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Urunga Dentist - Welcome Dental Nambucca Heads

 

We'll turn that frown upside down!

 

The welcome swallow got its name from sailors who knew they were near land when they saw them. They were a welcome sight after a long journey. Their symbolism has included, peace, love and healing in different cultures.

 

Throughout our journey we want to create sensational smiles for people on the Coffs Coast and improve their overall happiness and wellbeing.

 

teeth whitening braces veneers Urunga

 

services

 

The team at Welcome Dental in Urunga NSW offer a wide range of services including general dental such as fillings and oral hygiene through to cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening, straightening teeth or veneers. Feel free to click on the various links below to visit that page and learn more.

 

 

 

Emergency Dentistry

 

Cosmetic Dentistry

 

General Dentistry

 

Children's Dentistry

 

Orthodontics

 

Invisalign

 

 veneers

 

Veneers are added to the front of the tooth. They are used because of discolouration, misalignment, chips, to reduce gaps, worn teeth or cracks. The natural tooth may be shaved so that when the extra layer is added the tooth remains in a nice line with the other teeth. They are matched to the natural shade of your teeth.

 

 orthodontics

 

Some reasons that you may consider orthodontics include; crooked teeth, gappy teeth, an underbite or overbite, buck teeth or crowded teeth. Orthodontics is a system of using removable plates,  braces or other fixed appliances or clear aligners to  apply pressure to your teeth to move them appropriately.

 

 

 

Children

 

6 monthly dental check ups are especially important for children from time they lose their first baby tooth. The dentist will check that teeth are coming through symmetrically in the child’s mouth and in the correct sequence. Some orthodontic problems can be avoided completely with early detection and  correct management of potential issues. Small orthodontic problems can be come much larger problems if not addressed in a timely fashion. Detected of likely bigger problems early allows parents to plan financially for later treatment. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

Teenagers

 

Many orthodontic conditions are best addressed during active growth or as the 12 year old molars are erupting so the early teenage years are a common time to start orthodontic treatment.

 

 

 

Adults

 

It is not uncommon for adults to want to move their teeth to help get to the smile they have always wanted! Many adults choose Invisalign rather than braces as they are less obvious

 

invisalign

 

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that are worn over a period of time and changed when instructed by your dentist. There is a free online assessment at: https://invisalign.com.au

 

 

 

You will require a consult with the dentist before commencing this treatment. When they take a scan of your mouth with the Itero scanner, you will be able to see the changes that are made through using Invisalign and what your smile will look like at the end. Your retainers will then be custom made. You will need to have regular visits with the dentist and ensure that you are maintaining your oral health.

 

 

 

Depending on your case, Invisalign can start to see changes within 6 months. Most people will have Invisalign for 18-24 months until the end result. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

The best thing about Invisalign is there are no wires, or brackets, this means you can continue eating all of your favourite foods and there are no changes to your brushing habits.

 

 

 

Diagram - showing in order; healthy gums, Gingivitis, Periodontitis

 

Composite Veneers

 

Multiple layers are added to the front of the tooth and light cured. The colour is matched to the natural shade.

 

 tooth whitening

 

Teeth may darken due to pigments that may be incorporated into the teeth due to smoking, coffee and tea, alcohol and  food additives. Some natural discolouration may occur due to with aging and post trauma. Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment used to lighten the colour of teeth to give a fresher looking smile. How long it lasts depends on continued avoidance of highly pigmented  foods and  avoiding smoking.

 

 

 

Tooth whitening is usually done either at home using special trays custom made to fit your mouth (this can take days or weeks depending on your teeth) or by Zoom whitening at the dental office (a 90 to 120 minute session).  It is a safe and quick way to improve your smile and is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. It is often done prior to other aesthetic work so that the subsequent work can be done at a shade you are happy with.

