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A crown is a cap in the shape of a tooth that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth in order to restore its size, strength, shape and improve its function. They may be used to protect weak teeth from breaking or to restore worn teeth, support teeth with large fillings, to keep dental bridges in place, cover discoloured teeth and dental implants or to make a cosmetic modification. A patient who has undergone a root canal will need a crown to provide support and strength to the tooth after the treatment. We use the highest quality material for our crowns and the benefits are long-lasting.

CEREC (CEramicREConstruction) Crowns = same day crowns. A traditional crown requires two appointments. The first appointment is for preparing the tooth, taking an impression and fitting a temporary crown on the tooth. The second appointment replaces the temporary crown with the permanent one. The time between appointments is generally about 2 weeks(the time it takes for the dental lab to make the crown). With a CEREC crown, the whole procedure can be done in just one appointment. CEREC utilizes 3D imaging and CAD/CAM technology to design the crown without taking a traditional impression. The 3D design is transmitted wirelessly to a milling machine that carves the tooth in our office. You will receive your new porcelain crown the same day! Ask the dentist if a CEREC crown could work for you!

Dental implants are artificial roots that are placed in your jaw to support a bridge, denture or a replacement tooth. They are a great option for people who have lost their teeth due to an injury, periodontal disease, infection or decay. With implants, patients don’t experience the moving, slipping, and irritation that accompany dentures. Implants are made of medical grade titanium that is compatible with your jaw bone. They can support crowns or bridges that feel, look and function just like natural teeth. Implants can also be used to stabilize and prevent dentures from moving and falling out. The dentist will create a treatment plan specifically for you. Once the treatment is complete, the dentist will work closely with you to help you to maintain your implants and keep them healthy.

A bridge, as the name suggests, is used to bridge the gap that is created by missing teeth. They are made of alloys, porcelain, gold, or a combination of these materials. Bridges restore your natural smile and also the ability to speak and chew properly. Apart from maintaining the shape of the face, they also stop the remaining teeth from drifting away from their position. Most importantly, they redistribute your bite forces by replacing the missing teeth. Our dentists are experienced in creating dental bridges that will restore your smile.

If you don’t need a full crown, but are in need of a long-lasting strong restoration, inlays or onlays might be the perfect solution. Essentially, it is a restoration procedure in which porcelain material is used to replace missing or weak tooth structure. We have received nothing but positive comments on the appearance and function from patients who have undergone this procedure.

Hygiene visits allow your hygienist and dentist to monitor the state of your oral health and clean the area under the gumline where your toothbrush can’t reach. They keep your teeth and gums healthy by removing plaques that cause gum infections and decay, and educate you properly on prevention. To achieve this, you need to return for regular examinations. We will advise you on a re-care interval that suits your needs.

Fluoride treatment is helpful in preventing tooth decay as it makes teeth resistant to acid attack by sugars and plaque bacteria. They strengthen the enamel and make it difficult for cavities to appear. Children should receive regular fluoride treatments. Adults can also benefit from fluoride treatments. The dentist will be happy to suggest when and how often this would benefit you or your child.

Over 10 percent of the adult population suffers from sleep bruxism, which is a repeated clenching and grinding of their teeth. A lot of people even do it unconsciously when they are awake. It can cause loss of teeth and mobility if not treated properly. Along with gum disease, it poses a serious problem – the combination of both can cause accelerated loss of bone. Although the condition may be treated in numerous ways, a dental nightguard is the most effective treatment for the majority of patients. It succeeds in keeping the chewing muscles relaxed and stretched and prevents individual teeth from contacting each other. Our dentists can help you protect your teeth from unwanted wear and offset the pain that is caused by grinding or bruxing your teeth.

Dental sealant (also known as fissure sealant) is a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the grooves and pits of teeth. They are most commonly used on the chewing surfaces, where most of the grooves lie, however, they can also extend to the sides of the teeth depending on any additional fissures or pits that are found there. Children can get sealants on their premolars and permanent molars as soon as they come in to protect their teeth during cavity-prone years. We also seal adult molars if they don’t show any signs of decay. They last for several years and protect your teeth from decay.

Our dentists will apply a thin layer of fluoride gel to strengthen the enamel and reduce teeth sensitivity caused from an exposed root surface (receding gum). It is effective in stopping the transmissions to nerves that cause pain. Although the appointment takes only a few minutes, the effects are long-lasting. Many of our patients have had a series of treatments to reduce the sensitivity of their teeth. Some have even continued the treatment with in-home applications.

During routine examinations, our dentists perform a thorough visual inspection to identify abnormal tissue in your mouth. Our preventative oral cancer screening can identify any pre-cancer or cancer tissue at a very early stage. There are certain factors that can put you at higher risk (i.e. tobacco and heavy alcohol use, age), however, oral cancer can happen to anyone. It is not a disease of the elderly and is in fact now becoming more common in the younger population.

A Velscope is a non-invasive hand held device that emits light and is about the size of a large flashlight. This device may be used to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue in the mouth, that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and will determine if further testing is necessary. It is used as an early warning system since most patients do not have any symptoms. The exam is painless and takes about 5-10 minutes. If you are interested in having a Velscope exam, please ask any of our staff members.