General dentistry

Periodontal disease takes on many different forms, but is usually considered to be a chronic, bacterial infection of the gums. Untreated, it often leads to tooth loss and alveolar bone loss.

Regular hygiene appointments include:

• Thorough examination & cleaning
• Full-mouth and periodontal (gum) exam
• Oral cancer screening
• Periodic X-Rays to detect decay, bone loss or tumors
• Individual care consultations

When a patient at our office needs a filling we present them with basically two choices
a bonded amalgam(silver) or a composite(tooth coloured) filling. Most of the the times we advise the choice of the filling. This is mostly dependant on the location of the fillings.
Many people think that amalgam fillings are detrimental to their health. But as reported by the American Dental Association (ADA), a filling might release 1 to 3 micrograms per day, compared to the 5 to 6 micrograms of mercury we get daily from food, air, and water. (A microgram equals 35.2 billionths of an ounce.)
Amalgam fillings have been used for more than 100 years, and they continue to have the trust of dentists around the world. The American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, The World Health Organization, The Food and Drug Administration, The Alzheimer's Association, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society all agree that these fillings are safe.

We believe in doing our bit for the environment and therefore our office has specifically installed amalgam separators which removes the mercury wastes from the waste water lines before it enters the sewage.
Composite fillings were designed initially for the front teeth where chewing forces are low. With technological advancement they are now used in the posterior teeth also where the forces are greater. The placement of these fillings is very technique sensitive plus the materials are expensive too. Hence the higher cost.  No long term studies have been done as yet to show if the composite restorations have any detrimental effect.

When a tooth is badly broken down or has a large restoration we suggest that the patient should get that tooth crowned. A crown covers the tooth completely encompassing it thereby minimizing the chances of a tooth fracture. Crowns can be made of metal (mostly gold) or be tooth coloured (porcelain) or a combination of both.

Occasionally, a tooth’s nerve chamber will become infected, requiring a root canal to save the tooth. This treatment cleans the infected chamber and repairs the damage, saving your natural tooth.

A partial denture is one of the options to replace missing teeth. It can be made of acrylic or cast metal. If you wear a partial denture always make sure that you keep it clean as neglecting it can lead to more cavities and tooth loss.

These are advised when a person has lost all his/her teeth. Our dentists make a series of impression and measurements before a complete denture can be fabricated. A complete denture can give you back your lost smile. Restore your facial features (to a certain extent) that were lost due to tooth loss.

Tooth Whitening Secrets

How is tooth whitening achieved?

There are two ways to whiten a tooth: 1) remove the surface stains (Extrinsic whitening) 2) remove the deep stains (Intrinsic whitening). In order to get a true whitening effect, both extrinsic and intrinsic whitening have to be done.

What is the best way to whiten teeth?

There are many products that TRY to whiten teeth. Some work really well and some are just useless.

Whitening Toothpastes have sandy gritty particles that remove the outer surface stains. They do not remove the deep stains. The whitening effect is not great and does not last. Some whitening toothpastes are too abrasive and damage the surface of your tooth. Stay away from baking soda!

Brush on Whitening products have the right material but as soon as you brush them on, your spit washes them away. Don’t work well at all.

Whitening Strips look like a strip of tape that you apply to your teeth. They work great for people who have perfectly straight teeth. If you have a tooth that is turned or a tooth that is sitting out of place, then don’t expect this system to work for you. They don’t whiten between the teeth. They also don’t cover your entire smile. They cover your smile from Canine to Canine. The bottom strips don’t usually stick well because your spit washes them off. Two strengths, the higher strength is only available through the dentist. Cost between $50-75 CDN

Whitening Light by itself. You have seen the commercials for a portable whitening light that you shine on your teeth and they magically go white. Well the magic is that the light after a while dries your teeth up. Dry teeth with all the water removed from them look whiter. This is a get rich quick scheme, stay away from it.

Customized tray whitening (Take home tooth whitening). This is a system where the dental assistant takes a model of your top and bottom teeth. A special tray is fabricated that fits perfectly to your teeth. You are given a gel whitening product (varying strengths available) and you usually whiten your teeth for one hour a day for seven to ten days. 10-22% carbamide peroxide. Cost is $250-400 CDN Laser tooth whitening (Professional tooth whitening). This is a professional tooth whitening system done in the dental office. The term “laser” whitening is deceiving. Most offices do not use a “laser” to whiten your teeth and just a special light. There are new studies out that show that the light is NOT even necessary to get the whitening effect. Some dentists suggest that the lights used heat the tooth and tissues and cause damage. The whitening in the office is really because of the high strength of the gel used, 35% hydrogen peroxide. Usually the dental office combines this method of whitening with a take home tooth whitening for maximum effect. This is the most expensive option. Some offices charge up to $1000 CDN for the procedure. In our opinion, laser tooth whitening is an expensive method of whitening teeth with higher side effects. A customized tray whitening will whiten teeth just as well at a lot less cost.

OK I have whitened my teeth, how long does it last?

This is a tough question. Whitening is not permanent. Whitened teeth become yellower as time goes by. There is several reasons for this.

1)   Habits-If you smoke, drink red wine, tea or coffee then expect your teeth to become yellow again. Try a power toothbrush such as Oral B 3D, Sonicare to keep them whiter, longer.

2)   Type of Whitening used. Different whitening systems have different effectiveness. The greater the shade change, the longer it lasts. See table below.

Does whitening damage my tooth?

There is no evidence that tooth whitening damages your tooth if done properly. However, just like everything else in life, if abused tooth whitening can damage your teeth. Over-whitened teeth will lose their opalescence (multilayered look), become sensitive, and even brittle.

How tooth whitening is done in our office.

1)   We evaluate the need for whitening, look at your smile and see if whitening is needed and right for you.

2)   We take into consideration the restorations that you already have to make sure that they don’t stand out after you whiten your teeth.

3)   We take a color match of your tooth as a starting point

4)   Impressions of upper and lower jaws are taken

5)   You return to our office and we try the whitening trays in your mouth to make sure they fit perfectly.

6)   We provide you with a special product that reduces your chance of getting sensitivity after whitening

7)   After 7-10 days of bleaching, we evaluate your bleaching to make sure you have achieved the result you are looking for.

Contact us about bleaching