Root canal therapy entails the removal of a tooth’s nerve, while keeping the tooth. This is done in cases where a tooth’s nerve has been damaged due to caries/trauma and cannot be regenerated, but the tooth can still be saved. Follow the link to see an animated video on how root canal treatment is done.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry relates to restoring dental decay by placing restorations/fillings. Follow the link to see an animated video on how a dental filling is done.
Extractions
Dental extractions refer to the removal of teeth, whereas the damage on the tooth is so severe that alternative methods cannot be used to save it. Teeth may also be removed due to space shortage (in orthodontic treatment or with impacted wisdom teeth). Follow the link to see an animated video on how a dental extraction is done.
Oral Hygiene
A professional cleaning is recommended every 6 months to ensure optimal gum and bone health, this is called a “scale and polish” and is usually performed by a dental hygienist. During a scale and polish calculus and superficial stains are removed from teeth and gingival/gum health is promoted. Follow the link to see an animated video on how a scale and polish is done.
Tooth Whitening
Yellowing of teeth can be caused by superficial staining and intrinsic/internal changes on a tooth. Bleaching can be done to help correct the intrinsic colour changes. Bleaching is case specific and there is no “one size fits all” approach. Ask your dentist or oral hygienist what the best option for you would be.
Dentures
When teeth are lost that can be replaced in various ways.
One of which is the fabrication of dentures.
Dentures are custom made to fit a patient’s mouth and are removable (meaning they can be removed by the patient).
Dentures can be used in patients who have all teeth, or just some teeth missing.
Various types of dentures can be made, including acrylic, flexible or chrome cobalt.
Cost, fabrication time and number of visits needed to make a denture depends on the type of denture being made.
Note: Not all types of dentures work for all patients. It is best to speak to your dental provider about the option that will suit your unique situation the best.
Crown
Crown and bridge work traditionally refers to “porcelain” work done on teeth.
When a tooth’s outer structure is severely damaged a crown can be used to restore it. This entails reducing the remainder of the tooth structure to allow for a “cap” to be made to place over the entire remaining tooth structure.
Bridge
Should one or two teeth be missing, but a person still have fairly health teeth on either side of the gap a bridge can be made to replace the missing teeth. A preparation, like that of a crown, will be done on the teeth either side of the gap. Crowns will then be made to cover these teeth, called anchors. An additional tooth, called a pontic, will be fused to these crowns. This fused unit is called a bridge. The bridge is then cemented on the anchor teeth and the pontic will rest on the gums in between to replace the missing tooth/teeth.
Note: Not all teeth can be replaced with bridges, and it is best to speak to your dental provider about the best option for you.
Injection Moulding
Injection moulding refers to a special restorative technique, whereas a tooth (or various teeth) is built up according to a pre-planned model by using dental stents. It is often used as a more affordable alternative when doing full jaw rehabilitations.
Note: Injection moulding is cases specific, please speak to your dental practitioner about the best option for your unique situation.
Paediatric Dentistry
Paediatric dentistry refers to dental work done on children and primary/” milk” teeth. This can be challenging at times, but our dedicated team loves children and are always willing to help make your little one’s trip to the dentist a memorable one (for all the right reasons)
Implants
When teeth are lost that can be replaced in various ways. One of which is the placement of implants. An implant can be likened to a special “screw” that is placed in the jaw and which essentially replaces the “root” part of a tooth. After healing and stabilisation of the implant a crown is then placed on the implant to replace the missing tooth crown.
Note: Not all teeth can be replaced with implants, and it is best to speak to your dental provider about the best option for you.
Orthodontics / Braces
Orthodontics refers to the moving of teeth to correct position and assist with functions such as eating, speaking and breathing. Traditionally braces, brackets and wires placed on the teeth, are used to achieve this. The key word in orthodontics is “patience” as treatment generally spans over 18-24 months. Both children and adults can have orthodontic treatment, depending on their unique dental scenario.
Myobrace / Interceptive orthodontics
As an alternative to traditional braces, Myobrace® System, treatment can be used to correct tooth positioning by identifying and treating the underlying problems that cause tooth positioning errors. Such as mouth breathing, incorrect swallowing patterns, etc. This treatment is best suited for growing children between the ages of 3-15.
