Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our skilled and compassionate team will always make you feel at home and present every treatment option available, along with the benefits and limitations of each. This way, you can make a choice that works best for you and your family.

We utilise modern dental technology with the intention of making treatment easier, faster and more accurate for our patients.

As a family dental clinic, we welcome patients of all ages and look forward to meeting you and your family.

While the Australian Dental Association recommends that children have their first visit to the dentist by age one, we recognise that each child is different and has a different attention span, which affects what we can accomplish at their initial appointment. 

We find that kids are more cooperative at age two, but you are always welcome to bring your little one to your appointment to help them grow accustomed to the dental environment. This makes it more likely for your little one to cooperate when it is his or her time in the chair.

Taking care of children’s teeth begins, however, even before they erupt. Our experienced team will demonstrate how to keep gums healthy and how to look after your child’s very first emerging teeth.

Our North Tamworth dental clinic promotes a family-friendly environment with televisions in the treatment rooms, a play area for little ones and a team who loves to see little ones in the surgery.

As with adults, we thoroughly customise your child’s dentistry to support their unique needs. Our dentists are conservative in their approach and will only recommend fluoride application and fissure sealants if they are necessary.

For reliable and gentle paediatric dentistry, contact our North Tamworth dental clinic to book their first ‘happy visit’ with one of our dentists. We can’t wait to help them develop a healthy attitude toward dentistry.

We treat children, teens and adults with orthodontics. Because adults sometimes wish to avoid the appearance and lifestyle adjustments of traditional braces, we also offer Invisalign clear braces for older teens and adults to achieve a straight, healthy smile.

In most cases, Invisalign will solve the problem of crooked teeth including overcrowded, overlapping teeth or uneven spacing. For complex bite issues, traditional braces may result in a better outcome.

An orthodontic evaluation in our North Tamworth dental clinic will help our dentists determine the proper course of treatment to help you achieve an attractive smile, comfortable joints and improved function.

It’s never too late for a straight smile. If you are a patient seeking cosmetic or restorative treatment at Oasis Smiles Dental, opting to begin with braces or Invisalign first will often improve your outcome.

Benefits of a straight smile:

• Easier to clean teeth
• Improved restorative options
• More comfortable bite
• Proper jaw function
• Reduced wear
• Beautiful results
• Increased self-confidence

If you live in the North Tamworth area and have questions about your bite or the appearance of your smile, contact us to arrange an evaluation. Our comprehensive approach to dentistry is designed to provide ideal results that last a long time.

Many patients ask about Invisalign because it is a discreet way to straighten your teeth. With this option, you wear clear aligners and don’t have to worry about metal brackets and wires. It is the ideal treatment for adults who want a straight smile without drawing attention.

Invisalign begins with a consult in our dental clinic. Your dentist assesses your teeth, takes x-rays, and talks to you about your expectations. Your dentist can tell you during this consult how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign. The treatment can take anywhere from several months up to two years.

Invisalign relies on impression results taken in our dental clinic. We send the results to the Invisalign lab where they create a series of custom aligners. You wear each aligner for about two weeks before moving on to the next. When you finish the supply, therapy is complete.

After treatment, your dentist creates a custom retainer to remind your teeth to stay in their new straight positions.  

For More Information on Invisalign in North Tamworth, We Welcome Your Call

Straight teeth may be healthier and easier to care for. If you would like to learn more, or if you’re ready to arrange an evaluation with the North Tamworth dentist, we encourage you to reach out to a team member today.

Invisalign® clear aligners are a popular way to discreetly reposition your teeth. Because they are nearly invisible, you can smile with confidence during your orthodontic treatment. Invisalign aligners can also be removed so you can eat, brush and floss, allowing you to maintain your oral hygiene and avoid tooth decay.

So, how often should you visit the dentist during Invisalign treatment? Keep reading to find out.

Invisalign Treatment Guidelines

To achieve the best treatment results, here are the Invisalign treatment guidelines to follow:

• Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day.
• Remove your aligners to eat, brush and floss your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once daily.
• Clean your aligners each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and cleanser.
• Wear each aligner for two to three weeks before switching to the next set.
• Visit your Tamworth dentist every four to six weeks so they can monitor your progress.

Questions about Invisalign in Tamworth, NSW?

If you're ready to embark on your Invisalign journey in Tamworth, NSW, we're here to guide you. At Oasis Smiles Dental, we're committed to providing compassionate dental care and helping you achieve your best smile. Don't hesitate to contact us to arrange your appointment. You can call us on (02) 6766 2668.

