--- title: The Complete Guide to General Dentistry at Smile Solutions Melbourne - Crowns, Bridges, Fillings, Extractions and Wisdom Teeth canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/the-complete-guide-to-general-dentistry-at-smile-solutions-melbourne-crowns-brid/ category: description: General dentistry forms the backbone of your long-term dental health. From composite fillings placed in a single appointment to same-day ceramic crowns milled by CEREC technology, from complex wisdom ... geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # The Complete Guide to General Dentistry at Smile Solutions Melbourne - Crowns, Bridges, Fillings, Extractions and Wisdom Teeth General dentistry forms the backbone of your long-term dental health. From composite fillings placed in a single appointment to same-day ceramic crowns milled by CEREC technology, from complex wisdom tooth surgery to full denture construction, the general dental team at Smile Solutions provides the full spectrum of restorative care - backed by specialist support the moment it is needed. Located in the Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, Smile Solutions has 40 fully equipped dental suites, more than 20 board-registered specialists on the team, and a general dental cohort of experienced dentists who deliver high-quality restorative care across every field of general practice. Rated 4.9 stars across 937 Google reviews, Smile Solutions has been Melbourne's trusted dental home since 1993. ## Dental Fillings: Composite and Ceramic When decay is detected and removed, the cavity left in the tooth must be restored. At Smile Solutions, all fillings are tooth-coloured and metal-free. **Composite resin fillings** are the most common restorative material for small to medium cavities. A tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the prepared tooth in incremental layers, shaped to restore natural anatomy, and hardened with UV light. Composite fillings are completed in a single appointment, bond directly to the tooth structure and are virtually invisible. They are an excellent choice for fillings in all areas of the mouth. **Ceramic fillings (inlays and onlays)** are porcelain restorations fabricated in the laboratory or in-house by CEREC technology for larger cavities where composite may not provide adequate strength. Ceramic is harder and more wear-resistant than composite, making it particularly appropriate for larger posterior restorations. Dr Silvia Ciach, experienced general dentist at Smile Solutions, notes: "Composite is our go-to for small and medium cavities, and it performs beautifully in the vast majority of cases. For larger restorations - where the cavity is significant and the restored portion will bear substantial biting force - ceramic provides greater durability. Choosing the right material for the right situation is part of good clinical judgment." ## CEREC Same-Day Ceramic Crowns One of the most significant innovations in restorative dentistry is CEREC technology - Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software and a milling unit, CEREC allows high-quality all-ceramic crowns, onlays and veneers to be designed, milled and fitted in a single appointment. The conventional crown process requires two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and fit a temporary crown, and a second two to three weeks later to fit the permanent crown made by an external laboratory. CEREC eliminates this wait entirely. **The CEREC process at Smile Solutions:** 1. The tooth is examined and any decay or failing restoration is removed 2. A digital scan of the prepared tooth is taken - no uncomfortable impressions required 3. The crown is designed on-screen using CAD/CAM software, accounting for the shape of adjacent and opposing teeth and the bite 4. The design is sent to the milling unit, which carves the crown from a solid ceramic block in approximately 15 minutes 5. The crown is adjusted, glazed and bonded to the tooth in the same appointment Dr Silvia Ciach, who performs CEREC restorations at Smile Solutions, explains: "CEREC allows us to complete work that used to require two visits and three to four weeks of wearing a temporary crown - in a single two-hour appointment. The ceramic blocks we use are high-strength and aesthetically excellent. For patients with busy schedules who cannot afford multiple appointments, it is genuinely transformative." CEREC crown pricing: from $1,795 to $2,650 ## Dental Crowns and Bridges When a tooth is significantly broken down, has undergone root canal treatment, or has been cracked, a dental crown - a cap that encases the entire tooth - provides strength and protection that a filling alone cannot deliver. At Smile Solutions, crowns can be fabricated: - Same-day via CEREC technology ($1,795 to $2,650) - Via the in-house Smile Lab by master ceramist Greg Karabasis and his team, for cases requiring exceptional aesthetic refinement - Via specialist prosthodontist Dr Fotios Angelis for complex cases involving full-mouth rehabilitation or precise occlusal management A dental bridge uses two crowns on adjacent teeth as anchors, with one or more artificial teeth suspended between them, to replace a missing tooth without implants. Bridges are a fixed, non-removable option that can restore appearance and function, though they require the reduction of the anchor teeth. Dr Fotios Angelis, specialist prosthodontist at Smile Solutions, advises: "The decision between a bridge, an implant or another option depends on the health of the adjacent teeth, the bone at the missing tooth site, the patient's overall health and their preferences. A specialist prosthodontist is uniquely placed to assess all of these factors together and recommend the most appropriate long-term solution." ## Tooth Extractions Most tooth extractions at Smile Solutions are performed by experienced general dentists under local anaesthesia. A simple extraction