Access and affordability of dental care can be problematic for some in Australian Community. Therefore, dental tourism is increasing becoming more attractive to some patients due to decreased expense, increased convenience and immediacy of treatment. However, there are significant issues for both clinician and patient in regards to dental tourism. Lack of accountability and regulation are the main issues and this is particularly evident when complications occur.

Access and affordability of dental care can be problematic for some in Australian Community. Increasingly, some patients have been turning to treatment overseas as an option rather than accessing routine dental care in Australia. There are some benefits for accessing dental care in Australia. These include increased affordability, speedy completion of treatment plans, convenience of treatment, combination of treatment with some leisure activity or visiting family and avoidance of public waiting lists. The affordability factor is a significant issue as a procedure may be performed at a far lower financial cost compared to the amount that a patient would otherwise spend in Australia. This affordability has been made even more attractive be a recent strong Australian dollar as compared to other currencies and the ease and affordability of overseas travel. Improvements in the standard of care overseas may also play a role.

Medical or dental tourism is a term that describes seeking medical or dental treatment in another country. The necessity for travel may be the sole or primary motivation for medical or dental treatment sought. The internet and internet advertising may also be an important source for accessing and researching treatment possibilities overseas.

However, there are significant disadvantages to dental tourism. The main issue for patients undertaking dental tourism is accountability. Accountability implies the professional, moral, legal and ethical duty of the practitioner regarding the outcome of treatment. Once a patient leaves the country that they have undergoing treatment in, it may be difficult to address accountability, even if the patient returns to that country. If complications occur, review and management by the practitioner who provided treatment is almost impossible. Patients are often not covered by insurance companies and are unable to seek compensation. Therefore, clinicians in their home country may be warranted with managing complications and giving seconds opinions. There has been reluctance by local practitioners to provide medical treatment, however they are obliged to make a diagnosis and provide treatment. Other disadvantages may include differences in training and risk of nosocomical infections, particularly those that are blood-borne.

Implant dentistry is now part of dental care which is practised by both generalist and specialist alike. It could be considered as the gold standard of care for the management of the partially or fully edentate patient. However, the cost of implant treatment as a treatment option can be prohibitive and this can be the justification for seeking dental tourism. Complications related to dental implants may be related to the patient, implant or prosthetic components and these complications are seen by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in both hospital and outpatient settings. Little has been documented in the literature regarding dental tourism, particularly in reference to dental implant treatment. The aim of this paper was to document a series of cases with suboptimal outcomes related to dental implant placement in the setting of dental tourism that have presented to the Department of Oral and maxillofacial Surgery at both the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

DISCUSSION
The modern success rate for non-complicated dental implants is approximately 93% to 98% at five years, generally depending on the number of stages of surgery, surgical training and the timing of loading. A number of factors can influence implant failure, including, patient factors, such as poorly controlled diabetes as in case 1; implant related factors such as the implants places in case 2; and restorative factors as in case 4. Case 5 was also interesting as it demonstrated a failure in communication.

Failure in implant dentistry does occur, in Australia and overseas. Clinician training can also be quite variable where in Australia may range from company sponsored courses over period of days to periodontal or full oral and maxillofacial surgical training, including undergraduate training in dentistry and medicine. However, the benefit for patient who does not travel overseas for treatment comes from multiple levels of accountability. It is the regulation of dentistry which allows this accountability to be available to protect the patient. These levels include various state and now federal legislation, state and federal dental boards, the Australian Dental Associations (ADA), both state and federal, and compulsory clinician indemnity. In this way, if complication does occur, there are a number of mechanisms for the patient to be followed up and managed in an appropriate fashion. If the management of such complications are suboptimal, then opportunity exists through the dental boards, the ADA and the legal system to claim recompense. This may be quite difficult to undertake for treatment carried out overseas and it is this lack of accountability which is the main issue facing Australians and dental tourism.
Regulation can also be an issue affecting different countries in their practise of dentistry. This can also affect the materials used in the treatment of patients. This issue is particularly important in regards to sterilization and hygiene processes, and the risk of cross-contamination and nosocomial infections as some overseas countries may have a higher prevalence of specific infectious agents and poor cross-contamination control. Regulation is also important in defining the minimum training requirements for dentists and their scope of practise.
These cases of complications related to implant dentistry treatment illustrate some of the issues that dental tourism may experience when seeking dental implant treatment overseas. Although the patients ranged in socio-economic status, a common motive for treatment overseas was to save on cost. Some of the patients were visiting their country of origin. However, two of the patients (cases 1 and 5) were not. It is important for clinicians to educate and advocate to their patients regarding the costs or treatment, particularly in relation to dental tourism. The costs of service and running a practise, but for the provision of safe and effective dentistry where the clinician is accountable for the planning, quality and outcomes of treatment.

