Preventative dentistry can save you time and money, by reducing the risk that a potentially serious or expensive oral health problem will occur.

When you have regular examinations and professional cleans at Distinctive Dental, our team will identify any potential problems in their early stages so they can be treated as simply as possible.  This includes oral cancer screening, examination of gum health, examination of teeth and existing restorations, diagnostic x-rays to identify cysts, decay, and other problems as early as possible, photographs to monitor any areas of concern, gentle professional teeth cleaning to remove calculus/tartar and bacteria and fluoride treatments to help strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to decay.

We also offer other preventative treatments including fissure sealants and preventative resin restorations which can be used to reduce the risk of decay in susceptible areas.

If diseases are identified, your dentist and oral health therapist will assess risk factors in your lifestyle, such as your diet and oral hygiene habits and can advise you on ways to reduce your risk of future dental problems. We can also customise an oral hygiene routine specifically for your needs.

Your oral health affects not only your teeth and gums, but also your general health. Preventative care to ensure that your teeth and gums are in good shape, can also help to prevent other serious health problems including diabetes, clogged arteries, heart disease, and an increased risk of stroke.

Tooth whitening can lighten and brighten your smile by removing stubborn stains and discolourations. Tooth whitening is a safe procedure when performed by qualified dental professionals. At Distinctive Dental we offer a number of options to provide fast and effective teeth whitening while minimising sensitivity.

Trauma, dental decay and root canal therapy may weaken the structural integrity of a tooth and may lead to the eventual loss of the tooth.

A dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire tooth, reinforcing and protecting the tooth. The crown can reduce the risk of crack propagation and therefore reduce the potential of tooth loss due to tooth fracture. Dental crowns can be made from gold or porcelain to give a strong, long lasting and beautiful result.

A bridge looks like your natural teeth and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges are supported by the teeth on either side of the space and are fixed in place for comfort and aesthetics.

Just like adults, children’s teeth require the same level of excellent care to keep them strong and healthy. Our team enjoy seeing children and making their first and ongoing dental experiences positive. We like to encourage children to develop the oral hygiene habits needed to have healthy beautiful teeth for life.

Dental carious lesions (tooth decay) can be treated by removing the decayed tooth structure and replacing it with a natural looking restoration, often called a “filling”, to allow you to continue to chew and smile.

At Distinctive Dental we use the highest quality restorative materials for the best results. This includes BPA-free composite resin “tooth coloured” fillings and strong beautiful porcelain restorations made from lithium disilicate glass ceramic.

We do not use amalgam “mercury” fillings because of their tendency to cause cracks in teeth over time.

A smile really is the most beautiful thing you can wear!

Stains, missing teeth, and other cosmetic issues can make it hard to feel confident about your smile. We use the latest advances in technology, including mercury-free tooth-coloured fillings and crowns to help you achieve the bright, healthy smile of your dreams.

A porcelain veneer is a thin, tooth-shaped shell of porcelain that covers the front of each tooth. Porcelain veneers are a simple, long lasting solution for many minor cosmetic issues and can provide a natural looking, beautiful result. Porcelain veneers can be used to improve the appearance of:

• Discoloured teeth
• Gaps between front teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Rough or jagged edges on front teeth
• Teeth that are too small or large in proportion to rest of the mouth
• Crooked teeth
• Worn teeth

When decay enters the pulp/nerve chamber at the centre of a tooth it can cause infection and pain. Instead of removing the tooth, a root canal can often be performed to remove the inflamed/infected pulp to eliminate the pain and infection and save the tooth.

Sporting accidents are one of the most common causes of dental injury. Many of these injuries can be prevented or minimised by wearing a custom-fabricated mouthguard whilst playing and training for any sport where there is a possibility of contact to the face.

A custom-fabricated mouthguard can be made by your dentist to fit exactly to your mouth and teeth and provides far superior protection when compared to “stock” mouthguards.

Periodontal (gum) disease is the inflammation and infection of the supporting structures of teeth. These include the gums, jaw bones and ligaments that help keep teeth in the mouth. The disease is caused by plaque and calculus, which is a sticky and tenacious layer of bacteria that builds up on teeth.

Red, swollen, painful or bleeding gums, bad breath (halitosis) and loose teeth can all be signs of gum disease.

Treatment of gum disease involves the removal of plaque and calculus above and below the gum line using techniques such as scaling and root planning. Sometimes numbing gel or a local anaesthetic may be needed to ensure comfort during the procedure and treatment may be spread out over multiple appointments. Home care is extremely important, and our dentists and oral health therapist believe in designing a home care plan specifically for your needs to ensure that you will be able to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Orthodontics isn’t just for teenagers anymore!

Braces and aligners can be used to help people of all ages correct crowding and misalignment of their teeth. Straight teeth not only look great but can also make it much easier to keep your teeth clean and healthy!

Facial injectables are often used by dentists for therapeutic treatment of headaches and jaw pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). They can also be used as part of a cosmetic treatment plan to treat gummy smiles or to help soften smile and frown lines and create a more youthful smile. Give our friendly team a call for more information.

Missing teeth can affect the way you chew and the appearance of your smile. Dental Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth to improve aesthetics and function.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. They can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and can even be used to replace a full arch of missing teeth or to secure full dentures.

Dental implants require care and attention just like natural teeth but when looked after properly can last for life.

Dentures are removable prosthetic appliances that are sometimes known as false teeth. They are made to replace missing teeth and are supported by the soft and hard tissues of the mouth.

Dentures take several visits to construct and may take some time for you to get used to.

Sometimes teeth which are badly broken down or infected cannot be repaired and may need to be removed.

At Distinctive Dental, we offer tooth extractions in the dental chair at our clinic and under general anaesthetic for complex cases or when removing multiple teeth in one visit (e.g. wisdom teeth).

Temporomandibular (jaw) joint disorder (TMD) is common nowadays reflecting the busy and stressful nature of our daily lives. TMD can cause limited jaw movement or ‘locked’ jaw, clicking or grating from the jaw joints, pain when chewing, yawning or opening jaw widely, headaches and pain in the teeth, face, ears, cheeks, neck and shoulders.

One of the most common causes of TMD is bruxism (grinding/clenching) which can occur nocturnally or during the day and can be made worse by emotional or physical stress and build-up of tension in the neck and jaw muscles. Jaw pain can also be caused by injuries or conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment of TMD may include physiotherapy and remedial massage, relaxation and stress management, medication to relieve symptoms and occlusal splint therapy to take the pressure off the jaw joints and teeth. Occlusal splints are custom made by your dentist and are adjusted to ensure your jaw is well supported.

“Happy gas” is also known as relative analgesia or inhalation sedation. Happy gas is made of a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen which when breathed in, quickly leads to a pleasant, relaxed feeling. This can be very helpful for patients who are anxious about dental procedures.

If you have “happy gas” to help with your dental treatment you will remain conscious all the time, although you may feel a little drowsy as well as relaxed. There are minimal side effects, and you are able to drive yourself home after your appointment. Happy gas is also suitable for children aged 4 years and over.