Your questions,
honestly answered.

Booking is easy — you can book online via our website, call us on (02) 9713 1760, or email reception@vividdental.com.au. When you get in touch, let us know your preferred date and time and the type of appointment you're looking for, and our team will find a time that works.

Please bring a valid photo ID and your private health insurance card if you have one (we have HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming). If you have any recent dental records, X-rays, or a referral from another practitioner, bring those along too — though they're not essential for your first visit. Arriving five minutes early gives you time to complete any quick paperwork before you see your dentist.

Your first visit is relaxed and thorough. Our team will greet you warmly and help with any paperwork. Your dentist will then conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues. We'll take X-rays if clinically needed, discuss any concerns you have, and work with you to build a personalised care plan. We want you to leave with a clear picture of your oral health and the steps ahead.

No referral is needed. You can book directly with us as a new patient. If your GP or another specialist has provided a referral, bring it along — it can be useful context — but it is not required to access any of our general dentistry or cosmetic services.

Every six months is the standard recommendation for most people, but at Vivid Dental we tailor our advice to your individual oral health. You may benefit from more frequent visits if you have a history of gum disease, are prone to cavities, have diabetes, are pregnant, or are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will recommend the right schedule for you at each appointment.

A standard check-up and clean includes a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and surrounding soft tissues, a professional scale and polish to remove tartar build-up, an assessment of your bite and jaw, and a review of any X-rays. We'll also give you personalised tips on brushing and flossing technique. If we spot anything that needs attention, we'll discuss it with you clearly and without pressure.

It's never too late to start taking care of your oral health. We see many patients who have had a gap in their dental care and we never judge — we simply work with where you are now. The most important thing is getting in to see us so we can assess your current health and put a clear, manageable plan in place. Most people feel much more confident after just one visit.

Common signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, receding gumlines, and teeth that feel loose or sensitive. However, gum disease can also be present without obvious symptoms — which is one of the key reasons regular check-ups matter. If you've noticed any of these signs, book an appointment sooner rather than later; early-stage gum disease responds very well to treatment.

Yes, we offer Invisalign clear aligner treatment for adults and teenagers. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, virtually invisible aligners to gradually straighten your teeth — without wires or brackets. Treatment time varies depending on complexity, but most cases are completed within 12–18 months. Book a consultation to find out whether Invisalign is a suitable option for your smile.

Our cosmetic services include professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, composite bonding, Invisalign, and complete smile makeovers. Every cosmetic consultation starts with understanding your goals — whether that's a subtle refresh or a dramatic transformation — and then mapping out the most appropriate and cost-effective path to get there.

Professional teeth whitening results typically last between one and three years, depending on your diet, lifestyle (particularly coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking), and oral hygiene habits. Take-home whitening kits allow for easy touch-ups, which helps maintain your results for longer. We'll guide you on the best whitening approach for your teeth and how to keep your results looking their best.

Treatment time depends on the complexity of your case. Most patients complete Invisalign within 12 to 18 months, but minor alignment issues can sometimes be resolved in as little as six months, while more involved cases may take a little longer. Your dentist will give you a realistic timeframe at your Invisalign consultation — and because the aligners are clear and removable, most people around you won't even know you're in treatment.

Modern root canal treatment is much more comfortable than its reputation suggests. The area is thoroughly numbed with local anaesthetic before we begin, so most patients feel little more than mild pressure during the procedure. The pain people associate with root canals is usually the toothache that makes the treatment necessary — the treatment itself relieves that pain. You may experience some mild soreness for a day or two afterwards, which is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells — usually porcelain — that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to change their colour, shape, size, or length. They're an excellent option for chipped, stained, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth. Veneers do require a small amount of enamel removal and are considered a permanent treatment. Book a cosmetic consultation and our team will assess your teeth and talk you through whether veneers are the best fit or whether a less invasive option might achieve the same result.

Yes, we accept all major private health funds and we have HICAPS available in-clinic, so you can claim on the spot and only pay the gap. We recommend calling your health fund prior to your appointment to understand your specific annual limits and entitlements for general and major dental — every fund and policy is different.

The cost of a check-up and clean varies depending on what's involved — the extent of the clean required, whether X-rays are needed, and the time spent. We are transparent about fees and will provide you with a full breakdown before we proceed. If you have private health insurance, your fund will typically cover a significant portion of the cost. Please call us on (02) 9713 1760 to discuss current fees.

We understand that dental treatment can represent a significant investment, particularly for major work. Please speak with our reception team about payment arrangement options. We aim to make quality dental care accessible and will do our best to work with your financial situation.

Eligible children aged 2–17 may access the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which provides up to $1,095 over two consecutive calendar years for basic dental services including check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, and fillings. Eligibility is linked to Family Tax Benefit Part A or other qualifying payments. Please check your eligibility with Services Australia and mention this when booking so we can process it correctly.

Absolutely — dental anxiety is incredibly common and our entire team is experienced at helping nervous patients feel safe and comfortable. From the moment you walk in, we take a gentle, unhurried approach. We'll always explain what we're doing and why before we do it, and you're in control of the pace. Many of our most loyal patients were once our most anxious. Let us know when you book that you're feeling nervous — we'll plan your appointment accordingly.

Always. Before we begin any treatment, we'll agree on a clear signal — usually raising your hand — that means stop immediately, no questions asked. You are always in control. Taking regular breaks is completely normal and nothing to feel embarrassed about. Our goal is for you to have a positive experience every single time.

Please speak with our team about your level of anxiety and the treatment you need — we can discuss the options available to make your experience as comfortable as possible. For patients with more significant anxiety or complex treatment needs, we can explore what approaches best suit your individual circumstances.

A cracked tooth won't heal on its own — and the damage almost always progresses over time. Depending on how the crack develops, you may experience worsening pain, increased sensitivity to hot and cold, a dental abscess, or eventually lose the tooth entirely. Catching it early usually means a straightforward fix — bonding, a crown, or a similar restoration. Leaving it gives the crack time to reach the root, which can mean much more complex treatment or extraction. If you suspect a cracked tooth, even without obvious pain, call us and get it assessed sooner rather than later.

A dental emergency is any situation where you're in significant pain, there's trauma to your teeth or mouth, or waiting could make things significantly worse. This includes: knocked-out or cracked teeth, severe toothache, dental abscesses, lost fillings or crowns causing pain, facial swelling, or bleeding that won't stop. If you're unsure, call us — we'd much rather help you assess the situation over the phone than have you suffer or delay necessary care.

Act immediately — time is critical. Call us straight away on (02) 9713 1760. Handle the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline — don't scrub it. If possible, gently reposition it in the socket and bite down softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place. If you can't reinsert it, keep it moist in milk, saline, or between your cheek and gum. The sooner we see you, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

We do our very best to accommodate dental emergencies on the same day. Call us as early as possible on (02) 9713 1760 and our team will prioritise getting you in. Please describe your symptoms clearly so we can triage appropriately and have the right setup ready for your arrival.

Call our practice number for information on after-hours care options. If you experience severe facial swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant head and neck trauma, please go directly to your nearest hospital emergency department. Over-the-counter pain relief can help manage discomfort overnight until you can reach us, but never place aspirin directly against the gum.

We recommend bringing your child in from the time their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first. Early visits are less about treatment and more about familiarisation: getting your child comfortable with the dental environment, checking that development is on track, and giving you guidance on diet, fluoride, and brushing habits. A positive early experience sets children up for a lifetime of confident dental care.

Our team genuinely loves treating children and has extensive experience with anxious little patients. We use a "tell-show-do" approach — explaining each step in child-friendly language, showing them the instruments before we use them, and letting them feel in control throughout. We never rush. For very nervous children, we may start with just a "happy visit" — no treatment at all, just a chance to meet the team and explore the chair. Many of our youngest patients end up being our most enthusiastic visitors.

Yes. We monitor dental development at every check-up and will advise when orthodontic assessment or treatment is appropriate. Timing matters — some orthodontic issues are best addressed during growth phases. When orthodontic care is recommended, we'll provide a referral to a trusted orthodontist and continue to support your child's general dental care throughout their treatment.

Keep it positive and low-key. Avoid language like "it won't hurt" — this can plant the idea that it might. Instead, frame it as an exciting visit to meet the tooth doctor. Reading a picture book about visiting the dentist can help younger children. Avoid scheduling right before nap time or when your child is hungry. And reassure them that you'll be with them the whole time — because you will be.