It’s a long way from Arizona, USA to Nelson, NZ and even further from Nelson to Bundaberg, Queensland, but this is now home for Michael Frey and his wife Monica. Establishing his dental practice in Bundaberg in February 2008 after falling in love with the climate, the beaches and the warmth of the local community, Michael has continued to innovate and provide quality dental services to a growing patient base.

One of the reasons why people feel comfortable at Michael Frey Dental is that Michael has built his practice on values that support the long-term interests of his patients. “Thoughtful dental solutions that meet your goals” is the philosophy behind the services offered, and the continuing growth of the practice is testament to the effectiveness of this approach.

Advances in technology are constantly offering new techniques and treatments to dental patients, but the large distances between treatment centers in Queensland often meant that people would have to travel to Brisbane for certain treatments. Recognizing this, Michael Frey determined it was time to bring these new technologies to a regional area such as Bundaberg. He is able to offer, for example, microscopic dentistry, air abrasion and digital photography and digital x-rays which allow patients to see their problems so they can understand the solutions being offered.

“It was always a hassle to get my children to the dentist, but I kept their six monthly check-ups happening despite their protests. When Hamish developed a small spot of decay, Michael used the air abrasion device instead of the drill to repair the hole. There was no noise or vibration, and no need for an injection. It was all over before he knew it. Imagine having this in Bundaberg!” said Shelly M.

Apart from the usual treatments that would be expected to be available at any dentists Bundaberg dental surgery, Michael Frey Dental can also offer endodontic (root canal) treatment using the Global surgical microscope. This piece of equipment offers a level of magnification that allows the dentist to see every canal, thus offering the patient the newest technology available. Whitening teeth is another procedure available which has become increasingly popular, and can offer quite dramatic results for the right patient.

Crowns, bridges, cosmetic dentistry and gold restorations are all available at this dentist Bundaberg, but another problem that plagues many people is also offered a solution. Teeth grinding while sleeping has many causes, including anxiety, which often take a long time to treat. In the meantime, the grinding continues, eroding the surface of the teeth and causing permanent damage. Michael can prevent this by working with the patient to create custom-made night guards worn during sleep to protect the surface of the teeth. Mouth guards to prevent sports injuries are also available.

“Both my young blokes play rugby league. A great game but it can be rough. The missus insisted on mouth guards. The boys kicked up a bit, but it paid off because the oldest one got an accidental knee right in the mouth that would have knocked out his front teeth for sure. Can’t thank Michael enough for getting the perfect fit,” said Craig S.

New patients find the convenience of being able to download both the medical history form and the patient information form from the website a big plus. It allows them to present for their first appointment with everything already completed so they can go straight into the surgery for their treatment. This is a simple innovation but is symptomatic of the way Michael runs his practice. From an easy web-based solution to more complex solutions that involve the latest in technology and techniques, Michael Frey Dental has raised the bar for dental services in Bundaberg.

Don’t become too alarmed if your dentist informs you that you suffer from bruxism. It is the medical term for grinding one’s teeth, which usually occurs while sleeping. On the other hand, you shouldn’t be too complacent if you are one of the many thousands of people who suffer from this nocturnal habit. Many people don’t even realise that they grind their teeth. However, those who do may wake up with bad headaches, jawbone pain or earache. At the same time, teeth grinding can result in chipped or broken tooth enamel or even loose teeth.

Teeth grinding may not sound too serious. Nevertheless, if it is not corrected it can cause extreme problems that are not only costly to correct but it could also be a symptom of other underlying disorders. Although dentists Bundaberg can assist by suggesting a tooth guard that protects your teeth whilst asleep, it does not get to the root of the cause.

Several factors are known to contribute to bruxism. These include mental stress that arises from anxiety, anger or fear, amongst other stress-related emotions. Medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease are also said to be the cause of teeth grinding. In fact, any disease that involves the loss of motor skills can bring on night grinding.

When stress is the main cause of teeth grinding it can set off a pattern of events—stress—grinding, then more stress because of the grinding teeth. This is why it is important to analyse the cause of the original stress. For instance, restrained anger can disrupt a normal sleeping routine, which, in turn, might bring on the grinding of teeth. Furthermore, an illness that threatens a person’s movement and cognitive abilities, such as Huntington’s disease, can also induce bruxism.

This dental problem is also known to affect children. Young children whose teeth are at the growing stage are susceptible to grinding their teeth whilst sleeping. This is caused through itchy sensations to which their bodies react by grinding. Eventually, most children do grow out of this disorder once their teeth are fully grown and their teeth structure becomes normal. If you are concerned, dentists advise that you make an appointment with a dental practitioner who will advise whether any steps should be taken to help prevent this disorder.

If teeth grinding becomes excessive, your dentist might want to know whether or not you have been prescribed any medication for anxiety or bipolar-related disorders. Although it has not been fully proved, there appears to be a relationship between these drugs and nocturnal grinding.

Even if you don’t grind your teeth, it is wise to see a dentist at least once a year or earlier. This will ensure that your smile reveals your healthy teeth and gums.