Introduction
The Facility is first and foremost a teaching facility for final-year dental students. As such, we are designated as general dental practice.
You should also be aware that, because your treatment is being provided by students who are being supervised by registered dentists, your treatment will take longer. This might mean more appointments as well as longer appointments.
Although we have specialists to oversee our students for some procedures, we do not offer any specialist treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment planning
The most important part of dental treatment is to determine what dental conditions you have, what impact they are having on you, and planning how, with you, might be the best way to manage them.
We pride ourselves on our ability to arrive at the right diagnosis and to develop a treatment plan that will suit both your lifestyle and financial situation. It iis also important that we communicate this to you as clearly as possible and obtain your consent before proceeding with anything.
Restorative dentistry
This involves the restoration of teeth to normal function and appearance. It includes teeth that have decay, have been damaged or broken, are sensitive, or have previous fillings that require replacement.
These restorations range from simple direct fillings with materials such as tooth coloured composite resin to more complex inlays, onlays, veneers or crowns which are constructed outside the mouth and then cemented into the tooth.
As well as making use of a commercial laboratory, we are able to construct inlays, onlays, veneers, and crowns on-site using the latest Cad-Cam techniques.
Endodontics
Endodontics is the treatment of an infected or damaged nerve inside the tooth root. Commonly known as root canal treatment, endodontics allows patients to retain their natural tooth as a solid foundation for a restoration or natural-looking ceramic crown. Usually, the pulp or nerve within the tooth is removed because it has become infected or inflamed. An infected nerve can be painful and cause swelling, and there is a risk of spreading infection to surrounding tissues.
Endodontic treatment is commonly a multi-stage procedure and provides enormous relief to patients who are in pain resulting from the infection within their tooth.
Implant dentistry
Dental Implants offer the ideal solution to the problem of missing teeth. Combined with natural looking crowns or bridges, they are a durable, stable, and fully-functional replacement for your natural teeth. Dental implants are also an excellent solution to increase the stability of dentures. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, your chewing, smile and speech are affected; you may find that adjacent teeth begin to change position; and the reduction in bite force and muscle tone can even result in alterations to the shape of the face leading to premature aging. Dental implants are often the best solution.
Though planning is complex and requires great expertise, dental implant treatment is straightforward consisting of two main parts:
- Implant Fixture: One or more titanium screw cylinders are placed in the bone where the root of the missing teeth used to be
- Restoration: A crown or bridge restoration is attached to the fixtures usually by way of an intermediate structure called an abutment.
These components replace the missing teeth. Over time, the implant fixtures fuse to the bone, acting as anchors for the replacement teeth. This makes the entire structure very stable.
A porcelain crown or bridge is secured to a dental implant providing a complete and beautiful solution. Alternatively, implants can also be used to anchor a denture. A dental implant takes the place of the missing tooth's root and helps prevent or reverse the problems of missing teeth.
Dental implants are very effective if you have a single missing tooth, a few missing teeth or if you have lost all of your teeth.
Please note: At this stage we are unable to offer any dental implant treatments.
Oral surgery
We endeavour to treat everyone to the maximum extent without resorting to surgery but sometimes it can't be avoided. Several dental issues can only be resolved through surgery.
Tooth extraction
We remove teeth and tooth roots. This might involve minor surgical procedures at times
Wisdom teeth
Sometimes wisdom teeth can be a little tricky to remove. If the time comes when you need a wisdom tooth removed you can be assured you will receive the very best of care during this procedure. If it is too difficult, we will not proceed.
Biopsy
If you have a growth inside your mouth which requires diagnosis or is interfering with your normal function, either a part of it or all of it is removed and sent for testing. This is often a relatively simple procedure.
Oral hygiene and maintenance
Oral hygiene, maintenance and preventive care are an essential part of maintaining a patient's long-term dental health. As an integral part of our treatment, patients are sometimes asked to attend for a one-off or series of thorough oral hygiene treatments. A 'deep clean' involves removing the calculus (tartar) and stains from your teeth, above and below your gums, to ensure that your gum tissue is healthy.
We will also give you guidance on how to maintain a healthy oral hygiene regime at home involving brushing, rinsing and flossing. When indicated, we can also provide dietary advice.By being diligent in preventive care, appointments become fewer, shorter and more comfortable and the outcome of your treatment is likely to be optimised.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that prevents, diagnoses, and treats dentofacial growth anomalies, as well as misalignments of teeth and jaws.
Please note: At this stage we are unable to offer any orthodontic treatment.
Paediatric dentistry
Paediatric dentistry is a specialty that provides oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
It encompasses all dental care and may include management of caries, periodontal disease, trauma and/or growth problems. It also includes management of the dental problems for children who may have developmental, behavioural or medical disabilities, and care for some older patients who have disabilities.
Periodontics
Periodontal or gum disease is an advanced condition of inflammation and infection of the gums and other tissues and supporting structures of the teeth. It usually starts with gum inflammation or gingivitis, but can advance to generalised periodontitis, if not treated.
Gingivitis is very common New Zealand, and even advanced and severe periodontis is quite widespread.
Daily brushing and flossing can help to prevent gingivitis, however, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
The importance of treating periodontal disease cannot be understated. Periodontal disease has now been linked to a number of medical conditions including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as low birth weight babies. And, of course, smoking is a major cause of periodontal disease.
Periodontics involves the professional management of periodontal disease to minimise the damage to the gums and support structures of the teeth. Gingivitis is a reversible condition, but severe periodontitis is not. The stage of the disease determines the appropriate treatment plan, but generally, treatment involves special cleaning and debridement of the soft tissue and pockets around the teeth. There may even be a requirement for surgical intervention to assist in access to the hard and soft tissues. Home care by the patient is a very important part of a periodontal treatment plan.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the specialty of dentistry devoted to comprehensive management of lost teeth and tissues, utilising tooth and implant support where appropriate. This includes fixed, removable and maxillofacial prosthodontics, as well as the diagnosis and management of simple and complex problems of tooth surface loss, orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.
Prosthodontics involves the restoration and replacement of teeth and surrounding structures to recreate your natural smile and functionality. These treatments include services such as crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants.
Prosthodontic treatments, particularly complex cases, often require a multidisciplinary approach involving other dental specialists.