Dental FAQs & Patient Resources

Acid Erosion of Teeth: Causes and Prevention

Frequent acid exposure can dissolve tooth structure. Management addresses the acid source as well as damage to the teeth.

Congenitally Missing Teeth: Diagnosis and Options

When an adult tooth never develops, planning considers growth, space, the bite and the health of any retained baby tooth.

Cracked Fillings: Signs, Risks and Treatment

A damaged filling may expose the tooth to further wear or decay. Assessment helps determine whether repair or replacement is needed.

Cracked Teeth: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Cracks vary in depth and severity. Early assessment can help identify options for protecting or treating the tooth.

Dental Build-Ups: Rebuilding a Damaged Tooth

A build-up replaces missing tooth structure so a tooth can support its planned restoration.

Dental Crowns: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives

A crown covers and restores a tooth, but does not remove the need for ongoing cleaning and decay prevention.

Dental Inlays and Onlays: When Are They Used?

Inlays and onlays replace missing tooth structure and may provide a middle ground between a filling and a full crown.

Dental Post and Core: Purpose, Risks and Alternatives

A post may help retain a core when little tooth structure remains after root canal treatment; not every treated tooth needs one.

Discoloured Fillings: Staining or Something More?

A dark filling may be stained or may need closer assessment for an open edge or decay. Colour alone does not decide treatment.

Discoloured Teeth: Causes and Treatment Options

A tooth that changes colour may have surface stain, an old restoration, previous trauma or a problem inside the tooth.

External Root Resorption: Diagnosis and Treatment

Root resorption may progress without pain. Imaging and the location of damage guide monitoring or treatment.

Loose Adult Teeth: Causes and Treatment

A loose permanent tooth needs assessment for gum disease, trauma, infection or other contributing factors.

Root Canal Treatment: Benefits, Risks and Aftercare

Root canal treatment removes inflamed or infected pulp, cleans the canals and aims to preserve a tooth that can be restored.

Should Silver Fillings Be Replaced?

A sound filling does not automatically need replacement. Weigh tooth condition, treatment risks and your goals.

Silver Amalgam Fillings: Materials and Considerations

Understand amalgam’s uses, limitations and alternatives, with material decisions based on your circumstances.

Tooth Abrasion: Causes, Signs and Treatment

Identify the causes of gum-line wear and protect your teeth with care matched to the depth and progression of the damage.

Tooth Decay: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Cavity risk depends on plaque, diet, saliva and tooth protection. Early and more advanced lesions need different approaches.

Tooth Wear: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Wear can reflect acids, external abrasion and tooth-to-tooth contact. The cause and rate of change guide care.

Tooth-Coloured Composite Fillings

Bonded composite can repair or reshape a tooth. Restoration size, bite forces and hygiene affect its service life.

Tooth-Supported Dental Bridges

A bridge uses supporting natural teeth to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Preparation, cleaning and support-tooth health matter.

Toothache: Causes and When to Seek Care

Persistent pain needs a diagnosis. Swelling, fever or worsening symptoms may require urgent care.

Transitional Resin Restorations

Longer-term provisional restorations can help test a planned bite and phase more extensive restorative care.

Weakened Teeth: Risks and Restoration Options

A tooth with substantial missing structure may need additional support to reduce the risk of fracture.

Gums, Bone and Mouth Tissues

Understand gum disease, grafting, tissue changes and when a mouth sore or swelling needs assessment.

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Crown Lengthening: Why It May Be Recommended

Crown lengthening changes the gum line and sometimes the supporting bone to expose more tooth for restoration or appearance.

Dental Bone Grafting: Benefits, Risks and Recovery

Bone grafting may rebuild support for planned dental treatment. Material choice, healing and alternatives depend on your situation.

Gum Disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Bleeding gums deserve attention. Periodontitis can damage supporting bone even before a tooth becomes painful or loose.

Gum Grafting: Benefits, Risks and Recovery

Grafting may improve tissue thickness or cover exposed roots. Complete root coverage and long-term results are not guaranteed.

Local Antibiotics for Gum Disease

A locally delivered antibiotic may be considered for selected gum pockets alongside mechanical cleaning.

Mouth Swelling: Causes and When to Seek Care

Swelling can reflect infection, irritation or another condition. Rapid swelling or breathing difficulty needs urgent attention.

Mouth Ulcers: Causes and When to Get Checked

Many ulcers heal promptly, but persistent or unusual sores need assessment rather than repeated self-treatment.

Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment

Scaling, root planing and tailored home care help control periodontal disease, with reassessment to guide further care.

Oral Bacterial Testing: Uses and Limitations

Bacterial testing may add information in selected cases, but clinical examination remains central to diagnosing and monitoring gum disease.

