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 The
cornerstone of our practice is to help patients maintain their
oral health through disease prevention and restorative care.
We make it our goal to provide each of our patients with attentive,
individualized care as we help them achieve healthy, beautiful
smiles. If you are interested in learning more about any of
the services we offer, our dental care team is available to
answer your questions. Please feel free to contact
us today.
Tooth Coloured Fillings
A tooth-coloured filling is
a great option for patients who suffer from tooth decay and
wish to retain the natural appearance of their teeth. Because
they are white rather than silver, tooth-coloured fillings
make it nearly impossible for others to tell that you've had
any dental work done.
The tooth-coloured resin is
first applied in layers and hardened using a high-intensity
light. The dentist then shapes the material to the exact contour
of your tooth. The procedure is complete after the dentist
polishes the tooth to prevent premature wear or staining.
The composite resin reinforces
tooth structure and insulates the tooth against extreme changes
in temperature, which means that you will be able to enjoy
your favourite beverages without pain or discomfort. Will
good maintenance and regular professional scalings/cleanings,
white fillings can last many years.
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General
and Preventive Dentistry
One of the best ways to avoid
encountering serious problems with your teeth and gums is
to receive regular dental care. We recommend that children
see a dentist at least every six months for a check-up and
a professional cleaning. Adults, depending upon the health
of their teeth and gums, may need to come in more frequently
to maintain good oral health.
Our experienced dental hygienists
and clinical staff will provide you with a complete examination,
treatment plan and customized care package to meet your individual
needs. Our goal is to provide you with ultimate customer service,
great communication superb dental care, so that you become
involved in your dental treatment and can maintain a beautiful,
healthy smile for years to come.
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Children and Dental
Care
The first baby teeth usually
start to erupt at about 6 months of age and by age 3 a full
set of 20 baby (primary) teeth should be present. It is important
for parents and care-givers to start clean the baby teeth
as soon as they appear in the mouth. A baby washcloth or a
soft baby tooth brush can be used to clean the plaque off
the teeth. Cleaning the teeth after each meal/feeding is important
since it develops good dental habits from a young age.
By about 12-18 months of age,
fluoride-free toothpaste on a baby toothbrush can be used
to ensure a good toothbrushing. The toddler should be encouraged
to start brushing his/her own teeth at first and then the
parents can finish off the brushing to ensure all teeth and
surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned. Once the toddler can
rinse and spit, then a fluoride toothpaste can be used. It
is important to use a fluoride-free toothpaste until the time
that spitting and rinsing can be done, since swallowing fluoride
containing toothpaste can lead to stained primary and adult
teeth.
If the baby or toddler is given
a bottle at night, it is important that only water be used,
for milk or juice in the bottle can lead to the teeth being
exposed to sugar all night long. This extensive exposure to
sugar can lead to cavities forming on the front baby teeth.
These cavities can form very quickly and are often large.
The decayed areas must be removed and repaired either with
a filling or sometimes a baby root canal and baby crown. So
it is best not to allow the front teeth to decay, and use
water in the bottle at night.
Cavities can also occur in the
back biting teeth in children. Often the baby molars are very
tight and close together. It is here in the contact between
2 back teeth that cavities can form. Often this decay is only
evident on an x-ray and so it is important that the cavity
detecting x-rays be taken every 12-18 months. Daily flossing
and brushing can help reduce the chances of cavities forming
in the back teeth.
Babies often use a pacifier
or suck their thumb for comfort. This habit can often lead
to excess pressure on the palate and upper teeth, which can
lead to an open bite, or over bite in the front teeth and
a cross bite in the back teeth.
Since children grow very quickly,
it is important to closely monitor tooth and jaw health. The
bite, jaw position, tooth and gum health can be monitored
closely as children grow, and intervention, if any, can be
taken care of early, often minimizing the treatment. It is
often easier to take care of situations early, while they
are smaller and less involved, than later, when correction
may take more time and may be more extensive.
Our dental team has a lot of
experience in treating children and we are patient with them
and understand their unique needs. Many members of our dental
team have their own children and thus are sympathetic and
understanding to their needs.
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Sports Guards / Mouth
Guards
Patients who participate in
contact sports such as hockey, football and soccer are more
likely to sustain injury during play. The teeth are also very
susceptible to trauma and damage during play. As a result,
we suggest the fabrication of a customized sports guard, which
is worn during play. It is customized to fit comfortably and
snugly so as it stays in place, but is also easy to wear.
Since it is a custom made guard, it is fit precisely over
the teeth and gums so that it is comfortable and allows the
player to speak and breath more normally than the bulkier
store-bought varieties.
