General Dentistry

At Edens Landing Dental, we are strongly passionate about preventative care for teeth as prevention is always better than cure. Our dentists recommend 6 monthly check ups for all patients as it allows the dentist to identify any early signs of decay, periodontal disease or any other oral health problems. As part of the initial consultation, we recommend taking 2 standard X-rays and an Orthopantomogram X-ray (OPG). The standard X-rays allow the dentist to diagnose any problems which exist between your teeth and under any existing fillings or crowns. The OPG allows the dentist to check for wisdom teeth orientation and growth, general health of the teeth, upper and lower jaw bones, sinuses, nasal region and cheek bones.

Preventative care: Permanent teeth can last a lifetime if proper oral hygiene is executed. The risk of tooth decay, gum disease and loss of teeth can be reduced with proper techniques used when brushing teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. Lifestyle choices such as a low-sugar diet, use of a mouthguard when engaging in sports and regular 6 monthly visits to the dentists or other oral health professionals can make a positive impact on your oral health and life.

Duration of treatment: Approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on the build up on the patient’s teeth.

At Edens Landing Dental we only place tooth coloured or white fillings. When decay forms, it is necessary for us to use our special tools to remove the decay. 

Once decay appears in a tooth, it will continue damaging the tooth and if left untreated will cause the tooth to become infected and give painful symptoms. In order to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to it’s normal function, the decayed tooth structure has to be removed and cleaned before placing a tooth coloured or white filling in the area which restores the function of the tooth and seals off the tooth from bacteria. When a decayed tooth is identified, it is ideal to treat the tooth as soon as possible to reduce the chance of the tooth being infected, which will then result in a root canal treatment or extraction. Old amalgam(mercury) fillings can also be replaced with newer tooth coloured fillings, giving the tooth a natural finish after the procedure.

Procedure steps: Tooth decay is removed using a dental drill and other tools to ensure that the cavity is cleaned and dry before sealing the cavity with a filling material.

Duration of treatment: Approximately 30-60 minutes depending on the size and number of fillings needed.

At Edens Landing Dental, tooth extraction is seen as a last resort and we will always strive to provide alternative options to save the tooth. However, if you request for it or it is the only option available in your circumstance, our highly experienced dentist will remove the tooth in a quick and relatively painless method.

Extractions or root canal treatments are normally needed due to the tooth becoming infected and decay developing inside the nerve tissue. When symptoms of infection start showing in a tooth, it is generally too late to do a simple filling. Other factors that can contribute to infection include severe gum disease and grinding, which can cause cracks allowing bacteria to enter the nerve.

Wisdom tooth pain is normally caused by the wisdom tooth becoming infected and thus in most cases requiring extraction. Delaying wisdom tooth removal can result in adjacent teeth becoming infected or damaged due to the infection spreading and causing the jaw to become sore, sensitive or ache due to referred pain. Wisdom tooth removal is done routinely at Edens Landing Dental with minimal side effects. X-rays are available on-site allowing the dentist to pinpoint the exact location of the wisdom tooth and provide you with the most effective resolution to your pain.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that forms when plaque or tartar builds-up on teeth and causes inflammation on the surrounding gum tissue making them red and puffy which causes them to bleed when touched. In order to treat and prevent gingivitis, it requires the elimination of as much plaque from teeth and gums as possible. Through the use of proper dental equipment, the dentist is able to remove the plaque to enable the gums to eventually settle down.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a severe case of gum disease which causes irreversible damage to the gums and bone around the teeth. Similar to gingivitis, it is caused by plaque or tartar builds-up on teeth and results in inflammation on the surrounding gum tissue making them red and puffy which causes them to bleed when touched. If not treated appropriately, loosening of the teeth can occur leading to eventual tooth loss. In the event of the loss of teeth, there are restorative options available such as dentures, bridges, crowns and implants.

Preventative care: Once the plaque is successfully removed from the teeth, the dentist will give proper instructions on proper oral hygiene techniques for brushing and flossing at home during your recommended 6-monthly check up and clean. Recommendations for the frequency of professional cleans per year required will be advised specifically for each case in order for the patient to maintain a healthy smile.

Sometimes pits and fissures in the back teeth are deep, making it difficult to clean the surface daily with a toothbrush. This lack of thorough brushing can potentially lead to decay developing in the pits and fissures. A fissure sealant can be placed on the surface of the tooth to act as a barrier to plaque, bacteria and food debris and facilitate in easier cleaning.

Mouthguards are made of a durable and resilient material designed to distribute and dissipate forces from impacts to reduce the severity of trauma to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw. These custom mouthguards help prevent any accidental injuries which occur during contact sports such as basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, soccer and volleyball which can be quite traumatic, painful and costly to repair. The types of dental injuries that can occur without the use of a mouthguard during contact sports include chipped or broken teeth, fractured crowns, lip and cheek injuries, root damage to teeth, fractured jaws and concussions. A custom mouthguard from the dentist is much more reliable and stronger than generic mouthguards sold at local convenience stores or chemists.

Clenching or grinding can occur periodically or throughout our entire lives. This mainly occurs during sleep and can cause headaches, jaw aches and broken teeth. An Occlusal Splint (also known as a night guard or a night splint) is a removable dental retainer moulded to fit the upper and lower arches of teeth worn at night to distribute and reduce the amount of grinding pressure transferred to the jaw and teeth. Teeth clenching and grinding is also known as Bruxism. Bruxism is generally caused by psychological stress and anxiety which translates into a person’s sleep habits. A person with Bruxism will wear the biting surface of the teeth, causing chips and cracks which translate into tooth loss. This heightens the risk of tooth decay, fracture, shortening of the teeth and gum recession and dentists strongly suggest early intervention to prevent further damage to the natural teeth.