PRF and PRGF in Dental Surgery

Blood-derived preparations may be used to support healing in selected procedures. Benefits vary and do not remove surgical risks.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dental Surgery

PRP uses a processed sample of your own blood as an adjunct to selected surgical procedures.

Red or Bleeding Gums Around a Crown

Plaque, crown shape, fit or margin position may contribute to local inflammation. Assessment identifies the cause before treatment.

Red, Purple, Brown or Dark Patches in the Mouth

Some colour changes are normal; others need investigation. New, changing or persistent patches should be examined.

White Patches in the Mouth: Causes and Assessment

White patches may result from irritation, infection or another tissue change. Appearance alone cannot establish the diagnosis.

Bite, Jaw and Orthodontics

Explore tooth alignment, grinding, bite assessments, jaw symptoms and options for protecting your teeth.

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Bite Problems: Symptoms and Treatment Options

A bite assessment considers teeth, jaw muscles and joints together. Symptoms do not establish the cause on their own.

Dental Equilibration: Bite Adjustment Explained

Selective bite adjustment removes tooth material and is irreversible. Diagnosis and discussion of conservative alternatives come first.

Jaw Joint Problems and TMD

Jaw pain, locking or restricted movement can have several causes. Conservative, reversible care is often the starting point.

Mail-Order Clear Aligners: What to Consider

Before moving teeth, understand who examines you, reviews your records and remains responsible for monitoring your care.

Night-Time Tooth Grinding: Signs and Management

Grinding may affect teeth and chewing muscles. Management focuses on contributing factors and protection from damage.

Nightguards: Purpose, Fit and Care

A custom guard can help protect teeth from wear. It does not necessarily stop grinding or treat sleep apnea.

Orthodontic Extrusion: Moving a Tooth to Help Treatment

Controlled tooth movement may expose sound tooth structure or help prepare tissues for planned treatment.

Palatal Expansion: Widening the Upper Jaw

Expansion treats a narrow upper jaw in selected patients. Age, growth and anatomy affect the appliance or surgical approach.

Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Treatment

Combining selected surgical and orthodontic techniques may change treatment options, but adds surgical risks and individualized planning.

The Kois Deprogrammer: Purpose, Wear and Care

This temporary appliance can help your dentist assess how your jaw closes. Wear and review instructions are individualized.

Why Orthodontics? Tooth Position and Treatment Options

Orthodontic planning considers tooth position, available space, the bite and your goals, using appropriate diagnostic records.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Compare whitening and veneers, including their limitations, maintenance and effects on existing dental work.

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Cosmetic care

Dental Veneers: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives

Veneers change the visible tooth surface. Planning should consider enamel preservation, appearance, bite and maintenance.

Cosmetic care

Professional Teeth Whitening: Options and Risks

Whitening can lighten natural teeth, while existing fillings and crowns keep their colour. Sensitivity and results vary.

Implants and Dentures

Learn how replacement teeth are supported, how designs differ and what ongoing cleaning and maintenance involve.

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Complete Dentures: Options, Benefits and Care

Complete dentures replace all the teeth in one jaw. Fit, comfort and chewing ability vary with the supporting tissues.

Dental Implants: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives

Implants can support replacement teeth, but require sufficient support, appropriate planning and ongoing maintenance.

Fixed Hybrid Implant Bridges

A fixed hybrid bridge stays in place for daily use and can be removed by the dental team for appropriate maintenance.

Implant health

Food Trapping Beside an Implant Crown

A contact can open as natural teeth move beside an implant. Persistent food trapping deserves assessment.

Implant Bridges with Individual Crowns

A supporting framework carries individual crowns. Design affects appearance, hygiene, repair options and maintenance.

Implant Overdentures with Locator Attachments

A removable denture can clip onto implants for added retention. The attachments and surrounding tissues need ongoing care.

Implant Overdentures with a Milled Bar

A custom bar can support or retain a removable denture. Space, cleaning access and maintenance influence the design.

Implant-Supported Bridges: A Patient Guide

An implant bridge replaces several teeth without relying on neighbouring teeth for support.

Implant-Supported Crowns: A Patient Guide

An implant crown replaces a missing tooth above an implant. The crown, connecting parts and implant require follow-up care.

Partial Dentures with Locator Attachments

Implant attachments can improve a partial denture’s retention while allowing you to remove it for cleaning.

Implant health

Peri-Implantitis: Gum and Bone Disease Around Implants

Inflammation and progressive bone loss around an implant require assessment, cleaning and sometimes surgical care.

Removable Partial Dentures: A Patient Guide

A partial denture replaces some missing teeth. Design, remaining tooth support and hygiene affect comfort and function.

Screw-Retained Implant Bridges

Screw retention lets the dental team access a bridge for maintenance. Fit, bite forces and daily cleaning remain important.

