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News Archives -

Category: News

  • Carrum Downs Dental Clinic is Now a CBHS Choice Network Provider

    Carrum Downs Dental Clinic is Now a CBHS Choice Network Provider

    Carrum Downs Dental Clinic is pleased to announce its participation in the CBHS choice network provider coverage. CBHS has chosen us as a preferred CBHS dentist for members of the cover.

    Residents of Melbourne who are members of CBHS private health insurance can access our dental services at much lower out-of-pocket costs.

    Our esteemed customers who qualify for CBHS dental coverage can get professional dental care without having to worry about high costs as the clinic will liaise with your insurance provider to minimize your dental care bills.

    After all, keeping your out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible doesn’t mean you compromise professional healthcare.

    What does this affect CBHS members?

    Our CBHS choice provider program participation means that its members get 100% coverage with up to two check-ups per year. You can also access teeth scales and cleaning checks ups as well as fluoride stain removal. Members also get 100% coverage on Bitewing x-rays, although some conditions may apply depending on each specific customer’s maximum policy rebate limit.

    CBHS members can now access affordable preventative dental care and check-ups at our Carrum Downs clinic at little to no gap in the dental costs. We will provide you with a treatment plan quote during your appointment booking process that will shed light on your actual CBHS health fund quote and specify how much you may need to pay out of pocket for your dental health needs. Depending on your CBHS membership, you can unlock additional dental services at our clinic, with each tier having its overall annual limits.

    As a CBHS member, you can also access periapical services for any issues regarding your teeth, roots, and surrounding areas. Mouth guards and fissure sealing are also covered by our CBHS choice network provider dental clinic at Carrum Downs. Pay as a visit, and our friendly reception team will walk you through the process of getting your CBHS health fund claim instantly to cover all of your dental needs.

    CBHS not only covers a vast array of dental treatment options but also covers preventative-based dental practice and all of the latest dental technology that’s offered in our clinic. CBHS members can thus access low-cost dental practice to limit invasive treatment in the future by addressing their dental problems as early as possible.

    The low to almost zero dental costs incurred by CBHS members on regular check-ups and cleans serve to minimize unexpected treatments that might be more costly down the line while also saving naturally beautiful smiles.

    Book a dentist appointment

    Carrum Downs’s residents who are CBHS members are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and book a dental appointment with us for the most cost-effective services. All health fund claims are instantly filed through our onsite HICAPS machine eliminating any obstacles to accessing the dental services you need.

    If you’re a CBHS member looking for dental services, call or set up an appointment with our Carrum Downs Dental Clinic today.

  • What to Look for in a Family Dentist?

    What to Look for in a Family Dentist?

    It is no longer a secret that a bright and healthy smile is one of the keys to a better life. After all, a bright, healthy smile offers you more confidence, better self-esteem and much more. Also, your oral health can impact your overall body health as well so it’s very essential to keep your smile and that of your family bright. That’s why finding the right family dentist you can trust is so vital. You need a professional family dentist that will keep your smile and smiles of your family looking its best no matter what. The following factors will be helpful to keep in mind when choosing a family dentist:

    Training

    One of the key qualifications to look out for in a family dentist is the level of education and training. While all dentists are required to go to a dental school to become licensed, there are several programs available for additional training in specific dental practices. Find out whether your family dentist is dedicated to staying up to date on technological advancements in dental care. Also, you may ask whether your dentist is a member of any professional dental organisations.

    Experience

    When looking for a family dentist, remember to ask how long they have been in the industry. You and your family will need a dentist who has many years of experience in the field. Ensure you ask how many years of experience they have in performing various dental procedures. If you need a root canal treatment or your child needs to get a dental filling, chances are you would want to find a dentist with five years’ experience as opposed to a dentist who might have two.

    Offers Emergency Services

    In most cases, getting an emergency dental treatment from your family dentist is a lot more convenient and faster than seeking such services from your local hospital emergency room. Emergency rooms treat patients in order of urgency, and the fact that you are experiencing excruciating tooth pain it isn’t likely to win out over a stroke victim. This will leave you supposedly cooling your heels for hours in the waiting room. However, if your family dentist offers after-hour emergency services or can refer you to another dentist who does, you can be at ease knowing you’ll always be promptly attended to in case of an emergency.

    Atmosphere

    Just like any other business, the atmosphere in a dental clinic is important to consider when choosing a family dentist. Ensure that the dental clinic has a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your children. It is important to take your family with you when visiting various dental clinics and observe how they react to each one. No one gets thrilled about visiting a dentist, but going to a dentist whose office is warm and welcoming can make the experience a positive one.

    Conclusion

    If you take into consideration the simple dental tips above, you will see that finding a family dentist that best suits your needs will be easy. Some of the most important things to keep in mind are that you need to be patient, take time to ask questions and lastly, trust your gut. If at all you are feeling something is off, move on. There’s no reason to settle for someone who is not right for you and your family. If you are looking for a family dentist in near your area, Carrum Downs Dental Group is here for you. We have been serving patients form Carrum Downs and its surrounding areas for many years. Our dentist is well-skilled and has years of experience. Call us today!

  • Single tooth implants can give you back your smile

    Single tooth implants can give you back your smile

    Single tooth implants can give you back your smile

    Your smile is worth a thousand words. This may sound like a cliché,but your facial expression, which is significantly influenced by the state of your teeth speaks a lot about you. Losing a tooth is something that can happen to anyone. It may have already happened to you or someone you know. Whether it’s due to trauma, disease, or extraction, something as small as a missing tooth can have a great impact on the quality of your life.

