Restorative Dentistry in Stirling

Restoring your teeth helps maintain both their function and appearance, preventing further damage or complications. Here are several reasons why they are beneficial:

• Preventing Further Damage:
  When a tooth is damaged, whether through decay, chips, or cracks, ignoring it can lead to further issues. A small cavity, for example, can develop into a serious infection requiring more invasive treatments like root canals or extractions. Tooth restoration for damaged teeth helps prevent further damage and costly and complicated procedures later on.
• Improving Functionality:
  Missing or damaged teeth can also cause difficulty when eating certain foods, potentially impacting one’s nutrition. Restoring damaged teeth improves one’s ability to chew, speak, and enjoy food.
• Aesthetic Benefits:
  Having your teeth restored can dramatically improve your smile’s appearance. Whether through fillings, crowns, veneers, or implants, dental restoration can give you a natural-looking and beautiful smile. It can also help keep teeth from shifting out of place for a more even and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Maintaining Bone Structure:
  When teeth are lost, the jawbone deteriorates, resulting in bone loss and changes in facial structure. A dental restoration, such as an implant, helps stimulate the jawbone, keeping it healthy and preventing bone shrinkage.
• Promoting Oral Health:
  Damaged teeth can accumulate bacteria, resulting in infections in the mouth and potentially causing gum disease. Restorations help eliminate spaces where bacteria can thrive, minimising the chances of complications.

By choosing to restore your teeth, you improve your dental health and protect your long-term health and well-being. If you’re looking for reliable restorative dentistry in Stirling, contact Joondanna Family Dental. Our restorative dentistry services prevent further damage, improve functionality, and enhance aesthetics, promoting long-term dental health. Book your consultation today and regain your confidence!

Dental fillings are frequently used to address various oral health concerns. Here are several reasons why you might need them:

• Addressing Tooth Decay:
  The most common reason for needing a dental filling is to address cavities caused by tooth decay. When decay breaks down the enamel, it creates a hole in the tooth. A filling helps restore the tooth’s structure, preventing further damage and the spread of decay.
• Preventing Infection:
  If decay is ignored, it can reach the tooth’s pulp, resulting in infection and possibly requiring a root canal treatment or extraction. By filling the cavity early, you reduce the risk of bacterial infection, preserving your natural teeth.
• Enhancing Tooth Function:
  Damaged or decayed teeth can make it difficult to chew properly. A filling restores the tooth’s shape and function, allowing you to eat and chew comfortably without discomfort or damage to other teeth.
• Preventing Further Deterioration:
  If ignored, a cavity or crack can worsen over time. Fillings help protect the tooth, preventing more serious issues that might require more extensive procedures like crowns or root canal treatment.
• Restoring Cracked or Fractured Teeth:
  Teeth can crack or fracture due to injury, excessive pressure, or wear and tear. Fillings can restore these imperfections, enhancing the tooth structure and strength and preventing the crack from spreading further.
• Managing Worn-Down Teeth:
  Teeth can gradually wear down over time due to habits like grinding, natural wear, or vigorous brushing. Fillings can help restore the shape and strength of these teeth, bringing them back to their original appearance.
• Improving Oral Health:
  By filling cavities, tooth restoration for damaged teeth creates a smoother surface, making it easier to clean with brushing. This helps minimise the chances of plaque accumulation, gum issues, and recurrent tooth decay and improves oral health.
• Relieving Sensitivity:
  Teeth with cavities or cracks are often more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods. A dental filling can seal the exposed areas of the tooth, reducing sensitivity and improving your comfort.

Dental fillings play an essential role in preserving oral health, preventing further damage, and promoting proper tooth function. They offer both functional and cosmetic advantages, making them an important part of dental care.

Dentures provide several important benefits for individuals who have lost teeth and require tooth replacement. Here are the key advantages of wearing dentures:

• Restored Functionality:
  Dentures allow you to bite and chew properly, improving your ability to eat a variety of foods. This enhances nutrition, as you can comfortably consume foods that may have been difficult to eat with missing teeth. Dentures also help you speak more clearly by replacing the missing teeth that may affect pronunciation.
• Preservation of Remaining Teeth:
  Partial dentures not only replace missing teeth but also help maintain your remaining natural teeth. Filling in the gaps in your teeth can help prevent the shifting of surrounding teeth, thereby minimising the risk of bite problems and other dental issues.
• Maintaining Facial Structure:
  Though dentures do not directly stimulate the jawbone like implants, they still provide some support for the underlying structures of your face. This helps to prevent the facial muscles from sagging, which can occur with significant tooth loss.
• Removability:
  Dentures, unlike dental implants or bridges, can be removed for cleaning. This allows you to clean your gums and any remaining natural teeth effectively.
• Non-Invasive Procedure:
  Getting dentures does not require surgery, unlike dental implants. This makes dentures an ideal option for individuals who may not be candidates for more invasive procedures due to medical reasons or personal preference.

Dentures offer a practical and versatile option for tooth replacement. They improve your appearance, restore oral function, and contribute to improved overall health and well-being.

