Improve the health and appearance of your smile.
Fillings.
Fillings, or dental restorations, are used to replace natural tooth structure when it becomes damaged by tooth decay, fractured or broken. Your dentist will choose the best option for your tooth depending on its location in the mouth, degree of damage and aesthetic and functional needs.
Veneers.
Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain or composite resin layers fixed onto the front of your teeth. This can be a suitable option if you have teeth with gaps, that are stained, discoloured, broken or chipped. Veneers can add a different shape and look to your existing teeth, giving you a preferred smile.
Crowns and Bridges.
A crown may be recommended by your dentist to fix a badly broken down, cracked or decayed tooth, or a tooth that has had a root canal. Crowns are fabricated to fit over the tooth once a thin layer of the natural tooth has been removed and then cemented in place. They provide added strength and durability and can improve the appearance of a tooth. Crowns may be made from a number of materials including porcelain, zirconia, gold alloy or a combination of porcelain and metal. Your dentist will recommend a certain material depending on the functional and aesthetic needs of your tooth.
A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Most commonly crowns are placed on the teeth next to the missing tooth and they are joined together by another crown that acts as the missing tooth to ‘bridge’ the gap. The bridge may be made from the same materials as a crown, it may also be made from dental filling materials however this tends to be a more temporary treatment option.
A bridge is just one option to replace missing teeth, alternative treatments include partial dentures or implants. You should discuss with your dentist which option is suitable for you.
Dentures.
Dentures are a cost-effective replacement option for missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth, a few missing teeth or in people who have lost all their natural teeth. They are typically made of acrylic (plastic) or a lightweight metal (cobalt chrome) and designed to look like your natural teeth.
Implants.
A dental implant is a permanent prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is made up of an artificial tooth root which looks like a metal screw in the jawbone and an artificial tooth crown which matches in with the surrounding teeth. We work closely with dental specialists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Townsville to provide the best care possible for our patients receiving implants.
Root Canal Treatment.
A tooth may require root canal treatment if the nerve inside the tooth (called the ‘pulp’) has been damaged. This damage may occur through decay, repeated dental work, wear and tear, gum disease, cracked tooth or cracked filling, or an injury to the tooth. When the nerve is damaged, bacteria infiltrate and multiply inside the tooth, which can then lead to an infection or abscess.
Contrary to popular belief, root canal treatment can be painless with the use of local anaesthetic and can often prolong the life of a tooth by many years. Our dentists are competent in completing most root canal treatments, however, some teeth are more complex and require the expertise of a root canal specialist, or ‘endodontist’. We work closely with the team at Endodontics NQ in Townsville.