Complete Care Dentistry

Our dentists, hygienists and support staff are dedicated to complete care dentistry that uses a combination of dental disciplines to look at the whole mouth. This means you ultimately have teeth and gums that are healthy and that feel great.

For the complete dental care for you and your family, we offer extensive dental treatments including:

• General dentistry – scale and clean, gum treatment, comprehensive oral examinations and treatment plans tailored to your specific dental needs.
• Preventive dentistry – routine maintenance and hygiene appointments with comprehensive oral health education
• Orthodontic and Cosmetic Dentistry – Teeth whitening, Invisalign, veneers, crowns, bridges and orthodontic treatment
• Restorative dentistry – Fillings, overlays and buildups
• Crowns and Bridges
• Endodontics – Root canal treatment
• Implants – replacing missing teeth and denture anchorage
• Periodontics – treatment of gum disease
• Extractions
• Children’s dentistry
• Emergencies (available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)

Veneers

Veneers can be the solution for misaligned, crowded, broken, chipped or permanent stained teeth and can used to improve the overall appearance of your teeth for a natural beautiful smile.

Veneers are a strong and durable thin facing that is placed on to the front surface of the tooth and can either be made from a composite resin or a porcelain material depending on your personal requirements.

The first stage of treatment is known as the examination and diagnostic stage. This is where your dentist identifies the current condition of your teeth, any oral health concerns, what you would like to achieve, takes intraoral and extraoral photographs and explains the veneer process to you.

The next step of treatment would be the preparation of your tooth / teeth which is normally completed under local anaesthetic so that you are comfortable during the whole process. Your dentist will minimally prepare your tooth to provide the best fit for your new veneer and determine the correct shade for your veneer.

For porcelain veneers, the dentist will then take impressions for your veneer/s that will be sent off to our specialist laboratory technician to custom make your veneer/s. In a second appointment, the porcelain veneer will be fitted and checked for the correct shade, shape and length for you. Once both you and the dentist are happy with the veneer, the dentist will use dental cement to bond the veneer to your natural tooth.

For composite veneers, the dentist will apply a special resin to your teeth and appropriately shape and polish the material to build the natural looking veneer.

Once your veneers have been placed they require minimal maintenance and are relatively easy to care for when you attend regular dental check-ups.

QST

The QST – quick straight teeth, system is a type of orthodontic treatment used to attain a healthier and more attractive straight smile. This orthodontic treatment comprises of clear brackets and tooth coloured wires to provide standard orthodontic mechanics in a fast and conventional manner for people.

The QST system provides our patients with:

• A more aesthetically pleasing treatment process with clear brackets and tooth coloured wires
• A faster and less invasive orthodontic treatment than conventional braces

The QST treatment process begins with a consultation appointment where your dentist will examine your teeth for orthodontic treatment (including xrays, intraoral photographs and impressions of your teeth) and discuss what the QST system can do for you plus your dentist will answer any queries you may have.

Upon approval from your dentist and yourself, the dentist will organise your second appointment for the placement of your orthodontic brackets and wires for the start of your treatment. Your dentist will then extensively discuss your new oral hygiene routine with you.

You will be required to come in for regular check ups where your dentist will review your orthodontic progress, oral hygiene and adjust your brackets and wires as per your treatment plan.

For more information on QST and how this orthodontic treatment could help you achieve your optimal smile please feel free to ask one of our dentists for a consultation appointment.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an easy and non-invasive dental treatment which is used to restore or enhance the colour of your natural tooth enamel giving you more confidence in your smile.

To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we offer both in chair and at home whitening options which are more powerful, comfortable and safer than over the counter products you can use at home.

Our tray whitening system is completed in two appointments. In first appointment we take impressions of your teeth for your custom whitening trays. In the second appointment we insert the custom trays and instruct you on how to use your take home whitening kit.  The trays are worn for 30 minutes each day until your desired result is attained.

Our in chair whitening option is completed in a single session were your operator whitens your natural teeth in the dental chair using teeth whitening agents that are applied directly to the teeth. After your treatment, you will be given instructions on how to keep your smile bright for as long as possible.

Tooth Extractions

The removal of the tooth from its socket is called a tooth extraction. Our dentists do their best to leave the removal of a tooth as the last option however sometimes a tooth cannot be saved.

Tooth extractions occasionally are required for a tooth that has been;

• Badly damaged
• Decayed
• Traumatised
• Crowding the mouth
• Infected / has a high infection rate
• Hasn’t fallen out (baby teeth)

Our dentist will normally take an x-ray of the tooth and area around the tooth that they believe needs to be extracted so that they can plan the tooth’s extraction. These x-rays can normally be done within the practice however sometimes your dentist will ask you to have a special x-ray taken called an OPG.

Your dentist will confirm your medical and dental history with you before an extraction and clearly inform you of the risks involved with the type of extraction you are having. Our dentist, Dr. Chau Nguyen is high skilled in the extraction of teeth, ensuring you are comfortable throughout the entire procedure.

The extraction of a tooth usually consists of the dentist providing you with local anesthetic in the area of the extraction to minimize discomfort during the procedure. The dentist will then use specialized instruments to remove your tooth from its socket.

After the extraction your dentist will go through and discuss your postoperative instructions. You will also receive these instructions in a written format for you to refer to later.

Options in replacing a missing tooth/teeth may be discussed and can include; implants, bridges, or dentures.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment is performed in an effort to save a tooth that has been badly damaged due to decay, disease or injury.  The purpose of this type of endodontic treatment is to try to save your tooth before extraction.

We try to save natural teeth as they generally function better than artificial teeth with their stronger and more efficient biting and chewing ability. If you take good care of your treated tooth it can last for years, even for the rest of your life.

