General Dentistry

About General Dentistry

At Maroubra Dentistry, our General Dentistry services are the foundation of your oral health. We focus on providing essential care to maintain healthy teeth and gums, addressing everyday dental needs with precision and care. From routine check-ups and professional cleanings to fillings and restorative treatments, our experienced team ensures your smile stays strong and vibrant. Whether you need preventive care or solutions for common dental concerns, our goal is to help you achieve optimal oral health and prevent future issues. Let us partner with you in creating a lasting, healthy smile.

About General Dentistry

At Maroubra Dentistry, our General Dentistry services are the foundation of your oral health. We focus on providing essential care to maintain healthy teeth and gums, addressing everyday dental needs with precision and care. From routine check-ups and professional cleanings to fillings and restorative treatments, our experienced team ensures your smile stays strong and vibrant. Whether you need preventive care or solutions for common dental concerns, our goal is to help you achieve optimal oral health and prevent future issues. Let us partner with you in creating a lasting, healthy smile.

Crowns

The outside of the tooth is made of enamel, an extremely hard substance. However, through a fall, the tooth may chip or break. Tooth decay may weaken a tooth to the extent that it is highly compromised. A root treated tooth is also weakened . Teeth may also wear down over time.


In all these cases, a crown is often necessary to save the tooth and return it to normal functionality and aesthetics. A crown fits over the existing tooth.

Bridges

Crown and Bridges

Please Note: Appointments are required for the preparation and the fitting of the C&B.

Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. Should the Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. If a tooth is too badly decayed to save or has been knocked out due to an injury, a bridge may be the ideal solution. A bridge spans the gap by crowning the teeth on either side and using a pontic (artificial tooth) to replace the missing tooth.

  • Material

    Crowns and bridges are crafted from porcelain and gold alloy:


    Porcelain: Strong, stain-resistant, and customizable to match the natural tooth colour.

    Gold Alloy: Renowned for its strength and durability, it is commonly used for molars to withstand grinding forces. Both materials are highly compatible with the mouth.

  • Benefits of Crowns and Bridges

    • Improves chewing ability
    • Improves appearance
    • Prevents the teeth from either side from tilting into the gap and
    • Maintains the natural bite
    • Prevents stresses to other remaining teeth

White Fillings

White fillings are also known as composite fillings. They are tooth coloured and are highly aesthetic in appearance. Hence, many people prefer them to amalgams.


These fillings can be used to restore badly stained teeth, to close up gaps between teeth and improve the shape and size of the tooth They can be used for small restorations in back teeth. However, they are not as suitable for large restorations, especially those subject to heavy biting forces. This is where cerec onlays and inlays are more preferable

Tooth Bonding

This is a procedure where the tooth coloured material is bonded or “stuck” onto the surface of the tooth. It is used to improve the appearance of chipped, stained and heavily filled front teeth. It is also used to close up small gaps between the front teeth and improve the appearance of slightly crooked ones.

  • How It Works

    The dentist cleans the tooth thoroughly, then conditions it by applying a mild acid etch. The acid opens up microscopic pores in the surface of the tooth and the tooth coloured resin flows into these. The tooth is then washed with water and dried and a thin, clear primer is painted on. Finally, the bond is painted on and the tooth coloured resin is placed and moulded to the correct contour and set hard with the white light. This process ensures that the resin is firmly bonded to the tooth.


    How long this type of bonding lasts depends on the experience of the operator and the conditions in which it was carried out. It cannot have any contamination of any sorts or it will fail. On average, it has a life span of 5 years.


    Even if it should fail, there are no serious complications. Being an “add-on” procedure, the original tooth has not been damaged and the procedure can be repeated.

Gum Infections

Periodontal disease, or gum inflammation and infection, is caused by bacteria in plaque—a sticky film that builds up on teeth. Poor oral hygiene can allow plaque to harden into tartar, leading to gum irritation (gingivitis). Early gum disease can often be treated by removing plaque and tartar, followed by consistent brushing and flossing at home.



In advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, bone loss occurs, gums recede, and pockets form around the teeth. This can cause teeth to become loose and may lead to extractions. Treating periodontitis improves gum health, enhances the appearance of teeth, and helps preserve them for life.

