Dental Services
ROGER SHARPE DENTAL LOOKS AFTER YOUR SMILE
We offer a wide range of Dental services: Family & Kids Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Dental Emergencies, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentures and Mouthguards.
Use the menu below to jump to the service you are looking for.
Family Dentistry
Comprehensive Oral Examination
This is an evaluation of all the teeth, their supporting structures and the oral tissues in order to record the condition of these structures. Your evaluation includes recording an appropriate medical history and any other relevant information affecting the dental services you require.
Based on this examination a treatment plan is written which will give the patient an idea of what treatment would be involved and the cost of the treatment. We send our patients a check-up reminder every 6 months or less depending on the patient’s state of oral health.
Scaling and Polishing
This process is the mechanical removal of plaque and tartar (calculus) that has built up on your teeth.
Calcium and protein in saliva help maintain the health of your teeth, supporting structure and the oral tissues. If calcium and protein build up over time bacteria can also build up. So the problem starts with a thin film along the gum margin, if the scale or tartar is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will, unfortunately, provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gum.
The purpose of scaling cleaning and polishing is to prevent gum disease as scaling and polishing leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria is unable to stick. You also have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are a very important part of preventive dentistry as it shows the initial stage of decay especially in the proximal areas, which cannot be seen just by examination. It is recommended that an x-ray be taken every 2 years. Patients who have lots of fillings, prone to develop cavities or consume highly refined carbohydrates will need an x-ray every year.
Fluoride Treatment
This dental service reduces the number of cavities an individual will develop in their life. Because fluoride treatment can reduce the number of cavities by half. Because the enamel of the tooth becomes more resistant to the acid attacks of plaque bacteria.
Topical fluoride treatment is carried out by using a tray where a fluoride gel or foam is placed. The tray is placed in the mouth normally for 4 minutes. Time can vary depending on the type of fluoride used. In our dental surgery fluoride treatment is carried out after scaling and polishing.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth also known as third molars, are a set of four teeth that erupt into the back four corners of the mouth, behind the 12 year old molars. This usually occurs between the ages of 17 to 21. Not everyone has wisdom teeth and nowadays it is common not to have wisdom teeth.
Depending on the size of your teeth and your jaw, there might be enough room for the wisdom teeth to come through. Sometimes there may not be enough room leading to the tooth being wedged causing discomfort and pain. The discomfort and pain can come and go. Our dentists can give you advice on the best option for you. If you do need to extract the tooth, our experienced dentists can do it for you.
So, in cases where the tooth is deeply wedged in the bone we can make a prompt referral to an oral surgeon who will carry out the treatment for you.
Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment)
This is a process whereby inflamed or dead pulp is removed from the inside of a tooth. So this enables a tooth causing pain to be retained. With this treatment, the infection is removed and allows the teeth to function normally.
The dental pulp consists of nerves, blood vessels and cells and is located at the centre or core of the tooth. It nourishes and repairs the tooth if an injury is inflicted. Because of dental decay a broken tooth or cracked tooth allows bacteria to enter the pulp causing an infection. If the infection is not removed it will progress into an abscess and result in the loss of the tooth.
What does the treatment involve?
At the beginning of the treatment the dentist will gain access to the canals, once the canals are located the pulp is removed. The root canals are then cleaned, sterilised and shaped to a form that can be completely sealed with a filling material to prevent further infection. This treatment can take several appointments, depending on how complex the tooth is, and how long the infection takes to clear. At Roger Sharpe Dental Practice rotary instruments are used to do root canal treatment. Because rotary instruments shorten appointment times and provide more comfort to the patient.
Subsequently a crown or complex restoration to restore or protect the tooth may be necessary, as a tooth after undergoing treatment may become more brittle.
Kids Dentistry
Children’s Dentistry
We all know looking after your teeth when you are young goes a long way. And becoming familiar with going to the dentist and the routine dental services, at an early age is so helpful in building good preventative habits and hygiene.
One is never too young to visit a dentist. If we look after the primary teeth (or sometimes called milk teeth), it promotes and helps in the development of strong and healthy permanent teeth. The arrangement of primary teeth will predict the alignment of the permanent teeth, which means that if one has crowding in the primary teeth it is very likely that the permanent teeth will be crowded also.
Primary teeth (milk or baby teeth) help:
Assist the development of speech in children.
Develop mastication (chewing) – develop the muscles for chewing.
Guide the permanent teeth to erupt in the right place.
How to look after your children’s teeth
Children’s teeth need looking after before the teeth erupt. It is very important to clean the gum with a clean gauge moistened in boiled water. Studies have shown that “teething” symptoms are significantly reduced if the above method is used every day.
Once the teeth erupt brush with a soft brush twice a day. So toothpaste does not need to be used until the child is 2 years of age.
The parents should actively supervise the child during brushing to be sure that all the teeth are brushed.
Because it is very important that the child becomes used to the dental surgery by taking the child for regular check-ups, ideally every 6 months.
Roger Sharpe Dental offers a wide range of preventive, interceptive, and corrective treatments for children. These dental services include fluoride treatment, pit and fissure sealants, filling with high fluoride content, stainless steel crowns, and space maintainers.
Preventative Dentistry
Dietary Advice
This is a very important part of preventive dentistry, it includes analysis and advice on an individual’s diet to correct any imbalances or deficiencies, which may contribute to dental problems. The saying” you are what you eat ” is very relevant to your overall oral and dental health. An individual is as important as a dentist in maintaining oral and dental health.
Because we all know that sugar or any refined carbohydrates cause cavities, but in today’s world it is next to impossible to refrain from sugar or refined carbohydrates from our diet altogether. But if one is aware of when and what to eat, the harm can be reduced.
Oral Hygeine Instruction
This is a standard dental service during every appointment which involves the dentist instructing the patient in techniques for the removal of plaque and advising on appropriate toothpaste, mouthwash and medicaments for the control of plaque.
Sometimes using the wrong brushing technique can damage your teeth and gums. So making an effort to focus on your dental health will not only produce a beautiful smile, but has some added benefits as well. Because oral health is linked to overall health thus good oral hygiene can improve your well-being.
Dental Emergencies
We strive to offer prompt and efficient dental services and pre-block appointments to cater to dental emergencies.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Bridges
A bridge is an appliance permanently fixed in the mouth to replace missing teeth. It is a dental service which uses remaining teeth to support the new artificial tooth or teeth.
It uses two crowns for the anchoring teeth (called abutment teeth). A false tooth sits in a gap between the abutment teeth and is attached rigidly to the abutment teeth. The false tooth is called a pontic. So in a bridge the abutment teeth support the pontic. The bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials.
An enamel-bonded bridge (minimal preparation bridge) uses metal or porcelain framework where artificial teeth are attached. The framework is then bonded to supporting teeth with resin. This type of bridge does not require removing much of the abutment teeth so is less invasive.
Depending on your missing teeth our dentists will advice you on what type of bridgework is best for you.
Veneers
A veneer is a tooth coloured covering on the tooth without cutting much of the tooth structure. It is usually done on the front teeth mainly incisors and canine. A Veneer can alter – tooth position, shape, and size. They can also close spaces, create a great smile, and can change the colour of your teeth.
Veneers can be done directly (chair-side) or indirectly.
Composite veneers can be bonded to teeth using tooth coloured bonding material applied directly on to the teeth. Light is used to set the material. So usually with composite veneers, the work is done in one sitting.
A porcelain veneer requires 0.5 to 1mm removal of the tooth enamel. The dentist makes a mould of the tooth and sends it to the dental laboratory. Once the veneers have returned from the lab the dentist applies the veneers to the teeth using a bonding material.
Crowns
Dental crowns sometimes called dental caps cover over and encase the tooth on which they are cemented. It covers all the surfaces of a tooth. They are used:
- For broken or decayed teeth.
- Heavily restored teeth.
- To close the gap in between teeth.
