Our Services include:
Cosmetic dentistry is any procedure that will enhance one's smile, improving appearance and confidence. Today's most sought-after cosmetic dentistry services can meet a variety of needs, and some even have reconstructive benefits. Our Elanora Dentistry cosmetic dentistry services including:
Teeth Whitening
Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Deciduous (baby) teeth are typically
whiter than the adult teeth that appear later. As we age, our adult teeth often become darker, yellower, or stained. Just as there are a number of ways to lighten or brighten teeth, there are also several different ways for teeth to become discolored. The main causes of darkened teeth are genetics, antibiotics, and certain foods, plus teeth tend to darken as we age. Internal tooth discoloration is caused by changes in the enamel of the tooth and the dentin. The main causes of internal tooth discoloration are exposure to high levels of fluoride, tetracycline, use of antibiotics as a child, developmental disorders, tooth decay, restorations, root canal issues, and trauma. External tooth discoloration is caused by factors outside the body, mainly foods and to***co. The main causes of external tooth yellowing are smoking, foods with tannins, coffee, tea, carrots, oranges, and other foods. Types of Teeth Whitening
There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatment and the do-it-yourself approach. In-Office Teeth Whitening
Professional tooth whitening in a dental office is the preferred whitening method because even though stronger agents are applied, the rest of the mouth, including the gums, is protected from these materials. The best whitening systems feature a buffer in the gel that protects the tooth enamel from damage, are extremely effective, and can transform teeth in a single office visit. In-office whitening affects only the front eight teeth and is a great jump start for take-home whitening, which is always part of an effective whitening program. Your dentist is best qualified to handle any issues that may arise from whitening treatments, such as tooth sensitivity. Today most tooth sensitivity cases are easily managed. Tooth whitening can last for one or more years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth, and if you’re following up regularly with a home whitening product for regular maintenance. Take Home Whitening
this involves taking an impression by the dentist to construct a well fitting mould of your teeth ,bleaching products at a safe lower concentration for home use are also provided by our practice . Invisalign For adults who want orthodontic treatment but don’t want the hassle and appearance of metal braces, Invisalign® is the answer. Approximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with the doctor, usually only every six weeks or so. These aligners will progressively realign your teeth into the smile you’ve always wanted. At every stage, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the smile that reflects the real you. The total treatment usually takes less than a year, and patients enjoy the freedom of removable, transparent orthodontic aligners throughout the process. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain laminate veneers consist of a compilation of several thin ceramic layers which replace original tooth enamel, and an adhesive layer. To apply a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed, usually less than a millimeter. This is essential as it creates room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and most accurately restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth. Porcelain veneers are a very successful option in many situations where the original tooth has developed poor color, shape, and contours. It is also a good choice for fractured teeth, gaps between teeth, and in some situations where the tooth position is compromised and there are minor bite-related problems. For some people, superficial stains do not respond well to tooth whitening or bleaching. In these situations, a porcelain veneer may be the best option. Dental Implants:
-Single-tooth and Multiple tooth replacement
There’s no doubt that dental implants are the best solution for replacing a missing tooth or multiple teeth. The benefit of dental implants over other tooth replacement options is that implants connect directly to the jaw bone and feel and function just the same as your real teeth. If a missing tooth is not replaced, more bone loss will probably occur in that area because the root is no longer stabilizing or stimulating the bone. Dental implants consist of a titanium screw which replaces the root and biochemically joins to the bone, preventing further bone loss. Tooth loss also affects the remaining teeth because there is less bone under the gums. This usually causes other teeth to shift and bite alignment problems to begin. This will likely lead to other issues including more tooth loss, chewing and digestive issues, unwanted facial structure changes, and poor nutrition. Dental implants are as easy to maintain as real teeth through brushing, flossing, and regular exams. Implant Supported Dentures—(Missing all teeth on one arch or both)
If you are missing all of your teeth from the upper, lower, or both arches, there are several options. The first is to do nothing, which opens the doors to a plethora of possible side effects, not the least of which is ones’ appearance and serious nutrition and digestive problems. We offer three types of solutions at Elanora Dentistry and each one has options in terms of cost, suitability, comfort, and chew ability. I. Removable implant supported dentures:
Snap on denture: this is a removable denture but it's supported with implants – two to four implants depending on bone quality, cost, and upper or lower .
2. Fixed screw retained dentures:
Hybrid dentures: could be four to eight implants. A denture is screwed into the implants and it's permanent.
