Dental @ Mediclinic

Bloemfontein

Dental @ Mediclinic is a successful dental practice that has been in existence for over 30 years. We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of all of our patients by providing them with the best dental treatment. Together our dental team of practitioners have a combined 70 years of experience. They are supported by a team of experienced specialists, dental technicians and highly dedicated staff members that have made it their top priority to ensure that your experience at our practice is the greatest.

Services & Treatment

General and Preventative Dentistry

X-rays to check for any decay.
Oral hygiene which includes scaling and polishing teeth.
Fillings to restore any defective teeth.
Paediatric dentistry: This treatment is specifically for our younger patients and includes fillings, fissure sealants and fluoride treatment.
Geriatric dentistry: This treatment is specifically for our older patients and includes fixed or removable prosthesis.
Specific surgical procedures such as wisdom tooth removal and tooth exposure for orthodontic treatment.
Gum guards for sport.
Occlusal guards for clenching and grinding.

Restorative Dentistry

Crowns: A dental crown is a “cap” placed over a prepared natural tooth that has been damaged. It can be made from a variety of materials such as porcelain, metal, ceramic, zirconia, composite resin, gold or a combination of materials. It can be made in a lab or milled at the dental office.
Root canal treatment: Root canal treatment involves removing the infected or inflamed pulpal tissue and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, shaped, filled and sealed off.
Bridges: A dental bridge involves replacing a missing tooth with a false tooth (a pontic) that is held in place by the teeth adjacent to the gap (the abutment teeth). This is permanently cemented into the mouth.

Orthodontic Dentistry

Fixed appliances: Also known as “braces”. These are wire and bracket-based appliances used to correct mal-aligned teeth.
Space maintainers: A space maintainer is an appliance placed in the mouth to maintain the space for a permanent tooth to erupt into when a baby tooth was lost prematurely. A space maintainer can be a removable appliance or can be cemented into the mouth.
Myobrace: A Myobrace appliance is a preventative orthodontic appliance used to correct poor oral habits that are the cause of mal-aligned or crooked teeth. It also allows for proper development of the jaws and surrounding muscles.

Prosthetic Dentistry

Implants: An implant is a non-removable prosthetic device used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The procedure involved placing a titanium screw-like device into the bone and then a dental crown is placed on top of this.
Dentures: A denture is artificial teeth and gums which is created according to the shape and form of your mouth to replace a missing tooth or teeth. A denture can be fixed with implants or can be removable.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth whitening: Tooth whitening or bleaching is the process of making the tooth lighter in colour with the use of polishing and Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide. This process bleaches the natural tooth without removing any tooth structure.
Veneers: A veneer is a tooth coloured “shell”, which is placed on the front surface of a tooth to improve the appearance of the tooth.

For more information on any of the above-mentioned services please contact us.
Dental @ Mediclinic BFN is also a network provider.

FAQ

1. What does a crown cost?

A dental crown can be fabricated in many different materials. The specific material chosen to create a crown depends on the patient’s needs. Certain materials are more expensive than others and will alter the price of your crown but generally a single dental crown can cost between R5000-R7000.

2. When should a child’s first visit to the dentist be?

A child should be introduced to the dental setting within 6 months after the first tooth erupts. At this time the dentist can give the parent information on teething, good oral hygiene for the child, baby bottle caries, feeding practices and possible habits to look out for such as thumb sucking and pacifier habits.

3. Will my teeth be sensitive after bleaching?

Not everyone experiences tooth sensitivity after bleaching but those patients that do get sensitivity can expect it to resolve within 24-48 hours. The sensitivity of a patient’s tooth will depend on a various factors such as the strength of the bleaching agent used, whether or not the patient has recently undergone bleaching and the patient’s tooth itself. The sensitivity is usually caused by the bleaching agent reaching the underlying dentine and thus irritating the nerves in the dentine tubules. Sensitivity can also be linked to dehydration of the teeth. Teeth are porous and just as the teeth allow the bleaching agent to go through the top layers to whiten the teeth, they also allow fluid to go out of the teeth.

4. Does coffee/tea stain my teeth?

Yes, coffee and tea contain tannins, which are organic components found in plants. When tannins accumulate on the surfaces of your teeth, they cause a yellow discolouration.

5. What may or may I not do after a tooth extraction?

Post extraction instructions include:

Bite on the gauze/cotton roll for at least 30 mins – 1 hour. Thereafter discard in the dustbin.
Swallow all blood and saliva in your mouth for that day.
No rinsing on the day of extraction.
You may softly rinse with luke warm salt water the day after extraction.
Brush your teeth as normal but avoid extraction site.
No consuming alcohol or smoking for the next 3 days.
No drinking out of a straw.
Chew on opposite side of the extraction site.
If discomfort at extraction site is experienced, you may take any pain medication that does not contain aspirin.

6. What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?

A dental crown is a “cap” placed over a prepared natural tooth that has been damaged. It can be made from a variety of materials such as porcelain, metal, ceramic, zirconia, composite resin, gold or a combination of materials. It can be made in a lab or milled at the dental office. A dental veneer is a tooth coloured “shell”, which is placed on the front surface of a tooth to improve the appearance of the tooth.

7. What is an implant?

An implant is a non-removable prosthetic device used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The procedure involved placing a titanium screw-like device into the bone and then a dental crown is placed on top of this.

Myth Busters

Myth: Baby teeth don’t matter.

Truth: Baby teeth are extremely important for space maintenance for the adult teeth to erupt into the mouth. If they are lost prematurely the adjacent baby teeth often close the space and thus prevent the adult successor from erupting into its correct spot. This can cause crowding of teeth. They also help the growing child in developing speech. They help with chewing and functioning.

Myth: Fluoride is harmful.

Truth: Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. It is added to water, many foods and dental products because of its health benefits. Fluoride strengthens your enamel and helps fight dental decay.

Myth: I’m not in pain so I don’t need to go to the dentist.

Truth: Every person should visit the dentist at least twice a year for a check-up. For this reason the dentist will be able to pick up any dental problems early on, meaning that the process of fixing it will be less invasive and cheaper.

Myth: Sugar free sodas are okay to drink because they don’t have sugar in them.

Truth: Even though the sodas don’t have sugar in them, they are still very acidic. Our mouths have bacteria that love acid and thus contribute to dental decay. The acidic drinks also have the potential of wearing away our strong enamel, exposing the underlying dentine which is full of nerves.

Myth: My child should only visit the orthodontist once all the permanent teeth have erupted.

Truth: As soon as you notice a mal-aligned or skew tooth you should book an appointment at the dentist. The dentist can then advise you on the next steps. This will help in identifying a problem early on and could possibly save you from extensive orthodontic treatment.

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