Dentist Calgary NE
Oral health care you can depend on.
Crowns
Crowns, sometimes called caps, are a frequently used form of aesthetic dentistry that in many situations also have health benefits. They can be used when a tooth is structurally compromised, to restore the tooth closer to its ideal bite, shape, color and prevent further decay. They can act to reinforce a weak tooth that may otherwise be lost. Crowns can be made of metal, a combination of metal and porcelain, and most commonly now, all-porcelain for the best aesthetics. Crowns fit over top of the remaining natural tooth structure, like a cap.
Crowns require two appointments. In the first appointment Dr. Brescia will remove decay, reinforce the tooth and prepare it for a crown. She will take impressions of the tooth that are sent to a lab, where the crown is custom made to achieve the ideal shape, bite, and colour. Between appointments you will wear a provisional crown to keep you comfortable and looking your best. In the second quick appointment, the permanent crown is bonded into place. Crowns are very strong and commonly last 10 years or longer if looked after. Brush and floss your crown, just like you clean your natural teeth to extend their life and prevent cavities.
Bridge
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining an artificial tooth to adjacent teeth or implants. The bridge is held firmly in place by your own teeth on each side of the missing one(s) or by dental implants. A bridge is permanent and cannot be removed. They can be made of very aesthetic and natural looking porcelain and are often a great option for replacing missing teeth. Only your dentist will know the tooth is not real! A bridge can restore your natural smile, help you speak and chew properly, and restore your teeth to their natural size, shape, and colour.
Night Guards and Splints
Fabrication of a night guard is a very common dental procedure. It is an acrylic appliance worn on the upper or lower teeth when sleeping to protect them. It takes one short appointment to take impressions of your teeth, which are then sent to a laboratory for the night guard to be custom made. A second quick appointment is necessary so that Dr. Brescia can fit it to your teeth very precisely.
A night guard has many benefits including:
- Protecting teeth from clenching or grinding
- Protecting dental work such as crowns or veneers
- Aids in identifying TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) problems
- Improves alignment of the TMJ and can relieve pressure on the TMJ
- Aids some people with sleep problems
A well fitting, quality night guard is relatively inexpensive. As Dr. Brescia focuses on preventative care and long term health, she highly recommends them when indicated. In the long run, a night guard can save patients money as future problems requiring expensive treatment can be avoided.
Splints are similar to night guards and can also be used as a temporary, but cost effective way to relieve symptoms caused by bite problems until a more permanent solution can be undertaken. Splints are typically worn all day and night.
Continuing Care
Continuing Care includes regular dental exams and preventative hygiene. Exams are necessary to catch problems early, before you see or feel them, when they are much easier and less expensive to treat. How often you require an exam, and how often you require x-rays, will depend on your overall dental health and your dental history. At Alpine Dental, we don’t treat you based on a calendar or what your insurance company is willing to cover. Our treatment plans are specific to individuals, and Dr. Brescia will determine your optimal frequency and discuss this with you.
During a dental exam we assess:
- Damaged, missing or decayed teeth
- Early signs of cavities
- Health of the gums and their supporting structures
- How previous dental work is holding up
- Soft tissues, such as your tongue or cheeks for early signs of cancer
- Your neck area to check for swollen lymph nodes and other signs of inflammation
- Your bite (i.e. Position of your teeth)
- The health of your TMJ (the jaw joint that joins the jaw to the skull)
Root Canals
Root canals have a bad reputation, but are actually a routine and comfortable procedure. Although Dr. Brescia is a general dentist, it is actually one of her favourite procedures to perform. She is able to provide this treatment in her office, rather than referring her patients to a specialist routinely. Root canals are necessary when a tooth is abscessed, has badly infected nerves, has abnormal sensitivity, or sometimes as a first step to restoring a badly broken tooth.
A root canal is performed with a local anaesthetic, the same way a filling is done. Special tiny instruments and cleaning solutions are used to sanitize the inside of the tooth and to remove the infected nerve tissue. The inside of the tooth is then filled with a rubber material. After a root canal, bad pain or swelling is NOT common.
After a root canal, most teeth require protection with a crown. You can still get a cavity or gum disease after a root canal treatment so the tooth needs to be protected. With proper care and regular dental visits, the tooth could last as long as your other teeth.
Tooth Extractions
Dr. Brescia performs tooth extractions, including wisdom tooth removal in her office.
Many people are nervous to have a tooth removed, but Dr. Brescia will ensure your maximum comfort at all times. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area before the tooth is carefully removed. When a patient is nervous, a mild sedative can be prescribed to help with any anxiety. In some situations, Dr. Brescia refers patients to an oral surgeon.
TMJ
Your TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw bone to your skull. This joint gets use throughout the day when you speak, chew, swallow and yawn. When there is a problem with this joint it can result in severe discomfort and sometimes debilitating problems such as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Causes of TMD can include trauma from an inury, arthritis, problems with the way teeth fit together, clenching or grinding habits and emotional stress.
Some symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) are:
- Jaw pain
- Clicking in the joint
- Difficulty opening the mouth wide
- Pain when chewing
- Headaches and ear aches
- Sore neck muscles
- Unusual tooth wear patterns
- Cold sensitivity in the teeth
- Fatigue of the jaw muscles
- Loose teeth
- Chronic facial pain
The treatment of TMD is complex, but at Alpine Dental we can offer treatment to address many of the common causes of TMD, including:
- Crowns to restore the natural bite and function of broken teeth
- Replacing missing teeth with bridges or implants
- Moving teeth with Invisalign to a more favourable bite position
- Bite adjustments (equilibration)
- Splints that can address a misaligned bite
- BOTOX® treatments to relax muscles
- Referral to a physiotherapist to settle down muscles spasms
- Night guards to address night time clenching or grinding habits
- Very rarely surgical solutions must be pursued