This clinic
01Point Cook
Address220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone(03) 8338 1515
HoursMon–Sat 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Dental FAQs · Magical Smiles Point Cook
Dental questions, answered for Point Cook patients.
Answers on costs and health funds, first visits, children's dentistry, emergencies, implants and orthodontics at Magical Smiles Point Cook, 220 Point Cook Road. Each answer uses the same words as the page it came from and links back to it.
85 questions · gathered from 40 pages across this siteHow this page works
Every answer, word for word, from its source page.
This page collects the questions patients ask most often. Each answer is the exact wording from the treatment or visit page it came from, with a link back so you can read it in context. Pick a topic to jump to it, or scroll through all 85questions. Can’t see yours? The Point Cook team answers calls Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
On this page
Visiting us
Opening hours, finding the clinic, booking and what to expect at your first appointment at 220 Point Cook Road.
Magical Smiles Point Cook is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and closed on Sundays. The phones are answered in the same hours on (03) 8338 1515.
From the Contact us page
Magical Smiles Point Cook is at 220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030. It's open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and you can call the clinic on (03) 8338 1515.
From the Our locations page
Yes. Magical Smiles Point Cook is open and welcomes new patients, from children to adults. Book online, call (03) 8338 1515 or send the form on this page, and the team will arrange your first visit. The new patients page explains what happens on the day.
From the Contact us page
Call (03) 8338 1515, email info@magicalsmilespointcook.com.au or request a time on our online booking page. The team is happy to answer questions before you book, and there's no obligation.
From the Point Cook clinic page
No. You can book your first visit yourself, online or by calling (03) 8338 1515.
From the New patients page
Usually about 45 to 60 minutes. That's longer than a routine hygiene visit, because it includes your history, a full examination and time to talk about what we find.
From the New patients page
Photo ID, plus your health fund or Medicare card if you have one. Recent X-rays or records from a previous dentist are helpful but not required.
From the New patients page
Yes. You don't need to arrange anything with your previous dentist first. Just book in; if your old records would help, we can talk about requesting them.
From the Patients page
Yes. Dental anxiety is common. We go at your pace, explain each step before it happens and can discuss whether sedation is clinically suitable for you.
From the Patients page
Yes. Book at Point Cook in the usual way and tell us where you were seen before, so the team knows your history when you arrive.
From the Existing patients page
Yes. Book directly with the clinic you'd like to visit, because each one takes its own bookings. Magical Smiles Caroline Springs has its own online booking page.
From the Magical Smiles Caroline Springs page
Through that clinic's own website, because each clinic has its own team, phone number and booking page. Magical Smiles Bacchus Marsh takes appointment requests on its booking page.
From the Magical Smiles Bacchus Marsh page
Costs, health funds & payment
What a check-up costs, how HICAPS claiming works, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and the ways to spread a payment, all before you're in the chair.
Most likely. Magical Smiles Point Cook claims benefits from most major private health funds on the spot through HICAPS, so you usually know your out-of-pocket gap before you leave.
From the Payment options page
After your appointment, the front desk swipes your health fund card and lodges the claim electronically. Your fund's benefit is applied straight away, and you pay any remaining gap.
From the Payment options page
A check-up, scale and clean usually costs between $180 and $280, depending on what you need and whether X-rays are taken. Health fund extras cover often pays part of preventive care, and we'll give you a quote before any other treatment. Eligible children can have check-ups bulk-billed under the CDBS, which covers up to $1,158 over two calendar years (or $1,132 if their two-year period began in 2025), so check your child's available balance before you book.
From the Contact us page
Yes. Eligible children can be treated under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which covers up to $1,158 of basic dental services over two calendar years (or $1,132 if their two-year period began in 2025). Check your child's available balance through your Medicare online account in myGov, and ask the Point Cook team to confirm eligibility when you book.
From the Payment options page
Yes. All three are available at Magical Smiles Point Cook for eligible treatment, so you can pay in instalments instead of all at once. Each provider sets its own approval criteria, fees and repayment terms.
From the Payment options page
SuperCare helps eligible people apply for early release of part of their own superannuation, on compassionate grounds, to pay for dental treatment. Eligibility is decided under ATO rules, not by Magical Smiles, and isn't guaranteed.
From the Payment options page
Yes. You don't need private health insurance to book or be seen. If you have cover, we claim on the spot through HICAPS; Afterpay, Zip Pay and SuperCare (where eligible) are also available. Costs are always explained before treatment.
From the New patients page
Children's dentistry
First visits, check-up timing, tongue and lip ties and the other things parents ask before bringing a child in.
The Australian Dental Association recommends a first visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday, whichever comes first. If your child is older and hasn't been yet, that's fine; we'll start from where they are today.
From the Your child's first visit page
Usually not. With young children the first visit is mainly an introduction and a visual check. We only suggest an x-ray when there's a clinical reason and your child is settled enough, and we'll explain why and agree it with you first.
From the Your child's first visit page
Then we don't look. We never force it, and it's common for a child to need a few visits before they'll open up for someone new. Getting comfortable is what the appointment is for.
From the Your child's first visit page
A first visit is designed to be easy: a look, a count and a chat. If anything more is needed at a later appointment, we'll explain it to you and your child first, and nothing happens without your agreement.
From the Your child's first visit page
Whatever your child prefers. Many parents stay close for the first few visits, and some children want to show they can do it on their own. Both are fine; you know your child best.
From the Your child's first visit page
Just tell us when you book. We'll allow more time, choose a quieter part of the day and adjust the pace and order of the visit to suit your child.
From the Your child's first visit page
Yes. We see children as well as adults, and you can ask to book family members together where times allow. Eligible children can use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for eligible services, up to $1,158 over two calendar years (or $1,132 if their two-year period began in 2025). You can check your child's remaining balance in your Medicare online account through myGov, and our team can help with eligibility when you book.
From the General dentistry page
Shop-bought and boil-and-bite guards give some protection, but they're often bulky and loose, so children tend to take them out mid-game. A custom guard fits closely and is more comfortable, which makes it more likely to stay in. For regular club or school sport, a custom guard is usually the more practical choice.
From the Custom mouthguards page
Many tight frenulums never need releasing, and many speech or eating difficulties have nothing to do with a tie. The assessment looks at how the tongue actually moves, what that means for speech and chewing, any effect on the teeth or gums, and whether something else explains what you're seeing. We only recommend release when it's clearly indicated.
From the Tongue and lip tie assessment page
Dental emergencies
What counts as urgent, what to do straight away and how to reach the Point Cook clinic when something goes wrong.
In pain or dealing with a broken tooth? Our emergency dentist page explains what to do first and how to reach the Point Cook clinic.
Severe or sudden toothache, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, a lost filling or crown that leaves the tooth sharp or sensitive, swelling in the gum or face, and injuries to the mouth from sport or a fall are all dental emergencies. If you're not sure, call Magical Smiles Point Cook on (03) 8338 1515, describe what's happening, and we'll help you judge how urgent it is.
From the Emergency dentist page
Phone (03) 8338 1515 as early as possible. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and we'll tell you honestly when the first available time is. If you need to wait, we'll suggest ways to stay comfortable until you're seen.
From the Emergency dentist page
Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it quickly in milk or saline rather than tap water. Put it gently back into the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and see a dentist straight away. The sooner a knocked-out tooth is treated, the more options there usually are.
From the Emergency dentist page
Our Point Cook clinic is closed on Sundays and after 5:00pm. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop, or swelling that's spreading, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. For other problems, call us as soon as we reopen and we'll help from there.
From the Emergency dentist page
That depends on how the tooth feels. If it's sharp, painful or sensitive to hot and cold, book in quickly to protect it. If it's comfortable, you should still call soon rather than waiting for your next check-up.
From the Emergency dentist page
The cost depends on what the dentist finds and which treatment you choose, so we explain the likely fee before any work begins. If you have health insurance, you can claim on the spot with HICAPS, and Afterpay, Zip Pay, Humm and SuperCare are available, subject to eligibility and terms.
From the Emergency dentist page
Phone (03) 8338 1515 as early in the day as you can and we'll fit you in as soon as the schedule allows; we're open Monday to Saturday. Every emergency visit starts with an examination, plus X-rays if needed. When it's safe, treatment can happen at that visit, although a severe infection may need antibiotics first.
From the Tooth extractions page
Check-ups, cleans & everyday care
Check-ups, cleans, fillings, extractions, wisdom teeth, dentures and feeling calmer in the chair: the appointments most people book.
Planning a check-up and clean? The general dentistry page covers what Magical Smiles Point Cook offers for everyday care.
Most people are advised to come every six months. Your gum health, history of decay and other risk factors can make that more or less often, so your dentist will recommend the right interval for you.
From the General dentistry page
Most people find a routine clean comfortable. Some sensitivity afterwards is normal, particularly if it's been a while or your gums are inflamed. If you're worried, tell us and we'll talk about gentler options, such as a numbing gel where suitable, and explain each step before we start.
From the Scale and clean page
Air polishing uses a fine spray of warm water, air and a soft powder to wash plaque, biofilm and surface stains off teeth. It's useful between teeth and around braces, aligner attachments, bridges and implants, where hand instruments are harder to angle.
From the Air polishing page
A deep clean, also called scaling and root planing, is a non-surgical treatment for early to moderate gum disease. It removes plaque, tartar and bacteria from under the gumline along the tooth roots, then smooths the roots so the gums can heal. It's usually done over two appointments with local anaesthetic.
From the Deep cleaning page
Tooth-coloured fillings are made of composite resin, a mix of fine glass particles and resin. It's bonded to the tooth in thin layers and hardened with a curing light, and the shade is matched to your natural teeth so it blends in.
From the Tooth-coloured fillings page
We numb the tooth before we start, so the procedure should be comfortable. You'll feel some pressure and vibration, and mild sensitivity to cold for a few days afterwards is normal. If the injection worries you, tell us and we'll talk about ways to make numbing more comfortable.
From the Tooth-coloured fillings page
Often, yes, when there's a good clinical reason. An intact silver filling on a healthy tooth is usually best left alone. If it's leaking, cracked or bothers you, your dentist will check the tooth and talk through the pros and cons before doing anything.
From the Tooth-coloured fillings page
We numb the area thoroughly with local anaesthetic and check you're comfortable before starting. You'll feel pressure and movement, while the anaesthetic is there to block sharp sensation. Some soreness afterwards is normal, and we'll explain how to manage it at home. If anything feels wrong during treatment, tell us and we'll pause and adjust.
From the Tooth extractions page
No. Some wisdom teeth grow in straight, sit in a healthy position and never cause trouble. We recommend removal only when there's a clear reason, such as pain, infection, damage to the neighbouring tooth or a tooth that can't come through properly. Your X-ray and symptoms guide the advice.
From the Wisdom teeth removal page
It depends on the person and on how the tooth was sitting. Many people are back to their usual routine after a few days, while the gum continues to heal over the following weeks. You'll receive aftercare instructions and a number to call if you have any concerns.
From the Wisdom teeth removal page
Acrylic dentures are straightforward to make, adjust and add to. Metal (cobalt-chrome) dentures have a thin cast frame that many people find less bulky and more stable, and they cover less of the palate. Your dentist will recommend what suits your mouth and budget.
From the Dentures page
Tell us what worries you when you book. We'll go at your pace, explain each step and talk through comfort options, including ways to make numbing more comfortable and whether sedation could suit your treatment and medical history. Nothing is booked until you're comfortable with the plan.
From the General dentistry page
Cosmetic dentistry & whitening
Veneers, bonding, crowns, bridges, Snap-On Smile and whitening: what each involves, how long it lasts and how to choose.
Composite is applied and finished in one visit and is the more conservative option. Porcelain is made in a lab to your measurements and fitted over two visits, with a harder-wearing finish. Neither wins outright; your teeth decide, and the veneers overview compares them side by side.
From the Porcelain veneers page
A thin layer of enamel is usually removed so the veneer can sit flush with the tooth. That's why porcelain is a long-term commitment: the change to the tooth doesn't reverse. Your dentist will explain how much preparation your teeth need, and what it costs, before you agree to anything.
From the Porcelain veneers page
That's what the planning aims for, though it can't be promised. Shade, translucency and how each edge meets the gum are chosen together, using your own teeth as the guide. Results vary between people, and your dentist will show you what's realistic for you.
From the Porcelain veneers page
There's no single answer, because resin wears according to the tooth it's on and the forces it meets. Grinding, nail-biting and a heavy bite shorten its life, and coffee or red wine shows on resin sooner than on porcelain. The upside is that bonding is easy to re-polish or top up rather than replace entirely.
