General and Cosmetic Dentistry

During your examination, your dentist will evaluate:

• Risk of tooth decay
• Loose or broken teeth
• Problems with your bite or jaw
• Need for tooth restoration or replacement
• Damaged fillings
• Signs of gum recession
• Need for fluoride
• Risk of gum or bone disease

If we find dental conditions in need of treatment, our dentists can work with you to develop a personalised plan to treat the concern safely and efficiently. Our dentists are able to provide a comprehensive range of services to address your needs, including general dentistry and periodontal treatments. They can also discuss your cosmetic goals at this time to develop a plan for helping you achieve a flawless smile.

For patients with gum disease, we may also provide scaling and root planing (root surface debridement), a non-surgical periodontal therapy where cleaning is performed below the gumline. Your dentist will provide you with their oral health recommendations based on their evaluation. They may suggest special cleaning aids as well as adjustments in your dental hygiene routine or diet. After your examination and cleaning, you can leave our practice with polished teeth and a better understanding of your current dental health.

We Can Care for All Your Dental Needs

At Orthosmile, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care at every stage of your treatment. We will use your dental cleaning and evaluation to consistently monitor and maintain your oral health while also building a personal relationship with you. Our dentists apply their experience and eye for innovative treatment to provide outstanding preventative and restorative care.

Benefits of Tooth-Coloured Fillings

We offer tooth-colored composite resin fillings, a durable material that can be customized to blend in with the natural shade of your smile. Fillings are used to fill gaps left by decay after your dentist has removed damaged tissue and cleaned out any cavities. Benefits include:

• Completely natural appearance
• Long-lasting and durable
• Secure bonding process

Like traditional restorations, these fillings are an effective preventive measure against further decay and allow patients to chew comfortably again.

Who Can Benefit From Tooth-Coloured Fillings?

Composite resin fillings may be right for you if you suffer from:

• Mild to moderate decay
• Mild chips, cracks, or wear and tear, especially on front teeth
• Worn out fillings or amalgam restorations that need replacement

For more extensive decay, inlays, onlays, or dental crowns may be more appropriate. If caught at an early stage, however, the effects of decay can be corrected with this simple and convenient solution. Furthermore, composite fillings can also be used to replace worn out restorations or amalgam fillings that contain mercury.

The Procedure

The process of receiving a tooth-coloured filling is relatively quick and simple. First, your dentist will determine the source of the problem with a thorough examination of your teeth, conducting both a visual exam in addition to taking x-rays. If there is decayed tissue, the dentist will first numb the tooth and remove all the decayed tooth tissue. When the site is clean, your dentist can determine whether a composite filling will provide sufficient protection or if you need a different type of treatment.

The tooth-coloured composite material is applied layer by layer, and your dentist will harden each one with a curing light. When this process is complete, the restoration is contoured so that it feels natural and comfortable. The last step is to smooth and polish the filling and make sure your bite is not affected in any way.

Maintaining Your Restoration

Taking care of your filling and being alert to any changes is important for its preservation. You should brush twice a day and floss your teeth daily, and it is important to follow up with your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings. Avoiding sweets and other hard foods is also a good way to maintain your filling and keep all your teeth healthy. If you notice any pain, sharp edges, instability, or broken pieces, contact your dentist.

What is Dental Bonding?

Is the Treatment a Good Solution for Me?

This efficient solution is a great option for patients with:

• Small gaps
• Minor chips or cracks
• Misshapen teeth
• Stains that do not respond to whitening
• Slight misalignment
• Worn edges
• Disproportionately small teeth

Depending on whether your dental needs are cosmetic or restorative, dental bonding can often be used as an alternative to veneers or crowns.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

This procedure offers patients several unique benefits:

• Affordability
• Conservative treatment
• Versatile
• Appropriate for most patients
• Convenient
• Preserves more natural structure of your tooth than other options

This treatment can also be used in conjunction with restorative procedures to strengthen teeth. While dental bonding can serve many purposes, it is only a viable solution for minor dental imperfections. Your dentist can provide a complete evaluation to determine whether dental bonding is the right fit for you.

Concealing Your Imperfections

Dental bonding uses innovative dental materials and techniques to create an enhanced smile. The procedure can generally be completed in under an hour. Although treatment is typically painless, if bonding is used to fill a cavity we may provide an anaesthetic.