 

 

 

It is important to note that different types of tooth whitening are suitable for different people and not everyone is a good candidate. Your dentist, hygienist or oral health therapist will be able to advise whether you are a good candidate. Sensitivity needs to be considered as in some cases it may be exacerbated by whitening.  Decay and abrasion, abfraction and erosion lesions need to be addressed and calculus should be removed prior to commencing and your overall oral health needs to be considered. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

Take Home Whitening

 

 This enables you to whiten and top up your whitening to whiten in your own time at your own pace. If you wish to proceed this way  and you are a good candidate, then your dentist will make you customised mouth trays that closely fit the teeth for safe and effective results. They will also discuss the best percentage of whitening gel, provide instructions and answer any questions you may have. It is important to follow the dentist’s instructions to ensure best results and to maintain your oral health. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

Zoom Whitening

 

If you want fast results then in chair whitening with Zoom might be an option for you. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

Zoom whitening uses whitening gel, that is activated by an ultraviolet light to achieve results. There will be a post treatment gel applied and you will also receive customised whitening trays and a take home whitening kit so that you can top up at a later date, though some people choose to just get their zoom redone every few years. Urunga & Nambucca Heads.

 

 

 

Single Tooth Whitening

 

When a tooth has been root filled and discoloured sometimes it can be whitened from the inside.  The dentist will assess the tooth and if suitable may clean and root filling material from inside the crown of the tooth, seal the root filling material at the gum line and temporarily seal   some whitening material inside. Two or more visits are required to get the tooth to the desired shade  before the tooth is permanently sealed.

 

 

 

Diagram - showing a teeth whitening kit.

 

Porcelain Veneers

 

These are custom made in a laboratory from porcelain or other ceramic material. The porcelain is bonded to the tooth surface. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

 

 

Diagram - showing a veneer being added.

 

If you are looking to book in for an appointment please click here to visit the contact page. meet the team. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

Welcome Dental team comprises of a number of enthusiastic and caring personalities, committed to providing high quality dentistry and exceptional patient care in a place where people feel safe, welcome and at peace. We want our teams to be social, innovative and inspired and people who are passionate about oral health and happy smiles.

 

Cosmetic Kids Dentistry Urunga Dental

 

articles

 

View our articles page, updated regularly with news, information about oral care, what to do in an emergency and more. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

dental emergency?

 

Dental Trauma

 

 

 

The Tooth SOS App is  a fantastic App  by the International Association of Dental Traumatology and we highly recommend you download it.

 

 

 

Dental Emergency

 

 

 

If you’re suffering a toothache or maybe you recently broke a tooth you may need emergency dental treatment. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

 

 

A few tips if you’re suffering a tooth ache and can’t get to the dentist straight away:

 

• Avoid eating or chewing on the side of your mouth that is experiencing the pain.

 

• You may prefer soft or liquid foods, as well as avoiding food or drink that is extremely hot or cold, as many dental problems can cause heightened sensitivity to temperature.

 

• If a sharp tooth is causing discomfort you can use some bees wax, blue tac or sugar free chewing gum to cover the sharp area for short term relief. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

To alleviate any associated pain, take paracetamol or ibuprofen (if you are able to). They work best if taken together at the same time but be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dosage.

 

Some people find clove oil helpful but, be careful when applying as it can burn lips and other soft tissues

 

Record what causes the pain and how it changes.  If it is worse if you lower your head it could be a sinus issue and sinus medication might help. If your jaw joints are sore it could be a joint problem.

 

• Avoid putting aspirin directly on your gums (near the tooth) as they may potentially burn the gums , cheeks or tongue. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

 

 

• If it hurts when you bite down or release your bite try to bite on  toothpick and check in the mirror to ensure you so you can show your dentist exactly where it hurts when you  come in.

 

 

 

• If you suffer fever, swelling or have trouble swallowing it is important to attend emergency if you cannot attend a dentist immediately. We are located close to Nambucca Heads, in the township of Urunga.

 

 

 

Pain is your body’s way of saying something is wrong and sometimes things are very wrong.  If a tooth is starting to hurt on its own sometimes it’s too late to save it so don’t wait for things to get bad. If you think something is not right then call for an emergency dental appointment

 

 

 

Knocked out teeth

 

 

 

Baby teeth

 

If it is a baby tooth don’t replace it but bring the child in for review (preferably with the tooth).

 

 

 

Adult teeth

 

1 Try to find your tooth, when you find it do not touch the root of the tooth, hold it by the crown.

 

2 If the tooth is dirty rinse it with milk before reinserting it (ensure to place it back in the right way). Do not scrub the tooth clean.

 

3 If you don’t want to reinsert it then place the tooth between your teeth and cheek until you get to the hospital or the dentist or place it into a glass of milk. Do not place the tooth into water.

