Advanced Treatment
Quality restorative solutions
We utilise the latest technology to provide advanced tooth replacement
Missing Tooth Replacement
Your chewing ability and speech may be affected by missing teeth. But the effects don’t end there. Missing teeth may have an impact on your oral and overall health also. The gap left by missing tooth can result in supra-eruption and tooth drift.
Supra-eruption natural occurs when your tooth emerges out from your gums, if there is no opposing force to keep that tooth in place. In the instance of a missing tooth, the opposing tooth may supra-erupt because it meets no resistance. A tooth may drift out of position if there isn’t an adjacent tooth to keep it in position.
Missing teeth may affect your general health. Imagine trying to take a clean bite of a piece of fruit with missing front teeth. Diminished chewing ability results in poorly digested food and the loss of vital nutrients, which are detrimental to your body’s health and well-being.
At Everyday Smiles, we can replace your missing teeth in a number of ways, so you can avoid experiencing the dietary complications that are associated with missing teeth.
There are basically three dental treatment options for missing teeth:
- Bridges
- Dental implants
- Dentures
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are fixed dental devices that can replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges attach to the teeth located on either or both sides of the space left by a missing tooth.
Bridges use these teeth as support structures for the replacement prosthetic tooth. They differ from dental implants which are permanently attached to your jaw bone.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the newest and most innovative way to replace your missing teeth. They are life-like, effective, practical and permanent.
Dental implants consist of two treatment steps. The first step requires a titanium post or screw to be surgically implanted into your jawbone. The titanium post serves as a foundation – in effect, it is a new tooth root. Titanium is bio-safe, and after a 6-12 week healing period it will integrate permanently with your jaw bone.
When the healing process is complete, you are ready for the second step of your implant treatment – attaching a porcelain crown to the titanium post. Your porcelain crown is designed and created specifically to complement and blend in with your surrounding teeth. All our porcelain crowns are handmade by highly skilled and experienced dental technicians at our Upper Mt. Gravatt branch.
The final result of your dental implant treatment is a brand new tooth. Your new tooth will be secure, long-lasting and totally functional for many years to come.
Dentures
Traditional customised dentures are a trusted and proven way to replace your missing teeth. Partial dentures are designed to replace single or multiple teeth, while full dentures can restore full rows of teeth – top or bottom. Dentures can be fixed or removable for better oral cleaning and hygiene.
It may take a few visits to have your dentures made and fitted, depending your personal situation. At your first visit, dental impressions are made, and measurements are taken.
The next step is the fabrication of a custom denture model. You will return to try it out so that your dentist can check that the right fit, shape and function has been achieved.
After final adjustments to your denture model for shape and position, it is forwarded to our dental lab for final casting and fabrication. Once complete, your new dentures are ready to be fitted and adjusted.
You may have to attend a few follow-up visits so your dentist can ensure your new dentures feel comfortable and function effectively – when you eat, drink and talk.
Tooth Repair and Restoration
If you have damaged teeth, Everyday Smiles can fix them. We have a full range of treatment options to repair and restore cracked, broken decayed and worn-out teeth.
Fillings
For most minor tooth cavities as a result of tooth decay, fillings are the most common and popular form of dental treatment. In a filling dental treatment, filling material is used to repair your tooth cavities. They can help prevent further decay and toothache.
A filling treatment is a simple two-step dental procedure that can be completed in a single dental visit. At the start of treatment, your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic. Your dentist will then proceed to remove your tooth decay with dental tools. Once prepared, the cavity is then filled in with a tooth-coloured composite material or amalgam.
Crowns
For teeth that are extremely damaged yet still repairable, dental crowns are a suitable dental treatment option. Crowns can be used as a partial or whole tooth restoration.
A crown is basically a prosthetic partial or whole tooth. It is colour-matched with surrounding teeth, and custom designed to match and replace the damaged or decayed area of the damaged tooth.
First, a custom crown is made by our dental technicians. It can be made from different materials, such as porcelain or gold, depending on your preference. Then your damaged tooth is thoroughly cleaned and prepared. Afterwards, your crown is permanently attached to your tooth. In effect, you now have a brand new tooth with the look and function of a natural healthy tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
For damaged or decayed teeth that are too weak to support a filling, yet don’t require a dental crown restoration, inlays and onlays are a suitable restoration dental treatment. They are bonded permanently to your prepared tooth. They also look very realistic, and function just like real teeth. Inlays and onlays are similar dental treatments – the only difference being the areas of a tooth that each restores.
Inlays repair areas within the cusps of your teeth. For example, a large cavity that cannot support a filling. Outlays repair cusps that are damaged on the biting surface of a tooth. Outlays can be used to restore quite a large area of a tooth, including the sides. As such, they are sometimes known as a partial crown.
Veneers
For repairing teeth – that are permanently stained, chipped, crooked, gapped or uneven – veneers have proven to be a popular and proven solution. This dental procedure uses a thin, finely crafted piece of composite resin or porcelain, which is bonded permanently to the front of the damaged or defective tooth.
Veneers can restore teeth damaged by accident, such as a chipped tooth, or cosmetically enhance the appearance of your natural teeth. Lots of Hollywood celebrities with dazzling white smiles owe their look to the use of dental veneers.
