Teeth and older dental work
Your dentist checks for decay, cracks, wear, sensitivity, and changes around existing fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, or implant restorations.
Routine Care
Check-ups that tell you what is actually happening
A check-up is not just about looking for cavities. It is a chance to see how your teeth, gums, bite and existing dental work are holding up — and to talk about anything that has changed since your last visit.
Book a check-up if you would like a general review. If you have significant pain, swelling or trauma, call us so we can help choose a more urgent appointment.
Routine Care appointment details
Useful for
Routine reviews, overdue visits, gum checks, and treatment planning
Costs
Findings, options, and itemised costs are explained; health fund rebates depend on your cover
RISKS & LIMITATIONS
Possible risks, limitations, expected maintenance requirements, and the potential need for additional care are discussed where relevant before treatment begins.
Start Here
What are we looking for?
We look for the things that are easy to miss at home: early decay, gum inflammation, worn or cracked teeth, changes around old fillings or crowns, bite or grinding signs, and anything in the soft tissues that needs attention. Records or radiographs are only recommended when they add useful information.
Start here if
- 01You are due for a check-up and want a clear review of your oral health.
- 02It has been a while since your last visit and you want a calm place to restart.
- 03Your gums bleed, a tooth feels sensitive, or something has started to feel different.
- 04You have older fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, or other dental work you want checked.
Assessment
What your dentist checks
A careful assessment before any treatment decisions. The exact assessment depends on your symptoms, history, and what your dentist finds on the day.
Gums and soft tissues
Bleeding, tenderness, recession, gum pockets, plaque build-up, and soft-tissue changes can be assessed so your dentist can explain whether hygiene or gum care may be useful.
Bite, jaw, and grinding signs
Wear marks, jaw symptoms, clenching signs, and bite changes can be discussed, especially if you wake with jaw tension or notice teeth becoming chipped or worn.
Records where needed
Radiographs, intraoral photos, or previous records may be used where clinically indicated to check areas that cannot be assessed by sight alone.
Your Appointment
What happens at your appointment
We start with what you have noticed and any medical or dental changes. After the examination, your dentist will explain what looks healthy, what should be watched and what may need treatment or preventive care. If a scale and clean is useful, we will explain how it fits with the findings.
Talk through what has changed
The appointment begins with your dental history, symptoms, medical updates, priorities, and any concerns about anxiety, timing, or cost.
Check your mouth carefully
Your dentist reviews your teeth, gums, bite, jaw, soft tissues, and existing dental work. A scale and clean may be discussed or linked with hygiene care depending on what is needed.
Explain findings and next steps
If treatment, prevention, monitoring, or a hygiene appointment is recommended, your dentist explains the reason, options, timing, and costs before care begins.
Recall Timing
How often should you book a check-up?
Many people are familiar with six-monthly check-ups, but the right recall interval depends on your teeth, gums, risk factors, medical history, home care, and previous dental treatment.
- Some patients may be advised to return every 6 to 12 months.
- Gum concerns, frequent decay, dry mouth, complex dental work, or orthodontic treatment can affect timing.
- If it has been years since your last visit, the first appointment can focus on assessment and priorities rather than doing everything at once.
Related Care
If the visit points to something more specific
Your check-up may show that hygiene, gum care, children's care, or urgent support is the better next page to read.
Fees, Health Funds, Payment Options
Helpful
FAQs
What people often ask about routine dental visits
Answers to common questions about dental check-ups, X-rays, cleans, health funds, recall timing, children, and nervous-patient support.
A dental check-up is an assessment appointment. It gives your dentist a chance to understand what has changed, check your mouth carefully, and explain whether anything needs treatment, monitoring, or preventive care.
- Your dentist checks teeth, gums, bite, soft tissues, and older dental work such as fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, or implant restorations.
- Radiographs or photos may be recommended where clinically indicated.
- Symptoms such as bleeding gums, sensitivity, toothache, jaw tension, or changes in your bite can be discussed.
- If care is recommended, your dentist explains the findings, options, timing, and itemised costs before treatment begins.
The aim is to give you a clear starting point, whether everything is stable or something needs closer attention.
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