These are the questions we are often asked. If you have any other questions or enquiries about your own dental situation feel free to e-mail us on enquiries@dentistnz.co.nz. You will receive an answer on the same day, Monday to Friday, if e-mail received before 4pm. Otherwise call us on, 0800 MY SMILE.

General

How do I prevent cavities?
A) there are 2 main areas that need to be assessed
1) What you eat and drink and how often
and
2) How you keep your teeth clean. Your dentist or hygienist will discuss these with you in depth, also if other preventive measures such as fluoride mouthwash are needed for your prevention of cavity formation.

Some basics are:
Brush twice a day, (minimum)
Floss once a day (minimum)
Avoid frequent sugar intakes, eg, avoid sugar in tea and coffee or cola and sports drinks, (It is better to have more sugar once a day than spreading it out over the day). Have regular 6-12 month dental check ups.

I haven't been to the dentist in years and the last time I went it hurt!, what procedures do you use to prevent pain?
A) we have tried to eliminate all the negative sides of dentistry such as pain. We have some advanced equipment and specialized procedures to ensure your maximum comfort. If the treatment requires numbing we can first apply numbing cream and then rub the anesthetic in without you feeling almost anything except the rubbing. We then ensure you are totally numb before starting any treatment. Some patients prefer to be sedated right through so they remember nothing which is fine too.

My wisdom teeth are coming through, how long should I leave them before I get them out?
A) Not everybody needs to have their wisdom teeth taken out so a dental assessment of them needs to be carried out before making that decision. We need to look at the position of the teeth and the likelihood of having enough room for your wisdom teeth before deciding if you need them out.

Can I be sedated during my treatment?
A) Absolutely. We need to do an examination first and then there are several sedation options you can choose from.

What are the advantages of keeping my own teeth?
A) most of our patients don't want to chew on plastic teeth anymore. Dentures decrease your ability to chew effectively, decrease taste, and there will be some foods you will never be able to eat again such as very hard foods or very sticky food. Your teeth are the skeleton of your face to a great degree and losing them will cause your face to shrink inwards. However some people have so much infection in their natural teeth that removing them is the only option.

Can I get rid of my denture?
A) Yes! This is a common question for those who don't like plastic teeth. The way it is done depends if you have any teeth left or not. Most commonly we use implants to either stabilize dentures or totally replace dentures. Implants look and feel just like natural teeth, but without the problems.

Does the Smile Studio do dentures?
“DentureTech are available on our premises on Tuesdays and Fridays and we are able to refer you to them if required.”

What does an initial exam involve?
A) The panoramic xray gives us a full picture of your jaw, and shows the sinus area. Our examinations are very comprehensive, involving a discussion with you to find out your dental needs and how we can meet those needs for you. We do a full oral cancer check, a gum assessment, a look at how overloaded each tooth is (this applies to those with a large amount of fillings); sometimes photos are required and models of your teeth. The examination can take up to an hour and is inclusive in the fee mentioned above.

Why is it important to have a check up every 6 months?
A)the most important treatment you can have to keep your teeth for life are regular cleans and examinations. For most people these need to be 6 monthly. 6 months is the length of time for decay to start appearing and nests of bacteria to form in your gums. Some people require more regular screening if they have a predisposition to decay or gum disease.

My tooth is broken down; will it need to come out?
A)not necessarily, most broken teeth can be saved but it depends on the amount and condition of remaining tooth, the sooner it is assessed the better the chances of saving your tooth.

I have been told I need root canal treatment, what is that?
A) root canal treatment is needed when the inside of the tooth (its blood supply and nerve) is dying or already dead. This unhealthy area of the tooth is removed, sterilized and then filled. Eventually this tooth will require a crown. NB If a tooth is left untreated it will eventually grow an abscess and in many cases cause severe toothache, (Often at the most inopportune times!) Not only this but your body is nursing a continual infection in the decayed tooth which can contribute to general poor health.

How long will a root canal treatment last?
A) nothing lasts forever but root canals can last for many years, even as long as 20years or more in ideal situations.

Is there another option besides a root canal treatment?
A) Not if you want to keep the tooth and be healthy.

Can I pay off my dental treatment?
A) yes, please contact us for information. You need to organize this before starting treatment otherwise we will assume payment on the day of treatment.

What is your recall system at the Smile Studio?
A) we often prebook patients for their recall exams when they have their last treatment. We then call to remind of this appointment 1 week before the recall date. If a recall appointment was not made the computer will advise us to contact you. Most checkup appointments are 6 monthly.

Mercury Removal
Click here to view our brochure on mercury removal (PDF, 1.35MB).

What is a 'mercury' filling?
A)these are also called 'black','amalgam',or 'silver' fillings. If you look in your mouth and see any black fillings it will be a mercury filling. They contain approx 50% mercury.