    Missing teeth- even if it’s just one tooth- can affect everything from your self-confidence to your physical wellbeing. Every day activities such as talking or eating may be a bit challenging with missing teeth. It may also make you to develop a sense of self-consciousness that may drive you to stop speaking or smiling in public. The extra space created by a missing tooth can make your other remaining teeth to shift out of place. Moreover, when your jaw bone is left unstimulated and unsupported by the tooth’s roots, you can suffer from bone loss. Your face may also begin to sag making you look older than you actually are. Luckily, if you are missing a single tooth, single tooth implants can give you back your smile. If you are agonizing over how you can give your facial outlook a more vibrant look, then it’s time to learn more about single-tooth implants.

    Contents

    What is a Dental Implant?

    A dental implant is a titanium post, which resembles the root of a tooth that’s surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line. This post allows the dentist to mount a replacement bridge or crown into the area. A dental implant does not become lose like it’s the case with dentures. The main aim of the placement is to allow the post it to fuse with the jawbone and the surrounding tissue. Over time as the bone grows further, the implant surface will enhance the stability of the implant.

    Single tooth dental implants are used when a patient is missing a single tooth. The procedure can be used to replace any single tooth- molars, canines and incisors. However, a majority of people use the procedure to replace their front teeth because of their aesthetics. For the dentist to consider you for asingle tooth implant, you must have healthy jawbone that can hold the implant. If you have suffered from bone degeneration, you might not have enough tissue to support the implant. The doctor will first need to do a bone grafting procedure before he can proceed with placing the implants. In addition to healthy bone, you also must have healthy gum tissue. Untreated gum disease can result in tissue degeneration and can compromise the procedure.

    Who Is Suitable for a Single Tooth Dental Implant?

    Single tooth dental implant is suitable for most adults who have good dental and general health. Implants can only be used when the jaw bone has stopped growing so typically they cannot be used on young children. Unhealthy behaviour such as smoking and chewing tobacco can increase the risk of procedure complication. Some dentist will decline patients who are unable to reduce smoking or give it up altogether. However, each person has a different case. Make sure that you speak to your dentist if you have any health condition before commencing the surgery. In some instances, some health problems prevent the use of dental implants.

    For you to know if you are suitable for the process, your dentist will conduct aninitial assessment before providing the treatment. He or she will examine the state of the remaining natural teeth and examine if there is any underlying dental condition. You will also be needed to provide your medical history. The dentist will take an X-ray so that he can examining some several factors before approving the treatment for you.

    Advantages of a Single Tooth Implant

    One of the top priorities of your dental team is to help you retain your natural teeth for your entire lifetime. However, there are situations when this becomes impossible. Teeth may have sustained some serious injury, lost thesupport of healthy gums, or may have fallen out. Irrespective of the reason, you should replace teeth that cannot be saved.

    Traditionally, tooth replacement was only achieved through a fixed bridge. A dental bridge is an appliance that a dentist designs and fabricates in a dental lab. A dental bridge has an artificial tooth also known as pontic and two crowns. The artificial tooth is then fixed in the space having its support from the adjacent teeth. Before thedevelopment of dental implants, this was the best method used by dentists to replace a missing tooth. Here are some advantages of using a single tooth implant over a dental bridge:

    Preserves Healthy Teeth

    One of the most obvious disadvantages of using dental bridges is that two healthy teeth must be compromised to support the bridges. For a crown to be placed, the two adjacent teeth must be shaped by grounding them down. Physically tampering healthy teeth so that they can bear excess force for the crown is not desirable. On the other hand, dental implants are designed to support crowns. This is because implants replicate a natural tooth structure including the missing root. It does not have to rely on any of the surrounding teeth for support.

    Preserves the Bone

    It may look like a dental implant inserted into the jawbone, would negatively impact an individual oral structure by directly biting and chewing on the bone. On the contrary, this is exactly what the jawbone requires so that it can remain healthy. The implant integrates with the jawbone just like a natural tooth does, thus keeping the bone healthy. Without the force that comes from biting and chewing, there will be no stimulation,and the jawbone will gradually break down.

    Dental Implants are Strong and Long-Lasting

    When it comes to a dental bridge, as time goes by, the gums start to recede around a bridge. This in return exposes the collar or base of the bridge. Dental bridges can only last for a maximum period of 10 years. This means that you will have to replace them after every ten years. Conversely, implants can last a lifetime. The only thing they might require is some adjustments whenever you feel they are becoming loose.

    Gives you a Beautiful Smile

    If you choose to invest in a single tooth implant, you are investing in a tooth replacement method designed to look just like your natural teeth. It’s one of the best tooth replacement options when it comes to aesthetics. This is because the final product will look as good if not better than your natural tooth. The single tooth dental implant is a huge advantage for people who choose to use this method since they can retain and maintain their previous smile before they lost their tooth.

    Necessity of a Tooth Replacement

    If you don’t replace a missing tooth, it can lead to further problems to the remaining natural teeth. They can become crooked or unevenly spaced. In addition to this, it can result to bite and chewing problems. A single tooth replacement option can help you restore your mouth to its original state.

    Looks and Feels Natural

    When it comes to feeling and appearance, the only difference between natural teeth and dental implants is that implants are not real teeth. They are made in a way that they look, feel and fit exactly like your other natural teeth. It gets the natural feel since it has been fused to your jawbone.