- For root canal treated teeth.
- As a way to strengthen teeth.
- A method to improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.
Crowns are made in a dental laboratory by a dental technician. The technician uses moulds of your teeth made by your dentist.
There are different types of crowns and our dentists will recommend the crown type that best suits you.
Crowns can be made from the following: porcelain, porcelain-bonded-to-metal (which combine the appearance of tooth coloured material with the strength of metal), zirconia, gold alloy and acrylic.
Teeth Whitening or Bleaching
We use a customised tray, which is made from the impression of your teeth, and you can bleach your teeth in the comfort of your own home. So you are in control of how white you want your teeth to be.
Dentures and Mouthguards
Complete Dentures
Dentures are used to replace all missing teeth either or both upper and lower teeth. Because fabricating a complete denture requires at least 4 visits to the dentist depending on the try in of the replica, we make sure that every step is done thoroughly and will not complete the denture until you are happy. Even after delivery of the dentures we will do any adjustment free of charge. If you can’t tolerate the plastic base of the denture we can do the base with a soft liner.
We also provide continuing care and dental services for your dentures including: relining, repair, stain removal, etc.
Bridges
A bridge is an appliance permanently fixed in the mouth to replace missing teeth. It uses remaining teeth to support the new artificial tooth or teeth.
Two crowns are used for the anchoring teeth (called abutment teeth). A false tooth sits in a gap between the abutment teeth and is attached rigidly to the abutment teeth. The false tooth is called a pontic. So in a bridge the abutment teeth support the pontic. The bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials.
An enamel-bonded bridge (minimal preparation bridge) uses metal or porcelain framework where artificial teeth are attached. The framework is then bonded to supporting teeth with resin. This type of bridge does not require removing much of the abutment teeth so is less invasive.
Depending on your missing teeth our dentists will advice you on what type of bridgework is best for you.
Immediate Denture
This could be either a partial or a complete denture. Meaning that the denture is ready to fit in the mouth soon after extraction of the teeth. To construct an immediate denture an impression of the teeth and supporting structure is taken and the denture is made out of the impression. There are certain advantages with immediate dentures:
You never have to appear in public without any teeth. This is very important especially for those working in public services.
It’s easier to get used to an immediate denture and it enables the easier establishment of your speech pattern.
And dentures can replicate your natural teeth more closely as the denture is constructed before removing the teeth.
So this protects the extraction site from food getting in and helps to reduce bleeding.
As the teeth tend to move towards space an immediate denture will prevent the remaining teeth from drifting towards space.
There are also certain disadvantages with immediate dentures though. As healing takes place there will be changes in the bone and gum, which may result in the denture not fitting well. Because of changes in the mouth the denture may need to be relined or refitted by the dentist and will involve an extra cost towards the denture. And because the immediate denture is constructed before the teeth are removed, it may not fit accurately as a denture made after healing takes place.
Mouth Guards
This is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth (usually the upper teeth) and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth and supporting bone, lips and gums. And they are most often used to prevent injury in contact sports.
There are different types of mouth guards including: preformed, mouth-adapted or boil and bite and custom made mouth guards.
Because your teeth are at risk of damage when playing sport and can result in long and potentially expensive treatment to restore to normal function and appearance.
Mouth guards also help to reduce the risk of jaw fractures and concussion caused by a collision. They should be worn during any sport where there is the chance of a knock to the face.
Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommendation:
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It should be compulsory to wear a mouth guard during contact sports such as football, rugby, martial arts and boxing.
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You should wear a fitted mouth guard during collision sports where contact often happens but it is not expected or allowed. So wearing one is highly recommended during basketball, hockey, water polo, lacrosse, netball, baseball, softball, squash, soccer, BMX bike riding, horse riding, skateboarding, in-line skating, trampolining, cricket (wicket keeping or batting without a helmet), water skiing and snow ski racing.
Mouth guards should be worn during should be worn during training sessions as well as competitions, as this is when many injuries occur. So this should be stressed to children in junior teams.