Tooth whitening at Greenvale Dentistry is the process of cosmetic dentistry where the teeth are bleached to lighten the shade. There are many benefits of tooth whitening. This can include increased personal attractiveness, perception of healthy teeth and lifestyle, and many more. Our cosmetic dentists in our Melbourne clinic specialise in tooth whitening. If you are unhappy about the colour of your teeth, contact our clinic to help you with your tooth whitening.

Our Melbourne based cosmetic dentists recognise that sensitivity during tooth whitening may occur with some patients. For some Zoom!™ patients who undergo tooth whitening in our Greenvale clinic, they may experience minor tingling sensations after the tooth whitening procedure, but this always dissipate. For some Opalescence® patients experiencing tooth whitening sensitivity, we recommend only bleaching every second or third day or night and using Sensodyne toothpaste while the bleaching program is in progress.

Tooth whitening at Greenvale Dentistry is the process of cosmetic dentistry where the teeth are bleached to lighten the shade. There are many benefits of tooth whitening. This can include increased personal attractiveness, perception of healthy teeth and lifestyle, and many more. Our cosmetic dentists in our Melbourne clinic specialise in tooth whitening. If you are unhappy about the colour of your teeth, contact our clinic to help you with your tooth whitening.

Our Melbourne based cosmetic dentists recognise that sensitivity during tooth whitening may occur with some patients. For some Zoom!™ patients who undergo tooth whitening in our Greenvale clinic, they may experience minor tingling sensations after the tooth whitening procedure, but this always dissipate. For some Opalescence® patients experiencing tooth whitening sensitivity, we recommend only bleaching every second or third day or night and using Sensodyne toothpaste while the bleaching program is in progress.

Tooth Whitening in our Melbourne clinic is a simple process. By following simple post whitening care instructions such as flossing, brushing twice daily, regular checkups and occasional touch ups with Zoom!™ Take-Home Gel or re-application of the Day White Gel every few months, your teeth will continue looking their sparkling best!

It should be noted that Zoom!™ may not be suitable for everyone, for example, people who are sensitive to light including those undergoing PUVA therapy or other photo chemotherapy, patients with melanoma, patients taking light sensitive drugs, substances or patients with strong gag reflex or anxiety. Please consult one of our cosmetic dentists to see if this is suitable for you.

Teeth discolouration and staining is a relatively common problem. Your teeth are porous and are therefore not stain resistant. Red wine, cigarettes, cola, curries, coffee and tea, among other food and drinks, contribute to the discoloration of your teeth over time. Medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline may cause significant staining, resulting in yellow, greyish teeth. Teeth can become permanently stained if the discoloration is not treated in a timely manner. Unfortunately, teeth brushing alone can't brighten teeth dulled by years of exposure to such discolouring agents.

Tooth whitening works by our cosmetic dentists being able to get into the tooth enamel and creating a chemical oxidation reaction that breaks the stains apart.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth coloured porcelain (ceramic) shells carefully crafted to bond to and cover the front of unsightly teeth and put in place by one of our professional cosmetic dentists. Similar in a way to a false fingernail, the veneer covers dark or yellow teeth, fills unsightly gaps, lengthens short or stubby teeth, straightens a crooked smile and in general improves your smile. Veneers create very life-like tooth appearance with its translucency as it mimics the light absorption of your teeth enamel. Veneers are a more conservative treatment than a crown and can often be used as an alternative by one of our cosmetic dentists if the underlying tooth is strong and healthy.

Porcelain veneers are the most conservative aesthetic restorations available in dentistry today and when well looked after, porcelain veneers can last from ten to fifteen years. A veneer is a much less invasive procedure than a dental implant.

You will need two appointments for veneer treatment by a cosmetic dentist. Melbourne residents be aware that the 1st appointment is to prepare the tooth and to take impressions for the veneers to be made by the dental laboratory and the 2nd appointment is to cement the veneers.

The dental pulp is the name given to the soft tissue inside the canal that runs through the root of your tooth. The dental pulp consists mainly of blood vessels, tissue fibres and some nerve fibres. The main function of the pulp is to regulate the growth and development of tooth since childhood. Once the tooth is fully formed nutrition for the tooth comes from the tissues surrounding the root.

The most common cause of pulp damage is deep tooth decay which allows bacteria to reach into the pulp. The pulp becomes inflamed or infected, with products of infection spreading through the tip of the root into the surrounding bone, oftentimes forming an abscess that causes the pain and swelling. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic blows to teeth, loose fillings, and excessive wear and tear of teeth, cracked teeth and gum disease. Consult one of our Melbourne based cosmetic dentists today to find out more about treatment.

Root canal treatment is a comfortable procedure and it involves little or no pain as the tooth will be anaesthetised with local anaesthetic during treatment. However, sometimes you may have discomfort after an appointment due to the inflammation in the tissues surrounding the tooth. This may take a few days to settle and sometimes a mild analgesic may be required. Root canal treatment is an alternative to dental implants, as we aim to conserve the tooth.

There are many disadvantages to losing a tooth. When a tooth is removed and not replaced, the teeth next to the empty space begin to shift from their normal position. This may cause teeth to become crooked or crowded, which decreases chewing and biting efficiency. Crowded or crooked teeth may be more prone to dental disease because they are harder to keep clean than properly aligned teeth. As a result, our cosmetic dentists may need to remove other if the missing tooth is not replaced.

A replacement tooth (an implant or a bridge) is usually more expensive than root canal treatment and involves more extensive dental procedures on adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment can safely and comfortably save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed. In fact, root canal therapy is successful approximately 95% of the time. Our cosmetic dentists recommend a root canal as a first option to tooth removal.

The choice is yours; however, if you are in a lot of pain, it may take more time and cost to see a specialist. Our cosmetic dentists can get you out of trouble straight away and if your infection is more complicated, we will always refer you to our specially selected list of Endodontists. At the very least a cosmetic dentist has already managed your pain. Our team of cosmetic dentists are qualified to treat endodontic problems.

Almost half of Australian adults have some form of periodontal disease. However the majority of these people do not even realise they have it. Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums, bones and periodontal ligament (attachment fibres that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw). Periodontal disease is usually painless and silent, until its advanced stages. If left untreated, symptoms can include:

• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• Red, swollen and tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between the gum and tooth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Our practice and cosmetic dentists are specially set up to treat and prevent the symptoms of periodontal disease.

Healthy hearts and healthy gums play vital roles in maintaining a healthy body. Because periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. The heart is one of the most susceptible organs. Heart disease (or cardiovascular disease) affects more than 60 million Americans. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet many types of heart disease may be prevented. Taking care of your periodontal health may be one important step toward prevention along with controlling the well-known risk factors for heart disease.

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the build-up of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease also has been linked to other significant health problems, including respiratory diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and premature and underweight births. It is very important that you always provide our office with a comprehensive and accurate medical history, including any problems you are aware of with your heart. We can work together to help you protect both your gums and your overall health.

Contact Greenvale Dentistry today on 03 9333 6403 to book a consultation.