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As in dentistry, treatments continuously move into an exciting era of advanced technology, it is safe to say that Laser Dentistry is here to stay! Dental lasers can be used to help treat a variety of clinical conditions such as mouth ulcers, uncontrolled bleeding and tooth decay. Due to their lightweight and portable form, combined with affordability, they are becoming an increasingly advantageous method compared to other traditional methods of treating patients.

Both Dr Kedar and Dr Devahuti of Expert Dental Care are fully qualified and experienced in laser dentistry and strive to provide their patients with a pleasant dental experience.

Why are dentists opting for laser dentistry?
During their education, both of our dentists developed an interest in the use of dental lasers due to its advantages for not only their patients but also their own practice. This led them to undertake additional training, gaining full qualifications to use dental lasers.
Depending on each patient, dental lasers can be used to completely treat oral health conditions or they can be used in addition to other dental instruments.

Dentists have noticed a positive shift in patients’ attitudes towards visits to the dentist, especially for children who are mainly distressed by pain and bleeding. Laser dentistry reduces the need for needles, sharp blades or drills, meaning patients can experience reduced discomfort, less time in the chair or fewer visits to the dentist.

What does laser dentistry feel like?
Because lasers use light energy instead of traditional forces and sharp blades, most patients feel minimal to no discomfort when our qualified dentists are using them. Using minimally invasive techniques such as laser dentistry also means recovery time is usually shorter and patients typically experience less post-operative discomfort.

What conditions can laser dentistry be used for?
Being widely used in dentistry, lasers are used to perform a number of procedures including but not limited to:

Control Bleeding – Reducing or stopping continuous bleeding from the mouth with the assistance of laser technology.

Abscess drainage – To prevent further infection and swelling, a laser can help make an incision to drain dental abscesses.

Lip-tie and tongue-tie correction – A frenectomy may be performed, which involves releasing any restrictive fibrous tissue which attaches the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Gingivectomy (gum line correction) – Laser treatment can help reshape a patients gum line or remove excess gum tissue to alter the appearance of teeth.

Operculectomy (surgery related to wisdom teeth) – An operculectomy is a minor surgical procedure to remove any gum commonly covering an erupted wisdom tooth. Lasers can assist in removing this excess tissue to avoid infections.

Ulcers – Lasers can be used to treat any common mouth ulcers to reduce pain and help it heal better and faster. It can also be used to remove tissue for biopsy of any intra-oral lesions.

Expert Dental Care’s mission is to help their patients feel confident and comfortable when undergoing any dental treatment. Our state-of-the-art lasers can be used to assist with a number of conditions, and are proven to enhance treatment outcomes. To ask Dr Kedar and Dr Devahuti about laser dentistry, please arrange an appointment by calling 02 9159 3839 or using our online booking form.

Most importantly, congratulations on your engagement! If you’re already deep in wedding planning mode, you may have discovered how much goes into making your special day perfect. One of the biggest pressures on brides and grooms is wanting to look their best. At Expert Dental Care, we believe that confidence comes from within, and for some it means that feeling happy about your smile can make a big difference on your big day.

So, what procedures are available to help you get that perfect bride or groom smile? Asking for an expert’s opinion from Dr Kedar or Dr Devahuti is the best place to start.

Whitening

You and your partner are destined to be smiling throughout your special day, which is why teeth whitening can be the most effective and simple dental procedure to help accentuate your features and help you feel confident. At Expert Dental Care we give our patients the option of both in-chair and home whitening solutions, but we recommend doing the procedure in the dental chair to give the best outcome in a safe environment.

In-chair whitening is a painless, non-invasive procedure using topical agents combined with light activation, which usually takes between 45-60 minutes. We use the highest quality materials and equipment, proving this procedure to be easy and effective with immediate results.

Despite being a very popular dental procedure, many patients are worried about possible complications that may arise from whitening if there are any pre-existing fillings, sensitive teeth, gum disease or gum recession. Before recommending this procedure to our patients, we will conduct a proper dental assessment and a thorough check-up to determine if you are the right candidate for whitening.

