Services
Scaling, Cleaning and Exams
A thorough exam is performed to assess the health of the entire mouth. We examine the hard and soft tissues (gums, teeth and the bones in your jaw and face) to determine if any treatment is required. During your exam we will explain our findings and determine a treatment plan in addition to home care instructions to help maintain a healthy smile. It is very important that we take regular radiographs (x-rays) to aid in this assessment. Without radiographs we are not able to provide you with the complete and accurate assessment you deserve
Fillings, Crowns & Dentures
Restorations (fillings) are required to treat carious lesions (cavities or decay). A cavity is a hole in the tooth that has occurred over time because of a normal bacterial process that dissolves tooth material. It is important to treat all cavities even if they presently do not cause you any discomfort. If left untreated a cavity will continue to grow and can lead to more costly, timely, and unpredictable treatments. There are two basic filling materials: composite resins (tooth coloured) and amalgams (silver). Both of these materials are used at our office, we are more than happy to sit down and discuss the rationale for using either material.
Bridges
In dentistry, bridges provide a connection between teeth to replace a missing tooth. The teeth on either side of the space are reduced in size and crowns are placed on each of them with a fake tooth fused between the two. Bridges are cemented in your mouth and are not removable.
Implants
Implants are titanium screws which are placed directly in the jaw to replace a missing tooth (or multiple teeth). The implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth or act as anchors to help give a compete denture a better hold.
Dentures
Dentures, both full and partial, are the treatment used to replace multiple missing teeth. A full denture is when all of the teeth are missing. Partial dentures are used when one or more teeth are missing, but there are still natural teeth existing. A partial denture relies on natural teeth to act as anchors or support of the partials. Partials can be made of a combination of metal and acrylic or all acrylic.
Root Canals
This is the treatment required when there is an infected or inflamed pulp (nerve and blood supply) of the tooth. There are many reasons for a tooth’s pulp to become infected or inflamed, including a large cavity, trauma, and developmental defects. The principal function of a root canal treatment is to allow the tooth to remain in the mouth without pain or infection. Root canals are performed with local anesthesia followed by the cleaning and disinfecting of the tooth pulp chamber.
Crowns (caps) are used to cover an entire tooth. Crowns can be for functional or esthetic purposes (or both). A heavily restored tooth or a tooth with a root canal is more likely to break than a tooth with a small or no filling. Covering the tooth completely prevents it from breaking during regular biting and chewing. To place a crown, the tooth has to first be reduced in size to make room for the crown material. A mould this then taken and is sent to a dental lab that will make a crown that is custom fabricated for your tooth. Crowns can be all gold, porcelain with a metal substructure or all porcelain.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your front teeth we can improve them through placement of one or more crowns or veneers. Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that is cemented on the front surface of the tooth. Veneers are used when the tooth that is being treated is in good shape and does not have any large fillings.
Extractions
Extractions are the removal of teeth. Teeth unfortunately need to be extracted when the decay has reached a level where we are unable to restore the tooth. Teeth can also be extracted when there is severe periodontal disease (disease of the bone and gums) that has led to the loss of bone support for the tooth. Dental extractions also may be required when the patient is having orthodontic (braces) treatment and there is a need to gain space in order to straighten the teeth. Most people, of course, are familiar with wisdom teeth extraction. This is generally performed by an oral surgeon when there is inadequate space in the patient’s mouth to allow for the wisdom teeth to erupt into a healthy position.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth can become stained from the foods we eat and drink. A great way to bring back the brilliance and radiance of your smile is with Teeth Whitening treatments. In-office bleach treatments and at-home whitening custom trays are available options.
Invisalign
Sure, there are other options out there for straightening your teeth, but none offers the level of comfort, convenience and confidence that you’ll find with Invisalign®. And no matter what stage you’re at in life, you’ll appreciate how our cutting-edge approach to treatment has minimal interference in how you live, but has a significant positive impact on how you look and feel about yourself.