Solutions for Pain, Discomfort & Dental Concerns

We have many patients that come to us with very complex dental issues, and we pride ourselves on being able to solve any problems in a simple and pain-free way. Some oral diseases are preventable, such as decay (by good brushing and cleaning); however, there are cases where oral diseases set in through no fault of their own.

There are a few main reasons why dental problems keep happening:

Lack of Knowledge about Oral Hygiene and Care

It is often very difficult to change bad habits formed as a child, and these bad habits can lead to problems such as gum disease, decay, infection, and losing teeth. We at South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics welcome patients who have suffered from long-term dental problems and are confident that we can find a solution to these problems. We are also committed to the education of both parents and children on the importance of good oral hygiene so that we can take preventative measures from the outset.

Dental Anxiety and Fear

The most common reason for people avoiding regular dental appointments is dental anxiety and fear. I’m sure we all know at least one person who is afraid of the dentist. This can be caused by a traumatic past dental experience, and this is not necessarily just a physical experience, such as a painful needle injection; it may also be a psychological experience, such as the feeling of loss of control or even feelings of embarrassment or judgement.

At South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics, we have some of the best, virtually pain-free treatment options and are experienced in helping patients through their anxieties and fears.

Genetics

A lot of diseases that we know of have a very close link to genes, and one of the most common is gum disease. There are many things we can do to prevent gum disease; however, there are just some people who will end up with the disease simply because of a genetic trait. 

We understand the frustration of these genetic dental issues; we know it can be disheartening and can give patients feelings of embarrassment, especially when they have kept up great oral hygiene throughout their lives, but rest assured, we are prepared with the solutions to these genetic dental problems.

Medically Compromised Patients

Patients that are medically compromised are more likely to have mouth diseases and dental problems, as there is a very close link between the health of the body and the health of the mouth. Higher intake of medications and treatments often has an effect on the mouth.

It is tempting to put off going to the dentist; however, problems only get worse if not addressed early on.

Common reasons why you may feel you need all your teeth fixed:

• Heavily broken down or decayed

• Uncomfortable dentures

• Multiple loose or missing teeth

• Chronic gum and bone disease

• Chronic jaw and bite problems

In order for us to find the best solution, we will need to have a full consultation in which we will examine your mouth and discuss with you what you would like and the options available to you. 

For a full, brand-new smile, our best options are dental implants or dentures.

Dental Implants

This is the ideal solution for patients who are missing teeth. The implant replaces the root of the natural tooth, and a crown is placed on top to form the new tooth.

Dentures

Another option when considering a brand-new smile is dentures. Dentures have come a long way over the years, and these days we are able to provide lifelike, good-looking, and functional dentures, and this is a great option for some patients. Note that dentures may move around a little, particularly when eating.

Treatment times for both of the solutions above can vary largely due to the individual patient conditions.

Dentures are a great option for those who are missing teeth, but it’s no secret that there are some common problems, such as movement of the dentures when eating and talking. Often, we find that there are patients with dentures who are afraid to laugh or go out for dinner socially. If you think that dentures are not for you, then you should consider dental implants.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered the gold standard for the replacement of missing teeth. They look natural and give you back any confidence lost while wearing dentures. Click here (links to the dental implant page) to find out more about the dental implant process with South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics.

Your back teeth are very important and must be kept strong and functional, as they are needed for chewing. Issues with your back teeth can cause a lot of problems and are quite often focused on much less than they should be. People can be more concerned by their front teeth and their smile, ignoring their back teeth for longer, which can lead to the need for fillings, crowns, and extractions. 

Missing Teeth

Missing back teeth can be replaced with dentures, dental implants, and bridges.

Fillings

Fillings are often required for your back teeth. Metal fillings are the most common; however, some patients don’t like the colour and/or the idea of having metal in their mouth, in which case white composite fillings are a reliable alternative.

Crowns

If there is a high risk of tooth fracture or cracking, porcelain crowns can be placed over the top of the tooth to prevent this.

