Dr Garry Ecker - Prosthodontist

A Specialist Leader

A Prosthodontist is generally the main coordinator in the development and execution of a comprehensive dental treatment plan. A Prosthodontist is a specialist trained dentist who leads a collaborative team involving many dental professionals including General dentists, Oral Surgeons, Periodontists, Endodontists, Orthodontists, Paediatric dentists and Laboratory technicians. This may also involve dental planning with assistance from Sleep Physicians, Medical Pain Management Specialists, Nutritionists, Physiotherapists and Clinical Psychologists.

You can be assured – we have a commitment to excellence when it comes to the level of care we provide

Reconstructive Dentistry

This consists of rebuilding the dentition using crowns, bridges, implants or dentures to restore full function and aesthetics. This often occurs following severe destruction of the teeth and the supporting tissues by trauma (falls and motor vehicle accidents), developmental problems (congenitally missing teeth), bulimia and anorexia damage to teeth, severe tooth wear due to clenching and grinding (bruxism problems) and genetic based developmental problems.

Implant Dentistry

Temporo-mandibular Joint Disorders

This involves replacing single tooth, multiple teeth or full arch cases with missing teeth using dental implants. This can avoid the need to wear partial or full dentures. Treatment is integrated with Oral Surgeons who place the implants surgically, usually in hospital under an anaesthetic.

(TMJ) Disorders of the jaw, head and neck are integrated with physiotherapy. This includes jaw clicking problems, locking of the jaws in an open or closed position, post-trauma management and with severe cases involving bruxism (clenching or grinding). Treatment may include occlusal splints, formal physiotherapy and sometimes behavioural therapy (habits).

Sleep Apnoea Appliances

Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry

In severe cases of tooth discolouration (tetracycline straining, anorexia, bulimia, industrial accidents and some developmental disorders) options for reconstruction may include crowns, veneers, tooth-coloured restorations and whitening procedures.

Management of mild to moderate sleep apnoea is integrated with your Sleep Physician. This usually will involve an adjustable sleep appliance designed to hold your jaw in a position designed to open the airway when asleep. This cannot replace a CPAP device and is designed as an adjunct therapy.

Oro-Facial Pain Disorders

This usually involves the teeth, jaws, head, neck and Temporo-Mandibular disorders

Occlusal Rehabilitation and Management

This treatment is specific to problems in the occlusion where the causes are related to tooth loss, abnormal tooth movement, loss of inter-jaw space and facial height and loss of soft-tissue support in the face and cheeks. This may include any of the above treatments, Occlusal Splint therapy, Orthodontics or other specialist referrals.