Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to North Sydney Dentistry | North Sydney Dental Frequently Asked Questions page:
How can discomfort during dental treatment be managed? What is happy-gas?
Sedation and general anaesthesia are different approaches. The appropriate option depends on the planned treatment, health, medicines and individual assessment. Monitoring reduces risk but does not remove it.
Inhalation sedation: A gas mixture is breathed through a nosepiece. You remain awake and able to communicate; local anaesthetic may still be needed. Dizziness, light-headedness or an uncomfortable sensation can occur. Tell the team if you feel unwell. Medical conditions, pregnancy and a blocked nose may affect suitability. Recovery must be checked before you leave. Follow the individual eating, escort, driving and activity instructions; restrictions differ from IV sedation.
What is a Crown / Dental Crown?
A crown covers a prepared tooth; a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. Conventional tooth-supported, adhesive and implant-supported bridges have different preparation and maintenance needs. Your dentist should explain the type proposed and why.
Risks and limitations: Preparation for a crown or conventional bridge removes tooth tissue irreversibly. Sensitivity, gum irritation or recession, decay, loss of bonding, chipping or fracture can occur. A supporting tooth may develop pulp problems requiring root canal treatment, or may be lost. A bridge can place demands on supporting teeth, and both the restoration and underlying teeth may need further treatment. Fit, colour and appearance may differ from expectations. Repair or replacement may be needed.
Recovery and care: Teeth or gums may be tender or sensitive for several days or longer after preparation or fitting. Follow instructions for temporary restorations, eating and cleaning around and beneath a bridge. Seek review for increasing or persistent pain, a bite that feels wrong, or a loose restoration. Continued care reduces some risks but cannot guarantee success.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
Contact the practice for advice about arranging your child’s dental assessment. Let the team know your child’s age, any symptoms and any concerns about the visit. Seek advice if you notice a problem rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
What is Bridgework?
A crown covers a prepared tooth; a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. Conventional tooth-supported, adhesive and implant-supported bridges have different preparation and maintenance needs. Your dentist should explain the type proposed and why.
Risks and limitations: Preparation for a crown or conventional bridge removes tooth tissue irreversibly. Sensitivity, gum irritation or recession, decay, loss of bonding, chipping or fracture can occur. A supporting tooth may develop pulp problems requiring root canal treatment, or may be lost. A bridge can place demands on supporting teeth, and both the restoration and underlying teeth may need further treatment. Fit, colour and appearance may differ from expectations. Repair or replacement may be needed.
Alternatives depend on the problem and may include a filling/onlay, another bridge design, a denture, an implant or no replacement. Appointment number and timing depend on the plan.
What is an Implant?
Dental implants are titanium root replacements that support a crown, bridge or denture to replace missing teeth. Treatment involves surgery and may need several stages, bone grafting or sinus procedures. Suitability depends on oral and general health, bone, medicines and other risk factors.
Risks and limitations: post-operative pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection and delayed healing after the surgery can occur. Injury to nearby nerves can cause temporary or permanent changes in sensation; upper-jaw treatment can involve the sinus. An implant may fail to integrate with the bone or may be lost later. Inflammation and bone loss around an implant can occur. The crown, bridge or denture can wear, loosen, chip or fracture and need repair or replacement. Further surgery or a different replacement option may be necessary; successful replacement is not assured.
Recovery and care: Discomfort and swelling are often noticeable in the first few days and may last longer. Some blood-stained saliva can occur initially; persistent active or heavy bleeding requires prompt advice. Healing and staged treatment can take months. Follow individual instructions about eating, cleaning, medicines, activity and review. A temporary or immediately fitted restoration does not mean normal chewing is immediately appropriate. Seek prompt care for increasing swelling, fever, worsening pain or new altered sensation.
Alternatives may include a denture, tooth-supported bridge or no replacement, depending on the case. Implants and their restorations need ongoing maintenance and are not lifetime guarantees.
What are veneers?
Veneers cover the front surfaces of selected teeth. They do not move teeth or correct every alignment or bite concern. Oral health, remaining tooth structure and bite affect suitability; decay or gum disease may need treatment first.
Porcelain veneers: Preparation may remove enamel, but not always. This is irreversible and may leave an ongoing need for a restoration. Risks may include sensitivity, gum irritation or recession, cracking, chipping or loss of bonding, and decay around the margins. In heavy preparation cases, the tooth’s pulp can be affected and may need root canal treatment. Fit, colour and appearance may differ from expectations; repair or replacement may be necessary over time.
Composite veneers and bonding: Resin is bonded to selected tooth surfaces. Preparation varies; any enamel removal is irreversible. Due to material limitation, staining, wear, chipping or loss of bonding can occur. Sensitivity, gum problems and further treatment are possible. Maintenance, polishing, repair or replacement will be needed over time.
Recovery and care: Recovery varies. Follow the dentist’s instructions for temporary restorations, eating, cleaning and review. Contact the practice for persistent or increasing pain, a loose veneer or a bite that feels wrong.
Alternatives depend on the reason for treatment and may include no cosmetic treatment, limited bonding, whitening or orthodontics. A crown has different indications and preparation requirements, and is not always the recommended treatment.
Will I get a tooth-coloured filling?
Fillings, inlays and onlays replace missing or damaged tooth tissue in suitable cases. Material and preparation depend on individual assessment; removal of tooth tissue is irreversible.
Risks and limitations: Sensitivity or gum tenderness can occur. The bite may need adjustment. A restoration or the remaining tooth may chip, crack, wear or become loose, and decay can develop around or beneath a restoration. The tooth’s pulp can remain or become inflamed, particularly after deep treatment, and root canal treatment or extraction may be needed. Material reactions and colour limitations are possible.
Recovery and care: Sensitivity may improve over days but can last longer. Protect numb lips and cheeks and follow the dentist’s eating and cleaning instructions. Temporary restorations need care until treatment is complete. Contact the practice if pain is severe, increasing or persistent, the bite feels high, or the restoration breaks or comes loose.
Alternatives depend on the condition of the tooth and may include monitoring early lesions, a different restoration or a crown; a non-restorable tooth may need extraction. Ongoing review is needed and no restoration is permanent.
What is CEREC?
CEREC uses digital scanning, design and milling to make a ceramic restoration. Whether this approach is appropriate, and the preparation and number of appointments required, depend on an individual assessment. Technology does not guarantee fit, appearance, comfort or longevity.
Risks and limitations: Preparation for a crown or conventional bridge removes tooth tissue irreversibly. Sensitivity, gum irritation or recession, decay, loss of bonding, chipping or fracture can occur. A supporting tooth may develop pulp problems requiring root canal treatment, or may be lost. A bridge can place demands on supporting teeth, and both the restoration and underlying teeth may need further treatment. Fit, colour and appearance may differ from expectations. Repair or replacement may be needed.
What does a regular scale and clean appointment involve?
Your dentist can assess your teeth, gums and other oral tissues and discuss any symptoms or concerns. Cleaning and preventive care, including imaging or fluoride where indicated, should be based on the findings and your individual needs.
The interval between reviews depends on oral health and risk factors. Preventive care can help manage risk, but disease or further treatment may still occur. Sensitivity or gum tenderness may follow cleaning; contact the practice about significant or persistent symptoms.
Does North Sydney Dentistry use needle-free injection systems?
Ask our team about the anaesthetic delivery options available and their suitability, benefits, limitations and risks. Tell the dental team if you are anxious about injections or have had difficulties with local anaesthetic. No delivery method can promise a painless or risk-free experience.
Read the treatment risks, recovery and alternatives and discuss the information relevant to you with your treating clinician.