We will also recommend when the best time is for our patients to do a whitening treatment, and help advise on how to maintain whiter teeth not only for your wedding day, but for a longer period with our home maintenance whitening kit.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are becoming a popular and affordable solution to perfecting a smile. If dental hygiene is properly maintained, veneers will last about 10 years, sometimes longer. Veneers are either custom-made porcelain shells that fit and bond onto the front of a patient’s tooth, or made with composite resins that are moulded in thin layers onto the front of the tooth. We strive to give all our veneers a natural appearance, helping you gain confidence with your smile.

Our patients may opt for dental veneers if they feel uncomfortable about a variety of dental issues, such as:

Damaged teeth – Patients with broken, chipped or severely worn off teeth

Discoloured teeth – Despite the efforts made to keep teeth clean, discolouration can still be an issue for our clients. Veneers can completely hide the discolouration of teeth, or be used to blend discoloured teeth in with your other healthy looking teeth.

Teeth gaps – Patients can have irregular gaps between their teeth. Veneers can fill those gaps to make the teeth look naturally spaced.

Crooked teeth – Teeth that are crooked or have irregular shapes and positioning can be masked and aligned with veneers.

At Expert Dental Care, our dentists carefully assess the need for dental veneers and aim to keep the function of your teeth to handle most, if not all, forces associated with impacts such as diet. With this, it is import to avoid chewing on hard objects or foods. If you would like to learn more about dental veneers, please arrange an assessment with Dr Kedar or Dr Devahuti as soon as possible.

Make your teeth shine on your wedding day!

If looking your best and feeling great about your smile is a priority for your special day, please arrange a consultation with Dr Kedar or Dr Devahuti to discuss what options are best for you to help you shine with a beautiful and natural looking smile.

Encouraging healthy dental care not only in adults but their children too is something that Expert Dental Care have always advocated for. Sometimes dental health goes beyond regular checks and oral hygiene when children require surgical procedures to treat problems such as lip and tongue tie. If you think your child may have a lip or tongue tie, there are a few signs that can help diagnose this condition, and if confirmed can be easily treated here at Expert Dental Care.

What is lip and tongue tie?

It is important to understand the basics about lip and tongue ties before making a diagnosis.

Lip ties refer to when a small band of tissue that attaches your gums to your lip is too thick or high, which can interfere with normal functioning and appearance of the lip. If this isn’t treated properly, in newborns it can cause difficulty in breast-feeding or in growing kids can cause midline diastema, which is a spacing in the teeth in the upper jaw.

Similar to the lips, tongue ties occur when the frenum (a fibrous band of tissue which attaches the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) restricts the movement of the tongue thus affecting its normal function. If left untreated, a tongue tie can lead to speech defects, feeding issues and can even affect the growth of the lower jaw.

What are the symptoms?

To help identify if your child has lip and tongue tie, there are a few symptoms that give a clear indication. Most commonly, babies with lip or tongue tie can make breastfeeding difficult for both mother and the child themselves.

This could mean your baby:

• Struggles to latch on to the breast
• Has difficulty breathing during feeding
• Makes a clicking sound during nursing
• Becomes extremely fatigued by nursing
• Has slow or lack of weight gain
• Has colic (when an otherwise healthy baby cries for three or more hours a day, three or more times a week, for at least three weeks.)

A breastfeeding mother of such babies may also experience:

• Nipple pain during or after breastfeeding
• Breasts that feel engorged
• Blocked milk ducts or mastitis

How to properly diagnose lip or tongue tie

If you have noticed your child experiences any of the common symptoms associated with lip and tongue tie, it is recommended that you first consider seeing a lactation consultant to thoroughly assess your baby’s mouth and any difficulties with breastfeeding. If lip or tongue tie is thought to be the issue, we at Expert Dental Care can treat the tie if necessary.

How is lip or tongue tie treated?

After a full assessment is carried out, we then discuss your options. A surgical procedure referred to as frenectomy may be performed.

We have a state of the art dual band Laser which is used to correct the ties thus avoiding the use of a blade or scalpel. This means that there is minimum to no bleeding during the procedure and is finished in few minutes time. This further assures less post-operative discomfort and faster healing.

Due to the advancement in dentistry equipment, Expert Dental Care can correct lip and tongue ties here in our clinic with minimal scarring, no post-treatment pain, and a faster recovery time.

