MODERN DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
General Dentistry in Edmonton to Help Keep Teeth & Gums Healthy
Your teeth and gums need preventative care in order to maintain optimal oral health. But even if you’re diligent enough to follow a strict regimen at home, routine visits to South Trail Dental Clinic are crucial in order to help combat the potential risk of more severe problems from developing. With general dentistry services at our Edmonton office, our team of dental health practitioners will be given the opportunity to detect the early warning signs of tooth decay and disease. From there, we will be able to provide treatment and advice that’s tailored to your specific needs, which may include:
Hygiene
Twice-daily brushings and regular flossing are excellent for maintenance between office visits, but a healthy mouth and beautiful smile require routine general and preventative care to stay that way. Our practice offers general care that includes regular oral examinations and cleanings. Our preventative hygiene services include fluoride, professional breath control, and periodontal (gum disease) treatments designed to help you maintain your smile’s health and beauty.
Fillings
Gone are the days when tooth trauma and cavities could only be treated with unsightly metal fillings. Today, modern, tooth-coloured fillings made of durable resin that can be bonded to your teeth for a stronger, more natural-looking effect. Composite fillings are virtually undetectable, and require only a single appointment to apply.
Tooth extractions
In only the most extreme and necessary cases, such as when roots are damaged beyond repair, we may extract a tooth in preparation for a restorative dentistry procedure, such as dentures or implants.
Root canals (endodontic)
A root canal is needed when a large cavity damages a tooth’s root, and the root becomes infected or inflamed. A root canal is the best method for saving an infected tooth. During a root canal treatment, inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, filled and sealed. Root canal treatments help you maintain your natural smile and limit the need for ongoing dental work.
Dental crowns
Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully covers that portion of a tooth which lies at and above the gum line. In comparison, composite fillings/inlays/onlays are dental restorations that are used to fill in or cover over just a portion of a tooth. Since dental crowns encase the entire visible aspect of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth's new outer surface.
Crowns are used to rebuild broken or decayed teeth, to strengthen teeth, and as a means by which to enhance the cosmetic appearance of teeth. Crowns can be made out of porcelain/ceramic, gold alloy, or a combination of both. Dental crowns are often referred to as "dental caps."
Bridges
If you are missing teeth and are having trouble speaking or chewing, or are noticing strain when biting, bridges may be the ideal procedure to help make your mouth healthy and beautiful again. Bridges literally “bridge” gaps between teeth by filling them with strong, natural-looking artificial teeth. Bridges are semi-permanent – they can only be removed by a dentist – and are comfortable and proven to strengthen teeth.
Non-surgical gum therapy
It is possible that in spite of your best efforts you may require more aggressive gum therapy. Like many other ailments, gum disease can be quite painless due to its slow progression.
After a thorough periodontal screening and examination, we may choose more aggressive therapies aimed at eliminating or reducing the amounts of bacterial poisons and plaque accumulating below the gum line (generally cleaning and polishing of teeth is above the gum-line.) This involves curettage and root-planing and/or treatment with site-specific administration of medications to the affected gums. Curettage is the debridement of the soft tissue lining around the tooth. In disease, this tissue is chronically irritated by bacteria deep below the visible gum-line and needs to be removed so that proper healing can occur. Root-planing is the removal and smoothing of micro-amounts of root surface so that a clean and uninfected surface is presented to the healing lining of soft tissue.
These two procedures are generally done simultaneously, may require local anesthesia, and are skillfully done by our well-trained hygienists under South Trail Dental Clinic's prescription.
Gum disease does not happen overnight, and treatment generally is spread out over time as the effectiveness of a procedure needs to be assessed before the next takes place. Generally your condition is re-assessed in time, and joint decisions are made about your next step. The services of a specialist (Periodontist) may be required should surgical intervention be needed. Often surgery allows for complete healing of the gum and bone, reduced mobility of teeth, and a greatly improved prognosis.
HELP KEEP YOUR TEETH AND GUMS STRONG AND DISEASE-FREE. CONTACT OUR OFFICE TODAY TO SCHEDULE A CLEANING OR CONSULTATION.