Restorative Dental Services

Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder Therapy

Temporo-mandibular dysfunction includes a wide range of disorders that often overlap. They include muscle problems that affect jaw movement, pain in the jaw joint and abnormal wear patterns created from grinding or clenching.

Temporo-mandibular dysfunction includes a wide range of disorders that often overlap. They include:

• Muscle problems that affect jaw movement
• Pain in the face around the jaw joint
• Problems within the joint itself

This variety makes diagnosis and treatment challenging. An accurate diagnosis is critical for successful treatment. If you think you may have Temporo-mandibular dysfunction book a visit with our office and we can go over your treatment options based upon your unique requirements.

Root Canal Therapy

Required when the tooth’s nerve is dying due to decay, fracture or insult. Specialized files and a disinfecting solution are used to remove the nerve structure and bacteria in the crown and roots. Rubber points are then used to fill the space and help prevent bacteria from re-entering.

The root canal itself is typically completed in one visit unless the tooth is too infected and draining. Some teeth can have a very complicated root system that requires additional time to complete. A crown is usually recommended to help protect the tooth. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or sharp pain when eating hot or cold foods book an appointment to get it checked. In many cases root canals can be avoided with proper preventative care and early detection. Give us a call to set up an appointment for a proper exam to rule out any other conditions that may be contributing to your tooth pain.

Anterior growth guidance orthodontics

Orthodontics is the aligning of teeth. We think it should involve so much more. That is why we focus on developing airways so everything within the oral system including the head, neck, teeth, jaws and airway work together for a healthy life.

We believe the earlier the intervention the better for the patients and the less invasive treatment has to be. If we focus on airway, tongue and lips in little children we can develop healthy, beautiful faces that are balanced as adults. be used to increase the entire mid-face or upper jaw, creating more room for the tongue to rest in the palate as oppose to low and back in the throat…

Implants

Allow us to replace missing teeth without affecting other teeth in the arch. They can be single or multiple and require more than one appointment but result is very long lasting. In fact, when properly taken care of the implant is one of the longest lasting procedures, we can provide to you. They do require maintenance i.e. professional cleanings and re-torqueing to keep healthy. A great investment if you have the opportunity!

 Implants are the best long-term solution for missing teeth. They prevent bone loss that occur with missing teeth, transferring chewing force naturally to the bone. Implants do not cause additional wear on adjacent teeth and can last a lifetime. Dental implants look completely natural, and are stable and comfortable.

Tooth Coloured Acrylic Fillings

Our office uses tooth coloured acrylic fillings to restore decay when they are caught early and small enough to allow the tooth to be supported. We do not use amalgams as they are difficult to detect when failing and will cause fractures and darkening. It has also been shown to release mercury which has been attributed to causing many serious health issues, as heavy metal will build up in tissues over time.

 The composite resin used to repair your tooth, is durable and fracture resistant. Because they can be used for composite repairs in front teeth, tooth coloured acrylic fillings look more natural. Although they are not as strong as the enamel of your original tooth, acrylic or composite resin fillings are able to withstand the pressure of moderate chewing for several years.

Dentures and Partials

Removable alternatives to replacing missing teeth. A temporary partial has no clasps to hold it in place. It achieves it’s hold from the friction of the appliance against the inner surface of your teeth. Permanent partials have a metal framework and clasps that surround the teeth. They can also be constructed out of flexible acrylic called Valplast. It allows the clasps to be made of tissue colored acrylic that fits against the gums.

 One of the most exciting new developments in dental procedure, are implant supported dentures. This is a relatively painless procedure where surgical posts are inserted into the bone of your jaw, supplying a secure and stable foundation to mount dentures. Unsupported dentures rest on gum tissue, which can cause problems, including bone loss, discomfort and gum irritation. Denture implants maintain long term bone quality and provide stabilization and separation from gum tissue. Because of the stability of denture implants, you will feel more confident when eating, smiling, and speaking.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea and Upper Airway Resistance Disorder is a serious health risk to many individuals. It is reported to be more common than Diabetes. It is a “Great Pretender” in that it is often undetected as the symptoms are treated but not the cause.

It can affect us through all ages and generally worsen over time as the body tires due to the chronic stress it brings with it. Often it is wrongly diagnosed as ADHD in youth because symptoms vary greatly and include but are not limited to lethargy, hyperactivity, bedwetting, anger, headaches, crowded teeth, difficulty with mental focus, chronically swollen tonsils and so much more.

Adults who suffer from the disorder might notice snoring, gasping, nightly trips to the bathroom, erectile dysfunction, tachycardia, night sweats, mental fog, tiredness, sleepiness, hormone disorders, autoimmune disorders, migraines, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems, heartburn, tooth erosion, grinding, clenching, TMJ disorders and many others I have not mentioned.

Oromyofunctional Therapy

Oromyofuntional therapy is exercises and behaviors taught to help establish proper swallowing and resting tongue posture. It is painless and relatively simple but requires daily practice. Intensive therapy is approximately 1/week for 12 weeks than 1/month for 6-12 months to establish muscle memory. A person with an abnormal muscle pattern may suffer from a lisp or have difficulty with speech. They may not be able to swallow certain foods or they may breathe through their mouths. This abnormal posture takes more muscle function and can cause TMJ disfunction, stomach distress, air obstruction and other health challenges like allergies and a sluggish, dull, long face. The teeth tend to be crowded or impacted because the jaws are not given the proper signals for the bone to grow.

