FAQ’s

With the range of modern treatments on offer, it can sometimes be confusing as to which might be the best solution for you.

We’ve provided you with a list of Frequently Asked Questions, but if there is anything that you are still unclear on, or if you have any further questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will do their best to help you.

1. What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is an advanced stage of gum disease and if left untreated can be the cause of a range of problems including receding gums, tissue loss and eventual tooth loss.

2. What does periodontal treatment involve?

In the earliest states of gum disease, most treatment involves scaling and root planning as an effective means of combating the problem.

The periodontal pockets around the tooth are cleaned. In the majority of early gum disease cases, treatment entails improved home care techniques and scaling and root planning.
Advanced cases may require surgical treatment which involves a minor surgical procedure called gingivectomy. This is done under local anaesthesia and a medicinal dressing is placed to cover the wound area for a week or so while it heals.

For the most extreme cases surgery may involve the gum tissue being lifted away from the tooth and the infected area removed before being sutured back into position against the tooth.

3. What is the best way to prevent gum disease?

Ultimately the best way to avoid gum disease, as well as a multitude of other negative dental problems, is in the regular and thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums.

Brushing twice daily, as well as flossing daily to remove the plaque and tartar that causes gum disease will greatly reduce your chances of experiencing problem in both the short and long term.

4. Do wisdom teeth always need removing?

No, not always. Some people can experience very few problems in the appearance of their wisdom teeth, with their mouth and teeth being able to comfortably accommodate the new teeth.

However, for others it is not so simple. Wisdom teeth that come in at an angle or become impacted can cause a wealth of problems including pain and discomfort. Luckily, they can be removed when they become too much of a problem.

5. Dental implants seem like a good idea, can anyone have them?

Dental implants are an effective and long lasting solution to the problem of missing teeth and they are suitable for a large number of people. However, in individuals that have experienced a severe loss of core bone and strength in the underlying structure of their mouth, they can prove problematic to implant. This is due to the stabilising role that the jaw plays in the fundamental structure of the implant. In the absence of enough underlying bone, there are options available for bone grafts, which can prove successful in reinstating this necessary strength, but the procedure is made more complex in the event that this is needed.

6. When should my child first see a dentist?

It is a really good idea to introduce your child early to the dentist, and the ideal time for your child to meet us is generally around six months after their first teeth appear.

This gives us the perfect opportunity to examine the development of their mouth and catch problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations and prolonged thumb-sucking early.

Not only does this ensure that they are given the best possible chance of having potential problems detected early and before they develop into bigger issues, it also allows them to avoid the possibility of finding dental treatment frightening.

Through the positive and sensitive treatment that is available to both you and your child at Pyrmont Dental, you can leave our practice safe in the knowledge that there really is nothing to fear!

7. My teeth have a number of black fillings which are unpleasant looking, can I do anything now that they’re in place?

Yes! The black filling material used in your teeth is amalgam, which has been used as a filling material for over a hundred years; it’s still one of the strongest materials available.

However, it is something that plenty of people are now choosing to have removed, opting to replace them with the infinitely more attractive tooth-coloured alternatives.

There are various methods and materials available to act as tooth-colour restorations and they are relatively easy to administer, making your black fillings a thing of the past.

8. Why do I need X-Rays?

Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide your dentist with an important diagnostic tool that highlights the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones.

X-rays can help your dentist determine the presence of periodontal disease, abscesses and many other abnormalities such as cysts and tumours.

X-rays can also show the exact location of impacted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination, such as changes in the jaw bone structure as a result of systemic disease.

9. While biting hard food I broke one of my teeth. What should I do?

If you are not in any pain then ring the dentist as soon as possible and make an appointment, but try and keep the tooth as clean as possible and avoid biting hard on that tooth. If you have pain, then you will need to go to your dentist immediately as an emergency.

10. I brush my teeth constantly but still have bad breath. What can I do?

Brushing and flossing are the crucial first steps in eliminating bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odorous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on.
However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth, but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odours.

You might want to consider a tongue scraper. They’re extremely effective at removing this protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.

The latest products on the market for bad breath are toothpastes and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide neutralises the odorous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour.

If there is anything which you would like to enquire about further, regarding the treatments that we have on offer, or if you would like to arrange an appointment with Dr Sun, then please do not hesitate to contact us and a member of our friendly team will do their best to help you.