Frequently Asked Questions
How can we help you?
Choosing a dentist to support your health and wellness is a big decision. It is natural to have some questions. Here are some of the common questions we receive, but if you don’t see yours here, please feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to help and look forward to welcoming you to Yarra Smiles.
General
General Dentistry
Whether you need an injection when getting a dental filling depends on several factors. These include the depth of the cavity and the patient’s pain threshold. For minor cavities, you might not need an injection. The dentist can often complete these fillings with little to no discomfort, as the decay has not yet impacted the nerve.
When Is a Dental Injection Necessary?
For deeper cavities close to the nerve, an injection can help ensure the procedure is pain-free. The local anaesthetic we use will numb the area around the tooth, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
Dentists aim to make all treatment as comfortable as possible, and the decision to use an injection often aligns with the patient’s comfort and the specific requirements of the procedure. You can opt for anaesthetic just to be on the safe side if you wish.
Every patient and every dental situation is unique. It’s best to discuss your concerns and options with your dentist, who can customise the approach to suit your needs and ensure a comfortable experience during your dental filling appointment.
Gentle Dentistry in Deakin, ACT
If you suspect you need a filling or believe your child needs one, we welcome your call. At Yarra Smiles, we always prioritise patient comfort.
Yes! It is possible to keep your teeth in good condition for life by establishing some healthy habits. Avoiding dental issues requires a combination of excellent home care and regular professional dental visits. Having a good daily oral hygiene routine is essential. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing daily using proper techniques to remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
Schedule Regular Teeth Cleans
In addition to your home care, visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and a professional clean and polish is essential. These visits enable your dentist to detect early signs of dental issues and provide timely treatment. Your dentist can also offer treatment recommendations tailored to your specific dental needs.
Avoid sugary snacks and acidic beverages to reduce the risk of decay and enamel erosion. A healthy, varied diet with lean protein, calcium, and veggies and fruit will give you the vitamins and minerals necessary for good dental and overall health.
General Dentistry in Deakin, ACT
Keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life is important. If you would like to learn more, we invite you to contact Yarra Smiles in Deakin, ACT, to learn more or to arrange your next dental visit.
When dealing with dental issues, it’s important to understand why medication alone is often insufficient. Medications such as antibiotics and pain relievers can manage symptoms but don’t address the underlying causes of dental conditions, such as tooth infection.
Why Dental Treatment Is Often Necessary
Physical intervention is crucial for conditions like tooth decay, root infections or gum disease. Decay involves damage to the tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in plaque. This damage cannot be reversed by medication. Similarly, a root infection requiring root canal therapy involves cleaning and sterilisation within the tooth. Advanced gum disease, where there is a significant build-up of plaque and tartar beneath the gums, requires cleaning procedures that medications cannot provide.
Medications Treat Only Symptoms
Medications might temporarily alleviate symptoms, giving a false sense of resolution, but the condition will likely progress without treating the source of the problem. This could lead to more severe issues and potentially more invasive treatments later on, such as tooth extraction.
Emergency Dentistry in Deakin, ACT
Always discuss your treatment options with your dentist at Yarra Smiles. They can provide the most effective plan to manage your dental health, combining medication with dental treatments where necessary to ensure the best outcomes for your condition.
Preventive Dentistry
Dental x-rays are a key part of looking after your teeth. They let your dentist see what’s happening in areas they can’t see just by looking in your mouth. This includes problems like cavities between your teeth, issues below the gum line, or hidden dental structures like wisdom teeth.
Early Detection Is Crucial in Dentistry
By using x-rays, your dentist can spot problems early. This is really important because catching issues like decay, cysts, tumours or infections early can make treatment simpler and less invasive. For example, an x-ray can show a small spot of decay under a filling that isn’t visible to the naked eye. Fixing this early can prevent more serious dental disease, like an infected root requiring root canal treatment.
Treatment Planning in Dentistry
X-rays also help in planning treatments. If you need braces, dental implants, or other dental work, x-rays clearly show your teeth and bones. This allows your dentist to plan treatment better, ensuring it’s effective and right for you.
Personalised Dental Treatment Plans
Dental x-rays are a safe and vital tool for maintaining good dental health. They give your dentist essential information that helps keep your teeth healthy and strong. Your dentist will suggest how often you should have x-rays based on your dental health needs. At Yarra Smiles, we tailor your treatment to your needs.
Fluoride is very important in stopping tooth decay and cavities. It makes the outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, stronger. This helps protect your teeth from the acids that cause tooth decay.
Where Does Fluoride Come From?
When you use fluoride in things like water, toothpaste or treatments from your dentist, it absorbs into your tooth enamel. Fluoride helps fix weak spots on your teeth and fights off early signs of cavities. This makes your teeth tougher against decay and lessens the damage that plaque bacteria can do.
Who Can Benefit from Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride is good for kids because it strengthens their growing teeth and makes them more resistant to decay. Adults also benefit from fluoride, as it keeps their teeth healthy and prevents minor dental issues from becoming more significant problems.
Fluoride is especially important in senior dental care, as dexterity becomes an issue, making oral hygiene at home more difficult. Your dentist can also recommend specific toothbrushes and dental floss to help you keep your teeth clean.
Cavity Prevention at Yarra Smiles
Your dentist can suggest the best fluoride treatments for you based on your needs and the health of your teeth. These might include special toothpaste, mouth rinses, or professional fluoride applications.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic veneers are a great way to enhance your smile’s natural beauty, making them a popular choice for many patients. If you want to change the size, shape or shade of your natural teeth, you may want to book a cosmetic consultation to discuss your options.
At Yarra Smiles, we offer composite and porcelain veneers, so learning more about them can help you make an informed decision and meet your smile goals.
Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers: Which Is Right for You?
Veneers are thin layers of either composite resin or porcelain bonded to the front sides of your teeth. You can significantly alter your smile’s appearance with this cosmetic option. Here’s what you need to know to make the best decision for your smile:
- Composite veneers — We can place composite veneers in one dental visit, and they are more cost-effective than porcelain veneers. This may be your best choice if you want a faster, less expensive option.
- Porcelain veneers — You can expect better durability and a more natural appearance with porcelain veneers. Porcelain resists stains and damage better than composite, so you don’t have to worry as much about what you eat and drink.
Thinking about Dental Veneers in Deakin, ACT?
If you want to learn more about porcelain veneers in Deakin, our dental team will happily assist you! At Yarra Smiles, we want you to love your smile, so our dental clinic offers a wide range of cosmetic services.
For more information, call us on (02) 6196 6744.
Teeth Whitening
A bright, white smile bolsters your self-confidence and inspires you to engage with others. Because a beautiful smile is essential, our Deakin dental clinic offers professional teeth whitening, inspiring you to take the first step towards a brighter smile.
Our take-home whitening kit allows you to achieve the look you want in the comfort of your own home. So, what’s the difference between our professional whitening kit and over-the-counter whitening products?
Exploring Different Teeth Whitening Options
There are many over-the-counter whitening options on the market, and although they seem like a bargain, they don’t work as well as professional whitening products. Here’s why:
- Custom whitening trays — We take impressions of your teeth to make custom-fitted trays, giving you better coverage.
- Stronger whitening agents — Our whitening gel is professional strength, providing more effective results.
- Safety — You will receive detailed instructions and guidance on using the whitening gel, reducing your risk for sensitivity and gum irritation.
Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist in Deakin, ACT?
If you want to learn more about teeth whitening in Deakin, the dental team at Yarra Smiles will be happy to speak with you! We want you to have the smile you deserve, so feel free to call us on (02) 6196 6744 to arrange a cosmetic consultation.
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