FAQs
We meet so many patients on a daily basis that have so many different types of questions. Below we have answered the questions our dentists are most frequently asked.
We want you to be fully informed
Which is why we have compiled a collection of our most frequently asked questions.
Do you deal with patients that suffer from headaches, teeth grinding and jaw aches?
We meet patients on a daily basis that suffer from headaches and migraines, which are actually related to disorders in their sleep. Many patients we see wake up in the morning with stiff muscles and headaches, sometimes with difficulty opening their mouth or chewing properly.
Typically, this is related to teeth grinding at night and it can be easily corrected with the manufacture of an NTI appliance. This small easy to wear appliance fits over the front teeth only and gently separates them during sleep. If you suffer from tooth grinding or headaches it is worth checking if an NTI or nightguard can be of benefit to you. We have helped dozens of patients with these remarkable and simple treatments.
If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you can cause enormous damage over time to natural teeth and indeed dental crowns/implants/veneers etc. If you wear a nightguard, this damage can be prevented and your teeth will likely last the rest of your life.
Do you offer any other forms of sedation?
For those who are undergoing more lengthy procedures or who are very nervous, we offer oral sedation. This provides more profound reduction in anxiety. It also eliminates most, if not all, memory of the procedure. This is a very effective method of sedation for anxious patients. Oral sedation is very safe in healthy patients. However, it does legally require an escort to accompany you until you have fully recovered several hours later. You do not need to fast with oral sedation and anyone in good health is a suitable candidate provided they are not phobic of needles in the hand/arm and have visible veins. Oral sedation is charged separately and is non-refundable if the procedure cannot go ahead due to lack of an escort. You must also sign a consent form in advance of treatment when undergoing oral sedation.
For those who are very nervous oral sedation can allow most patients to undergo dental treatments uneventfully.
For a patient who cannot undergo dental treatment at all even under sedation, a referral to the dental hospital for treatment under general anaesthetic is necessary. It is best if this can be avoided as typically no conservative treatments such as fillings or implants are carried out under general anaesthetic and this means many teeth get taken out unnecessarily.
Do you carry out extractions and wisdom tooth removal?
The simple answer is yes! Extractions are a lot less common today than they once were, as people are taking better care of their teeth and, as dentists, we can save more teeth now than we could previously. Despite these advances, however, there are still times when an extraction of a tooth is the only option. If you do need a tooth taken out, we are able to take out any tooth, including wisdom teeth, and often it will be covered by your health insurer (wisdom teeth only). This means you will not need a referral or to wait on a long waiting list to get the procedure performed. We perform most extractions with the use of a good local anesthetic. If you are particularly nervous, we can arrange oral sedation for you to make the procedure more comfortable.
Do you clinic offer anti-snoring treatment?
We do indeed. If you or a loved one suffers from snoring you will appreciate how big a problem it can be. Not sleeping well or being constantly woken can be the worst thing in the world. Thankfully we have easy solutions which can permanently end snoring and don`t involve any surgery, lasers or drilling. All we need to do is take some impressions of your teeth and make you an anti-snoring appliance. With the latest materials, this is very thin and generally very comfortable. In the past appliances were bulky and so very few people would actually wear them. With the medical super alloy used getting your snoring eliminated is easier than ever before.
I’m very nervous. Can I be put to sleep for the treatment?
We deal with nervous patients on a daily basis ,so it’s important to remember is that you’re not alone. For those who need a little help prior to getting dental treatment, other than a sympathetic dentist, we offer a wide range of sedation techniques depending on the clinical necessity. Our most common form of sedation is Temazepam. Taken orally, it can take the edge off the fear of dental treatment. It allows patients feel relaxed and sleepy and quite often patients don’t even remember the procedure afterwards. However, you will require an escort to accompany you home from the clinic. You can ask one of our dedicated Patient Coordinators about taking sedation for your appointment.
Can I get rid of gum disease?
The clear majority of dental diseases can be prevented or eliminated by correct dental hygiene and diet. This means you are generally in control of how many cavities you will have, if you will suffer from gum disease and if you will lose your teeth.