From the Composite bonding page
Usually little or none of the tooth is removed. The resin is layered onto the existing surface, which makes bonding one of the gentlest ways to change how a tooth looks. If any preparation is needed, your dentist will explain why and include it in your estimate before you agree.
From the Composite bonding page
A crown covers one existing tooth from edge to gumline. A bridge fills a gap instead, using crowns on the neighbouring teeth to hold a replacement tooth between them. A crown protects a tooth you still have; a bridge replaces one that's missing.
From the Crowns and bridges page
That depends on the tooth, how much force your bite puts on it and how well it's cared for. A crowned tooth still needs brushing and flossing, because the edge where crown meets gum is where problems usually start. Regular check-ups help us catch issues early.
From the Crowns and bridges page
A removable arch made from a mould of your teeth, finished in a tooth-coloured material and held in place by the natural shape of your teeth. There's no adhesive and no drilling, and while you wear it, it covers staining, gaps, chips or slight crowding.
From the Snap-On Smile page
At our 220 Point Cook Road clinic, your dentist examines your teeth, talks through what bothers you and explains the realistic options. You leave with a clear picture of the choices and no obligation to book treatment.
From the Smile makeover page
Sensitivity is one of the most common questions we're asked. Any whitening can cause short-lived sensitivity to cold or sweet foods for a day or two, and we'd rather plan for that than pretend it won't happen. We ask about your previous whitening first, and a desensitising agent is applied before you leave.
From the Teeth whitening page
Whitening fades gradually rather than stopping on a set date. Coffee, tea, red wine, smoking and time all work against it, and the pace depends on your habits and aftercare. Your dentist can suggest when a top-up might make sense, and take-home trays can help keep your shade steadier in between.
From the Teeth whitening page
When it's done on healthy adult teeth, with the gums protected and the protocol followed, whitening is a well-established treatment. It isn't suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, or for teeth with active decay or untreated gum disease, which is why your assessment comes first.
From the Teeth whitening page
Braces & clear aligners
Metal and ceramic braces, Fastbraces, clear aligners and early checks for growing children: how the options differ and how a choice is made.
Braces and clear aligners both move teenage and adult teeth into a planned position: braces with brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire, aligners with a series of removable clear trays. Early intervention is different. It works with a growing child's jaws and habits to reduce crowding before it becomes harder to correct. Age and the complexity of the case usually decide which one applies.
From the Orthodontics page
For teens and adults, it usually comes down to how complex the tooth movement is and how much the look of treatment matters to you. For young children, a check around age seven gives a starting point to monitor or act on. At a consultation we examine the teeth and recommend what fits that case, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
From the Orthodontics page
Not necessarily. Some straightforward cases move efficiently with aligners, while for more involved bites the timeframes are often similar, and some cases are better suited to fixed braces. We can only estimate your timeframe once we've assessed your teeth.
From the Orthodontics page
Many dentists suggest a first check around age seven, when a mix of baby and adult teeth makes crowding and bite problems easier to spot. Most of the time that check leads to monitoring rather than treatment. We'll tell you honestly whether to watch, wait or act.
From the Orthodontics page
It depends on how far your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your trays. We give you an estimated timeframe with your written plan, then review it as we see how your teeth respond.
From the Clear aligners page
For many mild to moderate cases, aligners can achieve a result similar to fixed braces while being removable and much less visible. Some complex movements are better handled with brackets and a wire, and we'll tell you if your case is one of them.
From the Clear aligners page
Yes. Teeth can drift throughout life, so a retainer is part of treatment, not an optional extra. Most people wear it on a gradually reducing schedule after the last tray, and sticking to that routine helps keep teeth in their new position.
From the Clear aligners page
The three common types are stainless-steel metal braces, tooth-coloured ceramic braces and Fastbraces. All three use brackets and a wire; they differ in material, how noticeable they are and cost. Ask our Point Cook team which are currently available; at your consultation we'll explain which suit your teeth, and whether clear aligners might suit you better.
From the Braces page
Mainly in the bracket material and how visible it is. Metal brackets are stainless steel: strong, compact and the more affordable of the two. Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured or clear, so they blend in more, but they're slightly larger, need a bit more care when cleaning and cost more. Both move teeth in the same way.
