FAQs

At Classic Smiles Dental we understand the need for total information, which is why we have provided some of our most frequently asked questions…

Have a question or concern about your dental treatment? Please peruse our FAQs below, or feel free to call our dental practice located near the Sutherland Shire on (02) 9526 6666 for more information.

 

• How can I make over my smile?

  The first step would be to view the photographs on our website, to see if  your condition matches any of our existing patients. Then book a visit with us for a complimentary consultation. We will provide you with various options, possibly a mock up and we will send you a fully costed and documented treatment plan which will explain all your options.

  Our treatments include porcelain veneers, composite veneers, Invisalign orthodontics, crowns and bridges, dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections.

• What are dental veneers?

  Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured material designed to cover the front surface of your tooth to improve the appearance of your smile. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing colour, shape, size or length. Veneers look and feel like natural teeth.

  See images of our Dental Veneers

• What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

  Porcelain Veneers

  Porcelain veneer placement involves Dr Zafiropoulos removing a very thin layer of the tooth’s enamel (0.5mm or less), usually whilst your teeth are anaesthetised.
  A laser scanner or dental putty is used to make an impression of your mouth. This impression will be sent to the dental laboratory where your porcelain veneers will be constructed to fit your teeth. Temporary veneers are placed over your teeth whilst you wait 2 weeks for the veneers to be crafted. You will need to return to the dentist once your veneers are completed to have them attached. The veneers are placed and bonded over the prepared surface of your teeth, in effect replacing the tooth’s enamel. Porcelain has a translucent, light-reflective quality similar to tooth enamel, and as such, porcelain veneers look extremely natural. Porcelain Veneers are more durable and less likely to stain than Veneers made of composite. Veneers will look and feel like natural teeth.

  Advantages

  • Will not change colour over time
  • Stain Resistant
  • Can cover virtually any imperfections such as gaps, chips and stains
  • Durable and scratch resistant
  • Similar texture and feel as a real tooth
  • can whiten and straighten your teeth to your specifications.

  Although Porcelain Veneers are more expensive than Composite Veneers, they are highly stain and chip resistant. Porcelain Veneers are a long-term investment as they can last from 15-30 years if they are well maintained and a reputable, highly experienced dentist conducts the treatment.

  Composite Veneers

  Composite Veneers require less (or no) tooth preparation and the treatment can be completed in a single visit. To create Composite Veneers, we first thoroughly clean and etch the front of the teeth to roughen the surface, making it easier to bond the composite resin to the teeth.Then, a composite material is applied to the front surfaces of the tooth and sculpted to the desired shape and finish-based on your own specifications and preferences.

  Advantages

  • Treatment can be completed in just one visit
  • Requires less removal of the tooth surface
  • Can be removed and replaced as necessary
  • are usually entirely reversible
  • are more economical than porcelain veneers
  • suitable for teenagers and younger patients.
  • results look and feel like natural teeth
• What are dental crowns?

  Dental crowns are restorations that entirely cover or ‘cap’ over a severely decayed, damaged, discoloured, or significantly weakened tooth. By placing a crown over a tooth where its structural integrity has been compromised we can strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a tooth coloured crown can also be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. The fitting of a dental crown is the number factor for success of root canal therapy on back teeth.

  Current generation tooth coloured Emax or Zirconia crowns can look and feel like real teeth. Crowns extend the lifespan of heavily filled (restored) teeth.

  Classic Smiles has ground breaking Cerec technology whereby Emax single crowns and small dental bridges can be made for you on the same day. In most cases crowns are sent away to be crafted by master dental technicians in a dental laboratory. Classic Smiles also provides more traditional porcelain fused to metal and full gold crowns.

• What is Invisalign?

  Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible thin mouthguards, which means you can straighten your teeth without the fuss of traditional braces and you can still eat and drink what you want.

  Invisalign is a tool, not a product- and different dentists will achieve different results on the same patient. With Invisalign, skills, education and experience count. Dr Zafiropoulos was part of the first group of dentists trained in Invisalign in Australia.

   

  The Invisalign Procedure

   

  Visit number 1.  (Initial free consultation)

   

  To assess your suitability for Invisalign and to discuss different Invisalign options.

  Study model Impressions (to make plaster casts of your teeth) and photographs will be taken. We will then prepare a written treatment plan for you, outlining your treatment options. We will provide you with this plan at Visit 2.

   

  Visit number 2. (one week following Visit number 1)

  Discuss treatment options.

   

  We discuss various options and fees with you. Fees range from $3300 to $9000. If after consideration, you decide to proceed with Invisalign -you make an appointment for Visit number 3.