  • What your Dentist Will Do

    • Check your gums for colour and texture. 
    • A periodontal probe is used to measure depth of pockets formed between teeth
    • Check each tooth for mobility as gum disease can cause teeth to become loose
    • Take an X-ray to reveal depth of bone and confirm bone loss
    • If very severe gum disease, several visits of curettage will be needed
    • This involves deep scaling whereby each tooth surface is cleaned to remove all plaque and calculus from above and beneath the gum line. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. 

  • Treatment

    • Root planning is carried out using instruments that leave the root surface clean
    • Give instructions on how to improve oral hygiene.
    • May advise replacement of fillings if they are rough and “ digging “ into gums 
    • May advise to quit smoking as smoking reduces the chances of successful
    • Give Antibiotics in severe cases of infection where gums are not healing well
    • Do periodontal surgery in severe cases.

  • Results of the Treatment

    • Gum tenderness. 
    • Use a extra soft toothbrush or a mouth wash containing Chlorhexidine if brushing causes discomfort.
    • Tooth Sensitivity. 
    • Sensitivity to heat and cold which will lessen with time. Use Colgate Pro-Relief or similar special tooth paste
    • Gum Shrinkage.  
    • Gum will recede and expose more tooth structure, hence teeth appear longer.
    • Gum Diseases tend to recur, so home maintenance therapy and regular visits to the dentist is important.

  • Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

    • Red, swollen, tender painful and bleeding gums
    • Persistent bad breath
    • A bad taste in the mouth
    • Abscesses between teeth and gums
    • Loose teeth and gaps appearing between teeth
    • Increased risk of root decay as more root is exposed

Dental Extractions

In the past, extractions were the go-to solution for problematic teeth. Today, preserving natural teeth is preferred for both appearance and function. However, extractions are still necessary in certain cases, such as troublesome wisdom teeth.


Wisdom teeth often lack space to emerge properly, leading to impaction, decay, or gum infections. While some impacted teeth remain harmless, others can cause overcrowding, pain, swelling, or jaw stiffness, requiring removal.



Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure, especially recommended when decay is present. Early extraction is ideal, as younger teeth have softer roots and are easier to remove with fewer complications. Delaying removal can result in decay worsening and the tooth breaking during extraction, making the procedure more difficult and uncomfortable.


Upper wisdom teeth are generally easier to remove unless their roots extend into the sinus cavity. Lower wisdom teeth can be more complex and may require an I-CAT scan before extraction or referral to a specialist.

Wisdom Teeth

Most people have four wisdom teeth, which usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they remain buried in the gum and cause no issues. However, due to limited space at the back of the jaw, wisdom teeth can often cause problems.


Impacted wisdom teeth may push against neighboring teeth, leading to pain, cavities, or damage to both teeth, sometimes requiring the removal of both. Upper wisdom teeth can grow sideways, irritating the cheek and causing ulcers. Food can also get trapped around wisdom teeth, causing decay, infections, or cysts that damage surrounding bone and teeth.



Inflammation and infection around partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause swelling, pain, jaw stiffness, and bad breath. Dentists often recommend early removal to avoid complications, as younger teeth have softer roots and are easier to extract. Delaying removal can lead to more complex and uncomfortable procedures, especially if decay worsens or the tooth fragments during extraction.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening uses bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to lighten tooth color. It is a safe, cost-effective solution for treating enamel stains, discoloration, or trauma-related stains on permanent teeth.


Before starting treatment, a check-up and cleaning are required to ensure cavities are addressed, reducing the risk of sensitivity. Customised plastic trays are made from a mould of your teeth, and you’ll be provided with bleaching gel and instructions. Trays are worn at home for 30 minutes to 2 hours daily, depending on your comfort and desired results. Treatment typically lasts 1 to 6 weeks, with most patients seeing results within 7 to 14 days. Progress is monitored every two weeks until you’re satisfied with the shade.


Internal Bleaching for Root-Filled Teeth


Root-filled teeth can darken, especially front teeth. Internal bleaching involves creating a small hole in the back of the tooth, removing some root canal filling, and placing a bleaching agent inside. This process is repeated over several weeks or months until the desired shade is achieved. Once completed, the bleaching agent is removed, and the hole is permanently sealed.