Zirconia Dental Implants: Options and Considerations

Ceramic implants are an option in selected cases. Compare system design, available evidence and alternatives with your treating clinician.

Extractions and Recovery

Find answers about tooth removal, treatment alternatives and caring for a healing extraction site.

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Aftercare

Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction

Pain that worsens after initial improvement following an extraction should be assessed rather than managed by waiting alone.

Partial Extraction Therapy and Socket Shielding

Retaining a selected root segment may help preserve tissues in carefully chosen cases, but has specific risks and alternatives.

Aftercare

Tooth Extraction Aftercare: Protecting the Healing Site

Protect the clot, follow your own surgical instructions and contact the treating team about worsening pain or bleeding.

Tooth Extractions: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives

Extraction may be appropriate when a tooth cannot be predictably saved or for another specific clinical reason.

Wisdom Tooth Removal: Reasons, Risks and Alternatives

Impacted wisdom teeth may need removal or monitoring. The decision depends on disease, anatomy and future risk.

Sleep and General Health

Explore links between oral health, sleep, medicines and medical conditions, including when medical assessment is needed.

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Sleep health

Airway Problems and Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Adults

Snoring, unrefreshing sleep and daytime tiredness deserve assessment. Dental screening can support a medical sleep evaluation.

BPA in Dental Fillings and Sealants

Understand why BPA is discussed in dentistry and how material selection and careful placement help address concerns.

Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms and Care

Persistent burning or altered taste needs an assessment for dental, medical and nerve-related causes.

Dental Antibiotics: Side Effects and Warning Signs

Know the difference between mild digestive upset and symptoms that need urgent medical attention.

Dry Mouth: Causes, Relief and Tooth Protection

Saliva protects teeth and oral tissues. Persistent dryness needs attention even when you brush and floss carefully.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Diabetes and periodontal health can influence each other. Coordinate gum care with your usual diabetes management.

HPV and Throat Cancer: What Patients Should Know

Most HPV infections clear without causing cancer. Persistent throat or neck symptoms still need professional assessment.

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Tell your dentist about osteoporosis and cancer medications. Dental and medical teams should coordinate treatment decisions.

Metabolic Syndrome and Oral Health

Medical risk factors and gum health deserve coordinated attention. Dental treatment does not replace medical management.

Oil Pulling: Evidence and Limitations

Oil pulling should not replace fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth or dental treatment.

Sleep health

Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea and Snoring

A custom oral sleep appliance may help selected patients after medical assessment, with follow-up to check effectiveness and side effects.

Oral Cancer: Warning Signs and Assessment

Persistent mouth or throat changes and an unexplained neck lump need assessment. A routine examination cannot exclude every cancer.

Persistent Numbness After Dental Anesthetic

Report numbness or altered sensation that lasts beyond the expected anesthetic period so it can be assessed and followed.

Sleep health

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Daytime Sleepiness

A sleepiness questionnaire is a screening aid, not a diagnosis. Suspected sleep apnea needs medical evaluation.

Children’s Dental Health

Guidance for parents on growing teeth, cavity prevention, tooth colour, mouth sores and sleep-related concerns.

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Airway Problems and Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children

Persistent snoring, restless sleep or witnessed breathing pauses should be discussed with your child’s physician.

Bad Breath in Children: Causes and Care

Persistent bad breath needs attention to oral hygiene and possible dental or medical causes.

Crowded or Crooked Teeth in Children

Growth can change tooth alignment, but some crowding needs monitoring or orthodontic treatment at an appropriate stage.

Dental Sealants: Cavity Prevention for Back Teeth

Sealants protect vulnerable grooves from trapped plaque and food. They complement brushing, fluoride and regular assessment.

Discoloured Teeth in Children

Permanent teeth can naturally look darker than baby teeth. Other changes may reflect staining, injury or enamel differences.

Fluoride Varnish: Benefits, Application and Aftercare

Professional varnish helps protect teeth against decay. Allergy screening and aftercare should match the actual product used.

Fluoride: Benefits, Safety and Cavity Prevention

Appropriate fluoride use helps protect children’s and adults’ teeth. The right form and amount depend on age and cavity risk.

Mouth Sores in Children: What to Look For

Sores have different causes. A suspected dental abscess, dehydration or a persistent unusual sore needs professional attention.

Silver Diamine Fluoride: Benefits and Black Staining

SDF may help arrest selected cavities, but darkens treated decay and does not rebuild missing tooth shape.

Snoring in Children: When to Seek Assessment

Frequent snoring or breathing pauses should be discussed with your child’s physician, even when dental symptoms are absent.

Spaces Between Children’s Teeth

Spacing between baby teeth is often expected. Persistent or unusual gaps in adult teeth may need assessment.