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Dentist Calgary NE

Oral health care you can depend on.

Dental Services in Bridgeland, Calgary

During your new patient experience we will discuss your overall health, current dental health, life circumstances, needs, desires, and any aesthetic concerns. Dr. Brescia feels that it is very important to understand her patients completely. Based on our exam and discussion with you, we will choose an appropriate plan for your future dental care.

At your first visit we will:

  • Review your medical and dental history
  • Take digital x-rays of all your teeth
  • Take digital photographs of your teeth and your smile
  • Assess the fit and function of your teeth and any dental work.
  • Complete a periodontal exam (exam of your gum tissue and supporting structures)
  • Screen for oral cancer
  • Discuss aesthetic concerns and propose possible solutions
  • Discuss sedation options with anxious patients

Dr. Brescia will sit with you and discuss all of her findings and answer any questions. She will take the time to fully explain your options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the treatments. You will have all the information you need to decide what treatment options are best for you.

Preventative Hygiene

You can keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing and flossing regularly, However, most people need hard deposits of tartar or calculus removed with scaling to prevent gum disease. Gum disease includes gingivitis and periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue and bone that holds a tooth in the mouth. At Alpine Dental we monitor every single patient for gum disease because we want to catch problems early, before irreversible changes occur, which can lead to tooth loss. Scaling removes plaque, hard deposits of calculus and bacterial deposits which cause gum disease. With the aid of a periodontal exam (examination of the gums and supporting structures) and discussion with you, your hygienist will determine the appropriate frequency for you. Most people need scaling every 6 months, but patients with gum disease may need more frequent cleanings.

Signs of gum disease include:

  • Red, puffy gums
  • Gums that bleed with brushing or flossing
  • Receding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth or spaces developing between the teeth
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Our hygienists go above and beyond in terms of providing meticulous care and also the most comfortable treatment possible. Getting rid of the plaque and calculus gives your gums a chance to get better so that periodontal infection doesn’t worsen, leading to irreversible changes such as bone loss. They use a combination of hand scaling, technology such as ultrasonic cleaners with a gentle water flow and a soft tissue laser. The concentrated light of our diode laser can be used in deep pockets around the teeth to kill bacteria and promote healing. We want to ensure your teeth and gums stay free of disease and also look their most beautiful.

Our dental hygienist will:

  • Update your periodontal (gum) exam at appropriate intervals
  • Explain all treatment plans carefully and the impact of your dental health on your overall health
  • Provide gentle and effective treatments
  • Treat gum disease using deep scaling and root planning
  • Provide teeth whitening when requested
  • Offer dietary advice with regards to dental health
  • Discuss effective hygiene products that are most appropriate for you: floss, tooth pastes, electric toothbrushes, and other hygiene aids
  • Offer anesthetic for more comfortable appointments

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.

White Fillings

Many people want their existing, older amalgam fillings (silver) replaced with white ones. Tooth coloured fillings have come a long way in recent years. The strength and longevity of composite fillings is comparable to that of silver fillings, but they have much improved esthetics. After an exam with x-rays, Dr. Brescia can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this with you. Removal of old amalgam fillings is a simple procedure. The composite material used is a mixture of tooth coloured resin with clear glass particles to make it strong. The material comes in many shades and a skilled dentist can place natural looking fillings that are not noticeable when you smile. No one will ever know that you had a cavity. Other advantages are that they do not contain mercury and require very conservative tooth preparation compared to silver fillings.

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.

Implants

Implants are the most advanced therapy available to replace missing teeth. They are also one of the most predictable and longest lasting forms of dental work we can provide, making them cost effective in the long term. In many cases, getting an implant is a one-time cost in your lifetime. It is also a very conservative procedure as there is no need to touch adjacent teeth with a drill. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, many teeth in one area, or to support a denture that can replace all of the teeth in the top or bottom jaw. Implants are also a great option for people who have trouble with dentures, as implants can be used to lock their denture into place in the mouth. The benefit of implants is to build back your smile, helping you to speak and chew properly.

Implants are tiny titanium posts that are inserted into the bone under your gums to act as artificial roots. A crown that looks like a natural tooth is then placed on top of the implant. Titanium is a completely biocompatible material, the same material used in artificial hips, which allows the surrounding tissues to heal well.

People are scared at the thought of dental implants, thinking it will be a long, painful procedure. It is actually quite a simple procedure with very minimal discomfort. To place the implant into the bone under the gums, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic (freezing). Afterwards patients are usually surprised at how little discomfort there is during healing. Long term care of implants is routine, just requiring the same care as natural teeth.

Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. It is best to book an appointment with Dr. Brescia for an exam to discuss treatment optons and to determine if you would be a good candidate.

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.

Sport Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are an essential piece of sports equipment whenever bodily contact is possible, whether it is in causal recreational sport activities, or full contact, hard-hitting sports such as football. Most people think a mouth guard's main purpose is to protect the teeth, but they also aid in preventing concussions and injury to the jaw joint, lips, tongue, and neck. Stock mouth guards, sometimes called "boil and bite" mouth guards are not recommended by Dr. Brescia due to poor fit, non-uniform thickness, or inadequate coverage. Dr. Brescia can make you a custom mouth guard that fits precisely so is more comfortable, meaning you will be more likely to use it. Quality mouth guards are relatively inexpensive and can prevent injury and so the need for costly dental treatments. The better quality the mouth guard is, the more supportive it will be and the lower the risk of injury.

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

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