General Dentistry

When is root canal treatment needed?
Some of the signs that you may need a root canal treatment are a painful throbbing ache and uncomfortable sensation to hot, cold or pressure on the tooth. There may be swelling of your gums, sudden discolouration of the tooth or a persistent pimple on the gums.Commonly, the toothache is so severe that it interrupts sleep and is not well controlled with pain medication only.
If the infection is left untreated for a prolonged time it can result in a large abscess that can spread to other areas of the face.
What is a root canal treatment
Root canal treatment, also called endodontic therapy, is a procedure where the damaged or infected tooth’s pulp (which runs through the center of each of your teeth and contains nerves and blood vessels) is removed and a 'root filling is placed in the tooth.' Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and some courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.
Root canals offer a great way to save a severely damaged tooth and are the procedure of choice when extractions are not an option. Although it costs more to do root canals, the trade off is that you will get to save and use your teeth for years to come.
You may have heard that root canals are painful, but root canals hurt no more than getting an ordinary filling and will save you from further pain or discomfort.
How is root canal therapy done?
The team at Dental HQ performs root canal therapy under Local Anaesthetic as it much more comfortable.
All visits are carried out under sterile conditions, and an isolation mask (rubber dam) is placed on the tooth to prevent bacteria from re-entering the pulp space.
Step 1: An access is made into the nerve to remove dead pulp tissue and bacteria. Medication is placed to relieve symptoms and disinfect nerve. A temporary filling is placed.
Step 2: Instruments are used to ensure the full length of the pulp and infection is removed.
Step 3: The root canal system is filled with a permanent filling and sealed. X-rays are taken to confirm this. Afterwards, a permanent filling is placed in preparation for a crown.
What happens following root canal therapy?
Front teeth: Following root canal therapy front teeth can discolour. This occurs as there is no longer a blood or nerve supply in the tooth. To treat this, a bleaching process of the tooth is needed and is done over 2-3 visits depending on the level of tooth discolouration.
Back teeth: Molars and premolars are subjected to a lot of force during chewing and as a general rule they need a porcelain crown following root canal therapy. These teeth become very brittle after losing their nerve and blood supply and have a high risk of fracturing without the protection of the crown. If a crack or fracture occurs they cannot be saved and require extraction.

In cases where there is advanced tooth decay or advanced gum disease resulting in loose teeth, teeth may need to be extracted. Some patients may also develop impacted wisdom teeth as a result of not having enough space at the back of the mouth to accommodate them.
Some wisdom teeth that are impacted, can remain in place and cause no trouble, however, the majority of impacted teeth can cause many problems including:
   Infection of adjacent gum tissue
   Dental decay of adjacent teeth
   Crowding of front teeth
   In rare cases, they can cause cysts
Symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth include:
   Severe pain and discomfort
   Facial and gum swelling
   Infections
   Inflammation
These symptoms can be relieved by extracting the tooth. Tooth extractions typically involve the following:
1) Before the procedure you may require an x-ray of your teeth.
2) local anaesthetic is administered and sedation is offered if you are anxious.
3) Depending on your particular case and the severity of your problem the appropriate equipment is used and a sterile environment is maintained at all times. This is to ensure a quick recovery
4) In the case of wisdom tooth extractions, you may have some swelling and discomfort after the procedure which can be eased with over-the-counter painkillers. At times antibiotics may need to be prescribed

