Treatments

There are a number of reasons for extracting a tooth: it may be badly broken or decayed; or the problem could be gum disease or an abscess in the surrounding tissues.

Occasionally, a tooth is in the wrong position. Removal  improves the appearance and can be recommended by an Orthodontist as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Minimising discomfort

Your comfort and well-being are our primary concern during an extraction which can be a stressful procedure. There are various methods for removing teeth and we make every effort to perform the procedure in a relaxed, painless and stress-free way.

Post-operative care is vital. You will receive detailed instructions regarding looking after your mouth after an extraction, and what to do in the event of any complications.

Replacement of a missing tooth requires consideration of important questions: Why, What, When and Who ?

Why ?

It’s important to realise that while we can pretty much replace all teeth, not all missing teeth need replacing. We replace teeth for aesthetic and functional reasons. If the replacement is not going to improve either of these factors then there is no point.

What ?

So you want to replace a missing tooth to improve function and/or aesthetics the next question is: with what ? There are three basic choices: dentures, bridge or implant, or possibly a combination of two of these.

Dentures are removable “false” teeth relatively simple to provide when dealing with only one or a few teeth. The more teeth that are missing the more complex they become. A custom-made framework or structure, fabricated from either metal or acrylic, has the teeth built in. This can be a relatively inexpensive way of replacing a number of teeth with little or no involvement of the remaining teeth.

Many people wear dentures very successfully and are very happy with them. Others would choose not to avoid them if possible and we consider other options.

Bridgework involves the preparation of the teeth either side of a missing tooth. Two crowns are then fabricated with a prosthetic tooth (known as a pontic), linking the two crowns to create a three tooth structure which is cemented onto the two prepared teeth. This is cemented permanently and is designed not to be removed. Whether or not this is a suitable treatment option depends on a number of factors:

Do the teeth either side of the gap require crowns?

And are they sufficiently strong to withstand the extra load of the pontic?

What is the likely lifespan of the bridge? It has to be able to survive the rigors of the function of environment and function of the mouth.

Again like crowns bridges can be made of a variety of materials; small three unit bridges can be and all ceramic construction, but as the bridges get bigger so we tend to advise porcelain bonded to a metal sub structure which provides greater strength and good aesthetics.

The final option for the replacement of missing teeth is an implant.

This is a titanium screw type structure which is placed into the jaw to replace the root of the tooth. The screw then undergoes a process called osteointegration where the bone and the implant integrate to form a firm join. Once this has occurred a crown is made to sit onto the implant, replacing the missing tooth. Placement of implants is a surgical procedure which can be done under local anaesthesia. It requires careful planning and assessment to make sure that the implant can go in a position where there is adequate bone to support it, and no other anatomical structures will be damaged by its placement.

When conditions are favourable, implants are a very successful way to replace a missing tooth because the adjacent teeth are not compromised in any way.

When ?

For teeth in the smile line, with considerable aesthetic considerations, we try to replace as soon as possible. In emergency situations, even within a few days some form of temporary replacement can be arranged. Once the initial healing has occurred, long-term future options can be considered.

If the tooth is not of aesthetic importance then we generally recommend allowing healing to take place prior to constructing a long term replacement. However planning can be done during this period and if an implant is being considered then extraction techniques and bone preservation methods should be considered.

Who should replace your missing teeth?

At CJ Carter dental we can carry out all of these services. However not all situations are the same, and there are varying degrees of complexity to be considered. Sometimes a referral to a specialist practitioner may be necessary, but an initial assessment is always advised as some aspects of the ultimate treatment plan may not be carried out by the specialist.

We have a fantastic service provided by our specialists here on the Sunshine Coast and rarely have the need to refer to Brisbane.

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the normal developmental sequence. Sometimes they don’t erupt or just don’t develop in the jaws. They can become impacted by erupting at odd angles or getting stuck against other teeth causing  pain, swelling, or damage to other teeth. An isolated and temporary episode of discomfort could just be a phase in the eruption process which will pass and does not necessarily mean the teeth have to be removed.

Careful assessment is required to determine the exact problem and plan its management. X-rays will be required to determine the root shape and tooth position, and how to proceed with its removal if necessary. Normally the procedure is straightforward and uncomplicated, with only a few days of postoperative soreness as following any surgical procedure.

Dr Carter has over 20 years of experience, and offers removal of wisdom teeth under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation. General anaesthesia can be arranged if required. In especially difficult cases we refer to specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

We believe it is vital to establish good habits for maintaining healthy teeth and gums at a young age. Such routines will help to prevent complicated and expensive treatment in the future. Building great relationships with our younger clients helps to instill these habits, which will help them to look after their teeth throughout life.

Another reason for a child to regularly visit the dentist is to ensure their teeth are developing normally. Early identification often simplifies the management of these problems.

Currently we have the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) in place, which is a Government scheme designed to support good habits and give basic dental treatment to children between the ages of 2 and 17.

Eligible children receive up to $1000 worth of treatment over a 2 year period. Eligibility depends on whether you receive a relevant government payment such as Family Tax Benefit A

Custom-made mouth guards are the best way to protect your teeth  during contact sports. Their exact fit allows them to distribute the force of impact over a much wider area. They should be snug and not require ‘biting together’ to hold them in place.

The importance of a properly fitted mouth guard in contact sports is well documented. We also recommend them for other ‘non-contact’ sports such as basketball and water polo, where stray arms and elbows can cause a lot of damage.