Our Services - Dental implants & Veneers...

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What are dental implants?

Dental implants are metal pins implanted into the jawbone that replace teeth roots and act as anchors for crowns. They can prevent further bone loss by providing a strong foundation for replacement of teeth.

Though the implant process is not complicated, it requires several steps. To begin with, a pin is implanted into your jawbone. After few weeks of healing, the bone fuses to the implant. Your dentist then attaches a small connector post or abutment to the implant. This will hold your new tooth. Your dentist creates this new tooth form an impression, making sure that it will work together with all your teeth to provide a healthy bite.

Good candidates for dental implants have healthy bone and gum, and usually need only few teeth to be replaced (rather an entire mouthful).

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, and length.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and mimic better the light reflection properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require less removal of the tooth surface before placement.  

CAD/CAM is an acronym for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. Used for decades in the manufacturing industry to produce precision tools, parts and automobiles, CAD/CAM technology has been increasingly incorporated into dentistry over the past 20 years. CAD/CAM technology and metal-free materials are used by dentists and dental laboratories to provide patients with milled ceramic crowns, veneers, inlays and bridges. Dental CAD/CAM also is used to fabricate abutments for dental implants, used to replace missing teeth. 

As the materials and technologies available for CAD/CAM dentistry have improved over the years, so too have the restorations that patients can receive from this form of digital dentistry. Today's CAD/CAM restorations are better-fitting, more durable and more natural looking (multi-colored and translucent, similar to natural teeth) than previously machined restorations. 

 Oral surgery is a broad term for any operation performed on your teeth, gums, jaw or surrounding oral and facial structures. It includes a wide range of procedures, including teeth extractions, and dental bone grafts.

Why Bone Grafting for dental implants?

In many instances, a potential implant site in the upper or lower jaw does not offer enough bone volume or quantity to accommodate a dental implant of proper size or in the proper place. This is usually a result of bone resorption that has taken place since one or more teeth (if not all) were lost. Bone Grafting or Guided Bone Regeneration - GBR procedures usually try to re-establish bone dimension, which was lost due to resorption. A bone graft normally takes at least four to six months to heal, before a dental implant can be placed into it. There are times that also multiple grafts may be needed to produce the amount of bone needed. This is dependent on a person's health and amount of bone being grafted. Years ago the lack of bone posed a considerable problem, and sometimes implant placement was impossible because of inadequate bone volume. 

Different Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

• Maxillary Sinus Augmentation / Lift - Bone Split - Socket Preservation - Guided Bone Regeneration / GBR (Ridge Augmentation & Jaw Reconstruction)

 Gum diseases or  Periodontal  diseases take on many different forms but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation on gingiva and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss and, to date, continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. With the some three-fourths of our population who are likely to experience periodontal (gum) disease in their adulthood, bleeding gums shouldn't be ignored as they are signals of serious potential dental and health problems. What's even scarier is that in most cases, the vast majority of people don't even know they have gum disease. It's not painful, and aside from a small drop of blood or two they may be inclined to let it go until it advances. By educating yourself and becoming aware of the symptoms, you have a better chance of catching catch gum disease early before it turns into something more serious such as tooth loss or heart disease. 

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING 

Scaling and root planning is a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. Scaling and root planning is sometimes followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antibacterial, systemic antibiotics, and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis. 

GUM GRAFT SURGERY 

Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. Gum graft surgery will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss.
Gum grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. During gum graft surgery, your periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity. 

REGENERATIVE PROCEDURES 

Procedures that regenerate lost bone and tissue supporting your teeth can reverse some of the damage caused by periodontal disease. Your periodontist may recommend a regenerative procedure when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed due to periodontal disease. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. 

Crowns and bridges over teeth or over dental implants are placed to restore severely damaged or lost teeth. Veneers are used to help you get that beautiful smile in order to improve your appearance.

Generally speaking, cosmetic dentistry is a term used to describe any procedure that improves the appearance of your smile.

Despite being associated with elective care and high costs, the benefits of cosmetic dental procedures are powerful, even life changing. A smile is worth a thousand words, as they say.  Cosmetic dentistry can take years of age off of your teeth  and help you appear happier and healthier. 

Below is a list of procedures often considered cosmetic, though it's worth mentioning that some cosmetic services are also restorative? Because they fit into more than one category, sometimes dentists classify them differently.

-Veneers

-Crowns 

-Gum Contouring

-Orthodontics and Invisalign

-Teeth Whitening

  A beautiful, straight smile is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about braces. But braces do much more than just straighten crooked teeth. They reposition crowded teeth, correct overbites and underbites, and help align your jaws.

And orthodontics don’t just make you look better; they make you feel better, too.

