Your Dental Care Questions Answered

Welcome to the FAQ page at Innovative Dental Care Centre, where you'll find answers to common questions about our dental services. Whether you're curious about medical aid coverage, our commitment to painless treatments, or what to expect during recovery, we're here to provide the information you need to feel confident and comfortable with your dental care.

  • Is Innovative Dental Care Centre contracted in to Medical Aid?

    • We are contracted into most medical aids and charge medical aid rates for most of our procedures.  Please double-check with our friendly, efficient receptionist what is covered by your medical aid and whether you need to pay upfront and claim yourself or whether we can claim directly on your behalf.  Please remember that you remain liable for the account if your medical aid should reject the claim for any reason.  If you’re not sure, we suggest contacting your medical aid for prior approval.  If you are not a member of a medical aid, we still charge the lowest possible rates, if you can’t afford it, please talk to us about a payment option, we do everything we can to support our community and we’re here to help.

  • What is Baby Bottle Syndrome and how does it affect children under 6 years?

    • Baby Bottle Syndrome, also known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC), is a form of severe tooth decay that affects young children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 years. It occurs when a child’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids, such as milk, juice, or formula, often from a bottle or sippy cup. This prolonged exposure allows sugar to cling to the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria that produce acids, leading to cavities. The condition usually affects the front teeth first but can spread to other teeth if not addressed. Early detection and proper oral hygiene can prevent and manage this condition effectively. A dentist can help by providing professional cleanings, applying fluoride treatments, and offering guidance on proper oral care to protect your child’s teeth.

      Read more about Preventing Baby Bottle Syndrome

  • Why do Wisdom teeth often need to be removed?

    • Wisdom teeth often need removal due to impaction, which occurs when there isn’t enough space for them to emerge properly. Impaction can lead to infection, pain, and damage to nearby teeth, depending on whether the tooth is partially visible, partially embedded in the jawbone, or fully trapped in the jawbone. Removing impacted wisdom teeth helps prevent complications like crowding, infection, and misalignment of other teeth.

      Read more about Wisdom teeth removal.

  • What should I expect when the numbness wears off after the root canal treatment?

    • The numbness should wear off within 2 hours.  You may find that the treated tooth is a little sensitive for a couple of days when you bite down on it, try not to chew on it to give the supporting tissue a chance to heal.  Rinsing the mouth with warm salty water can be soothing to the gums surrounding the tooth.  Normal brushing and flossing activities can resume straight away after the treatment.  Remember to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed.

      Learn more about pain-free root canal treatments

  • What is a root canal and when will I need one?

    • A root canal is usually done to save your tooth if the tooth’s pulp and nerve have become damaged by infection.  In the procedure the nerve and pulp of the tooth is removed.  Root canal treatments have a bad reputation but the modern dental techniques used by Innovative Dental Centre mean that this is now done painlessly using pain-free injections, onsite X-rays and proper magnification.

      Learn more about pain-free root canal treatments

  • How long does it take to recover from an extraction and what can I do to heal sooner?

    • In the past it could take up to 3 days to recover from an extraction, however our practice uses the latest laser therapy tech to heal the tooth socket instantly without pain to the patient.  Most of our clients experience no discomfort at all, and if it does occur, it clears up within a day or so and no time off work is necessary.

  • If I have a painful tooth, does that mean the dentist will remove it?

    • Maintaining your own teeth is always the first priority and we will do everything we can to save your tooth.  Unfortunately, sometimes there is no choice but to remove a bad tooth, however, modern dental techniques like laser therapy mean that there is no reason for an extraction to be painful – we endeavor to do so painlessly using pain-free injections and offer options to the client to replace the removed tooth, maintaining chewing function and preserve their smile.  As a family practice, your best dental health is always our top priority.

      Learn more about preventative dentistry.

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