South Yarra Dental Group

Author: Boris Zaslavsky

Toothbrushes

Toothbrushes today come in about as many sizes and shapes as one can imagine. There are angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts and handles that change colours with use. While makers of toothbrushes make a lot of claims, there isn’t any evidence that any one type of toothbrush design is better at removing plaque than another.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for a toothbrush is that you actually use it. If you achieve unsatisfactory results from your toothbrush, it’s more likely than not that you either aren’t brushing long enough, or using the correct technique.

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Fluoride

Fluoride has long been held in high regard by the dental community. Fluoride is an important mineral which strengthens tooth enamel and helps to prevent tooth decay.

Water fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety organisation throughout the world. Countless people have benefited from this inexpensive and effective preventative treatment.

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Crowns

Crowns are used to replace missing teeth, to rebuild broken teeth, to strengthen a weakened tooth, or to restore a badly decayed, discoloured or misshapen tooth. Crowns can also be used to attach a bridge. In many cases, crowns are used after root canal therapy, and are used to restore portions of the tooth (typically the top surface) removed during treatment. Crowns can be attached to natural teeth or dental implants.

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Cosmetic Contouring

Cosmetic contouring or reshaping is used to correct crooked, chipped, cracked or overlapping teeth. It can be completed in a single visit to your dentist. This technique works well for slight overlapping of the front teeth, teeth that are wearing unevenly, front teeth that are slightly crooked, or teeth that are too long.

During this procedure, some enamel will be removed from the uneven tooth so that it matches your other teeth more closely.

Bonding

Bonding is performed to fill in gaps between teeth or to change the colour or shape of a tooth. It is usually done in a single visit and the results last for several years. Bonding works well for teeth that are chipped or only slightly decayed. Bonded composite resins are also known as ‘white fillings’. In fact, the resin comes in a variety of colours and can be colour-matched to your tooth.

In bonding, the dentist will apply the resin to your prepared tooth. The resin is then sculpted to the right shape, hardened and polished. The advantages to bonding is that it can be done quickly, is relatively inexpensive, and your tooth will look great! The downside is that bonding is a bit more susceptible to staining and chipping than other types of restoration, and doesn’t last as long.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If your teeth are discoloured, chipped, misshapen or missing, cosmetic dentistry can help you. People no longer have to put up with problems that make them feel self-conscious about smiling. Thanks to recent advances in cosmetic dental techniques, it is now easier than ever before to improve a person’s smile, overall appearance and oral health. Modern materials enable excellent colour-matching and a life-like appearance. Lasers have replaced scalpels, allowing greater precision and shorter healing times.

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