Our Dental Services

What Happens During a Cleaning Appointment?

Plaque buildup is inevitable and can turn into tartar. At home dental care cannot remove tartar.

Regular dental appointments are necessary to remove and treat tartar, plaque, and other issues that may help your gums return to a healthy state. Dental appointments are necessary to evaluate and monitor your overall oral health. These appointments are also used to help us monitor and manage issues that are usually more difficult to detect.

How Does This Differ From A Deep Cleaning?

This is a wonderful question that needs some explanation. These are generally two Circumstances.

Regular Cleaning, as we are referring to, is for mouth health and generally refers to the tooth structures above and the sub-gingival tooth structures, as well. This is for gums that are healthy, or pretty much have a slight inflammation, unremarkable.

Signs You Are Due For A Cleaning.

• You have not had a cleaning in more than 6 months.
• Your gums bleed after brushing or flossing.
• Your dental health is reflected by visible stains that brushing cannot remove.
• Your dental health is reflected by visibly rough teeth that brushing cannot smooth.
• There have been observable changes to your breath, as it has become less fresh compared to when you last had a cleaning.

Individually, these signs do not reflect an oral health emergency. However, these signs reflect the need for cleaning that you have been meaning to schedule.

Fillings exist to make repairs on teeth that have begun to erode due to decay. In order for tooth decay to occur, bacteria must first consume sugar and then produce acid. This acid then slowly deteriorates the enamel of the teeth. At this point we offer to clean the decayed enamel and use a filling to restore the loss of structure and seal the tooth.

Modern fillings are made with composite resin and are designed to match the color of your teeth. This means that most people have a hard time noticing a filling. This modern filling method also means that decay doesn't spread further because the structure loss is sealed.

While composite resin does wear down, unlike previous filling methods, the new method is good for medium to small cavities. If a tooth is beyond saving we will refer to using a stronger material like a crown or an in-lay to restore a tooth.

What Happens If You Leave It Untreated?

Decay keeps progressing. If nothing is done, it creeps deeper, and the problem grows costlier to fix over time. In the earlier stages, you may notice something resembling sensitivity, that comes and goes, to certain foods and drinks, particularly those that are either hot or sweet. As the decay progresses and gets closer to the nerve, that sensitivity will transform into a real toothache. This kind of pain, that doesn't go away on its own, will usually require medication to dull the pain. This stage is especially dangerous for the tooth, as an abscess will likely form if left untreated. This is also the stage where a regular filling is no longer a solution, and you will either need a root canal or you will lose the tooth.

The decay also causes structural problems for the tooth. As cavities increase, tooth decay makes the tooth brittle and more susceptible to fractures. If a piece of the tooth breaks off, the options to preserve the remaining structure of the tooth rapidly decline. Treat cavities early to avoid major headaches for you and your dentist.

Signs You May Need a Filling

• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet, foods and drinks. The decay lingers after the stimulus is removed.
• Dark spots that were not previously present.
• A dulled or chipped tooth edge.
• Old fillings that no longer fit or are compromised.
• Decaying teeth or teeth that trap food.
• An occasional twinge in your teeth.

Symptoms like this will often occur when a cavity is advanced. The best way to prevent cavities is with regular dental visits.

Has your smile lost some of its shine? Most people catch the first signs in pictures or while washing their face in the bathroom. Teeth seem to become a duller shade. It seems to bother people a lot, but luckily it is fairly easy to fix. If you have been wondering about whitening, this is a straight forward guide to help you. Take your time reading. There is no obligation.

What Teeth Whitening Actually Is

Whitening treatments are used to remove stains and restore a natural lighter shade to your teeth. It is a gel that helps lift stains. Teeth whitening helps most with the discoloration that occurs on teeth with age. Teeth and teeth stains are an unfortunate reality of having daily habits like drinking coffee, tea, and red wine or smoking.

Teeth whitening can be used to help you feel more confident at many occasions and milestones, like weddings, graduations, and new jobs, but the best results whitening can give is the ability to smile in a photo without overthinking.

Signs Whitening May Be Worth Your Time

• You have noticed your smile looking duller than it did just a few years ago.
• You have obvious staining from coffee, tea, or red wine, and/or from smoking.
• You have tried whitening toothpaste to no avail.
• You have noticed whitening kits at the pharmacy, but are unsure about their safety.
• You have a big event coming up, and you want to brighten your smile safely.