While Invisalign is a fantastic option for straightening teeth discreetly and comfortably, some teeth can be a bit more stubborn when it comes to movement. In general, the molars, especially the wisdom teeth, are the most difficult to shift with Invisalign aligners.

Molars have multiple roots and are located in the back of your mouth. Because of their size and strong anchorage in the jawbone, they require more force and time to reposition. Wisdom teeth are particularly tricky. Not only are they harder to move, but in many cases, they may not be ideal candidates for movement at all. Removal may be recommended before starting treatment if they’re impacted or crowding other teeth.

Front teeth, like incisors and canines, tend to move more easily and show faster results, so patients often notice visible changes there first. Invisalign has come a long way with technological advances, and even complex cases can be managed with attachments or additional tools.

We Welcome Your Call 

At Oasis Smiles Dental, we tailor your treatment plan based on your unique tooth anatomy, including how your molars respond. We’ll walk you through what to expect and how your teeth will move, step by step. You can give us a call for an appointment or book online for Invisalign in Tamworth, NSW. 

When you have missing teeth, you know how frustrating eating your favourite foods and speaking correctly can be. You also understand the embarrassment associated with gaps in your smile. So, if you’ve heard about how dental implants can replace missing teeth and restore your smile’s beauty and function, you may wonder whether you are a suitable candidate.

Keep reading to learn more about whether dental implants are right for you.

Are You A Candidate for Dental Implants?

When you visit our dental clinic for a dental implant consultation, we will discuss the following guidelines for dental implant placement:

• Healthy gums — Your gums must be healthy enough to support dental implants. You may not be a good candidate if you have receding gums or periodontal disease.
• Sufficient bone density — Your jawbone must be dense enough to support dental implants. If your jawbone density is insufficient, you may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure.
• No tobacco use — If you smoke, you are not the best candidate for dental implants because smoking can increase your risk for implant failure and slow healing time.
• Good oral hygiene — Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential to dental implant success. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, your dentist may not recommend dental implants.

Considering Dental Implants in Tamworth, NSW?

At Oasis Smiles Dental, we take pride in helping our patients regain their smiles and self-confidence with dental implants. If you’re considering this option and wondering if it's right for you, we're here to offer you help. Call us on (02) 6766 2668 to arrange a consultation and take the first step towards a brighter smile.

Dental implants are a permanent, natural-looking tooth restoration procedure. Crafted from biocompatible titanium, dental implants are constructed to replace the root structure of an absent tooth. They offer stability and support on many levels.

Why You Should Consider Dental Implants

It is human nature to accept the state of things thinking they will not change or improve, but many patients have noted that dental implants open up a new world of opportunities for them.

While dentures and dental bridges can fill in the space of a missing tooth, they rest along the gum line and therefore fail to stimulate the jaw bone. Without this stimulation, the jaw bone starts to deteriorate and recede.

This often leads to further tooth loss and an obvious change to your appearance (not in a positive way), which may require costly procedures down the road. Additionally, patients will need to get their dentures adjusted or relined as the jaw bone keeps changing. 

Patients with dental implants tell us that their diet and nutrition have tremendously improved since they can chew foods they previously couldn't. 

Learn More About Dental Implants in North Tamworth

If you've never considered dental implants before, you may be pleasantly surprised at the many benefits they offer. They are custom-fabricated to look and feel just like natural teeth, and patients never have to worry about them shifting or falling out.

Give Oasis Smile Dental a call today to learn more about this amazing dental procedure.

Have you ever dealt with high levels of pain in one of your teeth? Maybe you or someone you've known suffered a dental injury while playing sports; what's next? Emergency dental appointments quickly assess an injury, alleviate pain, and begin getting a patient's mouth back into working condition.

Emergency Dentistry in Tamworth, NSW

Accidents happen unexpectedly, and we do our best to provide availability and access for our patients throughout the Tamworth community and surrounding areas. Our practice offers same-day emergency dental appointments to assist as soon as possible.

Avoiding an Emergency Dental Situation

Our patients can lower their risk factors for suffering a dental emergency through good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist. Although some dental emergencies result from trauma to the face and teeth, others result from long periods of neglect or leaving minor problems that develop into larger ones over time.

Some common and potentially preventable dental emergencies include:

• Abscesses
• Infected teeth and gums (including gum disease)
• Worn down teeth that chip and break
• Swelling due to infection

Contact Your Tamworth Emergency Dentist

At Oasis Smiles Dental, we sincerely hope that you and those close to you don't require emergency dental treatment, but we are here to help when unforeseen events occur. We invite you to contact our practice in the event of a dental emergency at (02) 6766 2668.

