Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We suggest scheduling a gentle 'happy visit' at Tatura Dental Care as soon as the first baby tooth peeks through—and certainly no later than your child’s first birthday. Those early months may feel too soon, but this brief, play-based appointment lays a powerful foundation for lifelong oral health.

During the visit, our friendly team greets your child in the reception play zone filled with LEGO bricks, picture books and a cosy reading nook. Once your little one feels at ease, we’ll take a quick look at the new tooth, check the gums and tongue and answer every parent question you can think of—from teething relief to fluoride, dummy habits and the best way to brush a wiggling mouth.

Early checks help us spot issues like tongue-tie, infant decay or bite problems before they become painful (or costly) surprises. Just as important, we’re building positive associations: bright murals, ceiling-mounted TVs and a prize from our Surprise Box turn 'the dentist' into a fun adventure rather than a source of anxiety.

After the first visit, six-monthly check-ups let us keep pace with your child’s rapid growth and guide you through milestones like the switch to cup drinking and the arrival of the first molars.

Our Children's Dentists in Tatura Welcome You

By partnering early, we can protect their smile, promote healthy eating habits and set the stage for confident, cavity-free teeth into adulthood.

No—when overseen by the clinical team at Tatura Dental Care, both treatments are designed to protect as well as beautify your teeth.

Dentist-Supervised Teeth Whitening

Our whitening gels contain precisely calibrated concentrations of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. We first assess your enamel thickness, existing restorations and any sensitivity issues. A custom-fit tray or in-chair isolation shield keeps gel away from gums and soft tissue. Because the active ingredient penetrates only the outermost microscopic tubules, it removes stain molecules without eroding healthy structure. We also limit exposure time and apply remineralising fluoride or calcium-phosphate products immediately afterwards to strengthen enamel crystals.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers require minimal reshaping—usually 0.3 – 0.5 mm, about the thickness of a fingernail. Digital imaging lets us remove just enough enamel to create space for the veneer while maintaining a strong bonding surface.

The veneers themselves are crafted from lithium-disilicate or feldspathic porcelain, materials similar in hardness to natural enamel and chemically bonded with advanced resin cements. This 'micro-laminate' actually reinforces the front surface, shielding underlying tooth structure from wear and staining.

Personalised Protection Plan

Every smile makeover at Tatura Dental Care includes:

• Comprehensive exam and X-rays to rule out decay or cracks
• Shade and sensitivity mapping so we can adjust gel strength or veneer thickness
• Tailored after-care—desensitising toothpaste, fluoride varnish and regular check-ups to keep enamel strong

Our Tatura Cosmetic Dentists Are Here to Help

With proper professional guidance, whitening and veneers deliver dramatic, lasting results without compromising the health of your teeth.

With attentive home care and routine visits to Tatura Dental Care, most fixed restorations provide 10–15 years of reliable service, and many exceed the 20-year mark. Their lifespan hinges on four key factors:

1. Material Choice

Porcelain-fused-to-metal and high-strength ceramics (e.g., zirconia, lithium-disilicate) resist fracture and staining better than older alloys.

Gold alloys, though less popular cosmetically, often outperform everything for wear resistance.

2. Precision Fit

We use digital scans and partner with elite Australian labs to craft restorations that hug the tooth margin. A seamless interface blocks oral bacteria, reducing the risk of recurrent decay, the number-one reason crowns fail early.

3. Oral Hygiene & Diet

Daily brushing, flossing and fluoride support keep the underlying tooth and surrounding gums healthy. Minimise sugary snacks and avoid chewing ice or popcorn kernels to prevent micro-cracks.

4. Professional Maintenance

Six-monthly check-ups allow us to:

• Detect tiny fractures or loosening before they escalate
• Polish porcelain glaze to maintain smoothness and shine
• Reinforce bite alignment if neighbouring teeth shift

When to Consider Replacement

Please call us if you notice:

• Sensitivity or dark lines at the gum edge 
• Chipping, rocking or clicking when you chew
• Gum recession exposing crown margins

Need Crowns or Bridges in Tatura?

Regular reviews help us anticipate wear and schedule proactive replacement, protecting both your long-term investment and your smile’s integrity. We invite you to call us to book your appointment. 

At Tatura Dental Care, we define a true emergency as any situation that threatens the long-term health of a tooth or your general well-being and requires attention within 24 hours. Call us the moment one of these scenarios occurs:

1. Acute, Unrelenting Pain

Throbbing pain that keeps you awake or worsens with temperature changes often signals deep infection or nerve exposure. Left untreated, it can spread rapidly.

2. Facial Swelling or Abscess

Visible swelling of the gums, cheeks or neck indicates infection that may compromise breathing or bloodstream health. Immediate drainage or antibiotics can prevent serious complications.