Whitening your smile is a choice and not a treatment, and nothing is cataclysmically wrong about any of these. These are all nonurgent issues. A consultation is just to see if it is effective for you.

You Shouldn't Get Whitening If

Whitening is appropriate for the majority of the adult population, with only a few exceptions. We are going to be direct about these so you do not have to come in to get turned away.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to wait. We have no proof that it could cause any problems, but there is no reason to do it right now.
• It is unsafe to whiten children's teeth because they are not done developing, and their teeth respond differently than an adult's.
• If you have melanoma or known light sensitivities, you should not use the light-activated whitening. Mention these at your consultation so we can discuss your whitening options.
• If you have crowns or veneers in your smile line, you'll probably end up with different colored shades if you decide to whiten your teeth. That's why it is really important to talk things over with your dentist before you make any decisions.

Does It Hurt?

Teeth whitening isn't really known to hurt. However, people tend to experience some level of sensitivity that is described as a sharp short pain that is experienced with hot or cold things. The sensitivity tends to resolve itself in a few days.

No one enjoys losing teeth. Unfortunately, it makes sense that many become anxious leading up to an extraction. The good news is that teeth pulling is a very common procedure, and the effects of a tooth extraction are very mild, and heal quickly. We figured it might be best to give you some of the details to help prepare you for the procedure.

Why a Tooth is Removed

The goal is always to save the tooth, however, there are a variety of situations where it is just not possible. Some of the main reasons are an infection in the bone surrounding the tooth, extensive tooth decay, a broken tooth, or even pain that is persistent and is not relieved.

There can be other reasons for the removal of the tooth that are not as common. Sometimes, there is just not enough room in the mouth. Other times, there can be an eruption of a wisdom tooth that can be more of a nuisance, or even to prep for a brace or a denture. We utilize X-rays to help us in the decision making, and will always explain the reason for the extraction to you as clearly as possible.

How to Tell an Extraction is Imminent

• Very painful or throbbing teeth, especially at night.
• Swollen gums that are sometimes painful and can have a foul odor.
• Wobbly teeth, and especially those that are broken down to the gums.
• Wisdom teeth can cause painful gums around the back of the mouth. You can also have pain from a previously treated tooth.

These don't mean you automatically lose the tooth. You should visit the dentist to see what options are still available.

What Happens During the Procedure

The first step is to look over your medical and dental histories. We then take an X-ray. It helps us see the tooth and the root and how it sits in the bone. This helps us determine if the tooth can be taken out easily or if a specialist needs to be called. We then start the process by giving you a local anesthetic. You will feel pressure and movement, but you should not feel any pain. If you do, let us know and we can give you more.

Does It Hurt?

We recommend being honest with you rather than unnecessarily optimistic. We would certainly prefer X-rays over an annoying tooth. In the short term, expect the discomfort to be mild. If it doesn't get better, definitely give us a call.

People like to avoid thinking about "oral surgery" because of how intimidating the term sounds. The popular perception may not be too wrong. Some oral surgery procedures can be painful! Luckily, they can also be relatively quick and easy solutions to restore the oral health of patients.

Local anesthesia is the norm for most procedures, and a significant percentage of patients feel well enough to carry on with their day shortly after. If a dental procedure can't be done using standard methods, surgery may be required in order to work beneath the gums or even the jaw.

What Does Oral Surgery Include?

Oral surgery is often confused with maxillofacial surgery. Although these terms are somewhat related, they are not synonymous. Maxillofacial surgery is a broader, hospital-based specialty. It involves surgical treatment of facial trauma and jaw disorders among other things.

Surgical Extractions and Wisdom Teeth

Some teeth can be difficult to remove via a standard extraction. In those cases, surgery may be necessary. For wisdom teeth, surgery is almost preventive as wisdom teeth often do not have the space to grow in.

Signs You May Benefit From an Evaluation

For the following, you may NOT require surgery. However, the following may mean that an evaluation is worthwhile:

• A severely damaged tooth that is difficult to chew.
• A state of discomfort with swelling and sensitivity that are prolonged and seemingly unresolvable.
• Irritating and/or sore wisdom teeth.
• A tooth that alters your bite and is missing and affects your self-confidence.
• Gums that are unhealthy and are unresponsive to cleaning.
• An area of the mouth that has not healed within an expected time.

The only definitive way to determine if you need surgery is through an exam, and there are often many options for treatment that you will be informed about so that you may select the one that is best for you.

