What is unique at Pain Free Dentist Sydney?

OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES

It’s very difficult to find a good dentist and a suitable dental treatment plan. Hence, Pain Free Dentist Sydney offers extremely dedicated services to ensuring excellent dental health for both adults and children, so they can confidently show their beautiful, healthy smiles.

At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, the dentist and dental assistant will introduce themselves and ask patients about any specific concerns/issues with their gums, teeth, physical smile appearance, or aches.

The dentist may request an X-ray to be taken of your teeth and gums during your dental check-ups.

For consultations, patients can request the dentist for:

  • TMJ botox

  • IV sedation

  • wisdom teeth extraction

  • fillings that are not matching to bite or jaw alignment

  • tongue tie, lip tie

  • dental implants

  • cosmetic makeover

TMJ disorder

TMJ (or temporomandibular joints) reside on each side of your jaw and connect your jawbones to your skull.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction detailed diagram.

More specifically, they are the joints that slide and rotate in front of each ear to allow the mandible (lower jaw) to move up and down, side to side, and forward and backward.

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint and nerve, or TMD, prevent the complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working together in harmony.

The most common symptoms of TMD are pains or discomfort in the fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles) and muscles that control jaw, neck, and shoulder function.
Likewise, there are other symptoms attributed to the diagnosis of TMD:

  • Headaches

  • Pains in the eyes, shoulders, face, neck and/or back

  • Clicking jaw or popping jaw

  • Jaw locking

  • Limited neck, or limited mouth motion

  • Sensitivity of the teeth without the presence of an oral health disease

  • Numbness or tingling sensations in fingers

TREATMENT FOR TMJ DYSFUNCTIONS

Some in-home treatments such as meditation, sleep, correct posture, and exercises may help to alleviate the symptoms of TMD. However, refusing professional or specialist treatments can lead to worsened TMD conditions (in some cases, they can become chronic, or long-lasting).

This would create a detrimental impact on the patient’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being, as researches show escalated TMD can trigger anxiety, depression, and/or stress due to continual pain.

At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we are proud to introduce a unique solution to any complicated TMJ condition. As such, Dr. Lisa Chong is a competent TMJ specialist who has over 30 years of experience in treating patients with TMJ dysfunction.

From her vast experiences and qualifications, Dr. Chong personally created a mouthguard structure (called a ‘splint’). which aims to correct the jaw/teeth alignment to permanently erase any pain symptoms, that can become chronic if left untreated.

A prior consultation with Dr.Chong is required as patient conditions vary case by case. It is in the patient’s best interest to give us a phone call or to meet Dr. Chong at her clinic so that we are able to deliver our best quality service!


COSMETIC DENTISTRY

We sincerely care about our customers and we always strive to deliver services that exceed your expectations. Hence, our cosmetic dentistry range of treatments does not stop only at dental veneers, crowns and fillings, but extend to full face aesthetics to improve the patients’ overall wellbeing.

PRP REGENERATIVE TREATMENT

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection is a form of injectable treatment for various musculoskeletal injuries that utilizes the body’s own healing potential. The procedure is performed by drawing the patient’s own blood into a tube and placing it into a centrifuge to be spun down. This will separate the yellow platelet rich plasma from the red blood cells. The yellow plasma layer is then used to be injected into the deep dermis or fat layer of the skin. Platelets gradually increase collagen which can increase skin thickness and overall health of the skin.

Medical practitioners use PRP treatments to stimulate healing in injured or degenerative tissue. Although PRP is most often used for injuries - such as tendon injuries (tendinopathies) and joint injury (cartilage thinning or osteoarthritis), research shows a positive correlation between PRP treatment versus improvement in facial aesthetics.

Pain Free Dentist Sydney offers low-risk PRP treatment for aesthetics, that is recommended for:

  • Improvement of skin tone and texture

  • Increase in facial skin thickness

  • Use in sensitive areas

  • Accelerating recovery

  • For hair loss and restoration

A previous patient’s treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma injections.

We use local anaesthesia injections (lidocaine) to ensure a completely pain-free experience. A regular visit for 3-6 sessions will ensure the best results for tissue/hair regeneration.

HIKO NOSE THREAD-LIFT

HIKO nose thread-lift is a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure that aims to lift the profile of the nose from the nasal root to the tip. This will help the nose to have a thinner and well-defined bridge.

HIKO nose thread-lift is a perfect solution for both males and females who want a higher bridge and a more projected nose overall. Similarly, it also avoids concerns over the use of fillers migrating or causing lumps. After doing the Hiko thread-lift treatment, patients will see an immediate result of the nose looking more slim and elegant.

The threads used for HIKO are called PDO (polydioxanone) and they are completely absorbed over time. As they dissolve, these ultra-fine threads create new tissue fibroblasts and collagen, giving a tightening effect and further enhancing the nose contour.

Compared to traditional fillers, HIKO thread-lift procedures:

  • Lasts up to 2 years

  • Does not migrate and broaden the nose

  • Does not cause lumpiness

  • Stimulates natural collagen production

Patient’s before and after photo of HIKO thread-lift

NON-SURGICAL FACE-LIFT

Thread lift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that offers a minimally invasive alternative to face-lift surgery.

