We are completely focused on helping our patients achieve functional and beautiful smiles in line with their dental desires, and with complex treatments come complex questions
This is why we have compiled our most frequently asked questions to help answer common questions to do with our practice, specific treatment and the results we can achieve. Click below to access the answers for each:
Where can I find a dental specialist in Adelaide?
Dr Arnis Lidums of Lidums Dental in Adelaide is a qualified Prosthodontist and has undergone an extra 3 years of Specialist training in order to be a Dental Specialist
Dr Lidums has been specially trained in further dental rehabilitation with a Masters Degree in Dental Surgery and is registered on the Australian Dental Board as a Prosthodontist. This allows Dr Lidums and his team, which is made up of Dental Prosthetists, Technicians, Dental Hygienists, Certified Dental Assistants and Prosthodontists to provide high quality treatments. Many of our Operators and Support Team have over 20 years experience in their Field.
What is the All-On-4 or ‘Teeth in a Day’ procedure?
The All-On-4 Implant Bridge is an innovative predictable procedure which has been developed to enhance our patients’ experience and completely eliminate the need for dentures
In just one day, our patients can replace failed or missing teeth with Dental Implants that have fixed teeth attached. We completely designed our entire practice in order to provide the best quality and total reliability throughout all stages of the All-On-4 procedure. With this in mind we offer the All-On-4 treatment, which comes with many features:
No denture phase
High success rates
Faster recovery time
Less surgical procedures
Only 4 implants per jaw (unless poor bone)
Teeth placed within a day of implant placement
The entire procedure can be done at one location
Performed under IV Sedation/General Anaesthesia
Less cost than traditional full jaw tooth replacement implant treatment
Of course, careful planning and x-rays are require to assess if you are a candidate for this treatment.
What else is available other than dentures to restore my smile?
Did you know that one third of Australians over the age of 65 have no teeth?
If you have lost an entire arch of teeth you are not alone. At Lidums Dental we understand traditional dentures provide an often uncomfortable and unstable solution to missing teeth, and knowing this we provide more satisfying alternatives. For the loss of singular or multiple teeth we are able to provide Dental Implants, which are small screws that are placed in the bone. For full arches of lost teeth we are able to provide full arch restoration otherwise known as the All-On-4 Teeth-in-a-Day procedure.
Do you offer solutions for anxious patients?
Yes, at Lidums Dental we cater for anxious patients through carefully selected Team members and sedation options
For shorter appointments and lighter treatments, we are able to manage dental anxiety with sedative medication such as Valium. This method can alleviate anxiety or make the appointment go much quicker as many patients simply fall asleep while having their treatment. IV & General Anaesthesia is available for larger treatment or patients with a higher degree of dental anxiety. Our team are also well equipped to assist and support patients who may have high dental anxiety or phobia. (Link to Sleep Dentistry page)
How is Lidums Dental different from other dental practices?
We are a Specialist Dental practice and have designed our practice to allow for a low-stress patient experience and for advancements in dental technology
At Lidums Dental, our aim is not just to fix or replace teeth. We consider the longevity of your smile and its impact on your well-being and confidence. The space is fresh, private where required, and supports ease of patient flow and treatment. Privacy was a huge factor in designing the rooms so that our patients could have the treatment they wanted without fear of others seeing. The facility enables our Dental Team to achieve consistent outstanding results due to it’s design and the technology they have access to.
Will I have to go to hospital for complex treatments?
Our dental practice is purposefully designed to provide IV sedation
With a day-stay surgical suite to provide a safe environment for patients, you can be sure you are in the best possible hands throughout your treatment. However depending on your treatment choice and preferences, condition and recommendations by our dental professionals, you may require a hospital stay. Our team will discuss this with you.
Why would I choose to have my treatment done by a Prosthodontist?
A Prosthodontist has undergone 3 years of additional intensive Post graduate Study and is a recognised Dental Specialist, unlike “Cosmetic Dentists”. You can be assured you are receiving treatment which understands the overall stability of your bite, maximum function and optimum aesthetics enabling them to provide complex restorative treatment at an advanced level.. What is a Prosthodontist? (pronounced Prost-o-don-tist) A Prosthodontist is a Dental Board Registered Dental Specialist committed to the improvement of function and appearance of teeth through the reconstruction of teeth, the replacement of missing teeth and adjacent oral and facial tissues and the rehabilitation and maintenance of oral health using fixed or removable restoration materials. What does this mean for you? It means when you see a Prosthodontist, you are in the care of someone who has the appropriate training to know what is really happening in your mouth and provide you with stable long-term, predictable solutions.