 Oromyofunctional therapy has a positive impact when the patient sleeps more efficiently, breathes easier and speaks better. Improvements increase confidence, self-esteem and social interaction. Our therapy although intense, is painless and the exercises we teach are simple and easily learned. With commitment from the patient, this successful program can literally alter lives of affected persons for their lifetime.

PerioProtect Tissue Pocket Therapy

PerioProtect therapy uses personalized trays lined with a very mild peroxide gel that gently bathes the infected gums and periodontal pockets with oxygen to kill bacteria and help heal the tissue. Application frequency depends on depth of your pockets but the time interval for exposure is 10-15 minutes maximum.

Call our office if you have bleeding or receding gums and would like to find out if this system could be right for you. As an added bonus, it can also help minimize new decay and whiten teeth.

Advantage Arrest Early Cavity Deactivation

Advantage Arrest uses a silver diamine formula to bond with bacteria that is creating the cavity or hole in the tooth. With just 2 applicatins, it can stop the destruction of the tooth so that it can them be repaired and sealed. The silver will bond with the bacteria to create a deep purple/black area. This discoloration limits the areas and teeth it can be used on for some people.

Many different systemic diseases affect the health of your oral tissue and vice versa. Regular dental recare visits and periodontal therapy with radiographs help to minimize the need for expensive treatment by treating disease early in its development where damage is minimal. Keep in mind, professional cleanings access the areas of your oral tissues you are not able to access.

Extractions

Extractions are required when a tooth has been damaged beyond repair or the tooth has lost so much bone support it can no longer be healed.

Other reasons for getting a tooth extracted are baby teeth blocking permanent teeth from coming in, and extractions needed to create room for teeth that are being moved into place with braces. Wisdom teeth are often extracted if they grow in at an angle that impacts tooth placement, or are decayed. Simple extractions are loosened with a dental instrument then removed with forceps. A surgical extraction is more complex, as this procedure is used to remove teeth that have broken off at the gum line or have not yet grown through the tissue. After a small incision, the tooth may need to be broken and removed in halves for easier extraction. When scheduled for an extraction, we focus on your comfort and advise you fully on post-extraction health care.

Botox

Botox therapy is that little something when you just want a little help with the effects that time can place upon you. Proper Botox therapy can be very subtle, like you, but new and improved. It does not change the shape of you face or lips as does fillers. It only softens the lines of time. Eventually many of those lines do disappear they are so fine. It can be done quickly so as not to take much time from your day. Ask about incorporating botox therapy with your regular check-up to save you time. Please call us to arrange an appointment.

 Botox therapy for bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, can be effective in the short term by alleviating stress and tension to your jaw muscles. Injected into the muscle just below your cheekbone and muscles in your forehead, Botox is a non-surgical alternative of choice for patients suffering from involuntary and stress related bruxism.

Laser Cold Sore Therapy

Laser therapy could be your best friend! It not only helps cure the cold sore faster but it also helps to ablate the virus (make it implode) so that it does not come back. It is important to try to catch the virus as soon as you feel the tingle.

Cold sores are caused by the very common herpes simplex virus (HSV). About 8 out of 10 people have cold sores, usually contracted before the age of 10. The virus can remain dormant with several things triggering an outbreak. HSV can erupt in the form of a sore, usually around the lips or inside the mouth, after a cold or fever. Sunshine and citrus fruits can also trigger an outbreak, or conditions that weaken the immune system. The first sign of an outbreak, is tingling, or a burning sensation, followed by swelling and redness. Tiny blisters then appear and can be quite painful. Symptoms can last one to two weeks.

Using sunscreen on your lips to limit sun exposure can help you if sunshine is a trigger for you. Some medications, like acyclovir (Zovirax), can help cold sores heal faster. If citrus causes cold sores in and around your mouth, limit your intake of limes, lemons and citrus fruit, or stop eating them altogether. HSV outbreaks can be a lifelong problem and we invite you to consult with us for a discussion on how the latest technology can help you treat this common, yet irritating condition.

Biopsy

Biopsies are performed on the tongue or gum (gingival) tissue when a suspicious lesion warrants closer examination. This minor surgery provides a tissue sample for lab analysis and microscopic investigation to determine if any pathology is present. A local anesthesia is usually all that is needed to extract a small sample. Depending on the lesion, the dental surgeon may completely remove an area or a small portion. Dissolvable sutures (stitches) are used to close the area after the biopsy, and post-surgical instructions will be shared with the patient. Most often after the anesthesia wears off, there is some discomfort, but little to no pain. If pain medication is needed, over-the-counter pain relievers are commonly used, like ibuprofen. Eating, flossing and brushing can be initiated the same day as the biopsy. Oral tissue biopsies rule out serious conditions like oral cancer or dysplasia. It may be determined upon examination, that all you need is a brush biopsy. This non-invasive procedure gathers tissue for initial evaluations and helps to confirm a diagnosis. Biopsies can be used in conjunction with x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans for further diagnostic testing.

Tekscan

Tekscan or T-Scan digital software provides restorative dentists and clinicians with 2D and 3D graphics to show problems that patients have but are hard to identify. Problems and treatments can be addressed with accurate information and endpoints can be visualized. T-Scans enhance patient education and reduce costly repeat visits and re-makes. This software-based scan system helps identify premature contacts to eliminate destructive forces on new restorations. Essential as an analytical tool for mouth rehabilitation, Tekscan has raised the standard of care available to patients.