3. Broken or Fractured Tooth

Bits of enamel missing, sharp edges cutting the tongue or a crack extending toward the root all need same-day stabilisation to save the tooth.

4. Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth

Time is critical—ideally, we re-implant within 60 minutes. Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse gently (no scrubbing) and keep it in cold milk or saline on your way to the clinic.

5. Uncontrolled Bleeding

Persistent bleeding after an extraction, trauma or gum injury requires prompt assessment and possible suturing or medication.

Fast-Track Care

We reserve chair time for emergencies during business hours, and most patients are seen the same day. After hours, our recorded message provides the on-call dentist’s mobile number for urgent triage. 

Not necessarily. At Tatura Dental Care, we treat wisdom teeth case-by-case, weighing their current health, future risk and your comfort before deciding on extraction or watchful monitoring.

When We Recommend Removal

• Impaction — Teeth trapped in bone or soft tissue can push against neighbouring molars, warp alignment or form painful cysts.
• Recurring Infection — Partially erupted wisdom teeth create hard-to-clean pockets where bacteria thrive, leading to repeated gum or jaw infections.
• Decay or Damage to Adjacent Teeth — If a wisdom tooth threatens the health of the second molar, removing it protects your overall bite.
• Orthodontic Concerns — For patients undergoing braces or clear aligner therapy, early extraction may prevent crowding and relapse.

When Monitoring Is Enough

• Fully Erupted, Easy to Clean — If the tooth lines up well, bites correctly and stays plaque-free, we simply track it.
• No Signs of Pathology on X-ray — Clear bone margins, disease-free roots and healthy surrounding gum indicate low short-term risk.
• Stable Bite and Adequate Jaw Space — In some mouths, the extra molar fits comfortably without compromising function.

Our Tatura Dentists' Approach

• Six- to 12-Month Reviews — Digital radiographs and periodontal checks catch emerging problems early.
• Straightforward Extractions In-House — Simple removals are handled gently here; complex impactions are referred to trusted oral surgeons.
• Comfort First — Local anaesthetic, 'happy gas' and detailed after-care instructions minimise discomfort and speed healing.

Whether we remove or retain your wisdom teeth, the goal remains the same: maintaining a healthy, pain-free mouth for the long haul.

The timeline depends entirely on the mix of treatments you need and how quickly your mouth heals between stages. At Tatura Dental Care, we break every makeover into three phases so you know exactly what to expect from Day One.

1. Consultation & Digital Design (1–2 weeks)

Your journey starts with 3-D scans, photos and a bite analysis. Using smile-design software, we preview tooth length, colour and symmetry, then discuss goals, costs and sequencing. You’ll leave this visit with a printed or emailed timeline customised to you.

2. Rapid Refinements (2–6 weeks)

If you only need whitening, minor bonding or a single crown, we can unveil your new smile in as little as two appointments. Custom trays for take-home whitening arrive within a week; resin bonding or no-prep veneers often follow in the next.

3. Comprehensive Corrections (3–9 months)

More involved cases—crowding, missing teeth, worn enamel—require extra time:

• Clear aligners or braces: 3–6 months for mild alignment, 9–12 months for complex movement.
• Dental implants: 4–6 months to allow bone integration before the final crown.
• Multiple porcelain veneers or crowns: 3–4 visits spaced over 4–8 weeks for lab fabrication and try-ins.

Throughout, you’ll visit us for check-ups roughly every four weeks so we can track healing, adjust appliances and keep everything on schedule.

Final Reveal and Maintenance

Once treatment wraps, we polish, photograph and provide retainers or night guards to protect your investment. With responsible home care and our six-monthly reviews, your new smile will stay camera-ready for years to come.

Absolutely. At Tatura Dental Care, we use advanced composite resins and ceramic inlay/onlay materials that rival—or surpass—the longevity of traditional silver amalgam when placed under the right conditions.

Tooth-Strengthening Composites

Modern composites are engineered with nano-fill particles that bond chemically to your natural enamel and dentine. This high-strength adhesion creates a unified 'tooth-plus-filling' structure that distributes chewing forces more evenly than the wedge-shaped retention needed for amalgam. Because we can keep cavity preparations smaller and conserve healthy tooth tissue, fractures are less likely over time.

Long-Lasting Ceramic

Ceramic restorations go a step further. Milled from lithium-disilicate or zirconia, they offer compressive strength comparable to natural enamel, excellent wear resistance and remarkable colour stability. Digital imaging and precision milling allow us to craft a snug, custom fit that seals out decay and stands up to years of hot coffees, cold smoothies and everything in between.