If you are concerned about your child having a lip and tongue tie, please arrange an appointment today by contacting our friendly reception.

Why is this important?

Our oral health affects more than just our teeth. The oral health has impacts on our overall wellbeing.

Poor oral health practices can have major impacts on one’s health and has been associated with:

• Cardiovascular disease affecting heart health
• Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis (gum disease) has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight
• Bacteria from the mouth can enter into one’s respiratory tract and thus their lungs causing a number of respiratory illnesses

Other existing health conditions can also have an effect on our oral health including:

• Diabetes reduces the body’s ability to manage infection and can make the gums susceptible to disease
• HIV/AIDS. Conditions such as mucosal lesions are common with patients suffering from HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoarthritis weakens the bones and is linked to bone loss and tooth loss. There are also some drugs that are used in the treatment of osteoporosis which carry a small risk of damage to the jawbone.

Tempting though it is to think everyone is practicing good oral health, the reality is that the oral health of many Australians is not where it should be. Data from the Australian Dental Association tells us that unfortunately, oral health can be largely overlooked. Their statistics show that currently in Australia,

• 65% haven’t seen a dentist in the last 2 years
• 50% only brush their teeth once a day
• Nearly 40% never floss or clean between their teeth
• 73% of young Australians (ages between 14 – 18 years) consume too much sugar.

All of these factors impact on our oral health….and ultimately our pocket!

How?

The cost for fixing issues associated with bad oral health are far more expensive than ongoing good oral health practices.

So – What is the best way to ensure good oral health through a preventative approach?

There are some simple steps you can take to ensure good oral health.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Upon waking and before bed is best
• Clean between your teeth at least once a day using either floss or an interdental brush
• Make healthy choices and eat a balanced healthy diet with limited sugar intake
• Regularly visit the dentist for check-ups and preventive treatment.

This year, these important messages will be reinforced via the tagline “How’s Your Oral Health Tracking?”, which draws off the ADA Oral Health Tracker report cards, a world-first initiative that documents and tracks Australia’s oral health status.

What are you waiting for?

To ensure that at least your dental health is on track, call our team today to setup a visit and get your healthy oral journey underway.

It has always been a goal of dentistry to replace teeth or broken/decayed parts of teeth with something that is as close to nature as possible. This is not only in terms of how the replacement looks, but how it functions and its longevity.

We know that people who have lost their teeth report a number of negative factors including:

• Loss of confidence
• Inability to accept changes in facial shape
• Limitations of food choices
• Reduced enjoyment of food

Some patients advise that they avoid laughing in public and also a reluctance to form close relationships.

Overall, the evidence suggests that loss of teeth impacts our quality of life.

Both Dr Kulkarni and myself share a passion for the profession and science of dentistry and recently discussed how dentistry has changed over the years – in particular, the saving and replacing of teeth.

Firstly, we note the belief by our patients “that tooth loss is inevitable” has changed and today more people try to save their teeth. Due to the advancement of dental implants and greater public awareness of this procedure, more people are now considering implants rather than the acceptance of lost teeth. There is also the belief by the public that implants are equal to natural teeth.

Due to improved treatment practices and other advancements, current data tells us that

the survival of Dental implants is similar to that of a natural tooth being preserved through Root canal therapy which is directed at preventing tooth loss for an infected tooth.

Since the survival is similar, the choice of treatment option is often based on other factors such as the risk of future decay or gum disease, the way teeth interdigitate, medication and medical history, oral hygiene, and the associated risk involved in each procedure in a particular individual.

So – what is the good and the bad of implants as opposed to retaining natural teeth with Root canal treatment?

We now know that in 1988, 65% of people between the age of 55-65 years wore partial dentures and in 2016 that percentage reduced to 29% who wore partial dentures for missing teeth. The statistics also suggest, complete loss of teeth for people ages between 56-90 was 47.2 in the year 2004-2006 and the prediction for the same is only 3% by the year 2021. (Dental Demographics and metrics of oral diseases in the ageing Australian Population. MS Hopcraft, ADJ 2015,60:(1Suppl):2-13)   Clearly there is a trend towards more and more people retaining teeth and replacing missing teeth with other modalities rather than dentures.

