Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene and having a good diet will decrease the risk of tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. GMHBA Dental Care focuses on prevention and educates patients on ways to improve your oral health.
Children's Dental Health
Teaching kids early about oral health is crucial for their future health. We take pride in looking after your child’s oral health and make dental visits a comfortable experience by taking the time to educate and involve them in their check-ups.
Check to see if you can take advantage of the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS). This schedule provides eligible children, aged between 2 and 17 years, with access to a benefit of $1,000 over two consecutive years for eligible dental services.
Visit Department of Human Services for further information and eligibility criteria.
Our Dental Services
Prevention
Anyone who plays a sport or undertakes activity where facial impact is possible should consider a mouthguard to prevent or minimise risk of dental injury. The Australian Dental Association recommends a custom-fitted mouthguard for all Australians participating in contact sport who have a high risk of dental injury.
Custom-fitted mouthguards designed by your dentist makes breathing and speaking easier when wearing a mouthguard.
If you want a custom-fitted mouthguard our dentists will take an impression and create a plaster model of your teeth. This model is used to accurately measure your mouth and teeth when designing your uniquely fitted mouthguard.
General
Checking your teeth for tooth decay is just one part of a thorough dental examination. During your appointment, your dentist (or dental hygienist) will first ask you about your medical history such as whether you have any allergies, take any medications or are pregnant. It is important our dental staff know about any prior or current conditions to avoid drug interactions or avoidable instances.
Your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth to help prevent minor problems becoming major ones. This also includes looking at your head and neck, bite, saliva and movement of your lower jaw to see if there is anything out of the ordinary that needs attention. The dentist may also request that x-rays be taken of your teeth and gums as tooth decay doesn’t always tend to show any physical signs of its presence at the beginning. Addressing these problems early means your dentist can provide treatment before it becomes significant.
The final part of the appointment includes giving you a professional dental clean. Any plaque or tartar build up will be removed using special instruments.
Once your examination and clean has been performed they will tell you about the health of your teeth and make recommendations for future prevention or treatment.
To maintain good basic oral health, we recommend you have a professional clean every 6 months and an examination every 12 months. More frequent check-ups may be required if a specific oral problem is present.
Fillings are used to restore teeth to their normal shape, appearance and function by filling in cavities caused by tooth decay.
Fissure sealants are of value in the prevention of tooth decay for children, as they fill the natural pits and fissures in the back teeth where dental decay occurs most often.
Root canal treatment is usually a straightforward procedure to relieve dental pain and to save your teeth if the nerve of the tooth has been damaged by trauma or tooth decay. This treatment may need to be completed over several visits.
Your dentist will clean pulp, bacteria and debris from inside the root, emptying the canal. A sealant is then applied to fill the canal to prevent bacteria from getting in. If the seal is not completed on the same day, then a temporary dental filling will be used to prevent any debris from entering the canal.
Tooth extraction may not be your first option for treating a dental disorder, however your dentist will discuss with you reasons as to why tooth extraction may be required. These can include, gum disease, tooth cracks, poor position/functionality or significant tooth decay.
Tooth extraction can be completed at our practice using local anaesthetic, in the dental chair or under general anaesthetic in a hospital. After the extraction your dentist will advise of a post regimen to follow.
Today’s modern procedures and follow up care are there for your benefit and comfort.
Cosmetic
This treatment is all about lightening stained or discoloured teeth. Our dentists are best qualified at determining whether you need teeth whitening before you buy over-the-counter or at home toothpastes or strips. Teeth whitening may not be appropriate for all patients, so before carrying out any of these procedures please discuss expected outcomes with one of our dentists.
We’re here to help, so if you would like a recommendation speak with one of our dental professionals to see which dental whitening system will best suit you.
Dental crowns are custom-made to rebuild a broken or decayed tooth. Crowns are made from porcelain, or porcelain/metal combinations. Crowns provide added strength and stability for your teeth and will make your teeth look more attractive.
Veneers are generally recommended if you have teeth with gaps, discoloured, broken our crowded teeth.
If you are missing teeth your dentist may recommend implants to replace them. We’ll talk to you about the best options for replacing teeth, discussing with you how they will change the look and function of your smile.