Frequently Asked
Questions
Do you have a question about your dental health?
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Conveniently located on Main Street, our practice is ideally situated to serve patients in need of general dental care in Bacchus Marsh. We are a stroll away from the rest of the town with plenty of parking available.
How long is a regular dental check-up?
The answer to this is variable. Should your oral health be in good shape, a regular trip to the dentist may only take up to 30 minutes. However, this may be longer if you are including a professional clean within this check-up. The appointment may also take a little longer if your dentist spots any issues or would like to take X-rays. In general, a regular check up may take up to an hour depending on the individual.
Why is it important to get my teeth professionally cleaned?
While following a good oral hygiene routine at home is vital, it is also important that you schedule appointments for professional cleanings at your dentist’s office every so often. This is because professional cleaning is able to easily remove substances such as tartar which is notoriously difficult to remove at home. The tartar has to be removed to prevent gum disease or more advanced problems like teeth becoming loose from lack of bone support caused by gum disease over a long period of time. Professional cleanings are also able to polish out certain stains and offer a far superior clean to what can be achieved at home
How often should I bring my child to visit the dentist?
Approach your child’s oral health in the same way you would your own. Children should be visiting the dentist with the same frequency as adults: twice a year. In saying this, your dentist may require your child to visit more frequently for a number of reasons. One of these could be if your child is prone to tooth decay.
What problems can a crossbite cause?
If you or your child has been diagnosed with a crossbite, it is in your best interests to seek treatment to correct it. This is because crossbites cause a number of issues. These include:
- Wearing down of the teeth
- Asymmetrical growth of the lower jaw,
- Unstable bite
Not only this, but this condition worsens over time meaning that these issues will only increase in severity if the crossbite is not corrected.
What is a class 3 crossbite?
You may have heard of the term “class 3 underbite crossbite”
The medical term for this is “Mesioclussion.” This occurs when the lower front teeth are more prominent than the upper front teeth and the patient has a large lower jaw. Alternatively, the patient may have a short upper jaw. This results in the teeth to be misaligned and the lower incisors to come into contact with the gums of the upper arch of the jaw.
How long does treatment take to fix a crossbite?
Whether early intervention orthodontics or traditional orthodontics is being used to address a crossbite, the time that it will take to correct the crossbite is variable. Crossbites can range from minor to severe and can affect one of more teeth – this will influence the length of time treatment will take to correct the issue. In some cases, a few years or months in early intervention orthodontics may correct the issue whereas if the crossbite is more severe, a few months or years undergoing traditional orthodontic treatment even after early intervention treatment has taken place may be what is required to sufficiently correct the condition.
Are Fastbraces painful?
Naturally, as your teeth move, you may feel a little tender. This discomfort can be managed via some OTC pain medication.
Will I need to wear a retainer after treatment?
Yes. These retainers will only be required for about 15-20 minutes a day. Most patients prefer to wear their retainers to bed. This is yet another reason why Fastbraces Technology is changing the way orthodontics is done altogether.
How long is treatment time with Fastbraces?
This depends greatly on the extent to which your teeth need to be corrected. Treatment time can range from about 3 months to one year.
How long is the recovery from a dental implant?
The initial recovery from a dental implant will take between 7 to 10 days. After this time, your mouth will begin to feel better and your swelling will have subsided. It will take a further 3 – 6 months, however, for your implant to completely fuse and integrate with your jaw bone.
Can I replace one or two missing teeth with dentures?
Yes. Dentures are not just used to replace a full arch of missing teeth. Partial dentures are available with can replace one or two missing teeth.
How long does a dental bridge procedure take?
Your dental implant will be placed in a total of two visits. The first visit lasts between an hour to an hour and a half and your second visit will last only about half an hour to forty-five minutes. This means that the total combined time it takes to place a dental implant can be anywhere between two to three hours.
Why do I need four wisdom teeth out?
The impacted tooth causing problems needs to be extracted but so does its opposing tooth. This is because teeth keep moving until they hit something.
