Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are following the current ADA guidelines, and have implemented extra initiatives to ensure the safety of our patients and staff:

Screening patients

Our front office coordinators ask screening questions to allow a risk based assessment to ensure patients and staff entering the building are considered low-risk of having contracted COVID-19. Furthermore, upon arrival to screen for fever, we take the temperature of all patients and staff.

Staggered scheduling

To minimize patient interaction and allow longer time dedicated to cleaning between appointments we have limited the number of appointments available and staggered the appointment books.

We will ask you to wait in your car if you arrive earlier than scheduled and preferably come alone. For minors, one parent or guardian will be permitted to attend with their child.

PPE use

Our practitioners, dental assistants and front office coordinators are donning their PPE before our patients come within 1.5m distance.

Cleaning surfaces

All surfaces in the treatment rooms have two cycles of cleaning after use. We have increased cleaning schedule in the front office area and waiting room.

Treatment protocols

Pre-treatment mouthrinse will be provided. Following the ADA guidelines, limited treatment options can be offered which are considered low-risk procedures in the transmission of the virus. Different instruments or techniques will be employed under level 2 restrictions such as dental dam during filling appointments or hand-scalers during an active maintenance appointment.

We have 'happy gas' available at our practice along with general anaesthetic options.​

We provide complete dental implant treatment right here in our Toowoomba dental clinic. We welcome you to call us to arrange a consultation.

To learn if dental implants are an option for you, we will need to perform a full evaluation.

• Dental x-rays and photos
• Bone evaluation
• Bite evaluation
• Medical history

In order for dental implants treatment to be successful, you will need enough bone to support the dental implant screw, which replaces the root of your tooth. Implants are made of biocompatible metals like titanium so that they can integrate with your natural bone in a process called osseointegration. This makes the implant suitable to support a dental implant crown and to allow you to eat an unrestricted diet.

If poor bone quality exists, we can often perform additional treatments, such as bone grafting or sinus lifts to make dental implants possible.

Dental implants also look natural and are convenient to take care of. Just brush and floss them like your natural teeth and be sure to attend your regular check-up and clean to help your gums stay healthy.

Many patients today are choosing dental implants, either to replace single missing teeth or to work with dental bridges and dentures for increased reliability.

Many patients have anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist. If you are nervous about your procedure, we believe you will find our Toowoomba dental clinic a friendly and comforting environment that puts you at ease.

Our dentists care deeply for our patients and prioritise comfort. As a private dental clinic, we are free to take our time helping patients develop trust with our team and to cater to your needs in a personal way.

Looking after patients’ health and wellbeing are all part of our commitment to outstanding dentistry.

Many patients who fear pain had a negative experience in the past. We have learned so much about how different people react to anaesthetic and the time it takes people to become fully numb. Before we even use a needle, we apply a topical anaesthetic to numb the area before we inject the medication that completely numbs the area.

If you need a little additional help relaxing, we also offer sedation with nitrous oxide, or happy gas, to take the edge off. It wears off quickly so you can return to work without worry.

Let us know if you are feeling on edge about your procedure so we can help put your mind at ease while we care for your smile.

At your initial examination, your dentist will provide you with a detailed treatment plan for any future treatment required, inclusive of all costs and item codes, to converse with your private health insurer. Please see our financial and payment plan information or call our practice for further information.

Many people consider tooth-replacement with dental implants the most natural and convenient way to replace a missing tooth.

If you are looking for a long-term solution to missing teeth that gives you the most natural results, dental implants are probably the solution for you.

Dental implants replace the entire tooth, including the root, and integrate naturally with your bone. This means they will not move or shift as long as the bone supporting the dental implant stays healthy. Dental implants retain healthy bone and prevent teeth from shifting.

Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and can also support dental bridges and retain dentures for a more stable solution.

Not every patient can have dental implants. Sometimes this is due to insufficient bone, and sometimes it is simply because they wish to avoid surgery. Dental bridges offer a fixed solution to replace a missing tooth and act as a placeholder for missing teeth.

