Never miss a check-up with the dentist in Mackay
It’s easy to find excuses not to bother with your check-up with the dentist in Mackay, but at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston we strongly urge you not to let other things, including your fear, get in the way of your dental health.
We understand that if you have been diligently coming in for check-ups and for years you have been told each time that everything is fine, that you may start to think that you can get away with missing one or two. You may even decide unilaterally to reduce your check-up intervals to every 12 months. But, please don’t do this without talking it over with us first. There is a very good reason why we recommend coming in for a check-up every 6 months.
Spotting trouble before trouble gets going
Dental problems get worse the longer you leave them; we all know that. But did you know that decay and gum disease are present long before you can feel their effects? By the time you can feel pain from decay or have bleeding gums from gum disease, the problem is well under way. We can spot decay as patches on your teeth, or gum disease as mild inflammation and pockets under the gums long before you notice the effects. Being able to spot problems in their very early stages means that treatment is simple, quick and less expensive than when we treat them in their later stages.
The ultimate end for your problems
With both dental decay and gum disease, the ultimate end is tooth loss. If your treatment doesn’t get going until you are in advanced stages, you may well be looking at extraction, and then you are into a whole new world of tooth replacement: dentures, bridges and dental implants.
It’s less of a hassle to have check-ups
Teeth are meant to last you a lifetime, so please don’t put off coming to the dentist in Mackay for simple check-ups and deep cleans with the hygienist. We are here to help you keep your teeth, but we can only do that if you bring them along to us to have a look at.
Modern dentistry means modern facilities
When you look back on the history of dentistry, when it began, if you wanted a dentist you were looking at going to your local barber, who had a side-line in pulling out teeth with some pretty heavy-duty equipment. If you wanted replacement teeth, your dentures might have been made out of ivory, the teeth of dead soldiers, or a poor person who had sold them to be able to buy food.
Since then, dental research has made great strides and today it bears almost no resemblance to what used to go on. Here at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston, when you visit the dentist in Mackay, you can expect to take advantage of some pretty amazing advances in dental technology, many of which have come about thanks to the digital revolution.
Digital x-rays
One big plus of digital dental x-rays at the dentist in Mackay is that the amount of radiation is reduced by up to 70%, which means digital x-rays are much safer.
Also, we don’t have to wait to look at what’s going on inside your teeth and gums; the information can be sent directly to the computer. The pictures are much clearer too. This means we can make a treatment plan straight away. Finally, with no processing chemicals required to process the images, digital x-rays are more environmentally friendly.
Intra-oral camera
Our camera allows us to take finely detailed pictures of the inside of your mouth. We can get into places, like behind your back teeth, for a much better view. Also, because the pictures are digital, we can put them on the computer and you can look at them on the screen above you. You can see what we are talking about when we discuss possible treatment plans.
Surgical microscope and magnifying loupes
These are attached to glasses. They may make the dentist in Mackay look a bit like the nutty professor, but they mean we can see what we’re doing in super-fine detail. So we can be sure to remove all the decay in a tooth, for example.
You can rest assured, our equipment makes an important contribution to your dental health and comfort.
What’s on offer at the dentist in Mackay?
Some dental practices focus on one or two areas of dentistry. They may only do cosmetic work, or only fit braces. Others concentrate on dental implants or general dentistry.
Here at Walkerston Dental, we offer a wide range of treatments. This dentist in Mackay works with children, adults, older and cosmetic patients. Here’s a rundown of what we do.
General dentistry
This includes your run-of-the-mill maintenance treatments such as bi-annual check-ups, scale and polish cleanings, fillings, crowns and extractions. We also offer dentures and plates under general dentistry.
Preventive dentistry
Our whole focus as a practice is on prevention. If we can help you spend less time in the dentist’s chair, we will. This is why we offer nutritional advice for optimum tooth health, guidance on the right oral hygiene routine for you and fissure sealants to help prevent decay.
Cosmetic dentistry
If your teeth are in great health and you want to give your smile an extra boost, cosmetic dentistry is the way to go. We can build-up the teeth with crowns and veneers, brighten them up with tooth whitening or straighten them with clear aligners. We also offer gum reshaping to help reveal more of the natural beauty of the tooth.