Dental Bruxism is the medical term used to describe habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth and jaw. Did you kmow that 1 in 3 people grind their teeth?
This can cause stiff or fatigued jaw muscles when you wake in the morning which may result in -
   Pain in the teeth and sensitivity to heat and cold
   Chronic facial pain with tension headaches and migraines, as well as earaches
   Worn down or flattened tooth surfaces
   Microfractures of the tooth enamel
   Broken or chipped teeth
   Stiffness and pain in the jaw joint muscles; this can cause restricted opening of the mouth and difficult chewing. noises when opening or closing your mouth shoulder and back back
Most people are unaware that apart from normal chewing, their top and bottom teeth should not touch. If you recognise any of these symptoms or suffer with these on a daily basis, you will need to see a dentist to treat your problems or to refer you to a specialist if necessary. Treatment can include the following:
1)Impressions of your teeth are taken and used to create a customised plastic appliance that fits over your teeth and is worn at night.
2) When the device is worn, your teeth are in a position where your facial muscles are relaxed, preventing grinding and taking the pressure off your TMJ.
3) The device also protects the teeth, preventing them from becoming worn down by grinding.
Bruxism is thought to be caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors which may include:
    Psychological stress, anxiety and tension in adults and children
    Physical stress such as illness, nutritional deficiencies or dehydration, particularly in children
    night time bruxism is considered a sleep disorder
Excessive clenching and grinding is not healthy and over a period of time can cause damage to your existing natural teeth and dental work such as crowns, veneers, fillings and implants. The most important thing to do is to see your dentist as soon as possible so that your problem does not become worse over time and require more drastic measures to correct.

Do you or your partner suffer from snoring?
Snoring usually causes no significant medical problems, however for some people it may lead to a more serious medical condition known as ‘Obstructive Sleep Apnoea’.
Sleep Apnoea is caused by ypur lower jaw and soft tissues in the throat, including the tongue, dropping back against the back of your throat when you lie down. This obstructs the upper airway resulting pauses in breathing and/or instances of shallow breaths when asleep. Sleep apnea can be serious if not timely treated.
Symptoms and signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea :
   Morning headaches
   Tiredness upon waking
   Choking or gasping during the night
   Sore, dry throat on waking
   Poor concentration
   Memory deterioration
   Anxiety or depression
You might be pleased to know that dentistry may have a solution for you. Oral Appliance Therapy can be used to treat both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults. By preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep, these devices can prevent the closure of your airways, which will stop you from snoring. Your dentist can fit one of these for you. Here is how the treatment works:
1) A custom-made mouth piece is made from impressions taken of your teeth to ensure they fit you comfortably.
2) Made from a hard wearing plastic, the mouthpiece is worn at night and works by holding the bottom jaw in a slightly forward position.
3) This position opens up your airway significantly, allowing you to breathe better and as a result sleep better too.
These devices are best designed and fitted by experienced dentists trained in sleep disorder therapy. In some severe cases, surgery may be an option for treatment.
If you feel you are experiencing any of the above symptoms it is best to see your doctor for a formal diagnosis and treatment.

Do You:
1) Avoid seeing the dentist because you feel too nervous?
2) Have previously had a poor or painful dental experience?
3) Put up with dental pain because you are too worried about the procedure
If you are nervous about dental treatment please speak to our team at Dental HQ. We offer dental sedation so that you are able to have your treatment in comfort and in a pain free way.

Playing sports is an integral part of a child’s life. Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports. Hence, having good oral-facial protection is an essential part of playing sport. Speak to our dnetists are Dental HQ to make you properly fitted, customised protective sports mouth guards for both children and adults. Additiionalyy we are also trained in taking care of patients who have had an accident and trauma to their face or teeth.

With the latest technology in digital radiography available our center allows instant viewing of radiographs in each room. The X-ray mouthpeices are comfortable and the process is quick and exposes the patient to a fraction of the radiation used in conventional X-rays.
Intraoral Photography and Imaging
During each exam, a series of photos will be taken with our chair-side intraoral cameras. These up-close images of your teeth and soft tissue are available for instant viewing on the screen in front of you. This allows you to see whats going on in your mouth from the same view point of the dentist and helps facilitate a greater understanding of your oral and dental state and the treatemnt requirements
Digital Dentistry
With our state-of-the-art Trios digital oral scanner, we can take a digital impression of your teeth with one quick and easy scan. This avoids the need for the need for the uncomfortable traditional impressions. Moreover, a digital scan is more efficient and results in the construction of a more accurate restoration.