So, if only one tooth is extracted then the opposing tooth will keep moving until it hits the gingiva of the extracted tooth, causing problems.
How often should I visit the dentist?
How often you visit the dentist depends on the severity of your dental conditions. Patients with minimal dental problems should visit the dentist at least once every six months, while others that have high risk dental diseases may need more frequent visits such as every three or four months or in some cases, maybe more..
Why is it important to go for a dental check-up?
It is important for you to go for a dental check-up in order for the dentist to detect any issues associated with your oral health at an early stage or before it can become worse.
What foods can I eat after my tooth has been extracted?
After a tooth has been extracted, the area from which the tooth was pulled is very tender and sensitive and can cause some discomfort once the anaesthesia wears off. Therefore, it is important to consume soft foods and have plenty of liquids in your diet.
Some foods that can be eaten after a tooth has been extracted are:
- Soup
- Broths
- Mash potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Mashed banana
- Avocado
What foods should I avoid eating after my tooth has been extracted?
Some foods to avoid after your tooth has been extracted are;
- Spicy foods since this may cause the affected area to become painful.
- Crunchy, chewy and crumbly foods may cause harm to the wounded area.
- Most grains and seeds can get stuck in the affected area and stall healing.
What are Fast Braces?
Fast Braces is the revolutionized form of technology in the orthodontics field of dentistry. It helps gently move and straighten teeth that are not aligned or crooked in a matter of months, compared to the traditional braces which take years to straighten teeth and complete treatment.
Who are the most suitable candidates for Fast Braces?
People who have the following problems with their teeth and needs to straighten them can qualify for the Fast Braces orthodontic treatment.
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Teeth with gaps between them
- Open bites
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
What is a mouth guard used for?
Mouth guards are used to protect the teeth, lips, mouth and gums from injuries that can lead to tooth loss, a broken or chipped tooth or nerve damage because of physical activities.
Do water flossers work?
Yes. Not only are they effective in removing food particles and bacteria, but they are also effective in removing plaque.
What is the cost of a water flosser?
With so many different devices and brands on the market – the price range varies greatly. Water flossers can range anywhere from between a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. In saying this, water flossers are significantly more expensive than traditional string floss.
Can water flossers be used by children?
They can indeed! Provided you teach your child the correct way in which to use the device, water flossers are both safe and effective to be used by children.
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a chronic condition that causes people to stop breathing at different times throughout their sleep cycles. A common occurrence with sleep apnoea is snoring and teeth grinding.
How can my dentist help with sleep apnoea?
If your dentist diagnoses this problem, he/she may prescribe a special mouthguard to wear which can help adjust your jaw. This will assist in easing your sleep apnoea.
How can a dentist possibly know if I have sleep apnoea?
The effects of sleep apnoea are often visible in your teeth. Teeth grinding often occurs alongside sleep apnoea and your dentist will be able to notice this if your teeth are worn. A red throat from excessive snoring may also be visible to your dentist.
How long does it take to get a One Visit Crown?
A One Visit Crown is placed in a single appointment. This appointment is roughly one hour in duration
When is a One Visit Crown recommended?
If the cost of a traditional crown is out of a patient’s budget, a One Visit Crown may be suggested. If the patient has a particularly busy schedule, a One Visit Crown may also be recommended.
Do One Visit Crowns look natural?
Yes. One Visit Crowns are made to look just like your natural teeth. They blend seamlessly with your smile. Not only this, but they feel like natural teeth too!
What age should babies start visiting the dentist?
It is recommended that you start bringing your baby into the dentist once their first lot of teeth appears or by 12 months of age.
When is a good age to introduce adult-strength toothpaste?
When your child is under 6 years old, it is recommended that you continue to use child-strength toothpaste. Once your child is over 6 years of age, then you can introduce adult-strength toothpaste. Remember, you only need a pea-size amount on the toothbrush.
When is a good time to begin flossing?
Flossing should always be apart of brushing your child’s teeth. It is recommended that you help them to floss and teach them the correct technique until they are comfortable to do it by themselves.