Services to meet your dental needs
Dental Exam & Care
Initial Oral Examination
On your first visit to Oasis Dental, you will have a consultation with our doctors about any concerns that you might have, followed by an assessment of your dental health to set a baseline and create a treatment plan towards ideal oral health. This process includes a visual examination, charting of any tooth decay and/or fillings, periodontal probing, x-rays. Doing this helps us to arrive at a diagnosis of your oral health and make treatment recommendations.
The dentist is specially trained to perform dental exams to identify tooth decay, gum disease, assess your bite (how the teeth occlude or come together) and any other oral health problems such as cancer. These exams are important for protecting your oral health, as oral health problems can become serious and painful if not treated promptly.
Continuing Care
Continuity of care means working together with the dentist and hygienist over time, ensuring that your treatment continues on the right path. Should you need to be referred to a specialist at any stage of your care, we can help to make that connection. We will continue to provide direction throughout your treatment, ensuring you receive consistent dental care.
It is highly recommended that patients see the dentist at least once a year, for a clinical examination, which is supported by routine x-rays, every two years.
Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
A dental prophylaxis also known as a cleaning is a preventative procedure performed by your dentist or hygienist. During your cleaning plaque and tartar is eliminated which usually builds up over time, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Benefits of a dental cleaning:
- Prevents dental diseases
- Improves dental aesthetics
- Avoid bad breath
- Prevents systemic diseases
It is crucial to inform your dental provider or hygienist about any problems or symptoms you may be experiencing. They may choose specific techniques and products to minimize discomfort during the procedure. You may require an additional visit if the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums is significant.
Care For Kids
Paediatric Dental Care
The oral health of your entire family is our top priority but especially for kids and teens. Together with you, we want to help your children develop good oral health and habits that lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles. We understand many of our young patients may have fears about visiting a dentist, so our staff is here to provide you and your family with the gentle care that you and your children deserve in a comfortable environment.
Arresting Cavities
Traditionally once decay started on a tooth there was no reversing this process, the minerals would be leached out of the tooth and bacteria would continue to break down the tooth until the pulp was attacked and infected.
Our new treatment allows for stabilization of the tooth decay by killing the bacteria attacking the tooth and creating remineralization (hardening) of the tooth’s surface thus creating a barrier that stops the decay process before it reaches the nerve.
This process is especially useful for children or adults who may not be yet able to cope with the typical restoring/filling process, as well as children and adults who may have extensive treatment (multiple cavities) required thus allowing multiple teeth to be stabilized until they can eventually be restored.
Pulpotomy
Pulpectomy (Baby Root Canal)
Sealants
Dental sealants are invisible and thin plastic coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth of children, making them more resistant to decay. A sealed tooth is far less likely in the future to develop a cavity, and as a result, require more extensive dental treatment.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns
A dental crown is one of the most well known dental procedures. They are used to encase decayed teeth that cannot be repaired using traditional methods such as a dental filling or, after root canal surgery. Having a crown helps to restore the strength and structure of the tooth and minimise the chance of further decay.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a common, and low-risk option for missing teeth. Bridges can help to hold your other teeth in place and make everyday activities such as eating and talking easier, while helping to preserve your remaining teeth.
Dentures
There are many different types of dentures such as full dentures – replacing an entire arch of missing teeth, partial dentures – replacement of some missing teeth or immediate dentures – which can be worn right after extractions. The option that’s right for you depends on your unique oral health needs.
What happens during a denture consultation?
The dentist will examine your mouth, including your jaws, gums and any remaining teeth. They’ll also take dental X-rays to check the thickness of your jawbone.
If your dentist determines that you’re eligible for dentures, they’ll discuss your denture options with you. The denture that’s right for you depends on several factors, including:
- How many teeth you’re missing.
- How long your teeth have been missing.
- Whether you prefer a removable or nonremovable appliance.
- The density and volume of your jawbone.
- The relationship between your upper and lower jaws.
- Your personal preferences.
Fillings
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay, cracked or broken or, that have been worn down over time. After applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area, we remove the decayed material from the affected teeth, apply a composite or amalgam filling to restore the structure, and conduct a bite check to ensure your teeth are aligned comfortably.
Inlays & Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays are processes used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown. Ideally patients for inlay or onlay work typically do not have too much damage or decay in the tooth structure to be successfully treated using a filling, but have sufficient healthy tooth remaining to avoid the need for a crown.
Root Canal Therapy
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend root canal treatment (RCT) to eliminate the diseased pulp to preserve your natural teeth and reduce the need for tooth extraction. The diseased pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed; once the root canal is completed the tooth will be sealed with a filling at the minimum, and sometimes a crown will be recommended to create the best possible seal.
Root canal therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required; in addition, the procedure can be done under a special form of sedation with Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas).
Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 80-90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.
You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
Periodontal Care
What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?
Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.
The most common warning signs are:
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Poor Oral Hygiene
- Stress
- Heredity
- Female hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives
- Underlying immune-deficiencies e.g. AIDS
Periodontal Scaling & Root Planing
Periodontal scaling & root planing are considered essential periodontal services. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gumline. A sticky film of bacteria called plaque provides the right conditions which causes your gums to become inflamed, which means that they will bleed more easily. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Inside this newly-formed pocket, plaque gets trapped and cannot be removed with regular brushing. This is an early stage of gum (periodontal) disease called gingivitis. If not treated this can lead to bone loss and the teeth may loosen or even fall out.
Generally, deep cleaning will require more than one visit depending on the amount of scaling and planing required. An additional follow-up visit may be required to confirm that your gums and teeth are getting healthier and that the pocket depth has been reduced.
An examination with periodontal probing i.e. measuring the depth of your gum will confirm if you have deep pockets, and if periodontal scaling or root planing is recommended for you.Your dental hygienist can make any suggestions for taking better care of your mouth and demonstrate proper oral care techniques.