Root canals
A root canal can help to save an infected tooth by remove the affected tissue in the root, so the crown doesn’t become loose.
Dental implants
If you have been unfortunate enough to lose a tooth, dental implants are a highly functional way to restore it. Replacing both root and crown, it’s almost like having a natural tooth back.
Teeth straightening
We offer a range of braces to help realign the teeth and jaws, for children and adults.
Children’s dentistry
Our dentist in Mackay will take the time to reassure your child and explain dental procedures to them, so they experience visiting the dentist as a comfortable experience. This will help them develop a healthy relationship with their teeth to take into adulthood.
Additional services
We can also help with teeth grinding, TMJ pain, snoring and sleep aponea.
Call in today
Find out more at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston GP Super Clinic, Queensland, your dentist in Mackay.
Advanced services offered by your local dentist
For many people, the only time we visit a dentist in Mackay is if we have a cavity, or for a yearly check-up. But there are many things a dentist can do that you might not be aware of. At Walkerston Dental in Walkerston we offer a range of advanced services to our patients.
Help with snoring and sleep apnoea
One thing that surprises a lot of people is that a dentist in Mackay can often help with sleeping problems such as snoring and sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a serious condition that affects many people, where the throat muscles relax too much during sleep and obstruct breathing. A dentist can help by fitting you with a special custom-made appliance that holds the lower jaw forward just slightly while you sleep, which can help to keep the airway open.
Jaw pain and teeth grinding
If you are one of the many people who grind your teeth in your sleep, you may not realise the long-term damage it can do to your teeth, gums and jaw joint. The condition of grinding or clenching your teeth, known as bruxism, can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, a painful disorder that can cause chronic headaches and neck and shoulder pain. If you wake up with an aching jaw or notice your teeth are becoming worn, sensitive or chipped, come and visit a dentist in Mackay to see if we can help.
Wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments
Often people are not aware of some of the cosmetic dentistry treatments on offer nowadays. Advances in dental technology mean there are many treatments that have been introduced or made much easier in recent years. Invisible braces and aligners, gum reshaping and teeth whitening are all services you can get at a dentist in Mackay, as well as traditional crowns and veneers.
Advanced technology
Here at Walkerston Dental we do everything we can to make diagnosis and treatment as comfortable, fast and accurate as we can. In order to help with this, we use advanced technology such as intra-oral cameras, digital x-rays, full face x-ray and implant planning software. We want your visit to a dentist in Mackay to go as smoothly as possible.
Advances in dental technology
Like all medicine, advances are being made in dental technology all the time. When you visit a dentist in Mackay you want to know that they are taking advantage of these advances. Here at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston GP SuperClinic, Queensland, we make use of the latest dental technology to make diagnosis and treatment as accurate and easy as possible.
Examples of dental technology
When you visit a dentist in Mackay, there are a number of examples of advanced technology you may come across.
We now use digital x-rays, which mean lower radiation exposure. They also have much higher resolution for a clearer picture, and processing times are much shorter. Real-time visualisation is possible, making it much easier for the dentist in Mackay to identify early signs of decay and other dental problems.
Intra-oral cameras are in regular use at our practice, allowing us to take high-definition pictures of the inside of your mouth. We can then show you these photos on screen, allowing you to see what is going on with your teeth and enabling the dentist to better explain things.
It can be difficult for the dentist in Mackay to see minute details of your teeth, but using a surgical microscope and magnifying loupes enables more thorough treatment. Being able to see at up to 20 times the original size makes it easier for the dentist to make sure every last bit of infection or decay is removed.
At Walkerston Dental we have access to an onsite digital OPG, a full-face x-ray machine, which saves time and resources as we don’t need to refer patients out if they require the use of this machine. This is important to you as the patient as it reduces delays in treatment.
If you are planning to visit a dentist in Mackay for dental implants, you can have confidence in our implant planning software. This enables us to virtually plan the placement of implants. Experience shows that this reduces the risk of surgical complications. The software offers improvements to the long-term outcome of the implants.