For optimal aesthetic results, the dentist will first use a shade guide to select a colour of composite that will best match your enamel. To begin the procedure, your dentist will prepare the tooth by using a mild chemical solution to “microetch” the surface of your tooth. This process will not damage the tooth but simply create a more secure bond. Once the surface has been prepared, the dentist will apply the composite resin in layers. The putty-like material will be applied, moulded, and smoothed to the desired shape. A curing light will then be used to harden the composite. To finish the procedure, your dentist will polish it for a lifelike sheen.

After Your Procedure

Within the first 48 hours of your treatment, you should avoid dark beverages, cigarettes, and other staining substances. Once this period has passed, your bonded tooth will not require special care. You should, however, avoid biting your nails, chewing on pens, or other hard objects that may chip the material. As long as you continue to practice good oral hygiene and attend regularly scheduled cleanings and exams, bonding can last for years.

What Options Do I Have?

There are many advertised but listed below is our range of whitening services, which we believe to be the best:

• Home whitening
• In-surgery whitening: Zoom power whitening
• A combination of Home whitening and In-Surgery whitening

The decision made between the options will depend on how quickly you want the tooth whitening, your lifestyle (whether you want to do it at home for 2 hours everyday/wear trays while you sleep) and your budget.

Home teeth whitening involves using custom-made plastic tray moulds of your teeth with your whitening gel of choice (day or night-time protocols available) daily for 2-3 weeks. Whitening this way over a prolonged period of time allows you to have whiter teeth for up to 2 years. It is totally safe, does not damage your enamel or gums (if used correctly) and you can top up monthly or weekly if you wish!

Who Can Benefit from Teeth Whitening?

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Who Can Benefit from Veneers?

If you want straighter-looking teeth and an overall brighter, bigger smile, you may a good candidate for porcelain veneers. The restorations are a good treatment option for patients concerned with:

Any untreated decay or gum disease will first need to be addressed. Once you decide that porcelain veneers are the right cosmetic dentistry option, you will meet with your dentist to begin finalising your treatment plan.

The Procedure and Aftercare

In just two visits, your dentist can significantly improve your smile with porcelain veneers. First, the front teeth are prepared by removing a thin layer of enamel to make space for the veneers. Then impressions or a scan of your teeth are taken to create a wax mock-up or mould so you can see what your veneers will look like. Once you decide on specifics like colour and shape, we will send your impressions or scan to a trusted lab that uses the highest-quality materials, such as IPS e.max® and IPS Empress®. In the meantime, you will receive temporary veneers that still allow you to chew and speak normally.

Placing the veneers is a relatively simple procedure, and most patients do not require any kind of anaesthesia. First, your dentist will show you what your veneers will look like. Next, the prepared teeth are cleaned with a cleansing solution designed to aid in the bonding process. The bonding agent is then applied to your teeth and the dentist will securely cement your veneers in place.

Before you leave, we will give you full instructions on care and continued maintenance. With regular dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, your veneers should provide a more beautiful smile for years to come.

What causes white spots on teeth?

White spots are very common and can be caused by a range of factors including:

• Trauma/illness – any trauma or illness experienced as a child may lead to white spots on adult teeth.
• Fluorosis - Consuming too much fluoride as a child when the permanent teeth are being formed can lead to fluorosis, resulting in discolouration or enamel spots.
• Decalcification of the enamel – this is the loss of minerals from the enamel. This can occur due to poor brushing which results in build-up of plaque acids on the enamel structure, which if left long enough starts leeching out the calcium from the enamel. Wearing braces can increase decalcification due to the difficulty in brushing under and around the brackets. Dry mouth may also cause areas of decalcification.
• Molar-Incisor hypomineralisation - this is a developmental condition that affects enamel.

ICON

ICON is a white spot removal treatment which does not involve any drilling or removal of healthy tooth material.

The treatment works by infiltrating the pores of the tooth where the white spot is located via a tooth-coloured resin. A special gel is applied to the white spot to open up the pores, to enable a deep penetration of the resin. The resin is then light-cured, while the white spot infiltrated by the resin takes on the appearance of the surrounding healthy enamel. The resin also blocks acids that can make enamel wear away, and it can help preserve the tooth from further decay. This results in an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Of the benefits of ICON treatment is that it’s a pain free and minimally invasive technique which means no drilling and no anaesthetic is needed; the whole process is very quick too.

How long does it last?

ICON resin infiltration is considered to be a long-term treatment solution. Research shows stability for at least 2 years. That being said, many patients have shown stable results for 6+ years

Will tooth whitening help?

Many people mistake the white spots or mottled appearance of their teeth for staining and think they can be improved by teeth whitening, however, unfortunately, whitening has little effect on these white spots, and they remain a lighter shade of white compared to the rest of the tooth.