Your Local Dentist in Sandstone Point, near Bribie Island
    

The three main options are a dental implant (a titanium post that replaces the root, topped with a crown), a bridge (which anchors a replacement tooth to the teeth on either side), and a denture (a removable plate). The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of your jaw and neighbouring teeth, and your budget — we’ll talk it through at a consultation.

An implant is fixed in the jaw and stands on its own, so it doesn’t rely on other teeth. A bridge is also fixed but uses the teeth either side for support. A denture is removable, often the most affordable of the three, and can replace anything from one tooth to a full arch. Each has trade-offs in cost, longevity and feel.

Yes. Several missing teeth can be replaced with a bridge, a partial denture, or multiple implants — and in some cases just a few implants can support a full set of replacement teeth. The best approach depends on where the gaps are and the condition of your jawbone, which we assess with an examination and x-rays.

A missing tooth isn’t only a cosmetic issue. Over time the teeth next to the gap can drift, the opposing tooth can over-erupt, and the jawbone in that area can gradually shrink — which can make treatment harder later. It’s worth at least discussing your options early, even if you decide to wait.

It usually comes down to the neighbouring teeth and the jawbone. If the teeth either side of the gap are healthy, an implant avoids touching them; if they already need crowns, a bridge can solve two problems at once. Your dentist will assess both and explain the cost and longevity of each so you can choose.

Most people need a few weeks to adjust. Early on, dentures can feel bulky and speaking or eating may take some practice, which is completely normal. We usually schedule a follow-up to check the fit and make small adjustments — minor tweaks early on make a big difference to comfort.

Yes. A loose denture is often fixed with a reline, where the base is re-fitted to the current shape of your gums (which change shape over the years). Cracks, chips and broken teeth can usually be repaired too. Bring it in and we’ll let you know whether a reline, repair or replacement makes the most sense.

Implant-retained dentures clip onto a small number of implants in the jaw, so they stay firmly in place rather than resting on the gums. They’re popular with people who find a conventional lower denture moves around. They’re still removable for cleaning, but much more stable when worn — we can talk through whether you’re a candidate.

Clean them daily, rinse after eating, and take them out overnight to rest your gums unless your dentist advises otherwise. Use a denture brush and a soak rather than regular toothpaste, which can be too abrasive. Bringing them to your check-ups lets us inspect the fit and condition at the same time.

Many repairs — a cracked base or a popped-off tooth — can be turned around quickly, and having a dental prosthetist on our team helps with that. Avoid gluing it yourself; household glues can damage the denture and aren’t safe in the mouth. Call us and we’ll let you know the turnaround.

A dry mouth is very common later in life, and medications are a frequent cause — many for blood pressure, heart conditions, depression and allergies reduce saliva. It’s worth mentioning, because less saliva raises your risk of decay and gum problems. We can suggest ways to manage it and keep a closer eye on your teeth.

Gum recession exposes more of the tooth, which makes teeth look longer and can cause sensitivity. It can come from years of firm brushing, gum disease, or simply age. It matters because the exposed root surface decays more easily than enamel — catching it early lets us protect those areas before they become a problem.

Decay at the gumline and on the roots is one of the most common issues we see in older adults — often linked to gum recession and dry mouth rather than diet. The root surface is softer than enamel, so it decays faster. Regular check-ups let us treat these spots while they’re still small.

It’s a quick, simple check of the soft tissues of your mouth, tongue and throat that we include as part of a thorough examination. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the risk rises with age, so it’s worth having regularly — particularly if you’ve smoked or drink alcohol.

For many people, yes — keeping your natural teeth for life is a realistic goal now, and far more common than it used to be. It comes down to regular check-ups, treating small problems early, managing gum health and staying on top of dry mouth. And even if you’ve lost some teeth, protecting the rest is always worthwhile.

The easiest start is a check-up: a relaxed look at where things are, with no treatment on the day unless something’s urgent and you want it done. We’ll talk through what we find and put together a plan you’re comfortable with, at a pace that suits you. You don’t need to have everything sorted at once.

No. Many of our patients come to us after a long gap, and we genuinely don’t judge — we’re here to help, not to lecture. Whatever we find, we’ll explain it plainly and focus on the way forward. Most people tell us it was far less confronting than they’d built it up to be.

We start by getting to know you and your medical history, then do a gentle examination — usually with x-rays — to see the full picture, plus an oral health and oral cancer screening. We’ll explain what we find in plain language and, if anything needs doing, lay out the options and costs before you decide anything.

We go at your pace, explain everything before we do it, and you can ask us to pause at any time. Our complimentary comfort menu — noise-cancelling headphones, a weighted blanket, an eye pillow and more — is there if it helps. Just let us know when you book that you’re feeling nervous, and we’ll allow extra time.

Absolutely — it’s how we’d suggest starting. A check-up gives you an honest picture and a written plan with options and costs, with no obligation to proceed. Plenty of people take that away, think it over, and book treatment when they’re ready. There’s no pressure from us.

Veterans with a DVA Gold Card are generally covered for a broad range of dental treatment, while White Card holders are covered for dental related to their accepted conditions. You usually won’t pay out of pocket for covered treatment. Bring your card to your visit and we’ll confirm what’s included before we begin.

CDBS is a Medicare scheme giving eligible children a capped amount of dental benefits — currently around $1,158 over two consecutive calendar years (the exact figure is set by Services Australia). It covers basics like exams, cleans, x-rays, fillings and extractions, but not orthodontics or cosmetic work. We can check your child’s eligibility when you book.

They let eligible public dental patients be treated sooner at a participating private clinic like ours, instead of waiting on the public list. Eligibility and allocation are managed by Metro North Health. Voucher appointments can’t be booked online — call us on (07) 5429 5628 and our team will check the day’s allocation for you.

In some cases, yes — super can be released early on compassionate grounds for essential dental treatment, subject to approval. We work with SuperCare, a registered agent with the Tax Practitioners Board, who manage the application on your behalf. We don’t provide financial advice, but if you’d like to explore it, we can connect you with their team.

They let you spread the cost of treatment over time instead of paying upfront. We offer options such as Zip, Afterpay and PayPal Pay in 4 — often interest-free when you pay on schedule — plus TLC plans for larger treatments, from around $20 a week depending on the treatment and provider. Ask us and we’ll walk you through what fits.