Dental office procedures

general

Radiographs

Our office will only take x-rays if there is a need for them and they may or may not be taken at every checkup. X-rays can show:

Cavities between teeth, under the gums and around old fillings.
Bone loss caused by gum disease
Teeth that are trapped (or impacted) in the gums
Infections at the roots of teeth with deep cavities.

Bonded Resin Fillings

Bonded composite (white) fillings have been used for many years however their chemical make-up and the bonding agents used today have improved drastically. They are being used to close undesirable spaces, improve the shape, size and color of a tooth, replace an unsightly silver amalgam restoration, cover abraded or worn areas of a tooth (usually at the gum line) and to cover stains. Composites can also be used to repair and strengthen broken teeth.

These fillings require more time than the silver fillings because of the number of technique sensitive steps involved. Composite or “white” fillings are much more conservative. Less of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed. They are chemically bonded to the remaining tooth holding it together rather than simply filling the space as the amalgam filling does which results in a stronger tooth that looks great! They have a much more natural and aesthetic appearance.

Once the tooth has been prepared, the bonding agents are placed on the tooth and then the composite material is placed incrementally into the tooth. All these materials are hardened by exposure to a special (bright blue) curing light. The restoration is then contoured to fit the bite perfectly and polished.

View our Smile Gallery

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam or mercury fillings have been used as a main filling material for decades and there was a time when it was the best material dentists had to restore teeth with. Although the issue over the use and safety of amalgam in the dental office is not clear and is still being debated. Dr. Raj and the Lake Dental Health Centre no longer use it or recommend it when the placement of a new filling is needed.

Crown and Bridge

There may come a time when a tooth can no longer be filled. Damage to a tooth caused by decay and fracture, even natural wear can result in too little remaining tooth structure to be filled.

Placing a filling in such cases will restore the tooth temporarily but will not provide any strength or protection against future fractures. Dental crowns are recommended as the best preventative treatment option and unfortunately, in most cases as a last resort.

Crowns can be made from different materials, including zirconium, lithium disilicate, the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown (full gold). You and your dentist will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved.

When faced with losing a tooth, there are numerous options for replacement and should definitely be considered. When a space is left untended, the surrounding teeth can drift and tip altering your bite and negatively affect your appearance. One option for replacement is the permanently fixed bridge. Missing teeth can be replaced with a series of crowns when a false tooth is attached permanently to crowned teeth on either side of the space.
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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers are a simple and effective way to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. They are ultra thin pieces of strong, tooth shaped porcelain that can make the tooth stronger than it was originally.

At your first appointment the front of the tooth will be prepared to create a good surface to adhere the veneer to. Impressions are taken and temporary veneers are placed and worn while the permanent veneers are being fabricated by the dental technician in the laboratory. This is usually about 2 weeks.

At the second appointment the temporary veneers are removed easily, the teeth are cleaned off and prepared with a mild etching gel to roughen the enamel prior to placement. The bonding solution in applied between the tooth and the veneer and a bright blue light called a curing light is used to set or harden the bond.

With proper care and maintenance your new veneers will last for years. Veneers are not permanent and will someday have to be replaced but they are very durable and will last many years, giving you a lasting and beautiful smile and are a fantastic option to close gaps between teeth, repair damaged, discolored or crooked teeth. If you think Porcelain Veneers are what you would like to improve your smile please call us today for a consultation and more information.

Whitening

Whitening or Bleaching is a cosmetic procedure to lighten the colour of your teeth and completely harmless. In the office the assistant will take impressions of the teeth and make flexible custom bleaching trays that fit snuggly over your teeth. We’ll give you instructions and and 10 syringe kit to take home. This procedure works very well and we’ve seen some great results.

Endodontics – Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy can save a tooth whose nerves and blood supply have been affected. Years ago, the only solution to diseased or damaged teeth was to remove them.

For more information about Root Canal Therapy go to: http://www.endoexperience.com/patients.html

Biomimetic Dentistry

Biomimetic dentistry treats weak, fractured, and decayed teeth in a way that keeps them strong and seals them from bacterial invasion. Careful sealing against infection removes the need for 60% to 90% of the crowns and root canals of traditional dentistry.

What is wrong with traditional dentistry?

Traditional dental techniques haven’t taken advantage of the advanced ceramics and adhesives developed by modern engineering. These new technologies allow dentists to use small onlays that work more like your own teeth than the large porcelain crowns used in traditional dentistry. Old techniques can cause your teeth to eventually crack and leak, allowing bacteria to rot your teeth away from the inside. Biomimetic dentistry locks out the bacteria, for safer, more durable dental work.

What’s different about biomimetic dentistry?

Instead of simply filling cavities as though they were potholes, biomimetic dentistry keeps the patient’s long-term dental health in focus. By using advanced adhesive techniques and properly fashioned onlays, dentists can make sure that dental work will fail in a repairable way, before your teeth suffer any biological failure. By sealing the tooth against infection and bonding the tooth strongly to prevent fracture, biomimetic dentists make sure they don’t make dental problems any more serious than they already are.

Removable Full & Partial Dentures

Full and partial dentures are a removable option for replacing missing teeth. Today, you can have dentures that are comfortable and natural looking.

Care for your dentures and your mouth daily by removing them for cleaning. Brush them with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent buildup of tartar. Remove your dentures every night to give your tissues a rest.

Denture experts say this “daily scrubbing of dentures is vital to removing potentially dangerous biofilms from false teeth”. Read more on ‘dirty dentures’ to keep them and your mouth healthy.

Sports Guards

In some sports, injury prevention, through properly fitted mouth guards are considered essential. These are the contact sports of football, boxing, martial arts and hockey. Other sports, traditionally classified as non contact sports, basketball, baseball, bicycle riding, roller blading, soccer, wrestling, racquetball, surfing and skateboarding also require properly fitted mouthguards, as dental injuries unfortunately, are a negative aspect of participation in these sports.