Garners Dental is a leading cosmetic dentistry practice in Sydney. Established in 1968, Dr Tony Zahra was one of the first dentist’s in Australia to embrace the new Dental Implant technology in the early 1970’s.

Our dental practice has preserved our position at the forefront of dental practices by recruiting the most committed dentists and providing them with ongoing training and challenges as well as encouraging them to attend seminars and participate in community projects both at home and overseas. We look after our dentists so they stay for the long term and that means they are here to look after all your needs from simple fillings to complex cosmetic surgery, for you and your family, for the long term.

Today, when it comes to replacing missing or damaged teeth, dental implants are fast becoming the gold standard for tooth replacement.

They are a longer lasting alternative to dentures or dental bridgework and the most natural looking restoration option.

One of the benefits of dental implants is they are strong and secure so you can bite into an apple for example, rather than cut it up.

Dental Implants look natural, in fact they look like the teeth you were born with.

How Do You Clean Dental Implants

Dr. James, a senior dentist at Garners Dental, says that unlike dentures, you don’t remove them for cleaning, oral hygiene is exactly the same for dental implants as it is for natural teeth, just brush your teeth twice a day and floss after meals.

Why Are Dental Implants So Popular?

Dental implants are titanium screws that are implanted into your jawbone beneath your gums that replace the original roots of the missing tooth. Once in place, they provide a solid foundation to have a crown placed on the implant.

Getting a Dental Implant in Sydney

If you are self-conscious about your missing or damaged teeth, then a dental implant is not only good for your self-esteem but has plenty of other benefits as well. If you live in Sydney, Garners Dental can help you.
Call 02 9569 3378 to make an appointment. Mention this article and your first consultation is FREE.

Are Dental Implants the Right Option For Me?

This question is best answered by the Garners Dental expert dentist during your initial consultation. You will most likely have x-rays on the specific area of your mouth where the implant is intended to go. These x-rays will help identify if the bone in the area is strong enough to support a dental implant. It will also reveal if there is enough room to place a dental implant in that region of your mouth.

During your initial consultation our cosmetic dentist will also discuss your medical history with you. A dental implant is a surgical procedure so we check that you are physically well and that your gums and jaw bone is capable of receiving an implant. If all looks well, your dentist will discuss cost and schedule a date for the implant.
If you have any concern about the cost, don’t forget to ask about our dental finance plan which will help you to spread the cost so you can get the work done now and pay it off over time.

 Dental Implants– Frequently Asked Questions – Options

How Do You Know if Dental Implants the Right Option for You?

Dental implants are suitable for use by most people but there are a few things that will need to be checked first to ensure you are a good candidate. They include:

Do You Have Healthy Gums?

Your gums must be healthy enough to accept and form around the implant to provide support and strength. However, if your gums aren’t healthy, for example, if you have gum disease, this can generally be treated quite easily with modern dental practises.

If you need to replace several teeth with dental implants, you would first have the remaining teeth extracted, which means there may be a waiting period before your gums are healthy again. If replacing several teeth isn’t your goal then you would just need to take the steps recommended by our dentist to deal with any gum disease before implant surgery can be performed.

If, for some reason dental implants are not a good option for you, Your Garners dental cosmetic dentist will discuss all options with you during the initial consultation.

Is your Bone Structure Adequate For A Dental Implant?

Dental implants are embedded into the jawbone. So there must be a sufficient amount of bone, and the bone must be strong enough to support the structure. If your x-rays reveal there are issues with the bone where your implant will be placed, there are special procedures that can help rebuild the bone to the point that it will support a dental implant. Your cosmetic dental expert will discuss these options with you and chart an appropriate plan of action especially for you.

Do You Smoke? Smoking Can Affect Dental Implants

Your mouth will need time to heal, and your gums and bone will need time to take hold of the dental implant. Smoking can negatively impact these processes, therefore if you do smoke it is highly recommended that you quit or at least cease smoking for several weeks to ensure post care treatments and healing are successful.

Make a Commitment to Good Dental Health Practices and Regular Check-ups

Dental implants require the same care and maintenance as natural teeth. If bad dental hygiene habits are picked up or continue after dental implant surgery, the implant may be impacted by gum disease and that may cause the dental surgery to fail.

Dental Implants – A Permanent, Natural-Looking Solution

Dr. Bassi says, Dental implants are incredibly strong and stable, as they replace the missing tooth from the root. They restore a lost tooth and end up looking, feeling, fitting and functioning just like your natural tooth.

The titanium fixture that gets inserted into the jawbone, if taken care of properly, can last you a lifetime. It also serves to help you avoid bone deterioration that may interfere with eating, smiling, speaking and other activities of daily life.

