be exposed to more radiation during a 10 hour plane flight! We use the lowest dose possible to acquire the information that we need for a procedure.

What’s involved in taking the xray?

For your convenience, we are the only clinic to have a CBCT machine in the area! Usually it takes a few minutes to set up for your individual needs, and then about 30 seconds to take the xray. Your dentist will then discuss the results of your 3D cone beam image with you. Patients who have a sensitive gag reflex and bitewing xrays challenging often find a CBCT much easier to take.

This adorable little 2 year old patient was such a superstar! Dr Tish did a check up, clean and floss for her.

Did you know the recommended age for your child’s first dental visit is within 6 months of their first tooth? That’s as young as 12 months old!

“There is no way my 1 year old would ever open their mouths for a stranger!” You might be pleasantly surprised (and we have our little tricks to keep them entertained while we take a quick look at their mouths). The best way to get your child used to the dentist is to bring them with you to your regular check up and clean. We can give them a ride on the dental chair, and get them used to the sights and sounds at the dentist. Bringing children to the dentist at the early age is also important for creating positive dental experiences and reducing dental phobia.

The kinds of thing we check for at an early age are: normal development of the jaws, the right number of teeth and positions, and of course any signs of dental decay or gum problems. Early detection and prevention will aid in reducing complex dental problems later in life.

Here are some of our oral hygiene tips for infants and children:

• Start wiping the inside of the mouth with a soft damp cloth before any teeth erupt.
• When there are 2 or more teeth, start using a soft baby sized toothbrush with tap water.
• Start using children’s toothpaste at 2 years of age and introduce flossing. Usually at this age there are still gaps between the teeth, but flossing at an early age will help to create good habits.
• Switch to adult toothpaste at 6 years of age. Kids still need parental assistance in brushing their teeth until about 8 years of age!
• Avoid sugary food and drink, and frequent snacking.

Every child is different and receives tailored advice from our dentists at their check up.

Our friendly team at Balmoral Dental Centre looks forward to taking care of you and your family!

Here at Balmoral Dental Centre, we can provide a custom made Mouthguard to help protect from dental injuries.  While over the counter products are available, these are often deficient due to the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy used.  Our teeth are as individual as our finger prints so it stands to reason that mouthguards should not all be the same.  Our custom made mouthguards meet all recommendations ensuring the best available protection.

A recent incident with a hockey player in Tasmania showed the deficiencies of cheap over the counter devices. See article here.

A custom made mouthguard can potentially save thousands in dental reconstruction, not to mention the pain and time needed.  Health funds will usually give a rebate and if you are a HCF fund member, you may be entitled to up to two mouthguards a year with no out of pocket expenses through their More For Teeth program.

The Australian Dental Association confirm the dangers of over the counter products following hockey incident.  The warning is available by following this link.

So give us a call and make an appointment for a custom mouthguard for you or your sporting children today!

With images of Hollywood actors with a beautiful white smile assaulting our senses on television every day it is no surprise that questions about tooth whitening are common.  We all want that perfect white smile.

So who can get whitening?  There is no generic answer to this question.  In order to determine if it will work for you, the cause of the discolouration needs to be assessed.  There are a diverse range of causes which include foods or drinks, tobacco use, medications, disease, poor dental hygiene, the natural ageing process, trauma, dental materials, disease, genetics and environment to name a few.  Your dental professional can assess the cause and give some guidance on what whitening method will work for you.

What will the dentist look for?  The dentist will look for both the cause of the discolouration as well as factors that may influence the success of your treatment.  This will include the thickness of the tooth enamel, any receding gums, existing crowns, fillings and veneers, oral diseases as well as your history including any past trauma or medications, which may have had an impact.

So will whitening work?  Depending on the cause of the discolouration, results can range from impressive to disappointing.  Your dentist should be able to give you a better expectation once the cause has been assessed.

What can go wrong?  When done as per manufactures recommendations after appropriate diagnosis, there is no serious risk.   You may experience some sensitivity which your dentist will give options to manage.  Other less common side effects which are also associated with inappropriate treatment include reduction in the hardness of enamel, damage to gums such as inflammation or blistering, severe tooth sensitivity and multi coloured teeth due to existing fillings, crowns or veneers.

What types of whitening are there?  There are two basic types of whitening.  In office whitening will offer the fastest result with treatment completed in a single session.  Take home whitening will require daily use of the product and can take from a couple days to several weeks to achieve a noticeable difference.

How can I get whitening?  At Balmoral Dental Centre, our staff will be happy to provide you with further information on this topic.  An assessment can identify the most appropriate method for you to whiten your smile as fast as possible with the minimal amount of sensitivity or other reactions.

