Frequently Asked Questions

Oral hygiene is important because, without appropriate care, you may be exposed to a multitude of problems such as: bacterial infections, gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. On top of this, maintaining good oral hygiene will allow for the longevity of your teeth as well as bring you confidence when you smile.

The processes that are completed in order to maintain your oral hygiene include the following:

1. A full check-up. This consists of a thorough analysis of many things including your teeth, gums, jaw and much more. 
2. Clean. The clean consists of the removal of plaque and hardened calculus.
3. X-rays. These consist of two smaller x-rays. These small intraoral x-rays allow for the dentist to check for decay between your teeth and, as a result, plan an appropriate treatment process. Additionally, we take an OPG x-ray at your first appointment and every two years afterwards.
4. Fluoride treatment. The application of fluoride, which is a natural mineral, allows for the enamel of your teeth to become stronger and prevents cavities.

Your oral hygiene should be assessed every six months. This is because, bi-annual check-ups allow for a risk assessment to be performed in a timely manner in order to prevent teeth and gum problems.

It is highly recommended that you brush twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. You should also be flossing once per day in order to maintain good oral hygiene in between your preventative dental visits. 

Here at Taigum Dental Team, we have an OPG X-ray machine. An OPG X-ray machine takes an image of the upper and lower jaws, and all of your teeth. This process is performed every 2 years. An OPG allows for all teeth to be examined and assessed, including your wisdom teeth which may not be visible. When required, this x-ray is performed in order to check bone levels, root levels, teeth positioning, nerve location and more.

When you are in pain and need a dentist, we are here to help! At Taigum Dental Team, we set aside allocated time for emergencies each day to ensure if you need a same day appointment, our dentists can provide you the care that you need. Quality dental care matters when you are in pain and that’s why we ensure the highest standard of care is given to each and every patient in your time of need. 

If you need professional advice regarding a dental emergency, phone today on (07) 3254 6018 to speak to a member of our team to get the help you need. Our staff are well trained and can assist with giving recommendations to manage your symptoms and to book you in for a same day appointment to get the emergency assistance you need.  

If you are in pain before seeing the dentist, you have left your dental emergency progress for too long. You should never know that you need a filling because of pain. If this is the case, your dental emergency has most likely progressed to the nerve of the tooth and this makes treatment more complicated. This is why it is the dentist’s job to identify an issue before it has reached the nerve and, as a result, keep you out of pain.

In-chair whitening is done when you wish to brighten the colour/shade of your teeth. It is done in one appointment and helps you achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Here at Taigum Dental Team, we use Phillip’s Zoom Whitening, which is a highly rated whitening option. After your whitening appointment, we will have custom-made bleaching trays ready for you to take home. These at-home trays help you to continue having a whiter, brighter smile for months after your appointment.

The general time it takes for in-chair tooth whitening is approximately 90 minutes; with treatment completed in 15-minute increments. After the completion of each round, additional whitening gel is re-applied to the teeth. In total, there is a maximum of 4 15-minute in-chair whitening rounds. During and after each round, we assess the patient and their sensitivity levels. If the patient is experiencing high sensitivity, treatment is ended. However, if the patient is happy to continue on, the maximum of four rounds can be completed. 

Results differ for each patient. You can expect to see a change in the shade of your teeth, however, the final shade varies from person to person. It is highly recommended to have your teeth cleaned within two weeks prior to your whitening appointment. This is because, cleaning your teeth makes them more porous and, as a result, more susceptible to the whitening bleach. Additionally, a clean will also remove all excess plaque which will allow for a more even result on each tooth.

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to erupt and are your third molars. Most people are born with 4 wisdom teeth. However, wisdom teeth do not always fully erupt due to limited space in the mouth. In some cases, this can cause difficulty when it comes to cleaning and can also result occasional pain. This can be one factor as to why your dentist may recommend we extract them. 

Wisdom teeth extractions vary in complexity. This is case dependent and we will assess and advise you of the complexity of wisdom teeth removal as necessary. All you should feel during an extraction is pushing, no pain. After treatment, you will be quite numb. Ensure you take pain relief soon after if not allergic and keep up with pain relief for the initial 24 hours. After this time period, you can start to ease off. Yes you will be sore, however you should not find your pain to be too uncomfortable.