3. Fixed crown and bridges with implants. The crown and bridges are made and cemented over implants individually. Periodontal Treatment
Gum disease is among the most common oral health conditions. Recent medical studies have concluded that anywhere between 50-80% of Australian adults has some form of the disease, even if only a very mild form. It's also been found that gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. What's more, the effects of gum disease can reach beyond the realm of oral health to impact overall health as well. Advanced cases of gum disease are now known to raise the risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, pre-term birth, pneumonia, and others. The goal of periodontal treatment is to remove the bacteria and plaque responsible for the disease so that you can enjoy good oral health again. Bacteria is a by-product of the foods we eat-especially foods high in sugar. When this bacteria is cleaned away with regular brushing or with a professional cleaning, it can build up and harden into plaque. Together, bacteria and plaque can irritate the gums, resulting in sensitivity, bleeding, chronic bad breath, and more. Sometimes, in very mild cases, treating gum disease is as simple of as spending more time brushing at home. Rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash can also help. Mouthwashes like these are designed to target the bacteria and plaque responsible for the condition. Treatment for advanced cases requires something more, though. The two most common therapies for advanced periodontal treatment are scaling and root planning. These two techniques are an effective way of removing bacteria and plaque from beneath the gum line. Treating the gum line is an important part of providing periodontal treatment, and for two reasons. First, advanced gum disease causes the gums to pull away from teeth. To prevent further gum recession, the bacteria and plaque beneath the gums needs to be removed. Second, the pockets that develop between the teeth and gums provide a perfect window for bacteria and plaque to enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. Targeting bacteria and plaque below the gum line, then, is one way of supporting the patient's overall health and wellbeing. Crowns and bridges :
CEREC crowns use CAD/CAM technology which is the future of dentistry. This technology is also being used by the dental labs to fabricate crowns. It is very accurate and convenient for the patient. Your tooth is scanned and then read by the computer for fabrication.the scanned image is then sent to our milling machine which produces the restoration . By doing this the patient will receive the final restoration same day , saving the patient time and discomfort associated with making a temporary restoration prior to receiving the final one. Longevity of cerec is proved to be comparable to laboratory fabricated retorations , which means there is no compromise on the pantient's side receiving this kind of rstoration. However a successfull treatment is highly dependable on proper case selection.Options of using the conventional method by taking an impression and sending it for a laboratory fabricated Crown/inlay/onlay ,is still one of our treatment options amongst our team of dentists. What Are Crowns and Bridges? Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist. How Do Crowns Work? A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive. Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
•Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
•Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
•Restore a fractured tooth
•Attach a bridge
•Cover a dental implant
•Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
•Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
How Do Bridges Work? A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. How Are Crowns and Bridges Made? Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth/teeth, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is to be used, your dentist will determine the correct shade for the crown or bridge to match the color of your existing teeth. Using this impression, a dental lab then makes your crown or bridge, in the material your dentist specifies. A temporary crown or bridge will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth. How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last? While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Also see your dentist and hygienist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. To prevent damage to your new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. Orthodontics:
This section explains the various stages of a normal course of orthodontic treatment. The first consultation
During this visit the patient is examined clinically. This enables the orthodontist to give advice on the treatment options available, when treatment should commence, the duration of treatment, and the approximate cost. If the patient decides to proceed with treatment, an appointment is made to collect records. Records
Records include:
◾Plaster models of the teeth.
◾Photographs of the teeth and face.
◾X-rays of the teeth and jaws. Records allow the orthodontist to analyse each case accurately. They are also used to record the existing malocclusion for future reference. Treatment Planning
At this visit the orthodontist discusses the treatment plan(s) which have been formulated using information obtained from the first consultation and records. Then, arrangements are made to commence treatment or, if it is too early, to review the patient periodically until it is an appropriate time to commence treatment. Extractions and other preliminary procedures
Sometimes it is necessary to remove teeth to gain sufficient space to align the remaining teeth. Any decayed teeth should be filled and the teeth sometimes need to be cleaned before orthodontic treatment is started. The patient is referred back to the family dentist to have these preliminary procedures carried out. The cost of these procedures is not included in the orthodontic fee. Braces
Braces are the most efficient and accurate way of moving teeth. Braces (bands, brackets and wires) are usually made of stainless steel although clear brackets are available, usually at extra cost. Fitting the braces usually involves two visits. Braces remain on the teeth for the entire duration of treatment. Patients then attend approximately every 4-8 weeks for adjustments, wire changes, etc. Rubber Bands and Headgear
During treatment, patients may need to wear such items as rubber bands and/or headgear with their braces. These items provide important extra forces for the correction of the bite. How Long? Orthodontic treatment usually takes 18 - 24 months. Some cases may be finished earlier and others may take longer to complete. The total treatment time depends on the severity of the original malocclusion, the type of treatment carried out, and the co-operation of the patient. Dental check-ups
Orthodontic patients should continue to attend their family dentist for regular check-ups during the course of orthodontic treatment. Retention
At the completion of the active part of orthodontic treatment, the braces are removed and retaining appliances (retainers) are fitted to hold the teeth steady in their new position. These appliances may be removable plates or wires fitted behind the teeth. Retainers play an important role in orthodontic treatment for, if they are not worn according to instructions, the teeth may move back towards their original position. The retaining appliances are usually worn:
◾Full-time for up to one year.
◾Just at night for a further year.
◾Phased out altogether over one more years. The corrected teeth are observed periodically for up to five years after the retainers have been phased out. During retention and the subsequent observation period, patients are expected to attend once or twice a year.
