Procedures & Treatments
You will feel confident when you visit our office and meet our staff of friendly professionals. We promise to provide you with a welcoming and warm atmosphere so you feel comfortable and relaxed for every visit. Our team will take the time you need to discuss with you about your smile and your oral health.
Click below to see more information on the treatments and procedures we provide:
Checkups & Cleanings
Checkups
Checkup and cleaning appointments include a medical update and screening for diseases of the head, neck and mouth. X-rays may be ordered to check for cavities, status of gum disease and diseases of the jawbone. We occasionally take photographs so you can be better educated about a specific issue.
Cleaning
Cleaning your teeth includes scaling to remove debris and tartar from areas between the teeth as well as below the gum line – areas you cannot clean effectively despite frequent brushing and flossing. We will finish with polishing to remove plaque and stains. You will leave with your teeth feeling smooth and fresh. This appointment is a good time to ask any questions you might have, and for us to help reinforce your daily hygiene habits.
We recognize that the need for dental cleaning varies from person to person and that it may even change during a person’s life. A fixed schedule should not be applied to everyone. This is why we use a tailored approach. We evaluate your needs on every cleaning visit and make recommendations regarding the timing of your next visit.
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Cavities, Fillings & Root Canals
Cavities
Acid is produced when bacteria feasts on the sugars and carbohydrates in your mouth. A cavity is formed when acid causes physical damage to the tooth's structure. The most fundamental way to prevent a cavity is to deny food to the bacteria. This is accomplished by regular brushing and flossing.
Early cavities have no symptoms and will progress quietly. When a cavity can be "felt," it is usually large and more costly to restore. In addition, complicated procedures may now become necessary.
Fillings
When a cavity is diagnosed, the most common and economical treatment is a filling. The decayed part of the tooth is cleaned out and the resulting “hole” is filled. Modern day fillings are made of a blend of tiny ceramic particles embedded in a resin matrix. These tooth-coloured, paste-like materials are adapted into the cavity, then instantly hardened by an intense blue light.
Root Canals
Teeth can become infected if cavities and cracks are not treated within a reasonable time. By the time a cavity is felt, the decay would be approaching the nerve. When bacteria invades the pulp, it can cause infection and intense pain. Root canal therapy removes the diseased pulp and disinfects the inside of your tooth, fills the canals and seals the tooth with a filling or a crown. This allows you to keep your tooth and maintain a healthy smile.
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Onlays & Crowns
Onlays
Sometimes the cavity is so extensive that it weakens or destroys a corner or an entire side of a tooth. An onlay is an excellent, conservative solution to restore form and function to this tooth.
In our office, we have been using CEREC technology for over ten years. We can scan and produce a 3D image of your prepared tooth, and manufacture a piece of ceramic for an exact fit. This can all be done in one appointment, saving you from a second appointment and the inconvenience of dealing with a temporary filling. More important, because this is all done in a single appointment, it saves you from having your jaw numbed a second time.
Crowns
A crown (also known as a cap) covers the entire tooth. It is made of a hardened material to prevent a weakened tooth from breaking. It is typically prescribed to protect a tooth that has a large filling, has previous root canal treatment or when the tooth is cracked.
Depending on the material of choice, some crowns are fabricated in a commercial laboratory. A second appointment would be necessary to cement the finished product. With the CAD/CAM system available in our office, ceramic crowns can be milled in our office in a single appointment. This will save you time and the inconvenience of a second appointment.
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Bridges & Implants
Bridges
Bridges fill in the spaces when a tooth or multiple teeth are missing. It is a permanent solution and is anchored in place by modifications to the adjacent teeth.
By design, bridges require support from teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. Therefore, a bridge cannot be used where there is a weak abutment or when the missing tooth is the terminal tooth.
Bridges are strong. When done properly, bridges will meet both the functional and aesthetic requirements of a prosthetic tooth.
Implants
Implants are the most advanced and versatile option to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Made of the strongest biocompatible metal, implants are titanium posts embedded permanently into the jawbone. They can then be used as the substructure to attach a single artificial tooth or become part of a framework to support a bridge or a denture.
An implant is a more conservative method of replacing a single missing tooth as the neighbouring teeth are not damaged in the process. Missing teeth replaced by implant treatment are strong and secure and will meet both functional and esthetic demands.
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Cosmetic Options
Teeth Whitening
Teeth may darken for many reasons: age, smoking, and the colour of the food we eat or drink. Over time, you may notice your smile is not as bright as it once was, or you may have a special occasion approaching and want your smile to shine. A safe and effective process is to use custom-made trays and a peroxide gel to whiten teeth in the privacy of your own home.
Despite their popularity, whitening is not for everyone. We will evaluate your suitability, set realistic expectations, and address common issues patients may experience with this process.
Veneers
Veneers are thin pieces of tooth-coloured porcelain bonded on the outside surfaces of teeth. These are the most natural-looking material dentistry can offer. Veneers are very versatile in their use. They can transform any chipped, cracked, rotated or misaligned tooth into a more esthetic shape and shade. When bonded properly, veneers are strong and will last a long time. They are also impermeable and will not discolour from food and drinks.
