FAQs

Yes, prevention is better than cure, so we recommend visiting the dentist once every six months. If you go every six months, any problems will be detected while they are still minor and will be easily corrected at minimal cost. Providing a range of general and cosmetic dental procedures, as well as orthodontics, dental implant surgery and laser teeth whitening, Lentini Dental can offer advice and treatment for all your dental needs.

Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in nature. Fluoride works by making the outer layer of teeth stronger. When the outer layer is strong, teeth are less likely to get cavities. In some cases we may advise the use of products containing fluoride to help re-mineralize the enamel.

Most stains caused by age, food, coffee and tobacco, can be removed by professional tooth cleaning and polishing. Where stained teeth require a procedure to lighten them, tooth whitening can be performed.

Both Laser Teeth Whitening and take-home teeth-whitening kits are available from Lentini Dental. Laser Teeth Whitening, a 90 minute in-office (chair-side) treatment, is the more time-effective mode of teeth whitening and can be achieved through just three 8 minute treatments. Take-home teeth whitening kits incorporate customised trays to be used for 15 minutes daily over a 10-14 day period . With 95% of cases showing dramatic improvement of up to 7 shades lighter, Lentini Dental have considerable experience in Teeth Whitening Melbourne.

Disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If plaque is not removed regularly it hardens into calculus. This will irritate the gums making them painful and swollen, and will easily bleed. Eventually the supporting structures start to deteriorate, leading to tissue loss, bone loss and tooth loss.

As a Dental Hygienist Melbourne trust, Lentini Dental promotes the prevention of gum disease. Regular hygienist visits are the best way to prevent gum disease. By good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing at least twice daily and regular maintenance clean and checkups at your dentist, will help minimise the risks of gum disease.

Porcelain Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain shells that are constructed and bonded to the front sides of teeth to close gaps, cover stains and discolorations, and cosmetically enhance chipped or misshapen teeth.

Crowns cover all exposed surfaces of an existing tooth. Broken, weakened or teeth with large fillings can all require Porcelain Crowns. Crowns are used to strengthen and improve the shape, size or colour of teeth.

Root canal or endodontic treatment is a process where inflamed or dead tissue or pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth, enabling a tooth that was causing pain to be retained. Dental Pulp is the soft tissue in the canal that runs through the centre of a tooth. After removing the pulp, the root canals are cleaned, sterilised and shaped to a form that can be completely sealed with a filling material to prevent further infection. The treatment can take several appointments, depending on how complex the tooth is, and how long the infection takes to clear. To finalize the treatment, a Porcelain Crown may be advised to protect the tooth against fracture.

When a tooth is lost, the bite may change and the can teeth shift positions. Also, when a tooth is lost, the bone begins to shrink and if multiple teeth are involved the face can take on a “sunken in” look. Lentini Dental offers a variety of services including Porcelain Bridges, Dental Implant Surgery and Crowns.

Whether you have lost a single tooth or all your teeth, replacing these using Dental Implant Surgery options should be considered for your oral rehabilitation program. A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jawbone. After an initial healing period, crowns, a fixed bridge or a full set of dentures can be constructed to replace the missing tooth/teeth. As a qualified dental implant centre providing titanium dental implants, Lentini Dental has experience and is equipped to offer a range of Dental Implant treatments.

Where there is optimum bone and gum shape, an implant tooth can be identical in shape to a natural tooth. Where there is a deficient bone or gum shape, this can be enhanced with grafting. Excessive tissue defects cannot be grafted so alternate techniques are available to still give strong and aesthetically acceptable results. Porcelain artistry is used to match porcelain crowns on implants to the adjacent teeth.

No. The neighbouring teeth will not be affected by the implant procedure or after the procedure. The tooth is shaped to fit in between the pre-existing teeth, so no movement should occur. An implant can help stabilise the adjacent teeth, preserving the bone structure and reducing overload of the adjacent teeth. Implants can take up to 5 times the chewing load of natural teeth. The implant will only be in the area needed.

Despite your age, overall health and previous dental history, if someone has a damaged tooth that needs to be replaced they are generally a candidate for tooth/teeth implant. It is recommended that patients consider all options, however implants are known for their reliability and durability. Few medical conditions may prevent someone from being a candidate for tooth implants however, quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor in qualifying for dental implants. Dental Implants have equal success data in patients with Osteoporosis.

Planning requires C.T. scan which takes 2 minutes in our rooms. Other planning requirements like study models may be required depending on the treatment intended. We will then work on the scans when you are off site.

Implant placement can take from 30 minutes. Implant placement for the replacement of all the teeth can take as little as 2 hours.

The procedure involves careful and delicate manipulation of the tissues. This minimised trauma means that our patients are often surprised that they do not need the pain medication prescribed.

It is extremely likely that tooth implant and replacements will be successful throughout the patients lifetime. Tooth implants are designed to be a permanent solution, however regular maintenance and dental maintenance appointments contribute to the sustainability of a tooth implant. Without a doubt, tooth implant is the most successful long term solution.

There is not a great deal more to do other than general oral care. Daily home care such as brushing and flossing regularly is an essential element to the upkeep on a tooth implant. It is highly recommended that you return for dental check-up and cleaning appointments and to check your implant on your regular trip to the dentist twice a year.

Implants are considered one of the most successful procedures when it comes to tooth replacement. Absolute success is never guaranteed and while the implantation may be successful, the bone may not be able to bond to the implant. In a case like this, healing and new bone formation will allow the placement of a new implant in most cases, which will have a high success rate. Smoking and poor hygiene are factors which will affect the implant success rates.

The cost of a teeth implant is dependable on a number of factors and is highly variable. While it is an investment and health, appearance and confidence is being restored, tooth replacement is a procedure that is likely to last a lifetime. In the case of a single tooth replacement, the cost is about 10% more than a bridge option, with a known failure within 15 years and involving the adjacent teeth in the bridge option, the implant option is definitely a more effective option as it is expected to be permanent.

The actual cost depends on several factors, such as the number of missing teeth being replaced, the type of implant being used and any additional procedures that may be necessary. It is best to consult with your dental clinic before committing to any procedures.