Dental Treatments for Calgary Families

Dental bridges are used to fill the space of a missing tooth. A missing tooth can lead to bite problems and/or jaw misalignment, which can progress into more serious dental concerns if left untreated. The type of bridge you need would depend on your specific dental requirements.

Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They are a more permanent solution for replacing missing teeth and provide a foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. Implants also help preserve tooth-supporting bone that naturally deteriorates when a tooth is lost. A dental implant most often takes the form of a small, screw-shaped titanium post that replaces the root-part of a missing tooth. The surgical procedure used to place an implant is relatively minor. After a healing period, the implant is topped with a lifelike crown, custom-made to match your existing natural teeth.

Dentures are a removable prosthetic that are used to replace missing teeth, or a row of missing teeth. They are quite similar to bridges or implants in the sense of tooth replacement, but can be more affordable in some cases. They are used to restore chewing function, stabilize occlusion (how your teeth come together), and improve aesthetics, depending on the situation. Once a denture is made for your mouth, it can last a long time, but the tissues in your mouth will change slowly over time. Sometimes it is necessary to replace old dentures with new ones that fit your mouth in its current condition.

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth in your mouth to appear. They are located at the very back of the jaw, and for most patients, they will not appear until 16-21 years old. Typically, wisdom teeth will need to be extracted because there is not enough space for these teeth to erupt properly, and they can put pressure on the other teeth, causing them to shift. They can also cause the gums to swell, and may even become infected. The extraction process can be simple or complex, but either way we will discuss your specific situation with you and answer any questions you may have.

Teeth whitening is a fast and growing trend. Patients of all ages are aiming for the perfect smile, and that doesn't just include the shape or alignment of your teeth, but the color too. As time goes on, your teeth will naturally darken. Certain foods and drinks, and smoking can speed this process up. To help gain back your beautiful smile, we offer both in-office and take-home kits for your convenience.

Dental bonding is typically an aesthetic procedure used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. Unlike veneers or crowns, bonding removes little of the original tooth, allowing you to keep more of your natural smile. Our dentists will reshape your teeth by sculpting the sides of each tooth that is receiving the bonding. This will help correct cracked, chipped, crooked, stained, or misaligned teeth. Dental bonding can change the shape and look of your teeth to enhance your smile!

A crown is like a cap that fits over a tooth that has either decayed, been damaged, or cracked. Crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, like porcelain, gold, acrylic resin, or a mix of these materials. Porcelain is typically the most favorable because of its natural appearance. The crown placement process usually consists of two visits about a week apart, or one visit if using CEREC. Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums, and crowns.

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent shells, attached to your teeth. They are customized to look and fit your natural teeth and are bonded to prevent them from falling off. They are a great aesthetic solution for your smile, and can be less expensive than other forms of dental treatments, such as orthodontics. Common problems that veneers are used for include: spaces between your teeth, broken or chipped teeth, stained or discolored teeth, and crooked or misshapen teeth. Veneers may not work for all situations, but if you are interested come in and we will see what works best for you!

A root canal is required when a cavity, or tooth decay, is so large and deep that it extends into the nerve chamber of the tooth, or close enough to the chamber to cause mild to severe pain. This usually will result in an infection of the nerve. In order to prevent the infection from spreading into your jaw bone and other tissues, the infected nerve chamber needs to be treated. A root canal treatment will remove infected tissue, disinfect the area inside the tooth, and the nerve chamber and canals will be filled with a tooth filler. Once completed, this should resolve the infection in the area.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a disease that affects the tooth and surrounding structures of the tooth, including the periodontal ligament (connects the tooth to the socket), gum tissue, and bone. Signs of periodontal disease include inflamed or infected surrounding gum tissue, gum recession, and bone loss. While this is a gradual process, and is difficult to track progression, if you start feeling sensitivity to hot and cold, air, or touch around your teeth, you will want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to stop the progression. If left untreated, you may experience more serious symptoms including tooth loss.

Dental fillings are most commonly used for repairing chipped teeth or teeth with dental decay, or "cavities". As long as the cavity hasn't reached the nerve chamber, it can usually be fixed by removing the unhealthy, decaying tooth structure and replacing it with a dental filling. Fillings can be made of metal or from a tooth colored composite. They require mild anesthesia, and can be treated in a single visit.

Mouthguards and nightguards protect your teeth from damage. For those patients who grind their teeth while sleeping, you may notice pain in your teeth or jaw, or that your teeth are achy, chipping, or wearing down. For those patients who play sports, a mouthguard can protect against tooth loss, chips, or other severe damage to your teeth, gums, and mouth. For the best protection, we recommend a custom fit mouthguard to ensure maximum comfort. 

A dental sealant is a protective plastic resin that is bonded to your teeth to prevent tooth decay. The sealant fits in all the groves of your teeth and typically lasts for 3-5 years, although it may last much longer if it is properly maintained. The sealant is usually applied to permanent teeth but can also be applied to baby teeth if there is a need to protect them.