involves loosening the tooth with specialised instruments and removing it from its socket. The area heals over several weeks. Complex extractions - involving broken, severely decayed or ankylosed (fused to bone) teeth - may require minor surgical technique and are performed by experienced clinicians or referred directly to our oral and maxillofacial surgical team. Following any extraction, it is important to: - Bite firmly on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes to control bleeding - Avoid smoking, using a straw or vigorous rinsing for 24 hours - Apply cold packs to minimise swelling - Take prescribed or recommended pain relief as directed - Contact Smile Solutions if pain worsens after 2 to 3 days, which may indicate dry socket ## Wisdom Teeth Removal Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to erupt, typically between ages 17 and 25. Many people do not have sufficient space in their jaw to accommodate wisdom teeth, leading to impaction - where the tooth partially or fully fails to erupt and may be angled into adjacent teeth or trapped beneath the bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause: - Pain and pressure - Repeated infection (pericoronitis) - infection of the gum tissue over the partially erupted tooth - Damage to adjacent teeth - Cyst formation in severe cases **Who performs wisdom tooth removal?** The complexity of wisdom tooth removal varies enormously. Simple, fully erupted wisdom teeth can be removed straightforwardly by a general dentist. Deeply impacted, horizontally positioned or surgically complex wisdom teeth are best managed by a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon - particularly where the roots are in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw. At Smile Solutions, wisdom tooth assessments are performed by general dentists, with seamless referral to the specialist oral and maxillofacial surgical team (Dr Ricky Kumar and A/Prof Patrishia Bordbar) for complex cases. General anaesthesia in a private hospital is available for patients who want full sedation for their procedure. **Wisdom tooth removal pricing at Smile Solutions:** - Simple extraction by general dentist: from $475 per tooth - Surgical extraction by specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon: from $600 to $2,950 per tooth (depending on complexity, including any required bone removal and sectioning) If your procedure is performed by a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon, your Medicare rebate may apply to the consultation. Private health insurance with hospital cover may reduce out-of-pocket costs for hospital-based procedures. ### The Optimal Age for Wisdom Teeth Removal: Dr Kia's Position One of the most important and least-discussed questions in wisdom teeth management is timing. Most practices take a reactive approach - waiting for symptoms before recommending extraction. Dr Kia Pajouhesh, founder of Smile Solutions with more than 30 years of clinical experience, takes a deliberately proactive position: the optimal age for wisdom teeth removal, when extraction is indicated, is 16 to 17. The clinical rationale is compelling. At 16 to 17, wisdom tooth roots are still short and unlikely to be associated with the inferior alveolar nerve - the proximity that causes temporary or permanent nerve damage in older patients. Jaw bone at this age is less dense and heals more readily. The teeth themselves are less brittle and less likely to fracture during surgery. Recovery is faster and more complete. Beyond the clinical case, Year 10 or Year 11 of high school is the ideal social window: the patient is still at home with parents to assist recovery, Year 12 exam pressure has not yet arrived, and the procedure is simpler and less expensive than the equivalent surgery at 22 or 25. Not all wisdom teeth require removal. Teeth that have adequate space to erupt fully and function in the bite, or that may serve as future replacements for compromised molars, may be deliberately retained. In patients who had premolar extractions during orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth may have sufficient room to erupt and become useful. The decision to extract or retain requires consultation between both a general dentist and an orthodontist - at Smile Solutions, both are available under one roof at 220 Collins Street. For the full clinical rationale - including thirteen reasons why earlier extraction produces better outcomes, the evolutionary context, and the financial and social timing arguments - see our dedicated article: *When Is the Best Age to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed? Expert Advice from Dr Kia Pajouhesh.* ## Dentures For patients who have lost multiple teeth or all of their teeth, dentures provide a removable prosthetic solution that restores chewing function and facial appearance. **Complete dentures** replace all teeth in one or both arches. They are held in place by suction (upper) and muscle balance (lower), and may require an adhesive in some patients. - Complete dentures: from $3,850 per arch **Partial dentures** replace one or more missing teeth when some natural teeth remain. They are anchored to the remaining teeth with clasps and can be removed for cleaning. - Partial dentures: from $1,400 Dentures require periodic adjustment as the underlying bone and gum tissue change shape over time. Patients with conventional dentures are encouraged to consider implant-retained or implant-supported options, which provide significantly improved stability and comfort. ## Root Canal Treatment When decay or trauma reaches the pulp (nerve) of a tooth, root canal treatment is required to save the tooth from extraction. The procedure involves: 1. Removing the infected or damaged pulp tissue from the root canals 2. Thoroughly cleaning and shaping the canal system 3. Sealing the canals with a biocompatible material 4. Restoring the tooth with a crown