Montmorency Dental Group Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes, even the best oral habits and daily brushing and flossing can’t prevent the discolouration of your teeth over time.

Teeth discolouration can be caused by a variety of factors, including coffee and wine drinking, smoking and age.  During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discolouration.

Not everyone’s teeth are suitable for whitening. If your teeth and gums are not in a healthy condition before you whiten, the procedure may cause more damage. Call Montmorency Dental Group for more advise

When assessing your teeth for whitening, the dentist will:

•        Ensure your mouth is healthy before whitening commences

•        Look for grey or yellow discolouration and diagnose the cause of any discolouration

•        Discuss with you the best method to whiten your teeth

•        Advise if there are factors which may influence the whitening process (e.g. antibiotic staining)

•        Assess whether your fillings, crowns and veneers need replacement (as these won’t change colour)

•        Identify areas of gum recession

•        Discuss possible tooth sensitivity and how it may be managed

•        A professional cleaning may be advised to help the treatment penetrate deeper and more evenly.

Years of extensive research and clinical studies confirm teeth whitening under the supervision of a dental professional is safe.

Teeth Whitening is not a permanent procedure it depends on your personal habits such as if you are a smoker, drink tea, coffee and red wine. Your newly brightened smile can be maintained with good dental hygiene habits, routine dental check-ups and cleaning.  It is also recommend to use the take home whitening trays to touch-up the whitening as required.

It is recommended to have a full exam and clean as healthy and clean teeth are a pre-condition for a successful result.

Yes! If the opening is not too large, veneers can close the gap perfectly.

Yes, veneers offer a permanent solution for seriously discoloured teeth.

veneers can change the shape, size and alignment of your teeth, making your teeth look more even and symmetric. Our dentists will need to analyse your teeth and then we

can advise you if you are a good candidate

In most cases there is little or no tooth preparation so it is not painful. Teeth remain intact and unchanged, therefore the treatment is completely safe.

Depending on how broad your smile is, 6, 8 or 10 veneers will be fitted on the top and or the bottom. If you only choose upper veneers, the lower teeth will usually be whitened.

Just two short visits to our practice.  During the first visit photographs and mouth impressions will be made. The veneers are then placed during the second visit.

Make your dream smile a reality without the high cost! Now everyone can afford to experience the confidence and joy of a stunning smile. Finally, it’s smile design based on your desires, not your budget.

custom designed porcelain veneers can be yours for a fraction of the price of traditional porcelain veneers. Although we would need to consult you first in order to quote your individual situation please call The Montmorency Dental Group for a consultation.

veneers are of an exceptional quality. However, you have to take care of them, just as you would your natural teeth. You have to avoid point-to-point contacts. For instance, biting your nails is absolutely forbidden. If a veneer breaks or cracks, the single veneer can be replaced.

Nothing is forever: not crowns, not dental bridges and neither are veneers. However, experience shows us that they can last 10 to 15 years. Of course, it depends on your personal dental hygiene and if you take good care of your veneers, you can probably keep them much longer.

To protect your stunning white teeth, conscientious dental hygiene is a main factor. Brushing your teeth correctly twice a day is indispensable and flossing is also part of the daily routine. You  should also visit us every six months for your check- up and cleans.

With veneers you can still eat everything. You only have to avoid point-to-point contact.

A Dental Implant consists of a titanium fixture (or screw) that is surgically placed into the jaw bone. Over time, this fixture integrates with the bone and becomes fixed. This fixture acts as a tooth root. A porcelain crown is constructed to be attached to this fixture. The crown is the visible part of a tooth that is seen in the mouth.

Dental Implant therapy may span over the course of 3 – 6 months, depending on the complexity of the case. It takes time for bone to integrate with the titanium fixture. Once the implant is fused you are ready to proceed with the crown component of the treatment and this should take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete.

It must be understood that regular maintenance and review is required. A hygiene regime is advised and must be adhered to by the patient at home and regular visits to your dentist are required. Radiographs are required normally every 18months to detect any change underneath the clinically visible surface.

It is normally advised that a patient has a Check Up and clean every 6 months – Implants cannot decay, however, they can become loose, fractured or suffer from gum disease, so it is important that any problems be detected early for action to be taken and treatment to be more successful.

