Restorative Dentistry includes the replacement of missing or damaged teeth, with the goal to reclaim your natural smile and prevent future dental issues.
Although some of aspects of Restorative Dentistry may seem daunting, at Martina Lavery Dental our team is highly qualified and well-equipped to provide the best treatment, while always prioritising your comfort and safety.
Dentures & Partials
Dentures are one of several available options for replacing missing teeth. A full denture replaces all lost natural teeth. A partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth and anchors around your existing teeth with secure clasps.
We work with highly skilled local technicians in the fabrication of your new denture. Using the latest technology, we are able to construct comfortable, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and natural dentures without metal clasps. A quality denture will not stand out or look false, but instead will complement your smile as well as your facial shape and structure.
Types of Dentures
At Martina Lavery Dental, we offer three types of dentures:
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Full Mouth Dentures - for those who are missing all of their teeth (upper or lower, or both)
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Partial Dentures - for those who still have remaining healthy teeth, but need to replace a few missing ones
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Implant-Supported Dentures - for those who wish to combine the stability of dental implants with the affordability of dentures
Comfort and Maintenance
After the application of dentures, it is normal to experience slight discomfort. Your gums might feel a bit tender as they acclimatise to the new dentures. After a while, they will settle and start to feel more comfortable.
There is a period of adjustment associated with dentures, but as you grow more and more accustomed to them, you should be able to eat, smile, and speak without any discomfort.
Most dental professionals recommend wearing your dentures during the day, then soaking them at night while you sleep in a water-based solution. This allows your gums to take a break overnight, minimising the amount of discomfort you experience during the day.
As for eating limitations, initially we recommend a diet of soft, easy to consume foods. As you become more accustomed to your dentures, you will be able to introduce a wider variety of foods into your diet. We suggest using a small amount of denture adhesive while adjusting to eating and chewing with your dentures, as this helps with stability and support.
Immediate Dentures
For patients facing full extractions, we understand your concern regarding the interim without teeth during which your final dentures are being created. Immediate, or healing, dentures offer a solution by providing dentures immediately after extraction - ensuring you are never without teeth. Immediate dentures also make it easier to increase your dietary options while healing.
Because you wear these dentures as your gum tissue heals, regular adjustments will be required to ensure a proper fit. Once the healing process is completed six months to a year later, final dentures will be the necessary next step.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained, or implant-supported, dentures are a popular alternative to conventional dentures. They combine the best of both worlds – the stability of dental implants with the affordability of dentures. Implant-retained dentures are more stable than conventional dentures, so you can also eat a wider variety of foods.
Partial Dentures
If you still have healthy teeth but are missing a few, a partial denture can prevent your remaining teeth from shifting or loosening. Partial dentures work by clasping around your existing teeth to keep everything secure. You must remove the partial denture for cleaning, but otherwise, you will have a fully functioning set of teeth. This allows the removable partial denture to be smaller than conventional dentures, while still providing the oral rehabilitation you need. Dr. Martina designs partial dentures to blend in with the colour and shape of your natural teeth for seamless results.
Shrinking Jawbone
When you have been missing teeth for many years, one of the by-products is the shrinking of the jawbone. This happens when there are no tooth roots to stimulate the bone and trigger the dispersal of nutrients to the required area.
Denture-wearers usually notice their dentures start to slightly loosen after a few years. It is completely normal to require a realignment or even replacements of dentures every five to ten years to accommodate for naturally occurring changes in the jawbone.
Procedure and Cost
At Martina Lavery Dental, we will provide a detailed outline of all necessary steps and costs associated with getting any type of denture we offer. It is important to note, most dentures require a few steps to complete:
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Thorough evaluation
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Impressions and moulds of the teeth
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Bite analysis
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Aesthetic considerations
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Laboratory denture creation
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Denture delivery and adjustment
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Follow-up visits to ensure a comfortable fit
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment essentially saves a tooth with an infected, inflamed, or dead pulp and nerve to prevent the infection from spreading and relieves painful symptoms.
Causes of Root Canal
The nerve and pulp inside a tooth can become inflamed or infected by deep tooth decay, multiple dental procedures on the same tooth (i.e. replacing large fillings or crowns), or trauma such as a crack, chip, or broken root. Gum disease can also progress to the point that root canal treatment becomes necessary.
Symptoms
As with infection anywhere in the body, the infected tooth will likely become inflamed and uncomfortable. It is important to note, anytime you have extreme dental pain, it is an indication that something is wrong and requires professional treatment.
Most dental conditions only feel painful once they have advanced. Untreated root canals are active infections, and in some cases, can become life-threatening.
Bacteria inside the nerve cause swelling and pressure inside the tooth, which cannot be relieved. Dr. Martina describes this as the ‘pressure cooker effect’, which leads to intense pain. The nerve and pulp die, which then cause an infection in the bone near the root tip.
Root Canal Therapy Treatment Procedure
Local anaesthetic makes the procedure as comfortable as possible. Flexible, precision instruments remove the diseased tissue from inside the canal. Dr. Martina will then disinfect the canal with antiseptic solutions. At an additional appointment, the root canal system is filled with a biocompatible, inert plastic filling.
We typically restore root canal treated teeth using a dental crown, as they are very brittle and fracture easily if not restored properly after treatment. The crown also provides a protective seal so that there is less likelihood of the root canal becoming contaminated again.
Cost
Every tooth has a different anatomy with a different number of roots and nerves. Dr. Martina will assess your tooth and give you an itemised treatment plan prior to starting root canal treatment.
Please contact our Baulkham Hills dental clinic to arrange a booking.