Mornington Dental

Cleaning and Prevention

 

Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended twice yearly cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you catch dental problems before they become more serious, they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A scale & clean removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves polishing to keep your teeth looking their best. 

 

What are some preventative measures I can take?

  • Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal
  • Floss daily before bedtime
  • Use an oral rinse after flossing
  • Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more information.

Children's Dentistry

 

We provide friendly, full-service dental care for children in a comfortable environment to ensure that children always feel welcome.

It’s important to take your child to the dentist to make sure their teeth are growing in properly.  Whether it’s their baby teeth or adult teeth, if spaces for teeth are not available, the teeth will grow in crooked and can cause future problems.

Children’s teeth are very sensitive in their early years, containing tiny grooves that trap food and cause tooth decay. We can provide your child with sealants, along with regular check-ups to protect your child’s teeth and prevent cavities.

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and and get the best protection for your teeth. 

Fillings

 

Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways we can preserve your health. Before placement, any decay must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.

Amalgam

Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the most durable and economical option for our patients. They last up to ten years and are less likely to fall out or break. Commonly used for filling in molar cavities, amalgam fillings can withstand biting pressure and can be fully administered in a single visit.

Composite Resin (White Fillings)

Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. However, it is more expensive and not as strong as an amalgam filling. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth in layers and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth.

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more information.

Root Canal Therapy

 

We believe it's far better to save and treat a tooth where possible. Root canal therapy treatment aids in saving an injured or diseased tooth that may otherwise require removal.

Root canal therapy is also commonly known as 'Endodontics' - the treatment of disease or infection found inside the tooth. It is used to salvage seriously infected teeth, which would otherwise require extraction.

Some symptoms which may indicate the need for root canal therapy include:

  •  Serious levels of tooth decay or an injury that causes an abscess or infection in the bone
  •  The development of sensitivity when hot and cold food or drinks are consumed
  •  Spontaneous throbbing or pain when biting

If you’re experiencing any of the above issues, we strongly recommend you schedule a appointment with our dental team today. If your tooth does require an extraction, we may instead be able to treat it using root canal therapy and save your valuable tooth.

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more info about root canal therapy.

Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers

 

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, we can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.


Crowns

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without root rot. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.

Procedure:

  1. We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
  2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
  3. The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
  4. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
  5. You will come in again for permanent crown fitting

Bridges

To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.

Types of Bridges:

  • Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one
  • Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one
  • Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

  • Chipped or broken teeth
  • Misshapen or irregular teeth
  • Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more information.

Dentures

 

Dentures

Missing teeth can make your cheeks look hollow and your mouth look sunken. More importantly, your diet can suffer. Those missing multiple teeth in a row may want to consider dentures for both cosmetic purposes and overall wellness. Depending on the number of teeth missing, we may suggest partial or full dentures. During your consultation, we’ll assess all your options and you can choose what you feel most comfortable with.

Partial

Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth in a row. They latch onto the remaining gum line and any intact adjacent teeth. Even if you only have one tooth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining tooth serves as a natural anchor.

Complete

When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Our dentists can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.

Repairs

We also perform repairs to existing dentures on-site, to add additional life to your existing prosthesis. 

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more information.

Extractions

 

While make every effort to preserve your natural teeth, sometimes extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have advanced periodontal disease. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted or ingrown, different procedures are used, but all extractions are considered surgery. 

Although we may initially attempt to restore or preserve a patient’s natural tooth, instances of advanced decay or a significant injury or trauma can render the tooth unsalvageable. 

Root Canal Therapy is also worth considering for treatment and repair of a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to decay. 

 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get more information.

Mouthguards

 

Mouthguards are one of best ways to protect your teeth from injury and costly repairs while playing contact sports.

We offer a choice in colors, including clear and can usually make a mouthguard in as little as 2 days. 

 

Procedure: 

  1. First, we take a dental impression of your teeth.
  2. Using this impression, we create a plaster model of your teeth.
  3. Mouthguard material is then placed over this model and form fitted to your teeth. 
  4. Finally, excess material is trimmed from the mouthguard, and it’s ready for a trial fitting. 
 

Contact us today to make an appointment and and get the best protection for your teeth. 

Teeth Whitening

 

Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades in a single session, but maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum.

 

Procedure:

  1. Thorough cleaning and polishing of teeth
  2. Application of gum protectant
  3. Application of whitening agent
  4. Whitening agent is light-activated
  5. Whitening agent is left on teeth for several minutes
  6. Teeth and gums are rinsed
 

Post-procedure Care

Post whitening treatment, it makes sense to avoid eating and drinking foods and drinks that can lead to further staining and discoloration. 

Additionally, avoid brushing immediately after treatment. 

Things to avoid:

  • Tobacco products
  • Coffee and tea
  • Red wine
  • Food coloring
  • Any bright-colored drinks
 

Contact us today to make an appointment and get whiter looking teeth.