FAQ

Amalgam restorations

Porcelain crown & composite resin replacements

Amalgam restorations

Composite resin replacements

Generally, no. There is no consensus that amalgam is a health risk to either patient or dentist, but alternative materials allow us to no longer need amalgam.

Amalgam restorations

Porcelain crown & composite resin replacements

Amalgam restorations

Composite resin replacements

Posterior teeth that are heavily filled, such as those in the photos above, are weakened by large and wide fillings. With time, from constant loading from chewing, the outer edges or cusps will fracture off and the tooth will need restoration. This can either be without warning or, typically, after a period of sensitivity to hot and cold.

Few people are able to practise perfect plaque control at home. Even with good home care, bacteria will remain somewhere around your teeth and gums. Research shows that plaque is what causes both tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It can be prevented, but once established not cured. Regular hygiene visits help maintain healthy gums and teeth by reducing plaque and tartar accumulation, minimising gingival inflammation and consequent bone loss.

Gum disease has been shown to have a causative effect on systemic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, and can exacerbate diabetes and premature births in pregnant women.

Although dentists can deliver this care, a hygienist is able to spend longer with you as it is more cost-effective for a hygienist to perform these tasks. A hygienist is also an expert at teaching you how to look after your teeth and gums.

Ideally, you should replace a toothbrush every three months, as the bristles become worn and splayed. Use a medium or soft brush–a hard bristle brush will wear your teeth and damage your gums. You do not need an electric toothbrush, but they are more effective if you do not spend the time to carefully brush your teeth with a manual brush.

Wisdom teeth only need removal if they are causing pain or fail to erupt into the correct location. Most people do not have enough room in their jaws for wisdom teeth to fully erupt and they often get impacted or stuck when just through the gums. In these situations they are hard to clean, resulting in gum disease and often decay in the wisdom teeth, or worse, the teeth just in front of them. The ideal time for deciding if they need removal is when they first erupt through the gums, usually at ages 16 to 25.

If you have general medical insurance it is usually free to have your wisdom teeth removed by a specialist oral surgeon upon referral from Harris Dental.

We are sure you understand that we need some time off as well. If you have an urgent dental emergency, please phone the rostered emergency dentist on 027 683 0679. This service operates from 9am-5pm.

For severe bleeding or facial swelling, you can present to Christchurch Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. You will not be seen there for regular toothache.