At Oasis Smiles Dental, our practice embraces a preventive attitude when it comes to dental treatment. Any time we can prevent a problem rather than treat one, we provide advice and treatment options for our patients.

We take a special interest in helping children develop healthy smiles and good habits that give them a better chance of retaining their natural teeth for a lifetime by avoiding complex dental problems.

Functional expanders are part of our phase I orthodontic treatment options. In the past, kids usually had braces as teens, and in cases of overcrowding or malocclusion (a bad bite), orthodontic extractions were common. Our philosophy is to guide the growth of the jaws rather than to extract perfectly healthy teeth to create better function.

Palatal expanders guide the growth and development of jaws to create enough space for permanent teeth. As a result, children can have ideal facial structure and less time in braces later. By opting for interceptive orthodontics, parents can help their children’s teeth, and jaws develop ideally, eliminating common problems such as uneven wear and jaw dysfunction.

To learn more about early childhood orthodontics, contact our North Tamworth dental surgery. We evaluate children from age seven, or even earlier. When you choose Oasis Smiles Dental for your family’s dental care needs, we look after your little one from their very first dental visit.

Parents often wonder what the best age is for their child's first orthodontic visit. The answer is age seven or eight. This may seem early, but it is because some children can benefit from early orthodontic intervention. Those who don't need it can be reevaluated for orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12 and 14. 

Understanding Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children

Our dentists look for specific conditions when determining if early orthodontic treatment will be helpful, such as:

• Early tooth crowding
• Severe bite protrusion, like an overbite
• Other bite concerns, like prominent crossbites or underbites
• Severe tooth misalignment

During phase one, or early intervention, your children's orthodontist in Tamworth can take advantage of your child's growth patterns to redirect their bite into a healthy position. We can also expand crowded jaws to make room for future adult teeth to erupt successfully. 

Successful early orthodontic treatment can set your child up for success with a second phase of treatment around ages 12 to 14 that focuses mainly on tooth alignment. 

Looking for a Trusted Children's Orthodontist in Tamworth?

We invite your call to Oasis Smiles Dental on (02) 6766 2668 to arrange a booking with one of our dentists for an orthodontic consultation.  

Periodontal surgery made modern leaps and bounds with the introduction of laser dentistry. As opposed to traditional cutting and stitching, laser dentistry makes it possible to complete a wide variety of surgical procedures more comfortably and with faster healing.

We offer laser dentistry in our North Tamworth dental surgery for a number of procedures.

• Periodontal gum treatment
• Gingival sculpting
• Gum tissue rejuvenation
• Crown lengthening
• Treatment for gummy smiles
• Crown and veneer preparation
• Cold sore and canker sore healing

Laser light energy reshapes periodontal tissue and seals it simultaneously. As a result, stitches are not necessary, and bleeding is reduced or eliminated. The lack of stitches reduces downtime and makes healing easier and more comfortable. 

For periodontal treatment to heal infected gum tissue, laser dentistry removes diseased tissue and promotes regeneration of healthy gum tissue. When used in conjunction with deep dental cleanings and antimicrobial medication or rinses, patients can more easily control active infection, reduce inflammation and improve their overall health.

For more information about laser dentistry in North Tamworth, contact Oasis Smiles Dental to book an appointment. We will always present all of your treatment options so that you can make an informed choice regarding the future of your oral health and smile.

Absolutely. Flossing is part of good oral hygiene. Your toothbrush can scrub away surface plaque, but floss is what keeps the areas between the teeth and just beneath the gumline clean. When you do not floss, plaque turns into tartar and collects bacteria. Bacteria in the gums and on the teeth lead to periodontal disease and tooth decay.

We recommend that you brush your teeth for two minutes every day using fluoride toothpaste and the proper technique. Be sure to brush every area of the teeth, including the chewing surfaces.

Flossing once per day, gently moving the floss up and down each side of the tooth, can help you prevent gum disease.

Signs of gum disease include bleeding gums, bad breath, red gums and sensitive tissue. Gum disease is linked to systemic issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Please give us a call to arrange your next dental exam. Healthy teeth and gums are great for your smile and your overall health.

Our patients with missing teeth each have different requirements and goals for their smiles. We offer both complete dentures and partial dentures in our North Tamworth dental office to help patients regain chewing function and their confidence.

While dental implants are considered the gold standard of teeth replacement options, many patients prefer an alternative or find the idea of restoring an entire arch of teeth cost-prohibitive. Bone quality and medical conditions may also limit who can have dental implant surgery successfully.