to protect it At Smile Solutions, root canal treatment is performed by specialist endodontists - dentists with additional university training specifically in root canal procedures. Dr Greg Tilley, specialist endodontist at Smile Solutions, explains: "The root canal system is extraordinarily complex - a single molar can have three, four or even five canals, many of them curved and narrow. A specialist endodontist has the training, microscope magnification and rotary instrumentation to navigate this anatomy thoroughly. The success rate for specialist root canal treatment is substantially higher than for treatment by a general dentist." Root canal treatment by specialist endodontist: from $2,900 to $3,600 (depending on the tooth and complexity) ## When to See a Specialist vs a General Dentist A significant advantage of Smile Solutions as a practice is the seamless integration between general dentistry and specialist care. When a general dentist identifies a situation that warrants specialist involvement - whether endodontic, periodontal, prosthodontic, surgical or orthodontic - the referral happens internally, without the patient needing to find a specialist and begin a new patient process. Dr Fotios Angelis, specialist prosthodontist, describes how the model works in practice: "At Smile Solutions, a general dentist who is managing a complex restorative case involving multiple missing teeth, worn dentition and bite discrepancies does not have to navigate that alone. They bring in the prosthodontist, the periodontist, the oral surgeon - all in the same building. The patient gets multidisciplinary planning at their first visit rather than a sequence of separate referrals spread over months." Situations that typically warrant specialist involvement: - Complex root canal cases: specialist endodontist - Bone loss or gum recession: specialist periodontist - Missing teeth requiring implants: specialist periodontist or oral surgeon, specialist prosthodontist for the prosthesis - Broken-down teeth requiring full-mouth rehabilitation: specialist prosthodontist - Wisdom teeth with complex impaction: specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon - Orthodontic issues: specialist orthodontist ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How long does a composite filling last?** A: With good home care and regular professional checks, composite fillings typically last 7 to 10 years in posterior teeth and longer in anterior teeth where biting forces are lower. Fillings do not last forever - they can wear, crack, chip or debond over time, and the margins can develop decay if hygiene is not maintained. Regular check-up x-rays allow detection of failing filling margins before they become a larger problem. **Q: Is a CEREC crown as good as a laboratory crown?** A: CEREC crowns made from high-strength ceramic blocks are clinically excellent and perform comparably to laboratory-fabricated crowns in most clinical situations. The ceramic material is uniform and strong. For cases requiring the highest level of aesthetic complexity - such as anterior teeth in smile-sensitive positions - a laboratory-crafted layered porcelain crown made by the Smile Lab may be preferred. Your dentist will advise which is more appropriate for your situation. **Q: My tooth has broken. Does it definitely need a crown?** A: Not necessarily. The appropriate restoration depends on how much tooth structure remains, the location and extent of the break, and whether the pulp has been affected. Small chips and fractures can often be repaired with composite bonding. More extensive fractures may require an onlay or crown. If the fracture extends below the gum line or into the root, more complex assessment is needed. Dr Silvia Ciach advises: "Every broken tooth needs to be assessed individually. The goal is always the most conservative treatment that provides the necessary protection and function." **Q: How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to come out?** A: Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. Wisdom teeth that have fully erupted, are in a good position, can be properly cleaned and are not causing problems can be monitored and retained. The decision to remove is based on a combination of symptoms, x-ray findings and clinical assessment. An OPG x-ray (panoramic jaw x-ray) is the standard investigation used to assess wisdom tooth position and associated risks. **Q: Can I replace old amalgam (silver) fillings with tooth-coloured ones?** A: Yes - amalgam fillings can be replaced with composite or ceramic. However, replacing a filling that is functioning well exposes the tooth to additional preparation and carries some risk. The decision should be made on clinical grounds - such as a filling showing signs of failure, secondary decay or fracture - rather than purely on aesthetic preference. Your dentist can advise whether replacement is clinically appropriate. **Q: What is involved in a full-mouth rehabilitation?** A: Full-mouth rehabilitation refers to the comprehensive restoration of all or most teeth in both arches - typically combining crowns, veneers, implants and other restorations to restore function, aesthetics and occlusal harmony. It is typically led by a specialist prosthodontist at Smile Solutions, working with a team that may include periodontists, endodontists and oral surgeons as required. A detailed treatment plan including mock-ups and staged sequencing is always developed before any irreversible treatment begins. ## Book Your General Dental Appointment Whether you need a filling, a crown, wisdom tooth assessment, dentures or a comprehensive examination, the Smile Solutions general dental team is ready to provide expert care in a comfortable, modern environment. Call 13 13 96 to book your appointment, or visit www.smilesolutions.com.au for more information. Smile Solutions is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and on weekends.