FAQs

Below are answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.

Do I need my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge within the mouth. If there is not enough room in your mouth when the wisdom teeth come in, they may not emerge above the gum line and can become impacted. You may need these teeth removed if you are experiencing:
• Repeated gum infection
• Decay
• Cysts around wisdom teeth that have not fully emerged
• Distortion of bite
You can read more about wisdom teeth here.

What is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth is one that does not grow through and emerge above the gum line. This is usually due to the mouth being too crowded when the teeth were supposed to come in. The most common types of impacted teeth are wisdom teeth and upper canines. You can read about impacted teeth here.

What anaesthetic options are available for my wisdom tooth removal ?

The method of wisdom teeth removal is dependent on your specific situations. Ordinarily, wisdom teeth removal will involve either a local or general anaesthetic depending on the assessment of your practitioner. You can read more about the wisdom teeth procedure here.

Why do I need dental implants?

If you have lost a tooth or if you have badly damaged teeth, you may consider replacing them with dental implants. These consist of an anchor fitted into the bone of your jaw, which then has a natural looking tooth replacement attached to it to mimic the function of your natural tooth as closely as possible. If you have problems eating, speaking, or you have facial structural issues due to teeth loss, you may wish to look into dental implants. Read more about dental implants here.

What is tongue-tie?

The frenum is a soft muscle found in your mouth. There is one which attaches your top lip to your gum and another attaching your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. If you have a short frenum, you will have tongue-tie. This is distinguished by a difficulty in tongue mobility. People who have tongue-tie find it difficult to extend their tongue past their lips, touch the roof of their mouth, and may have a speech disorder. Find out more here.

Does my baby have lip-tie?

Lip-tie, like tongue-tie, is the shortening of the soft muscle that attaches the lip to the gums. Babies with lip-tie and tongue-tie have difficulty breast feeding. With a simple surgery called a frenectomy, this can be alleviated. Read more about the topic here.

What can I do about tooth loss?

If you have tooth loss then there are options you can pursue to repair your mouth. Dental implants and temporary anchorage devices are some ways that you may be able to treat gaps in your teeth. If you have had teeth loss for a long period of time, you may require a sinus lift before seeking dental implants. Find out more here.

What is a sinus lift?

If you lose a tooth and leave the space untreated, the bone the tooth was attached to can shrink. As such, if you then wish to have dental implants you may need a sinus lift to add more bone to your jaw. Sinus lifts are also used if your teeth are too close to your sinuses and are causing distress. You can read more about the procedure here.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting may be required when there is not enough bone material, usually when implementing dental implants. The bone material needed for a bone graft can be sourced from your mouth during the procedure, before the procedure, or a synthetic bone material can be used. Find out more here.

Why is my jaw clicking?

If your jaw is making clicking and popping noises when you’re talking, chewing, or simply opening and closing it, then you may have Temporomandibular Joint disorder. This disorder is characterised by symptoms such as pain in the jaw, teeth grinding, and jaw locking. To find out more about TMD, click here.

When do I need to remove a tooth?

There are a number of reasons you may need to remove a difficult tooth. Most commonly this would be because of issues with the tooth’s roots. These issues are generally characterised by toothache, although you will need a professional practitioner to properly diagnose this. You can find out more about difficult teeth here.

What is a TAD?

Temporary Anchorage Devices are small screws which can be placed in the gum to guide teeth in orthodontic procedures. This is an excellent treatment for more serious orthodontic issues. You can find out more here.

Book an appointment

Feel free to contact us with any questions, queries, or booking appointments.

  • Phone 02 8814 7474
  • Email reception@norwestomfs.com.au
  • Address 10 Norbrik Drive
    Suite 310, Level 3, Q Central

    Bella Vista NSW 2153
  • Hours
    Monday 9:00am to 5:00pm
    Tuesday 9:00am to 5:00pm
    Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm
    Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm
    Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm