Ask Dr Jeff a Question |
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Greenwood Dental
Level 2,
103 Miller Street
North Sydney
NSW 2060
Ph: 02 9957 2988
After Hours: 0412 449 578
Fax: 02 9964 0160
Email: jeff@gwdm.com.au
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Dr Jeff Brown offers the services listed below. * Click the category to expand or collapse.
A smile is an integral part of the first impression we make. Cosmetic Dentistry is all about appearance – making teeth whiter, straighter or more even, ensuring gums are a healthy rich colour and smiles sparkle. The treatment of appearance related disorders brings joy and a sense of accomplishment to both the patient and the practitioner.
Cosmetic Dentistry is an exciting new aspect of dentistry. In recent years it has come a long way in providing effective, painless methods to repair, mask or reconstruct dental defects.
Our team can provide you with long lasting Cosmetic Dentistry that enables you to feel good and look great, with strong healthy teeth for life. Aging teeth can now be restored to give you a fabulous smile at any stage of life.
Cosmetic Dentistry can brighten dull teeth, whiten stained teeth, cover white spots, close spaces between teeth, repair chipped teeth, conceal metal fillings, straighten mildly crooked teeth and may even alter the signs of aging by masking worn-down teeth and eliminating vertical lip wrinkles.
Cosmetic services include:
Porcelain Veneers are thin, tooth coloured porcelain shells carefully crafted to bond to and cover the front of unsightly looking teeth. Porcelain is a hard, wear-resistant, non-porous material that keeps its appearance longer than tooth coloured resins. Veneers are excellent for treating chipped, discoloured, slightly malaligned or mis-shapen teeth and ideal for closing gaps between the teeth. They can be used to improve the shape, length, size and colour of teeth.
A minimal amount of tooth structure is removed and usually two office visits are necessary. The first to prepare and take impressions, which are then sent to a technician to make the veneers, followed by a second visit to bond the veneers to the teeth. Porcelain Veneers are less likely to chip or stain than Resin Veneers, and if properly maintained can last for many years.
Inlays
Porcelains Inlays are laboratory made tooth coloured restorations (fillings). They are ideal for larger restorations in back teeth, have outstanding aesthetic qualities and by bonding to the remaining tooth, make the tooth stronger and less likely to fracture.
Crowns
When a tooth has had root canal therapy or when a substantial portion or the tooth structure has been lost, a full crown may be required. Crowns protect heavily restored teeth and prevent further fracturing. As with veneers, two visits are required and a laboratory technician is involved in the process.
Will my dentist make my new teeth?
While your dentist can produce tooth coloured fillings, veneers and temporary crowns directly in your mouth – crowns, bridges, implant restorations, porcelain veneers, inlays and dentures are made in a Dental Laboratory by a qualified Dental Technician.
How will they know what I need?
An impression of your mouth, along with detailed instructions, will be sent to the Dental Laboratory. Sometimes it may also be necessary for the patient to visit the Laboratory. The Dental Technician or Dental Ceramist will then evaluate the colour of the tooth, giving a detailed assessment of the ‘hue’, ‘chroma’ and ‘brightness value’ required in the restoration.
What is a crown made of?
Crowns and bridges are constructed by layering special dental porcelains of various colours, opacity and translucency in a manner that mimics the natural tooth. This combination of colours is baked in a special furnace at about 900 Degrees Celsius. The crown’s internal framework provides the strength and support for the restoration. Patients have the option of choosing between metal with special Gold Alloys, Titanium or from strong ceramic materials such as Alumina or Zirconium. The frameworks are customised to the individual either by casting or by milling using computerized milling equipment. Your Dentist will evaluate which is the most appropriate type of crown to use. Crowns and bridges can be attached to natural teeth or directly onto dental implants.
Can I bleach my crowns?
The colour of the porcelain is permanent. Bleaching will not have any impact on or cause any change to the colour.
Will my crowns wear out?
Dental veneering porcelains are designed to have similar wear characteristics to that of natural teeth. They need to be maintained and cared for just as if they were your natural teeth.
Having missing teeth is not a pleasant experience. Side effects can include frustration, self-consciousness, pain, possible shifting of remaining teeth, muscle strains and headaches.
Dental Implants replace missing teeth and are designed to look like and function in a similar way to natural teeth, without compromising any of the remaining teeth.
Implants are titanium “roots” which replace teeth that are missing. The implants integrate with the bone: i.e. they form a bond and become firmly attached to the bone. The bone of the jaw forms a bond with the implant, so that the implant is firmly anchored to the bone.
Implants have a high success rate and can be used to replace a single tooth, a few teeth or as an alternative to a full set of dentures. If you are a suitable candidate then implant treatment follows a few stages over a 6 to 12 month period. In more complicated cases, the process can take up to 18 months to integrate a successful treatment plan.
Benefits
If you would like to explore this option further, please arrange an appointment with our Receptionist so that we can discuss the treatment options available to you.
Wisdom teeth (also called “third molars”) usually do not push through the gums until people are in their late teens, twenties or even older. Wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to come through the gums.
Most people have four wisdom teeth. Some people have no wisdom teeth.
Often there is little space at the rear of the jaws for wisdom teeth to come easily through the gums. If the jaw does not have enough room for the wisdom tooth to come through, the tooth will become wedged in or “impacted”.
