At Martina Dental + Aesthetics, we believe strong oral hygiene and routine check-ups are crucial in preventing severe dental issues throughout your life.
We are dedicated to our commitment of providing comprehensive dental care no matter the circumstances. From your little ones to your elderly parents, we can provide the dental care needed at every stage of life.
General Dentistry
As a general dentist, also referred to as a family dentist, Dr. Martina emphasises the importance of preventive dentistry. Attending your regularly scheduled appointments every six months for routine check-ups and cleans often means you can avoid potentially complex or painful procedures in the future.
We also take measures to protect your teeth and strengthen enamel against cavities with fluoride treatments and other specific protocols that fill your dental health needs. Occasionally, we will recommend dental x-rays in order to identify potential dental problems as early as possible.
At our Winston Hill studio, we provide specific treatments and services designed to restore your oral health - taking either preventative or restorative measures when appropriate. Some our most common treatments are:
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Dental fillings to close a tooth cavity
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Crowns and bridges to restore your smile
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Dentures and partials to replace and enhance your smile
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Root canal treatment to remedy a root infection
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Tooth extractions to restore oral health and relieve pain
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Snoring and sleep apnoea to help you sleep safely
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Bleeding gums and periodontal therapy to stop the progress of disease
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Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) to save your teeth from breakage
Smile Restoration
We all hope our teeth will last a lifetime, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. In the instance of damaged, broken, or lost teeth, we offer the following smile restoration procedures:
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Tooth-coloured fillings
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Crowns
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Dental bonding
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Dental implants
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Dental bridges
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Dentures and partial dentures
Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing uncontrollably and repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, resulting in brief periods of constricted or no breathing. Without treatment sleep apnea can lead to heart attack, stroke, and has been linked to diabetes and mood disorders.
If you are concerned about sleep apnoea or have been recently diagnosed, please contact our studio to discuss alternatives to traditional sleep apnoea therapy.
Bleeding Gums
Chronic or widespread bleeding of the gums indicates the presence of irritation and is an early symptom of potential infection.
This typically occurs when inadequate brushing and flossing techniques allow the white, sticky film known as plaque to collect and build-up around the gumline. When left unaddressed, plaque hardens into tartar. If tartar develops, brushing and flossing will not suffice and removal is nearly impossible. After extensive build-up of tartar, a professional dental cleaning is required to clean and polish your smile.
With preventative dentistry, when treated early, bleeding gums and gingivitis can be reversed with one, or more depending on severity, professional dental cleanings designed to remove tartar and promote healing. Improved home care and overall oral hygiene is required to maintain a healthy smile and prevent the return of disease.
Periodontal Disease and Treatment
Severe gingivitis can develop into periodontitis – an infection of the gum tissue and bone. Due to inflammation and bacteria, pockets can form between the teeth and gums making it possible for bacteria to continue to damage delicate gum tissue. Sticky plaque provides the optimum environment for bacteria to reproduce and fester. When left untreated, periodontal disease may develop.
Symptoms
To accurately diagnose periodontal disease, our team will evaluate your oral health and symptoms - which may include:
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Foul-smelling breath
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Inflammation and redness of the gums
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Pus near the gumline
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Tooth mobility
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Tooth loss
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Pain and sensitivity
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Gum recession
Any inflammatory disease puts your health at risk. Recent research links periodontal disease to many systemic conditions including:
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Heart disease
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Diabetes
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Alzheimer’s disease
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Certain types of cancer
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Low birth weight in babies born to pregnant women with periodontal disease
Medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing periodontal disease. For example, hormone fluctuations, such as those during pregnancy, and dry mouth can make it more challenging to maintain healthy gums. With preventative dentistry and regular check-ups, we believe it’s possible to avoid such issues.
Treatment
While advanced periodontal disease is not curable, it can be managed with the proper care. After a complete evaluation, Dr. Martina will organise a personal treatment plan to help you keep your infection at bay.
Typically, treatment will begin with a deep cleaning to remove tartar and bacteria surrounding the gumline. In some instances, a local antibiotic agent will be applied within the pockets to encourage the development of healthy tissue.
After the initial deep clean, regularly scheduled follow-up visits will allow Dr. Martina to monitor healing and provide oral therapy designed to help healthy gum tissue regenerate.
In some cases, bone loss occurs and extractions become necessary. If you wish to enhance your smile with dental implants, bone grafting may be required. It is important to note, this cannot be achieved or even considered until the infection is under control.
Clenching & Grinding
Chronic clenching and teeth grinding, also called bruxism, causes excessive wear and damage to the teeth, resulting in cracks. It can also lead to facial muscle pain, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and arthritic problems of the jaw.
Often, you may not even realise that you are clenching or grinding your teeth as it most commonly occurs at night. If there is a possibility this might be the case, our team will evaluate your mouth and jaw for common symptoms, such as:
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Popping or clicking joints
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Wear patterns on teeth
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Bite marks inside the mouth
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Sensitive teeth and fractured enamel at the gumline
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Gum recession
The Effects of Grinding
Constant clenching and grinding results in extensive pressure and friction between the teeth, therefore the eventual wearing down of tooth structure.
Dr. Martina has seen extensive damage from bruxism - even a healthy, unfilled tooth can crack and require advanced treatment such as root canal therapy, or even worse, extraction and implant placement.
Causes
While causes vary from occlusal, or bite, disorders to lifestyle habits such as excessive alcohol use, smoking and drugs, the precise cause cannot always be determined. Regardless of the origin, with proper treatment we can substantially slow down the deterioration of teeth and jaw joints.
Treatment
We can prevent the problems associated with grinding and clenching with a customised night mouthguard, also called a splint. At Martina Lavery Dental, we use the most advanced acrylic technology when fabricating custom splints. The material is stronger and more flexible, which gives patients a significantly more comfortable experience.
Injections to Relax Overexerted Muscles
In extreme cases, another approach is to reduce the activity of facial muscles with botulinum medication to reduce the power and strength of the muscles. While you will still possess full chewing capabilities, the muscles will be slightly less forceful.
Many patients report improvement, including:
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Fewer tension headaches
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Relaxed facial muscles
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Less sensitivity in teeth
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Improved sleep quality
Injections only provide temporary relief and will require regularly scheduled treatment every four to six months to remain effective.
Please contact our Winston Hills dental clinic to arrange a booking. Please note - we also service Northmead, Baulkham Hills, and Bella Vista areas.