Tooth grinding and jaw clenching
are habits that many patients suffer from. The habits can
lead to pain in the jaws, teeth and facial muscles. Often
the grinding takes place at night so the symptoms are worse
in the morning. The cause is suspected to be linked to stress,
anxiety and tension. Sometimes simple things such as stress
management, exercise, sleep and medication may relieve the
stress and tooth grinding/clenching. However, there are cases
that do not respond to these treatments and in these cases
a customized protective mouth guard may be prescribed. Moulds
are taken of the teeth and a customized soft guard is made.
It is worn at night and often within a few days the patient
starts to feel relief and comfort from their grinding-induced
jaw pain.
If you would like more information
about sports guards or mouth guards, contact our office and
our dental team can provide you with more information about
these procedures.
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Sedation Dentistry (nitrous
oxide)
Many people become uneasy at
the thought of visiting the dentist's office. The sight and
sound of the drills and other dental devices may provoke feelings
of anxiety and distress. However, by staying away from the
dentist and avoiding treatment, people will inevitably develop
dental problems that will be exacerbated by the lack of professional
care. In the end, patients will require more extensive treatment
than if they had maintained regular dental care.
Thankfully, sedation dentistry
enables many individuals to receive the care they need without
the worry or discomfort they usually associate with the dentist.
At our office, we use Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to ensure
that our patients with dental anxiety are calm and comfortable
throughout their entire appointment.
If you would like to find out
if you can benefit from sedation dentistry, please contact
our office to speak with a member of our dental care team.
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Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as
"caps," are custom-fitted restorations designed
to return strength and beauty to teeth that have become extensively
worn down or damaged. Made of durable materials, crowns can
also reduce the chance of injury to existing teeth by improving
the functional stability of the entire treatment area.
To place a dental crown, the
dentist first reduces the size of the damaged tooth to accommodate
the new restoration, which must fit securely over the natural
tooth. A mold is then made of the patient's teeth and sent
to a lab where a technician creates the crown according to
exact specifications. This process usually takes 7-14 days
to complete. During this time, the patient wears a temporary
restoration created during their original appointment.
Due to the customized nature
of the fabrication process, the "capped" tooth is
virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth. With
proper care, a dental crown can last a long time.
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Tooth Loss
Every tooth in your mouth provides
support and function to the jaw. The absence of even a single
tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to drift into the position
of the missing tooth. Sometimes only the roots will drift,
causing pressure on neighbouring teeth and reducing the support
of other teeth. This drifting can be seen in dental x-rays,
and sometimes becomes so extensive, that it can also be seen
in the mouth.
Other problems can also occur
when teeth are missing:
-
more stress/ wear on the
remaining teeth
-
strain or pain in the jaw
joint
-
bone thinning / bone loss
in the area of the missing tooth
-
the tooth opposing the missing
tooth can also grow into the space of the missing tooth,
causing a change in the bite, food and plaque trapping
and an increase in risk of tooth decay and gum disease
There are three main ways to
replace missing teeth: Dentures, Bridges or Implants. Our
experienced dental team will review each option with you and
together you can determine which process is best for you and
your dental situation.
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Bridges
A fixed bridge is an excellent
solution for gaps created by missing teeth. A bridge consists
of two crowns connected by an artificial tooth. When the crowns
are placed over the teeth surrounding the gap, the artificial
tooth fills in the empty space, helping to create a full,
attractive smile. Once they are in place, bridges fit comfortably
and securely, so there is no need to worry that they will
accidentally fall out.
In addition to improving your
appearance and the structural integrity of your smile, bridges
also reduce your chance of developing gum disease and bite
problems, both of which often result from gaps left by missing
teeth.
If you are interested in finding
out more about bridges or any of our other services, please
contact our office today to speak with one of our dental care
professionals.
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Implants
Dental implants are an excellent
solution for patients who are embarrassed by gaps in their
smile or unhappy about having to avoid certain foods for fear
their dentures will become loose. A dental implant is a special,
biocompatible fixture that is placed in the jaw and used to
support restorations like artificial teeth, bridges, or dentures.
A small post, called an abutment, serves as a point of contact
between the implant base and the restoration.
In addition to enhancing one's
appearance, dental implants can eliminate much of the discomfort
associated with eating and even improve speech. Because dental
implants are permanently fixed in the jaw, they will not accidentally
fall out. Dental implants can therefore provide patients with
peace of mind that removable teeth replacements cannot offer.
The entire dental implant process
requires several visits over a period of serveral months,
and is a coordinated team effort between the dentists in our
office and the implant surgeon. A consultation with an implant
oral surgeon is the first step. The surgeon assesses the area
where the implants will be placed, and will determine if implants
are an option. Once it is determined that you are a candidate
for implants, he will discuss the procedure and treatment
plan. The first phase of implant placement involves the surgeon
placing the implant(s) into the jawbone. After several weeks
of healing, the surgeon then will reassess the site and place
the abutment, which is the part of the implant that is visible
in the mouth. It is on this abutment that the dental crown
will be placed. It is the dental crown that looks and functions
like the natural tooth. The dentists in our office work closely
with the implant surgeon to determine when the implant site
has healed and is ready for crown placement.
Implant dentistry is increasing
in popularity, with tens of thousands of procedures being
performed annually. If you are missing teeth or are no longer
able to wear removable dentures, dental implants may be able
to provide you with the confidence that comes from having
a healthy, beautiful smile. Contact us today to find out if
dental implants are right for you.
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Full and Partial Dentures
Dentures enable people who have
lost some or all of their teeth to once again smile with confidence.
Dentures can make chewing and speaking easier, as well as
eliminate the "collapsed" look caused by missing
teeth. At our practice, we offer full and partial dentures
to accommodate the needs of various patients.
Full Dentures
are designed for individuals who have only a few or no
healthy teeth remaining in their mouth. Full dentures will
provide you with a warm, natural looking smile that you can
enjoy for many years to come. These dentures utilize the muscles
of the tongue, cheeks, and lips for comfortable positioning
and stability.
Conventional dentures are placed
after a patient's gums have healed following the extraction
of any remaining teeth. Patients who are reluctant to be without
teeth during the healing process can have their dentures placed
immediately after the extraction of their remaining teeth.
Although dentures may initially
make it difficult to eat certain foods and pronounce certain
words, with a little practice, you will be able to enjoy most
foods and have little trouble pronouncing even the most difficult
words.
Partial Dentures
are an excellent option for people who wish to fill the spaces
left by multiple missing teeth. Unlike full dentures, partial
dentures are anchored in place by clasps or hidden devices
called precision attachments. Because they fit snugly and
comfortably between existing teeth, partial dentures can eliminate
discomfort associated with biting and chewing, as well as
improve speech impediments caused by missing teeth. These
dentures also provide the support necessary to prevent teeth
from shifting and causing gum damage.
Partial dentures are composed
of prosthetic teeth, usually plastic, set in pink or gum-coloured
bases joined by a metal frame. These dentures are customized
to match the size, shape, and color of your existing teeth
to give you a full, natural looking smile.
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Endodontics - Saving
your Teeth!
Root canal treatment (endodontics)
is about saving teeth, rather than removing them. In the past,
the only way to treat teeth with disease was to pull them.
This is not the case today.
Now, thanks to modern dental
techniques, we are able to save damaged teeth more than 90%
of the time.
Root canal therapy treats disorders
in the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It can save a tooth whose
pulp, which contains its nerves and blood supply, is diseased
or damaged. Pulp disease usually means that the tooth will
be lost unless something is done to save it. Root canal therapy
involves replacing the diseased pulp with a substance that
will keep the tooth functional.
Reasons for Root Canals
A damaged or diseased tooth
will not heal by itself. Without root canal treatment, the
infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to
degenerate and the tooth could become unsalvageable and require
removal. The only alternative left then is removing the tooth.
Common Factors and Symptoms
Irritation caused by deep decay
Trauma, such as a physical blow
Advanced gum disease
Pain or throbbing, especially with biting
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Severe decay or injury that creates inflammation
Treatment
After examining and X-raying
the tooth, it will be determined if a root canal is needed.
The process of saving a tooth by performing root canal therapy,
involves several steps. First the diseased pulp will be removed,
leaving the nerve canal intact. The canal will be rinsed out,
and a medication will be placed inside the canal. The canal
will then be sterilized and filled with a permanent material.
It's important to follow all of your instructions to avoid
complications. A temporary filling will be placed in the tooth.
Often, after a few days of healing, the tooth will be comfortable
and ready for a permanent filling.
Over the years, people have
heard horror stories about root canals. Rest assured that
your we will administer medication to make sure the area is
numb and you won't feel pain. Often, root canal procedures
are pain free. The tissue surrounding the tooth may be sensitive
following the procedure and biting or chewing may be tender.
Over-the-counter pain medication can be used to help the discomfort
or you may be prescribed antibiotics or stronger analgesics
if necessary.
After Care
After the root canal is completed,
you may notice a slight discoloration and brittleness in the
treated tooth. In many cases, the placement of a crown is
recommend following root canal therapy. From this point on,
brush and floss as usual and see make sure to have your recall/check
up exams and cleanings on a regular basis.
Contrary to popular belief,
after a root canal your tooth is not dead. It is alive because
it received a source of blood and nerve supply from surrounding
tissue. The tooth will have no feeling to hot or cold, but
will be functional for biting. With proper care and regular
visits to your dentist or hygienist, the tooth should last
as long as your other teeth.
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