Some impacted wisdom teeth remain buried and caused no trouble. However, other impacted wisdom teeth may cause severe problems.
Often one or more wisdom teeth will cause problems and must be removed. If one or more wisdom teeth causes problems, your dentist may recommend that it be removed.
Removal of a wisdom tooth is a very common procedure. Removal of troublesome wisdom teeth should usually be done as soon as possible before the problems get worse. This procedure is normally carried out in combination with sleep dentistry to make the visit more comfortable.
Most dental patients today are interested in having a brighter, whiter smile. Continual exposure to tea, coffee, red wine, curry, soy sauce, cigarette smoke and aging in general, all contribute to stained and yellowing teeth.
Tooth Whitening is a safe, non-invasive method of improving the colour of your teeth without having to remove the tooth structure.
The procedures are simple and effective and with the correct maintenance, results can last indefinitely.
How long does it last?
In combination with effective brushing and flossing techniques, your new, whiter smile can last for years. We recommend periodic touch-ups every six months.
Are there any side effects?
Clinical studies have shown Carbamide Peroxide (the main chemical used in tooth whitening procedures) to be one of the most non-invasive cosmetic techniques available today. Some people may experience sensitivity during or immediately after a tooth whitening procedure, but this is quite normal and will usually subside after 24 hours.
What about these whitening products that I can buy over the counter?
Products available directly from supermarkets and pharmacies haven’t usually had any scientific research undertaken on them. Therefore, we don’t know the possible harming effects that these systems may have on the teeth and body in general. These systems often take weeks to see results and can cause harm to the surrounding gums and throat area.
Sleep Dentistry is safer than general anaesthetics, does not require hospitalization and is administered while you're relaxing in the dental chair. Sleep Dentistry takes the trauma out of your dentist visit and you are ready to go home after only a short waking period with no hangover effect.
Sleep Dentistry is beneficial for people who:
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specialises in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and to achieve facial balance.
Why is orthodontics important?
Orthodontics can boost a person’s self-image and help create an attractive smile, but alleviating or preventing physical health problems is just as important. Without treatment, orthodontic problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction and chewing and digestive difficulties.
Is it ever too late for a person to get braces?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. In fact about 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. But because an adult’s facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections cannot be accomplished with braces alone. However, very dramatic facial changes are now being achieved with a combined approach of surgery and orthodontics.
How long does treatment take?
Generally, active treatment time with orthodontic appliances ranges from one to three years. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient’s mouth and face, the co-operation of the patient and the severity of the problem.
After the braces are removed, a patient may have to wear a retainer for some time to keep the teeth in their new positions. The orthodontist determines the need for a retainer and the length of time it will be worn.
Dentistry has an excellent record over the last 60 years at preventing dental disease, but with increasing life expectancy, and an expectation of retaining our teeth, those first permanent teeth (which appear in our mouths from age six onwards) may have to function for up to 80 years.
We believe that preventative dentistry is a lifetime commitment:
Ages 3-6: Beginning our introduction to dental care and establishing correct lifetime habits
Ages 6-15: Maintaining our correct habits, fissure sealing, permanent molars and applying fluoride. Monitoring dental and facial growth and development.
Ages 15-25: Growth and development complete, we monitor wisdom tooth eruption. Responsibility for dental care passes over from the parent to the individual. This time is essential for maintaining and reinforcing the preventative habit.
Ages 25-55: Aiming to prevent decay, gum disease, tooth fracture and the effects of clenching and grinding on our teeth.
Ages 55 and on: We re-enter a DECAY AGE due to decreased saliva flow, exposed dentine from gum recession and declining home care ability. Dental disease can progress quickly and become difficult to treat, so regular preventative care in these patients is essential.
With a small investment of time, effort and money, dental disease can be prevented and a healthy mouth for life is a reality.
We believe that the best way to treat dental diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease is to prevent it. Prevention of dental disease will save you:
Our specially trained Dental Hygienists are an integral part of our team, and along with the Dentist, will evaluate your overall oral health status and then provide individual oral hygiene care to suit your individual needs.
The Hygienist will:
You first visit to our hygienist will be for one hour and depending on your needs (and your motivation), the frequency of visits thereafter will depend on your individual requirements such as your ability to keep your mouth plaque and bacteria free.
We look forward to helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy for the rest of your lifetime!
Breath malodour, or bad breath, is a condition experienced by many people, which often goes untreated or is accepted as normal. However, it is treatable and it need not affect your daily life any longer.
Breath malodour is usually caused by sulfur producing bacteria that live on the surface of your tongue and within your throat. Poor oral hygiene, food trapping, gum disease, tooth decay, sinusitis and dry mouth all contribute to bad breath.
A visit to one of our hygienists will help you on your way to gaining fresh breath. Your first visit will involve an assessment and a thorough scale and polish. A follow-up visit will be needed around six weeks later to re-evaluate the condition.
Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar on the teeth. If left untreated, gum disease accounts for about 90% of tooth loss. Our treatment process includes a combination of home-care routine, along with several visits to our hygienist for a thorough scaling, root planning and polishing of the teeth and root surfaces.
It is also important that we boost the body’s natural defence mechanisms and aid repair to the tissues with the use of dietary supplements.
In the treatment of gum disease, we recommend the following supplements: