Procedures

Helping patients maintain their oral health through disease prevention and restorative care is the cornerstone of our practice. We make it our goal to provide each of our patients with attentive, individualized care as we help them achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the services we offer, our dental care team is available to answer your questions. Please feel free to contact us today.

• » General and Preventive Dentistry
• » Tooth-Coloured Fillings
• » Crowns
• » Bridges
• » Full and Partial Dentures
• » Dental Implants
• » Sedation Dentistry

General and Preventive Dentistry

One of the best ways to avoid encountering serious problems with your teeth and gums is to receive regular dental care. We recommend that people see a dentist at least every six months for a check-up and a professional cleaning.

When patients visit us for a cleaning, we provide them with the information they need to maintain a healthy smile. Our dental care team also utilizes digital radiography to detect and treat early forms of tooth decay in order to prevent serious dental complications from occurring in the future.

Tooth-Coloured Fillings

A tooth-coloured filling is a great option for patients who suffer from tooth decay and wish to retain the natural appearance of their teeth. Because they are white rather than silver, tooth-coloured fillings make it nearly impossible for others to tell that you’ve had any dental work done.

The tooth-coloured resin is first applied in layers and hardened using a high-intensity light. The dentist then shapes the material to the exact contour of your tooth. The procedure is complete after the dentist polishes the tooth to prevent premature wear or staining.

The composite resin reinforces tooth structure and insulates the tooth against extreme changes in temperature, which means that you will be able to enjoy your favorite beverages without pain or discomfort. When placed in smaller cavities, tooth-coloured fillings usually last as long as silver fillings; for larger fillings, an inlay or onlay may be the best option.

Click here to view before and after images of patients treated with tooth-coloured fillings.

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Crowns

Dental crowns, also known as “caps,” are custom-fitted restorations designed to return strength and beauty to teeth that have become severely damaged. Made of durable materials, crowns can also reduce the chance of injury to existing teeth by improving the functional stability of the entire treatment area.

To place a dental crown, the dentist first reduces the size of the damaged tooth to accommodate the new restoration, which must fit securely over the natural tooth. A mold is then made of the patient’s teeth and sent to a lab where a technician creates the crown according to exact specifications. This process usually takes a couple of weeks to complete. During this time, the patient wears a temporary restoration created during their original appointment.

Due to the customized nature of the fabrication process, the “capped” tooth is virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth. With proper care, a dental crown can last a long time.

To see how a crown can enhance your smile, please visit our photo gallery to view the before and after photos of patients fitted with custom restorations.

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Bridges

A fixed bridge is an excellent solution for gaps created by missing teeth. A bridge consists of two crowns connected by an artificial tooth. When the crowns are placed over the teeth surrounding the gap, the artificial tooth fills in the empty space, helping to create a full, attractive smile. Once they are in place, bridges fit comfortably and securely, so there is no need to worry that they will accidentally fall out.

In addition to improving your appearance and the structural integrity of your smile, bridges also reduce your chance of developing gum disease and bite problems, both of which often result from gaps left by missing teeth.

You can see the ways in which a bridge can benefit your smile by visiting our photo gallery to view the before and after photos of patients fitted with custom restorations.

If you are interested in finding out more about bridges or any of our other services, please contact our office today to speak with one of our dental care professionals.

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Full and Partial Dentures

Dentures enable people who have lost some or all of their teeth to once again smile with confidence. Dentures can make chewing and speaking easier, as well as eliminate the “collapsed” look caused by missing teeth. At our practice, we offer full and partial dentures to accommodate the needs of various patients.

Full Dentures are designed for individuals who have only a few or no healthy teeth remaining in their mouth. Full dentures will provide you with a warm, natural looking smile that you can enjoy for many years to come. These dentures utilize the muscles of the tongue, cheeks, and lips for comfortable positioning and stability.

Conventional dentures are placed after a patient’s gums have healed following the extraction of any remaining teeth. Patients who are reluctant to be without teeth during the healing process can have their dentures placed immediately after the extraction of their remaining teeth. Dr. Papadopoulos will help you figure out which type of denture placement is best suited for you needs.

Although dentures may initially make it difficult to eat certain foods and pronounce certain words, with a little practice, you will be able to enjoy most foods and have little trouble pronouncing even the most difficult words.

Partial Dentures are an excellent option for people who wish to fill the spaces left by multiple missing teeth. Unlike full dentures, partial dentures are anchored in place by clasps or hidden devices called precision attachments. Because they fit snugly and comfortably between existing teeth, partial dentures can eliminate discomfort associated with biting and chewing, as well as improve speech impediments caused by missing teeth. These Dentures also provide the support necessary to prevent teeth from shifting and causing gum damage.

Partial dentures are composed of prosthetic teeth, usually plastic, set in pink or gum-coloured bases joined by a metal frame. These dentures are customized to match the size, shape, and color of your existing teeth to give you a full, natural looking smile.

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent solution for patients who are embarrassed by gaps in their smile or unhappy about having to avoid certain foods for fear their dentures will become loose. A dental implant is a special, biocompatible fixture that is placed in the jaw and used to support restorations like artificial teeth, bridges, or dentures. A small post, called an abutment, serves as a point of contact between the implant base and the restoration.

In addition to enhancing one’s appearance, dental implants can eliminate much of the discomfort associated with eating and even improve speech. Because dental implants are permanently fixed in the jaw, they will not accidentally fall out. Dental implants can therefore provide patients with peace of mind that removable teeth replacements cannot offer.

The entire dental implant process requires two or three visits over a period of three to six months. During the first visit, the implant is placed in the jaw. The post and replacement teeth are placed during subsequent visits.

Implant dentistry is increasing in popularity, with tens of thousands of procedures being performed annually. If you are missing teeth or are no longer able to wear removable dentures, dental implants may be able to provide you with the confidence that comes from having a healthy, beautiful smile. Contact us today to find out if dental implants are right for you.

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Sedation Dentistry

Many people become uneasy at the thought of visiting the dentist’s office. The sight and sound of the drills and other dental devices may provoke feelings of anxiety and distress. However, by staying away from the dentist and avoiding treatment, people will inevitably develop dental problems that will be exacerbated by the lack of professional care. In the end, patients will require more extensive treatment than if they had maintained regular dental care.

Thankfully, sedation dentistry enables many individuals to receive the care they need without the worry or discomfort they usually associate with the dentist. At our office, we use oral medications to ensure that our patients with dental anxiety are calm and comfortable throughout their entire appointment.

The medication usually takes effect about an hour after being ingested. Patients enter into a deep state of relaxation, during which time they can safely undergo dental treatment without fear or stress. We recommend that patients who receive sedation dentistry have someone with them to drive them home after their treatment is complete.

If you would like to find out if you can benefit from sedation dentistry, please contact our office to speak with a member of our dental care team.

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