Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We want you to feel confident in your choice of Kew family dentists. If you have questions about the services we provide, what to expect at your first visit or how much treatment will cost, you can find valuable information on this website.
If you have a specific question or prefer the personal interaction of a chat over the telephone, just give us a call.
We look forward to hearing from you and are honoured you are considering us to look after your family’s smiles.
Children’s Dentistry
Do you see kids?
As your Kew family dental clinic, we welcome patients of all ages and especially enjoy helping children develop a positive attitude about dentistry and looking after their smiles.
In most case, unless a problem develops, we invite kids to come in around age two or three when they can understand and participate in their dental appointment. Often, this early childhood dental visit will be to help your little one gain familiarity with the dental office environment. We will take him or her for a ride in the chair, show them their teeth in a little hand mirror and demonstrate how to clean their teeth at home.
If you are a parent or caregiver and need advice on nutrition to support healthy teeth, brushing and flossing children’s teeth, behaviours such as soothers and thumb-sucking or any other kid-related matter, Dental On Cue is your paediatric dental partner. Many of our team members have children themselves and a deep understanding of what parents go through when it comes to caring for their children’s teeth.
For your child’s first check-up and clean, contact us to arrange a time for this milestone dental visit. We will make it a fun and stress-free visit for your little one.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Is teeth whitening safe?
Wanting a whiter smile is natural, but it’s also normal to feel concerned about damaging your teeth with whitening products. At Dental On Cue, we are here to ensure that you have the whitening system that will work best for you without hurting your teeth.
Many of the store-bought teeth whitening products available contain abrasives to remove surface stains. When used frequently, these products can actually wear away enamel and cause sensitivity. Be sure to consult with your Kew dentist about teeth whitening products that will not cause damage to your teeth.
Both our in-house and take-home whitening systems avoid abrasives, opting instead for a peroxide solution that bleaches away stains and results in a brighter, more youthful look.
Dental office teeth whitening is safe for most healthy patients, and the easiest way to determine if it is right for you is to contact our Kew dental clinic to book a consultation. Or you can ask your dental hygienist at your next dental clean. The best time to start whitening is when your smile is clean and free of tartar.
What about Teeth Sensitivity?
If your teeth feel sensitive, you can take some time between at-home treatments or use desensitising toothpaste. It is also important to avoid overfilling your custom whitening trays to prevent irritating the gums.
Dental Implants
Do I need to replace my missing tooth?
If you have a missing tooth, it might cause more problems than just how it affects your appearance. What many people do not realise is that a missing tooth often causes a chain reaction of oral health issues that cause increased expenses and time in the dental chair.
Bone loss – When you lose a tooth, the bone beneath begins to recede, as it is no longer needed to hold a tooth in place. Bone loss destabilises the foundation of your teeth and can lead to additional tooth loss and a sunken, aged appearance to the face.
Bite issues – Along with bone loss, the remaining teeth around the gap in your smile will begin to tilt and shift, causing misalignment and poor occlusion – a bad bite. When teeth tilt, the roots can become exposed and feel sensitive and will also be more likely to develop decay.
Replacing a missing tooth can prevent many of the issues that tooth loss causes. Dental implants are almost like having your natural tooth again. We also provide high-quality and aesthetic dentures, partial dentures and dental bridges to meet the needs of our patients.
Filling the gap left by a missing tooth will often make it easier to eat and speak – it certainly makes it more fun to smile.
General Dentistry
I’m scared of needles. Will this hurt?
This is a question we hear often, and it often stems from a negative experience in childhood or as a young adult. At Dental On Cue, we are sensitive to dental anxiety and take measures to help patients relax, so they are able to have the dentistry they need for a healthy smile.
We Never Rush Our Patients
Part of what sets our dentists apart is that they spend plenty of time with our patients at their first visit to gain a full understanding of your goals and needs, so you get exactly the care you want and need.
We Personalise Your Care
Do you like music or need a little break during your procedure? Just let us know, and we will make sure you are well looked after.
Expert Anaesthetic Application
If you are afraid of needles, you will be pleasantly surprised that our dentists are gentle, even when numbing a tooth. We use a topical anaesthetic before giving any injections and discomfort is minimal. Most patients report feeling just a little pressure.
One of the important details we believe is essential is waiting for the anaesthetic to take full effect. We will check in with you periodically before beginning any procedure.
Why do I need x-rays?
Many people would prefer to avoid dental x-rays because they don’t understand why they are necessary. After all, can’t a dentist see a cavity or cracked tooth when they do the check-up? The answer is that only some dental conditions are visible upon a visual exam and the rest are hidden beneath bone and enamel.
If you think of enamel as a shell, you can imagine that plenty might be going on just beneath the surface, out of sight. Dental x-rays reveal what is happening under the enamel, gums and bone and assist our dentists with diagnosing dental conditions such as:
• Dental decay
• Bone disease
• Fractures
• Infection
• Cysts and tumours
They also assist in planning procedures such as dental implants, extractions, root canals, crowns and dentures.
Many people are concerned about the radiation emitted by dental x-rays, but compared to other types of imaging, dental x-rays are relatively low in radiation. Because we recommend only the number of x-rays necessary to help prevent oral diseases and to diagnose any developing conditions, you can count on our team to take your safety into account. We also use protective covers to prevent absorption of radiation.
We recommend x-rays as needed and will discuss any concerns with you.
Sleep Apnea
Do you treat snoring?
If you are asking yourself this question, you probably have a loved one who has complained that they can’t sleep. We have a solution.
Because snoring is an indication of sleep Apnea, a serious medical condition, we recommend seeking a sleep study with a qualified sleep specialist to rule out its presence.
We treat snoring in much the same way as we treat sleep Apnea. Snoring occurs when the anatomy at the back of the throat vibrates while breathing – usually during sleep. While snoring and sleep Apnea are associated with older men, it is important to know that it can occur in either gender and at any age – even in children.
Continuous open airway therapy, or COAT, utilises an oral appliance to gently reposition the lower jaw forward to open the airway and allow for improved oxygen uptake and fewer nighttime waking instances.
If you or your loved one snores, it is essential to seek professional guidance, as sleep Apnea and snoring can lead to many health issues and even early death.
At our Kew dental clinic, we are here to improve your quality of life through a good night’s sleep. We invite you to get in touch with Dental On Cue if you experience snoring or have received a sleep Apnea diagnosis. Our whole-body approach to dentistry includes getting the sleep you need to stay healthy.