Our Philosophy
Trower Dental is locally owned and operated, with more than 30 years dedicated to caring for Territorians and their families. We take pride in providing affordable, comprehensive, and innovative holistic dentistry, delivered with genuine care and attention to detail.
For patients who may feel anxious about dental visits, we offer a calm and welcoming setting designed to put comfort at the forefront. Our centre is recognised as one of the most progressive and diverse in the Northern Territory, while also remaining warm and approachable.
At Trower Dental, advanced technology is seamlessly integrated with refined techniques, skilled expertise, and thoughtful service. Our focus is on supporting long-term dental wellness through kindness, personal attention, and high standards of care.
Conveniently located in
Casuarina, we welcome patients from all surrounding suburbs. If you're based in Darwin or nearby areas, we’re here to help. Call us on
(08) 8945 4022 to book your appointment and get started with your local dental team today.
Our Services
General Dentistry
Our general dentistry focuses on your everyday care to help keep your teeth healthy and functional.
Check-ups & Cleans
We provide gentle check-ups and cleans to keep your smile fresh and catch any issues early.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
We carefully remove wisdom teeth causing discomfort or overcrowding, using modern techniques for a smooth experience.
Children’s Dental
Our children's dentistry supports growing smiles in a calm, welcoming environment, making visits simple for kids and parents.
Mobile Dental
Dentures
Our dentures are made to improve comfort and function with a natural, secure fit.
Mouthguards
Our custom mouthguards protect your teeth during sports and are fitted for your comfort and protection.
Splints & Nightguards
The nightguards and splints we fit help reduce teeth grinding and jaw tension.
Teeth Whitening
Our teeth whitening brightens your smile safely and effectively, with treatments tailored to your goals and preferences.
Bridges
Our dental bridges fill gaps from missing teeth with fixed options that support your bite and restore function.
Crowns
We use crowns to protect damaged teeth, shaping each to fit naturally with your bite and appearance.
Veneers
We place thin veneers over the front of your teeth to refresh their look and adjust shape, size, or colour.
Fillings
Fillings restore decayed teeth using modern materials that blend naturally with your smile, provided by our team.
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth are carefully assessed and restored to prevent further damage while supporting your bite and comfort.
Dental Implants
We use dental implants to replace your missing teeth with a secure, long-lasting solution tailored to your needs.
Laser Dentistry
Our laser dentistry provides a precise, low-contact approach for soft tissue treatments and minor procedures.
Emergency Dental
Our team provides urgent dental care for unexpected pain or injury, acting quickly to support your comfort and relief.
Dental Anxiety
At Trower Dental, we understand that visiting the dentist can be a source of stress or fear for many people. We look forward to caring for you with no judgement, genuine kindness, empathy, attention, and dental excellence at all times.
We offer a range of gentle, effective options to help you feel calm and confident during your treatment:
Hypnotherapy
Our fully accredited, Australian-trained hypnotherapist is experienced in supporting patients with anxiety, gagging, breathing difficulties, and habit control, including clenching and grinding. Hypnotherapy is a natural and effective way to reduce stress and improve comfort during dental care.
Nitrous Oxide Therapy (“Laughing Gas”)
Nitrous Oxide is a safe, effective sedation option available at Trower Dental. This inhaled gas helps to reduce anxiety and pain while creating a sense of relaxation and euphoria. Many patients feel light-headed or even giggly—hence the name “happy gas.”
- Suitable for adults and children
- Safe to drive after treatment (following a short recovery period)
- Makes dental visits more comfortable and pleasant
Oraqix
Oraqix is a needle-free anaesthetic applied below the gumline for procedures such as scaling and root planing. It works within 30 seconds, lasts about 20 minutes, and allows for pain-free cleans without needles or prolonged numbness.
Periodontal Treatment
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. At Trower Dental, our dentists work in combination with our highly experienced dental hygienists to provide comprehensive periodontal care.