Dental implants are gaining popularity over other forms of dental restoration and cosmetic dentistry treatments for missing teeth. The video in this post answers many questions and explains the benefits of dental implants but if you have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. Bassi at Garners Dental Marrickville, to arrange a free consultation or to make an appointment.

ADDRESS: 51 Garners Ave, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia

(02) 9569 3378 / (02) 9560 9371

Ring 02 9569 3378 to make yopur initial appointment and mention this article to get your first Dental Implant consultation free.

Here are some of the common solutions to Fix Gaps between Teeth

Veneers are a more robust solution than composite bonding; however, the teeth need to be prepared, which means that some of the tooth must be removed (shaped) to allow the veneers to be fitted over the front surfaces of the teeth.

A Quick Review of the orthodontic treatments Available

Fixed orthodontic braces

Normally used with young children, Orthodontic braces are the traditional way that teeth are straightened and gaps reduced.

With fixed orthodontic braces, metal wires are attached to the front surfaces of the teeth with brackets. These brackets and wires are progressively tightened over time, applying gentle pressure to the teeth and encouraging them to move into a straighter position.

The time taken depends upon how much movement of the teeth is required, we will be able to advise you about this following an initial examination.

A wide variety of brackets and braces systems is now available, including smaller tooth-coloured ceramic brackets and friction-free braces such as the Damon system.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are similar to standard wire braces but they are fitted to the inside (back) surfaces of your teeth and so are not visible from the front. It should be noted they can be uncomfortable and difficult to get accustomed to but they provide a perfect solution to moving your teeth without anyone noticing. Unlike invisible braces, they can even be used to correct severe orthodontic cases.

Invisalign

If you feel that having visible wires on your teeth is too embarrassing then the Invisalign system can achieve the same teeth-straightening results without the need for wires in many cases.

Invisalign uses a system of clear aligners that look like transparent gum shields. Over time your teeth are slowly moved into their desired position.

The aligners are changed regularly and we will discuss the schedule with you during your initial appointment.

The advantage of Invisalign over metal braces is that you can remove them to clean your teeth and eat. Invisalign is an increasingly popular treatment for the straightening of adult teeth.

Inman Aligner

The Inman Aligner is a cross between the invisible braces and metal braces systems. It is not as “invisible” as Invisalign (since it has metal components) but it relies on a removable aligner that moves the teeth by applying force to them over time.

The Inman Aligner is often quicker than Invisalign, only one appliance is required for the entire treatment, and it is more affordable. 

Damon Braces

Damon Braces are a “friction-free” alternative to conventional treatment with braces. They do not have any elastic ties and so cause less irritation, they are more comfortable and provide faster tooth-straightening results than treatment with conventional braces. 

Six-Month Smile

The Six-Month Smile is a new orthodontic treatment that uses tooth-coloured brackets and wires and focuses on moving the teeth that you see when you smile (rather than focusing on the bite and moving all the teeth). It uses special nickel wires to move the teeth into the desired position. Treatments that would usually take 18 months to two years are completed in as little as six months.

Gaps due to missing teeth

If your gap is due to a missing tooth, veneers or orthodontic treatment would be inappropriate. The missing tooth needs to be replaced, both for aesthetic but also functional reasons, such as the bone where the missing tooth was, may deteriorate making future options difficult.

A restoration would keep the gum and bones healthy and prevent the teeth on either side of the gap from “shifting” towards the gap in an unnatural way.

Solutions to replace a gap due to missing teeth could be a partial denture, a dental bridge or a dental implant.

The Best Dental Solution for You – Free Consultation

As you can see, every individual’s dental issues are specific to them and there are many solutions. It is definitely best if we discuss them together so we can work out what is the best option for you.

During our discussion, we will take into account your current goal but also what you may want to do in the future and of course the time frame for each solution and how that fits in with your goal. Finally, it is important to discuss the cost of the various solutions and your budget. Sometimes an inexpensive short term option like bonding can buy you the time you need to prepare for the best long term solution or you may decide to use our Dental Financing Payment Plan.

To assist you with this, we are happy to provide you with a free consultation to discuss your problem and the options you have. Just call us on 02 9569 3378 and ask for a free Consultation to discuss your Gaps.

Teeth Straightening for Crooked Teeth?

While you are here, many people are born with crooked teeth. In some cases, perfectly straight teeth can become crooked with age as the structure of your mouth changes, or due to tooth loss and movement of the remaining teeth.

Teeth straightening can be achieved by a variety of different cosmetic dental techniques. Not everyone needs to have fixed wire braces for a perfectly aligned smile.

For example, Porcelain veneers do not actually straighten your teeth, they give the illusion of a perfectly aligned smile. Provided your teeth are not severely crooked, porcelain veneers can be placed over the front surfaces of your teeth to make them look straight.

Veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because straight teeth or other imperfections can be improved in as little as a single visit to the dentist (compared to traditional braces or Invisalign, which can take many months, and in some cases, a couple of years).

The added benefit of veneers is that they can also improve the colour and shape of your teeth. The downside is, as mentioned above, some of your naturally healthy tooth will need to be re-shaped for the veneer to affix to; also, veneers do not last forever and will eventually need replacing.

For your Free Gap Tooth Consultation Call 02 9569 3378

 ADDRESS: 51 Garners Ave, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia

(02) 9569 3378 / (02) 9560 9371

Moderate
You would probably rate this at 4-5/10.  It may be infrequent but the pain is a little more intense. Hot or cold food and drink will often cause sharp pain when they touch the tooth.  However it comes and goes and the pain may be relieved with analgesics

Severe
Rated 8-10/10. The pain is very severe and disrupts your daily routine. It may have kept you up all night. The pain is unrelenting, it comes in waves and there is not much you can take to stop the pain.

Ok, so now you have a good idea how to rank your pain level, let’s have a look at what causes the pain.

Mild discomfort

• Tooth decay
• Weak areas of the tooth lacking calcium
• Sensitive exposed roots from receded gums
• Crack in tooth

Moderate pain

• Deeper tooth brush abrasion
• More severe tooth decay or a deeper crack in the tooth, particularly if the tooth has a large silver coloured filling
• Food-packing between teeth due to gaps, broken fillings/chipped teeth
  Acidic foods

Severe pain

• Dying nerve in the tooth
• Gross amounts of decay close to the nerve
• Large cavity
• Old large metal filling that is leaking, or close to the nerve
• Chronic gum disease

Now before I ask you the big question, which is, at what level do you think you should address the problem let me add one other factor.

Sometimes patients believe the pain they are experiencing is due to a tooth problem, when in reality it may be associated with Jaw Pain.

Temporomandibular joints, or TMJs is one of the most common reasons for jaw pain. About 1 in 8 people may have a TMJ disorder. It’s more common among women.

Can I have a Serious Dental Issue and Feel no Pain?

The short answer to this is yes, you definitely can have a variety of dental cavities, cracks and other issues but experience no pain, until the issue becomes serious.

For example, some abscesses are painless. Painless abscesses often still show identifiable symptoms such as gums and cheeks that are swollen. But if the abscess occurs in a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, there may be no absolutely no pain because the nerve is already dead.

When you take into consideration that you may not feel any pain with many dental or oral conditions, until they become serious, you can see that making the right choice about when to see your dentist, is quite a complicated decision and that is why so many people get it wrong.

Our first advice is, attending your dentist for your regular dental check-up is the best way to ensure none of the issues above become a problem for you. That is because we will pick up most issues at a very early stage, when you can easily do something about it. This is the best and cheapest way to maintain good oral health, but with the best intensions in the world, things don’t always go to plan, something like Covid comes along and we miss our regular check-up.

If you are experiencing an issue then the next step is:

Diagnosis

• Book a dental examination to look for obvious cavities/exposed nerves/inspection of gums
• X-rays to detect hidden cavities between teeth
• Tooth tapping test to see if the infection has spread into the jaw bone
• CO2 ice test to determine if the nerve has died

Our Final Recommendation

Early onset of any discomfort should be a warning that action is needed. Even if you experience mild symptoms, then please contact us and make an appointment. Why? Because the problem may be solved by simple measures such as doing a small filling, or applying a paste over the exposed nerves.

However, if further symptoms occur whenever you subject the teeth to temperature, then fillings may or may not fix the problem as it may be too late. (another reason to get in early).

Here is a summary:

Mild discomfort
Action may be as simple as removing decay with a small filling or applying a de-sensitizing material over exposed nerves.

Moderate pain
Removing decay/crack with a filling, but may require an onlay, or crown.

Severe pain

• Root canal therapy if you choose to keep the tooth
• Extracting the tooth if you don’t want root canal (B the way, root canals are not as painful as many people think).
• As the treatment for conditions that produce severe pain are often more extensive they are also more expensive. To help you make the right choice that may save your tooth, such as root canal treatment, we do offer dental finance plans that enable you to spread the cost and get the work you need done, when you need it.

If Ignored

The two words most patients hate to hear.

Extraction or Root canal therapy. These are the only options in cases of severe tooth infection.

These are more complicated treatments that could be avoided by early detection and treatment of the problem. For example, removing a tooth and having a replacement tooth (a dental implant) in the future is a more expensive option to treating the early onset symptoms.

If a crack remains untreated, and the tooth splits in half, the tooth cannot be saved, so extraction is the only treatment option.

