March 9, 2010
Our Services
We begin with a thorough examination consisting of the necessary x-rays, health history and a complete oral examination.  Upon completion of this examination, we will discuss the conditions present and the type of treatment plan best suited to your specific needs.  Also, at this visit future appointments will be scheduled, estimated fees discussed, and financial arrangements clarified.

We recommend a responsible adult must be present at a consultation involving a minor.

 

Crowns
A crown (often called a cap) is an artificial cover that is placed on an individual tooth (somewhat like a thimble over your finger) to restore a decayed or damaged tooth to its normal shape, size and strength.  This procedure is often necessary when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling. It is also useful for protecting teeth that are cracked or broken. A crown can also be used to change the shape of a tooth, to correct a bite or cosmetic problem, or to replace existing broken or poor-fitting crowns. A crown may be made of gold, other metals, or porcelain which makes them durable and strong, so replacements are needed less often.

Precision Attachments with Partial Denture and Crowns
 
 
Central Crowns

 

Bridges
A bridge is a custom device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one must be prepared as crowns to serve as abutments to hold the replacement tooth in place. 

Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding (often called resin bonding) is when a tooth coloured resin is bonded to your teeth, then sculpted into proper shape. The resin is a composite of liquid acrylic and tiny particles of glass.  The composite resin forms a durable, strain-resistant surface that can be polished to mimic the texture of your natural teeth.
 

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are thin, individual hand crafted wafers of porcelain, which can be bonded to your teeth to change their shape, color or alignment. Often an alternative to crowns, dental veneers look completely natural and are made of a very durable ceramic material that actually strengthens your tooth.  It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance.  Dental veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.


Whitening

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments people receive. A nice white smile is a wonderful way to face the world.

You may have noticed that as you age, your teeth may seem to get darker. There are many contributors to this problem; smoking, coffee, tea, red wine and tetracycline antibiotics are but a few of the known culprits of darkening teeth.  These and other causes can take a toll on your teeth and  over time can cause your teeth to lose their natural ambience. Whitening your teeth can help give  a boost of confidence and create a healthy look to your smile.  A great treatment option is to whiten your teeth with a professional whitening system available through our dental office.  At your appointment, you will be custom fitted with a mouth tray that is worn for 15 minute intervals until your teeth have reached your desired brightness.

A brighter smile could be just around the corner!
 

Implants
Dental implants have developed to the point that it has become a part of mainstream dentistry, especially Cosmetic Dentistry. To replace missing teeth, implants may be the solution you've  been looking for. Recent advancements in tooth implant techniques mean that you can enjoy that healthy, natural smile you've always wanted.

If you have missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth.

An implant is a new tooth made of titanium and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. Your implant is composed of two parts that mimic a tooth’s root and crown.  The implant’s “root” is a cylindrical titanium metal post surgically placed into the jaw bone to act as a root. Once the titanium post is in place, it often takes a few months for jawbone to firmly attach to the implant. After the jawbone has fused to the implant (osseointegration), an abutment is tighten onto the titanium post where the porcelain crown is attached to replace the top part of your tooth.

Implants may also be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you  talk or chew. Plus, for patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you have a more natural-looking smile.
 


 

Sealants

A sealant is a clear, acrylic-like material that bonds with the tooth to help shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They form a protective barrier covering the pits and fissures (depressions and grooves) to prevent cavities in hard to clean areas.
 


Periodontal Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults and is an infection caused by plaque. Plaque is the sticky film composed mostly of bacteria that forms continuously on the teeth and must be removed daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If not removed, plaque bacteria produce toxins that irritate gum tissues causing them to swell. Gradually plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), that forms a rough surface on which more plaque accumulates, causing increased irritation and swelling. This inflammation damages the periodontal fibers holding the gums tightly against the teeth, creating spaces known as periodontal pockets. These pockets create room for even more bacterial activity, which in turn  creates deeper pockets.  Eventually the bone supporting the tooth is destroyed, resulting in tooth loss. In addition to plaque, other factors that can cause periodontal disease include local irritants such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or habitually clenching the teeth. Nutrition, certain medications, and high levels of stress can also be contributing factors. 
 

Non Surgical Gum Treatment
A recent CDA survey has shown that 75% of Canadian adults believe they have “good” dental health, while at the very same time they admit their gums bleed after brushing or flossing. In fact, bleeding gums are an early sign of periodontal disease.

Gum Disease progresses most frequently without painful symptoms. That is why everyone should have a periodontal evaluation at established intervals. Delaying treatment will result in more advanced disease.

