A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is permanently bonded to the tooth to enhance the aesthetic and to restore function to a weakened tooth. The crown can encase the entire tooth or part of the tooth and is typically used for:

• Protecting a weak or cracked tooth
• To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of teeth left
• To hold a dental bridge in place
• To cover misshapen or severely discoloured teeth
• To cover a dental implant

Dental Crowns can last between five and 15 years, depending on the amount of wear and tear and the level of good oral hygiene. Crowns can be made of porcelain, predominantly used for front teeth to maintain aesthetics or a mixture of precious metal fused with porcelain to increase strength for molar teeth.

General process for Crowns

Crowns can be made by two methods, the tradition way or by using the latest Cerec technology. Cerec porcelain crowns are milled right before your eyes and fitted in a single visit, requiring no impression material. Traditional crowns require several visits to the dentists which include:

A dental bridge effectively bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. To create the bridge, a crown may be placed on either side of the missing tooth, as an anchor, and another crown is placed in the gap.

Bridges remain the alternative for patients who are not suitable for dental implants, or when existing bridges are being replaced. Bridges can:

• Restore your smile
• Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

General Process for getting a Bridge

Providing there are no other complications, preparing the teeth for a bridge usually requires several visits to the dentist which generally includes:

Tooth-Coloured Fillings

Dental fillings are used to restore teeth that have been affected by decay, wear, cracks, or minor fractures. Modern filling materials can be matched closely to the natural colour of your teeth, providing an alternative to traditional amalgam (silver) fillings.

At SmileCo, our dentists will assess your oral health needs and discuss the available treatment options with you. Together, you can determine the most appropriate filling material based on factors such as the size and location of the restoration, expected longevity, appearance, and cost.

Composite Resin Fillings

Composite resin fillings are tooth-coloured restorations that are placed directly into the prepared tooth and hardened using a curing light. They may be suitable for treating small to moderate areas of tooth decay or damage. Composite resin fillings generally involve a lower cost than porcelain restorations; however, durability and longevity can vary depending on individual circumstances and oral habits.

Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings, sometimes referred to as inlays or onlays, are restorations that are bonded to the tooth to replace lost tooth structure. They may be recommended in some cases where a larger restoration is required. Porcelain restorations generally involve a higher cost than composite resin fillings and may offer different performance characteristics depending on the clinical situation.

Fillings May Be Used To:

• Restore teeth affected by dental decay after the removal of decayed tooth structure
• Repair chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
• Restore teeth that have become worn through grinding, clenching, or other causes
• Help restore the function and appearance of a tooth

All dental treatments carry potential risks and benefits. Your dentist will discuss the treatment options available to you and answer any questions you may have before treatment proceeds.

Tooth Whitening – Is it for you?

Do you want whiter looking teeth? Have you noticed that over time, they have changed colour?

There are two reasons why our teeth can appear more ‘yellow’. It can be due to external factors, which can be caused by our diet, smoking or poor oral hygiene, which have resulted in staining our teeth. It can also be due to internal factors within the tooth structures such enamel or dentine defects, having high doses of antibiotics or fluoride as a young child. It is normal for your teeth to appear more ‘yellow’ over time. This is because the outermost layer of tooth structure that you can see is the enamel, which is actually translucent. The different shades of colour that we can see in our teeth is due to the underlying tooth structure called dentine, which can become more ‘yellow’ or darker over time.

There are a range of tooth whitening products available in the market, but it can be overwhelming on which one you should choose and which one is actually effective. It is important to be aware that some toothpastes which advertise to ‘remove stains’ can in fact do more damage to your tooth. This is because these certain toothpastes, contain abrasive particles in the toothpaste, which can remove staining, but also the enamel surface.

Our tooth whitening products contain Hydrogen Peroxide which is known to cause the enamel structure to appear whiter. There are a few whitening toothpastes available in the supermarket which contain Hydrogen Peroxide, however at very low percentages which can take a very long time to have any whitening effects.

SmileCo has two types of tooth whitening products available at our clinic: Home whitening or In-Chair whitening. The at home whitening is takes approximately one to one and a half weeks to take effect as there is a lower concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide. Some patients that have mild existing sensitivity prefer the home whitening as high concentrations of Hydrogen Peroxide can increase sensitivity. The In-Chair whitening takes approximately 2 hours and you should be able to see the results at the end of the appointment. As the tooth whitening for In-Chair whitening occurs more rapidly, there is a higher concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide which can increase the risk of post-whitening tooth sensitivity.

