Our Services

A Comprehensive Range of Dental Treatments

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How things are done at Eden Dental

A few notes on how we do things at Eden Dental Centre. On your first visit, your dentist will take a full health history. On follow-up visits, if your health status has changed, make sure to tell your dentist. Here’s what you can expect during most trips to the dentist.

A Full Dental Examination 

Your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, looking for signs of disease or other problems. Generally, a full set of X-rays will be taken once a year, with 2 x-rays taken at the following 6 month check-up [examination].

This is followed up by a scale and polish [the dentist will scrape along and below the gum line to remove built-up plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease, cavities, bad breath and other problems] and in most cases, a fluoride treatment.

Please advise your dentist should you not want a fluoride treatment, as 3rd party funders have many rules and regulations regarding payment. Fluoride is applied mainly to re-mineralise the tooth surface where the minerals have been removed by the acids and toxins released by plaque, but it also helps prevent plaque attachment due to it’s high surfactant properties, as well as preventing bacterial replication.

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays (radiographs) can diagnose problems otherwise unnoticed, such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumours, and decay between the teeth which cannot be detected by natural sight.

X-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. This can help your dentist to identify problems, like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.

Dental X-rays may seem complex, but they’re actually very common tools that are just as important as your teeth cleanings.

Dental Fillings/ Restorations

To treat a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding ).

A tooth restoration is more than a filling. Made from porcelain or composite resin, it should restore a tooth to its original form, function & strengthen.

Should the restoration exceed 50% or more of the surface area of the tooth, then that tooth will require a CROWN or CAP

Dental Bridge

Bridges and crowns are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants by a dentist or prosthodontist. Crowns are used most commonly to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth or cover an implant. Bridges are commonly used to cover a space if you’re missing one or more teeth. They are cemented to natural teeth or implants surrounding the space where the tooth once stood.

In addition to strengthening a damaged tooth, bridges and crowns can be used to improve a tooth’s appearance, shape, alignment and dental occlusion (bite). Gaps left by missing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift or overerupt , which can result in a bad bite. Bridges and crowns help prevent this from happening.

Root Canal Treatment

There are many things that can damage the pulp or nerve of the tooth. Often a patient will feel pain or other symptoms that alert them to needing root canal treatment, but many times there are no symptoms or warnings. The following are some of the more common reasons for needing root canal treatment.

Pain: A toothache is the most common symptom of needing a root canal. The pain that comes from a tooth needing a root canal is fairly specific. If the tooth is still alive, the affected person will experience extreme sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or foods and that sensitivity will continue even after the hot or cold stimulus is taken away from the tooth. Heat sensitivity, instead of cold, is a symptom that is very specific to a tooth requiring root canal treatment.

The tooth may start to hurt spontaneously, in the middle of the night, or sometimes when the patient isn’t even using the affected tooth to eat or drink. The pain can progress to a very severe generalized headache that may cause the person to even forget what initially caused the pain. If the tooth is dead and has become abscessed, the patient will feel pain when he or she chews food or puts pressure on the tooth. An abscess may or may not produce swelling or bleeding around the tooth, and sometimes it causes significant swelling of the cheek, jaw, or throat.

If this swelling is noticed, treatment needs are urgent — even if that means going to urgent care or the emergency room of a hospital. Many other conditions of the mouth can masquerade as a toothache. Therefore, it is very important, when feeling some pain around a tooth, to get a thorough examination with pulp vitality testing by a licensed dentist for a proper diagnosis.

Sometimes a patient may feel intense tooth pain that makes them think they need root canal treatment, but the pain is a symptom of another problem requiring a different treatment. Root surfaces that have become exposed as a result of gum recession can mimic cold sensitivity. Sinus congestion can produce pressure around the roots of the upper teeth and cause pain upon chewing, which mimics root canal pain. Jaw pain can either be an indication of pain in the jaw joint or pain referred from a tooth needing a root canal. Even gum disease can mimic the throbbing pain around teeth that can feel similar to root canal pain.

What to Expect During a ROOT CANAL
There are a number of steps that occur over a few office visits.

  1. X-ray – if a dentist suspects you may need a root canal, he will first take X-rays or examine existing X-rays to show where the decay is located.
  2. Anesthesia – local anesthesia is administered to the affected tooth. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is no more painful than a filling.
  3. Pulpectomy – an opening is made and the diseased tooth pulp is removed.
  4. Filling – the roots opened (to get rid of the disease pulp) are filled with gutta percha material and sealed off with cement.
  5. Where sepsis is present, more often than not the dentist will prescribe antibiotics.

At Eden Dental, we use the latest proven techniques,materials and equipment, including dental microscopes especially designed for Root Treatments. It is for this reason that we regard ROOT CANAL TREATMENTS as a SPECIALISED TREATMENT which carries over the medical aid rate for obvious reasons.

Dental Dentures

What are Dentures?
Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as one’s natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.

There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Your dentist will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced and the cost involved.

How do Dentures Work?
With full dentures, a flesh-coloured acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.
Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth. Your dentist will determine which of the three types of dentures described below is best for you.

