Bonding is useful for improving small irregularities or defects with the front teeth using a composite material. Tooth coloured (composite) fillings are an alternative to metal (amalgam) fillings. They are made of plastic material, resin and small glass particles which are tooth coloured, rather than silver. There are many types of composite and can be suitable for repairing the front and back teeth.

Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners can improve the appearance, health and function of the teeth and jaws. Improving the appearance of your teeth can give you a more attractive smile and improve self-confidence. Crowded or overlapping teeth can be more difficult to clean compared to teeth with good alignment, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Your ability to chew food is best when your occlusion (bite) is the best for your mouth and teeth. Crooked teeth often show abnormal and sometimes damaging areas of enamel wear.

Bruxism is excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth that is not part of normal chewing movements. It can lead to increased wear or damage to the teeth and cause permanent damage to the jaw joints. Bruxism may be particularly damaging when it occurs during sleep as you have no conscious control over the forces and movements.

Even though each tooth has hard enamel on the outside they can be chipped, broken or weakened. This can occur from trauma due to an accident, decay, large fillings, previous root canal treatment and age-related wear and tear. An artificial crown is often the best way to restore a tooth and strengthen it. A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth; it consists of an artificial tooth anchored to the adjacent natural teeth.

A dental emergency can be a very unpleasant experience. Whether it is due to trauma, dental pain or something has just broken; at Roo Dental we can be available after hours and during holidays or weekends. Just call us on 07 5405 3653, if it is outside of our regular opening hours your call will be diverted and answered. You can also email us at info@roodental.com.au.

While Roo Dental believes retention of teeth is nearly always better than extraction, there are times when extraction is the best treatment option. The aim is to achieve the best option over the long term so your dentist is in the best position to evaluate your situation. The extraction of wisdom teeth, also called third molars, can be more complicated and your dentist may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The primary (deciduous) teeth, sometimes called baby teeth or milk teeth are, are only extracted in certain situations as they are important for maintaining the space to allow proper eruption of the secondary (permanent) teeth.

Dental implants are an artificial tooth root replacement which is inserted into the jawbone. The look and function of dental implants with a crown is almost the same as natural teeth. Implant techniques can replace one or several missing teeth. In some cases, an implant can be fitted with special attachments which connect to a denture to hold it in place and minimise movement.

Teeth may be need to be extracted for a variety of reasons such as decay, severe gum disease, trauma or heavy wear. Regardless of age, when many teeth are extracted a denture may have to be fitted to maintain normal chewing, bite, speech and appearance. Many people wear dentures which look natural, fit well and feel comfortable.

A dental examination can identify problems such as decay, gum disease, enamel defects, tooth sensitivity, discolouration, chips or cracks, broken-down fillings, misaligned teeth and extreme wear. Your dentist will often recommend professional cleaning to remove stubborn areas of plaque and calculus from the teeth.

Pits and fissures are the depressions and grooves that form the natural anatomy mainly on the occlusal (biting) surfaces of teeth. They are present on all molars and premolars but can be found on some canines and incisors. Deep, narrow fissures trap food and bacteria resulting in a sticky plaque coating the tooth, this plaque produces acids which cause tooth decay.

Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) is performed to save a tooth badly damaged from decay, disease or trauma. It is preferable to save a tooth because generally it functions better that an artificial tooth, your own tooth is better for chewing and eating, cleaning around a natural tooth tends to be much easier. Once a tooth is lost the adjacent teeth can move or tilt from their normal position into the space which has been left.

Many people fear visiting the dentist and avoid going, leading to deterioration in dental and general health. This fear can be overcome with oral sedation before treatment and/or sedation in the dental chair during treatment.

One in five adults will experience snoring during their lifetime and while usually it causes no medical problems, for some people may it indicate obstructive sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea can lead to heart disease, increase in blood pressure, increased risk of stroke or heart attack. People who snore should be tested for sleep apnoea by a respiratory sleep disorder physician.

Tooth whitening is the use of bleaching agents to lighten the colour of the teeth. The normal colour of tooth enamel varies between individuals depending on surface staining due to lifestyle (e.g. smoking, tea, coffee), age, poor oral hygiene, certain medicines (such as tetracycline), dental problems and developmental defects. Your dentist is best qualified to assess your situation and whether a bleaching treatment would be appropriate.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-coloured ceramic shells that are carefully made to bond and cover the front of the teeth. They are a more conservative treatment than artificial crowns. Veneers are used for treating front teeth which are chipped, discoloured, slightly misaligned/misshapen or have gaps between the teeth.