Are you looking to reinvigorate and rejuvenate a smile that is looking tired or needs enhancement, are missing or broken teeth leaving you feeling down and low on confidence, then crowns and bridges are a brilliant way to combat this.

A porcelain crown is more commonly used on broken chipped or discoloured teeth. If you feel that any of your teeth suffer from any of this then a porcelain crown could be the solution for you. A crown is a restoration that is placed over the affected tooth to amend its shape, size or strength. They are not only used for aesthetically pleasing reasons, they are also used to improve the functionality of the teeth.

You can choose between metal bonded crowns and ceramic crowns. Both are commonly used and provide the same type of solution. With the metal crown, it is completely covered in ceramic so that no metal can be seen through and it looks completely like a normal tooth would. Ceramic gives the same results just that they are fully ceramic with no metal centre.

A bridge is commonly used to solve the problem of missing teeth effectively and safely. A bridge is a synthetic tooth that anchors around your remaining teeth, to place a new one where the missing tooth once was. Bridgework is a long-term and stable solution. It can also help to prevent problems such a shifting and drifting of the surrounding teeth, which could cause more complex problems.

If you feel that porcelain crowns or bridgework could be a safe and long-term solution for you and your dental issues, then do not hesitate in contacting your local dentist for a consultation on how either of these treatments could be beneficial to you.

Not many people realise that your smile is predominantly the first thing that people notice about you, not only is it the first thing they notice, but it also goes a long way to determining how they feel about you, it is a massive part of you and makes you who you are. Cracked, chipped or discoloured teeth can be very embarrassing and leave you looking older than what you actually are.

Now there are ways that can help you to regain a smile that you most certainly deserve. A smile makeover is a range of treatments doing exactly what it says – giving your smile a much needed makeover. Sometimes one procedure may not be enough to solve your dental problems, therefore a smile makeover takes into account all the needs you may have within your mouth, and plan a simple range of procedures that you could undertake in order to regain your much needed first impression making smile.

Cosmetic smile makeovers cover procedures such as, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, dental implants, and teeth whitening. Individually these treatments can help any smile, but used together can transform your smile leaps and bounds and you will more often than not be left feeling unbelievably satisfied.

Whether you choose only one of the treatments or all of the treatments, you will more than likely be left feeling happy and lost for words at how much your smile has been transformed and improved.

If you feel that you are in need of a dental smile makeover, no matter how small or large it could be, do not hesitate in contacting your local dentist for a consultation and regain that smile to impress and wow your peers.

Unfortunately many people live with the burden of missing teeth, which can cause discomfort, pain and even embarrassment. A smile that is effected by one or more missing teeth can look very unaesthetically pleasing, and put people off from talking and socialising with you. Your smile in most cases makes a statement about you as a person, and if your smile is less than average, more than likely this will start you off on the wrong foot with people.

No longer do you have to suffer from any of this, and feel the embarrassment of missing teeth, because you can now undergo dental implant surgery. Whereas years ago, dentures used to be the only solution to replace missing teeth, these days they’re taking over dental implants. Dental implants offer a more secure fitting than dentures, last longer and can be more functional. Dental implants can also be used to strengthen the structure of your jaw bone and jaw muscles.

What is a dental implant you may ask, well dental implants comprise of two main parts. A fixture and a restoration. The fixture comprises of a small titanium screw being placed into the jaw bone, meaning that it is secure and strong for the restoration to be performed. The jaw bone will then fuse around the titanium implant creating an even stronger and more secure fitting.

When this has all taken place the restoration of a dental implant can take place, a porcelain crown is more commonly known to be used for this. A porcelain crown is placed on top of the implant fixture, if this procedure is used to solve many lost teeth, bridges can be used. Dental implants are very aesthetically pleasing, and are very functional and help you to lead a full and normal life once again.

Discoloured, chipped or broken teeth can effect even the most confident of people, and put a dent into how you present yourself and your appearance. Most people now want a minimally invasive solution to these problems. Discolouring can be caused by a number of problems including drinking too many sugary drinks, smoking, not brushing properly or eating too many sweet foods.

Chips or cracks can be caused by either accidents or a poor dental hygiene; they can be very unaesthetically pleasing and leave some people with low self esteem, without the want to show off their smile. Your smile should be radiant and shout out at people about you, and with any of these problems your smile simply cannot.

Porcelain veneers can offer just this. Porcelain veneers not only improve the aesthetics of your smile but also help to improve the functionality of your mouth at the same time. Porcelain veneers are comprised of an ultra-thin layer of tooth-coloured porcelain, this layer of porcelain is used to cap the damaged tooth. Each porcelain veneer is customized to fit each individual tooth to provide the best size and strength possible.

This is a minimally invasive dental restoration, meaning very little tooth structure needs to be removed during treatment. The popularity of porcelain veneers is continually increasing. This is due to their ability to enhance both the functional and aesthetic nature of your smile.

If you feel that porcelain veneers could solve your chipped, cracked or discoloured teeth, then do not hesitate in contacting your local dentist today for a consultation in achieving optimum results through porcelain veneers.

Welcome to the brand new, City Smiles Blog.

We hope to provide everyone with an insight into the latest techniques, technologies and developments from the dental world. In Australia, we have a very high standard of dentistry, and we would like to relay this to you, wherever you are in the world.

At City Smiles, we are leaders in affordable dental treatment and patient care. We uphold a reputation for only using world class dental products and the latest techniques.

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It used to be that if a tooth was infected or the nerve in the tooth was dying, the tooth would have to be extracted. Today, because of a procedure known as root canal treatment the infection can be treated, the injured nerve taken out and the pain associated with such symptoms alleviated.

A common reason for root canal treatment is an infected or abscessed tooth, which may result from a deep cavity, periodontal disease, or even a fractured tooth. Sometimes trauma like a sharp blow to the mouth can result in damage to the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. Should you have symptoms such as swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold or discomfort on touching your tooth, a dentist should be consulted immediately.

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When it comes to choosing a Cosmetic Dentist, you are putting your appearance in someone else’s hands. For this reason it is very important to ensure you have a Dentist who is qualified, experienced, and best able to meet your specific needs.

When looking for the right Cosmetic Dentist, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:

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If you have a missing tooth or missing teeth then dental implants are the best step forward you can take to recreating your perfect smile. Dental implants help restore the natural appearance and function of your mouth and avoids the inconvenience and embarrassment of dentures.

Dental Implants offer a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth. They are a durable, stable and fully functional replacement for your natural teeth. If you have a missing tooth or teeth you may find that adjacent teeth begin to change position. By altering the shape of the face it may lead to premature aging. This can be resolved with dental implants.

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A brilliant white smile can give you new found confidence. Not everyone has naturally white teeth and others have teeth which have become stained over the years.

Tooth whitening is now completely safe. However, ensure that you visit a dental professional for whitening as there have been increasing complaints of whitening treatments going wrong when carried out by non-professionals.

There are different options you can choose for whitening with City Smiles.

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