For patients with many, or all, of their teeth missing, partial dentures and complete dentures provide a reliable option.

Contact L&R Dental, located in Toowoomba, to learn more about how to complete your smile and eat the foods you love.

Yes, we accept all private health insurance cards and have HICAPS facilities to submit your claims.

We are located at 315 Margaret Street, which is between Grand Central Shopping Centre and West Street.​

When you trust L&R Dental with your smile, you can count on our dentists to go over all treatment options with you, making it possible to have the smile you have always dreamed of. Our Toowoomba dentists strive for natural-looking results that are both comfortable and long-lasting. It pays to choose someone experienced in the design and delivery of beautiful cosmetic dentistry.

Your smile is a valuable investment in your confidence and appearance. One of the many benefits of choosing a private dental practice is that our dentists can spend time with you, discuss your concerns and develop a plan that will provide optimum results that make you happy and exceed your expectations.

Simple options such as teeth whitening and bonding require a single appointment. Ceramic veneers will take multiple visits and provide more dramatic results.

Let's talk about your ideal smile and our skilled clinical team will present all of your options for stunning results. 

For specific answers, we recommend calling our dental clinic to arrange a consultation with Dr Leanne Welsh or Dr Rachael Milford discuss what you would like to change about the appearance of your teeth. You will be surprised at how modern cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile and your life.

For most healthy patients, teeth whitening is completely safe and comfortable. One of the many benefits of teeth whitening in our Toowoomba dental clinic is that you will work closely with an experienced dentist who will help you decide which teeth whitening option is right for you. Zoom! Whitening comes in both hydrogen and carbamide peroxide as well as different strengths.

In some cases, gum recession can expose the roots of the teeth, leading to additional sensitivity. If you do experience sensitivity, contact us to discuss your options. If you have sensitive teeth after beginning whitening, take a day or two off between your at-home treatments. Be sure to only use the recommended amount of gel to minimise how much seeps onto the gums.

We also offer fluoride treatments and desensitisers to improve comfort during whitening.

In-Chair Zoom! Whitening

If you have a special event just around the corner, we can give you a whiter smile in about an hour.

Take-Home Custom Trays

We will take impressions of your teeth to make trays that fit well and keep whitening gel where it belongs – on your teeth!

You can save your trays and touch up your smile whenever it needs a boost.

At L&R Dental, we present all treatment options available. A recommendation for a dental crown likely means that your tooth needs extra protection to absorb the load caused when chewing. Opting for a dental crown on a compromised tooth can prolong its life and improve comfort.

Dental decay – Fillings are enough to seal a tooth when it comes to small instances of decay, but deep decay may cause the structure of the tooth to be unstable. A dental crown provides greater support by completely covering the tooth.

Root canals – When we remove the diseased pulp from a tooth, the blood supply to the tooth is cut off, making it more brittle. Covering a root canal-treated tooth, especially on molars that do most of the chewing, will reduce the risk of fracture.

Improved aesthetics – Sometimes an oddly shaped or damaged tooth stands out against an otherwise lovely smile. Our dental crowns are designed by skilled technicians right here in Toowoomba. Since we work closely with our dental lab, you can count on a crown that looks and feels great.

If you have questions about a procedure or treatment we have recommended, we welcome you to get in touch. We enjoy discussing your options, and we can show you what we see using our intraoral camera so that you can make an informed choice for your health and smile.

Yes, It’s perfectly safe to come to the dentist when you’re pregnant, in fact we encourage regular exams to assess how your teeth are coping. 

In situations where there is extensive treatment needed, your dentist will decide whether it is best to postpone or not. 

Dental x-rays are another matter. Although there is speculation, dental x-rays use very low doses of radiation and as a result, are unlikely to have negative effects on your unborn baby’s development. 

However, we do try and avoid taking x-rays during the first trimester when the baby is first developing, again your dentist will make the best decision for you.

No matter what stage of pregnancy you are at, just remember it’s very important to keep coming to the dentist regularly. If you have any concerns that aren’t mentioned here then please visit your dentist to discuss your issue further.