Dental implants comprise a titanium screw that goes into the jawbone to support a crown, which is fabricated to look and function like a natural tooth. Implants (where indicated) can be considered as the best replacement for natural teeth because they return chewing capacity close to that of natural teeth. The cost could be a deterrent for some, and implants require regular maintenance and long term professional dental care.

Current evidence tells us that dental implants have a higher rate of minor complications (such as the implant crown becoming loose or coming off), as opposed to teeth retained post root canal treatment.

Despite this, the demand for implants is growing. As evidenced by a study done in the U.K that predicted in 2017 there was compound annual growth rate in demand for implants of 15.4%. (Implant Dentistry in General Practice Part1: Introduction; Ken Nicholson, Dental Update 2016; 43: 410-16)

With Dental implants, it can be challenging at times to make the crown restoration aesthetically look like a natural tooth, which is often much simpler after root canal treatment.   However, not every root canal treated tooth requires a crown restoration. Additionally, we know that the prevalence of gum disease increases with age – and as we age, the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, stress, depression and arthritis also increases. Scientific studies have proven that all of the above can affect the likelihood of gum disease (JM Albandar 2018, J of Clinical Periodontology : 45 (Suppl 20): S171-S189). 

As an ageing population in Australia this is something we need consider as to the benefit of the choice of implants as opposed to saving natural teeth with root canal therapy, especially as dental implants are not immune to gum disease and often behave worse than natural teeth when affected by it. Emerging evidence also suggests 50% of dental implants over their life will get gum disease. (Derks 2015 Journal of Clinical Periodontology)

Some implant patients have also advised they dislike metal placed inside the jawbone.

However, all cases are individual and it should always be a consideration to conserve what nature has given with preservation dentistry and not determine that dental implants are a perfect substitute for natural teeth.

If it does come to a stage where a tooth cannot be treated or restored back after root canal treatment or the treatment is associated with a high risk of failure, then leaving space can also be an option. Whether a missing tooth should be replaced is based on a number of factors such as any loss of function, any affect on aesthetics or any changes in inter-digitation of teeth assessed by a dentist over time. Studies suggest after a certain age, people can function adequately with a few missing teeth. (Is Shortened dental arch still a satisfactory option? M. ManolaBritish Dental Journal, 223, No.2: July 21 2017))

It’s important to remember that the best treatment approach is individualised to provide the best patient centred outcome and patient participation in treatment choice decision making is invaluable.

Finally, as the American Association of Endodontology states, Root canal treatment and implants should not be considered as competing options but should be viewed as complementary options.

If you would like to discuss your individual options, please call to arrange for a consultation.

Kush Ohri DENTIST
BDS, FRACDS (GDP)

A few days ago, I was chatting with my friends at our local club. The discussion turned to invasion of tech in our lives and one of them turned to me and asked, “Has dentistry turned hi-tech or is it still the old drill and fill saga? “. I gave it a good thought and realised how technology has infiltrated every aspect of dentistry. I have tried to incorporate as much as I could in this short list.

Tooth Filling
The term tooth filling, which involved drilling a hole in a patient’s tooth followed by a packing of a silver mercury mix is now taken over by procedures like pneumatic drills, laser cutting, micro abrasion, magnification, acid etching, bonding and light cured (light sensitive) composites. More recently micro dentistry and minimal invasive dentistry have taken centerstage. What these terms stand for is minimal cutting to preserve sound tooth structure followed by accurate restoration; liquid or flowable fillings which turn rock hard within seconds; pink fillings which turn white on hardening….. and the list goes on.

Lasers
Lasers have replaced scalpels and blades. A clean bloodless surgery is every dental surgeon’s dream come true, add to that perfect and fast healing with no post-operative pain and it’s a win-win situation. Bleeding from a surgical site would set alarm bells ringing, but today it can be easily controlled in seconds with a dental laser shot.

Needles
A needle which does not hurt was on every patient wish list. It has finally come true. We now have digital tech controlled superfine needles which can inject the anaesthetic solution at a controlled rate to make the whole experience virtually pain free.

Images
Digital radiographs have reduced X-ray radiation by almost 70% as compared to conventional films. The images are digitally stored and can be easily viewed on large screens making it extremely easy for the clinician to work with. Newer techniques such as Cone beam CT have made a huge difference to radiography, there is no guesswork involved these days as every tiny bit of information is served on an easy to view platform.

Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy was a procedure dreaded by patients and dentists in the past, as the dentist could never be sure if the whole root was cleaned. This was because the dentist could not see where the root ends. The invention of a gadget called the apex locator has changed all that and we can now predict the exact location of the root tip without the use of radiation. This latest device can not only predict the root length but also prevent the dentist from over instrumentation (excessive cleaning).

Crowns or Caps
Crowns or caps are now cut by robotic machines in a matter of minutes. Our dentists use scanners to scan a patient’s mouth in the place of sticky slimy moulds which were previously used.

New research and technology mean that modern dentistry sees more and more gadgets regularly added to the list that improve the way we are able to deliver our service to our patients including contact sensor lights, ultrasonic and piezotronic cleaning units, intraoral cameras, dental microscopes, and so on.

The only fear is that tech might replace the dentist one day!

By Dr Kedar Kulkarni (KK)

Straight, shiny & white, healthy teeth are counted as a hallmark of beauty, and there are also many myths and superstitions attached to not so perfect teeth. These are not just old held beliefs but still in today’s world, many people believe they hold a meaning. Here are a few…

Myth 1:

It is unlucky to count your teeth. A pulled wisdom tooth is a lucky charm.

Don’t know about the counting of teeth theory but isn’t it easy to bring a lucky charm your way – just pull out your wisdom tooth!

Another myth associated with wisdom teeth apparently indicates long life, if your wisdom teeth come in late, you will enjoy a long life!

Wisdom teeth can be troublesome and painful. Although not so easy to do yourself, the removal of wisdom teeth is quite easy and painless at Expert Dental Care under the hands of our qualified and experienced dental team, with many painless anaesthetic options available at our surgery. Although, we don’t believe it will bring luck your way, we can guarantee it will be a non-traumatic, painless experience.

Myth 2:

If a tooth is pulled out during the waning moon, it is less painful with a good and fast recovery. So, it’s up to you if you feel you need to check the calendar before fixing your appointment and are happy to live with any pain or trauma until then.

Myth 3:

There are many superstitions about the space between your front teeth. Here are just a few.

• Spacing between front teeth signifies long life.
• The spacing indicates you may spend that life far from your childhood home.
• You will accumulate a lot of wealth.
• Broad front teeth mean lots of travelling.

The other side of this superstition says if the teeth are set together or overlapping, you will spend your life close to your mother or birthplace.

Gaps and overlapping teeth can be problematic for oral hygiene as well as not aesthetically pleasing. Our Expert Dental Care dentists can discuss a tailor-made solution to make you smile.

Myth 4:

Picking your teeth with a pin brings bad luck.

We are not sure whether this is so, but we are sure that it is not good for your gums as it damages the health and long-term prognosis for healthy gums which means healthy teeth.

Stick with the myth on this one and avoid this activity.

Myth 5:

Dreaming of loose teeth or teeth falling out. This one is so common…many amongst us have had this dream at least once, and many of us multiple times.  There are many myths based around these dreams including:

• You are going to experience a big change in your life.
• You are low on confidence in life – or at this stage of your life.
• To see falling out teeth in your dream suggests you will soon regret something you said, or you will say/gossip about something that you shouldn’t have said.

At Expert Dental Care we don’t know about the myths or the meanings of dreams, but we do know that preventative care through regular check-ups and good oral hygiene are key to maintaining healthy teeth and stop teeth from becoming loose or falling out.

Myth 6:

Babies born with teeth. There are few around this one.

According to ancient Romans, babies born with teeth were considered lucky and would grow old to become a leader or a fighter.

Some other cultures believe that babies born with teeth bring bad luck – some even expect these kids to become vampires!

When we take away the craziness of this myth, it really can be a problem when a baby is born with tooth/teeth as it may pose a problem to breast feeding. Our dentists are experts in paediatric dentistry and will be able to help with any issues your child is experiencing.

Here’s to good oral health

There are far more superstitions attached to teeth that can be found in literature and on-line, and it’s each individual person’s preference which one to believe and which one to laugh at, but there is one thing you can be sure of  – Expert Dental Care’s team is here to help with any of your dental needs.

By Dr Devahuti Kulkarni