Are you a reluctant patient?

Dental visits are not everyone’s favourite event. People often associate discomfort or pain with a trip to the dentist either from personal experience or general negative portrayal. Those times are long gone! Today’s advanced dentistry practices at TLC Dental are safe, effective and painless. Our latest form of anesthesia injection system, The Wand, is more precise and comfortable than any other traditional form of injection.

What are TLC Dental's Sterilisation Practices?

Your health and safety is extremely important. TLC Dental exercises a strict sterilisation policy throughout the practice. The Australian Dental Association awarded TLC Dental a commendation on our stringent sterilisation protocol. Our team is happy to answer your questions about sterilisation practices or infection control policy.

What are your Appointment Policies?

TLC Dental makes every effort to schedule your personal appointment at a convenient time for you. Should you need to change this appointment, please provide at least 48 hours if you notice you are unable to attend to avoid a fee. For emergency appointments call TLC Dental 02 8599 7107.

Can anything help my occasional bad breath?

Yes! Apart from what you had for dinner the night before, your oral health should be evaluated for several criteria. Visit our Fresh Breath Centre for details.

Does chewing gum help oral health?

Some sugar-free chewing gums contain Xylitol or Sorbitol which are cariostatic and help to prevent decay. The additional saliva generated from chewing the gum also increases the natural protection against tooth decay because saliva offers a natural buffer against the acid formed by bacteria. In addition, at TLC Dental, we recommend Recaldent chewing gum, only distributed by dentists to patients who present a high risk of decay.

Are mouth guards important?

Anyone playing sport or training can benefit from custom made, correctly fitted mouthguards to protect teeth against injury. Over the counter mouthguards do not offer the snug, comfortable fit that a custom mouthguard can nor can they offer an adequate level of protection. Talk to the TLC Dental team about creating a customized mouthguard for any sports enthusiast.

Is flossing important?

Flossing is essential to remove plaque from between your teeth where gum disease can begin. Follow these Basic Flossing Tips to look after your oral health.

Does the kind of tooth brush I use make a difference?

There is a wide range of manual and electric toothbrushes available. Dr Hoffenberg and his team of hygienists will advise you about the most appropriate tooth brush to use.

Is snoring related to my dental health?

Snoring is an annoying problem with several side effects. It can be disturbing for your partner; it disrupts your sleep and can also be a sign of high blood pressure or hypertension. Most importantly though it could be a warning that you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) which could be life threatening. At TLC Dental we provide relief from snoring with the development of an appliance which can be worn at night to eliminate this debilitating condition. We also conduct assessments for OSA. If required, we will refer you to a sleep specialist for further investigation. Discuss your snoring problem with the TLC Dental Team.

How do you explain tooth grinding?

Uncontrolled tooth grinding (especially during sleep) can wear away teeth and cause unhealthy stress on the tooth structure. Causes for tooth grinding vary: daily tension is the most common trigger. The results if left unchecked can lead to all sorts of problems such as headaches, neckaches, problems with the jaw joint, sensitivity of the teeth, wearing down of the tooth surfaces resulting in a change in your bite and even cracked teeth. Often a Bite Splint is required to protect against this problem. Not only will you protect your teeth, you’ll alleviate discomfort associated with this ailment. Review your daily habits with a TLC Dental team member to get to the root of the problem and see what we can recommend.

How safe and reliable are implants?

Dental Implants are extremely safe and reliable and are an exceptional treatment option in many cases. Implants have a success rate of approximately 95%. Dental Implants provide a permanent solution to replacing single or multiple missing teeth. An implant is a titanium root which the natural bone fixes to, to provide a strong foundation onto which a natural-looking and functional crown is placed.

Is it painful to have an implant?

Almost everyone who has had to have an implant have had a tooth extracted prior to that and almost all say that having an implant is less painful and uncomfortable than having a tooth taken out. Believe us, it really does sound worse than it is.

How long does tooth whitening last?

Once the tooth whitening treatment has been completed you probably won’t have to have it done again. Teeth are porous and absorb stains and after a professional tooth whitening one normally uses tooth whitening trays at home for a few hours, usually every 4 – 6 months to touch up.

Is tooth whitening very sensitive?

This certainly is true for most tooth whitening systems because they contain heavy metals which attract water out of the tooth, thereby causing dehydration and because the active whitening agent, hydrogen peroxide has an acidic PH. However the Natural+ tooth whitening system that we use is unique. It has no heavy metals, so does not cause dehydration and the hydrogen peroxide has a netural PH, both of which which result in NO or at most very little sensitivity. It also contains natural materials, mostly extracted from the dead sea.

Veneers Vs Teeth Whitening | CBD's Cosmetic Dental Clinic

Which is Best – Veneers or Teeth Whitening?

When you’re thinking about a smile makeover, our teeth whitening service is a popular option for cosmetic dental work and can be done in about an hour. Come in on your lunch break if you work in the CBD, and go back to work with a refreshed smile! It’s appropriate for many people, but some people have different needs. In some instances, dental veneers are a better option.

Below are some situations that have caused teeth to discolour, and advice we give to our patients who are interested in having whiter teeth.

Antibiotic Stains

You may have been given antibiotics such as Tetracycline during childhood, which can produce dark intrinsic stains. Unforunately, teeth whitening is not as effective in these situations. Antibiotics may cause permanent stains, plus in some cases, they can damage tooth enamel. Since teeth whitening can’t fully address the challenge of discolouration, you’ll want to consider veneers to get that awesome smile you’ve always wanted.

Trauma to Your Teeth

Another example is where teeth are damaged from trauma to the mouth. Bear in mind that there may be deeper issues from the trauma besides having discoloured teeth, so Dr Hoffenberg will do a thorough exam of your teeth to determine the extent of the damage, if any.

Aging

When your teeth age, they may present challenges to having a course of teeth whitening. Even if your teeth are responsive to whitening, you may experience increased tooth sensitivity, in which case, veneers would be a better choice. Dr Hoffenberg will be able to advise you of your best course of action.

Long-lasting

Many of our patients consider veneers because the brighter smile lasts much longer than teeth whitening. Composite resin veneers can get stained if they’re not properly cared for, but they can last several years when properly cared for. Porcelain veneers are a popular choice with our patients, because they provide nearly-permanent results, and the material does not stain. Teeth whitening treatments will need to be repeated once or twice a year, depending on how you care for your teeth and the types of food or drink you consume. If you’re bothered by sensitive teeth, or if time is a factor, you may want to consider dental veneers as an alternative to teeth whitening.

Preference

For many individuals, it comes down to personal preference. If you have any of the circumstances mentioned above, it’s better to seek advice from an experienced cosmetic dentist. Dental veneers and teeth whitening are both popular procedures, but the results do vary from person to person. When you want results you’ll be happy with, ask Dr Hoffenberg for advice. At our dental clinic in Sydney’s CBD, we want to help you make the best decision. As soon as you come in to our office and meet our friendly staff, you’ll feel welcome and comfortable. You’ll know you’ve found a dental team that truly cares about you. If you’ve been considering a smile makeover, this is the day to call us for a free consultation. Whether you choose dental veneers or teeth whitening, you’ll love your beautiful new smile!

Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers