Dental Clinic in Toronto

Sealants/Preventive Resins

Sealants are a thin coat of composite resin applied to cover pits and grooves of back teeth as a means to prevent tooth decay. The white film (plaque) that remains on the teeth over time causes tooth decay and without proper removal, it forms cavity. Sealants are an effective way of blocking plaque from forming on pits and grooves of teeth. These natural grooves are hard-to-reach areas with toothbrush and therefore, can not be properly cleaned. Sealants are typically applied to permanent molars and bicuspids, but can be applied to baby teeth. Sealants are usually tooth-coloured and cannot be seen when you talk or smile. Placement of preventive resins is very conservative and does not require anaesthesia or removal of natural teeth. It is recommended to repair or replace lost or chipped sealants to maintain effectiveness.

back to the top

 

 

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a very effective solution for people who experience anxiety prior to and during their dental visits. Sedation dentistry does not put you to sleep. It induces a sense of deep relaxation that enables you to feel comfortable while we carry out our work.

 

• You may be a candidate for sedation dentistry if you have:

• intense fear of dental visits

• a bad dental experience in the past

• sensitive teeth

• fear of needles

• extreme dislike of the smells and tastes associated with dental procedures

• strong gag reflex or inability to keep mouth open during treatment

• difficulty with traditional “numbing” i.e. the numbing does not take

• extensive treatment or multiple procedures to be done at the same time

There are many options for sedation and one is sure to help you. Talk to us to learn more.

back to the top

 

Sensitive Teeth

Teeth are often sensitive because the dentin layer of the tooth has become exposed. Any stimulation at the surface of the dentin is transmitted through the tubes to the nerves, causing pain. The dentin is usually exposed in 2 ways: abfraction and worn away enamel. To determine the cause of patient’s tooth pain, we’ll first make sure that the pain isn’t caused by decay, a broken tooth or abscess.

Proper homecare is essential to taking care of sensitive teeth. Our Toronto dentist recommends that you avoid high-acid and high-sugar foods, use a desensitizing toothpaste, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or wear a nightguard if you clench or grind your teeth.

back to the top

 

 

Smoking and Oral Health

Smoking and chewing tobacco are dangerous to your oral health and to your overall health. A major cause of tooth loss through gum disease, tobacco use may lead to serious problems like oral cancer.

Depending on the amount of tobacco use, smokers can expect to develop a combination of the following:

• Persistent bad breath

• Discoloured teeth

• An increase in calculus tartar build-up

• Gum and bone disease that may progress more quickly and be more severe than in non-smokers

• Jaw bone loss

• Shifting teeth

• An increased number of missing teeth

• Oral cancers

• Mouth sores

• Root caries cavities

• Sinusitis

• Hairy tongue

• Smoker’s lip (like a burn)

• Altered sense of taste and smell

• Delayed wound healing

 

Smoking has been established as a significant risk factor for gum disease. Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients that allow gums to stay healthy, and leaving them vulnerable to bacterial infection.

If left unchecked, gum disease can lead to the destruction of the tooth’s supporting tissues, abscesses and tooth loss.

back to the top

 

 

Teeth Grinding

Tooth grinding or bruxism, is a serious issue that can result in damage to your teeth, poor sleep patterns and soreness in the muscles of the face and neck, not to mention an unhappy spouse. Fortunately, this problem can normally be corrected with the use of a dental night guard.

Night guards look much like a sports mouth-guard, but are specially designed to prevent muscle tension and withstand the intense pressure exerted by tooth grinders. Only your Toronto dentist office can provide a custom-made night guard that will fit you perfectly.

Ask our dental clinic in Toronto about dental night guards or other treatments available to relieve tension and discomfort in the jaw and neck.

back to the top

 

 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the fastest and easiest ways to brighten your smile. The whitening options available in your Toronto dentist’s office generally include in-office treatments and at-home kits.

In-office treatments use a special bleach and a source of heat or light to activate the bleach. Noticeable differences can usually be seen within an hour of an in-office treatment. At-home kits involve a tray that is custom-fitted to your teeth and holds a special bleaching gel, provided by your dentist. You wear the tray for a prescribed length of time each day.

Whitening should always be done under the supervision of a dentist. We can rule out any underlying causes for the discolouration of your teeth and we can help you choose the whitening option that will best achieve your desired results.

back to the top

 

 

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the process that results in a cavity or dental caries. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.

You can easily prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing your teeth, regular dental hygiene visits and checkups and avoiding foods that are high in sugar.

Tooth decay usually does not cause symptoms until you have a cavity or an infected tooth. When this occurs, a toothache is the most common symptom. It is diagnosed by an oral examination and x rays.

Treatment for tooth decay depends on the extent of the decay. Slight tooth decay may be reversed by using fluoride. To fix cavities caused by mild tooth decay, a dentist will remove the decay and then prepare the tooth for a filling. For more severe tooth decay, a crown or root canal may be necessary. In extreme cases, the tooth may need to be removed.

back to the top

 

 

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they require removal. Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned – they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. In addition, they can be entrapped completely within the soft tissue and/or the jawbone or only partially break through or erupt through the gum. Teeth that remain partially or completely entrapped within the soft tissue and /or the jawbone are termed “impacted.”

back to the top