The cost of the treatment depends on the number of implants you require and whether you need any additional procedures before you are ready for the dental implant such as a bone graft. The cost is usually broken down into two stages, firstly the cost of the implant surgery and then secondly the cost of the crown restoration.

Dental implants may require a higher initial investment, but their longevity, can make them more economical in the long run and they also give a superior aesthetic result. Our team will be able to assist you with any further questions or concerns you have and look forward to hearing from you

Every treatment is different, but as a rough guide treatment traditional can take between 18 months to three years.

Costs vary by the length of treatment, and also by the type of treatment used.

Traditional braces move teeth into position in two stages, usually over a period of about two years. In the first year, the crown of the tooth is moved into alignment. In the second year, treatment addresses the position of the root of the tooth.

Tiny brackets are glued to the front of the teeth and connect them with a wire. Then adjust or change the wire every four to six weeks, as the teeth are slowly pulled into position.

Your child might also have to wear rubber bands (connecting top teeth to lower teeth to add pinpoint pressure) or headgear. Once the braces come off, you will need to wear a retainer, to keep the teeth in place.

Much less than in the past with the older style braces. Gluing the brackets to the front of the teeth eliminates the need to force metal bands around each tooth, as was necessary with the braces of decades past. And the wires used today are more flexible, particularly those made of alloys, such as nickel titanium, so they apply pressure more gently.

Some patients complain of soreness for a day or two after their braces are tightened, but an over-the-counter painkiller such as Panadol can usually ease the discomfort. If the gums or cheeks become raw or irritated from rubbing against the brackets, dental wax can be applied to the brackets

Crowns are coverings for the entire visible part of the tooth. A crown may also be called a ‘tooth crown’, ‘tooth cap’ or a ‘dental cap’ and is a great way to restore teeth which are heavily broken down

The treatment for a crown usually involves two appointments.

At the first appointment any old fillings in the tooth are removed and the tooth is reshaped for the crown.  A digital scan is preformed of the prepared tooth and sent to the dental lab so they can manufacture the crown.

Our Dental team may make a temporary crown for you while you are waiting for the permanent crown.  The laboratory usually takes around 10 days to make the crown.

At the second appointment the final crown fitted in for, appearance and occlusion. Finally, it is cemented into place.

The cost of crowns vary depending on the type of crown.  Our Dentists will advise you of the cost of the crown after he has examined your tooth.

A dental crown on average can last 15 -20 years.  However, it can last considerably longer. There are many factors that will influence how long the crown last.

•        How much of the tooth is remaining and the state of the nerve

•        How well you look after it.

•        The forces you place on it.

A cavity or tooth decay is a hole in your tooth that needs to be filled.

The main culprits to blame for your cavity are certain types of bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are contained in plaque and they interact with the carbohydrates and sugars in your food creating an acidic environment that dissolves the protective enamel on the outer layer of your tooth. Once the acid succeeds in eroding the enamel, your tooth is exposed, leaving just the softer dentin layer, which will ultimately cause the formation of a cavity. At this point the decay process rapidly speeds up and spreads deeper into the tooth.

A filling is necessary to treat your cavity because if left untreated the decay will eventually grow and will enter into your nerve canal, this can be quite painful and can also lead to more serious problems such as infection or abscess.

It could also cost you a lot more money to fix. It is recommended and advised that you get your cavity filled as soon as you can. The Montmorency Dental Group can help and advise you on all treatment options and costings

First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there’s bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, also cheek the lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it’s facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it’s not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. In all cases, see your dentist as quickly as possible. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can’t get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface.

As a temporary measure, stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity (sugar-filled gum will cause pain) or use an over-the-counter dental cement. See your dentist as soon as possible.

If the crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown with you if able. If you can’t get to the dentist right away and the tooth is causing pain, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store). If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth.

If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket and is poking your cheek, tongue, or gum, try to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can’t reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze until you can get to your orthodontist’s office. Never cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs.

Temporarily reattach loose braces with a small piece of orthodontic wax. Alternatively, place the wax over the braces to provide a cushion. See your orthodontist as soon as possible.

Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, see your dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum that may or may not be painful. In the meantime, to ease any pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt into a glass of warm water) several times a day.

Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips, can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, here’s what to do:

Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.

Use a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold in place for 15 to 20 minutes.

To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated.