General Dentistry
Regular dental check-ups are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and can help identify potential dental issues for prevention or early intervention.
Dental Check Ups – Every 6 Months
At Jones Dental we recommend 6 monthly check ups for our patients, paired with a good oral care routine at home to maintain a healthy smile.
A dental check up appointment will involve a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth. You dentist may also recommend taking x-rays to identify any problems in between the teeth and under existing fillings that can not be identified by the naked eye. Generally bite wing x-rays will be recommend every two years during your regular dental check up, or more regularly if any issues have been identified. During your appointment your dentist will also ask about your general health, any medications and if you have been having any issues with your teeth or mouth since your last visit.
Wollongong
60 Crown St, Wollongong
(02) 4228 6611
Unanderra
27 Central Rd Unanderra
(02) 4271 1468
Oak Flats
90 Central Ave, Oak Flats
(02) 4256 1087
Your Oral Health
Your dentist is a great source of knowledge on how to take care of your teeth at home, from how to brush, floss and everything in between, such as using inter-dental brushes.
You can talk to your dentist about the wide range of oral health products on the market, such as electric toothbrushes, and what they recommend for your individual oral health needs. Your dentist can also provide you with information on a tooth friendly diet, lifestyle risks and smoking cessation.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is keeping your mouth clean and healthy. This helps to keep the mouth free from disease and other problems by regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth. An important part of maintaining a healthy smile is through regular check-ups and cleans.
At Jones Dental, we have an Oral Health Therapist who is focused on working with you through developing good homecare routines and regular preventative maintenance in our clinics. She works along-side our dentists to ensure you are receiving the high level of care and attention.
Dental X-Rays
Not all areas in the mouth are easily checked just by looking and dental x-rays or radiographs are an important diagnostic tool that allows your dentist to see what is happening between the teeth, under and around fillings and crowns, under then gum and within the bone. All four Jones Dental locations are equipped to take digital dental radiographs.
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Digital radiographs are very helpful for your dentist to quickly identify any problems allowing them to detect issues earlier, clearly identify and treat any problems, and in some cases to be sure there is good dental health without any treatment required. Digital radiographs can help in the early detection of tooth decay, gum disease, infection and bone issues. Depending on your risk factors most patients require dental radiographs every two years.
OPG (Orthopantomogram)
An OPG is a full mouth panoramic radiograph which shows the structures of the lower face, teeth and jaws. An OPG is useful to show the number and position of all teeth, including those that have not erupted into the mouth yet. It can be used to identify problems with wisdom teeth, the jaw bone, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Jones Dental Wollongong, Unanderra and Oak Flats have OPG machines and imaging can be done on the spot. We can also refer patients to local diagnostic imaging services where OPG imaging can be done.
Dental Fillings
Fillings may be required to restore a tooth structure which has been compromised due to decay or trauma. During the filling process the decay is removed, the tooth is cleaned and then filled in with a filling material. This stops the tooth from decaying further and restores aesthetic and function.
Tooth Fillings are often the first course of action when managing tooth decay. They are used to restore the tooth back to its original shape and function.
What is a Filling?
Fillings may be required to restore a tooth structure which has been compromised due to decay or trauma. When a filling is required there are a variety of materials that can be used. Your dentist will recommend the best material to restore your individual tooth shape and function determined by the extent of the repair, where in the mouth the filling is required, strength requirements and the way your teeth bite together and the cost of treatment.
Types of Fillings
Commonly used filling material include; Composite resin tooth coloured filling material, Ceramic, Glass-ionomer cement, Amalgam and Gold.
Tooth coloured restorations are the most aesthetic and are either made of ceramic or composite resin.
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Ceramics are widely used in aesthetic dentistry as they have the ability to mimic optical features of natural teeth. Ceramics are biocompatible and are chemically durable with sufficient hardness to provide high wear resistance.
Composite resins and advances in bonding technology have pushed the boundaries of aesthetic dentistry. The selection of composite resin materials offer a variety of shades and opacities. A natural colour and aesthetically pleasing tooth, in a relatively short, simple and predictable procedure, can be achieved.
Inlays and Onlays
This provides an alternative to the composite resin filling. Inlays and Onlays are used to replace lost tooth but a different in that once the tooth is prepared they are made outside the mouth and then cemented into place. They are made from a ceramic material and can provide good strength in a tooth that has lost a lot of structure. However, if a tooth is very weakened do the loss of tooth structure then a crown may be a more suitable option.
Mouthguards
Sporting accidents do happen and a properly fitted mouthguard can protect you from serious sporting injuries, such as broken teeth, fractured jaws, and lacerated lips and tongues
You don’t just have to be playing obvious contact sports like rugby union, rugby league, AFL, hockey or boxing to sustain a dental injury. Non-contact sports such as cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skateboarding and soccer also carry a real risk of accidental collision resulting dental trauma.
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A properly fitted mouthguard acts like a crash helmet for teeth. Custom made mouthguards are made from a shock-absorbing plastic which is closely adapted to your teeth and absorbs impact. Usually a custom made mouthguard has two or more layers of plastic laminated together. For some high-impact sports additional reinforcing is placed to protect the front teeth. Custom made mouthguards are designed specifically to fit your mouth. They fit accurately, don’t impede breathing and provide protection for teeth, jaws and jaw joints. They also help minimise tooth concussion.
A poorly fitting mouthguard is inefficient, is hard to hold in place and interferes with breathing. Mouthguards sold over-the-counter invariably suffer from all these problems and are not recommended for high impact sports.
Grinding Splints
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a filling appointment?
During a filling appointment your dentist will ensure you are comfortable by numbing the area (for patients who prefer local anaesthetic), they will then remove the decayed or damaged tooth material, clean the area, reinforce or line the cavity if necessary then fill the cavity with filling material.
How do I choose the right dentist?
Choosing the right dentist is an important decision as they are someone you will see on a regular basis over many years, even possibly your whole life. The right dentist will be your partner in looking after your oral health needs, keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy so they should be someone you like and feel comfortable with.
Seeing one dentist consistently, rather than shopping around for a new dentist every visit, provides you with a consistently high level of care as your dentist knows your medical and dental history and any current treatment plans you have discussed.
Where can I buy interdental aids, such as floss picks and interdental brushes?
We have a large range of interdental aids available to purchase at reception here at Jones Dental. Many of our patients pop-in between regular check ups to stock up on Piksters and Floss picks. We can also order in special products recommended by your dentist or oral health therapist.
If you are unable to pop in, a number of interdental products are available at some chemists and pharmacies.
What should I do in an emergency?
While seeing one dentist is preferable, emergencies do happen which is why at Jones Dental we have a number of dentists on staff and we keep emergency appointments available. If you do see a different dentist for a visit they will liaise with your current dentist so your continuity of care is not interrupted.
At Jones Dental we have a large number of friendly, highly qualified dentists on our team and we will work with you to choose the dentist who best suits you and your family’s needs.
How long before I can eat after a filling?
Generally, your dentist will recommend you wait approximately 2- 3 hours after your appointment before you eat. This gives a chance for the anaesethetic to wear away, because eating while numb can lead to you accidentally biting your tongue, cheeks or lips and not being aware of it. You can also burn yourself and not realise until the anaesethetic has worn off! Extra attention needs to be given to children who sometimes start chewing or sucking their lips because of the numbness. It is perfectly fine to drink cold beverages. So a shake, or a juice would be a good idea whilst numb if you are feeling hungry or light headed.
How do I know if I need a filling?
It can be difficult to determine if you require a filling, however potential signs include; a dark spot or hole on the tooth, tooth sensitivity, sharp pain, pain when biting down, food getting stuck, as existing filling is cracked or broken, your tooth feels rough.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs we recommend you book an appointment with you dentist who can assess your tooth and determine whether a filling is required.
Call Us: (02) 4228 6611
or
Find Jones Dental
60 Crown Street, Wollongong
27 Central Road, Unanderra
90 Central Avenue, Oak Flats
Wollongong
60 Crown St, Wollongong
(02) 4228 6611
Unanderra
27 Central Rd, Unanderra
(02) 4271 1468
Oak Flats
90 Central Av, Oak Flats
(02) 4256 1087
