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Mon-6-Sep
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if it becomes frayed.
Member Australian
Dental Association
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will it hurt?
- How much will it cost?
- Will my Health Fund cover the cost?
- What is a Preferred Provider?
- Do you autoclave all your instruments?
- Can I have white fillings?
- Is amalgam harmful?
- Why replace a missing back tooth?
- What is gum disease?
- What to do if a tooth is knocked out?
Will it hurt?
I remember when I was a child, going to the dentist wasn't a pleasant experience.
The waiting room looked old and had that 'dentist smell', the receptionist wasn't happy, and the dentist wasn't very gentle!
It is very important to us that your experience at Ferrari Dental Care is completely the opposite to this.
To help achieve this, we provide pleasant and modern surroundings, our staff are friendly and caring, and we stay up to date with the latest techniques.
Our goal is for your experience here to be the best you have ever had!
We use the following techniques to make your treatment as comfortable as possible:
- Sensory Blocking Injection Technique - a special technique developed in the USA for injections you don't feel. Very successful for children, although we also use it routinely for adults.
- Neck cushions and back massage units - to increase your comfort during treatment.
- Gentleness - we are very aware that the mouth is a sensitive area and we treat it accordingly.
- Air Abrasion - a stream of air and powder which removes decay in small cavities, often without the need for an injection.
- We give you control during treatment - you are welcome to stop treatment whenever you like for any reason.
- We explain what we are doing so that nothing comes as a surprise.
- Frequent rest periods during treatment.
Our aim is for your mouth to be healthy and stable so your teeth last a lifetime with a minimum of worries. That's why we recommend an oral health examination once or twice a year, to try and avoid major problems and cost.
An examination with a scale and clean usually costs less than a car service, but if you do need extra treatment, we will provide you with a written estimate. We will also explain any options to the proposed treatment, and include the cost of these on the estimate.
Our goal is to provide you with an exceptional quality of care at an affordable price. Dentistry in this day and age is not cheap - but with routine dental examinations and good home care, you can help to reduce the overall cost to you and your family.
Will my Health Fund cover the cost?
Health Fund rebates vary considerably depending on the Fund involved, the level of cover, and the type of treatment received. The amount of rebate is also determined by the profitability of that particular item for the Fund, and its frequency of use. This is a business decision made by the Fund, and has nothing to do with the particular needs of the patient.
The rebates given by the Funds are generally based on a percentage of an average of fees charged for each service across the entire dental profession. The rebate is usually a fixed amount, and may not take into account variations of treatment complexity between different patients.
For example, a scale and clean may be a 5 minute procedure for one patient, and an hour procedure for another, depending on the amount of tartar and gum infection present. Obviously, the longer procedure would cost more, however the rebate from the Health Fund would be exactly the same. It is understandable that some patients become disappointed or confused by this.
It is also important to remember that dental care, unlike medical treatment, is not subsidised by the Government from your taxes. There is no Medicare cover for dental treatment.
This means that dental care will usually be expensive even if you have Health Fund cover. However, prevention is always better and less costly than cure, so please don't leave it till you're having problems. Your health is more important!
What is a Preferred Provider?
Your Health Fund may have suggested to you that if you see a 'Preferred Provider' dentist, you may only have to pay a small amount, or nothing at all for treatment. A Preferred Provider is a dentist employed by a Health Fund who agrees to charge the patient a set fee for each treatment. In return, the Health Fund helps to make the dentist busier by sending patients to them.
The only requirement to become a Preferred Provider dentist is that you agree to charge a certain fee that is usually below the average fee normally charged. There is no requirement to deliver a certain standard of care or quality of treatment. One can understand how compromises could be made in such situations.
We are not Preferred Providers or are ever likely to be. Our mission is to deliver exceptional care to our patients, and we believe that we offer you value for money. We encourage you to take out health cover if you think it is appropriate, however, remember that the health funds don't really have the same level of interest in your health that you and your dentist has.
Do you autoclave all your instruments?
Yes, we do! Autoclaving is the sterilisation of instruments using steam under pressure for a set time period.
This is done in a special machine called an autoclave, and is usually computer controlled. Most autoclaves have printers on them that give a record of each cycle, and indicator strips are also placed in each batch of instruments to double check sterilisation. A further check is done on each autoclave weekly by a spore test, and licensed technicians service autoclaves regularly.
Instruments that aren't autoclaved are single use only and disposed of after use, and disposable instruments probably account for around a third of all instruments used. Our infection control procedures are implemented according to the latest Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines.
You may be surprised to learn that around 35 items are autoclaved or disposed of after a simple procedure such as an examination, scale and clean! You can understand how this increases the cost of dentistry, both from materials and staff costs. However, your health is of prime importance, and we will do our utmost to ensure it. We also welcome any questions you may have on our infection control procedures.
Can I have white fillings?
There are a number of different types of filling materials used in our office, including composite resin, porcelain, glass ionomer, amalgam, and gold. As with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages of each, depending on the situation involved. White fillings include composite resin, glass ionomer, and porcelain.