Conventional Full Denture
A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth.

Immediate Full Denture
An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. (Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaw during a prior visit.) While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, causing the denture to become loose.

Partial Denture: Generally 3 types\of dentures exist:

  • a) Acrylic Dentures
  • b) Flexible dentures
  • c) Metal [ Chrome Cobalt]
    A partial denture rests on a metal framework [Chrome Cobalt] or the nylon or plastic ( acrylic) sits on the gum tissue as well as your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth [ or implants] and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.
  • D) Dentures attached to Implants

How Long Before I Get Used to My Dentures?
New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few weeks or even months. Eating and speaking with dentures might take a little practice. A bulky or loose feeling is not uncommon, while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive saliva flow, a feeling that the tongue does not have adequate room, and minor irritation or soreness are also not unusual. If you experience irritation, see your dentist.

How Long do Dentures Last?
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.

Here are tips for caring for your dentures:

  • When handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate and may break if dropped.
  • Don’t let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you’re not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause them to warp.
  • Brushing your dentures daily will remove food deposits and plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used to care for your dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
  • Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.
  • See your dentist if your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don’t be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a titanium post (like a tooth root) that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line that allows your dentist to mount replacement teeth or a bridge into that area. An implant doesn’t come loose like a denture can. Dental implants also benefit general oral health because they do not have to be anchored to other teeth, like bridges.

Oral Care Specifics to IMPLANTS

If you are considering implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If your bone is too thin or soft and unable to support an implant, you may require a bone graft. Or if there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may require a sinus lift.

What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them.

How do Dental Implants Work?
Because implants fuse to your jawbone, they provide stable support for artificial teeth. Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth — an especially important benefit when eating and speaking. This secure fit helps the dentures and bridges — as well as individual crowns placed over implants — feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.

For some people, ordinary bridges and dentures are simply not comfortable or even possible, due to sore spots, poor ridges or gagging. In addition, ordinary bridges must be attached to teeth on either side of the space left by the missing tooth. An advantage of implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place.

To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.

Implants are usually more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement.

The American Dental Association considers two types of implants to be safe. They are:

  • Endosteal implants — these are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. Once the surrounding gum tissue has healed, a second surgery is needed to connect a post to the original implant. Finally, an artificial tooth (or teeth) is attached to the post-individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture.
  • Implants offer a very stable and secure fit.
  • Implants serve as a base for single replacement teeth.

Dental Lasers Therapy

Dental lasers are used for Soft Tissue procedures, Periodontal procedures and for Tooth Whitening

Soft tissue procedures

  • Gingival Troughing for Crown Impressions
  • Gingivectomy & Gingivoplasty
  • Gingival Incision & Excision
  • Soft-Tissue Crown Lengthening
  • Hemostasis & Coagulation
  • Excisional & Incisional Biopsies
  • Exposure of Unerupted Teeth
  • Fibromal Removal
  • Frenectomy & Frenotomy
  • Implant Recovery
  • Incision & Drainage of Abscess
  • Leukoplakia
  • Pulpotomy as an Adjunct to Root Canal Therapy
  • Operculectomy
  • Oral Papillectomies
  • Reduction of Gingival Hypertrophy
  • Vestibuloplasty
  • Treatment of Canker Sores, Herpetic & Aphthous Ulcers of the Oral Mucosa

Peridontal procedures

  • Removal of Diseased, Infected, Inflamed, & Necrosed Soft-Tissue in the Periodontal Pocket.
  • Laser Soft-Tissue Curettage

Laser teeth whitening

  • Laser Assisted Whitening/Bleaching of Teeth. This almost removes any form od sensitivity as opposed to general methods. Unfortunately the materials are a lot more expensive .[hence the increased cost]

Child Dentistry / paediatric Dentistry

What Does a Paediatric Dentist Do?

Paediatric dentists are professionals who cater and work with children. All the dentists at Eden dental practice paediatric dentistry and will also advise on the child’s well being and refer the child to the relevant specialists should the need arise, such as orthodontists or maxilo-facial Surgeons.

Dental Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the disease process of your gums and supporting bone. It is the most common and under-rated dental disease.

GUM DISEASE

Definition

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. The three stages of gum disease — from least to most severe — are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Signs & Symptoms

Gum disease can be painless, so it is important to be aware of any of the following symptoms:

  • Swollen, red, tender or bleeding gums
  • Gums that recede or move away from the tooth
  • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Visible pus surrounding the teeth and gums

Related Conditions

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Plaque & Tartar

Diligent oral care is equally important for the health of both gums and teeth. Inflamed or infected gum tissue can occur, and if left untreated, it can eventually cause damage to the underlying jawbone that supports the teeth. Teeth are left vulnerable and can become loose. What started as a minor inflammation ends with tooth loss.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease refers to various levels of severity of infection in the gum tissues. Some of these conditions are relatively easy to treat while others require serious intervention to prevent tooth loss. Gum infection is a common ailment, especially in its less serious forms.