If you are interested, please call us for a consult on (07) 3399 6288.

Sources:

‘Tooth Whitening: What we now know’   J Evid Base Dent Pract 2014;14S: [70-76], http://www.jebdp.com/article/S1532-3382(14)00049-9/pdf, accessed 20 June 2015.

“How much do we really know about tooth whitening?”, Australian Dental Association, http://www.toothwhiteningfacts.com.au/index.htm, accessed 20 June 2015.

While Greg will now be able to enjoy some time out, Jamie will be continuing his work and endeavouring to provide the same level of service that Greg’s patients have come to know as well as adding some new treatments to the practice.

Balmoral Dental Centre will continue to provide all the dental services it is known for. Any care that cannot be provided onsite will be referred to our network of specialists with the coordination remaining in house to ensure the best outcomes.

We welcome new patients to the practice and will continue to provide comprehensive ethical dentistry for all.

Grow Up Smiling! Contact Medicare on 132 011 to find out if your child/children are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme.

The Scheme Provides $1 000 (over 2 calender years) per child aged 2-17 years for basic dental services (excludes orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry). We bulk bill the services at time of treatment.

Give us a call on 33996288 if you would like to make an appointment.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

www.humanservices.gov.au
Financial support for basic dental services for children aged 2–17.

Australian Government Department of Human Services
www.humanservices.gov.au
The Australian Government Department of Human Services is about people and the services they may need at different…

While we are not at the practice 24 hours a day, the phone is always answered and if you call after hours one of the dentists will call you back when they reasonably can, and see what can be done. Just call the same number 33996288 any time any day - and listen to the prompts.

A combination of plaque, sugar and time leads to tooth decay. The bacteria in the plaque, which sits on the tooth surface, use the sugars from our diet to produce acid. These bacteria survive well in an acidic environment and continue to produce more acid. The acids produced will dissolve the tooth surface very quickly by removing Calcium and Phosphate. These minerals are what make the tooth strong. If sugar is frequently available to the bacteria and lots of acid is being produced, the tooth surface will continually dissolve. This leads to tooth decay. If plaque from the tooth surface and sugars from the diet can be eliminated or greatly reduced, the risk of decay starting is minimised. Decay can also be stopped or reversed. This can only happen if acid production stops and the lost minerals are replaced. Lost minerals can be replaced with Fluoride and the Calcium and Phosphate in saliva.

Tooth decay can be detected during a thorough dental examination and history. It is important to detect decay early and determine whether you are at a high risk for developing tooth decay. This allows for preventive strategies specifically designed for your needs to be put in place. These strategies will require a certain amount of time and effort on your part, however the benefits of avoiding tooth decay are well worth it.

How can I prevent decay?

DIET:

• Avoid frequent intake of sugary foods, especially sticky foods. Look at food labels to see what they contain.
• Bacteria love sugar and soon after it is eaten your mouth becomes very acidic. Swish your mouth out or have a drink of water to remove the bulk of remaining sugar from your mouth
• Don’t snack all day, leave a long break between meals so your teeth have a longer time free from acids.
• Casein phosphopeptides are available from some dairy foods and help to prevent decay. Finishing a meal with cheese is a quick and easy strategy.
• You may be asked to complete a dietary analysis sheet to see how your eating habits may be contributing to your tooth decay.

PLAQUE:

• Thorough, daily removal of plaque from the tooth surfaces and in between the teeth reduces the risk of tooth decay. The removal of plaque reduces the numbers of acid producing bacteria in your mouth.
• Try to brush twice a day using a Fluoride toothpaste. Ensure you brush well at night, as during sleep your saliva flow is greatly reduced putting the teeth at greater risk of decay. For shift workers this simply means brushing thoroughly before sleep.
• Don’t brush directly after a meal as dissolved tooth may be scrubbed away. Swish the mouth out or have a drink of water and wait about half an hour before you brush.
• A Chlorohexidine rinse may be recommended to help further reduce the numbers of acid producing bacteria in your mouth. Use this solution after brushing and flossing and rinsing thoroughly.

SALIVA:

• Drink plenty of water to ensure you have an adequate flow of saliva. You feel thirsty after you mouth has already become dry. This means that if you feel thirsty you will already be dehydrated. Dehydration causes a dry, acidic mouth which increases the risk of tooth decay. Ideally, you would drink water if you thought you were likely to get thirsty later on. If you are thirsty then drink water and avoid sweet and acidic drinks.
• Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine all reduce salivary flow. Caffeine is contained in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and soft drinks and can cause dehydration.
• Many herbal, prescription, recreational and over the counter medications and drugs can make your mouth dry, by reducing the flow of saliva. Cold and flu medications are an example, as are many mouthrinses containing alcohol. Alternatives may be available, however this is not always the case. Products are available to help relieve the discomfort of dry mouth.
• Chewing sugar free gum helps to stimulate salivary flow. Some sugar free gums contain Xylitol which helps to slow the growth of plaque.
• The acidity of a dry mouth can be reduced by using a bicarbonate mouthrinse. This helps the saliva to become alkaline. Rinse vigorously with a mixture of one teaspoon of “baking soda” in a glass of water, don’t swallow and discard the remaining portion. Use a fresh mixture each time.

