St Agnes Dental has been providing exceptional, high quality dental care to the Adelaide community since 1969. Originally located in the St Agnes Shopping Centre we have now moved into our purpose built, state of the art, premises across the road at 1255 North East Road, Ridgehaven.
Going to the dentist shouldn’t be a stressful experience. We take great pride in providing honest, reliable service in a relaxed, comfortable and tranquil environment. We are a patient centred and family friendly practice. The majority of our patients come from referrals by their family and friends and we strive to live up to the reputation we are known for in providing the highest quality, professional and personalised treatment and service.
We believe that a healthy mouth leads to a healthy life.
We have a holistic approach to dentistry and provide treatment options tailored to each individual. We do not preach to our patients but will work closely with you to provide the treatment you desire based on your personal beliefs, expectations, circumstances and budget. Often the emotional and psychological effects of poor teeth and a poor smile are overlooked but these can be corrected and improved using our latest cosmetic and tooth whitening techniques.
Our Services:
General Dentistry
Your teeth work very hard for you and need to be there for you for your whole life. Unfortunately, teeth are prone to chipping and breaking. This is more likely in heavily filled teeth, decayed teeth, older teeth and teeth in bites with excessive forces.
When a tooth is chipped or broken we are often able to repair and restore that tooth with a filling material. At St Agnes Dental we only use the latest most advanced tooth coloured filling materials. We only use TGA approved materials that have been tested by experts in dental research. We are able to restore your tooth back to its original shape and colour in a single appointment.
The tooth coloured fillings bond the tooth structure and can help prevent cracks and splits from propagating further. In some case where there is significant tooth loss, or where the cracks are deeper and more obvious, a crown may be needed to better protect your tooth.
Restorations can also be used to replace weak and unsightly old black amalgam fillings, improve the shape and colour of your front teeth and strengthen back teeth before they break.
We invest a lot of time ensuring we are up to date in all areas of dentistry to ensure you receive the benefit of the latest advice and treatment.
Please arrange an appointment to discuss your options with one of our dental professionals.
Hygiene
Crowns
Although teeth are extremely hard and difficult to break, trauma, decay, root canal treatment and some older fillings can weaken the tooth and cause fractures. In these cases, a crown is often the best way to save a tooth and strengthen it.
Crowns are usually made of porcelain but may also be made of gold and other metals.
Crowns provide a long lasting, strong, aesthetic and permanent solution to restore and save your weakened tooth.
Any teeth with large fillings, especially the old metal amalgam fillings, are at high risk of fracturing and possibly requiring extraction.
Crowns are also used on front teeth to improve the appearance of a tooth or teeth. Some teeth are badly broken down, are heavily filled or stained, or are rotated and have gaps. Using crowns our dentists can provide a beautiful result and provide the smile you have always dreamed of.
At St Agnes Dental we use the latest advanced technology. Our dentists are highly skilled and extremely experienced in providing the best possible crowns for your teeth. All of our laboratory work is sourced entirely from Australia and no inferior overseas materials are ever used.
Our Dentists and Oral Health Therapists provide outstanding care and treatment for all our children.
Since opening in 1969 we have seen generations of families. We have many adults still coming to see us who were very young children when they first attended. Most are now bringing their children and even grandchildren. We have been very privileged to watch these families grow and become part of our family here at St Agnes Dental.
Our dental professionals will provide.
- A thorough examination of the whole mouth.
- Dental radiographs if required.
- Discuss how together we may improve diet and oral hygiene.
- Education about the causes of decay and dental diseases.
- Removal of stains, plaque and tartar.
- Fluoride application treatment.
- Orthodontic assessment and referral if needed.
WHAT IS AN ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST?
Our Oral Health Therapists possess qualifications in dental hygiene and dental therapy. They provide high quality oral health care for children, adolescents and young adults including examinations, digital radiographs, treatment and prevention. They have been specifically trained to treat children and are up to date with the latest techniques and procedures needed. They have a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Adelaide recognized as having one of the world’s leading and most respected Dental Schools.
Cosmetic Dentistry
There are a number of cosmetic dentistry treatments that may be used to enhance the appearance of your teeth.
Often the emotional and psychological effects of poor teeth and a poor smile are overlooked. Your family and friends may be too embarrassed to point these out to you even though they have noticed. A poor smile may affect social relationships, work opportunities and general confidence.
Our experienced dentists, together with our partner specialists and dental technicians, can provide teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, orthodontic treatment, crowns, bridges and implants allowing you to close the gaps between teeth and replace missing teeth.
All of our dental laboratory work is Australian made and not sourced from cheaper, poorer quality laboratories overseas as unfortunately occurs in many other dental practices. We believe in supporting our local businesses who guarantee their workmanship, training, infection control and the quality of the materials they use.
Dental Implants & Bridges
At St Agnes Dental we work very closely with our dental implant specialists to plan the very best treatment options for you.
We understand that needing to have a tooth removed can be upsetting and emotionally traumatic.
Some people decide to live with the gap remaining after a tooth is removed but most people prefer to replace the missing tooth with a denture, bridge or dental implant.
When you lose a tooth you will continue to lose bone in that area for the rest of your life. The bone begins to shrink as soon as the tooth is lost. Dental implants can provide the stimulation the bone needs to stop this loss.
With no support the opposing and adjacent teeth begin to move and drift into the missing areas. This can overload and weaken the remaining teeth, make them more difficult to clean and result in food impaction and gum disease. Abnormal forces on the remaining teeth may lead to fracture or even the need for root canal therapy. Eventually more teeth may be lost. The support to your lips and cheeks is also lost leading to a premature aged look.