A dental crown is a cover fitted over a tooth to restore its shape, size, durability, and look. They can be made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of materials. They are custom-made to fit your tooth and blend with your natural teeth. Here’s how dental crowns work:

Protecting Weakened or Damaged Teeth

When a tooth is decayed, cracked, or weakened, a crown can protect it from further damage. The crown serves as a protective cover, surrounding the entire visible part of the tooth above the gumline. This prevents the tooth from breaking and helps maintain its functionality.

Supporting Dental Bridges

A bridge is a dental prosthetic used to replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (called pontics) to crowns placed on adjacent natural teeth. These crowns support the bridge and provide stability.

Restoring Dental Implants

In cases of tooth loss, dental crowns are attached to dental implants, which are titanium posts surgically implanted into the jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. The crown acts as the visible part of the tooth replacement, providing both function and appearance similar to a natural tooth.

Dental crowns offer a versatile way to restore and protect teeth, helping to maintain both function and aesthetics for long-term oral health.

Getting a dental bridge requires multiple steps to achieve a durable and high-quality restoration. Here’s a detailed overview of the dental bridge procedure:

Initial Consultation and Evaluation

The process begins with an initial consultation where the dentist assesses your overall oral health. During this visit:

• Oral Examination:
  The dentist conducts a thorough examination of your mouth, checking for signs of decay, gum disease, and any structural issues with your teeth. This helps determine if a dental bridge is suitable.
• X-rays and Impressions:
  The dentist will take X-rays to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone and impressions to create a mould of your teeth.
• Treatment Plan:
  If a dental bridge is deemed appropriate, the dentist will discuss the different types of bridges, the treatment timeline, expectations and costs.

Tooth Preparation

For a traditional bridge, which uses crowns on adjacent teeth (called abutment teeth) to support the bridge:

• Reshaping the Adjacent Teeth:
  The abutment teeth on either side of the gap need to be reshaped to create space for the crowns that will hold the bridge. The dentist removes a small portion of the enamel tooth structure to allow the crowns to fit.
• Impression or Digital Scan:
  Once the teeth are prepared, an impression or digital scan of your teeth is taken. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory, where the custom bridge is made to achieve an ideal fit and match your natural teeth.

Temporary Bridge Placement

While the bridge is being made, the dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth and maintain the space between the abutments. This bridge covers the reshaped teeth and maintains aesthetics and function, allowing you to chew and speak normally while waiting for the final restoration.

Fitting and Placement of the Bridge

Once the bridge is ready (usually after 1-2 weeks):

• Removing the Temporary Bridge:
  The dentist takes out the temporary bridge and checks if your teeth and gums are healthy before placing the new one.
• Fitting the Bridge:
  The dentist places the custom-made bridge on the prepared teeth, checking the fit, bite, and alignment. They may make small adjustments to achieve comfort and proper functionality.
• Cementing the Bridge:
  Once the fit is satisfactory, the dentist cements the crowns onto the abutment teeth, securing the bridge in place. The artificial tooth or teeth (called pontics) fill the gap, restoring the natural look and function of your healthy smile.

Post-Placement Care and Adjustments

After the bridge is placed:

• Final Adjustments:
  You may need a follow-up appointment to check your bite and confirm that the bridge is functioning properly.
• Oral Hygiene Instructions:
  The dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your new bridge, including proper brushing and flossing (especially around the bridge) and regular dental visits to maintain its longevity.
• Potential Adjustments:
  In some cases, minor adjustments may be needed to achieve a comfortable and ideal fit for the bridge.

The process of getting a dental bridge generally involves multiple steps, including preparing adjacent healthy teeth, taking impressions, fitting a temporary bridge, and placing the final custom-made bridge. Visit our clinic near Stirling and take the first step towards a healthier smile!

The cost of restorative dentistry procedures depends on the complexity of your situation and the specific treatment required. Key considerations include:

• Type of Restoration:
  The complexity of the restoration significantly impacts the cost. For example, a simple filling is generally less expensive than a crown or a bridge. More complex procedures like dental implants or full-mouth reconstructions generally cost more due to the materials and time involved.
• Geographical Location:
  The cost of dental procedures can vary depending on the region or city. In high-cost living areas like major cities, dental services may be pricier than in rural regions. This is due to higher overhead costs for dental clinics and varying local market rates.
• Dentist’s Experience:
  The experience and skill of the dentist performing the procedure can influence the cost. Highly experienced dentists may charge more due to their advanced training and high-quality dental care.
• Materials Used:
  The choice of materials can also affect the overall cost. High-quality, durable materials may cost more but provide better long-term results and durability than cheaper options.
• Additional Factors:
  Additional factors, such as preliminary procedures, case complexity, and follow-up care, can also impact the cost of restorative treatments. Each of these elements can contribute to variations in the overall expense.

Schedule a check-up at Joondanna Family Dental so we can assess your teeth and provide an accurate treatment estimate. To keep our services accessible, we offer various payment methods and accept all major health funds and some government benefits. In addition, there are financing alternatives that are accessible to facilitate the management of expenses.

Whether your private health fund covers restorative dentistry procedures near Stirling depends on your specific policy and the type of treatment you need. Many private health fund plans offer partial reimbursement for common restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, and bridges. However, more extensive treatments, such as dental implants, may have limited or no inclusion, depending on your plan. It’s advisable to review your health fund policy or consult with your provider to understand the details of your benefits. At Joondanna Family Dental, we accept all major health funds.