Services

Children’s Dentistry

Dental health is important for people of all ages, including young children.

Baby teeth are very important in the healthy development of the child’s mouth. If these teeth are lost prematurely, it can cause major problems with the positioning of the child’s adult teeth. Baby teeth, like adult teeth, can become decayed and subsequently infected.  If cavities are detected at an early stage, simple fillings can be performed.  If left too late, more invasive treatment such as root canals or extractions may be required.  Dental problems in baby teeth cannot always be ignored, as some baby teeth will be retained for many years. In fact, some baby teeth are not lost until the child is up to 13 -14 years old.

When should my child visit the dentist?

Generally, a child should first visit the dentist from the age of 2.  The earlier your child visits, the less fearful they are likely to become.  It is much kinder on your child to have them attend regularly for simple examinations and become familiar with the dental office and staff, than to have them attend the dentist for the first time with a sore tooth that requires invasive treatment.  It is also important to for children to have regular check-ups, as that is when children will learn how to care for their teeth and their dental health.  These lessons are extremely important and will last a lifetime.

Why see us for your children’s dental care?

• Our dentists have a friendly, gentle and calming manner and are genuinely interested in looking after the dental health of children
• Our auxiliary staff are also caring, gentle and approachable

Crowns

Crowns improve the strength, function and appearance of teeth when a more conservative approach will not suffice. Crowns, more commonly referred to as caps, can be placed over teeth that have lost their structure or are cracked. They can be applied to teeth that have previously been treated or filled. The protection offered by a crown can in many instances prevent complications resulting in more expensive treatments, or worse, the loss of a tooth. Naturally, our dentists will ensure your crowns provide the best aesthetic outcome for your smile.

Previously it would take two weeks for the permanent crown to be ready after preparing the tooth, however due to technological advances, we now offer single day dentistry! This is a new revolutionary approach that enables us to design, fabricate and fit a new crown in a single visit, a procedure that would normally take at least two weeks. The size, shape and colour are perfectly matched for the patient’s mouth, the crown is designed and fabricated to withstand everyday use.

Ask us if you think your smile can benefit from a crown by booking a consultation.

Read more about crowns in our Dental Crowns, Bridges and Veneers education page.

Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances which can replace anywhere from one up to the full set of missing teeth in a patient’s jaw. They are fabricated from pink acrylic or cobalt chromium to which plastic teeth are added. Dentures may be the preferred treatment of tooth replacement for some patients for several reasons. Dentures provide a cost-effective method of replacing multiple teeth. A well-made denture will help to improve your smile, speech, chewing function and can provide support to the lips and cheeks.

Your denture will be designed by your dentist or dental prosthetist to suit your individual needs. We are also here to help with all your denture issues, such as maintenance and any repairs or adjustments that may be required in the future.

Extractions + wisdom teeth

Although our goal is to preserve and maintain the health of natural teeth, there are instances where extraction, or removal of a tooth, is necessary. In most instances this is a last resort to prevent disease spreading from one tooth to another or when a tooth is beyond saving. Should this occur, a bridge or implant may be necessary to maintain appropriate alignment and functionality of the affected area. All of these options will be discussed prior to any treatment commencing. Our dentists will always discuss with you why they consider this last resort necessary.

An exception is the active surveillance and pre-emptive management of impacted wisdom teeth. As we grow through young adulthood, so too do our wisdom teeth. While most develop uneventfully, occasionally they can cause grief. Our dentists can regularly monitor their progress until the age at which most problems occur, has passed. Regular monitoring also allows treatment before complications arise. These include pain, infection, possible crowding of the dentition and decay of either the wisdom tooth itself or of the adjacent molar.

Occasionally, patients will be referred on to an oral surgeon should a particular problem present unexpected complexities. Our dentists at Stafford Dental Centre are well experienced and will never take unnecessary risks. Although at times it may seem inconvenient to be referred to a specialist, we choose to always prioritize your well-being and will refer you when it is in your best interest.

Get in touch and ask us how our dentists can manage your wisdom teeth.

Read more about extractions in our Tooth Extractions and Post Op Care education page.

Mouth guards

The most common causes of dental injuries include falling over, being hit in the face or having a sports-related accident. A mouth guard acts to absorb the force delivered to the mouth and minimize the damage caused. This could mean the difference between healthy, undamaged teeth and painful, chipped or lost teeth, bruising or laceration injuries to the tongue and inner cheeks caused by teeth.

The New-Zealand dental association recommends the use of a custom fitted mouth guard for anyone participating in an activity where there is a risk of contact to the face. A good fitting guard is not only more comfortable, but it provides better protection and is less likely to fall out. Being less bulky means less impediment to breathing and infield communication. All of this ultimately means that they are more likely to be used!

During an appointment, your dentist will take an impression (or a mould) of your teeth. This is then sent to one of our local partnered dental laboratories to be crafted. Mouth guards can be made from the colour of your choice and can even be multi-coloured to match your team’s colours. As with all custom-made items, we ensure it fits properly over your teeth before handing over the finished product, care instructions and container included.

If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, then ask our team how you can get your own, custom fitted mouth guard.

Preventative Dentistry

At Stafford Dental Centre, we place an emphasis on the importance of preventative dental care. We believe that oral health care begins at home with you, the patient. Routine check-ups combined with better in-home practices means you and your family will have the best chance of having that perfect, healthy smile.
Regular 6 monthly visits mean new problems can be detected early, allowing for minimal or conservative treatments.

