Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our Randwick dental clinic believes that your dentistry is your decision to make. Dr Andrew Dunn is always happy to explain all of your options and the benefits of each so that you can make an informed decision regarding your oral health. It is for this reason that our office chooses not to participate in any private health insurance company preferred provider scheme. Dental clinics that are contracted with private health insurance companies as preferred providers are required to provide specific dental treatment options under specific business rules. This can result in treatment other than what the patient wants and needs.

Working With Your Insurance

At Centennial Smiles, we provide the most appropriate treatment for your dental needs. We will discuss any dental condition in detail and answer all of your questions, so you feel confident in your decision. Your private health insurance will pay rebates based on your contract with them. We will work with you to obtain the information you need to plan for the finances of your treatment. We provide the finest dentistry available today, and our patients consider our quality dental treatments to be of great value.

If you have questions about the cost of treatment or your private health insurance benefits, please contact us. 

Each private health fund may pay different rebates for specific dental services. We use HICAPS EFTPOS electronic claiming from your health fund for added convenience. Our clinic prides itself on providing the most appropriate treatment rather than only treatment allowed by business rules of an insurance company. We will work with you to have a healthy, beautiful smile that feels comfortable and supports overall wellness.

Advanced Dental Technology

We understand that patients will have questions regarding the necessity of their treatment. We use digital x-rays, intraoral cameras and 3-D cone beam technology to diagnose and explain dental conditions to our patients properly. This information empowers our patients to make decisions that help them meet their goals for their oral health.

Contact Us For Further Questions

If you have questions about your insurance benefits and how they will affect your overall treatment, we are happy to discuss details with you. We also realise the importance of giving patients all of their options and allowing them to make a choice. We support your decisions for your smile. We are not in the business of selling dentistry; rather, we see ourselves as partners in your oral health.

When you schedule your initial appointment, you will be provided with a quote for that appointment because no one likes financial surprises. 

After your initial exam and diagnostic x-rays, Dr Dunn will be able to identify and diagnose any conditions that require professional treatment. We will consult with you and discuss everything that requires your attention. After your consultation, we will provide a written treatment plan that details any fees and answer any questions you may have.

We understand that cost is a concern for many patients these days. We present our costs honestly and help patients find solutions to have the treatment they need to stay healthy.

Dental Treatment to Fit Your Budget

If we need to address the most immediate conditions first, we can phase your treatment in a way that allows you to fit it into a budget.

It is always our practise to discuss all treatment options available so you can decide what will work best for you. After all, it is your smile.

By providing the highest level of care, we increase the value we provide. Dr Dunn is conscientious and dedicated to helping the families of Randwick achieve healthy and beautiful smiles that last a lifetime.

At Centennial Smiles, we use CAD/CAM technology to digitally scan and create a durable and aesthetic ceramic crown in one appointment. This eliminates the need to wait for a final restoration from a dental lab, which can take two to three weeks. For patients who want both quality and convenience, CEREC is a practical alternative. Dr Andrew Dunn orchestrates the entire process from beginning to end, ensuring quality and accuracy every step of the way. We transfer this information into our in-house robotic crown creation machine that mills the crown from a single piece of high-quality ceramic.

The Dental Crown Process

Dr Dunn will match the crown to the surrounding teeth. He will make final adjustments to the surface of the crown so that teeth bite together comfortably and function well for chewing. You can treat your crown very much like a natural tooth – keep it clean, take good care of the gum tissue and be sure to maintain your regular dental hygienist appointments. To learn more about CEREC crowns, telephone our Randwick surgery. We are always happy to answer questions.

If you have missing, stained, broken and crooked teeth, it is true that it will take more than one cosmetic dentistry procedure or treatment to restore your smile. Fortunately, our dentist in Randwick, NSW is able to put together a reconstruction package to help you achieve the smile you’ve been looking for, and she is always excited to help patients reach their smile goals.

Smile makeovers in Randwick, NSW borrow from all aspects of dentistry to restore your smile. Packages may include tooth-coloured fillings, dental implants, same-day tooth crowns, professional teeth whitening and more.

What to Expect with a Smile Makeover

Our dentist will ask you about your smile goals, carefully examine your teeth and gums and set about designing the smile you’ve been looking for.

In some cases, our dentist may recommend general dentistry treatments to get you started—root canal therapies, fillings, treatment for oral infections.

Our goal is to provide you with the smile that you’d like to have—a smile that you’re proud to show off.

Throughout your smile journey, our team is always here to answer your questions and address your concerns.

If you’re considering a smile makeover in Randwick, NSW, we invite you to give us a call to schedule a consult with our dentist.

Even if you were not blessed with a perfect smile at birth, we can create one for you. Your smile has a significant role in your interactions with everyone you meet, and feeling confident in the way it looks is important.

Cosmetic dentistry refers to a wide range of treatments – from the most simple to full smile makeovers. Many cosmetic treatments are easier and more natural looking than you might initially imagine.

You never have to worry about a fake looking smile. Dr Andrew Dunn uses the latest techniques and materials to improve smiles in a way that enhances your appearance without announcing that you have had cosmetic treatment.

Some of the many cosmetic treatments we offer include:

• Teeth whitening – to bleach away years of stains
• Bonding – to fill in chips and reshape teeth
• Crowns – to cover and protect damaged teeth
• Tooth-coloured fillings – to fill cavities without dark metal
• Veneers – to correct nearly any cosmetic concern including minor misalignment and wear

A consultation with Dr Dunn will help you decide which cosmetic treatment will work best for you.

Most healthy patients are candidates for dental implants. To determine if dental implants are right for you, Dr Andrew Dunn will provide a comprehensive dental evaluation.

3-D Cone Beam Images

For successful treatment with dental implants, you need enough healthy bone with sufficient density to support the dental implant post. We use 3-D cone beam x-rays to evaluate the bone structure, identify the ideal location for dental implant placement, and avoid nerves and sinuses during the placement process.

What if I Don’t Have Enough Bone? 

Bone grafting may allow us to increase bone volume before dental implant placement. If implants are not possible, we may be able to offer fixed bridges as an option to replace missing teeth.

Underlying Conditions

If you have gum disease or decay, we will address those conditions prior to dental implant surgery to improve your chances of success and control bacteria that may negatively impact the integration of the dental implant. 

The best way to learn about dental implants is to call and arrange a consultation with Dr Dunn. He is an experienced dental implant dentist. We welcome you to our Randwick dental clinic.

There are several different types of dental emergencies, and all of them need intervention from a dental professional.

Typical dental emergencies include:

• Root infection—toothache, jaw pain and swelling
• Tooth knocked out
• Tooth knocked loose
• Broken restoration or appliance
• Soft tissue injury

If you have a root infection, a root canal treatment is in order. Your emergency dentist in Randwick will work hard to see you as soon as possible.

If your tooth is knocked out, we recommend spraying it off—take care not to overhandle the roots—placing it a cup of milk or saliva and bringing it to your emergency dental appointment.

Of course, if you sustained trauma aside from your tooth, you should go to the hospital first. You can contact your emergency dentist after you’ve been marked safe.

Additionally, if ever you’re unsure whether your situation is a true emergency, we want to hear from you. We can help you decide whether seeing the dentist as soon as possible is the right decision for you.

If you have a dental emergency in Randwick, or if you can’t decide, we welcome your call. It is always better to be safe than wait out an infection or condition that could compromise your oral and physical health.