The most common cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. This occurs when plaque accumulates around the gum line of teeth and over time the bone and gums recede. Even a small amount of plaque over time will potentially lead to early tooth loss. Some people are more genetically likely to suffer from gum disease but poor oral hygiene and smoking are the two biggest causes which can be easily eliminated.
If you do suffer from any form of gum disease seeing the dental hygienist every 3-6 months is an important part of keeping your teeth long term. Studies show that people who visit the hygienist are much less likely to lose their teeth than those that don’t.
Will I feel any pain during my treatment?
We employ the gentlest methods of numbing including topical anaesthetics to ensure you feel little or nothing when being numbed. People often say to us, “Is that it??” after we have finished as it is so gentle.
We use strong local anaesthetics to ensure you will not be in pain. Nearly numb isn’t good enough. We then check every time before we start a procedure and you are always in charge – you can stop us at any time if you are uncomfortable.
What veneers do you use at Seapoint Clinic?
For the most cosmetic cases we use Da Vinci veneers from the U.S.A. which are used extensively worldwide for their beautiful smiles. We also make our own veneers in house with our skilled technicians using the latest CAD/CAM technology. This allows us to combine great strength and beauty together.
Why are veneers & crowns so expensive?
Having veneers or crowns carried out can be a life changing experience, the results of which are literally visible to the world, day in and day out. It is easy to make things cheaply but much harder to do things well. When you have the job carried out correctly by an experienced team you don`t need to worry about things going wrong. You can rest assured we will work to get the result you will be happy with long term. Much better to make the right investment once rather than getting the cheap solution a few times.Getting the right look and feel involves considerably more efforts than a standard off the shelf product that fits no-one correctly.
Will people know that I have veneers?
Your veneers will look and feel exactly as you want. You can decide the shade and the look of your new smile and your dentist will make sure your new teeth will blend in with your new smile.
Will I have sensitivity from veneers?
Normally you will have no sensitivity after veneers are placed. However, everyone is different and some people have particularly sensitive teeth which even brushing normally can be uncomfortable for. Talk to your dentist about your individual circumstances.
If I had gum disease when I had my own teeth, will I still get it on my teeth attached to my veneers
As with your own natural teeth, there is still a possibility that you can suffer from gum disease, if you don’t care for them as advised. If you keep your teeth clean and don’t smoke, then you shouldn’t have any problems. We recommend you see your hygienist regularly to make sure there are no issues.
Can I remove my veneers?
Your veneers are a permanent fixture onto your teeth. They have the potential to last a lifetime but are usually replaced every 10-15 years to keep your smile sparkling.
Can veneers be used to replace missing teeth?
No. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. A veneer acts like a false nail and sits on top of your own natural tooth and does not have a tooth root.
How long do veneers normally take?
A typical case for veneers takes approximately 3 weeks. We firstly prepare the teeth by filing them lightly and then a few weeks later you are called back to have your veneers fitted. You now have a brand new smile! In the few weeks between your visits you will be given temporary veneers if needed for any gaps in your smile.
What if I get hit in the face?
Although veneers are hard-wearing they can still be damaged by an accident or due to an impact injury in the same way that your natural teeth can. To protect your teeth from grinding at night, we recommend a mouth guard or for sports or outdoor pursuits we recommend a gum shield.
What is a crown?
There is very little contrast between veneers and crowns in modern dentistry, as both are now made using white porcelain. Beforehand, the main difference was that veneers contained no metal, whereas crowns did. Veneers also tend to be bonded into place, with crowns being cemented to the tooth. Nowadays, the only significant difference relates to how much tooth removal is necessary. As veneers only require minimal preparation, a crown is used where more extensive preparation is required. However, they both look and feel identical.
Are veneers difficult to clean?
You can clean and floss with your new veneers as you would with your own natural teeth.
What is the best age for braces, and why does early orthodontic evaluation matter for children?
The best age for a child to have their first orthodontic evaluation is between 6 and 8 years old.
At this early stage, an orthodontist can identify developing issues such as crooked teeth, bite problems, jaw misalignment, or habits like thumb sucking. Early orthodontic evaluation is important because it allows for timely intervention that can guide jaw growth, create space for incoming permanent teeth, and prevent more complex dental problems in the future.
Starting treatment early can reduce the need for extractions, shorten treatment time later, and improve overall oral health and facial development.