• Crooked teeth are harder to clean, which can impact the      health of your teeth and gums. 
• A misaligned bite can cause pain and jaw or TMJ      (temporomandibular joint) problems. 
• In serious cases, a mouthful of crooked teeth and a bad      bite can make it difficult to chew food properly, which can lead to      digestive issues.

Orthodontics can give you the straight teeth and proper bite that will help you chew better, smile more often, and keep your teeth longer.

Types of Braces

Metal Braces 

Metal braces are made of high-quality, durable stainless steel. They are the most common type of braces. The brackets, which are bonded to the front of each tooth, are connected by the arch wire, which helps guide the teeth into the correct positions. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces move teeth just as efficiently as metal braces, except the brackets are clear, so they are less noticeable. They are most popular with adult patients due to their cosmetic appeal. The only drawbacks to ceramic brackets are that they are more fragile, and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are made of durable plastic or acrylic material. They effectively straighten teeth without brackets and wires. Clear aligners are customized, comfortable and removable. Ask us if clear aligners are the perfect treatment option for you.

 The Take-Home Whitening Kit 

The Take-Home Whitening Kit is perfect for people who want to wear it for as little as 30 minutes per day—or even overnight! These are only dispensed by a licensed Dental Professional, it allows you to get professional Whitening results at your convenience in a safe, effective, and customized way!

 Advanced Power Teeth Whitening 

Performed in the dental chair, and removes all signs of staining giving you a white smile in as little as 1 hour. 

After applying a Bleaching Gel to the tooth surface, the Dentist will activate a bright light Whitening Gel with an active ingredient of Hydrogen Peroxide being placed onto your teeth to remove the stains / discoloration from stains such as, coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. As the gel is exposed to the laser light, the Hydrogen Peroxide will be broken down, allowing oxygen to enter the tooth and bleaching the discoloration.

Occlusion and TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders are problems affecting the jaw joint - usually pain or reduced movement of the joint. There are various causes but generally it is not a serious condition and often improves with simple treatments.

What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders? 

• Pain in the joint area or nearby. The pain is usually located just in front of the ear and it may spread to the cheek, the ear itself and the temple.

 • Jaw movements may be reduced. This may be a general tight feeling or a sensation of the jaw getting stuck. Very rarely, the jaw may become 'locked', causing difficulty in opening or closing the mouth. 

• Clicks or noises can sometimes be heard coming from the jaw joint when you chew or move your mouth. These noises can be normal, so they are only relevant if you have other symptoms in the joint, such as pain or reduced movement. 

• Because the ear is very close to the jaw joint, some people develop ear symptoms such as:

 • Noise in the ear. 

• Sensitivity to sound.

 • Dizziness (vertigo). 

The muscle problems are the most common type, particularly for younger people. 

Problems with the muscles may be caused by: 

• Tension of the jaw muscles. This can occur if you clench your jaw a lot during sleep, which is quite common. People also clench their jaw during the day if they are feeling tense or anxious. 

• Overuse of the jaw muscles, such as habitually chewing gum, or biting nails. 

What is the treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders? 

Most problems in the jaw joint can be helped with simple treatments such as painkillers and advice on how to rest the joint. There are various treatments which are often used in combination: 

Resting the jaw joint

 • At rest, try to keep your teeth slightly apart and your tongue resting in the bottom of your mouth. 

 • You can rest the joint by eating soft food and not using chewing gum. • Also, avoid opening the mouth very wide - so don't do too much singing and try not to yawn too widely. 

Medication 

Painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine can help. If these are not enough, muscle relaxants or a small dose of a medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant can give added pain relief.

Occlusal Splint 

Dental splint (occlusal splint or stabilization splint or bite guard), which is a dental appliance placed in the mouth that keeps the teeth in alignment and prevents tooth grinding. This resembles a mouth guard and is usually prescribed and fitted by a jaw specialist. 

Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy treatments, such as ultrasound and gentle jaw exercises, can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and range of motion. 

  What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental treatment done under local anesthesia to remove a damaged nerve while saving the tooth. 

Endodontic therapy when done properly and under ideal circumstances has a very high degree of success, up to 90%.  Since all teeth do not always follow this criteria, we will discuss with you the chances of success for your specific tooth, before any endodontic procedure is done to help you make an informed decision. 

Diagnosing and Treating Dental/Facial Pain

Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked / fractured teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint.  Because of the vast network of nerves in the mouth, the pain of a damaged or diseased tooth often is felt in another tooth and/or in the head, neck, or ear. An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating this type of pain.

