Dental Check-up & Clean

During your dental check-up and clean with Greystanes Dental we will provide a comprehensive scale & clean and in some instances provide a dental x-ray which helps our Dentist understand the structure of your mouth & what kind of treatments are best suited to you.

At Greystanes Dental we are always looking at preventative measures for our patients where possible. Regular teeth cleaning and check-up are encouraged so that we can regularly check your teeth and address issues as they arise to prevent more intensive – and costly – dental treatments in the future.

What happens in a dental check-up and clean appointment?

At Greystanes Dental we provide a comprehensive dental check-up and clean. In some instances, we will also take a dental x-ray, which helps us to better understand the structure of your mouth and what kind of treatments are best suited to your needs. If you are a new patient, an x-ray is important as it provides a base knowledge of what kind of treatment and dental care you will need in future. We are always looking at preventative measures for our patients where possible as opposed to avoiding larger, more intensive dental procedures which can be costly, time-consuming and may require longer recovery times. At your dental check-up and clean appointment, we will do everything we can to make your experience as comfortable as possible, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have. Book online for an appointment today or give us a call.

The concept of a “filling” is replacing and restoring your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture with a material. We will replace old, broken-down amalgam/metal fillings that contain traces of mercury with white fillings (composite resins) to restore your smile and teeth to a more natural look and feel.

With today’s advancements, no longer will you have to suffer the embarrassment of unsightly and unhealthy silver/mercury fillings or metal margins of the past. Eliminate the dark, black appearance in your teeth with new-age, state-of-the-art, tooth-colored resin or porcelain materials.

Comparing White Fillings Versus Silver Amalgam Fillings:

• White fillings bond to the tooth; they strengthen the tooth by restoring most of its original shape. Silver amalgams, on the other hand, weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to breaking. Broken teeth can be very expensive to replace; white fillings can actually save time and money in the long run.

• White composite fillings are preferred by most patients. This is due to the natural colour, strength and overall appearance and feel. Composites are naturally more comfortable.

• Hot and cold sensitivity is greatly reduced with composite material compared to the silver/mercury amalgams.

• Restorations with composites require less removal of tooth, less structure to place than those with amalgams and especially with new cavities. Dramatically smaller holes are needed with a composite.

• White fillings are healthier because no traces of mercury are used, unlike silver amalgams.

Tooth extractions are sometimes needed in cosmetic dentistry to make room for other teeth to fill gaps in your smile. Tooth extraction is also something that may be needed when the tooth has died. Removal can often facilitate orthodontic treatment and future procedures or simply reduce pain from a severely infected tooth.

Although tooth extraction is known as an oral surgery, it’s a relatively simple procedure that can often be carried out by a general dentist.

Tooth extraction is beneficial because:

• It can be a more cost-effective option over other treatment

• It can prevent severe tooth decay or infection

• It can prevent supernumerary teeth or blocking teeth, which may cause further health complications

• It may be that a person with severe gum disease have a weaker gum structure and can no longer support the tooth.

A medical evaluation is always carried out before the tooth extraction is performed. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure, as extra teeth cause overcrowding in the mouth. Tooth extractions begin with an assessment followed administering a local anaesthetic to numb the affected gum area. For surgical extractions like wisdom tooth removal, the procedure is commonly carried out under sedation. The actual tooth extraction is performed using forceps. Larger teeth may require cutting into several pieces to completely remove them safely.

The recovery time for a tooth extraction is usually a few days, with ibuprofen and potentially some dissolvable stitches aiding recovery. The process of tooth extraction is quite risk-free and a great way to improve your oral health over time.