Check Ups

In order to maintain the overall health of the teeth and gums, we recommend visiting your dentist every 6 months for a check up. During this appointment, Dr Engelbrecht will perform a thorough examination of the teeth, gums, salivary glands, temporomandibular joints, cheeks and any extra oral tissue.

If Dr Engelbrecht detects any issues with the teeth or gums, such as cavities, gum disease or discolouration, she will develop a treatment plan and begin the process of correcting the problem.

Comprehensive Examination

If you are experiencing more complex oral issues, Dr Engelbrecht will schedule a more thorough examination. This usually takes around 45 minutes and includes a complete examination of the mouth, and may include X-rays and impressions of the teeth.

Dr Engelbrecht usually recommends Comprehensive Examinations when more serious treatments, such as wisdom teeth removal or root canal surgery, is recommended.

Fillings and Repairs

Fillings and repairs are one of the most common dental treatments. Dental fillings are used to repair teeth that have been damaged, often in the form of cavities or trauma to the tooth.

Dr Engelbrecht will first assess the damage to the tooth during an examination. She will then clean the area and create a temporary filling to patch the affected area while the permanent filling is being made. After a few weeks, the temporary filling will be removed and replaced by a permanent filling.

Different materials can be used to repair teeth, the most common being composite fillings made from a tooth-colored resin which looks and feels like natural teeth.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth’s pulp – a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the space is cleaned and filled, often saving a tooth that would otherwise have been extracted.

The pulp of the tooth contains nerves, arteries, veins and lymph tissue and when tooth decay progresses to the point where it is near the pulp, the tooth will begin aching. The purpose of Root Canal Treatment is to seal off the root canal so that the affected tooth can be saved.

The most common causes of pulp damage resulting in root canal treatment are cracked teeth, a deep cavity or injury to the tooth. If left untreated or infected, dead tooth pulp can create a buildup of pus at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess, which can be very dangerous and cause a lot of pain.


A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the jaw, usually due to damage from injury or decay. Typically, extraction is a last resort for Dr Engelbrecht. She will first try fixing the tooth with a filling, crown or dental treatment.

Sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary for the normal growth of other teeth; Some people are born with extra teeth which prevent other teeth from coming in, and often certain teeth will need to be extracted to allow for the growth of others. People getting braces may need teeth extracted to make more room for the teeth being moved into place.