Monthly Archives

December 2022

Dec 19
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3D illustration of how dental crowns are placed on the teeth.

Dental Crowns vs. Dental Fillings: Which is right for me?

By Restorative Dentistry No Comments

Leaving dental damage and decay untreated can be risky. It can lead to significant pain and trigger other oral health issues, eventually resulting in disease, dysfunction, and tooth loss. Luckily, restorative dentistry treatments (like dental crowns or fillings) can help you address damage and decay so that you can smile with complete comfort and confidence.

 

Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre is your premier location for preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour. Don’t let cavities and dental damage disrupt your life–schedule an appointment with our team here to get the care you deserve.

 

Before you address cavities, chips, cracks, or fractures, you need to know the primary differences between dental crowns and fillings. In this blog post, our team compares and contrasts dental crowns vs. dental fillings so that you can make the best choice for your smile.

What are dental fillings?

Dental fillings allow dentists to fill in small cavities, cracks, chips, and pits in the teeth. As a result, dental fillings are an ideal way to restore minimally-damaged teeth back to their original shape and strength. 

Lifespan

There are different types of fillings, including metal and tooth-colored composite resin. The lifespan of dental fillings is largely dependent on which type of filling patients receive.  

 

At Magic Smiles, we provide patients with aesthetically-pleasing and effective composite resin fillings. These tooth-colored restorations can last patients for 10 years or longer with the proper upkeep.

Cost

In Australia, the government does not fund many dental treatments in the same way that it covers other medical treatments. Therefore, patients may be responsible for all dental filling costs.

 

Luckily, fillings are an affordable way to repair and enhance your smile. Surveys suggest that simple fillings may cost patients around $275, while more complicated fillings may total around $500.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns go by many names, including teeth crowns and caps. But, no matter what name they go by, they are a long-lasting way to repair significantly damaged or decayed teeth. 

 

Caps are tooth-shaped prosthetics that fit over badly injured or decayed teeth. Because crowns completely encapsulate compromised teeth, they offer more protection against future damage and decay than fillings do.

Lifespan

Similar to fillings, crowns also come in many different varieties, including porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconia. At Magic Smiles, we provide numerous types of crowns so that you can choose the right restoration for you.

 

In general, dental caps can last for 15 years or longer with diligent care.

Cost

Again, patients may be responsible for all dental-crown costs. And, unfortunately, caps are more pricey than fillings, with most treatments costing over $1,000. However, the cost of treatment directly reflects dental caps’ effectiveness, as they offer far more protection than fillings.

Which is right for me?

Typically, dental fillings are right for patients with minimal damage or decay. Alternatively, caps may be ideal for patients with significant damage or decay. 

 

But, you don’t have to make the choice alone–the team at Magic Smiles can help you pick the best option for your smile and budget.

Learn More About Dental Crowns and Fillings 

Let the team at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre help you restore your smile’s health, beauty, and function with comprehensive solutions. Reach out to our team here to learn more about your restorative options today.

Dec 15
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A pretty mouth behind teal wrapping paper to convey cosmetic dentistry treatments for Christmas

Cosmetic Dentistry: Four Ways to Bring Glad Tidings to Your Grin

By Cosmetic Dentistry No Comments

Nothing brings cheer to your loved ones like your beautiful smile. But, if your smile is looking a little dull this holiday season, then you may be looking for fast and effective ways to upgrade your grin. This year, cosmetic dentistry treatments with our Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Center team can keep your smile off of the naughty list (read more about cosmetic dentistry here).

 

Are you ready to give yourself the gift of a healthy and beautiful smile? Then, schedule an appointment with our team in Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga, NSW, today. Simply request your appointment here to get started.

 

Meanwhile, let’s explore four cosmetic dentistry treatments that can help you win a kiss under the mistletoe.

Teeth Whitening

Even if you have been using store-bought teeth whiteners, professional teeth whitening may be worth exploring. 

 

Professional whitening treatments use stronger ingredients than store-bought whiteners. In fact, professional treatments may contain up to 40% bleaching ingredients as compared to roughly 10% bleaching ingredients in store-bought options.

 

Not only are professional whitening treatments faster and more effective, but the results last longer, too. Experts believe that most patients can enjoy a noticeably lighter smile for up to three years after a single whitening treatment.

