Our team at Colombo Street Dental takes pride in providing our patients with thorough and comfortable dental care. By using the latest technology and techniques, our comprehensive "Exam & Clean" service will ensure your dental health is maintained at its highest level.
Our dental check-up includes a full examination to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. This comprehensive examination includes:
- Digital Bite-Wing X-Rays: We take two digital bite-wing x-rays to get a clear view of the areas between your teeth and beneath the gumline. This helps us identify any hidden issues that might not be visible during a visual examination.
- Clinical Assessment: Our dental professionals will conduct a clinical assessment to identify any signs of decay, gum disease, or other dental issues. Early detection is crucial as it allows us to restore and prevent decay before it causes extensive damage.
- Treatment Plan: If further treatment is required, we ensure you are fully informed and comfortable with all the options available to you. Our dentists will provide a detailed quote with our prices and a clear treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Ultrasonic Scaling
With our ultrasonic scaler, we remove plaque and tartar buildup effectively and comfortably around your teeth and gums. Here are some benefits of an ultrasonic scaler:
- Comfortable Cleaning: The ultrasonic scaler is gentle, making it possible to clean sensitive teeth often without the need for local anaesthetic injections.
- Effective Calculus Removal: Removes hard plaque and tartar which cannot be removed by a toothbrush at home, which prevents gum disease and maintains a healthy mouth.
Prophy-Jet Polishing
Sometimes referred to as the "Water & Sand Blaster", to polish your teeth, we use the innovative Prophy-Jet which uses a combination of air, water, and sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) to remove dental plaque, soft debris, and stains while simultaneously polishing your teeth. The Prophy-Jet is more efficient, effective and gentle compared to the traditional polishing tools.
Check-Up Only (No Clean): Our dental exams are $137 and include a set of x-rays. Any additional x-rays/scans required may come at an additional charge which we will discuss with you at the appointment.
Check-Up & Clean - $223 (Special Deal!) *note some patients require extensive treatment planning or cleaning not manageable in one appointment. In these cases, all charges will be discussed at the initial appointment for follow-up work required.
Clean-Only (No Check-Up) - $197. This service is only available for existing patients who have had a check-up in the past.
Do I need to see a hygienist for my clean?
No. We don’t have a separate hygienist, and you don’t need one. Your dentist does your exam and your professional clean in the same appointment, so you get your full check-up and clean in one sitting, with no need to rebook.
Professional cleaning is part of every dentist’s training. Your clean includes ultrasonic scaling and hand scaling to remove plaque and tartar, then Prophy-Jet polishing, which uses a fine spray of air, water and baking soda to lift stains.
If you need deeper cleaning below the gumline (root planing) under local anaesthetic, we’ll book this as a separate appointment after your exam.
What is a professional dental clean, and why can’t I do it at home?
A professional clean (also called scaling and polishing, or a “prophy”) removes tartar, also known as calculus. Tartar is plaque that hasn’t been brushed away and has hardened onto your teeth, often along and just under the gumline.
Once plaque hardens into tartar, a toothbrush and floss can’t remove it. It needs to be taken off with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. Please don’t try to scrape it off yourself, as it’s easy to damage your gums or tooth enamel.
Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth are still the most important things you can do at home, because they remove soft plaque before it hardens. A regular professional clean takes care of the tartar your toothbrush can’t, which helps keep your gums healthy.
Can you do a dental check before I travel to Antarctica?
Yes. If you’re heading to Antarctica for work or research, you’ll usually need a dental check and sign-off before you go. We can do this assessment and complete the dental clearance for you.
This also needs a full jaw assessment, so the appointment includes an OPG (a full jaw x-ray) and costs $187 ($137 assessment plus $50 OPG). Bring along any forms you’ve been given, and allow time before you leave in case any treatment is needed.
Do I need a dental check before starting bisphosphonate injections?
Your doctor may ask for a dental check before you start bisphosphonates or similar bone-strengthening medicines. These medicines can affect how your jawbone heals after some dental treatment, such as extractions, so it’s best to have any problems found and treated first.
Because this needs a full jaw assessment, the appointment includes an OPG (a full jaw x-ray) and costs $187 ($137 assessment plus $50 OPG). Please bring a medical summary from your doctor to your appointment. We’ll provide the sign-off you need once your assessment is complete.
Looking for advice on toothbrushes, toothpaste or mouthwash? See our FAQs page.