    Makes Eating Easier

    You may have a hard time eating some of your favourite meals with other tooth replacement options. Implants allow you to have a natural and satisfying chewing experience. You don’t have to employ any special care while eating. Tooth replacement options like traditional dentures can slide while you are eating, making it difficult to chew appropriately. Implants allow you a better bite force.

    Single Tooth Dental Implant Procedure

    A majority of people are surprised at how relatively easy dental implant procedure is. This is because most people allow their imaginations take the better part of them before undergoing the actual process. The truth of the matter is most patients experience little to no pain and very minimum discomforts later. Most dental implants systems are made of titanium or titanium alloys. This is because titanium is compatible with the human body and it will fuse directly with the jaw bone through a process known as Osseo-integration. If you get to understand the whole tooth implantation process, you will see how simple it is. Here is the single tooth dental implant process.

    Before the Surgery

    The whole process is a relatively minor procedure. This is especially if the dentist takes proper planning and measures before the surgery. During this stage, your dentist will need to take some X-rays to evaluate the current condition of the bone and gums. It also helps the dentist to determine exactly where to place the implant. Other factors that an X-ray helps the dentist to determine to include the occlusion (bite) and the bone quantity and quality. If you have anxiety about the surgery, let your dentist know ahead of time. While all the dental implants surgery are done under the local anaesthesia, your dentist can employ additional measures to help you reduce anxiety. The dentist can use sedative or pre-anxiety medications. However, before your dentist or prosthodontist begins the procedure, he or she will test the area and make sure that it’s numb and you are not feeling any pain.

    During this phase, you will also have an opportunity to ask the dentist all the questions that you might be having the surgery. Your dentist will also discuss with you about other tooth replacement options that at your disposal so that you can be sure you are making the right decision. He or she will also assess the current condition of your oral health and your medical history. After the examination, he or she will be in a position to know if you will require any additional dental surgery so that you can achieve the desired aesthetic and functional results. If you had lost asubstantial amount of bone structure, your dentist might suggest that you undergo grafting procedures. This appointment may take thirty minutes to one hour depending on your case.

    During Surgery

    During the surgery, one of the most important aspects is site preparation. The dentist will prepare a small hole in the bone. This hole is known as to as an osteotomy. Small incisions into the gum tissue are used so that the bone can be accessed thus creating small ‘flaps’ as they are often called to allow the dentist to visualise the shape and location of the bone.

    The dentist will place a guide or surgical template in the mouth where the dental implant will be placed to ensure that it will be placed accurately. A drilling sequence is used to increase the hole that was made initially until the dentist achieves the correct implant size and shape. Sometimes the dentist can place the implants without the incisions or the flaps. However, he or she can only do this if he or she is guaranteed that the osteotomies can be made exactly in the right place. This requires quality bone and very accurate surgical guides.

    The dentist will be very careful during the drilling procedure. This is because drilling is very critical in determining the success rate of the implant fusing with the bone. A drilling sequence will progressively be used to ensure that it achieves the right shape for the implant. The dentist will also continually cool the place so that it does not get damaged by over-heating, which can result in bone loss. Mild vibration may also be associated with the drilling process through the dentist knows how he can effectively control it.

    The next step now involves placing the implants into the site so that the healing process can commence. The implants are sterile,and it’s of utmost importance that the surfaces remain untouched. They should move from the sterile package directly to the osteotomy site. After the placement, the dentist will take some radiographs to ensure that they have been placed properly. The entire procedure will end with the placement of the flap tissues. This process involves some stitching. In most cases, the dentist will use stitches that will be absorbed by the body,so they don’t require to be removed. However, the dentist will let you know if the stitches will have to be removed at a later date.

    After The Surgery

    With gentle tissue management and because of the nature of the surgery, discomfort is very minimal,and the surgery has a high success rate. However, every individual’s situation is different. Your dentist will let you know what to expect in your specific situation. He or she will also prescribe for you some painkillers to reduce pain. Anti-biotics may also be prescribed to ensure speedy healing. The surgical phase of tooth dental implant is relatively easy than most people imagine. In fact, the entire process is relatively uneventful.

    After the process, you will leave the dentist office with theprovisional dental implant supported bridge. This bridge is temporary,and it’s designed to last only up to six months. This period will allow your jawbone to Osseo-integrate with the implant and also give your dentist time to create a permanent fixed crown or bridge that will fit perfectly. In the meantime, your replacement tooth will look just like normal teeth meaning that you will restore your aesthetics immediately after the procedure.

    Aftercare Tips

    Manage Bleeding

    After the entire procedure, it is crucial that you bite down on the gauze packs provided by the dentist. This will help you in managing your bleeding. You can remove the packs one hour after the procedure. However, if the bleeding persists, place another gauze for an extra 30 minutes.

    Refrain from Smoking

    Avoid smoking on the specific day of the surgery and if it is possible torefrain from it during the entire healing process. Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush not to interfere with any instrument.

    Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

    It’s vital that you keep your mouth clean after the procedure by carrying out proper dental hygiene measures. Patients are permitted to rinse their mouth with salt water 24 hours after the surgery. They should do this two to three times a day until they heal.

    Take Care Of the Food You Eat

    Stick to soft foods and drinks within the first and second day after the surgery. Avoid chewing food until the sensation has returned.

    What Can Lead to Bone Loss?