Dental technology can improve your visit
These technologies can make your consultation and treatment with a dentist in Mackay much more comfortable.
What to expect when you visit a dentist
Maybe you’ve avoided seeing a dentist for a while, or you’re new to this country and not sure what to expect. Either way, it is important to have regular check-ups with a dentist in Mackay and you can rest assured that here at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston GP Superclinic, Queensland, we will do our best to make you feel at ease.
Modern clinic with up-to-date equipment and methods
At Walkerston Dental we keep up with the latest developments in dental treatment. Our practice is outfitted with advanced dental technology, making use of items such as digital x-ray, intra-oral camera and implant planning software. These, along with other technologies, enable us to give you the best care possible and allow us to show you exactly where your teeth need attention. All of this can help make your visit to a dentist in Mackay more comfortable.
What happens at a check-up
If you’re apprehensive about visiting a dentist in Mackay for a check-up, you can relax in the knowledge that it is really a quick and simple experience. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums, looking for potential problems. By having a dentist in Mackay look at your teeth regularly, they can pick up on any possible issues early which means they are likely to be easier to treat. The dentist will also ask you questions about your general oral health, and give you advice on dental hygiene, as well as things that affect your teeth such as smoking, alcohol and diet.
The dentist may take x-rays or pictures of your mouth to help them assess your teeth. If they do come across any problems that require treatment, they will most likely book you another appointment.
Keeping your teeth healthy at home
The best way to avoid needing to see a dentist in Mackay, apart from general check-ups, is to keep up a good dental hygiene habit at home. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day, flossing, and limiting sugary foods and drinks are the best ways to make sure your teeth stay healthy. Acidic drinks such as fruit cordials, juices and other soft drinks should be limited, as the acids can dissolve tooth enamel and cause cavities.
The importance of regular dental visits
It is important to visit a dentist in Mackay for regular check-ups to make sure your teeth stay healthy. Here at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston we recommend our patients visit us every 6 months to a year for a check-up and clean.
Get really clean teeth with a scale and polish
You might think you can clean your teeth perfectly well at home with a toothbrush, but it is still a good idea to visit us regularly for a scale and polish. There are naturally lots of little nooks and crannies between the teeth that are very hard to reach with your home toothbrush. Professional cleaning will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, not only cleaning them but also making them much healthier. Plaque and tartar build-up can contribute to gum disease, cavities and tooth decay.
You may have heard that having your teeth scaled can be quite uncomfortable, but if you have it done regularly this will reduce the discomfort greatly, as a stubborn build-up of plaque will require the dentist to work harder to remove it.
Reasons to visit a dentist in Mackay
Many of us only visit a dentist in Mackay when we have pain or an obvious dental problem. But by having regular check-ups you have a chance to catch potential problems early and prevent them from getting worse.
Even if you do visit your dentist for regular check-ups, you may have a problem come up that requires you to see a dentist in Mackay. If you have any tooth pain, it is generally an indicator of a problem so you should give us a call and schedule an appointment to get it checked out. If you crack or lose a tooth it should be treated as a dental emergency and you should call us immediately.
Don’t be scared to visit a dentist in Mackay
Lots of people are scared to visit the dentist, which usually stems from hearing horror stories or an unfortunate visit that resulted in a pain. Dental technology has advanced a lot in recent years, and there are many ways of putting you at ease and preventing pain during treatment. Getting treatment early can prevent problems becoming more serious.
Getting to know to us
Trust, it’s the foundation of every lasting relationship. That goes for those of the professional variety too. If you didn’t trust your doctor with your health or your solicitor with your legal troubles, life would be a whole lot more stressful. Creating a trusting relationship with your dentist in Mackay is equally as important. After all, your dental health affects more that just your teeth and gums. Poor dental health, specifically gum disease, has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
That’s why at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston, we take the time to really get to know each and every one of our patients. We want you to feel completely comfortable with us, your dentist in Mackay. That ‘getting to know you’ process goes both ways. We want you to get to know us too. So let’s get that ball rolling right now.