Are you unhappy with your old cosmetic work? Great cosmetic work involves highly skilled and experienced dentists and, when done correctly, will result in a beautiful and natural-looking smile. We know that it can be disheartening when cosmetic work doesn’t turn out how you had anticipated, particularly when you consider the time and cost involved. We at South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics have a team of highly trained dentists who are experienced in both performing cosmetic dentistry and solving prior cosmetic dentistry issues.

Treatment

Treatment will vary depending on the type of work you are unhappy with and the extent of the problem; however, we have found that the most common treatment plans include veneers and crowns.

Straightening your teeth as an adult can be daunting, particularly when thinking of traditional metal brackets. Many patients worry about being too old or looking unprofessional with these types of braces, but luckily, we have some options for you.

Invisalign

This is the ideal solution for patients who want an effective yet discreet way to straighten their teeth. More information about Invisalign with South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics can be found 

Veneers

Another way to straighten teeth without braces is by using porcelain veneers; however, this would only be plausible for smaller realignments.

Oddly shaped or disproportionate teeth can be a sore point for many people. Thankfully, with modern dentistry techniques, there are ways in which to resize and reshape teeth for the desired look. There are some common reasons for poorly shaped and sized teeth.

Genetics

Unfortunately, this is not something that cannot be prevented. Genetics play a big part in oral health and can be the cause of many problems.

Diet

A poor diet of sugary drinks and junk food can cause major damage to teeth over time. This can cause teeth to end up shorter and poorly shaped.

Grinding

Quite often patients with sleep apnoea or stress, among other things, find that they grind their teeth during sleep. This can cause teeth to be worn down and ultimately fracture or chip.

Dental Accident

The shape and size of teeth can be badly affected by a dental accident.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the best option for reshaping teeth. This is an ultra-thin porcelain laminate that bonds to your teeth, creating the perfect size and shape. 

A gummy smile can often make people feel embarrassed, and we find that they are always trying to hide their gums by trying not to smile or covering their mouth when they do.

Reasons for a Gummy Smile

• Excess gum 

• Upper lip that lifts excessively when smiling

• Incorrect proportion of teeth size and shape

There are a few things that can be done to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Gum Recontouring

This option is best if you have excess gums. What we do is remove small portions of the excess gum to reveal more of your teeth.

Gum Lift With Porcelain Veneers

This option is best if you have disproportionate teeth size and/or shape. Veneers can be used to correct the size, shape, and proportion of your teeth and will help to decrease the amount of gum showing.

Gum Lift With Braces or Invisalign

This is a great option if your natural teeth are enough to change the proportions of your gums. More information on braces and Invisalign can be found here.

The appearance of teeth can be a huge factor in making or breaking your self-confidence. Crooked or crowded teeth are a common issue with many people, but rest assured South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics has the solutions.

Orthodontics or Invisalign

If you like the size and shape of your teeth, then this may be the best solution for you, as braces or Invisalign will straighten teeth or adjust your bite as necessary.

Porcelain Veneers

This is a common option when the size, shape, and overall appearance of the teeth are not desirable. This option bonds a porcelain laminate over your teeth, which can realign, shape, size, and alter the colour of teeth.

Bad breath can be very embarrassing, especially if a partner or family member mentions it. There are various reasons that you may have bad breath, and leaving it alone will not make it go away.

Some of the causes are:

• Poor oral hygiene

• Gum disease

• Gastric reflux

• Unclean dentures

• Decay

Most causes of bad breath are related to oral problems; however, it can also be caused by other medical conditions such as diabetes and liver disease.

There are many treatment options depending on the source of the problem, which may include

Treatments

• A scale and clean

• Fixing cracked fillings and crowns

• Treatment of decay

Information from one of our friendly team members on how to clean your teeth correctly in order to prevent bad breath in the future will also be provided if you need a refresher.

Dentures are a fantastic way to gain a brilliant, beaming new smile; however, there are some common complaints from patients, such as:

• My dentures are loose

• I can’t eat certain foods

• I’m nervous about talking as they slip down

• My gums get sore from the friction of my dentures against my gums

We understand this can be frustrating, and we do have a few options for you.

Dental Implants

Each tooth is replaced individually and is the most secure way of replacing missing teeth, as they replace the root of the natural tooth, which negates all of the common complaints listed above.

Relining Dentures

It is entirely possible that if you are having problems with loose dentures, your dentures simply don’t fit anymore. We find that with missing teeth, the gums tend to shrink, leaving excess space between the gums and dentures. Getting the denture relined will give them a tighter fit and make them feel much more secure.

Apart from not liking the look of gaps between your teeth, there are also other oral risks, such as tooth decay and gum disease, and treatments may include:

Orthodontics or Invisalign

The most common way to fix gaps is either with braces or Invisalign, which moves the teeth into the correct position. While it is best to have orthodontic work during adolescence, these options are both still available in adulthood.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are another option to close the gaps of a very small area of your teeth and can also alter the colour, shape, and size of your teeth.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know if you have a cracked tooth; however, there are common symptoms that may indicate that you do, which include:

• Erratic Pain 

• Pain when chewing

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods

There are multiple treatment options available and include:

Veneers

If the crack is very minor and not damaging the inside of the tooth, then veneers may be a good option for you. An ultra-thin porcelain veneer is placed over the crack, which treats the symptoms and prevents the crack from becoming worse. 

Root Canal Therapy

If the inside of the tooth has been damaged, then a root canal treatment may be the best option, as this treats the damage to the inside of the tooth, and the filling prevents further damage. 

Crowns

If your tooth is badly damaged or won't hold a filling, then a crown may be used to reinforce your tooth and protect it.

Dental Implant

If your tooth is so damaged that it has to be extracted, a dental implant is a great option to replace the missing tooth, as this is the only treatment that replaces the whole tooth down to the root. 

Missing teeth can lead to a plethora of other dental issues, which can include moving teeth and changes to your bite and give an aged appearance.

There are a number of options available to prevent dental issues caused by missing teeth, which include:

Dental Implants

This is an entire tooth replacement right down to the root and is the best long-term treatment available.

Bridges

This is another option to replace missing teeth. The bridge is essentially a row of teeth that are placed on top of the natural, correctly prepared teeth on either side of the gap.

Dentures

Dentures have proven to be a great removable choice for some patients and create a beautiful smile. However, some patients have some issues with dentures, such as movement while eating and talking.

We all want whiter teeth; however, there are so many products and treatments out there that claim to whiten teeth, which leaves people wondering what works and what doesn’t work, and it can become a confusing or daunting task.

There are many causes of yellow or stained teeth, from smoking, sugary foods, coffee, and red wine to decay, poor oral hygiene, and damaged teeth.

At South Auckland Dental & Orthodontics, we offer a range of teeth whitening options to suit your needs and have a proven track record of brilliant, bright white smiles.

Waking up with headaches can be an indicator that you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. There are a vast number of reasons why some people grind their teeth, which include:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Smoking

• Heavy Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Depression

• Sleep Disorders

Although teeth grinding is a common cause of waking up with headaches, there are a lot of other medical reasons for this, and a good indicator that teeth grinding may be the culprit is having worn-down teeth and sore jaw muscles.

Common ailments caused by teeth grinding include:

• Chipped teeth

• Fractured teeth

• Worn-down teeth

• Loose teeth

• Damaged internal pulp

The first step is to make a custom-fit mouth guard to wear while sleeping to prevent any further damage from occurring.

The second step is to then fix any dental issues that have arisen as a result. These treatments may include fillings, crowns, root canals, or veneers.

A toothache can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain. A toothache is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and is usually a symptom of a larger problem that needs to be addressed.

If you are in a lot of pain and need immediate attention, visit our emergency dentist page for more information.

Causes of tooth pain may be from tooth decay, cracks or fractures, or infection or abscess, and treatment options may include:

Fillings

Fillings are a very common treatment among a lot of people. Metal fillings are the most common; however, some patients don’t like the colour and can sometimes cause cracking of teeth or headaches, in which case another option is a white composite filling.

Root Canal Therapy

If the internal pulp has been too damaged to repair or an infection has occurred, you may require a root canal treatment. The damaged or infected pulp is removed, and a filling material is inserted to strengthen the tooth.

Crowns

Crowns are used to cover or cap a damaged tooth and to strengthen and enhance the appearance of teeth that are weak.