Geelan Dental Care

Services Geelan Dental Care Offers

Dental Hygiene
Excellent dental hygiene practices are the key to successful dental disease prevention. We are very proud of the fact that rarely do our regular patients lose teeth due to gum disease. We use all the modern cleaning devices (Cavitron, piezo, air polisher) plus special rinses and antibiotics when necessary. Home care practices are customized to the patients needs.
â—¾Remove plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. (Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease, and gingivitis.)
â—¾Remove tartar from teeth surfaces. (Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become so hardened on the teeth that its removal requires special procedures. Tartar below the gum line is also an indication of gum disease.)
â—¾Remove surface stains from teeth through polishing.

Examinations
Regular examinations, by your dentist, help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Consistent dental check-ups help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair. Dental examinations generally include the following:
â—¾Gum Disease screening
â—¾Oral Cancer screening
â—¾Visual tooth decay evaluation
â—¾Visual gum disease examination
â—¾Gum pocket measurement and tracking
â—¾X-ray examination to detect: tooth decay, cysts, tumors, problems below the gums and other hidden issues

Regular examinations by a dentist are very important for your health. Remember, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” -Benjamin Franklin

X-rays (Radiographs)
Dental X-rays are a primary tool for early identification of dental problems. Dentists can detect issues with X-rays before they become problems saving you money in the long run by preventing the need for more extensive, expensive procedures or surgeries. X-rays are primarily used to detect:
â—¾Internal tooth decay
â—¾Cysts (fluid filled sacks at the base of your teeth)
â—¾Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
â—¾Impacted teeth
â—¾Teeth that are still coming in

Digital X-rays Advantages
Digital X-rays have several advantages over traditional film based X-rays:
â—¾They emit up to 90% less radiation
â—¾They are ready for examination nearly instantly
â—¾They can be viewed on a computer screen
â—¾Their image can be refined and enlarged
â—¾They are greener; no chemicals are needed for processing

Sealants
Sealants are generally used to help prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces of back teeth (molars). The natural grooves of these teeth can trap food that can resist casual brushing and rinsing. If left in place, the trapped food allows bacteria to multiply, eventually causing tooth decay and requiring costly attention.

Sealants are painted directly onto the tooth's biting surface where they seal the natural grooves to help prevent tooth decay. While sealants are durable, they are not permanent. They can last up to 5 years of normal wear before needing replacement.

Sealants offer a cost-effective, preventative step to reduce the chances of tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of molars. However, they do not replace the need for regular brushing and flossing.

Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Gum disease accounts for approximately 70% of all tooth loss in adults. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when flossing or brushing and gums that are red, inflamed, or swollen.

Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the same bacteria. These bacteria form plaque beneath the gum-line, which eats away at the bond between tooth and gum. If deterioration is allowed to continue, “pockets” form in between the teeth and the gums. Pockets deeper than 3mm may require special treatment to remove the bacteria and plaque. Without treatment and continuous maintenance, gum disease will eventually weaken the bonds that hold the teeth in place.

There is no permanent treatment for gum disease. However, it can be kept under control with proper personal hygiene and regular visits to a trained dentist or hygienist.