It is important to understand that tooth whitening is a cosmetic procedure and your oral health must be optimal before we proceed with tooth whitening. It is essential for SmileCo to ensure that you are the right candidate for tooth whitening as it is not appropriate for every patient. So if you are very interested in having your teeth whiter, please feel free to make a whitening consult with one of our lovely oral health therapists or hygienists at no out of pocket cost.

Same-Day CEREC® Crowns

We understand the inconvenience patients face with a traditional crown, and because your time is as valuable as your smile, we now use a revolutionary tool that mills a permanent porcelain crown in only about an hour: CEREC®.  What is CEREC®? Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic or ‘CEREC®’ is a new state-of-the-art method of constructing tooth restorations using computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to offer one-day restorations for patients.

How CEREC® Works

After taking a 3D scan of your tooth, we use our CEREC® system to design and mill a custom ceramic crown at our practice. In many cases, the crown can be completed and fitted during a single appointment. Once the crown is ready, we will check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and bond it into place. This allows many patients to have their tooth restored without the need for a temporary crown or a second visit.

Treatment suitability and appointment times vary depending on individual clinical needs.

When your gums recede, your body loses one of its best defenses against sensitivity and decay. Besides giving the appearance of being “long in the tooth”, gum recession puts you at a much higher risk of cavities and pain. Often this is caused by gum disease, aggressive brushing, smoking, tongue/lip piercings, and, sometimes, even teeth grinding.

Gingival (Gum) Grafting

Gum recession can expose the root surfaces of teeth, which may lead to sensitivity and affect the appearance of your smile. Depending on the cause and severity of the recession, treatment options may include desensitising products, restorative materials, or periodontal procedures.

At Smileco, we have  gingival grafting as a treatment option for suitable patients with receding gums. This procedure aims to increase gum coverage over exposed root surfaces, which may help reduce sensitivity and improve the appearance of the gums and teeth. Using modern techniques, treatment is designed to be as comfortable as possible while supporting the long-term health of your gums.

Treatment suitability and outcomes vary between patients. A consultation is required to determine whether gingival grafting is appropriate for your individual needs.

Certain conditions associated with muscle activity, including temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), teeth grinding (bruxism), and excessive gingival display (“gummy smile”), may be managed with appropriate treatment. Our dentists can discuss your concerns and the treatment options that may be suitable for your individual circumstances during a consultation.

If you have concerns about your oral health, facial appearance, or the function of your jaw muscles, our dentists can assess your needs and provide information about available treatment options.

Some patients seek treatment for concerns relating to facial lines, including those that may appear on the forehead, between the eyebrows (glabellar region), or around the eyes (crow’s feet).

Dentists have detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and experience in assessing and treating conditions affecting the oral and facial structures. At Smileco Dental, our dentists can provide information about treatment options relevant to your individual needs and have undertaken additional professional education in dento-facial aesthetics through recognised training providers.

A consultation is required to determine whether any treatment is appropriate for you. All treatments carry risks and benefits, which will be discussed before treatment proceeds.

The outcomes shown are for this patient and may not reflect the results achieved by other patients.

Treatment suitability and outcomes vary between patients. A consultation is required to determine whether it is appropriate for your individual needs.

There’s more to your smile than just your teeth.

SmileCo dentists have completed additional training in dento-facial aesthetics and can discuss concerns relating to your oral and facial appearance during a consultation.

The appearance of the skin and facial structures can change over time due to a range of factors, including ageing, sun exposure, lifestyle, and individual characteristics.

During a consultation, our dentists can assess your concerns, provide information about available treatment options, and answer any questions you may have to assist you in making an informed decision about your care.

Naso-labial lines and marionette lines are common facial features. If you have concerns about their appearance, our dentists can discuss the treatment options that may be available and whether they are suitable for your individual circumstances.

Please book an appointment for further information.

Treatment suitability and outcomes vary between patients. A consultation is required to determine whether any treatment is appropriate for your individual needs. All treatments carry risks and benefits, which will be discussed before treatment proceeds.

The outcomes shown are for this patient and may not reflect your own results.