After an initial consultation, you may have to follow a strict oral hygiene routine, which includes a special mouthwash, for a few weeks in the lead up to your veneer procedure. Excellent oral hygiene and health is an important factor in the success and longevity oy your new veneers.
The two main types of veneers:
Porcelain veneers. They are renowned for their strength, durability (up to 25 years) and natural appearance.
Composite veneers (or build ups). These are made using a composite resin material. They are bonded right onto your prepared tooth’s surface. The results are very natural. They are not as durable as porcelain veneers, and so they may need replacing over time.
Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease. In Australia, it is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Untreated periodontitis can seriously affect your oral and general health.
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Plaque and tartar formation can result in gum inflammation which can lead to the onset of gingivitis. As the inflammation spreads into your gums, your risk of gum disease increases.
The support structures for your teeth include your gum tissue, ligaments and bone. If they are affected by gum inflammation over time, then they may not be able to support your tooth which puts you at a higher risk of losing your tooth. Chronic gum inflammation has been linked to serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
Just one of the following warning signs for gum disease, is reason enough to arrange for a check up with your dentist at Everyday Smiles:
- puffed-up or swollen gums
- bleeding gums from brushing or flossing
- redness of the gums (as opposed to a healthy pinkish colour)
- sensitive, sore or painful gums
- receding or detached gums
- loose or shifted teeth
- mouth sores (or abscesses) with secretions
- constant bad breath, as well as a bad odour and taste in your mouth
Types of gum disease treatment at Everyday Smiles:
Oral hygiene – Practicing good oral health care and hygiene at home are essential to help prevent gum disease. Your dentist can advise you on the most suitable oral care techniques and methods to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Clean, scale and polish – Cleaning and scaling removes plaque and tartar from your teeth. Polishing prevents the formation of new plaque and tartar. Your dentist can advise you on a personalised oral health and hygiene plan for you to follow at home, as well as the most appropriate oral health care products.
Root planing – For gum inflammation that has spread to the gum tissue that supports your teeth, root planing is a suitable dental treatment. Root planing removes bacteria, tartar and other causes of inflammation that occur below your gum line. Root planing treatment involves the use of a non-surgical, deep cleaning technique.
This treatment is a necessary component of periodontal treatment. Follow up appointments will usually be scheduled so your dentist can assess the effectiveness of treatment, and monitor the health of your gums.
Gum surgery – The gum surgery services of a periodontal specialist may be required if you have periodontitis at an advanced stage. Soft and hard gum tissue that has been damaged by gum inflammation or infection can be repaired and restored through gum surgery.
Tooth Removal
For teeth that are too damaged or decayed and cannot be repaired, having your tooth removed (or extracted) may be your only option. Your Everyday Smiles dentist can discuss and recommend the best treatment options for your severely damaged tooth. If you decide to have your tooth removed, you can usually go straight home after the extraction procedure is complete.
An oral X-ray may be taken as part of your dentist’s preparation for your tooth extraction procedure. Be sure to provide your dentist with your updated medical and dental history details including a list of your current prescribed and over-the-counter medication. It is essential that your dentist can provide you with safe, suitable and well-informed dental treatment.
After your tooth is removed, your tooth socket needs 2-4 weeks healing time with medication. Your dentist will provide you with personalised instructions regarding your oral care and hygiene routine at home during the recovery process. Your dentist may prescribe a short course of pain relief medication and/or antibiotics to treat gum infection. You may experience some mild pain and discomfort for a few days following treatment.
Following your dentist instructions is important to ensure that your tooth socket heals over successfully. This initial healing period usually takes about two weeks.
The main reasons for tooth removal:
- severe tooth decay
- a broken or shattered tooth
- a gum infection and/or abscess between your teeth and gum tissue
- periodontal (gum) disease
- side effects of medication
- infection as a result of a weakened immune system
- impaction of wisdom teeth
- crowded teeth
- delayed baby teeth that have not fallen out ahead of emerging permanent teeth
Types of extractions:
There are two main methods your dentist uses to extract teeth – simple extractions and surgical extractions.
A simple extraction is the most common extraction method for teeth that can be seen in your mouth. At the start of the procedure, your dentist administers a local anaesthetic so you won’t feel any pain. Your dentist will then proceed to loosen your tooth in its socket with a dental tool called an elevator. Finally, a pair of forceps is used to remove your tooth from its socket.
A surgical extraction is a more complicated dental technique used for problematic teeth that are not visible in your mouth. These teeth may have broken up beneath your gum line or failed to emerge from your gums. General anaesthesia or stronger types of dental sedation may be required. You may also be prescribed pain medication to help ease and reduce any pain and swelling you may experience after your surgical extraction.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth do not usually need to be extracted except for when emerging wisdom teeth do not have enough room to develop. This oral condition is known as impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth may result in swelling, infection, pain and discomfort. These symptoms can be relieved if your impacted teeth are surgically removed. Either your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove your wisdom teeth, depending on the complexity of the extraction.
Wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common and the procedure is considered to be safe. Side effects of the procedure are temporary, with symptoms ranging from facial swelling to bruising and stiffness of your jaw. These symptoms should not last for more than two weeks as your gums gradually recover and heal.