Family Dentistry in Stony Plain
Trackside Dental is proud to offer preventative and restorative options for our patients throughout the Stony Plain area. Our comprehensive family dentistry treatments include:
Dental Exams and Cleanings
Regular dental exams are a critical part of ensuring good oral health and overall health. Dental exams are typically recommended every 6 – 12 months; however, it may vary according to patient needs. Before an exam, the dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth, allowing the dentist to properly assess the health and function of your teeth. X-rays are also taken during your dental exam. X-rays help diagnose cavities and other oral problems, including abscesses, cysts, bone loss, and poor tooth and root positions.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is composed of the diagnosis of the disease and the management and treatment of oral conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and jaws. The dentist will restore the functional and aesthetic requirements of the dentition. Some things included in restorative dentistry are crowns, dental bridges, cosmetic dentures, dental implants, and fillings. Our main goal in restorative dentistry is to conserve tooth structure, improve appearance, improve functionality, and improve oral health.
Fillings
Fillings are used in areas of decay (cavities) in order to prevent further damage from harmful bacteria. Typically, composite bonding material is used for this restorative procedure as it matches our existing tooth color. Amalgam is another material that can also be used to restore a tooth or teeth with cavities.
Crowns
If a tooth is severely decayed or broken a crown may be placed to save the existing tooth structure. A crown is a ‘cap’ that goes over the top of the existing tooth structure in order to protect it. This improves the strength and appearance of the tooth. Crowns can be made of all-metal, such as gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or all-porcelain.
Bridges
Bridges are an option for patients with missing teeth. They replace one or more missing teeth. Dental crowns are attached to teeth adjacent to the gap where a tooth was lost. It bridges the gaps between teeth by placing a replacement tooth in the gap.
Root Canals
Root canals are used to treat an infected tooth. This procedure eliminates the infection by cleaning the pulp and the nerve out of the tooth and filling it with an inert filling material. This protects the tooth from further damage and will eliminate tooth pain caused by the infection.
Extractions
If a tooth has been broken or damaged by trauma or decay and it is not possible to save with other restorative dentistry techniques, such as fillings, crowns, or root canal treatment, then the dentist will extract or remove the tooth from its socket in the bone. This is usually done only if the damage to the tooth is too extreme to be repaired.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of the teeth, gums, and smile. The outcome of cosmetic dentistry is aesthetically pleasing based on the patient’s needs and preferences by improving the colour, position, shape, size, alignment, and overall smile appearance. Bleaching/whitening and veneers are some of the common forms of cosmetic dentistry.
Bleaching or Whitening
There are two main types of tooth stain: extrinsic stain and intrinsic stain. Extrinsic stain, which is caused by smoking, aging, drinking soda, coffee, tea, and red wine, can be effectively removed with bleaching and whitening trays. An impression of your teeth will be taken for a custom-fitted whitening tray and you will be provided with a supply of whitening gel to take home. This is a less invasive alternative to in-office whitening which is recommended. However, not all stain, for example, intrinsic stain, is as easy or possible to remove. Consult Dr. Lemoine to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is placed on the front surface of the tooth to protect it and improve its aesthetic.
Dental Hygiene Therapy
Receiving regular dental hygiene therapy is key to maintaining your oral health. Our dental hygienists will not only help you keep your teeth clean but also ensure the health of your gums and bone. Dental hygiene therapy takes a preventative approach by thoroughly examining your teeth and gums. It helps to detect oral conditions and problems early. The dental hygienist will work with you to create a treatment plan in order to ensure the oral disease does not progress.
Periodontal Maintenance
If a patient already has gum disease, the dentist and the dental hygienist will custom make your treatment plan in order to stabilize the disease and prevent further progression.
Fluoride Treatment
There are a variety of different fluoride treatments that may be used on patients who are considered to be at a high risk for cavities and decay. These include fluoride varnishes, gels, rinses, and foams. Fluoride helps strengthen the tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to the acidic food that we eat and the bacteria that are found in our dental plaque. Fluoride is recommended for high-risk patients in order to prevent further decay and strengthen the teeth.
Mouth and Night Guards
A mouth guard is a protective appliance that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, most often used in sports such as hockey. It is custom fitted and ensured to fit perfectly. A night guard is also a custom-fit appliance that patients wear at night if they are clenchers or grinders. This helps prevent fractures or wear in the teeth and can help with jaw issues caused by clenching and grinding.
X-rays
X-rays are a diagnostic tool which allows the dentist to assess the oral condition and diagnose cavities, inter-proximal decay, and other oral diseases, including abscesses, cysts, bone loss, and poor tooth and root positions.
We sell electric toothbrushes, but you also get a free toothbrush with every cleaning and check-up – call us or email us today to set up your next appointment!