According to WebMD, gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and a precursor of periodontal disease. It’s also a signal that additional care is necessary to prevent it from becoming worse. Gingivitis is relatively easy to treat. If you control it quickly, you can avoid serious periodontal disease that may require much more invasive procedures.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the tissues supporting the teeth. Gum tissue becomes inflamed, periodontal pocketing develops where bacteria have invaded below the gum tissue. In these cases there is IRREVERSABLE gum and bone recession. As the infection spreads and becomes more serious Teeth become loose, and if the situation isn’t treated, tooth loss may occur

Laser Tooth Whitening

Thinking about teeth whitening?

Get the facts first.
At Eden Dental we advocate our preferred bleeching method, which includes 1] In-office bleeching with a LASER and LASER BLEECHING MATERIAL. The laser reduces the sensitivity to almost zero. We always recommend that this is coupled with 2] At-Home bleeching with custom made bleech trays.

Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process.

Why Did My Teeth Change Colour?

Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:

Food and Drink
Coffee, tea, red wine, chocolates, some natural vegetables and food colourants and stabilizers are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense colour pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).

Tobacco Use
Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.

Age
Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area called dentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.

Trauma
If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change colour because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.

Medications
Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby up to the age of 12) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the colour less concentrated and your teeth brighter.

Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?

No, which is why it’s important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. In these cases a few treatments may be required, or an extended treatment plan is required. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings. It also won’t be effective if your tooth discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth injury. Again speak to your dentist for these extreme cases.

What Are My Whitening Options?

Talk to your dentist before starting. If you are a candidate, there are four ways to put the shine back in your smile:

Stain Removal Toothpastes [BE CAREFUL NOT TO BRUSH HARD -stick to good oral hygiene practices

All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives that scrub the teeth. Look for whitening toothpastes that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for stain removal (it will tell you on the package). These toothpastes have additional polishing agents that are safe for your teeth and provide stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these types of ADA-Accepted products do not change the colour of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.

In-Office Bleaching
This procedure is called chairside bleaching and usually requires only one office visit. The dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect your gums. Bleach is then applied to the teeth. At Eden Dental this takes 2 hours.

At-Home Bleaching from Your Dentist
Your dentist can provide you with a custom-made tray for at-home whitening. In this case, the dentist will give you instructions on how to place the bleaching solution in the tray and for what length of time. This may be a preferred option if you feel more comfortable whitening in your own home at a slower pace, but still with the guidance of a dentist. Out-of-office bleaching can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products
You may see different options online or in your local grocery store, such as toothpastes or strips that whiten by bleaching your teeth. The concentration of the bleaching agent in these products is lower than what your dentist would use in the office. If you are thinking about using an over-the-counter bleaching kit, discuss options with your dentist and look for one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. That means it has been tested to be safe and effective for teeth whitening. Get a list of all ADA-Accepted at-home bleaching products.

Are There Any Side Effects from Teeth Whitening?

Some people who use teeth whiteners may experience tooth sensitivity. That happens when the peroxide in the whitener gets through the enamel to the soft layer of dentin and irritates the nerve of your tooth. In most cases the sensitivity is temporary. You can delay treatment, then try again.Overuse of whiteners can also damage the tooth enamel or gums, so be sure to follow directions and talk to your dentist.

3- Dimensional Scans [3-D Scans] / CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)

Dental Cone Beam [CBCT] is a special type of x-ray equipment used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. Your doctor may use this technology to produce three dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan for further diagnostic investigation. CBCT is used for Implants, root canal treatment and other pathologies.

Dental Day Care Theatre

Patients of all ages at times may require to be put to sleep. Third party funders usually separate our patients according to age.

a] Children aged 2 years old to 12 years old:

These patients usually are taken when there is extensive treatment required, where the patient is or would be uncooperative in the chair. It is also not fair to put a child under so much stress and duress and run the risk of losing the patient to dentistry forever. [due to fear or anxiety]. Often this fear has serious ramifications for the rest of their lives.

b] Adults: Adults can also have the same fear intensity as young patients. In these cases it is also an indication, but by and large, cases involving multiple tooth removal or wisdom tooth removal, as well as root treatment or periodontal treatment

Laughing Gas [Nitrous Oxide]

For patients who are anxious and have a fear of the dentist, Eden Dental does have the required equipment and techniques to administer “Laughing Gas”. It is important to understand that this treatment only relaxes the patient. In most cases an anaesthetic is still required.

Fillers and Botox

Botox reduces the activity of muscles in the face that causes wrinkles. Facial fillers, however, fill the trouble areas with collagen, which helps to stimulate collagen growth in the face as well as plump and lift the skin to replace collagen loss.

Sport Gaurds/ Gum Guards

In today’s sporting environment it is highly advocated that ALL SPORTS WOMEN, MEN and CHILDREN have custom made guards to protect their teeth. We make these in house with the required materials.

Orthodontics Treatment:

The Eden Dental Team will assess and advise according to the patient’s individual case.

Get in touch with us

53 Voortrekker Avenue,
Edenvale, Gauteng, 1610

011 453 7612
011 453 7613

Accounts/Queries/Complaints
admin2@edenvaledentist.co.za

Reception
admin4@edenvaledentist.co.za

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