Longevity ultimately depends on placement technique and after-care. We isolate the tooth with a rubber dam, layer and cure composites properly, and finish with magnification to ensure a smooth, bacteria-resistant margin. With twice-yearly check-ups and good home hygiene, most composite fillings last 8–12 years; ceramic inlays and onlays often exceed 15 years.

Tooth-Coloured Fillings in Tatura, VIC

So if you’re looking for a strong, mercury-free solution that blends seamlessly with your smile, tooth-coloured restorations at Tatura Dental Care are an excellent—and durable—choice.

For most people—children and adults alike—a professional clean and comprehensive exam every six months is the sweet spot. Here’s why that twice-yearly rhythm works so well at Tatura Dental Care:

1. Remove Tartar and Decay-Causing Bacteria

Even the best brushing can’t dislodge hardened tartar. Our ultrasonic scalers whisk it away before it irritates gums or breeds decay-causing bacteria.

2. Early Detection = Easier Fixes

Small cavities, hairline cracks and gum inflammation can be reversed or repaired quickly when spotted early. Postpone checks, and minor issues turn into root canals or extractions.

3. Personalised Prevention

At each visit, we update digital x-rays, assess your diet, medications and lifestyle changes, then tailor advice—whether that’s fluoride gels for low enamel strength or sealants to protect children’s molars.

4. Whole-Body Benefits

Oral bacteria link to heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy complications. Regular cleans reduce systemic inflammation and promote overall wellbeing.

Exceptions to the Rule

• High-risk patients—smokers, diabetics, orthodontic wearers—may benefit from three- or four-month intervals.
• Kids under six often need more frequent fluoride applications as teeth erupt.
• Implant and denture wearers require specialised maintenance we schedule case-by-case basis.

We Make It Easy

Our recall system sends friendly SMS reminders, and appointments include a polish, fluoride treatment and plenty of time for questions. Stick with the six-month routine and you’ll save money, avoid surprises and keep that Tatura smile bright for life.

In most cases, no. At Tatura Dental Care, a root canal feels no more dramatic than having a deep filling, thanks to modern anaesthetics, precision tools and gentle technique.

Why It’s Comfortable

Powerful Local Anaesthetic

We numb the tooth, surrounding gum and supporting bone so you won’t feel drilling, shaping or irrigation.
On request, we offer 'happy gas' or oral sedation for added relaxation.

Rotary Instruments & Apex Locators

• Nickel-titanium files can clean canals smoothly and quickly, reducing chair time.
• Digital apex locators mean fewer x-rays and more accurate shaping, so less post-op tenderness.
• A small sheet or rubber dam keeps the tooth dry and blocks debris from your mouth, making the procedure faster and safer.

What You’ll Feel Afterwards

• Mild Aches or Pressure — Most patients manage any soreness with over-the-counter ibuprofen or paracetamol for 24–48 hours.
• Rapid Relief — Because the infection is removed, throbbing pain usually subsides immediately.
• Normal Eating — Avoid hard foods on the treated side until we place a permanent crown.

Extra Reassurance with Our Tatura Dentists 

We check anaesthetic effectiveness before starting—no 'twinges' allowed.

Follow-up calls ensure you’re healing smoothly; if discomfort lingers, we adjust your bite or prescribe more potent medication.

Root canals today are virtually painless, and they save natural teeth that would otherwise be lost. If dental fear has held you back, talk to our team—we’ll walk you through every step and keep you comfortable from first injection to final crown.

When crafted and fitted at Tatura Dental Care, a night guard—also called an 'occlusal splint'—acts as a precision shock absorber that interrupts destructive grinding (bruxism) while you sleep.

How the Appliance Eases Pain

• Joint Cushioning — A thin, hard acrylic layer spreads bite forces, relieving inflammation in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs).
• Muscle De-programming — By preventing your back teeth from locking together, the splint relaxes overworked jaw muscles, cutting down morning headaches and facial tension.
• Tooth Protection — The guard shields enamel, crowns and veneers from cracks, chips and flattening.

Why Custom Outperforms Chemist Versions

• Digital Precision — We take 3-D impressions so every contact is even; poorly fitting store-bought guards can trigger more clenching.
• Ongoing Adjustability — Follow-up visits let us fine-tune thickness and bite balance as your muscles adapt.
• Long-Term Durability — Lab-made acrylic typically lasts three to five years, far outliving boil-and-bite plastic.

Additional Benefits

Many patients notice deeper sleep, reduced ear ringing and fewer cracked fillings within weeks of consistent nightly wear. Pair your splint with stress-relief habits—jaw stretches, hydration, posture checks—and you’ll give both your smile and your TMJs the long-term break they deserve.

We Welcome Your Call 

We invite you to call us for more information on TMJ and bruxism treatment, or to book your consultation with our dentists in Tatura, VIC.