Dental Traumatic Injuries

Pulp damage is sometimes caused by a blow to the mouth, and the endodontist specializes in treating these traumatic injuries. For example, a blow to a child's permanent tooth that is not fully developed can cause the root to stop growing. A procedure called apexification stimulates bone to be deposited at the end of the root which makes it possible to then save the tooth through a root canal procedure. An endodontist is specially trained in procedures for replanting teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets.

Will I Need to Return to your Office for Additional Visits?

Endodontic therapy can be done in one, two or multiple visits depending on the tooth, the number of roots, the current condition of the tooth and the time available.  Once endodontic therapy is completed a follow up exam and x-ray should be done about 12 months later.  This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. 

Root Canal Retreatment

Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth initially responds to root canal therapy but becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occur, the tooth often can be maintained with a second endodontic treatment.  Retreatments can be done in two different ways: surgical or apicoectomies or non-surgical retreatments.  The endodontist will determine which might be the best approach for your specific case.

Will my Tooth Discolor After Root Canal Treatment?

With all the new technology and the evolution of finer dental materials, your tooth should NOT discolor after endodontic treatment. Nevertheless, especially with OLD root canal techniques, materials and cements, a tooth may appear discolored. For more information on this subject, read below.

The single dark tooth dilemma. Why is my tooth dark?

A single dark tooth possibly indicates that the tooth might need a root canal because it has a dead nerve giving the tooth a darker gray/brownish hue.  Discoloration might also be present in a tooth that had had a root canal treatment done many years ago, using older techniques, material and cements.  The patient should see an endodontist for a consultation to determine if the tooth can undergo a procedure called “non-vital bleaching” to restore the color to a more natural color. This procedure requires the endodontist to re-enter the old root canal to activate strong chemicals "inside" the tooth to whiten it. This is an "in-office" visit, not to be confused with over the counter dental bleaching, which is whitening from the "outside."  Tooth discoloration can also be a sign of nerve damage or death, in which case, doing a root canal and non-vital bleaching is all that may be needed to restore the tooth. 

Non-vital or Internal Bleaching

Single discolored tooth due to having a dead nerve. Treatment: Root Canal + Internal Bleaching.

The advantages of digital radiography -- rapid acquisition time, image enhancement, and low radiation -- are a boon for dentists and patients. I hesitate to say the benefits "trickle down" because the advantages of digital radiography are as clear and immediate for patients as they are for the dentists who adopt the technology.

-          When the digital x-ray image is exposed, it can be sent directly to a computer and viewed right away. For x-ray film to be exposed, a staff member must process it in special chemicals. This takes a few minutes.

-         Digital x-ray images can be enlarged on the computer screen. This makes it much easier for you and the dentist to see the pictures. Traditional x-ray films are viewed actual size.

-          Digital x-ray images can often be corrected without having to make another x-ray exposure.

-         The dental office can print or copy your digital x-ray images. They can also be sent electronically to insurance companies, which may help claims get processed faster.

-          Digital x-rays are environmentally friendly. They eliminate the need for film and film processing chemicals.

-         Digital x-ray images may require less radiation.

3D Scan

3D imaging allows clinicians to view dental anatomy from different angles. A 3D scan can help gain a better view of bone structures, such as adjacent root positions, in order to locate canals and root fractures, as well as provide the ability to more accurately measure anatomical structures. These scans also support a wide range of diagnosis and treatment planning, making them extremely flexible. Further, they increase the possibility of treatment success, granting practitioners greater predictability and confidence in preparing for extractions, performing root evaluations, and placing implants.

Implantology 

3D image data offers implantologists enormous benefits compared to 2D imaging. You can increase confidence to your implant planning by defining bone structure and quality to avoid complications during surgery, trace sensitive anatomic structures like nerve canals, adjacent teeth and sinuses.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

You can find the right radiographic assessment tools for surgery planning and follow-up studies from  3D imaging portfolio. Wide range of fields-of view and resolutions allow you to follow ALARA principle. Fast scanning and reconstruction times expedite diagnostic workflow and patient care.
 

Panoramic X-Ray

A panoramic x-ray is a commonly performed examination by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and is an important diagnostic tool. It covers a wider area than a conventional intraoral x-ray and, as a result, provides valuable information about the nasal area, maxillary sinuses, tooth positioning and gum and bone irregularities. This examination is also used to plan treatment for full and partial dentures, braces, extractions and implants.

Intraoral imaging

Intraoral imaging is the most common X-ray diagnostic method in dentistry. The term intraoral comes from the image receptor being inside (intra) the patient’s mouth (oral). Both the X-ray source and the receptor are stationary during the exposure. Intraoral imaging is used for a variety of different tasks such as diagnosing caries, endodontic file location, inflammation of the teeth, etc. Intraoral imaging produces a wide range of clinically relevant dental views, e.g. periapical, bite wing, Full Mouth Series (FMS) and occlusal.