   

  Visit number 3. (one week following Visit number 2)

   Definitive Invisalign Silicone impressions and photographs

   

  If you decide to proceed down the Invisalign path, then you schedule this appointment for definitive Invisalign Silicone impressions and a series of photographs. The fee is $300 which is non-refundable, but is credited to the fee for your Invisalign treatment. These impressions are sent to Invisalign in the USA in order to generate a 3D Clin Check animation (video). This animation is an incredible feat of technology- super computers are used to create the 3D simulation.

   

  Visit number 4. (10 days approximately following visit number 3)

  Review and discuss Clin Check assessment.

   

  Your 3D Clin Check animation has been received on our web portal and you book in to view it and discuss it with us during this visit. We can also send you a copy via email. Any time after this visit – (but within 8 weeks)- you may decide to proceed with Invisalign therapy. When you do so you pay us a 50% deposit, and approximately 7 days later your Invisalign retainers are shipped from the USA to our practice.

   

   

  Visit number 5. (a minimum of 7 days after visit 4)

  Issue first set of customised aligners.

   

  Your first Invisalign trays (set 1) a ready to be issued- this is a fifteen-minute appointment.

  The set of trays is to be worn for 23 hours a day for 7 days. You only take trays off for eating and tooth-brushing.

   

  Visit number 6 (7 days after visit 5)

  Issue sets 2 & 3.

   

  Tray sets 2 and 3 are issued to you, attachments are bonded to your teeth, and IPR is performed if needed. This appointment goes for approximately 30minutes.

   

  Further visits – every 2 weeks to issue 2 set of trays at a time until treatment is complete.

   

  Final Visit–

  Issue final Vivera retainers.

   

  Your three sets of Vivera retainers are issued to you. These are to be worn every second night forever. Without retainers two out of three cases will relapse, and require redoing at a substantial additional fee. Wearing Vivera retainers will trigger the Invisalign warranty.

   

   

   

   

   

   

• What are the benefits of Invisalign?

  There are many benefits to Invisalign that allow you to live the lifestyle you want whilst undergoing treatment…

  At Classic Smiles Dental we are proud to be able to provide the revolutionary treatment of Invisalign, which comes with many benefits such as:

  • Comfort – your aligners are made from medical-grade plastic and are moulded to your smile so they fit comfortably over your teeth. By using aligners this also means no metal brackets or wires!
  • Practically invisible – your aligner trays are transparent, which means they are virtually invisible! Go through your orthodontic treatment without having to worry about your appearance.
  • Removable – Go to your special event, smile for photos and maintain your oral health routine with the completely removable aligners. This means optimal oral health and heightened confidence!
  • Complex movements- Invisalign can move teeth in ways that traditional braces cannot.
  • Efficiency- most Invisalign treatments are complete in less than 5 months, whilst traditional braces take 2 years or more.
• How can I rejuvenate the complete appearance of my smile?

  Visit us for a complimentary consultation. We will provide you with various options, possibly a mock up and we will send you a fully costed and documented treatment plan which will explain all your options. Feel free to view our before and after photographs on this website, to see if any your condition matches any of our existing patients.

• What whitening systems do we use?

  Classic Smiles uses the latest Zoom LED -from the world leader in whitening technology. Zoom LED is the most powerful tool for whitening natural (unfilled) but discoloured teeth. It can make teeth appear like they belong on someone 20 years younger. We offer a complimentary home kit with Zoom LED in chair whitening. The procedure takes about 60 minutes and the home is ready to be taken home with you when the procedure is complete. The results last up to 18 months and your complimentary home kit can be used to top up your whitening. Our fees are very competitive and include a home kit which is valued at $395.

   

• What is Dento-Facial Aesthetics and how can it help me?

  Dento-facial aesthetics concern the outside of your mouth, encompassing the skin and lips…

  By taking your entire visage into account at Classic Smiles Dental we can enhance the look of your teeth, gums, overall smile and the outside elements such as the skin and lips to help you achieve your perfect smile. By using treatments such as:

  • Injectable Fillers
  • Wrinkle Relaxants
  • Semi-Permanent Lip Enhancement
  • Gummy Smile Treatment

  We are able to rejuvenate the complete look of your smile so you can achieve heightened confidence in your appearance. Call or email us to book your complimentary consultation.

• Am I able to see my results before my treatment?

  With respect to porcelain and composite veneers, Classic Smiles Dental offer a complimentary “trial smile” so you can understand what to expect before commencing treatment…

  Our unique ‘try before you buy’ experience allows you to witness the predicted results of your treatment prior to receiving it! Our trial smile involves a FREE cosmetic consultation where we provide a complete composite mock up that can showcase predicted results and be easily removed from the teeth. We take photographs of your proposed treatment, both before and after, and we send these photographs to you via email.

CHECK OUT OUR
SMILE GALLERY
BEFORE & AFTERS