Dr Prathap Kripakaran
Our principal dentist, Dr Prathap Kripakaran, affectionately known as PK to us and his patients, doesn’t just love practising dentistry, he loves learning about it too. In fact, he is of the mind-set that continuing education is vital to stay on top of advances in the field. By keeping up to date with what’s happening today in dentistry, PK ensures that his patients receive modern, effective dental care.
Dr Simi Jacob
With a background working in a busy hospital-based dental practice, Dr Simi Jacob is confident dealing with all manner of dental problems. Her gentle approach is known to put even the most nervous patients at ease, which is also why she is great with children. As a mum herself, Simi knows how important it is to give kids a good start with their dental health and so she strives to make sure that our youngest patients have a positive experience from their very first interactions with their dentist in Mackay.
Walkerston Dental: your tech savvy dentist
Time was, keeping in touch meant sending a letter across oceans by ship, then came airmail, then came email. And now it’s a whole new world of video chat, online messengers, and endless social media platforms. It can be hard to keep up. When it comes to dentistry, technology has advanced just as much. But at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston we make it our business to keep on top of all the latest developments, so that when you come to us, as your dentist in Mackay, you know you’ll be getting up-to-date treatment with modern technology.
Let’s explore a few of the gadgets we put to work for your dental health.
Digital x-rays
You may need dental x-rays to check on impacted wisdom teeth or before getting braces or dental implants. Going digital means you are exposed to significantly lower radiation doses. As a dentist in Mackay, going digital means we can capture greater detail and view the images as they come in, in real time. That means we are better able to spot the early signs of dental disease.
Intra-oral cameras
When we spot something in your mouth that is of concern, it helps if we can show it to you. This is now possible with intra-oral cameras that allow us to take detailed photos of the inside of your mouth quickly. We can then put these up on screen so you can see what we’re talking about, giving you a better understanding of your dental health.
Surgical microscopes
Specialised microscopes let us zoom in on your oral tissues by as much as 20 times. With that level of detail, we can be certain when we’ve cleared up an infection or gotten rid of decay. So, when your dentist in Mackay says your treatment was a success, you know it’s true at a microscopic level.
Implant planning software
If you’ve experienced tooth loss, it is important you seek treatment as soon as possible. The gold standard of tooth restoration is dental implants. These are placed into the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. Advanced implant planning software allows us to meticulously plan exactly where we will place your implants, reducing surgical complications and improving long-term results.
Effective oral health treatment
Visiting the dentist in Mackay is a crucial part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy and free from disease. At Walkerston Dental in Walkerston GP SuperClinic, Queensland, you’ll have access to a wide range of oral health services. We can fix your damaged teeth, make sure your gums are healthy, and prevent future deterioration. Our team of experienced dental professionals is friendly, efficient, and considerate. We provide contemporary oral healthcare in relaxing surroundings.
Levels of care
The dentist in Mackay can give you a much higher level of care than you can provide for yourself. Our years of experience and training, combined with up-to-date practical knowledge and technology, allow us to detect problems and deal with them before they develop into something you’d notice yourself.
If you visit us regularly, that gives us a great chance of stopping oral health problems before they become oral health emergencies. There’s no need to wait until you’re worried about your teeth before you visit the dentist in Mackay. Come to us for a check-up and we can steer you towards a low hassle dental future.
Restoring and improving
If you have any existing dental damage, we can make effective repairs that provide long-term stability. As a cosmetic dentist in Mackay, we can also provide relatively simple treatments that have a strong visual effect. Veneers, for example, will improve the appearance of chipped, stained or misshapen teeth. Teeth whitening treatment return the natural gleam to your teeth.
Many of our patients want the dentist in Mackay to enhance the alignment of their teeth. We provide contemporary aligners and braces that are considerate of your social and cosmetic needs. Using transparent and low visibility materials, these innovative appliances straighten teeth without drawing attention to themselves. They’re customised for your comfort, and even bringing about small changes to wonky teeth with such appliances can have a big effect.
Good to go
We aim to improve your long-term dental health by offering effective treatments as well as advice on the best ways you can care for your teeth and gums. As an all-round dentist in Mackay, we’re able to respond quickly to any oral health concerns.