    Once you lose a tooth, a considerable amount of bone that surrounded the tooth may disappear. The main reason for thebone loss is due to lack of pressure necessary to stimulate bone growth. This process may be fast during the first few months after losing a tooth. Before dental implants were developed, dentures were among the best solutions after one has lost a tooth or teeth. Most people reported after some time that their dentures did not fit as well as they used to when they were fixed. The most common reason was due to bone loss that occurred over time. Dentures may fail to provide the necessary pressure required for bone development. When you consider dental implants as a replacement method, your dentist must take into consideration the quality of your bone. If you have considerably lost the bone structure, he or she might suggest that you have a bone grafting.

    Where Can You Get Extra Bone From?

    Your dentist can graft bone from some places,but the most common places are at the back of your teeth, from the chin, or in the lower jaw. Sometimes it can be taken from the shinbone or the hip. When you use your bone to graft another site, you will have to go through the discomfort caused by the donor site as well as the surgical site. Most people say that this is well worth additional discomforts since your bone is better than bone from any other source.

    Alternatively, for those who would not like to undergo any additional discomfort, the dentist may get the bone from bovine, porcine, or synthetic materials. Bovine is bone extracted from a cow while porcine is bone extracted from a pig. Synthetic are materials that have been specially prepared to make them suitable for use in the body of a human being. Different oral surgeons will have their way of creating additional bone structure. It’s advisable that you visit a dentist for tooth replacement immediately you lose a tooth to prevent bone loss from occurring.

    How Long Will the Implant Last?

    Once the dentist has completed the implant procedure,and the titanium root has fused with the jawbone, then it will be your dental hygiene that will determine how long the implant will last. When you poorly take care of it, plaque and calculus, which is very similar to that found in neglected natural teeth will develop. If these deposits remain untreated, they can develop to gum infection, soreness, bleeding and general discomfort. However, if you provide proper dental care to your implants, they can last a lifetime. Provide good dental hygiene to them just as you do to your natural teeth.

    Potential Complication

    • Your body rejection of the implant material
    • Infection of the gum and bone around the implant
    • Your implant may fail to adhere to the bone
    • Bone loss around the implant

    What is the Success Rate of a Single Tooth Implant?

    The success rate mostly varies depending on a patient’s dental and general health. It may also vary depending on the expertise of the prosthodontist who carried out the procedure. However, in general, dental implants have a success rate of 95%. According to a 2014 study, the success rate of dental implant is high when a dental specialist does the procedure.

    Bottom Line

    The single dental implant is one of the best methods of replacing a single missing tooth. It makes use of the latest technology to make sure that your replacement looks and feel just like your natural teeth. Unlike other tooth replacement options like bridges, implants do not require the support of other adjacent teeth. This means that it does not add any pressure to other natural teeth. By choosing to have a single tooth implant fitted after you lose a tooth, you will be sure that you will get your natural smile back with no much hustle.

  • Do Floss and Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

    Do Floss and Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

    Good oral hygiene right from an early age is important if you want to maintain a pearly smile and healthy teeth throughout your life. However, if you neglect your oral hygiene, toothache, pain or discomfort and costly dental treatments may be inevitable. Most dental problems start with plaque, which is a sticky layer of germs that grow on teeth daily. If plaque is not removed, it can result in tooth decay or worse, gum disease.

    Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria present in plaque turn the sugars found in what we eat and drink into acid. This acid attacks the teeth and forms a hole in the tooth known as tooth decay. Tooth decay affects people of all ages ranging from children to adults. Gum disease occurs when the plaque infects the gums to become puffy, red and bleed easily. If left the infection is left untreated, it can easily spread to the jawbone making teeth to loosen up with time.If plaque is left to stay on the teeth for a long time, it hardens and become calculus or tartar. Regular brushing and flossing cannot remove this; it must be scraped off by a dental professional.

    One common question that most people ask themselves is, do floss and fluoride prevent tooth decay and gum disease? Well, today we are going to look much deeper of how effective floss and fluoride are to preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

    Dental Flossing

    For most people, the importance of daily brushing and flossing was instilled in them right from childhood. Flossing is one of the most widely accepted dental health recommendations. It helps in removing plaque build-up, which can easily lead to tartar. Simple flossing can help remove plaque build-up in areas where your toothbrush could not access. In addition, daily flossing allows you to examine your mouth for any abnormalities regularly. You can take a good look at your tongue, teeth, and gums while flossing.

    Flossing is effective when it comes to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It helps stop bacteria build-up in the mouth. It removes food particles and plaque, keeping your teeth and gums healthy while giving you a healthy and beautiful smile. However, flossing alone cannot be able to prevent tooth decay and gum disease entirely. You need to practice proper dental hygiene and schedule regular dental check-ups.

    Fluoride

    Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water and most foods. Every single day, minerals are either added or lost to our tooth enamel through two processes known as remineralisation and demineralisation respectively. Demineralization which is the process where minerals are lost from the tooth enamel occurs when acids formed from plaque corrodes the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride are added to the enamel mostly by the water we consume.

    Fluoride helps in preventing tooth decay since it makes the teeth more resistant to attacks from acid. It forms an important component in teeth development, making it quite hard for acids to demineralise the teeth. It also prevents gum disease. It does this by preventing the action of bacteria on the gums.

    Conclusion

    If you are having problems using dental floss due to bad gag reflex or sensitive teeth, visit us at Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, and we will be able to recommend alternatives for you. Also, if your teeth are vulnerable to getting cavities, we can help apply fluoride directly to your teeth with a foam, rinse or gel. Don’t let tooth decay and gum disease get in the way of your brilliant smile, visit us at Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we will always have a solution for you.

