OUR SERVICES

Professional Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene has been linked to several serious illnesses including gum disease leading to jaw bone disease, cardiovascular disease, strokes, some cancers, kidney issues, diabetes, and many other health problems. Regular professional dental cleaning is important not only for keeping your smile clean and bright but for reducing the risk of all these diseases.

Professional dental hygiene involves the removal of calculus (tartar) with specifically designed hygiene instruments that allow access to areas your toothbrush and floss cannot reach.

To ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and thoroughly free of bacteria containing plaque, it is recommended that you schedule regular check-ups with our dentist and dental cleanings with our oral health therapists and dental hygienists.

The frequency of your visits will depend on the condition and health of your teeth and gums. Our clinicians will give you the appropriate recommendations. You may require a hygiene visit every 3, 4 or 6 months and this can also vary with age and various medical conditions.

Why choose Prospective Smiles for your dental hygiene appointment?

• Our hygiene appointments are 60 minutes
• Our OHTs will spend the time to educate you about your oral health and oral hygiene regime
• We have state-of-the art hygiene instruments that are maintained and updated regularly - We polish and floss your teeth
• All regular attenders receive a hygiene pack containing a new manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head following every hygiene visit.

Tooth coloured fillings (Composite Resin fillings)

One of the major advances in general dentistry is the improved quality of composite resin filling material. Most, if not all general fillings done now are tooth coloured with many dental practices being Amalgam (silver/metal filling) free. Composite resin fillings are a suitable treatment option for small to medium sized cavities and cheaper alternative to ceramic/porcelain crowns.

Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures performed. It involves the removal of inflamed or infected nerve tissue from the root canal system under local anaesthesia. The root canal system is then clean and shaped using various custom files. Often after cleaning and shaping, an anti-bacterial dressing is placed directly inside the canal to removal any residual bacteria before the root canal is fill with an inert rubber -based material that prevents bacterial from entering the tooth in the future. It is most important that following root canal treatment, a full coverage filling or crown is placed over the entire tooth to prevent the tooth from fracturing. Root canal treatment can often save the tooth from needing removal.

Crowns/Onlays/Inlays

Crowns are tooth caps made of porcelain/ceramic glass. Onlays/Inlays are partial crowns that replace a large amount of tooth structure. They are stronger than regular dental filling materials and are often the treatment of choice for root canal treated teeth, cracked teeth, worn down teeth and heavily filled teeth.

Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jaw bone to replicate the tooth root. They provide a platform for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. They can make an attractive alternative to dentures and bridges. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing. Unlike bridges, dental implants do not require the cutting and reshaping of neighbouring healthy teeth. They can be cleaned and maintained like normal teeth, with the ability to floss in between adjacent teeth.

At Prospective Smiles, we use the latest technology in implant surgery to make it a virtually pain-free experience.

The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of suitability and a 3-D x-ray of the potential implant site. We then digitally scan your teeth and jaw. This information is sent to a 3-D printer to make a surgical guide that will allow accurate minimally invasive keyhole implant surgery that significantly reduces complexity and anxiety surrounding implant surgery.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth (third molars) usually don’t erupt until people are in their late teens or twenties. Most people have 4 wisdom teeth however it is not uncommon for people to be missing wisdom teeth. In many people, the jaw doesn’t have enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt into a normal position which leads to the tooth becoming wedged in or “impacted”. Some impacted wisdom teeth remain in place and do not cause any problems. However, some impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe problems and must be removed.

A simple examination and panoramic x-ray can usually diagnose most wisdom teeth issues and can be a predictor of potential problems. The panoramic x-ray can also determine the difficulty of removal and whether a referral to a specialist oral maxillofacial surgeon is required.

Dentures

A denture is a removable prothesis that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth, and provides support for the cheeks and lips. They are made of acrylic (plastic), Cobalt Chrome or a combination of both. Dentures are a cheaper and less invasive option for the replacement of missing teeth. If there is insufficient bone for implants, they may be the only option.

Sleep Apnoea

Did you know that many dentists are trained to help treat and manage your snoring and sleep apnoea? Dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). If you have trouble tolerating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or prefer an alternate treatment for sleep apnoea, talk to us today. Oral appliance therapy may be able to help you get a good night’s sleep, and improve your health and quality of life.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

If you routinely grind or clench your teeth, you may have a medical condition called Bruxism. Bruxism is highly treatable through:

• Splints and Mouth Guards - These are designed to keep teeth separated to avoid the damage caused by clenching and grinding. They can be constructed of hard acrylic or soft materials and fit over your upper or lower teeth.
• Dental Correction - In severe cases, when tooth wear has led to sensitivity or the inability to chew properly, your dentist may need to reshape the chewing surfaces of your teeth or use crowns to repair the damage.

Sports Mouthguards

Do you play a contact sport?

Numerous studies have shown that a custom mouthguard significantly reduces the risk of concussion injuries and trauma to the teeth compared to pre-fabricated (boil and bite) mouthguard. Custom fitted mouthguards are not only more protective, they are more comfortable so that you can breathe and speak without it falling out.

At Prospective Smiles, we are trained to make custom mouthguards of various levels of protection. Moreover, with our in-house laboratory, we can usually get it to you within a week of taking the impression. We have numerous colours and designs available and can make any club/team colour.