The Visit Where Everything Starts With a Proper Look

Before any work begins, we want to actually see what we're looking at, hear what's been bothering you, and give you our honest read on the situation. That's what a consultation is for. It's a calm, unhurried first visit where we examine your teeth properly, write down what we find, talk through what we'd recommend, and only suggest an X-ray if it's genuinely needed. You leave knowing where you stand. No pressure to book anything on the spot.

If You're Worried You've Waited Too Long

Most people book a consultation because something has been bothering them.

A tooth that hurts.

Something that doesn't look right.

A long-standing problem they kept putting off.

Or simply the feeling that something might be wrong.

Many people also worry they waited too long.

Usually, they haven't.

Some patients come after months.

Some after years.

Our job isn't to judge how long it's been.

It's to look properly, explain what we see clearly, and help you understand what makes sense from here.

Why We Start With a Consultation

A consultation isn't a formality, and it isn't a sales appointment. It's the visit that protects you from being sold treatment you don't need, or from quietly skipping treatment you do need. We'd rather spend the time getting the picture right at the start than jump to a procedure that doesn't fit the actual problem. You should feel listened to. We ensure that you understand what we're saying and don't hesistate to ask questions.

You Don't Need To Know What Treatment You Need

A lot of patients delay booking because they think they need to know exactly what treatment they need beforehand.

You don't.

Some patients come in convinced they need braces and discover the solution is simpler.

Others think they need a cleaning and discover something underneath that needs attention first.

You do not need to diagnose yourself before visiting.

That is what the consultation is for.

Your job is simply to tell us what has been bothering you.

We take it from there.

What We're Actually Looking For

A full examination covers more than the obvious. While we work through your mouth, we're checking for:

• Any sign of decay, including the early hints between teeth that don't hurt yet.
• Existing fillings, crowns, or other dental work. Are they still doing their job, or starting to wear out?
• Any teeth that have shifted, loosened, or chipped since you last paid attention.
• Anything you've mentioned as bothering you, plus anything connected to it.

What does TMJ Mean?

TMJ is an abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint. Everyone has two, one on each side, where the lower jaw connects to the skull. There's a network of muscles and tissues around them, which aid in speech, and the action of chewing. TMJ disorders affect the joints and the surrounding muscles. Because the joint is involved in nearly every movement of the jaw, when there is a problem with it, as is the case in TMJ disorders, it is something which you notice all day long.

What are symptoms of TMJ?

Not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may only experience one or two. The more common symptoms are:

• A sore or aching jaw or a sore or aching cheek or ear.
• Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when the mouth is opened or closed.
• Discomfort or difficulty fully opening the mouth.
• Pain when chewing, especially when chewing hard things.
• Headaches or facial discomfort with no obvious source.
• Episodes of a stiff jaw or where the jaw briefly locks in place.
• Ear fullness, ringing or a dull ach.

What Are Some Causes of TMJ Problems?

There are many possible causes of TMJ problems, and in many cases, it is impossible to single one out.

Some people grind their teeth during the night. Even if they do not grind their teeth, some people develop tension in their jaw muscles during times of stress. Injuries to the jaw, head, or neck may cause jaw discomfort too.

Jaw popping and discomfort is usually not serious and TMJ problems are usually not serious and do not require jaw surgery. These problems can be managed with conservative treatment.

To treat your TMJ, the symptoms you're experiencing must be matched to the possible causes.

Pain is not always the first sign that something is wrong. Decay can sit quietly between two teeth for months before you feel it. Bone loss happens slowly and silently. An infection beneath a filling or crown may cause no symptoms until it's well established. Dental X-rays exist because the eye can't see any of this. Catching these problems early is what makes the difference between a straightforward fix and a significantly bigger one.

What a Digital Dental X-Ray Is

Digital dental X-rays use electronic sensors rather than traditional film to create images of your teeth and the structures surrounding them. Think of it less like taking a photograph, and more like looking underneath the surface. The image appears on a screen within seconds of being taken, can be enlarged and enhanced, and shows us things that no amount of looking in your mouth directly can reveal: the spaces between teeth, the roots, the bone, what's happening beneath existing fillings, and whether any teeth are developing problems below the gum line.

What X-Rays Help Us Find

• Cavities between teeth and beneath existing fillings or crowns, where a visual examination can't reach.
• Bone loss around the roots, which is one of the key indicators of gum disease progressing.
• Infections at the tip of a root, sometimes present for years without causing obvious pain.
• Impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth, that haven't come through properly and may be causing pressure on neighbouring teeth.
• Changes in the bone or jaw that can indicate cysts or other conditions worth investigating.