  • New Year’s Dental Resolutions 2018

    New Year’s Dental Resolutions 2018

    New Year’s Dental Resolutions – 2018

    2018 is finally here. Most of us have already made some New Year resolution. According to research, the most popular resolutions people make during a new year is how to get in shape, get healthy and save some money. However, there is no better resolution than to improve your smile. A healthy and beautiful smile tends to look and feel great. With New Year in mind, here are top 6 New Year’s resolutions you will want to make to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile all year long.

    1. Brush Twice a Day For At Least Two Minutes

    Perhaps this is one of the easiest New Year resolutions for great oral health. Growing up my parents always told me that if I’m going to do something, I better do it right! This includes brushing your teeth. Resolve to brush your teeth two times a day for at least two minutes. While most people brush their teeth twice a day, not all of them remember to do it for the recommended two minutes. Brushing twice on an everyday basis for at least 2 minutes will help to prevent the need for some extensive and costly dental procedures. Also, brush using a soft-bristled toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees towards your gum line. Don’t also forget to change your toothbrush after every three months or once the bristled become frayed.

    2. Commit to Flossing

    We are aware that this is one of the most challenging aspects of oral care especially when it comes to doing it consistently. After a quite a long day of the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to think that you can just skip it. However, flossing is one of the most crucial dental hygiene aspects for keeping your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible. This is because there are places in the mouth where brushing alone cannot access. It helps in removing plaque between your teeth. Floss at least once a day. So, if you are serious about maintaining proper oral health, don’t forget this important aspect in 2018!

    3. Stop Smoking

    There is no other better time to quit smoking than this year. If you smoke, make it one of your 2018 resolution to quit. Smoking significantly raises your chances of getting gum disease. In fact, numerous studies have it that smokers are two times more likely to get gum disease than non-smokers. It also causes dry mouth and chronic bad breath. There quite a number of excellent resources online such as apps that track your progress, cessation groups and more. Save your overall and dental health in 2018 and quit smoking!

    4. Watch Your Diet

    Make healthy and smart diet choices this year. Eat nutritious vegetables and fruits such as carrots and strawberries, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Stay away from sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods such as candy and chips. They can lead to some serious dental issues if not removed from between your teeth and from the surface of your teeth.

    5. Get Your Fluoride

    Fluoride is one of the key components when it comes to maintaining good dental health. It helps to make teeth more resistant to sugars and bacteria in the mouth thus preventing tooth decay. Fluoride is naturally present in drinking water and some foods. However, if you think you are not getting enough fluoride, see your dentist for fluoride treatment.

    6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

    Seeing your dentist for check-ups can help avert some major dental problem. Your dentist will detect any underlying problems at an early stage. This will help avoid any costly and complicated dental procedures such as root canal.

    Bottom Line: Carrum Downs Dental Clinic is here for you

    At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, your oral health and that of your family is our ultimate goal. We use the modern technology in dentistry and employ latest dental techniques to make sure that we offer you dental health services at the highest level. Carrum Downs Dental Clinic is the perfect place for your dental care this year.

  • Service provided by our dentists

    Service provided by our dentists

    A Comprehensive Guide of All Our Services At Carrum Downs Dental Group

    At Carrum Downs dental clinic, we are a team of professionals who with the help of our highly trained staffs, can meet all your dental care needs. Our philosophy is our dedication to offering patients a friendly and assertive treatment with a special focus on the patients comfort while at the same time maintaining highest standards in techniques, patient satisfaction, and cleanliness. Our clinic is equipped with Industry standard equipments, and our pride lies in ethical and modern to the treatment we provide. Our staffs are always willing to go an extra mile to achieve our goal of providing high standard services to all our patients. To improve our patient’s comfort and reduce any pain that may be associated with a dental procedure, we use the latest technology. At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we offer a broad range of services as discussed below.

    Contents

    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Wisdom Teeth Removal
    • Dentures
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Crowns and Bridges
    • Teeth Cleaning
    • Tooth Filings
    • Root Canal
    • Teeth Aligners
    • Dental Veneers
    • Child Benefit
    Dental Emergency

    A dental emergency is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe an issue that involves the teeth or the supporting tissue and requires immediate attention by a relevant professional. Dental emergencies do not always involve pain. However, this is a common signal to most people that something requires immediate attention. Pain can originate from the tooth itself, the surrounding tissues or can originate from somewhere else but indirectly affects the tooth. If a dental emergency occurs, you will want to know what is expected of you, what to do and most importantly who to turn to for help. In most cases, you can be able to save your tooth if you get immediate medical attention. You might require emergency service if you:

    – You have a prolonged, painful toothache that hinders you from eating or sleeping

    – Lose a crown, filling or bridge

    – Have a broken molar tooth that results to a swollen jaw.

    – Chipped, damaged or lost a tooth or teeth

    – Sustained injury to a tooth, teeth or surrounding tissue

    – Lost or Broken dentures

    – Impacted or Wisdom tooth

    In most cases, a dental emergency needs immediate dental attention from a qualified profession failure to which it might result in more serious consequences like extensive loss of teeth, infections, difficulties in speaking or further damage to your health. If you experience any complications listed above, make sure that you seek medical attention immediately. A quick visit to a dental clinic will protect your health, relieve your pain and fix your smile. It is unfortunate that after most people experience a medical emergency, they delay seeking treatment since they are afraid, embarrassed or don’t want to be lectured about not seeking medical attention sooner. It is paramount to find a dental clinic whose staff are non-judgmental so that you can feel comfortable reaching them out especially when you need them the most. It is also important to visit a dental clinic that will see to it that you are treated promptly. At Carrum Downs Dental Group, we are available 24/7 to attend to all your medical needs. Our staff are very friendly and always waiting to listen to your problems and act accordingly.

