The Australian Dental Association® (ADA) recommends regular dental visits for teeth cleaning, X-rays and to catch any emerging dental problems before they become more serious or expensive.While every patient is different and a history of decay or oral health disease may require you to come more frequently, an average of every 6 or 12 months is often recommended.

When you arrive for your first dental visit at our Footscray dental clinic, you’ll be welcomed by our friendly team of receptionist and dental assistant, who will help get you settled in. After some quick paperwork, we'll have a chat about your medical and dental history to ensure we understand your specific needs.

Our dentists will take some photos of your teeth and, if needed, X-rays to get a clear picture of your oral health. Then, we'll do a thorough check of your teeth and gums. After the exam, we’ll explain everything and suggest any treatments or care you might need. Learn more about our dental check up and clean service.

‍We’re here to make your first visit easy, comfortable, and stress-free

Dental anxiety is real, and we're here to help. At Fine Smiles Dental our entire team will strive to make your appointments as comfortable as we can from beginning to end. Throughout your appointment, we’ll take our time to listen to your concerns and regularly check in with you to ensure you're comfortable. You can use a hand signal to let us know if you need a break, and we offer simple comforts like listening to music or using a stress ball.

For those needing extra help to relax, we also offer happy gas as an option. Learn more about happy gas. Our dentists in Footscray have also put together a blog with practical tips for anxious patients that can help you feel more at ease.

If you're feeling anxious about going to the dentist, don’t hesitate to talk to our team—we never judge and will always do our best to make sure you feel comfortable and cared for.

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured porcelain that cover the front surface of teeth. They are used to improve the appearance of teeth by addressing issues such as discoloration, chips, gaps, misalignment, or irregular shapes. Veneers can also help in restoring a uniform and aesthetically pleasing smile.

The lifespan of dental veneers varies depending on the material used and individual care. Porcelain veneers generally last between 10 to 15 years. Proper oral hygiene, avoiding/treating habits like grinding teeth, and regular dental check-ups can help extend the life of veneers.

Yes, some removal of tooth structure is usually necessary for veneers, particularly with porcelain veneers. The dentist typically removes a small amount of enamel from the front surface of the teeth to ensure a proper fit and bonding of the veneers.

The duration of Invisalign® treatment can vary depending on the complexity of your case. On average, treatment ranges from 6 months to 3 years. During your initial consultation, we will give you a more accurate estimate based on your unique smile goals and the alignment of your teeth.

You will need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day in order for them to be fully effective. This means, you should only take out your aligners when you are eating and when you are brushing and flossing your teeth.

For hygiene reasons, we encourage patients to brush and rinse their aligners at least twice a day with a normal toothbrush. This will also help prevent your aligners from staining and turning yellow, which can occur over time due to certain habits such as drinking coffee or wine regularly and smoking.

As a guide, Invisalign® treatment typically ranges from $3,500 - $7,500 and is dependent on the treatment type and time required, as well as the complexity of the case and your smile goals. On your initial consultation, we will give you a clear cost estimate based on your specific needs and offer flexible payment options to help make your smile goals affordable.