Root Canal Treatment

This is also known as endodontic treatment. It is a way to save a tooth that is badly damaged due to decay, injury or disease and it has an abscess at the root tip. Short of an extraction of the badly decayed tooth, the alternative is to save it through RCT which then affords the owner better functionality than an artificial tooth.


Another reason to save the tooth is to prevent the teeth on either side of it from tilting into the space left by the missing tooth. This can make chewing and biting difficult.


In this practice, patients who take this option, are advised to follow up with crowning the tooth. If they choose not to have the crown, it is best they have the extraction as not following up the treatment with a crown could result in the tooth splitting and hence money spent would be wasted.


Root canal therapy is only done if the dentist feels it has a high success rate.

  • Procedure

    • An X ray is taken to show if there is an abscess at the tip of the root. If the latter is present, it is usually dark at the tip.
    • An injection is given to block the pain. A sheet of rubber latex called rubber dam is used to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and dry during treatment. It also helps in preventing any of the instruments from falling into the throat.
    • To reach the pulp, an opening is made in the tooth with the drill. Then using special instruments called files, the dentist removes the infected material and dead pulp.
    • Each canal is cleaned with bleach, EDTA and rinsed with saline. The canal is enlarged and shaped and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicines are added to the canal to help stop the infection and inflammation. If there is an abscess, oral antibiotics may be needed to further treat the infection.
    • 2 to 3 visits are required for RCT depending on the number of canals. A temporary filling material will protect the inside of the tooth between visits. When the inside of the tooth is satisfactorily cleaned, the canals are filled and the pulp chamber sealed. To confirm a job well done, the dentist then takes an X Ray. This will show how well sealed the canals are. Then, a post may be inserted for strength and a general core build up prepared in anticipation for a crown. However, it is advisable to wait and watch for a few weeks before a crown is placed.
    • The crown protects and further strengthens the tooth, restores it to normal function and occlusion and restores an aesthetic appearance.
    • Pain or discomfort may cease immediately after treatment is started. However, sometimes, the pain lingers for a few more days. Patients are advised to take pain killers such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol.

  • When is it done?

    • Gum tenderness. 
    • Use a extra soft toothbrush or a mouth wash containing Chlorhexidine if brushing causes discomfort.
    • Tooth Sensitivity. 
    • Sensitivity to heat and cold which will lessen with time. Use Colgate Pro-Relief or similar special tooth paste
    • Gum Shrinkage.  
    • Gum will recede and expose more tooth structure, hence teeth appear longer.
    • Gum Diseases tend to recur, so home maintenance therapy and regular visits to the dentist is important.

  • Symptoms

    • Pain, sensitivity to heat and cold
    • Tooth discoloration
    • Swelling and soreness at the root tip
    • Throbbing sensation
    • Tooth becomes loose to touch
    • Pain on biting

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

As name implies, there is a crack in the tooth. To save the tooth, early diagnosis and treatment are important. 

  • Causes

    The crack can involve any tooth but occurs usually in the molar or premolar where:

    • The tooth is heavily filled, thus weakening it and making it prone to fracture and the crack runs under a weakened cusp
    • The tooth has been subjected to abnormally heavy biting forces due to grinding and clenching, esp at night (Bruxism)
    • The tooth has suffered trauma such as a blow to the teeth chewing hard food or substances (ice, pencils)
    • The crack may start in the top of the tooth and run downwards. It may affect the pulp, nerve and root

  • Treatment for a Cracked Tooth

    Early intervention and hence treatment will increase the chances of the tooth being saved. However, the treatment will depend on the location of the crack and its extent.


    Simple Crack: 

    • This involves the removal of the weakened cusp and placing a filling or a crown on the tooth. When the crown is prepared for the tooth and a temporary crown is placed, the usually subsides
    • Sometimes, a steel band is placed over the tooth with a dressing to see if the pain will stop. If the pain ceases, then a filling or a crown will be placed. However, if the pain persists, the dentist will suggest the need for root canal therapy
    • The crown protects the tooth, preventing the crack from traveling further

  • Complex Crack

    Sometimes, the crack has progressed to the pulp and caused inflammation in that area. The dentist would then suggest 2 alternatives: extraction or root canal therapy, followed by a crown in order to save the tooth.