A BRIDGE is a fixed restoration. A false tooth is attached to crowns made to fit the teeth next to the gap. The adjacent teeth are cut down significantly and the bridge is bonded to these prepared teeth. The bone will continue to shrink under the false tooth and cleaning under and around the bridge can be difficult. Where an implant is not an option a bridge may provide a great alternative.
IMPLANTS provide a tooth that feels and looks natural. The implant is placed below the gum into the jaw bone and acts as the base to support the new tooth crown. Implants do not involve the adjacent teeth. Dental implants closely mimic the look and function of real teeth and make an attractive alternative to dentures and bridges.
Gum Disease
Careful and regular cleaning at home and by your dental professional can help prevent gum disease.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects most people at some stage in their life.
The 2 stages of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Common signs of gum disease are red, puffy or bleeding gums.
Gingivitis is inflammation that affects the gums only. Poor cleaning and plaque causes the gums to become red, swollen and tender. The gums bleed easily when you brush. Gingivitis is reversible, however, if it is not treated, it may lead to the more serious condition of periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a severe and irreversible form of gum disease. Periodontitis causes a deep inflammation of the gums that affects the bone holding the teeth in place. If left untreated the bone continues to be lost and eventually the teeth loosen and may be lost.
At St Agnes Dental, our dentists, together with our highly trained hygienists, are very experienced in identifying and treating all forms of gum disease. We are continually upgrading our knowledge and skills to offer the latest treatment and advice.
Laser Dentistry
A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy. When a laser light comes in contact with tissues it causes a reaction. The light can remove or shape soft tissues.
Our Laser can be used to,
- Expose partially erupted wisdom teeth.
- Manage gum tissue during impressions for crowns and other procedures.
- Remove overgrown tissues.
- Remove inflamed gum tissue and aid in the treatment of gum disease.
- Help treat infections in root canals.
Our dentists at St Agnes Dental have been specially trained and accredited to use the Picasso Laser.
Root Canal Therapy
When a tooth becomes infected or inflamed there are only two options available. One is to extract the tooth and the other, more popular option, is to save the tooth using root canal therapy. Unfortunately, most people later regret extracting their tooth as replacing a missing tooth can be difficult and very costly.
Root canal therapy is the replacement of an infected or damaged nerve in a tooth with a special type of filling. The nerve (pulp) is found in the center of a tooth and extends into each root as far as the root tip. The procedure is also known as endodontic treatment.
In the past, diseased and damaged teeth were removed, but thanks to advancements in root canal therapy these teeth can now be saved.
What causes nerve damage?
- Deep decay
- Tooth fracture
- Trauma to a tooth
- Severe wear or tooth grinding
- Some types of gum disease
An inflamed nerve can cause sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and foods. An abscessed, or infected, nerve may make the tooth very sore to bite on and it may ache continually. Swelling may also be present.
The root canal treatment procedure in most cases is simple, straight forward and comfortable. The diseased, damaged or dead nerve tissue inside the tooth is removed. The space that remains is then cleaned, shaped, treated with medicaments and filled with a special filling material.
Same Day CEREC Crowns
When a tooth becomes decayed, loses a filling, or is cracked and broken, it often requires greater protection than just another filling. All-porcelain crowns cover a single tooth to protect it and restore its shape and function. These crowns required at least two appointments and two weeks turn around. Now, using CEREC, new crowns can be created in one appointment. Not only does this save you time and inconvenience, but it also means you don’t have to wear a temporary crown, no impressions are needed, and you avoid uncomfortable sensitivity between appointments.
CEREC enables us to restore your teeth with dentistry’s finest materials. The ceramic materials we use here at St Agnes Dental are not only the most attractive but are the most compatible with your natural enamel. This is the latest most advanced technology using computer aided design and milling which provides us with the highest level of accuracy and control. The biggest advantage of a CEREC crown is that your restoration can be designed and milled right here in our dental clinic.
Not only do CEREC crowns ultimately strengthen your tooth, but they also provide the highest level of aesthetic and cosmetic results. A CEREC crown can quickly restore your confidence and bring back your beautiful smile.
Whether you want to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or you have a broken or cracked tooth, we’re sure you’ll find the CEREC tooth crown procedure benefits you in many ways.
We are continually striving to provide you with the latest technology and the best treatment designed just for you. Why not schedule an appointment with one of our dentists at St Agnes Dental to discuss the appropriate treatment for you?
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening has become very popular as people are taking better care of their teeth and are more aware of the benefits of having a bright and beautiful smile.
Coffee, wine, cigarettes, ageing and other factors cause your teeth to yellow over time.
At St Agnes Dental we offer both in-office teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening breaks down the stains inside the tooth enamel whereas over the counter products only remove stains on the surface of teeth.
Our team of highly trained professionals are experts in state of the art teeth whitening and have years of experience. We use only the latest in teeth whitening technology and techniques to ensure you receive the best, safest and most reliable treatment.
How YOU feel about the appearance of your teeth is very important to us.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells, usually made of porcelain, that we are able to bond to the front of your teeth.
Veneers may be used for,
- Chipped, broken and crooked teeth.
- Gaps between teeth.
- Stained teeth.
- Misaligned teeth.
- Old veneers needing replacement.
They provide an immediate improvement to your teeth. Veneers only cover the front of your teeth and are very conservative of tooth structure.
As we only use Australian laboratories to manufacture the porcelain veneers we use at St Agnes Dental we are able to ensure that only the best, latest and approved materials are used for your teeth.
Please arrange an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss if veneers are the best option for you.
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