Composite resin is the most popular of the white fillings, and is also known as 'plastic' or 'bonded' fillings. The advantages of composite fillings include: can be done in one visit, can be 'invisible', is relatively less costly than porcelain, can be used for front and back fillings, can be more conservative than amalgam or porcelain, and does not contain mercury. Disadvantages include; takes more time to place and costs more than amalgam or glass ionomer, is not as strong as amalgam or porcelain, is not as successful in patients who are prone to decay or who have poor enamel, and will slowly stain over time.
Glass ionomer fillings are made out of a special material that contains fluoride. This is extremely useful for patients who have poorly formed enamel, or who are prone to decay. The fluoride helps to strengthen the tooth structure and protect it from decay. Glass ionomer is also relatively inexpensive, and is easy to place. The disadvantages are that it's not very strong, and it's less aesthetic compared to composite fillings.
Porcelain is a very strong and long lasting material, and is used for a variety of purposes including fillings, veneers, crowns, and bridges. Its main benefits are that it is tooth coloured, and does not corrode or break down over time like other filling materials. It is also very colour stable and resists staining. Its disadvantages are that it usually takes two appointments to place, and is relatively expensive compared to the other materials.
Today, white fillings can be used exclusively if you wish, however you need to be aware of their advantages and disadvantages. We are happy to discuss your particular needs with you to help you decide which is best for you.
Is amalgam harmful?
Amalgams, or 'silver' fillings, are made from a number of materials including silver, copper, tin, and mercury. They have been used for over 160 years in millions of people around the world. Although they are used less frequently today, they still play an important role in modern dentistry.
There have been some reports in the media recently saying that mercury in amalgam leaks into the body and causes health problems. While it is true that very small amounts of mercury do enter the blood stream, it is removed by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. It is also true that small amounts of mercury (and other compounds) are found in many of the foods we eat, and are excreted in the same way. Providing the amounts are very small, there are no health problems associated with them.
The use of amalgam continues to be supported by the World Health Organization, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Australian Dental Association, to name a few. These organizations are very careful and precise in their research and recommendations for medical practitioners throughout the World, and would not continue to support a material that was harmful. Furthermore, they have no financial benefit in recommending certain materials, and so are unbiased in their conclusions.
Dentists want the best for their patients' health, and must be guided by proven and reliable sources of information on which to base their treatment. A couple of reports in the media that are not backed up by proven scientific research are not valid reasons to change treatment protocols.
Amalgam continues to be used by most dentists because it still has some advantages over alternative materials. It is strong, generally lasts a long time, is less expensive, and it seals out decay very well. Composite resins are definitely improving all the time, but still have some disadvantages compared to amalgam, especially for large fillings in back teeth. Patients are requesting more and more white fillings for their teeth, which is perfectly acceptable as long as you understand their limitations. An informed choice is the best way to decide, and we are happy to discuss this with you.
Why replace a missing back tooth?
All our teeth are designed to balance against each other and to support the jaw joints. When a tooth is lost due to decay, gum disease, or accident, the surrounding teeth can tilt or move and cause serious problems.
The most common problems are tilting and over-eruption. Tilting is when the adjacent teeth tip over into the space left by the missing tooth. This predisposes these teeth to gum disease because they are more difficult to clean. The jaw joints can also be affected because the tipped tooth disrupts the bite.
Over-eruption is when the tooth directly above or below the missing tooth moves out of its socket into the space. This exposes the root of the tooth which makes it more susceptible to decay and gum disease. The over-erupted tooth can also disrupt the natural movements of the jaw and cause jaw joint problems, including 'clicking', earaches, headaches, and night time grinding (bruxism).
Therefore, when back teeth are lost, it is usually recommended they should be replaced. The use of a partial denture, bridge, or implant can restore the bite back to its correct situation and avoid future problems. This is easier and less expensive to do than to wait till you have problems, particularly as some of these problems cannot be resolved.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults today. It begins when the tissues around the teeth start to break down due to inflammation. The inflammation is caused by plaque and tartar build up which release toxins into the gum recesses. If allowed to continue, the supporting tissues around the teeth break down to such an extent that the teeth have to be removed.
Symptoms of gum disease can include; bleeding gums when brushing, bad breath, red and swollen gums, excessive tartar build up, receded gums, loose teeth, or teeth that change position. It is important to note that gum disease does not usually cause pain until the disease is in the advanced stages.
Treatment depends on how advanced the gum disease is. The most common form of treatment is a thorough scale to remove all plaque and calculus, followed by repeat cleanings at determined intervals. You may also be recommended to see a Periodontist (gum specialist) in more advanced cases. The aim is to prevent progression of the disease, and to reverse it where less damage has been done.
The important thing to remember is that if you have gum disease, you don't have to lose your teeth. With the advanced treatment procedures available today, you can feel assured that most of your teeth can be saved.
What to do if a tooth is knocked out?
Firstly, find the tooth and make sure it's intact - if the complete root is not attached then it can't be saved. Be careful to handle the tooth by the crown and not the root surface - the membrane on the root surface is very delicate and it's extremely important not to damage it, as this will decrease the success of saving the tooth. It is also best not to rinse the tooth in water - use milk if possible. Then gently push the tooth back into the socket and hold it there with light pressure. If you can't r eplace the tooth, wrap it in glad wrap, or tuck it into the patient's cheek till you get to the dentist.
Studies show that if the tooth is replaced within 30 minutes, there is an 85% chance the tooth will survive.