Special Needs Dentistry
Special Needs Dentistry at Norlane Geelong
Providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care tailored to the unique needs of patients with special requirements.
Understanding the unique dental needs of special needs patients is crucial. We focus on tailored preventive and therapeutic approaches to ensure optimal oral health for a lifetime.
When you visit for a specialised care appointment, it may involve gentle cleaning, fluoride application, X-rays, and a thorough follow-up examination.
Treatments may be recommended to prevent dental issues or to manage existing oral health conditions effectively.
Treatments might include:
- Specialised dental examinations
- Gentle scale and clean
- Personalised fluoride treatments
- Addiotional special needs dental treatment
Special needs Dental Examinations
Specialised Dental Examinations
Regular dental examinations are a fundamental part of maintaining oral health, especially for patients with special needs.
During a dental exam, your Norlane dentist will gently clean your teeth and check for cavities and gum disease.
The exam involves assessing your risk of other oral health issues and checking your face, neck, and mouth for any abnormalities.
Children’s Dentistry
Since every child is different, dentists have various approaches to help a child complete the necessary dental treatment.
A pediatric dentist makes recommendations of behaviour guidance methods for a child based upon health history, special health care needs, dental needs, type of treatment required, the consequences of no treatment, emotional and intellectual development, and parental preferences.
Gentle Scale and Clean
Maintaining oral hygiene is essential. Removing plaque and calculus from your teeth, especially in areas that are hard to reach, helps prevent disease.
That’s why regular gentle scaling and cleanings are so important to your health.
You might need a gentle scale and clean if you…
- have plaque or calculus that brushing and flossing alone can’t remove
- want to take preventative steps to care for your teeth
- your teeth are stained from smoking,
experience temporomandibular joint pain - have stained teeth from coffee, tea, or other foods and beverage.
Teeth scaling and root planing help address persistent gum disease and are more thorough than a regular cleaning.
Teeth scaling and root planing may require multiple visits and could involve a local anaesthetic, depending on the severity of gum disease and gum recession.
Personalised Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride helps protect against tooth decay by strengthening teeth against acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars. It can also reverse early decay.
For children under six, fluoride integrates into developing permanent teeth, making them more resistant to acid attacks.
Fluoride also accelerates remineralisation and disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.
Tooth Fillings
Your dentist will remove the decayed parts of the tooth and then fill the space in the tooth from which the decay was removed.
Tooth fillings are also used to fix cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been damaged from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).
Gum Treatments
Gum disease treatments depend on the severity of the disease, how you may have responded to earlier procedures and your overall health.
Treatments range from nonsurgical procedures that control bacterial growth to surgery that restores supportive tissues.
Periodontal Care
Gum diseases attack the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of saliva, food debris, and bacteria.
If plaque is not removed, it turns into tartar (calculus). When plaque and calculus are not eliminated, they begin to destroy the gums and bone.
Periodontal disease is characterised by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.
Special Needs Dentistry in Norlane Geelong
An important part of specialised dental care is you. Visit our office to take advantage of the comprehensive procedures we offer!
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home is equally important. Daily brushing and flossing can significantly reduce plaque build-up, preventing dental problems and the need for more complex treatments.
At Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants, we offer a wide range of preventive dental services tailored to the needs of patients with special requirements, helping you maintain optimal oral health.
Special Needs Dentistry in Norlane Geelong
For more information about our special needs dentistry services in Norlane, call us on (03) 5278 2666 or book your appointment online.
We are located at 21 Princes Highway in Norlane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a specialised dental examination?
During a specialised dental examination, patients receive a comprehensive check-up with X-rays and a full inspection of the mouth. Any plaque build-up is gently removed, and the teeth are polished. The dentist will then provide recommendations for future care, and together, the patient and dentist will set goals for maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Is it necessary to remove tartar from your teeth?
Yes, removing tartar is essential as it can lead to gum disease and other oral health issues. Regular cleanings help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
How often should I visit the dentist for special needs care?
The frequency of visits depends on the condition of your gums and teeth. If you have dental issues, follow your dentist’s recommended schedule. If your teeth are healthy, visits every 6-12 months are generally sufficient.
Do you provide sedation or sleep dentistry for special needs dentistry?
Yes, we provide both sedation in the chair, and we also provide day hospitral/say surgery sleep dentistry treatments. Please talk to us about any of your requirements or concerns and we can discuss these options with you.