Prevention is the best cure. That’s why your routine check-up and clean appointment is the most important visit to the dentist. These appointments are generally 30 to 60 minutes long. During this time we will examine not only your teeth but also your gums, jaw, smile, the soft and hard tissue inside and outside of your mouth and review the sites not visible to the naked eye to paint a complete picture of your oral health. For most people, attending a check-up appointment once every 6 months is recommended, but together with your dentist you can create a dental maintenance plan customised to your individual needs. 

If problems are detected early, often the treatment required to resolve these problems is less invasive than if the problem is left untreated for a prolonged period of time. Detecting a problem early may also give you additional options to maintain or improve your oral health before you experience pain or discomfort. 

All of our dentists have access to an EMS Airflow Dental Spa unit - a state-of-the-art machine which provides an efficient and comfortable teeth cleaning experience. A water/powder spray removes staining avoiding the use of gritty polishing pastes, while the ultrasonic handpiece has a warm water function which is well suited for patients with sensitive teeth. For more information about the EMS Airflow Unit see: https://airflowdentalspa.com.au/ 

As part of your check-up appointment, we also provide you with personalised oral hygiene instructions so that you have confidence looking after your teeth between appointments. Knowing the most effective techniques to maintain good health of your teeth and gums, including knowing which products suit your lifestyle, is an integral part of your overall oral care. 

Dental fillings (also known as restorations) are used to restore a tooth after tooth decay has been removed. Dental fillings can also be used for aesthetic reasons including closing spaces or to change the shape or colour of the teeth. 

We offer a wide range of filling materials including tooth-coloured “composite resin” fillings, porcelain fillings and metallic fillings, such as amalgam or gold. All materials we offer are safe and compliant with Australian industry standards. 

There are many different factors to consider when choosing the right material for your filling and we will clearly discuss your options with you prior to the placement of a filling.

Dental implants replace missing teeth and are considered when a bridge or denture is not a suitable option. They can replace one or many teeth and can be used to make a denture more stable. Dental implant treatment is generally broken down into the surgical placement of the implant screw and the fabrication and fitting of the crown or denture onto the implant screw.

We offer both stages of treatment and are happy to discuss all options available. 

We use only the highest quality, Swiss made, Straumann implants due to their long history and success in the industry, evidence-based technologies and product guarantees.  For more information on Straumann implants see: https://www.straumann.com/ir/en/professionals/company/about-straumann.html

The hype around bleaching and tooth lightening has grown in recent years with Instagram, Facebook and TV ads endlessly promoting teeth whitening products, services and quick fixes. 

Every smile is different which is why it is important to discuss the options with your dentist before bleaching your teeth as certain tooth surfaces, filling materials, crowns and veneers will not lighten, and other options may need to be considered first. 

We offer a custom-made home bleaching kits to be used with either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solutions. The strength of solution, duration and recurrence of bleaching and techniques on how to get you the best results are all individual so a consultation with your dentist is necessary prior to bleaching your teeth.

When a tooth requires a treatment stronger than a filling we consider crowning or ‘capping’ the tooth. This strengthens a weakened tooth and may also improve the appearance of a tooth. 

Veneers are considered as an option should you want to change the shape or colour of a tooth or teeth.

Bridges are similar to crowns however they close spaces created when a tooth is missing. 

To create a 3D record of your teeth our practice uses a state-of-the-art Trios Digital Scanner allowing your dentist to accurately design and create your crown, bridge, veneer or implant. This treatment is suited to patients who have a strong gag reflex as it avoids the need to use impression putty inside the mouth.  For more information see: https://www.3shape.com/en/scanners/trios 

Just like fillings we offer a complete range of materials to suit the function and aesthetic suited to your smile. We have onsite dental technicians who are able to meet with you personally to select the correct shade of white for your crown, bridge or veneer.  

Children’s teeth are very important and have a very important role to play. They allow children to eat and communicate and they occupy important space while their adult teeth are coming through. Caring for baby teeth creates good habits which children can then carry into their adult lives when caring for their adult teeth. 

For these reasons we recommend bringing your child to the dentist as soon as they have baby teeth for an appointment of their own or just with yourself for your 6 monthly visit.  Familiarising children with their dentist and the practice environment gradually over time avoids any scary appointments down the track should the child require unavoidable dental treatment. 

Please note that your child may also be eligible for funded dental treatment through Medicare under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. For eligibility, please review the following information:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/child-dental-benefits-schedule

Our practice accepts payment under this scheme.

While we will always try to save your tooth, occasionally a tooth will require an extraction because it will cause more harm than good if left in your mouth. 