As we age, we naturally produce less and less collagen, causing the skin’s support structure to weaken. Hence, this leads to the skin sagging due to gravity, leading to wrinkles and creases appearing.

A PDO thread lift is a non-surgical facelift procedure where facial skin is lifted and tightened using Collagen-stimulating Polydioxanone (PDO) threads. These threads are anchored and inserted into different layers of the skin using needles, instantly lifting and tightening sagging skin. Anywhere from 1-15 threads may be used per section.

The strategic placements of threads will correct any skin laxity, contour the face and neck, as well as restore collagen by stimulating its production. This prolonged collagen stimulation helps strengthen the skin’s structure and improve its firmness.

Non-surgical facelifts are recommended for both men and women over 30 years of age looking to undergo a non-invasive natural alternative to a surgical facelift.

Treatable areas include:

  • Lower Jaw

  • Cheeks and Cheekbones

  • Eyebrows

  • Upper and lower Lip

  • Jowls

  • Crows Feet

  • Forehead

A before and after photo of a patient undergoing PDO threadlift.

A before and after photo of a patient undergoing PDO threadlift.

DENTAL VENEER VS. DENTAL CROWN

A veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain that only covers the front of your existing tooth. They’re not as invasive as crowns, because the preparation leaves more of your original tooth intact.

A crown covers the entire tooth. With a crown, more of the tooth needs to be filed or ground down to prepare for the crown placement.

Depending on the severity of the teeth and your preferences, the dentist will introduce teeth restoration options for you to choose from. There are several advantages and disadvantages regarding veneer and crown, outlined below:

VENEER:
Dental veneer is a cheaper alternative to crown, and is less invasive. Veneers can make the teeth look more aesthetically pleasing than crown, and it somewhat allows more natural tooth to be remained.

However, veneers can cause tooth decay due to bacteria sticking onto hard to reach surfaces in between tooth and the veneer. Similarly, it is not permanent and the patient is required to replace them within a few years depending on the veneer material used.

CROWN:

By having a crown, all surfaces of the tooth is covered, meaning there will be less likely chances of tooth decay due to bacterial remains. Crowns are relatively permanent does not have to be replaced. Similarly, a crown will give your teeth a more natural look and feel.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

TOOTH DECAY / TOOTH EROSION TREATMENT

TOOTH DECAY:

Tooth decay (caries), commonly called tooth cavity, is a dental condition where there is a destruction to the enamel, a hard surface structure outside of the tooth.

Once tooth decay has eroded the enamel, cavities can start to form.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a tooth consists of three layers:

  • Enamel: The hard outer layer that protects the inner layers of a tooth. Tooth enamel contains no living cells and is the hardest structure in the human body.

  • Dentin: The second layer of a tooth. When the enamel is damaged, it may expose the dentin. Small tubes within the dentin allow hot and cold food to stimulate the nerves of the tooth. The stimulation of these nerves can cause pain and sensitivity in the tooth.

  • Pulp: The center of the tooth. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Tooth decay can occur in varying stages of severity. More severe cases of tooth decay involve cavities penetrating to levels as low as pulp tissues, leading to painful absesses of the pulp within the tooth.

Want to start treatment with us?

Call us now at 02 9558 8988 or email us at info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au to organise a consultation today!

Dental Treatment For Tooth Decay From Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa And Gastric Reflux

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is a serious eating disorder characterised by binge (or excessive) eating, followed by methods used to prevent weight gain and discard the food eaten. The majority of patients suffering from bulimia choose to vomit or purge the excess food.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is life-threatening, causing both physical and psychological harm to the body. Over time, bulimia can negatively impact the body in several ways such as:

  • Stomach damage from over eating.

  • Electrolyte imbalance (having levels of sodium, potassium, or other minerals that are too high or too low, which can lead to heart attack or heart failure)

  • Throat pain and ulcers in the throat (due to a frequent flow of gastric acid that deteriorates oesophagus and stomach lining)

  • Anxiety, guilt or mood swings

  • Absence of menstruation or irregular menstruation

  • Bad breath, dental cavities, and dry mouth

  • Mucositis (when your mouth or gut is inflammed, commonly associated as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy)

In patients suffering from bulimia, the most notable impact is a very damaged and unhealthy set of teeth due to the gastric acid eating away minerals that form the tooth enamel.

Patients suffering from gastric reflux would display the same tooth erosion due to the continual backward flux of the hydrochloric acid within the stomach.

This can affect the appearance of your teeth and open the door for harmful bacteria which cause cavities.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a serious eating disorder characterised by a person’s extreme desire to lose weight, causing them to become obsessed about what they eat.

Anorexia Nervosa

With an unwarranted fear of being overweight and a distorted body image, a patient suffering from anorexia can starve themselves or choose to over exercise. Likewise, they tend to follow certain restrictive diets consisting of very few food variety, which then negatively impact their body with effects such as:

  • nutrition deficiency

  • electrolyte imbalances

  • hair loss

  • brittle hair and nails

  • unhealthy, dry skin

  • constipation

  • lethargy, lack of energy, exhaustion

  • delay puberty and slow growth

  • depression, anxiety and/or guilt

  • tooth erosion and gum disease (due to lack of saliva production and/or following an extremely acidic diet can also escalate the symptom)

Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus. The action of acid reflux can also be called acid regurgitation.