Types of Dentures

Complete dentures – Full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth or both arches. In contrast with dentures from just a few decades ago, modern dentures look natural and fit better than ever before. Considerations for gender, facial structure and age all play a role in choosing denture teeth that will compliment your appearance.

For patients who want extra stability, dental implants can anchor the denture in place, often without the need for bone grafting or other additional procedures.

Partial dentures – Materials for partial dentures vary widely, offering a number of choices for our patients to replace missing teeth when some of their natural teeth remain. Chromium cobalt partial dentures have a durable metal foundation. Acrylic partial dentures are lightweight and natural looking. Flexible partial dentures provide a comfortable and lightweight option.

Dentures in North Tamworth

For more information about dentures in North Tamworth, contact Oasis Smiles Dental to arrange a consultation. Our dentists are dedicated to finding a tooth replacement option to give you your smile back.

Sealants consist of a flowable barrier that we paint onto the surfaces of back teeth where food particles and bacteria usually collect. By creating this invisible barrier, we can reduce the instances of tooth decay.

Sealants are effective for several years on average when we can replace them to continue protecting teeth from cavities. Because sealants are non-invasive and often less costly than fillings, many patients appreciate having them as part of their preventive dental routine.

We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect delicate gum tissue along with fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to angle the toothbrush toward the gum line as you brush your teeth to remove the plaque that collects there.

Brush teeth for two minutes paying close attention to cover the surface of each tooth. If you would like a proper brushing demonstration, just let us know. Our dental team loves sharing knowledge with our patients.

Even if you are a contender for the tooth brushing of the year award, tartar still develops in the tight places that your toothbrush cannot reach. Dental floss removes plaque from between teeth, but it is still possible for it to accumulate just below the gums and harden into tartar, also called calculus.

For most healthy patients, twice-yearly active maintenance dental visits that include a clean and check-up are enough to maintain oral health. Routine x-rays will identify decay that is not visible through a visual exam alone.

Your active maintenance appointments are also a perfect opportunity to discuss your goals for your smile and any cosmetic dentistry treatments you are interested in.

If you have missed a few dental appointments, there is no need to worry. Our team will never make you feel guilty. Instead, we will focus on helping you restore your oral health by organising a personalised treatment plan.

Each dental clean includes a scale an polish using precision instruments that remove tartar, plaque, bacteria and surface stains. Incidentally, if you are interested in whitening your teeth, immediately following your dental clean is a perfect time to get started. 

We welcome you to our Tamworth dental clinic and look forward to seeing your smile.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven to strengthen enamel to protect from tooth decay. We recommend fluoride on a patient-by-patient basis depending on the risk of dental caries (decay) and home oral health routines. Contrary to popular belief, fluoride is not just for kids. Adults, especially those with compromised dexterity, can also benefit from supplemental fluoride treatments.

At Oasis Smiles Dental, we customise treatment based on each person’s unique needs. In many cases, six-month dental visits can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Because we strive to identify any dental disease in the earliest stages, these regular visits play a vital role in your oral health.

In some cases when patients have gum disease or other conditions, we may recommend more frequent visits. Contact us to learn more about preventive and general dentistry. We warmly welcome new patients.

The answer is no—it is highly unlikely that you will experience tooth filling pain during the procedure. Our dentists use a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your decayed tooth to ensure you don't feel anything throughout your procedure.

After the numbness wears off, you may experience some tenderness following your procedure, but this should subside within a day or two. If it doesn't, and you still experience sensitivity when biting or chewing food, contact our dentists for a bite adjustment. 

What to Expect During a Dental Filling

Getting a dental filling is a quick and straightforward procedure. Our dentists start by numbing your tooth and gently removing the decayed area. 

Then, they prepare your tooth for its filling with an etch that will help the tooth-coloured composite resin adhere. Next, they mould the pliable material to your tooth and customise the shade to match. Finally, they cure the material with a special light and then polish it to a beautiful, shiny finish.

Composite resin fillings offer the durability our patients need, combined with the aesthetics they want.

We invite you to contact Oasis Smiles Dental on (02) 6766 2668 for more information on pain-free cavity filling in Tamworth, NSW. 

There is no evidence to show that metal amalgam fillings are dangerous in any way. However, some patients prefer not to have them at all because they contain small amounts of mercury. As an alternative, we offer both tooth-coloured fillings and dental crowns without metal components.​

If you ever have questions about the effectiveness or safety of any of the dentistry we offer, please let us know. We are happy to help you find the latest information and to explain any procedure we perform.