The Canadian Dental Association list warning signs of periodontal disease.

The warning signs include:
  • Red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums
  • Bleeding when you brush or floss
  • Bad breath that won’t go away.

 

Root Canal

Root canal therapy fits under the special dentistry area known as endodontics. Endodontics literally means dentistry within the tooth itself. The procedure treats disorders of the pulp (the soft tissue inside the crown and roots made up of blood vessels, nerves and lymph vessels that help keep your tooth nourished).  Endodontic treatment restores your tooth to a comfortable state by removing the damaged tissue and replacing it with a substance that will help preserve the function of the tooth.

 

Bruxism
"Bruxism" is the term dentists use to describe the habit that many people have of grinding their teeth together. Most commonly it happens during sleep when the person gnashes, grates, grinds or clenches their teeth. Bruxism is a relatively common habit which occurs in most of our population.

Although the exact cause of the habit is not known, there seems to be a link between bruxing and periods of stress in your life. Most people report that the habit comes and goes, and often it can be linked to major life events like moving to a different or new house, changing jobs, relationship problems ..and other things that bother us. Bruxism patients seem to be more anxious by nature and may be associated with suppressed anger and unresolved frustration.

There is also a theory that bruxism occurs because of some irregularity in your bite ('occlusion'), and the habit is your subconscious way to grind down the offending tooth that is out of position. This theory has not been conclusively shown to be the sole cause of bruxism. Alcohol intake may also aggravate the condition. It can be also relatively common in children as young as five and may be associated with problems at school or at home. Some children also 'brux' when they are getting their adult teeth and this may be caused by teething discomfort. Thankfully, the habit usually disappears as quickly as it started.

Signs and symptoms may include :
  • waking up in the morning with sore jaws, teeth and muscle which seems to get better as the day progresses
  • headaches or migraine-like soreness which seem to come from the side of the temple or behind the eyes
  • damaged/worn teeth or fillings
  • damaged gums or bone
  • aches in your jaw joints (which are in front of your ears)
  • muscle spasms and soreness on the side of your face, top of your head or around your jaws
  • tiredness, anxiety and stress

 

Night Guards
A night-guard or 'splint' can be made by your dentist to treat the symptoms of bruxism.   This is a retainer like appliance that covers your teeth that you wear at bedtime. 
 

White Fillings

In the past, cavities could only be treated with silver metal fillings. The color of these fillings looked nothing like natural teeth, and called attention to the filled teeth. Fortunately, we have other options today and metal fillings can now be a thing of the past when replaced with strong, durable, natural-looking tooth colored fillings.

Tooth-colored fillings can be permanently bonded to the teeth as a treatment for cavities. Tooth-colored fillings are far more aesthetically pleasing and equally functional as traditional restorations. For patients with existing metal fillings, replacement is an excellent option. During replacement treatment, we will remove unattractive metal fillings and replace them with the more natural-looking white composite restorations.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
It has been estimated that more than 50 million people in Canada and the U.S. suffer from severe headaches. These headaches can be so debilitating that they can adversely affect their ability to work and their relationships with family and friends. Although there can be many reasons for headaches, many headache patients suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ disorders).

Headache pain could be generated by an incorrect bite, jaw joints and/or spasms from the muscles surrounding the head and neck. Our office believes that it is necessary to treat the cause of the disorder in order to eliminate the symptoms rather than only giving temporary relief to the symptoms with drugs such as muscle relaxants and pain medications. Our focus is to address the jaw joint factors related to the pain by restoring proper function and improving overall health. Because symptoms masquerade as many other conditions, people tend to go from doctor to doctor in search of answers. The jaw is literally one end of the postural (skeletal) chain. An imperfect bite can, over time, result in tension in the muscles of the face and jaw. Trauma or accidental injury can result in a state of sustained elevation of activity of the face and jaw muscles. (The delayed onset of muscle spasms following whiplash injury is a prime example.)

Prolonged spasm of facial muscles can lead to chronic muscle pain, often perceived in other areas (referred pain) and thus subject to misdiagnosis.  TMJ means temporomandibular joint (jaw joint).

 

Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder which is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Oral appliances can be indicated for use in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The signs and symptoms of OSA include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping or choking during the night, non-refreshed sleep, fragmented sleep, clouded memory, irritability, personality changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, and morning headaches.

The dental profession has an important role to play in the treatment of patients with snoring and sleep apnea.  Snoring is a serious social problem for the spouse, but obstructive sleep apnea can be a life threatening situation for the patient in that it can lead to irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and strokes.
 


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