Periodontal treatment is designed to manage and treat more complex cases of gum disease, as well as concerns such as:
- Persistent bad breath
- Stained teeth
- Gum inflammation or bleeding
- Bone loss around teeth
Our team uses advanced techniques to gently but effectively remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from below the gumline, helping to restore gum health and prevent further damage. With ongoing care and support, we aim to protect your teeth, improve your oral health, and give you the confidence of a cleaner, fresher smile.
Our Team
Dr Erna Melton
BDSc UQ
Dr Erna Melton graduated with a degree in dentistry from University of Queensland before moving to work in Canberra, Sydney, Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
Since 1996, she has been the owner and principal practitioner of Trower Dental.
Erna is passionate about problem solving and applying a philosophy of minimal intervention into her patient care. She strives to keep across new technologies, improved products and emerging techniques to provide the broadest range of options with a particular focus on providing the treatment from diagnosis to management in the most holistic way possible.
Her current interests are in the field of improving general wellbeing through oral health, restoring worn, eroded, or ground down teeth and maintaining a healthy dentition through age.
Erna likes to work in collaboration with other specialities, whether in the field of dentistry or allied health. She has been a lifetime member of the Australian Dental Association and an active member of the Dental Board of Australia, sitting on a number of committees since 2016.
When not working, Erna enjoys playing music, travelling, and attempting to stay fit!
Dr Thea Tran
BDs (Hons) BDSc UQ
Dr Thea Tran is a compassionate, vibrant dentist who graduated from The University of Queensland with both a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours and Dental Science. Her holistic approach to integrated patient treatment places special emphasis on minimal intervention dentistry and preventative oral health regimes. She prides herself on her gentle approach and aims to make every dental visit as stress free as possible.
Thea graduated from Dentistry in 2010 and worked in Queensland in both public and private clinics. She has experience working in a hospital setting treating patients with complex medical conditions including head and neck cancer patients. Thea moved to Darwin in 2013 to join the team at Trower Road Dental Surgery.
Thea is passionate with continual education and has attended many courses and programs to offer the best and most up to date dental treatment for her patients. She has studied Aesthetic Dentistry at Kings College in London, Orthodontics at the University of Sydney and has completed training with the Australian Medical Acupuncture College (AMAC) as a qualified Medical Acupuncturist.
Thea is always willing to discuss any concerns her patients may have regarding their treatment or care of their teeth. She is interested in all aspects of dentistry, however finds the most satisfaction in helping nervous patients overcome their anxiety of the dentist.
Out of dentistry, Thea enjoys reading, gardening, health and nutrition and animals.
Dr Emma Neibling
BDS
Dr Erna Melton graduated with a degree in dentistry from University of Queensland before moving to work in Canberra, Sydney, Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
Since 1996, she has been the owner and principal practitioner of Trower Dental.
Erna is passionate about problem solving and applying a philosophy of minimal intervention into her patient care. She strives to keep across new technologies, improved products and emerging techniques to provide the broadest range of options with a particular focus on providing the treatment from diagnosis to management in the most holistic way possible.
Her current interests are in the field of improving general wellbeing through oral health, restoring worn, eroded, or ground down teeth and maintaining a healthy dentition through age.
Erna likes to work in collaboration with other specialities, whether in the field of dentistry or allied health. She has been a lifetime member of the Australian Dental Association and an active member of the Dental Board of Australia, sitting on a number of committees since 2016.
When not working, Erna enjoys playing music, travelling, and attempting to stay fit!
Emily Moar
Emily graduated from TAFE SA with an Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (Dental Hygiene). Her passion for oral health began in her years as a dental assistant – she has over 13 years’ experience in the industry working both interstate, international and remote NT.
Emily’s focus is on oral health education and prevention of gum disease, and she finds treating and maintaining a healthy mouth, free of active gum disease, one of the most enjoyable aspects of her job as a dental hygienist. Emily enjoys working with Periodontal Specialists to provide complete care for patients with extra requirements.
If you are wanting a brighter smile, Emily is experienced in all aspects of in-chair and take home whitening. She specialises in managing common difficulties such as sensitivity, uneven discolorations and anxious patients. She also our go to provider for mouthguards and retainers.
