General
Dental

Children and Family Dentistry

At Central Highlands Dental we are committed to promoting good dental health for adults and children. A regular dental check up is far more cost effective than allowing a problem to develop which may need costly dental work. The regular check up ultimately saves you time, money and inconvenience.

We recommend dental check ups every six months, it is never too late or too early to adopt this practice. Children as young as two years can also benefit from early check ups. Children’s teeth are extremely important to look after and protect for their general health and wellbeing. We recommend bringing your children to visit the Dentist from an early age so that they can have their teeth checked and learn that the Dentist isn’t so scary! Make it a fun adventure and tell them the Dentist is going to count their teeth and check their smile. They may even polish them to make their teeth shiny and pretty. As a lot of our patients travel long distances to see us we can accommodate family appointments for their regular visits.

Extractions

An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. If you need an extraction, your dentist will first numb the area to lessen any discomfort.

Fluoride

Fluoride treatment is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth, topically or systemically, to protect them from dental caries (cavities).

Dental Examinations

A dental exam or check-up is where a dentist looks at your teeth, gums, lips, tongue and saliva to see if they are healthy or have any problems. The exam process helps the dentist to treat you correctly.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp with a filling. The pulp consists of specialised dental cells, blood vessels, tissue fibres and some nerve fibres located in the hollow space in the central part of the tooth. The procedure is also known as endodontic treatment.

Fissure Seals

Fissure sealants are hard protective coatings that are applied in order to cover and protect the deep grooves (fissures) in our teeth and prevent dental decay. These fissures are most commonly located at the chewing surfaces on back teeth (molars and premolars).

Digital X-rays

Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging, where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include time efficiency through bypassing chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Also, less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional radiography.

Advanced Radiograph Technologies

We are fully digitalised, this gives us a faster and better x-ray with 80% less radiation than for the older style film x-rays. We have introduced laser technology into our practice to again assist in identifying possible tooth health problems. We can save our patients time and money with being able to do most x-rays in house including OPG’s & CBCT rather than referring you to an oral surgeon to have a similar x-ray. We can also take 3D scans where needed rather than Impressions for things such as Orthodontics.

Emergency Dental Care

For dental emergencies and general dentistry, our caring dentists leave you pain free and with a smile back on your face.

Dentures

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available — complete and partial dentures. Ideally, dentures should be renewed every three or four years.

White Fillings

A composite filling is a tooth-coloured plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis is early gum disease and occurs when dental plaque builds up on teeth, particularly where the gum joins the tooth. Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that may occur if gingivitis is not treated.

Scale & Clean

Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with a professional dental clean.

Mouthguards

A custom fitted mouthguard is fitted specifically to your mouth. It has better retention than a store bought one and helps to absorb and spread the impact of a blow to your face, which might otherwise result in an injury to your mouth or jaw.