Dental reconstruction sounds expensive, how can I afford it?
Yes, treatment at a Private Dental Practice can seem expensive. Knowing your dentist is able to treat you without restriction on product or treatment option is a wonderful opportunity for you to receive optimal care.
There are times when treatment can be more expensive than ‘normal’ for a variety of reasons. It’s important to know that your dentist is not restricted on what kind of treatment they can offer or what kind of materials can be used or even what time limits they have. Having the ability to take the time to treatment plan and discuss your needs is important and you will find that a practice who can provide this, is a practice who is likely to have more flexibility in what treatment options they might present and discuss with you.
There are numerous Finance options these days that cater for varying budgets and needs. Anything from Staged treatment, to Accessing Superannuation to 3rd Party Finance is available. Our Treatment Coordinators can discuss these with you once you have decided on your course of treatment.
Do I get a rebate from my health fund for my dental treatment?
Absolutely! We can provide you with the relevant item numbers and fee’s prior to your treatment. If your Health fund covers dental, your proposed treatment falls largely under the ‘Major Dental’ category, and most patients receive their annual limit (on average of $600 – $2,000 p/a), regardless of the extent of procedures. To understand your annual limit for ‘Major Dental’ please contact your health fund provider.
Contract vs Private Practitioner Many health fund providers have trained their employees to try and talk patients into going to one of their ‘preferred providers’. We feel this creates confusion for our patients. We have seen numerous times where a patient has had Specialist treatment performed by inexperienced operators and this causes them much grief, pain and money as often the treatment must be redone. We feel it’s a patient’s right to be able to choose their own dentist based on the level of care or treatment they want, rather than how much ‘rebate’ they will receive. This can be very misleading to patients if there is no understanding of why they might see a Private Practicing Dentist vs a Contracted Dentist who may have restrictions on time and materials to be able to treatment plan fully.
Are you part of the 'Preferred Provider' scheme?
No, we do not participate in the preferred provider scheme. We are a South Australian Privately Owned Dental Practice – and proud of it. We operate completely independently of health funds. The preferred provider schemes often do not allow patients to see the dental provider of their choice. Annual rebate limits do not change whether you see a preferred provider or not. Stated in the Australian Dental Association (ADA) website, “As all members of a fund will pay identical premiums, eligibility for rebates should also be identical. To increase a rebate available to one member who chooses to use a Health fund preferred provider discriminates financially against the member who chooses to maintain a dentist patient relationship that may have existed for years. Your fund should allow you to choose your dentist. There is now evidence available that some health funds are using the opportunity of discussing written estimates of costs of treatments with their members to deliberately attempt to redirect patients to the funds’ contracted (preferred provider) dentists. This practice is discouraging patients from using their dentist of choice and may compromise the quality of care to be delivered to you.” I think this sums it up very well.
We take this time to thank all out Team and Patients for their ongoing support and patience throughout a very tough year. We have all found strength nd resilience we never thought we had.
We hope that all of you have a relaxing break and get to spend quality time with family and friends and for those of you who cannot, our thoughts are with you and we hope you have friends who can share the Christmas Spirit with you as one of their own.
We are closing from 24 December 2020 and will re-open on 11 January 2021.
If you have a dental emergency over this period, please use our contact page (https://www.cosmeticdentistadelaide.com.au/contact-us/) to send us detailed information and photos of your situation in order for us to best care for you. A Team member will be able to provide guidance for you within 48 business hours.
COVID Message
Due to the recent developments with Covid Restrictions, we would like to take this opportunity to inform our patient’s of the recent updates in Covid-19 management.
The Covid-Safe Plan has been implemented as of 1 December 2020.
What does this mean for you?
All patients and visitors must attend wearing a mask prior entering the practice.
Please utilise the hand sanitiser on entering the practice (provided on the front desk).
You will be asked by our Front Office Coordinator the standard Covid-Safe questions.
All patients must sign in manually or using the QR code to login and register via their smartphone.
We ask you keep 1.5 metres of separation during your visit until seated in the dental chair.
We thank you for your understanding and we will continue to monitor and act on advice as information is released.
We will keep you updated as appropriate.
For all appointment inquiries please email us at fom@lidumsdental.com.au and ensure to include your full name, phone number and brief description of your dental emergency/concern. One of our team will call you within 24 business hours to assist you. You can also submit an inquiry directly via our ‘Contact Us’ page: https://www.cosmeticdentistadelaide.com.au/contact-us/
The whole Team hope you all stay safe and well throughout this time and hope to see you very soon. The Lidums Team
Arnis and Rose are waiting to transform your smile