    Dental Implants

    Losing a tooth can significantly affect the quality of your life, creating some difficulties in some of your days to day activities like speaking and eating. Although some dental restorative procedures have helped in considerably reducing the number of teeth extracted each year, a majority of people still have at least one naturally missing tooth in their mouth. According to research, about 70% of people aged between 35 to 44 years globally, have lost at least one of their natural teeth. If you among this group and you are looking for a lifelong solution, then dental implants should be your first choice.

    What exactly is a dental implant? A dental implant is a fixture that is embedded within the jaw bone, and it is used to replace natural teeth by supporting a prosthesis such as fixed or removable denture or a dental crown. After dental implants have been placed, there is the process of bone formation around the implants, thus resulting to the stable and firm anchorage of the artificial tooth. The success and durability of implants in a great way depends on the ability of the implant to form direct contact with the surrounding bone. Dental implants are getting more popular in recent days as a durable alternative to missing teeth. Some of the reasons you might prefer them over other tooth replacement options include:

    – Durability- Unlike other replacement options, dental implants are designed in a way that they will last forever. If you practice good dental hygiene and you follow your dentist instructions, you can expect them to serve you forever.

    – Enjoy a beautiful smile- Missing teeth can ruin your facial aesthetic and your smile. Aesthetically pleasing dental prosthesis can be placed over the implants hence enhancing the quality of your smile.

    – Eat Any Food You Like- People who wear alternative tooth replacement methods like dentures cannot be able to eat stick and hard food. This means if any of their favourite food is either sticky or hard they will have to miss out. After having dental implants, you can enjoy eating any foods without having any fear of dislodging or breaking.

    – Comfort- Dental implants just like the natural teeth are embedded within the jaw bone. This means that you will get the same level of comfort, convenience and the natural feeling when you replace a missing tooth with dental implants.

    If you have a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants are the next best thing you can have to your natural teeth. So say goodbye to other alternatives today and start enjoying comfort and convenience with dental implants. Dentists at Carrum Downs are specialized on dental implants placement, visit us and let’s discuss the procedure.

    Wisdom Teeth Removal

    Wisdom teeth are the four molars located at the very end of the gums. Most of the other teeth start growing as early as when a child is just a year old. However, wisdom teeth will not show up until a child reaches adolescent or later in adult years (mostly between ages 12 to 25). It may come a time when your dentist may suggest removal of your wisdom teeth if they are causing some problems. This is a common procedure in Australia done to over 75,000 people every year. Some of the reasons that may call for your wisdom teeth removal include:

    – The teeth do not fit in your mouth- some people have only enough room for 28 teeth (this is the number of teeth a person has before the growth of wisdom teeth). So after the wisdom teeth grow to reach the normal 32 teeth, they all try to fit into one small space. When you don’t have a big enough jaw, your wisdom teeth could become impacted meaning that they are not in a position to completely erupt or when they erupted they do it misaligned.

    – You are experiencing some chronic pain in the gum close to the wisdom teeth- Such pains could be an indication of an infection of a wisdom tooth which partially erupted. When food and bacteria get trapped inside the area, it could bring about a painful infection that is known as pericoronitis.

    – The Teeth Fails to emerge straight- If the wisdom teeth emerge full, but then they emerge in a sideways manner, they could cause other neighbouring teeth to shift over time. At a situation like this, a dentist may suggest removal of either one of all of them.

    For some reason, removal of wisdom teeth is a terrifying experience for a lot of people. There has always been this misconception that wisdom teeth removal is a dreaded experience to go through. However, always this is not the case, on a great part it depends on the specialist working on you and the type of equipment your specialist is using. Carrum Downs’s specialists are experts when it comes to wisdom teeth removal. We can remove wisdom teeth with little to no pain. Once you visit our clinic, our dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and make a decision whether the tooth should be removed because it’s not all instances that wisdom teeth should result to being extracted.

    Dentures

    Dentures are a replacement for a missing tooth or teeth and can be taken out of your mouth and put back. Traditionally, dentures required a patient to get used to them and may never feel like natural teeth. However, due to advancement in technology dentures, today feel more comfortable and are natural looking than ever. There are two types of dentures, and that is full dentures and partial dentures. Your dentist will help you choose which one is best for you based on whether it’s some or all of your teeth that are going to be replaced and the cost involved. Carrum Downs Dental Group offers a broad range of dentures to ensure that each individual specific denture needs are satisfied. Our specialists will work with you to make sure you get what best suits you. Dentures have the ability to restore your day today way of life by allowing you to do activities such as speaking, eating as well as restore your confidence by giving you a beautiful smile.

    Dentures have a number of advantages such as protecting the remaining teeth if there is any left from excess wear, gives you a fuller look and once you have them place you can be able to remove then for cleaning and brushing. Dentures also reduce speech problems that are caused by missing teeth and gaps.

    Dentures placement only involves some few procedures that our dentists will walk you through once you visit our clinic. Once the dentist completes the procedure, you will need to always provide proper care to them so that they can have a long life. Here are some tips on how to provide care to your dentures.

    – Handle with a towel or insert them in a basin of water while cleaning. Dentures are made of a delicate material and can easily break if you drop them

    – Make sure that your dentures don’t dry out. Place them in plain water or dentures soaking solution any time you are not using them. Never use hot water, it can cause them to wrap.

