Cosmetic Dental Services

At Narangba Dental, we offer a variety of modern treatments to improve the overall appearance of your teeth, gums and smile. Our team will take the time to sit down and address your concerns and discuss what you would like to achieve, the possibilities as well as any limitations.

We can perform a variety of procedures which may involve improving the colour, changing the position, shape, size and the alignment of your teeth. It may also involved restoring broken, worn or missing teeth, with the ultimate aim of achieving better symmetry and harmony.

In addition to the obvious cosmetic benefits, it may also significantly improve or fix other oral problems such as restoring the ability to chew normally again, provide stronger teeth as well as improving your general oral health.

Types of cosmetic treatments we provide include:

• Teeth whitening
• Composite Resin (or White fillings)
• Veneers (Direct and Indirect)
• Crown and Bridgework
• Implants
• Dentures
• Orthodontic assessments and appropriate referrals to trusted orthodontic colleagues.

Teeth whitening
A common and popular procedure performed in our practice. Some of our patients choose whitening to remove stubborn stains, while others simply want whiter teeth. Discoloration can be caused by a number of things including smoking, coffee, tea and wine. It can be hereditary, be caused by certain medications or it could be simply due to the normal aging process. Our team can discuss any concerns with you during the teeth whitening consultation, including possible side effects such as teeth sensitivity and gum irritation.  Most importantly, we can discuss options to whiten your teeth in a manner that is safe, fast and in most cases, be able to achieve the best results to improve your appearance and confidence.

Many of our patients enjoy whitening at home because of the convenience and the fact the results are generally more predictable. These take home systems are supervised by our dentists to ensure that it is being used in a correct and safe manner. Accurate impressions are first taken of your upper and lower teeth to create custom whitening trays. This ensures the correct amount of whitening solution is used, that your teeth are properly exposed and that contact with the gums are minimised to avoid irritation. Typically, whitening at home takes 2 to 3 weeks to achieve the desired shade. It must be noted that discolouration caused by things such as medication staining may take much longer to work, and in some instances, may be unsuccessful or may not reach the desired shade you may hope for.

Whitening in-office is a great option if your timeframe for treatment is limited, for example, an upcoming wedding or special event, and fast or immediate results are important.  As it does contain a higher percentage of whitening gel, it is best suited to patients without sensitive teeth. The in-office system may require one or more 60 minute appointments in our dental chair using the special blue activation light. In most cases, you will still be provided a custom take home kit to maintain and stabilise the whole whitening process.

Composite Resin (White filling)
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental treatments performed. A lot of our patients often mention being self-conscious about their fillings being noticed when they speak, smile or laugh. White fillings can be used as an alternative to metal restorations to eliminate this issue. Composite resins are a tooth coloured plastic material mixed with small glass particles. They cover a variety of shades and can be matched to appear like your natural tooth. These fillings are bonded to the tooth, layer by layer, and set using a blue LED light. Because white fillings can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth, these fillings not only help to restore tooth function, they look nice and can blend in really well.

Veneers
Veneers are thin layers of porcelain or plastic bonded over the front surfaces of teeth. If there is sufficient tooth structure, these conservative restorations are a fantastic alternative to crowns and can significantly improve the appearance of your smile. Veneers are perfect on teeth that are chipped, discoloured, oddly shaped, unevenly surfaced, spaced and in situations where teeth are crowded and wearing braces is not an option.

The procedure usually requires minimal preparation of the tooth surface, followed by an accurate impression for the dental laboratory to fabricate the veneer. The veneer is then bonded to the tooth during the subsequent visit using a blue light to hold the veneer in the correct position. These restorations generally have a longer life expectancy and better colour stability than composite resin and studies show that it can in fact increase tooth strength in certain circumstances.

In some situations, direct laminate veneers using composite resin can also achieve a pleasing aesthetic result. The composite is bonded directly onto the tooth, layer by layer, to create the natural colour and shape of the existing tooth. These restorations are generally very conservative and are a cost effective alternative to porcelain veneers. The main advantage is that in many cases, these direct laminate veneers can be reversible and repairable. Our team will discuss the benefits as well as its limitations prior to commencing treatment so that you are always fully informed.

Crowns and Bridges
Crowns are customised tooth-shaped restorations or caps that cover a prepared tooth, restoring it to its normal appearance or function. They are designed to protect the remaining tooth structure due to problems such as trauma, fracture, wear, discolouration, root canal treatment, large fillings or decay. They are usually the restoration of choice when there's not enough tooth left to support a conventional filling.  

Crowns can be made from several different materials including resin, gold or other metal alloys, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), zirconia, ceramic or a combination depending on the specific requirements.

A bridge is a type of restoration used to fill spaces created by one or more missing teeth. They are a great alternative to dentures as they are fixed to existing teeth either side of the gap and do not need to be removed. They can greatly improve and restore your smile by replacing unsightly spaces that may be visible to yourself and others.

The three main types of dental bridges are traditional, cantilever and Maryland bridges. The materials used include gold or other metal alloys, zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) as additional strength is generally required for bridges. In some instances, composite resin reinforced with stronger materials may be used to replace a missing tooth. Once again, we can help choose the option which best suits your individual circumstances.

Dental Implants
A great option to replace one or more missing teeth to help restore and recreate a beautiful smile.  The implant itself is an artificial titanium or porcelain root that is inserted into the jaw.  A crown is then attached to the implant and is made to appear like the natural teeth in your mouth. 

Implants have many advantages including the prevention of further bone loss, the appearance of sunken cheeks, comfort, restoring lost function and aesthetics and implants do not involve using or cutting the surrounding teeth for support.

Even though a dental implant replaces a missing tooth, it is important to remember that an implant is not a tooth. Realistic expectations on how they perform and are used in the mouth are essential to understand and we can sit down with you to discuss the benefits as well as any limitations. As with all procedures, a thorough assessment including a detailed medical history, examinations including periodontal assessment and x-rays to determine bone levels, bone and gum quality will determine whether an implant is suitable for you.

In most cases, implants are considered the the gold standard once teeth are lost. The implant itself should last many years as long as regular dental visits and a meticulous oral health maintenance program is implemented.

Dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth that are worn to replace missing teeth. They can be a great option to replace lost function and to restore your smile. They are an cheaper alternative to bridges and implants, and do require it be put in and taken out of the mouth regularly, especially for maintaining good oral health and cleaning. If cared for properly, expect dentures to last up to 7 years before needing replacement. During this timeframe, the denture may require relining to make it as comfortable as possible.

Orthodontics
Where orthodontic treatment is indicated to achieve a beautiful smile, we will refer you to our trusted orthodontic colleagues who will look after you and ensure the best results possible.