If you have acid reflux for more than two weeks, you are classified as having (GERD).

Some symptoms of GERD include:

  • nausea

  • chest pain

  • pain when swallowing

  • difficulty swallowing

  • chronic cough

  • a hoarse voice

  • bad breath

Progression of Gum Disease

Tooth Erosion Pattern

Erosion or wear is caused by the introduction of corrosive agents has a satiny finish . Erosion often occurs in areas where other tooth surfaces can't touch.

The distribution of lesions from dental erosion due to intrinsic acid regurgitation and vomiting may be different from patterns of dental erosion due to extrinsic acids. There are two types of erosion: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic erosion usually comes from regurgitated stomach fluids, i.e, reflux or bulimia. Intrinsic erosion most commonly affects the lingual and occlusal surfaces of teeth and may be asymmetric as in the wear of GERD:

Intrinsic erosion

Extrinsic erosion is caused by ingested acidic substances and will show up on the facial and occlusal surfaces of teeth and is often worse in the lower arch.

Extrinsic erosion

Treatments To Restore Damaged Teeth From Erosion

Because damaged tooth enamel does not naturally regenerate, specialised treatment proposed by qualified dental practitioners is needed to repair your tooth.

Dental erosions can be treated with:

  • Dental veneers

  • Fillings

  • Crowns

  • Root canal treatment, or

  • Tooth extraction and/or tooth implant

As gastric acid erodes many teeth at once, crowns and fillings are the most popular treatments for restoring patients’ teeth.

Treatments To Restore Damaged Teeth From Erosion

Tooth erosion conditions vary from person to person. The best course of action is to contact a dental practice for a consultation so that the dentist is able to propose a treatment plan.

At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we are proud to provide excellent dental service that is completely pain-free. Along with Dr. Lisa Chong’s 25 years of experience in general dentistry, dental implants, and specializing in TMJ dysfunction, you can certainly allow yours f to be under our care worry-free!

Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 9558 8988. Alternatively, you can try to reach us via email info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au if you have any health inquiries or problems.

What foods cause tooth erosion?

Tooth erosion is different from tooth decay because erosion is not caused by bacteria, but rather by the wearing down of the tooth enamel due to eating acidic food. Common foods which cause tooth erosion are acidic. Your enamel is mostly made of crystals of a mineral called hydroxyapatite. This mineral structure can start to dissolve if surrounded by acids of pH lower than 5.5, creating holes in the teeth called cavities. Some foods which cause tooth erosion can include:

  • Citrus fruits or fruit juices, especially lemon, orange, cranberry or apple juice.

  • Soft drinks (containing phosphoric and citric acid).

  • Sugar (is not acidic however it encourages the growth of acid-creating bacteria in your mouth, causing tooth erosion and tooth decay).

  • Certain medications such as aspirin and antihistamines.

Looking for dental treatment for Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa And Gastric Reflux ?

Call us now at 02 9558 8988 or email us at info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au to organise a consultation today!

Sjogren's Syndrome: Link To Tooth Decay And TMJ Dysfunction

What is Sjogren’s Syndrome?

Sjogren’s syndrome is a systemic autoimmune, rheumatic disease characterised by dry eyes and dry mouth. In patients with this disorder, the body’s own immune system attacks its own healthy cells in glands that produce saliva, tears and sweat.

Sjogren’s syndrome most commonly occurs in women, people over 40 and those who have rheumatic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome can include:

  • Dry eyes (gritty, sandy or stinging feelings)

  • Dry mouth, cracked tongue

  • Burning throat and difficulty talking

  • Cracked lips

  • Tooth decay and increase in tooth cavity

  • Dry skin, nose and lack of vaginal fluid

  • Reflux

  • Nausea

  • Muscle weakness

Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome

How Does Sjogren’s Syndrome Cause Tooth Decay?

Sjogren’s disease may also be associated with some oral health complications such as accumulation of plaque, gingivitis, and/or periodontitis. Saliva contains antimicrobial agents that help combat bad bacteria that fuel cavities. Dry mouth and lack of saliva production can increase the risk of cavities, tooth loss, and infections in the mouth. Similarly, a dry mouth makes chewing and swallowing more difficult.

Currently, there is no cure for Sjogren’s Syndrome. Hence, replenishing the body with fluids to avoid dryness is crucial in maintaining a healthy, functional body. Some moisture therapies such as eye drops and ointments may relieve dry eyes. Drinking more water throughout the day may also help the patient to avoid dry mouth and prevent bacteria build up in the mouth, causing tooth decay and cavity. Severe symptoms of Sjogren’s are often treated with prescribed corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.

If necessary, your dentist can prescribe artificial saliva to relieve your dry mouth. Sjogren's Syndrome puts patients at a higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Thereby, seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams can help identify dental problems early or prevent them altogether.

Worried about Sjorgen’s Syndrome?

Call us now at 02 9558 8988 or email us at info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au to organise a consultation today!