Are mercury fillings harmful?
A)mercury is released from amalgam fillings constantly in small amounts, and constitutes a large debate over its health implications. Since Adam specializes in using safety techniques during mercury removal, we have many people referred to us who exhibit varying degrees of health problems with some almost miraculous results. We suggest you check out this web site for more detailed scientific information:
www.zip.com.au/~rgamma/IsAmalgamSafe.htm

Do I have to be referred to have my mercury fillings removed?
A)No.

What does it mean to have my mercury fillings removed 'safely'?
A) when mercury fillings are drilled out they release up to 1,000 times EPA allowable concentrations of mercury into the mouth. We make sure your exposure to mercury is minimal by using IAOMT techniques (outlined in the above web site).

“Is it costly to have my fillings removed using the safe removal method”?
There is a minor extra cost for safe mercury removal due to the extra equipment used and the extra time required.

I have heard diamond composite fillings are the best replacement is this right?
A)Diamond composite has the lowest bio-allergenic rates which means it is the least likely to cause any reactions. However we do use several different types of restorative materials to best suit you and your mouth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

What is a smile makeover?
This is when the appearance of your teeth are transformed to a more beautiful, healthy and often stronger smile. The process can be minor involving teeth whitening and/or minor tooth shape adjustments or a total makeover involving changing the shape, colour, length and your bite. This can involve whitening, veneering, crowning, bridging or implants depending on your particular situation.

Can I have my teeth straightened without using braces?
A) yes in most cases. We call it instant orthodontics; we need to see your teeth to know what can be achieved for you.

What methods of teeth whitening does the Smile Studio use?
A)we have tried different techniques and the studies show the professional whitening using a dentist made guard has the best results, and is also more cost effective. We use the Opalescence tooth whitening system.

Does teeth whitening damage teeth?
A)latest studies say no, however some people can feel sensitivity but this is largely avoidable.

Does the whitening gel damage my tooth enamel?
The process oxidises the tooth enamel and produces temporary tooth enamel roughness (microscopic and unable to be felt with the tongue). But this quickly reverses by the minerals in the saliva. There are no long term side effects.

How long will the teeth whitening last?
A)many years, and the ongoing costs are very low (about $25) to purchase a supplementary tube of Opalescence teeth whitener after a few years to give your teeth a "boost" to maintain that beautiful smile.

What is a veneer?
A) veneers are a layer over the front of your teeth to give a beautiful smile. They are made of either composite (white filling material) or more commonly porcelain. Porcelain is stronger, looks nicer and lasts longer. Composite is a cheaper alternative.

How long will my veneers last?
A)This depends on your particular bite, if you grind your teeth, and how well you look after them. Porcelain veneers can last 15-20years, composite 4 - 6 years on average.

What is a crown?
A)crowns are used to strengthen teeth and improve their appearance by covering the tooth with a strong material (commonly porcelain, belleglass, or gold).

What is a bridge?
A)bridges are used to replace teeth by attaching a false tooth to the teeth beside the gap. These are one of the best ways to fill gaps but does require strong teeth either side of the gap to take the weight of the missing tooth. They look and feel almost exactly like real teeth.

What is an implant?
A)Implants are used to fill gaps and are probably the longest lasting option. They do not need any other teeth around them for support and look and feel just like natural teeth. They involve placing a titanium "tooth" into the gum with a crown placed on top.
Implants can also be used to make dentures firm and stable so they don't move around.
Mini-implants – click here to read our Mini Implant brochure (PDF).

Can I have my cosmetic treatment done in one visit?
A)it depends on what treatment is required. This will be discussed with you by your dentist.

Hygiene

What does a hygienist do?
A) hygienists are specifically trained (2 year diploma course) to keep your gums healthy and your teeth scaled and clean.

Why is it important to have a thorough clean and scale?
A)the #1 reason teeth are lost is due to gum disease. Bacteria form nests in your gums which cause the bone holding your teeth to become diseased. This eventually causes the teeth to get loose and painful. Also the nests of bacteria cause bad breath and make your gums bleed more easily. A thorough and regular clean is the most important thing to help keep your teeth for life, and to keep them looking their best.

Why can't the dentist do my hygiene treatment?
A) most modern dental practices use hygienists because they are very good at what they do, and will be cheaper to see than the dentist. The hygienist also specialises in education to ensure that you are thoroughly confident in teeth cleaning and maintenance to prevent major dental problems. The dentist does however treat severe cases of gum disease which may require surgery.

How often should I see the hygienist?
A)most people require 6 monthly cleans to keep the nests of bacteria ( discussed above) from forming bone disease. This may vary depending on your particular requirements.

Child and Youth dental

Does the Smile Studio treat children and teenagers?
A) Yes, at a private fee. We do offer a discount for composite fillings and examinations for under 18 year olds.

What are fissure seals and how long do they last?
A) fissure seals are a plastic coat that fits into the fissures (the valleys on top of teeth) to prevent decay.

We are on tank water; do you recommend that my children have fluoride tablets?
A) the American dental association recommends fluoride from age 6 months, NZ dental association recommends it from 2 years of age. Fluoride helps make the teeth stronger and less likely to decay.