Emily is originally from North Queensland but has lived in Darwin on and off for the past 8 years. She is looking forward to settling in Darwin as her forever home and in late 2022 welcomed her first baby here. She is a country girl at heart, so enjoys what Darwin has to offer such as swimming, camping, and exploring in her down time. Emily’s bubbly and caring personality will put patients at ease and allow them to look forward to their 6 monthly hygiene appointments.
Dr Sinead Ruane
Dr Sinead Ruane graduated, with honours from University of Dublin, Trinity College in 2002.
Thereafter she took on the role of House Officer at Dublin Dental Hospital, during which time she successfully completed her membership exams for the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
She then worked in a busy Private Practice outside Dublin for 3 years, after which she decided to spread her wings and do some travelling. This decision lead her to Darwin where she has been working in Private Dental Practice for the past 18 years.
Sinead enjoys every aspect of dentistry and loves treating all members of the family. She particularly enjoys helping anxious patients overcome their fears and achieving results which they never saw possible at the outset.
Sinead has a young, active family and in her spare time can be frequently seen hanging out at the various sporting facilities Marrara has to offer! She is also a member of Darwin Triathlon Club and enjoys all things swimming, cycling and running, frequently competing at both local and interstate races.
Dr Zi En Lim
Dr Zi Lim graduated from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, with a Bachelor of Dental Science. Originally from Singapore and raised in Adelaide, Zi has traversed the globe to pursue his passion for dentistry. He moved to Dublin where, since completing his degree, Zi practiced as a general dentist in a variety of private practices in Dublin and Wicklow and has now moved to Darwin to enjoy all the multicultural aspects of our tropical paradise.
While he enjoys all facets of dental care, Zi has a particular interest in emergency dentistry: relieving pain and preserving teeth, with a special focus on advanced modalities in root canal therapy.
Zi is driven by a passion for delivering minimally invasive, science-based dental treatments. He has collaborated on scientific papers with several dental specialists, publishing them in the British Dental Journal. As a peer-reviewer for the Irish Journal of Medical Sciences, Zi actively contributes to the advancement of dental knowledge. He also regularly attends courses to stay updated on the latest developments and offer the most modern dental treatments to his patients.
Outside of dentistry, Zi is a bit of a foodie and enjoys travelling…mostly to explore other food cuisines.
Dr. Sara Shirbegi
Dr. Sara Shirbegi completed a Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) at The University of Queensland.
Sara understands that dentistry is not just about teeth, but about looking after our patients. She is dedicated to providing high-quality dental care with a focus on making every patient feel comfortable and at ease. Sara is committed to working with patients in order to achieve and maintain healthy, confident smiles. Sara is always ready to be a listening ear and cater a plan suited to her patients’ oral health goals.
Originally from Canada, Sara lived in Brisbane for several years, and recently made the move to Darwin. Coming from a big city in Canada, Sara enjoys the friendly atmosphere of regional and rural communities. Yet to discover all the wonders of the Northern Territory, Sara is always open to suggestions for things to see or do! Outside of dentistry Sara loves to cook, travel, go on walks, and drink iced lattes.
Adelle Macmahon
Adelle Graduated from The University of Newcastle in 2017 with Bachelor of Oral Health. Adelle is passionate about Oral Health and has been in the dental field for the past 15 years starting as a Dental Assistant at 18 years of age. Adelle was drawn to Dental hygiene as it's all about preventing problems, she loves to give her patients the education and tips they need to maintain a healthy mouth at home and learn to love their teeth! Adelle is adept at treating a range of patients and finds joy in transforming unhealthy mouths into healthy ones. Adelle's friendly and non judgemental nature makes her an excellent choice for any patients who feel like their oral hygiene has been lacking or have complex treatment needs. In her spare time Adelle is interested in anything sailing related and the great outdoors in general. Adelle is looking forward to meeting you for your next dental appointment.