FLUORIDE:

• Always use a Fluoride toothpaste. Differing strength pastes are available for individual requirements.
• Other Fluoride preparations are available such as tablets, rinses and gels. These are recommended on an individual basis and directions for use should be followed.

This pamphlet gives a brief overview of dental decay and how to prevent it. You may now be able to identify the cause of your decay and take the necessary steps to
prevent the problem continuing. If you have any further questions, we would be more than happy to help and guide you towards maintaining your dental health.

It feels rough

Please call us if it is making your tongue sensitive.

It came off

This is probably the most common problem. It is supposed to come off easily and some foods will help in this. Stay away from sticky foods or gum. It’s important for it to be there, so call us and we can re-cement it (or you can push it back into place until you can get in).

It feels high

Come in so we can adjust it. You can bruise a tooth if it is high.

It’s not how I want the permanent to look

Don’t worry; the permanent will look much better, but please let us know immediately what it is that you dislike.

It is sensitive

The temporary will not fit as well as the permanent will, so there may be some sensitivity to hot and cold and perhaps when chewing. If it is too uncomfortable, please call.

The temporary is very important. It protects the exposed dentin so it is not sensitive. It prevents food from gathering in the preparation, and prevents the prepared tooth from shifting and moving that could make seating the permanent more difficult. Use your toothbrush to clean the temporary as you normally do your teeth. The Dental Assistant will let you know if you will be able to floss around it.
If you have any questions concerning the temporary, please feel free to call. Remember, it will only be for a short time and it will be all worth it when you get your beautiful permanent restoration.

Don’t Panic!

Root canal treatment is our way of preventing pain and infection in your teeth. It receives the most negative press of any of our dental treatments. It is the whipping boy of all dental jokes. Yet it doesn’t deserve its notoriety.

Root canals refer to the parts of the tooth that dentists call the pulp chamber. Within the centre of your teeth is a space or chamber that contains live dental tissue called the pulp tissue. This pulp tissue is made up of blood vessels that keep the pulp alive, dental specific tissue that can repair some damage the tooth experiences from decay, and nerve fibres that send pain signals to your brain.

When your tooth has had extensive decay or injury (due to drilling or trauma) the pulp tissue becomes bruised. This bruising can lead to a pressure increase inside the pulp chamber. If the pressure increase is great enough, then the blood circulation in the pulp chamber ceases, and the pulp tissue dies. The problem is that the nerve fibres are the last to die and they let you know it.

Root canal treatment or “Endodontics” lets the dentist get rid of all of the pulp tissue gently and thoroughly and fill the remaining empty pulp chamber with a rubber like material that is cemented and condensed into the cleaned pulp chamber. This prevents infection from starting up in the empty pulp space and makes the tooth comfortable for the rest of your life.

There are a few commonly asked questions about Root Canal Treatment:

Did You Remove My Tooth’s Root?

Root canal treatment (RCT) cleans, shapes and fills the canal system inside your tooth. The root structure that held your tooth in place is still there and intact. We have just sealed the spaces within it.

Will My Tooth be Sore After Treatment?

After receiving treatment the area around the root tips of the treated tooth will be bruised and may cause some tenderness to biting pressure. It may be sore even without any chewing. This is all due to pressure building in the bone around the tooth’s roots with bruising. Till this bruising goes away (usually in 3 to 5 days) Ibuprofen (also known as Nurofen or Herron Blue) will help to keep your tooth comfortable. Take as directed.

Do I Need a Crown on My Tooth?

Your tooth is in a weakened state due to the RCT. A hole has been made in the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber. That decreases the structural strength of the tooth and makes it more susceptible to fracturing a portion of the tooth away when chewing. You can split the tooth in two or fracture it in such a way that gum surgery is needed. It is important that you are careful chewing in this area. Watch out for foods you need to grind on like breads and buns.

A crown should be done in a prudent time frame. I always tell my patients that they should have their tooth crowned the day before they bite down and break it!

If You Do a Root Canal Through my Crown Will I Need a New One?

Not necessarily. Often we can repair the crown when we have to make a hole through it. The hole must be repaired though.

Sometimes a new crown is required. If you are unsure discuss it with our office.