    – Brush them daily to remove food particles and plaque so as to prevent them from becoming stained.

    – Just in case your dentures chip, crack, break or become loose, make sure that you visit our clinic at Carrum Downs for denture repair.

    Teeth Whitening

    Teeth whitening is the process involved in bleaching your teeth to remove discolouration and stains. Teeth whitening among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures for the simple reason that it can improve how your teeth look. If you would love to maintain a brighter colour of your teeth, whitening is not a onetime procedure. You will be required to make some few trips to your dentist. At Carrum Downs Dental Group we use the latest teeth whitening technology to ensure that you do away with teeth discolouration, leaving you with a brighter, whiter and fresher smile.

    At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we use new teeth whitening technology known as Pola whitening. The Pola is an advanced tooth whitening system that gives a patient a faster brighter and whiter smile. The Pola technology gives you five different option to choose from; Pola night, Pola day, Pola Paint, Pola Zing and Pola office. Pola Office is one of the fastest ways to get a glamour smile in the world. You will be able to see the results within the first 30 minutes. This can be delivered by a quick visit to a dental professional at lunchtime, on your way to work or just about any time. Pola Office is best especially for those people with heavy discolouration and would want to have brighter teeth within a short period of time without having to carry a kit at home necessarily. However, if you prefer a kit to use at home, Polar day or Pola night can be a good solution for you. Our dental professional will give you full instructions on how to apply the Pola when you take the kit at home.

    Teeth whitening is a safe procedure, and it is recommended to people who would love to brighten their smile. This is only if it is carried out by registered, qualified and experienced dental professional. All you will have to do is schedule a meeting with us; our dentist will assess you and recommend the best teeth whitening procedure for you.

    Crowns and Bridges

    A dental crown is a tooth shaped cover that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its natural appearance and also prevent further damage. Dental crowns are used in case of a broken or a severely chipped tooth to cover the exposed tooth area following a root canal procedure, for cosmetic reasons or to replace a large old filling. They are made from a broad variety of materials that includes ceramic, plastic or metal alloys. Dental crowns are meant to restore the shape, strength, size and appearance of a tooth.

    On the other hand, the dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth that is connected to a set of crowns that have been used to fill a gap created by one or more missing teeth. Your dental professional will create a custom bridge for you that will function and look just like your natural teeth. Dental bridges restore the aesthetics of your smile and help maintain the shape of your cheek or face. It also restores the functionality of your mouth. The success of your dental crown or bridge to a great extent depends on your dentist. Visit us at Carrum Downs Dental Group and get yourself perfect natural looking smile with a dental crown or bridge.

    Teeth Cleaning

    No matter how diligent you are at observing your dental hygiene, there are some harmful bacteria that grow in your mouth that only a dentist can remove. These bacteria if not catered for can cause gum diseases and significantly affect your health in general. Poor dental hygiene is associated with some health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other infections. It is paramount that you visit your dentist for an overall check-up at least twice a year to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Professional cleaning involves removal of calculus, plaque, stains and other food particles below and above the gum line.

    Professional cleaning will also allow your dentist to do a thorough check up on you and may prevent the occurrence of some health complications like oral cancer. If you have not yet seen a dentist this year for teeth cleaning, feel free to visit us at Carrum Downs Dental Group.

    Tooth Filings

    A tooth filling is a simple way of restoring a tooth that has been damaged by decay back to its function and shape. While receiving tooth filling services, first the dentist will remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area and then use a filling material to fill the cleaned out cavity. A filling closes up spaces that bacteria can get entry, thus preventing any further decay. A dental professional can use various materials for filling that include silver, mercury, zinc, tin, porcelain and copper. No one filling is best for everyone. Choosing the right filling maybe determined by factors such as the extent of repair, whether you have any allergies towards certain materials, the cost of the material and where in your mouth the filling is needed.

    If an extensive part of your tooth has being damaged by decay or fracture, the dentist may suggest a dental crown or bridge for you. Extensive decay that has reached the nerve may be rectified through a root canal. For people whose teeth have been damaged by tooth decay and require a filling, visit us at Carrum Downs Dental Group. Your teeth will be fully restored to a natural feel and look, and more importantly, it will be stronger and protect your teeth from any further damage.

    Root Canal

    A tooth is made up of two parts. The top part that is visible to the mouth is known as the crown. The root extends to the jaw bone that anchors the tooth to the position. The root canal contains the dental pulp that extends from the crown to the end of the root. The root canal procedure is undertaken when the when the pulp which is comprised of blood vessels and the nerves in the tooth becomes damaged and infected. The dentist removes the pulp during a root canal therapy, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Most people fear to undertake the therapy because they assume it is a painful process. The truth is, the discomfort one experiences in the period of leading up to seeking dental help is the one that is truly painful, not the root canal process itself.

    In Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we perform root canal treatment not only to save the tooth but remove the infection that can result in further damage of the teeth. In the part of the process, the dentist will remove the infected tooth pulp that is causing the pain and will seal it with material that prevents any further infection.

    Teeth Aligners

    Teeth aligners are used as an alternative to traditional braces to strengthen your teeth. At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we provide quality and affordable aligners that can perfect your smile in just a matter of few weeks known as clearbite aligners. Clearbite aligners will help straighten your teeth within a short period of time without having to use wires and brackets. The good thing about this braces is that no one will even know that you are wearing them until you tell them. Using them is simple and painless too; they are best suited for adults who don’t want to use traditional braces that are not visual appealing.