So now, you have more information, we hope it helps you to make the right decision about when to visit us / your dentist. Whatever you decide, please don’t leave it until it becomes a serious issue and causes you to lose your tooth / teeth.

ADDRESS: 51 Garners Ave, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia

(02) 9569 3378 / (02) 9560 9371

Specializing in Dentistry & Orthodontics for Infants, Children, & Teenagers 

From the time your child grows their first tooth until they graduate from high school – our professional staff will help care for and protect your child’s smile.

And because children are so different from adults, we take a unique approach to every patient. Our team provide paediatric dental solutions and education that’s tailored to each child. In addition to oral examinations and cleanings, we offer a full range of services including:

• General dentistry
• Preventive care,
• Orthodontics, including Invisalign® First for children and Invisalign® for Teens.
• We also diagnose and correct tongue-ties.

We’ll help ensure each visit your child makes to the dentist is a great experience. We aim for painless and worry-free visits so we offer painless injections and sedation options as well.

Dr. Bassi and the team work closely with parents and each child to ensure positive dental experiences that lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Why is Children’s Oral Health Important?

The good news is that cavities are preventable. Fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third (33%) of cavities in the primary (baby) teeth. Children living in cities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities than children whose water is not fluoridated. Similarly, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have fewer cavities.

Dental sealants can also prevent cavities for many years. Applying dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth prevent 80% of cavities.

Tips for What Parents and Care givers Can Do For Babies

Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning, after the first feeding and right, before bed. to wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.

When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small‑bristled toothbrush and plain water.

Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot signs of problems early.

Talk to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

For children younger than 2, consult first with your doctor or dentist regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste.

Good Dental Health Is Important for Pregnant Women

When you’re pregnant, you may be more prone to gum disease and cavities, which can affect your baby’s health. Follow these 3 steps to protect your teeth:

See a dentist (its safe!) before you deliver

Brush twice a day

Floss Daily

 If you have nausea, rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water after you get sick. This helps wash stomach acid away and keep your tooth enamel safe.

 We are available Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 5:00.

The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is even stronger than bone. This resilient surface is 96 percent mineral, the highest percentage of any tissue in your body – making it durable and damage-resistant.

And yet we seem to get cavities or, tooth decay, in our teeth very easily. Or at least many of us do. So why do we get cavities in this extremely hard substance?

Your parents probably told you as a kid, “don’t eat too many sweets, they will damage your teeth and you will need to go to the dentist for fillings”. But many people don’t eat sweets or candies and still get tooth decay and need to have a filling.

So what is the full story about why we get cavities?

Your mouth is a hive of activity, like a factory. In this case it is full of living beings called bacteria.

 The bacteria in our bodies are generally harmless. Some are extremely beneficial but there are also some bacteria that cause diseases.

For example there are billions of bacteria in your mouth and some of them cause oral disease such as tooth decay, (often called cavities), and gingivitis which can lead to periodontal disease.

These bacteria are microscopic–only 1/500th of a human hair in width – but small as they are, they cause big problems because there are so many of them. There are an estimated 300 different species of bacteria living inside our mouths, totalling a billion or more at any given time.

Can you imagine your mouth is a mini world that is a lot like our planet earth?

Earth has billions of people and your mouth has billions of bacteria. Earth has hundreds of different ethnic races and your mouth has over 300 different types of bacteria.

Your mouth is actually home to entire communities of microorganisms that are recycling your food and drinks and learning and working just like we do.

The Bacteria in your mouth Excrete Pooh that Causes Tooth Decay

Bacteria are living beings. This means they move, eat, grow, reproduce and discharge waste matter. And, that’s how they cause tooth decay in our mouths.

By feeding on the sugars in the foods and drinks we consume, they grow – and they produce waste matter, in the form of a biofilm known as dental plaque.

This plaque allows all those little recyclers to stick around your teeth longer, until eventually they make acids, which wear down the tooth enamel and cause cavities.

The dental plaque created by bacteria produces toxic substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding. This is called gingivitis. If untreated, gingivitis may become periodontitis, a more serious gum disease, in which gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that fill with bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.

Unfortunately, many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious sources of plaque, but there are others that you might not realize can cause harm.  For example, starches—such as bread, crackers, and cereal also cause acids to form.

 Did you know tooth decay is actually an infectious disease?

Tips to Keep Those Cavities At Bay

Brushing after meals, using antimicrobial mouthwash, and flossing at least twice per day helps to keep these disease causing bacteria from reproducing in your mouth, and causing tooth decay.

Finally, healthy diets that minimize sugary and starchy foods not only help keep the weight down but also help to keep those bad bacterial under control so you won’t get tooth decay and have a mouth full of fillings.

ADDRESS: 51 Garners Ave, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia

(02) 9569 3378 / (02) 9560 9371