Why We Don't Skip Them When Needed

A tooth that looks fine from the surface can have significant decay between it and the tooth next to it. A filling that appears intact can have decay quietly working underneath it for years. The X-ray is how we avoid missing what matters, and how we avoid treating something that doesn't need treatment. We don't take them at every visit, only when they add information that changes the clinical picture.

What Composite Veneers Are

Composite veneers are one method for improving aesthetics when it comes to your teeth. A cosmetic dentist will apply a layer of material at the front surface of the tooth, and the result is a layer of composite that is sculpted to the desired appearance by the dentist. Composite veneers allow dentists to change the color, shape, and size of teeth. Taking a step back, this is an additive process; the tooth will not be removed. The composite resin that will cover the tooth is similar to that of tooth colored fillings, so there is no obvious color difference.

What Composite Veneers Improve

• Front teeth that are chipped.
• Small spaces in teeth.
• Shorter or worn front teeth.
• Minor asymmetries in teeth.
• Uneven smiles or teeth.
• Teeth that are discolored, but are not improved by whitening.
• Minor rotation in teeth.

In some cases, veneers may not be the best solution. Other treatments, like braces or whitening, may be better suited to fix less severe cosmetic concerns. We will help you decide which treatment gives you the results you want.

Reasons for Choosing Composite Over Porcelain

Composite veneers don't require lab time since they are created and put in the same appointment. They have the advantage of allowing for no prep or very low prep of the tooth. As a result, they are a more economical option compared to their porcelain counterpart. While they have a shorter lifespan as compared to porcelain and are more susceptible to staining, they are a great alternative for patients who want to see some changes to their smile without the time commitment and expense that porcelain requires.

Replacing missing teeth is only part of the equation after tooth loss. Not being able to eat properly, feeling older, and feeling embarrassed to laugh or take photos are other challenges many people have to cope with. Complete dentures are developed to help with these. They replace missing teeth and help people with the challenges of tooth loss like the ability to easily eat and talk without being self-conscious about the loss of teeth every moment throughout the day.

What a Complete Denture Is

People with tooth loss have the option of a complete denture to fill the empty space of up to a whole row or arch of jaw teeth. Complete dentures are a full set of teeth that rest on the gums and jaw bone. They help not only the function of the teeth, but also the support of the lips and cheeks as well. They help restore the natural shape of the face and the function of the chewing system.

When Complete Dentures Are Usually Considered

The loss or removal of all or most of the teeth in one or both jaws is usually when the conversation of complete dentures begins. Some people come to us for complete dentures because eating has become difficult. Speaking has become noticeably different and smiling has become an avoided task. All of these reasons are valid.

Complete dentures are not the only option for replacing missing teeth. Depending on your oral health and the condition of your jaw bone, implant-supported alternatives may also be available.

Every situation is different, so we'll explain the benefits, limitations, and costs of each option to help you make an informed decision.

What is a Dental Sealant?

A dental sealant is a coating placed on the surfaces of the back teeth where there are grooves. The back teeth have seals that cover cavities so that dental hygienists and parents do not have to deal with future decaying problems and it does not affect the shape of the tooth or the bite.

What Populations are Most Likely to Use Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are recommended for children with their first back permanent teeth (about age 6); decaying teenage years; and adults with deep dental grooves. Sealants are best applied on the back teeth as soon as they erupt into the mouth. Sealants are used when there is no tooth decay, thus a decaying tooth must be treated before applying sealants.

Who Fluoride Treatment Is Most Commonly Recommended For

Fluoride is commonly recommended for patients exhibiting advanced tooth decay, even with good hygiene, and patients with thinning and sensitive enamel. It is also recommended to patients with braces and clear aligners, as they hinder complete oral hygiene, as well as dry mouth, which hampers the saliva's protective effects.

Patients with receding gums and early dentin exposure will benefit from fluoride, as well as patients with multiple restorative fillings. Fluoride may be suggested to eliminate the need for cavity treatment.

What Makes Fluoride Treatments Unique

Fluoride professional treatments and cavity preventing products like toothpaste are not the same because fluoride comes in higher concentrations for preventative tooth decay and cavity fillings from fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride toothpaste is a good preventative measure for cavities. However, for a patient with a higher risk of developing cavities, fluoride toothpaste by itself may be insufficient.