A root canal treatment occurs typically within two to three visits and involves the removal of the pulp and nerve of a tooth. This removal is then followed by cleaning and filling the canal of the tooth.

Root canal treatments are performed as a result of excessive decay or trauma to the tooth. Some symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal treatment include hot and cold sensitivity, toothache when biting or chewing, darkening of the tooth and discomfort or swelling of the gums. However, it is important to get an assessment from our dentist to determine if a root canal treatment is required.

Tooth decay is best described as degradation or damage to a tooth’s surface or enamel. This occurs when acid from the bacteria in your mouth begins to break down the enamel. This can lead to the need for fillings. If the tooth decay is left untreated for an extended period of time, it can cause pain, sensitivity, infection and may require either root canal treatment or the extraction of the tooth.

Tooth decay can be caused by an array of things. Some examples are: excessive consumption of sugary or acidic food and drinks, poor oral hygiene and lack of flossing. On some occasions, people can be genetically more predisposed to decay.

If the decay has not gone to the pulp of the tooth (too far internally) and is not too far below the gums, a white resin filling is best suited in most circumstances. This material is most commonly used in dental practices today and can last anywhere from 3-5 years with good oral hygiene and regular exam and cleans at your local dentist.

The white filling material is strong and, as it is colour matched to the tooth’s surface, it is difficult for the naked eye to differentiate between the natural tooth and filling material. Our dentists also do not need to remove as much healthy tooth surface to bond (attach) the filling to the tooth; allowing us to preserve as much tooth as we can. Whilst Amalgam fillings have been used for quite some time, they are not the most favourable option when it comes to fillings and here is why. Amalgam fillings stand out which is, in most cases, not aesthetically what the patient desires. Additionally, amalgam fillings expand and contract differently to the tooth’s surface making it more common for the tooth to crack which, in turn, means that there is no easy fix other than extraction. Lastly, more of the healthy tooth structure is required to be removed to place amalgam fillings. 

A crown (also known as a ‘cap’) is a custom made full-coverage restoration for decayed, compromised, cracked, or damaged teeth. Crowns are used to recreate the aesthetics of a natural, healthy tooth, as well as protect the tooth from further cracks or damage. Here at Taigum Dental Team, we use high quality ceramic or porcelain fused to metal that we match to your tooth shade to produce the most natural looking crown. However, sometimes your dentist may recommend a gold crown, or other materials, depending on your own individual needs. 

Your dentist may have recommended you to get a crown, and you may be asking why. Teeth are generally recommended to be crowned when the patient falls under one of the following categories; a large surface of the tooth is filling material and under excessive load (you bite heavily on that tooth), If the tooth surface is cracked, the tooth is more brittle due to genetic conditions, to cover misshaped or discoloured teeth or if the tooth has been Root Canal treated.

Crowns generally last from 5-10 years, all depending on your individual dental hygiene habits. With good oral care and regular dental check-ups, you can expect crowns to last over 10 years. 

After getting a Root Canal treatment completed, your dentist may have recommended you get a crown done on that tooth. This is generally the best option after root canal treatment, as after a root canal, the tooth becomes more compromised. A good analogy is that of a branch that has fallen from a tree, over time it becomes brittle and breaks easily. The same concept applies to the tooth. As the root is extirpated (taken out), the tooth is not as strong as it once was, causing the tooth to become more susceptible to negative impacts in the future.

A denture is a prosthetic device made to replicate and fill the space of a missing tooth or teeth that have fallen out or been extracted.

Dentures are made to fill gaps in which teeth are missing. Typically, dentures are made for patients to feel comfortable with their smile and to make the processes of eating, drinking and talking easier which, in turn, improves your quality of life.

There are various types of dentures. Here at Taigum Dental Team, we offer both partial and full dentures. Depending on your case, we will suggest which option is most suitable for you. We use different materials ranging from Valplast, Chrome and Acrylic to suit a variety of needs.

The process for making a denture includes a series of appointments that are done to ensure the most accurate denture is made for the patient; initial impressions are taken following with a few more impressions and try in appointments prior to the insertion of the denture. This is to guarantee you receive the best denture we can supply. 