Dental Bonding

Dentists use a strong, tooth-coloured material to fill in cavities. But, this tooth-coloured material (a versatile composite resin) can do much more than protect teeth against further decay. Indeed, dentists frequently use this composite resin to address subtle smile flaws, such as:

  • Chipped or fractured teeth
  • Discoloured teeth
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Large gaps
  • Worn tooth enamel

 

Dental bonding is non-invasive and completely reversible. Subsequently, it is a great way for you to customize your smile without damaging your natural teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are very thin (but very strong!) ceramic shells that dentists permanently affix to the front surface of teeth. They can cover the same smile flaws that dental bonding can cover, but porcelain veneers are not reversible. This means that this cosmetic dentistry treatment is a lifelong commitment. So, if veneers crack, break, or fall off, then it is crucial to repair or replace them as soon as possible.

 

Nevertheless, veneers may be a better way for you to get a perfectly tailor-made grin. You can work closely with our team to choose the right shade, shape, and size of porcelain veneers for your smile.

Laser Gum Contouring Cosmetic Dentistry

Having even one to two millimeters of extra gum tissue can give you the appearance of a gummy smile. Get your smile holiday-ready with safe and effective laser gum contouring.

 

This cosmetic dentistry procedure gently removes extra gingival tissue to improve your gum line and enhance your oral aesthetic. And, because our dentists use soft-tissue lasers, you’ll experience less pain and faster healing after the procedure. 

Cosmetic Dentistry Near Me

If you’re looking for affordable, safe, and effective cosmetic dentistry in New South Wales, then contact the team at Magic Smiles. With offices in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, we can help you get a stunning smile just in time for the New Year. Request your appointment to get started now!

Dec 12
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person holds a nicely wrapped gift

Dentists in Coffs Harbour Give You Oral Health-Related Gift Ideas for the Holidays

By Cosmetic Dentistry No Comments

Did the holidays sneak up on you like they snuck up on us? If so, then you may be looking for last-minute gift ideas for your friends and family members. Of course, we know that they’d love a prepaid cosmetic dentistry treatment (like teeth whitening!), but what about other oral health-related gifts? Our dentists in Coffs Harbour are here to help!

 

But, before you complete your holiday shopping, be sure to schedule a dental exam and cleaning for yourself at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre. Get started now by contacting our dentist in Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga, NSW, here.

 

Now, back to your holiday shopping. In this post, our dentists in Coffs Harbour give you four oral health-related gift ideas that your friends and family will love!

Stocking Stuffers for Healthy Smiles

Never underestimate the power of stocking stuffers! Your loved ones will enjoy getting thoughtful, helpful, and cost-effective gifts, like:

  • Travel-size toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash
  • On-the-go oral hygiene products (like interdental flossers and single-use mini toothbrushes)
  • Sugarless gum and mints (opt for xylitol-containing goodies for their cavity-fighting properties!)
  • Store-bought whitening strips
  • Chewable toothpaste tablets

Electric Toothbrush

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends twice-daily toothbrushing for at least 120 seconds (two minutes) each time. But, many of us struggle to brush twice a day for two minutes at a time.

 

If you know someone who hates to brush their teeth, then try gifting them an electric toothbrush. Not only are electric toothbrushes more effective at removing built-up plaque, but many of them are programmed to run for two-minute intervals. This means that your loved one can remove more cavity-causing plaque while also meeting the ADA’s daily oral-hygiene guidelines.

Oral Irrigators

Traditional string floss isn’t exactly fun to use. Wrapping the string tightly around the fingers can cut off circulation, and maneuvering the hands and floss around the mouth can be challenging, especially for children and older adults.

 

Oral irrigators (also called water flossers) are an easy and modern way to remove plaque from hard-to-reach places, like between the teeth and below the gum line. When used in addition to traditional string floss and regular brushing, oral irrigators are an ideal way to keep your smile healthy in between dental cleanings.

Specialized Toothpastes

While drugstore toothpastes are effective, they may not offer many additional benefits, like remineralizing properties. 

 

This year, show your loved ones that you care by giving them specialized toothpastes. Whether they strengthen weak tooth enamel or address tooth sensitivity, specialized toothpastes are a thoughtful way for you to help your friends and family members prioritize their oral health all year round.

Meet Our Dentists in Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga

This year, don’t let the holidays stress you out–ask our dentists in Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga for more oral health-related gift ideas. Simply reach the team at Magic Smiles here to learn more. And don’t forget to schedule a dental exam and cleaning for yourself while you’re at it!