 

fillings

 

Teeth may require ‘fillings' or ‘restorations' for a number of reasons. These include, decay, trauma, grinding (bruxism) or to protect and seal teeth after root canal therapy. Sometimes we have to rebuild teeth that have been etched away by acids. Fillings are used to  reduce further  wear and tear or loss of tooth structure.

 

 

 

Cavities that require filling may become evident due to;

 

Tooth ache or tooth pain ( which may be intermittent or constant)

Sensitivity to hot and cold

feeling or seeing a hole

Floss tearing between teeth

Discolouration or grey shadowing

Decay on an x-ray

 

 

The most common form of filling used is a composite resin. Sometimes we use glass ionomer cements.  Rarely amalgam fillings may be indicated and maybe an option. Porcelain and zirconia inlay/onlays may also be appropriate. The composite resin is matched to the shad of your natural teeth. If you do opt for a porcelain inlay/onlay then this is also matched to your natural shade, however the costs are substantially higher as this is a lab made product and requires two visits (these are similar to a veneer).

 

 

dental emergency?

Dental Trauma

 

The Tooth SOS App is  a fantastic App  by the International Association of Dental Traumatology and we highly recommend you download it.

 

Dental Emergency

 

If you’re suffering a toothache or maybe you recently broke a tooth you may need emergency dental treatment.

 

A few tips if you’re suffering a tooth ache and can’t get to the dentist straight away:

• Avoid eating or chewing on the side of your mouth that is experiencing the pain.

• You may prefer soft or liquid foods, as well as avoiding food or drink that is extremely hot or cold, as many dental problems can cause heightened sensitivity to temperature.

• If a sharp tooth is causing discomfort you can use some bees wax, blue tac or sugar free chewing gum to cover the sharp area for short term relief.

To alleviate any associated pain, take paracetamol or ibuprofen (if you are able to). They work best if taken together at the same time but be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dosage.

Some people find clove oil helpful but, be careful when applying as it can burn lips and other soft tissues

Record what causes the pain and how it changes.  If it is worse if you lower your head it could be a sinus issue and sinus medication might help. If your jaw joints are sore it could be a joint problem.

• Avoid putting aspirin directly on your gums (near the tooth) as they may potentially burn the gums , cheeks or tongue.

 

• If it hurts when you bite down or release your bite try to bite on  toothpick and check in the mirror to ensure you so you can show your dentist exactly where it hurts when you  come in.

 

• If you suffer fever, swelling or have trouble swallowing it is important to attend emergency if you cannot attend a dentist immediately.

 

Pain is your body’s way of saying something is wrong and sometimes things are very wrong.  If a tooth is starting to hurt on its own sometimes it’s too late to save it so don’t wait for things to get bad. If you think something is not right then call for an emergency dental appointment

 

Knocked out teeth

 

Baby teeth

If it is a baby tooth don’t replace it but bring the child in for review (preferably with the tooth).

 

Adult teeth

1 Try to find your tooth, when you find it do not touch the root of the tooth, hold it by the crown.

2 If the tooth is dirty rinse it with milk before reinserting it (ensure to place it back in the right way). Do not scrub the tooth clean.

3 If you don’t want to reinsert it then place the tooth between your teeth and cheek until you get to the hospital or the dentist or place it into a glass of milk. Do not place the tooth into water.

fillings

Teeth may require ‘fillings' or ‘restorations' for a number of reasons. These include, decay, trauma, grinding (bruxism) or to protect and seal teeth after root canal therapy. Sometimes we have to rebuild teeth that have been etched away by acids. Fillings are used to  reduce further  wear and tear or loss of tooth structure.

 

Cavities that require filling may become evident due to;

  • Tooth ache or tooth pain ( which may be intermittent or constant)
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • feeling or seeing a hole
  • Floss tearing between teeth
  • Discolouration or grey shadowing
  • Decay on an x-ray

 

The most common form of filling used is a composite resin. Sometimes we use glass ionomer cements.  Rarely amalgam fillings may be indicated and maybe an option. Porcelain and zirconia inlay/onlays may also be appropriate. The composite resin is matched to the shad of your natural teeth. If you do opt for a porcelain inlay/onlay then this is also matched to your natural shade, however the costs are substantially higher as this is a lab made product and requires two visits (these are similar to a veneer).