A bridge is a custom made fixed dental restoration that is used to fix gaps in the mouth produced by one or more missing teeth. This procedure is done by attaching a crown on either side of the gap, and ‘bridging’ the space with an artificial tooth. Our bridges are made from high quality ceramic or porcelain fused to metal to recreate the aesthetics of natural teeth. Our bridges are individually made for each patient and are made to match the colour of your existing teeth, therefore producing a natural looking solution for gaps. 

Your dentist may have recommended that you get a bridge to fill a gap caused by missing teeth. This could be for various reasons, so it’s best to sit down and speak with your dentist about your treatment. However, some of the main reasons for needing a bridge may include; helping to restore your smile and avoid feeling self-conscious, to restore or maintain proper chewing, biting and speaking, to maintain the proper form of your bite and proper shape of your face. 

Dental bridges can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. This varies from patient to patient and is dependent on how well the bridge is looked after. With good oral care and regular check-ups, you can expect dental bridges to last over 10 years.

A veneer is a thin layer of material, placed over the front of a tooth to cosmetically enhance your teeth and smile. A veneer can effectively improve the size, shape, length or colour of your tooth. There are two types of veneers that we do here at Taigum Dental Team; composite and porcelain. Speak to your dentist about what your most effective treatment is for enhancing your smile and if veneers are the best option for you. 

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain adhered to the outer-surface of the tooth. They are made in a lab and take 2 visits to complete. They typically last 10-15 years with the proper care. Composite veneers are a thin, tooth-coloured resin bonded to the outer-surface of the tooth. They only take 1 visit to complete. Composite veneers however only typically last 2-5 years depending on your at-home care. Both are made to match your teeth and improve your smile. While porcelain is a fragile material, once bonded to a healthy tooth it becomes more durable. Composite isn’t as durable as porcelain, however, if you chip or damage a composite veneer it can be repaired, whereas if you chip or damage a porcelain veneer it will have to be replaced. Composite veneers are a cheaper option, but porcelain veneers are a longer lasting option. 

Porcelain veneers are beneficial in many ways. They resist staining and decay better than real teeth. This is because, they are non-porous and our natural tooth enamel is porous. They are a permanent tooth whitening option and are easy to look after, it is the same as looking after your natural teeth, flossing once a day and brushing twice a day, followed by your regular 6-month check-ups. They are a quick and easy cosmetic fix to help people who are unhappy with their natural teeth as it can help with chipped teeth, gaps between the teeth, stained or discoloured teeth and misshapen teeth. Composite veneers have similar benefits, however they don’t look as natural as porcelain veneers and take more care to maintain due to the difference in materials and don’t last as long. They can also tend to chip and stain more easily. Speak to one of our talented dentists today about what your best option is for veneers. 

At Taigum Dental Team, we do a range of Lab work in-house. Whether it be mouth guards, clear retainers or whitening trays, we ensure you get the highest quality work produced from a well experienced team. 

We strive to complete these in a timely manner whilst ensuring we give you the highest grade product. Because of this, the process of making your mouth guard or whitening trays can take up to a week. Your dentist will discuss and specify time frames for these during your appointment.

An occlusal splint is a custom-made device made to fit flush to your teeth. This device is generally worn at night time or as often as necessary to protect the teeth from excessive grinding, clenching or to help ease muscle tension and to reduce jaw related issues. A splint is made using clear plastic.

This is all dependent on how you care for your splint and also how severe your grinding. When not in use, try to keep your splint in it’s container to avoid losing it and also to avoid your pet using it as a chew toy! Maintenance is easy, just brush it after use and run it under cold water. 

Here at Taigum Dental Team, we provide Medicare Bulk Billing for all dental services that are covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

CDBS was established in 2014 to provide dental treatment for eligible children between the ages of 2-17 years old. The Medicare scheme provides up to $1026 worth of dental treatment over two consecutive calendar years. To check your child’s eligibility, or if you have any questions regarding the CDBS scheme, you can give one of our friendly receptionists a call with your Medicare card details handy.

If your child would like to have a tooth fairy assisting with their dental treatment, making it more special and magical for them, let our team know before their appointment and we can have the special surprise ready for them when they visit!

Dental space maintainers are used to maintain space in a mouth to allow enough room for permanent teeth to erupt when baby teeth are lost earlier than necessary. Not maintaining this space for permanent teeth to erupt through normally can cause an array of future issues and possible crowding of teeth.

This is all case dependent, so it varies person to person. But consult your dentist and they will advise you of how long you may require this.