25 Jul 2018
We at SFDC have made it our policy to try our very hardest to try and see patients at the appointed time. If you are kept waiting, there is normally a good reason and we ask for your patience & co-operation. If you do need to cancel your appointment, we ask if you could give us as much notice as possible so we can make an alternative appointment for you.
07 Feb 2018
All aspects of general dentistry, using the most current materials and techniques, are carried out at by our team at SFDC. Our focus is on prevention. This means providing sound advice so that problems do not arise in the first instance. It also means identifying and treating potential problems, before they progress. Our ethos is to provide a balanced assessment of all the options, allowing patients to choose the most appropriate treatment for themselves.
It is essential for good Oral Hygiene to begin at home and early in life. By forming good brushing, flossing and eating habits and regular check ups at your dentist can enable your teeth to last a lifetime. By following the ADA Guidelines, you ll soon be on the right path to a glowing smile.
“Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day”. The best times would be an hour after a meal.
Your dentist should be able to advise the correct brushing techniques which are most suitable for you and or your children. This may be due to your age, previous dental issues or whether you have braces, bridges, implants or false teeth.
At SFDC, the aim is prevent oral disease. As a result, fluoride applications and fissure sealants are applied to biting surfaces of children’s teeth to prevent decay.
07 Feb 2018
Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that seeks to correct dental problems while helping to restore health and beauty to your smile. These problems may arise due to external injury, trauma, natural defects or lack of oral hygiene. Some of the most common issues for restorative dental patients include:
Recent technological advancements in this field have enabled our dentists to better diagnose and treat these cases with increased efficiency and improved aesthetics. Using high quality dental materials like composite resins and porcelain, we provide tooth restorations that not only look real, they feel and function like your own natural teeth.
Composite (tooth coloured) fillings are becoming more popular than the traditional amalgam ones due to their more natural appearance. They are made from resin and can be moulded to the shape of the teeth being restored. The filling is then hardened by the use of a specialised light.
The advantages of a composite over amalgam are aesthetics, stronger bonding to natural tooth structures, minimal expansion and contraction of hot and cold food & the all-important absence of mercury.
A Crown is a restoration designed to cover a single tooth in its entirety and is one of the strongest and most popular solutions to restoring a tooth to its full function and appearance.
Bridges are restorations designed to replace one or several missing teeth and like Crowns they restore the dentition to full function and appearance.
Bridges are secured by crowns on adjacent teeth to the space.
These are artificial tooth roots which are placed into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. Their function is to closely mimic real teeth. This is an alternate to dentures and bridges.
Complete or Partial Dentures are used to replace some or all missing teeth. A denture that is properly constructed can restore the mouth to almost its full function and aesthetics.
24 Feb 2017
A root canal treatment is used to save the tooth when the dental pulp or nerve centre has become infected or has died. The cause of the infection is usually decay or a fractured tooth.Without treatment this infection will cause a dental abscess, swelling and infection of the jaw bone, with all the associated unpleasant pain.
The only alternative to root canal treatment is to remove the tooth. It is always better to retain as much of the natural dentition as possible and then try to build on that with alternatives such as a denture, bridgework, or implants. Root canal treatment is a complex and time consuming procedure with little or no discomfort. It usually requires the two to three treatments to ensure the infection and inflammation has cleared.
07 Feb 2018
Mouthguards are a good way to protect your teeth, jaw, and head when playing physical sports. Custom-made mouthguards typically offer the best protection, because they are moulded to precisely fit your mouth.
Dental-related injuries are some of the most common experienced by athletes, according to the Australian Society of Orthodontists. They also claim that just a third of children aged 5-17 wear mouthguards while playing sports1.
Mouthguards are commonly used to protect the teeth from damage during physical activity. Here’s more about whether or not you should wear one, how it can help and how you can get the right one for you.
02 Mar 2017
Orthodontics is an area which enables diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in the alignment of jaws and teeth. It basically means ‘straight teeth’. Orthodontic treatment involves the design and use of appliances. Eg: braces, plates or headgear to bring teeth and jaws into realignment. They apply a light pressure and helps move the teeth slowly through the jawbone. As technology has developed over the years, the appliances used are more comfortable and effective than ever before. The appliances have also become more aesthetic with the development ceramic brackets and Invisalign.”
Traditional braces consist of standard metal brackets that are placed on your teeth with an adhesive and connected by wire. They require periodic tightening so steady pressure can gradually straighten your teeth and align your jaw. While metal braces brackets are still the most common, there are various other treatment options available.
The Invisalign system is a nearly invisible way to straighten teeth and improve your smile without braces.
FAQ’s
1) What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the virtually invisible and hygienic alternative to braces that lets patients keep smiling during treatment. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear, removable aligners that gradually move teeth towards the desired position.
2) Does Invisalign work as well as normal braces?
Invisalign has proven to be as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces. The level of Invisalign experience will determine how an Orthodontist or Dentist decides how to treat a patient. Patients with severe crowding or bite problems may require interdisciplinary treatments in which Invisalign is used in combination with other teeth straightening techniques.
3) What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign is nearly invisible – you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing
Invisalign is removable – you can eat and drink what you want in treatment; you can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene.
Invisalign is comfortable – there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation: no metal or wires also mean you spend less time in the Dentists chair having adjustments.
Invisalign allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start – so you can see how your straight teeth will look like when your treatment is complete.
4) How much does Invisalign cost?
As with all medical procedures, only your Orthodontist or Dentist can determine the cost based on your specific needs. Factors may include your Treatment goals, the difficulty of your case, the length of time for treatment and your health insurance coverage.
So if you’re ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign may be the answer for you. Give us a call now to discuss options that are right for you.
24 Feb 2017
Cosmetic dentistry is the range of dental treatments aimed specifically at enhancing the aesthetics, colour and shape of your teeth. With the many modern advancements in dental technology, there is now a large range of cosmetic dental treatments available that can alter the appearance of your teeth and create a natural, whiter result while also helping to achieve good oral health. Cosmetic dental treatments may be used to treat a number of common aesthetic dental issues including crooked, cracked, discoloured, stained, chipped, missing, gaped, worn and overlapping teeth.”
Although you may have teeth that are perfectly aligned, they may have lost the lustre they once had and leaving you a little disheartened and self-conscious about your smile.
Overtime, teeth can dull through consumption of certain foods and drinks , along with natural aging, prescribed medications and smoking. By undergoing this treatment , your teeth can be rejuvenated back to a radiant smile and elevating your confidence.
These are used for many cosmetic procedures including: Closing gaps, straightening teeth, repairing chips and covering stains.
They are a more conservative treatment and are a thin tooth coloured porcelain shell placed over the unsightly tooth.
Bridges are restorations designed to replace one or several missing teeth and like Crowns they restore the dentition to full function and appearance.
Bridges are secured by crowns on adjacent teeth to the space.
These are artificial tooth roots which are placed into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. Their function is to closely mimic real teeth. This is an alternate to dentures and bridges.
A Crown is a restoration designed to cover a single tooth in its entirety and is one of the strongest and most popular solutions to restoring a tooth to its full function and appearance.