Fillings

crowns, bridges & veneers

Crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. They are generally are a longer term solution than simple fillings  and are usually only used when a lot of tooth structure has already been lost.

 

Crowns

A crown is like a shell that goes over your tooth and helps to hold it together. Crowns are commonly made from porcelain or other ceramic or zirconia and can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth. Sometimes other materials can be used such as metal alloy, gold or resin.

 

Crowns may be recommended for;

  • heavily filled teeth
  • cracked teeth
  • damaged or imperfectly formed tooth structure
  • improving shape, alignment or appearance of teeth
  • the final stage of an implant
  • protecting a root canal treated tooth
  • anchoring a bridge

 

Bridges

Bridges are a fixed solution to missing teeth. When you have one or more teeth missing, a bridge might be the ideal solution.

Bridges are basically one or more false teeth attached to one crowned teeth or implants. They usually made from porcelain fused to metal or gold. Porcelain is matched to your tooth shade. They are cemented to natural teeth, implants or crowns.

As well as filling a gap between two teeth, bridges help prevent the  teeth surrounding and opposite the  gap  from tipping or growing into it.

 

How are Crowns and Bridges made?

Once it is confirmed that crowns and bridges are appropriate solutions for a problem at hand an appointment can be made to shape or rebuild tooth structure to support the crown or bridge. A mold or 3D scan of the teeth or implant is taken at this appointment, shade matching is determined and a temporary crown or bridge is often created. The mold or scan are sent to a lab for fabrication of the permanent crown or bridge.

 

When it returns from the lab, the temporary fitting is removed and the crown/bridge is cemented in place.

 

As with fillings, to ensure longevity of crowns and bridges, you must continue to brush and floss twice a day  and maintain regular dental visits. It is advisable that you avoid chewing very hard foods such as ice on that area.

 

Veneers

Veneers are added to the front of the tooth. They are used because of discolouration, misalignment, chips, to reduce gaps, worn teeth or cracks. The natural tooth may be shaved so that when the extra layer is added the tooth remains in a nice line with the other teeth. They are matched to the natural shade of your teeth.

 

Composite Veneers

Multiple layers are added to the front of the tooth and light cured. The colour is matched to the natural shade.

 

Porcelain Veneers

These are custom made in a laboratory from porcelain or other ceramic material. The porcelain is bonded to the tooth surface.

 

Diagram - showing a bridge attached by implant.

Bridge Implant Urunga

gum disease

By age 65 over 50% of Australian's have gum disease to some degree. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common cause of bad breath, tooth sensitivity, loose and lost teeth, and the appearance of looking 'long in the tooth'

 

Back in the day when most people never brushed their teeth, their teeth would regularly just start falling out, often by age 40 or so. Nowadays it still happens. Occasionally we see people lose teeth doing simple things like sneezing and most of the time, if caught early enough it is nearly entirely preventable.

 

Gum disease usually starts off as gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by a build-up of bacteria on the teeth due to poor tooth cleaning habits. Dentists refer to this build up as 'plaque'. Gingivitis is reversible if plaque removal is effective. The plaque irritates the gums causing them to become swollen, red and bleed easily. Certain bacteria in the plaque cause the outer surface to calcify on the teeth like cement, pretty much in the same way a coral reef forms. This is called tartar or calculus and is what your dental hygienist cleans away for you. If left unchecked gingivitis will sometimes  progress to gum disease.

 

Gum disease develops when a persons body reacts to the inflamed gums by eating away the bone that supports the teeth. Mostly it happens quite slowly but in some people it can be very aggressive. Unfortunately it is not reversible, but in nearly every case it is possible to stabilise it. It is important for your dental practitioner to check your teeth and gums regularly, take regular x-rays and record any bone loss affecting your teeth as this how they can tell if the process is stable or if it is getting worse and when and how to intervene to stabilise it. Recent studies have found gum disease and even just long term gingivitis to be linked to heart disease, dementia and even certain cancers. Whether they are risk factor or just indicators of risk remains to be seen but the link appears to lie in the individual's genetic make-up and way their body responds to inflammation.

 

Your dentist will recommend how to help control the disease, it is important to follow the recommendations and to monitor the condition.

 

Things that can contribute to periodontal disease:

• Poor oral hygiene

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Genetics

• Some medications

 

Things to look out for:

• Bleeding gums

• Bad breath

• Red and swollen gums

• Bad taste in your mouth

• Tooth loss

• Loose teeth or teeth that are starting to move

 

It is important to visit the dentist if you are experiencing any of the above signs, they may refer you to a hygienist for a clean and in some instances you may be referred to a specialist periodontist for care.

 

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits:

• Brush twice a day 2 minutes at a time

• Floss daily

• Eat low sugar foods and drinks

• Drink plenty of water

• Visit the dentist at least every year but it is recommended every 6 months

 

Diagram - showing in order; healthy gums, Gingivitis, Periodontitis

gum disease

root canal treatment

In most cases Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is used to save teeth that would otherwise be lost because the nerve has irreversibly deteriotated.  It is usually performed over 2-3 staged appointments. Once when you start RCT it is important that you maintain your visits as planned.  Depending on the root canal anatomy, the treatment be very complex and require specialist referral.

 

What happens in a RCT?

In confirming the need for RCT and to establish that it is likely to be successful a series of tests and one or more xrays are usually taken. On occasion, you may be referred for special scans called CBCTs.

These images show how many nerve canals the tooth has, and how many visits will likely be required to provide  likelihood of success and likely costs. If you are in pain, your dentist may start emergency treatment for you that day.

 

During the visits the dentist will remove the infected nerve tissue and any debris, prepare the canals to enable them to be sterilized and, finally place the root canal filling to seal the canals and reduce the chance of further infection. Finally a filling will be placed  to seal the tooth itself reduce the possibility of contamination of the root filling material. Utimately a crown is often the best way to protect a root filled tooth.

 

Diagram - showing root canal treatment

root canal treatment

wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are the large molars at the back of your mouth. Mostly they come through between the ages of 17 and 24. The are the most common teeth in the mouth to be naturally missing so some people have less than 4 and, rarely and some may get more. A minority of people will never have problems with their wisdom teeth and can retain them for life.  Wisdom tooth extractions are required when they don’t have enough room to erupt and develop normally or only partially erupt.

 

Complications of wisdom teeth include:

• Pain and infection from the gum around the wisdom tooth or from the tooth itself.

• decay and infection of wisdom tooth or the 12 year old molar next to it because it is too far back in the mouth to enable adequate cleaning

• There is no room for the tooth to come through. Potential problems including a bone defect behind the 12 year old molar or damage to its root, and  overerruption of the opposing tooth if the wisdom tooth has not properly erupted or has required  removal

• Sometimes a cyst formation around the crown of the unerrupted wisdom tooth

• Cheek biting or biting on the opposing gum.

 

Wisdom tooth extractions are usually surgical procedures. They can be more complicated and risky than many other extractions but as a rule the upper wisdom teeth at least are nor problematic. Sometimes they need to be referred to an Oral surgeon. Your dentist will discuss complications, risks and adverse side effects that can happen from extraction of wisdom teeth.

implants

Implants are used to replace unrestorable or missing teeth. They are titanium screws that integrate into the jawbone (where the existing tooth root used to be) and are considered permanent structures with an average life expectancy of 27 years. If crowned they can be made to look like  natural teeth. Implants may also be used to hold bridges  and removable dentures in place.

 

Dental Implants are not suitable for everyone and you will require a consultation and a special type of x-ray prior to finding out if you are a good candidate.

 

Implants are generally not appropriate if you -

  • Have gum disease
  • Suffer conditions which affect bone healing or if you smoke.
  • Have an inadequate jaw bone to support the implant.
  • Are not prepared to maintain excellent oral hygiene and return for professional cleaning

 

Like any surgery, complications occasionally arise and include-

• Infection

• Nerve damage

• Sinus problems

• Injury or damage to surrounding teeth or blood vessels

• Failure of the implant to take.

Ready to make an appointment?

The Welcome Dental team are here to help you! Simply click here to be directed to our contact page.

 

We look forward to seeing you!

book online now

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Before having any surgical or invasive procedures undertaken, it is always advisable to have a second opinion, from a registered and qualified health practitioner.

Fillings
Bridge Implant Urunga
gum disease
root canal treatment
logo dentist Urunga
Fillings
Bridge Implant Urunga
gum disease
root canal treatment
logo dentist Urunga