Blog Coburg Dental Group

Keeping up to date with all the latest dental procedures has always been a priority for the dentists and staff at Coburg Dental Group. Seminars, conferences, on-line learning and in-house training are a regular feature of our monthly routine. So what are some of the latest procedures which you can find at our clinic?

Intraoral scanning

If there is one procedure over the years which patients complain about, it is having impressions or moulds taken. It is a procedure which involves placing a putty-like material in the mouth for 2-3 minutes to make a replica of the mouth and is used to make mouthguards, dentures, crowns, bridges and implants.  However, we have the technology to offer our patients a much more comfortable treatment which involves scanning the teeth of the upper and lower jaws using a digital camera.  The scans are then processed by computer and the new model of the mouth can be 3D printed to allow the manufacture of the mouthguard, denture etc. the accuracy of the technique is simply outstanding.

One visit crowns

Related to the intraoral scanning technology, we offer our patients one visit all-ceramic crowns.  This German engineered system is also known as Cerec crowns and is probably the most widely researched crown system that has ever been developed. After the intraoral scan is made, the information is wi-fi transmitted to our milling machine where the crown is milled out of a block of extremely strong ceramic.  A miniature furnace is then used to fire the ceramic before the crown is permanently fitted on to the patient’s tooth. This procedure is much easier for the patient as it only involves one visit, one anaesthetic, no impressions and no temporary crown like the old-fashioned methods.

Cone beam CT

The planning of dental treatment can be simple but in many cases it is quite complex and the dentist requires information from special tests such as blood tests, pulp sensibility testing of teeth to determine the status of the nerve canal, and radiographs (x-rays) to determine the anatomical structure of the teeth and bones.  These radiographs are particularly important for the planning of tooth extractions especially wisdom teeth, and dental implants. The standard of care for this planning is to take a cone beam CT radiograph which is a 3D x-ray of the head and neck region.  Until recently our patients required a specialist referral to obtain a cone beam CT and travel into the CBD to have the x-ray taken. We now offer this treatment to our patients in our Coburg Dental Group rooms and we are happy to offer this service to patients from other dental practices including Brunswick Dental Group and Brunswick Family Dental.

Early orthodontics

Traditionally, orthodontic treatment is provided by placing metal braces on teenagers for 2-3 years and if there was crowding of teeth and more room was required for the teeth to be realigned, the orthodontist would recommend the removal of 4 premolar teeth.  However, research in recent years has shown that with the right planning of dental growth and development, orthodontic treatment can commence when the first adult teeth erupt in much younger children. As a result, treatment times are shorter, and braces can be avoided in many cases.  The benefit for parents is a cheaper course of treatment and a wonderful smile for their children without the need for the extraction of the premolar teeth.

Management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea

Many patients are very surprised when their sleep physician or ear, nose and throat surgeon refers a patient who suffers with obstructive sleep apnoea and/or snoring, to the dentist to make a dental plate known as a mandibular advancement splint. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition which is characterised by a poor quality of sleep caused by a partly blocked upper airway which in turn leads to insufficient oxygen getting to the brain. The dental appliance is worn to protrude the lower jaw which opens the airway during sleep so that more air can get into the lungs.

So, if you’re looking for an innovative and state-of-the-art dentist in a caring environment, come to Coburg Dental Group and ask to see our principal dentist Dr Jeffrey Kestenberg for a free, no-obligation consultation. Just quote “Blog Offer 0222” when you make the appointment.  It’s simple just call 03 9386 1805.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.