FAQ

Are the third molars. They will usually erupt or attempt to in your late teens or early twenties. Depending on space, wisdom teeth sometimes erupt fully without any trouble or need for extraction. Not all people have wisdom teeth; they are the most common missing tooth in the mouth. Wisdom teeth in most cases will need to be removed if they are not erupting fully, causing pain and can affect the teeth in front of them.

Toothbrushing cannot get in-between the teeth where plaque and food get trapped. If the food and plaque stay there for too long, it contributes to gingivitis, gum disease and also places the teeth at risk of developing decay. It also can be the cause of halitosis which is bad breath.

Sugars, especially processed sugars are used by certain bacteria found in plaque for their energy. The byproduct of their metabolism is the release of lactic acid which reduces the pH in the mouth and around the teeth. When the pH drops below 5.5, the enamel becomes less resistant to dissolving. It becomes soft and starts to break away beginning the process that we know as tooth decay (caries). The quality and frequency of consumption is very important. For example eating sticky food which means the sugar hangs around for longer on the teeth putting them more at risk than a sweet drink.

Current advancements in dental materials and adhesives means that we can get predictable results in placing tooth coloured fillings in all teeth. We nowadays want to minimise how much of the tooth we actually cut away to make way for the filling because we believe that the least we interfere with the tooth the better off it will be in the long term. Amalgam Fillings do not allow us the ability to keep the cavity design as small as possible.

X-rays are a very useful diagnostic tool that helps us visualise what we cant see normally. It can detect tooth decay and bone lesions or pathology. We also find them useful for understanding the anatomy of the jaw bones when planning the extraction of any teeth.

Smoking is bad for your general health and that also includes the oral cavity. This effect is magnified when combined with alcohol especially the oral cancer risk.

Cracked tooth syndrome is a term used to describe a tooth that has fractured. A fracture can be caused by excessive biting and grinding, heavily filled teeth that have become weakened or trauma. Depending on the depth of the fracture there are multiple restorative options such as using filling material/crowns or bridges.

Oral dental appliances can help people who suffer from snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause tiredness and poor concentration amongst other serious health issues.

Also known as Bruxism. Tooth grinding and excessive clenching of the jaw can begin and happen at any stage of life. It will usually present at a stressful time in life, such as exams/financial strain or day to day stresses. Bruxism can happen during the day or night. At night it is harder to control, this is where a night-splint is recommended to be worn to prevent jaw pain and damage to teeth. Sometimes the bruxism habit is symptomatic of an underlying and undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). If there is a possibility the OSA being the main cause of bruxism, then a standard nightsplint is contraindicated.

On the initial visit, the dentist will provide a comprehensive examination of the oral structures, which includes the teeth, gums and the other soft tissues. A thorough Scale and Clean of the dentition is also performed, unless otherwise specified. If there is a specific complaint, we will provide treatment for that and schedule the Scale and Clean for another time.

We usually recommend a child’s first check up at around 2-3 years old. This visit will be very informal, and more of an introduction to the dentist, they will have a ride in the chair and if willing the dentist will count their teeth. We aim to eliminate fearful perceptions of the dentist for children and adults alike.

The cost of fillings vary according to the size of the restoration, the material used and which tooth is to be filled. The fees charged in this practice are kept as low as possible whilst providing care of the highest quality. In our case, our fees are at or below the Melbourne median.

We provide our patients with home application tooth whitening kits which are customised to fit the patient. Whilst we can provide in the chair tooth whitening procedures, we believe this approach is not cost-effective as you are paying for access to the dental chair. Also the whitening solutions used for in surgery tooth whitening treatment are higher in concentration and have the potential of creating greater post-application pain and sensitivity.

It is necessary to remove any calculus (tartar) and extrinsic staining from the tooth surface prior to tooth whitening to increase the efficiency of the whitening gel and to avoid a blotchy result. The gel cannot whiten the tooth structure if there is too much extrinsic staining or calculus on the surface.

White spot lesions or tooth enamel defects occur during the formation stages of the tooth. It is usually a result of over fluoridation or medication taken during pregnancy or soon after birth. Further information can be found at The D3 Group

Don’t panic. Locate the tooth and if it’s clean, place it in your mouth under your tongue. Alternatively, place in some saline or milk and contact us to arrange an emergency appointment. DO NOT wipe or touch the root of the tooth. If the tooth has come loose and fallen out of it’s socket, try as early as possible to push it back into position. Further information can be found at Dental Trauma Guide

At Brunswick Dentist, we require payment on the day or treatment. If you have private health insurance, we can claim your benefit directly using HICAPS, thereby reducing the need to claim separately. We accept all methods of payment except Diners.

With extensive treatments you will be given a comprehensive treatment plan including the expected costs. Should you wish to discuss any concerns regarding payment plans, our reception staff are available to discuss your options.

Yes, we do. Wheelchair access is from side door, please advise when making appointment if wheelchair access is required and we will accommodate your needs on arrival.

Yes, there are multiple options for Public Transport to our clinic:

• TRAIN – Brunswick train station (Upfield Line) is approx 400 metres from our practice. Travel Time: Approx 20 minutes from Flinders Street Station.
• TRAM – Number 19 tram (which runs from Elizabeth Street in the city) and get off at stop 24. Travel Time: Approx 30 minutes from Flinders Street Station.
• BUS – 508 Bus service running along Victoria Street, goes from Moonee Ponds to Alphington. Travel Time: Approx 10 minutes from Moonee Ponds Junction.

All day parking is available at the end of Ballarat Street along the train tracks at the cost of $1.00 per hour. There is a carpark adjacent to our practice offering unmetered parking for 90 minutes. Entry is from Victoria Street. Alternatively the surrounding streets have 2 hour parking spaces.