We perform most extractions in our dental surgeries under local anaesthetic however our dentists have access to Wollongong Day Surgery should you prefer a general anaesthetic for this procedure. 

We understand extractions can be daunting, but rest assured we take the time to explain the process to you and answer any questions you might have. 

Root canal therapy is performed when the nerve inside the tooth will not settle on its own and is causing pain, or to clean an infection from inside a tooth to avoid having the tooth extracted. Under local anaesthetic (while the area is numb) the nerve is cleaned out from inside the tooth. It is then medicated and finally sealed allowing you to keep the tooth for aesthetic (looks) or functional (biting and chewing) reasons. 

Root canal therapies generally take between 2 to 3 visits which are spaced over several weeks.

It is important to know that not all teeth are good candidates for root canal therapy, but we will discuss all options and risks of treatment with you during your appointment. 

Dental X-rays (also known as “radiographs”) provide us with a comprehensive assessment of the health of your teeth, crowns, fillings, dental implants and the bone surrounding your teeth.

We have the ability to take certain types of X-rays in our treatment rooms – a process which takes only a few seconds and is safe for both adults and children. Our radiographs are able to be viewed digitally within minutes for accuracy and clarity in diagnosis. X-rays can also be shown to patients for ease of understanding of their own dental health.

It is important for most people to have routine dental X-rays at least every 2 years as hidden tooth decay in adults and children can go undetected, often causing no pain until more extensive treatment is required. Routine dental X-rays are often taken during a check-up and clean appointment.

Other types of dental X-rays known as OPGs allow your dentist to assess wisdom teeth eruption and provide information about available bone which is necessary if you are considering dental implants.

Cone Beam CT or CBCT X-rays are often taken to assess the teeth and bones of the jaw in 3 dimensions. These are often used to assess the bone structure and availablility when planning dental implants.

Your dentist will refer you to a radio imaging facility if an OPG or Cone Beam CT X-ray is required.

Night guards and splints are provided to patients who grind their teeth while they're asleep or unknowingly throughout the day. They are worn to protect the teeth, fillings and crowns from chipping, cracking and breaking to avoid unwanted complications.

We also manufacture sports mouthguards that protect not only your teeth but the surrounding jaw-bone and structure. A well-fitting, professionally made mouth guard can prevent serious damage and dental injury, and should be considered before participating in contact sports.

The sports mouthguards we offer comply with Australian dental and sporting code standards and of the highest standard.

Dentures can be used as a temporary or permanent replacement for missing or extracted teeth. Most people are familiar with dentures and have seen a denture at some stage in their life.

We work with our own acrylic technician to match denture teeth in both shape and shade to produce a smile tailored to your requests.

Breakages of dentures are common due to wear and tear or accidents. Our practice offers denture repairs and will often be able to return your repaired denture to you on the same day thanks to our in-house lab technicians. It is important to inform the practice in advance if you require a denture repair. This will allow us to ensure we can return your denture to you in a timely manner.

We manage our patients' denture concerns with discretion and patience, understanding that a person's denture can be a very personal subject.

Dr Ben, Dr Leo and Dr Kate will accept dental vouchers however it is important to notify the receptionist before your appointment if you have received a dental voucher. This way we can arrange an appropriately timed appointment to make sure your treatment can be complete before the voucher expires.

For more information on dental voucher eligibility see:

Information for public dental patients (nsw.gov.au)

For most of your oral health needs, we are able to provide you with treatment in-house. However, occasionally treatment requires further expertise and specialist training. In these case, our dentists know and refer to many fantastic specialists in the field of dentistry and in other complimentary fields.

It is important for your dentist to refer to you an appropriate specialist based on your individual case and the requirements for further treatment.

Following a consultation appointment, your dentist will be able to point your in the right direction.

We follow up treatment and liaise regularly with specialists as part of a team approach to support you on your dental journey.

Our practices use state-of-the-art digital dentistry technologies, allowing us to provide fast and accurate diagnoses and comfortable treatment.

At Xouris Giuttari Thanos Dental, your dental x-rays are processed and viewed digitally on our in-room computers within seconds. This allows us to clearly and accurately explain your diagnosis and proposed treatment options to you in the chair and send your x-rays to specialists instantly if referral is required.

Our practices are further equipped with intraoral cameras which allow us to take high-definition photos of the inside of your mouth. Referring to these photos during the consultation phase of your appointment, helps us to explain your treatment options and helps you to understand what is going on inside your mouth. Our practices are also equipped with Trios Intraoral Scanners, which give us the ability to develop three-dimensional digital moulds of your teeth. Seeing your own teeth in three-dimensions will allow you to see what we see and better understand proposed treatment and the way it will benefit your teeth.