Root Canals
Once the pulp (nerve & blood supply) of the tooth is damaged (either by trauma, cavities
or cracks in the tooth) bacteria can get in and cause an infection. This can lead to
pain & swelling. In order to save the tooth a root canal is required which involves removing
the pulp tissue and replacing it with a special filling material to prevent future infections.
Teeth can have anywhere from 1 to 5 canals.
The procedure involves freezing the tooth and isolating it. A small hole is drilled into the
tooth (like a filling). Each canal is cleaned to the tip of the root. A special filling material
is then placed into the cleansed canal to seal it from future infection. Then a filling is
placed over tip of that to seal the tooth. Usually, a crown or cap would be made for the tooth
to prevent it from fracturing.
Orthodontics
This is done to straighten your teeth to function and look better and requires braces or
appliances which place gentle pressure on your teeth to put them in the right position.
Braces, brackets and bands are bonded to your teeth and then a wire is placed into the
brackets which is held in with elastics
Removable appliances are sometimes used for minor movements of one tooth or a group of teeth.
These appliances can look like retainers and can be taken out of the mouth to clean.
Bleaching
Bleaching is a process in which teeth are whitened by removing the stain on your teeth caused by
food, tobacco and age. The most common procedure is take home vital bleaching where molds of
your teeth are taken to make custom bleaching delivering trays. A carbamide peroxide gel is
used in the trays to whiten the teeth. The bleaching trays are usually worn at night while you
are sleeping.
Bonding
Bonding is a process in which a tooth coloured composite resin material is bonded to your
teeth to repair chips, close spaces, and enhance aesthetics.
The procedure involves lightly roughening the surface of the tooth to be bonded (either
chemically or mechanically). A bonding agent is places on the tooth. Tooth colored resin is
placed on to the tooth. A blue light hardens the resin. It is then shaped and polished
Veneers
These are thin porcelain facings bonded to the front part of teeth. This can be done to
enhance appearances, close spaces, repair chipped teeth and cover stained teeth. A thin
amount of enamel is usually removed to allow room for the porcelain. Veneers are stronger
and more color stable then bonding.
Crowns
Crowns (also called caps) are used to cover teeth that are susceptible to fracture. They
protect teeth that have large fillings, root canals, fractured, or stained. Usually crowns
are meal (ie. gold), porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.
The procedure involves:
- Taking initial molds to make a temporary crown
- After freezing, the tooth is reduced (filed) uniformly to make room for the porcelain or
metal.
- Another mold of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab for
fabrication of the crown.
- A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth.
- Another appointment is needed to remove the temporary crown and bond in the
permanent crown.
Bridges
Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. They stay in your mouth all the time and cannot
be taken out. The procedure involves preparing the teeth on either side of the space like
the crown procedures. The prepared teeth are covered by crowns which are attached as one single
unit by the false tooth. It usually takes two appointments similar to the crown.
Dentures
There are 2 types of dentures:
- Partial dentures and
- Complete dentures
Partial Dentures:
This is a way to replace one or more teeth with a removable appliance and it is held in
place by clasps around existing teeth. They can be taken out and cleaned. Partial
dentures are used instead of a bridge when too many teeth are missing of if existing
teeth are not strong enough to hold a bridge. These can be made out of an acrylic or
metal substructure.
Complete Dentures:
Also known as false teeth, these are used when all your teeth are missing.
In either case, molds and measurements are needed to fabricate dentures.
Implants
These are used to replace missing roots. They are nickle titanium screw like structures which are surgically
placed into the bone and allowed to integrate bone around it. The implant, once integrated
with the bone acts like an anchor to hold one or more false teeth.
Cosmetics
Extractions
Periodontics(Treatment of Gum Disease)
Filling
Anti-Snoring and Sleep Apnea Appliances
Emergency Care