At each check-up, you can expect:

• Routine, comprehensive check-up to examine the current health of your mouth and any pre-existing work.
• Scale and cleaning (to remove tartar and plaque)
• Review of your oral hygiene techniques
• Discussion of potential concerns

For specific questions relating to your health, please don’t hesitate to contact us and one of our team members will respond as soon as possible.

Read more about preventative dentistry in our Getting your Teeth Cleaned education page.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is used to manage conditions affecting a tooth’s pulp/nerve. A tooth’s pulp may die and become infected usually due to trauma or tooth decay. Root canal treatment allows your dentist to remove this dead or diseased tissue inside the tooth, thereby alleviating painful symptoms and preserving the tooth.

If performed early enough, root canal treatment could allow a tooth to survive as long as the adjacent teeth. If left untreated, the infection could spread, lead to severe pain and/or abscess formation. In the event of significant disease, a tooth may no longer be able to be retained by root canal treatment. The length of time taken to seek dental treatment could mean the difference between preserving a natural tooth and the need to remove one which now has a hopeless prognosis.

Root canal treatment provides overall pain relief (contrary to popular belief) by removing the tissue causing pain and inflammation. Root canal treatment may span the course of two or more appointments, depending on your personal circumstances and the condition of your tooth. After the tooth’s pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. Where necessary, the tooth may be filled with medication in between visits to ensure it is adequately disinfected. This medication can also act as a sedative for the tooth and is sealed inside the tooth with temporary filling, so that the tooth can function like normal in between appointments. At the final root canal appointment, the canals are then sealed with a long-lasting, rubber-like material to prevent future infection. Finally, your dentist will commence restorative treatment (based on each individual’s circumstances) to return the tooth to its required form.

Read more about root canals in our Root Canals education page.

Veneers

Veneers are very thin facings made from porcelain or composite and are bonded on to the front of your teeth. Veneers can offer quick cosmetic improvement for common problems such as discoloured teeth, slightly malaligned or crowded teeth and gaps. Veneers offer an alternative to crowns when a conservative approach is desired. At Stafford Dental Centre we can also use veneers to improve the appearance of broken and chipped teeth. Each veneer is individually handcrafted to fit the tooth and to suit your desired aesthetic result. Porcelain veneers in particular can recreate the life-like appearance of natural tooth structure in such a way they are often indistinguishable from natural teeth.

For more information, ask us how we can help correct the colour, shape, length or spacing of your smile.

Read more about veneers in our Dental Crowns, Bridges and Veneers education page.

Whitening

A bright, confident smile creates a lasting image! We believe you deserve the best chance to leave a good impression. Teeth whitening is the safest dental cosmetic procedure available. Our treatments utilize medical grade bleach without affecting the tooth structure in any way. We have an at-home treatment option for you for your convenience.

A custom-made bleaching tray provides a gradual approach in the comfort of your own home. Our dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make a precisely fitting tray (similar to a mouthguard). This will require a return visit for collection, at which point your whitening package and education needed for this course will be provided. Take-home trays will require daily use for up to three weeks. Often 30-60 minutes a day is all that is required. This gradual and gentle whitening also means that tooth sensitivity less frequently occurs.

Read more about tooth whitening in our Tooth Whitening education page.

Looking for an alternative to metal braces?

ClearCorrect is the clear and simple choice. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort—every reason to smile.

With ClearCorrect, your dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get a straighter, healthier smile.

How does it work?

You and your dentist will evaluate your teeth and talk about any problems or goals you have for your smile. Once you and your doctor establish ClearCorrect is the right treatment option for you, your dentist will take impressions, photos, and x-rays of your teeth that ClearCorrect uses in manufacturing your custom aligners. Then your dentist writes a prescription for your custom aligners and sends it to ClearCorrect.

What can it do?

ClearCorrect can treat a wide variety of issues that keep people from achieving their ideal smiles. Straighter teeth don’t just look better; they work better too. Poorly-aligned teeth can interfere with bite function, wear out quicker, and are more prone to cavities. Ask our team how ClearCorrect can help you.

A dental implant is often an ideal option for replacing one or more missing teeth. A dental implant is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone. After placement it will integrate with your jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. The implant may require from 2 to 6 months to integrate before it is able to be restored by your dentist with its final crown. During this healing period, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site if desired.

There are several advantages to placing a dental implant over other tooth replacement alternatives. These advantages include:

• They can look and function like a normal tooth, being able to withstand much greater biting pressures than a denture
• They can replace a single tooth without sacrificing healthy tooth structure from neighbouring teeth as may be required in the construction of a bridge.
• They provide a greater level of comfort than alternative treatments, usually feeling indistinguishable from the natural dentition.
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance
• Preservation of bone levels. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone and this helps to preserve the bone height. The bone under a bridge or denture may resorb with time.

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth and would like to replace them, dental implants may be an option for you. Our dentists will be more than happy to discuss with you options and assess your mouth for suitability. In order for an implant to be placed, it is important that your gums and jawbone are healthy and able to support the implant. If your oral health is not yet at this level, we will be happy to work with you towards achieving your goal.

Implants can be aesthetically pleasing, greatly improve functioning and could truly change your life.

Read more about dental implants in our education tab