    Clearbite teeth aligners come with a number of benefits that include:

    – They are easy to clean

    – You can easily remove them while eating

    – They have less impact on your everyday life

    – They are easily removable so that you can floss and brush your teeth

    Dental Veneers

    Do you ever try and look in the mirror and wish that you had whiter, straighter and more aligned teeth? At Carrum Downs Dental Group we offer porcelain veneer smile makeover that can address all these issues. Dental veneers also referred to as dental porcelain laminates or porcelain veneers are a custom made shell of tooth coloured materials that are designed to cover the front part of your teeth to improve your appearance. Dental veneers are bonded to the front part of the teeth changing their size, shape, colour or length. When correctly bonded by a dental professional, veneers are virtually undetectable. With proper care, they can help you brighten your smile for up to ten years. At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we make sure that veneers are crafted from the best quality porcelains and are bonded with proven and most advanced materials available.

    Child Benefit

    The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) through the Australian government provides every child between ages 2 to 17 dental services for up to $1,000 over a two calendar year period. Carrum Down Dental Group we accept all children that are eligible. Visit us today at our clinic or give us a call if at all you are not sure if your child is eligible and we will confirm it for you. We provide top-notch service when it comes to children. Our Staffs are trained to handle children and will use whatever is within their limit to distract them during dental procedures. Also, we have a play area where children can play and enjoy themselves before receiving treatment. To be eligible, a child must meet some few requirements that include:

    – Have a MasterCard

    – Must be between 2 to 17 years

    – The family of the child receives Tax Benefit Part A or one of the following Australian Government Payments;

    1. ABSTUDY

    2. Youth allowance

    3. Special benefit

    4. Career payment

    5. Disability support pension

    6. Double orphan pension

    7. Military Rehabilitation and -Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme, if the child id 16 years old or over

    8. Veteran’s children Education Scheme, if the child is 16 years old or over.

    If you are eligible, visit us and let us know that you are eligible. We can check it up for you if you are not sure about it. Make sure that you bring your Medicare card during the appointment. After you have received dental services, we will bulk it on your treatment cost meaning that you will not have to make the payment using your own cash.

  • Carrum Downs Dental Group is Now a Partner of Smile.com.au

    Carrum Downs Dental Group is Now a Partner of Smile.com.au

    smile.com.au Dental Clinic logo

    Dental Clinic LogoAt Carrum Down dental clinic, we are always looking for ways we can offer stellar services to our customers and at the same time provide quality services to them. That’s why we chose to partner with smile.com.au so as to provide quality dental services to our customers at very affordable prices. Who is smile.com.au? Well, smile.com.au has a network of over a thousand dentists all over Australia. They were founded for the sole purpose of providing timely, quality and affordable dental services to the people of Australia.

    Smile.com.au has always strived to bring dental services much closer to the people so that everyone in Australia can have a chance to visit a dentist on a regular basis. They have partnered with the best dentists in different parts of Australia, Carrum Downs Dental Group being one of them. If maintaining a brighter smile has always been one of your dreams then we highly encourage you to join smile and begin enjoying a myriad of their incentives.

    Carrum Downs Dental Group has partnered with smile.com.au to give you high quality treatment at affordable prices set by Smile. This means that, as a patient, you will be having lower out of pocket and you can combine smile with your normal private insurance to get even lower out of pocket.Just present your smile.com.au card to us and make the most out of this great partnership.

    Smile has close to 700,000 members across Australia and continues to grow day after day. Join smile today, encourage your friends and family to join and begin benefiting immediately.

    Visit Carrum Downs Dental Group in Carrum Downs, which is near to Skye, Sandhurst and Paterson Lakes, present the smile.com.au card and enjoy the benefits. Make your dental health a priority and join smile.com.au and start receiving affordable dental treatment. Quality dental treatments, now at great prices.

  • CDBS expected to close by the end of the year

    CDBS expected to close by the end of the year

    Amendments to the Dental Benefits Act 2008, which will close the CDBS and enact its replacement the Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme (caPDS), are before the House of Representatives, with a vote expected in the next sitting week commencing Monday 5 September.

    While it is expected these amendments will pass through the Lower House, the make-up of the new Senate means that its passage through that House cannot be predicted with absolute certainty.

    However, given the Government’s determination to close the Scheme, which it first flagged in March this year, the ADA is urging practices to contact their patients and strongly encourage them to book any CDBS-eligible children in for treatment prior to the advised closure date.

    An assurance has been given that benefits will be paid for any eligible services provided on or before 31 December 2016.

    While the government is promoting the caPDS as an equitable replacement for the CDBS which will provide services to children and concession cardholder adults, the ADA continues to maintain that insufficient funding assistance is being provided to the states and territories who will administer the new scheme

    The ADA is continuing to work closely with the Opposition and crossbenchers to address issues regarding the reduced accessibility of rural Australians to dental services under the new scheme and the need for a voucher scheme if patients cannot be seen within three months.

    The amended Act makes it clear that funding for both CDBS and caPDS will be capped at $175 million for the 2016-17 financial year, which means that if there is significant utilisation of the CDBS in its final four months, there will be little left for the public system.

    The new funding model will place an unfair burden on the public healthcare system, profoundly disadvantaging the oral health of the most at-risk Australians.

    Call Carrum Downs Dental group on 03-9782 1200 for your Kids appointment if you are eligible for CDBS. If you are not sure about your eligibility please call us and we can check your eligibility.