From the Braces page
Fastbraces use a different bracket shape and wire, designed to move each tooth's crown and root together earlier in treatment. In suitable cases this may shorten treatment compared with some conventional approaches, but it isn't promised. We'll only estimate your timeframe after examining your teeth.
From the Braces page
Dental implants
Single teeth, several teeth and full arches, plus the bone graft, sinus lift and implant care questions that come with them.
Missing one tooth? The single tooth implants page explains that option in more detail.
A single implant replaces one tooth with one post and crown. Multiple implants replace several teeth with individual crowns or an implant bridge. All-on-X replaces a whole arch with a fixed set of teeth held by a small number of implants.
From the Dental implants page
Not everyone. Gum health, bone volume, smoking and some medical conditions affect suitability. Your dentist will explain whether implants suit you and what the alternatives are, such as a bridge or denture.
From the Dental implants page
It varies. An implant usually needs a few months to bond with the bone before the final teeth are fitted, and grafting can add healing time. Your dentist will outline the timeline for your plan.
From the Dental implants page
Not always. A graft is only needed when there isn't enough bone to hold the implant, which your dentist checks at your examination. A sinus lift applies only to the upper back jaw.
From the Dental implants page
It depends on your teeth. An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched; a bridge relies on them for support but avoids surgery. Your dentist can explain which fits your situation.
From the Single tooth implants page
A dental bone graft adds bone or bone-like material to the jaw where there isn't enough to support an implant. Over the following months your body replaces it with its own bone, creating a firmer base.
From the Bone grafting page
A sinus lift is a bone graft that raises the floor of the sinus above the upper back teeth, adding the bone height needed to place a dental implant where the jaw has thinned.
From the Sinus lift page
All-on-X is fixed and stays in all the time. An implant-supported overdenture clips onto implants for a firmer hold but comes out for cleaning. Your dentist can explain which suits you.
From the All-on-X and implant dentures page
Peri-implantitis is inflammation around a dental implant that has started to damage the supporting bone. It usually begins with plaque bacteria at the gum line and, if untreated, can loosen the implant.
From the Peri-implantitis care page
Watch for bleeding when you brush or floss, red or swollen gum, pus, a bad taste, gum shrinking back from the implant, or a crown that feels loose. It often doesn't hurt, which is why regular checks matter.
From the Peri-implantitis care page
Laser dentistry & gum care
What laser treatment involves for gum disease, gum shape and colour, and removing old ceramic work, and how your dentist decides whether it suits you.
Removing ceramic restorations is covered on the laser ceramic debonding page. For night-time breathing, start with the snoring and sleep apnoea overview.
It is a gum disease treatment that uses two laser wavelengths in a set order in one appointment. Dual-wavelength approaches usually pair a near-infrared laser, such as Nd:YAG, with a water-absorbed mid-infrared laser, such as Er:YAG, to treat different parts of the gum pocket. It is offered as a minimally invasive option where an assessment shows it suits you.
From the Laser periodontal therapy page
A scale and clean removes deposits at and just under the gumline as routine care. Laser therapy is considered when gum disease has created deeper pockets containing inflamed tissue, tartar on the root and active bacteria. An assessment decides whether it is appropriate.
From the Laser periodontal therapy page
A laser gum lift, or gum contouring, removes a thin strip of excess gum so more of each tooth is visible. It changes the gumline only. At Magical Smiles Point Cook it is planned with you first and usually done in one visit with local anaesthetic.
From the Laser gum lift page
It is a cosmetic laser treatment that removes the thin top layer of gum where melanin pigment sits, so lighter, more even gum can heal in its place. It changes colour only, not the shape of your gums or teeth.
From the Laser gum depigmentation page
It is a way to remove porcelain veneers and all-ceramic crowns by softening the cement underneath with a laser, so the restoration can be lifted off rather than drilled away.
From the Laser ceramic debonding page
Drilling grinds the ceramic away, with noise, vibration and some risk to the tooth beneath. A laser targets the cement instead, so more natural tooth is likely to be kept and the visit is quieter. Many nervous patients ask for it simply to avoid the drill.
From the Laser ceramic debonding page
Still looking?
Haven't found your question?
Call the Point Cook team and ask. We'll talk it through before anything is booked.