A root canal treatment is required when the pulp of your tooth (the soft tissue deep inside the tooth which contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) becomes infected or inflamed. This infection or inflammation can be caused by problems such as; a deep cavity or crack within the tooth, gum disease, or excessive wear or trauma to the tooth.

Usually when a tooth requires root canal treatment the tooth may feel painful or sensitive in the area, your gums may be swollen and your tooth can even be discoloured.

What does the treatment involve?

To increases the likelihood of a successful root canal treatment we recommend starting the treatment process as soon as possible to prevent further pain, abscesses at the end of the root developing and bone damage due to infection.

To begin the procedure our dentists will first take an up close x-ray of the tooth and the area around the tooth to see the tooth canals and condition.

A local anesthetic will usually be given to numb the area of the tooth. A rubber dam (a latex sheet) is then used to isolate your tooth keep it clean during the treatment. The dentist will then remove the inflamed or infected pulp in the tooth and then clean, enlarge and shape the canal. Antibacterial medication is placed inside the canals of your tooth to help stop the infection and inflammation within the tooth.

Your tooth’s canal will be filled and sealed in order to protect your tooth and prevent further infection. In some cases, in order to ensure the tooth is structurally stable enough to support an artificial crown a post may be placed within the tooth.

A root canal treatment can consist of several appointments for each step of the endodontic treatment and a temporary filling will be used to protect the inside of the tooth between appointments.

Once the root canal treatment is completed one of our dentists may recommend that your tooth have an artificial crown inserted. The crown would protect and strengthen the weakened tooth and restore the normal functionality and appearance of your tooth.

Emergencies

Implant Dentistry

Children’s Dentistry

Periodontics

Restorative Dentistry

Orthodontic Treatment

At Diem Dental we provide the latest in teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment (including Invisalign and QST), veneers, crowns and bridges all customized to your individual needs.

Crowns and Bridges

A crown is a cap or cover for your tooth used to protect and restore the tooth to its natural appearance. A crown can be used to strengthen the condition of the natural tooth and protect it from deteriorating further.  A crown is usually recommended after:

• A root canal treatment,
• When the tooth has been heavily restored,
• The tooth’s structure is compromised (fractured or cracked)
• For further dental treatment such as a facilitation or attachment of bridge or denture,
• To attach to an implant

Crowns come in a variety of materials and your dentist will determine what crown material would suit your tooth best depending on its location and specific requirements. At Diem Dental we use to best laboratory technicians in Melbourne to provide you with the best crown for your mouth.

To prepare your tooth for a crown your dentist will minimally reduce the tooth’s surface so that the crown can fit over the natural tooth. After preparing your tooth your dentist will then take an impression of the tooth for your crown. A temporary crown is fitted to protect the natural tooth between visits. During the second visit the temporary crown is removed and the crown is then permanently cemented over the natural tooth after your consent.

Once your crown has been placed your dentist will discuss with you how to care for your crown.

General Dentistry

At DIEM Dental we recommend coming in and visiting our practice every 6 months for your general check up and clean. Our check ups involve a thorough examination of your gums, teeth and general oral health through the use of our modern technologies and extensive experienced dentists and hygienists within our practice. Being consistent with your check ups along with a good oral routine at home will help you maintain an optimal level of oral health which is a fundamental component to your general wellbeing.

Where required at our regular examinations our dentists will check your:

TMJ (jaw joint)

• Check for clicks, deviations, changes in occlusion and overdevelopment of attached muscles
• Check for range of motion

Soft tissue screening

• Overall health and oral cancer
• Lips, cheeks, tongue, palate and floor of mouth

Hydration assessment

• Quality of saliva is vital for health of teeth and soft tissues

Inspection of teeth for:

• Decay
• Cracks
• Assessment for coverage to prevent cracks extending or splitting of teeth
• Tooth wear facets and patterns to help prevent fractures of teeth
• Assessment of occlusion to minimise forces on individual teeth by spreading the bite load
• Assessment of aesthetics

Inspection of gums for:

• Inflammation
• Loss of attachment to teeth
• Identify areas for possible future problems

Inspection of routine check x-rays (usually two-yearly)

• Identify areas of decay between the teeth and sub-surface
• Assess bony support of teeth
• Compare with past x-rays to determine status stability

Assessment of current maintenance routine and possible improvements

Identify/monitor unerupted teeth and/or any abnormalities

In your examination appointment, to ensure any of your issues, difficulties or questions are addressed, our experienced dentists and team will take the time to thoroughly ask about your dental history, signs and symptoms that you are currently concerned about and your dental history.   We will also spend time to monitor and update your oral or general health.   This is because changes in your health and medications can affect your oral health and impact the diagnosis and treatment plans for your dental health.

Any issues that are noted during your examination will be brought to your attention and discussed further with you. If the issue needs treating your dentist will prepare a personalized treatment plan for you based on your needs. This treatment plan will be discussed with you in terms of what you need completed, what treatment options you have, an estimated cost of what the selected treatment will be and when the treatment needs to be completed.

After completing a general check up, your dentist will then scale and polish your teeth to remove plaque build up and staining. Your dentist will usually use an ultrasonic scaler followed by hand scale to clean the plaque from your teeth. Once your teeth and gums have had a thorough clean your dentist will then polish your teeth to remove any staining through the use of tooth polishing paste. Fluoride treatment is the final stage of your check up, after having your teeth scale and cleaned it is the optimal time to remineralise your teeth. Having fluoride treatment will also help to minimise any sensitivity you experience after your clean.

Your dentist may also give you further oral health care instructions depending on your requirements. These instructions can range from giving you a demonstration on how to floss for efficiently to discussing how a change in your diet can better your oral health.