While preventative and restorative treatments are our preferred approach, there are many occasions where a tooth extraction is necessary. Should a tooth be cracked, broken diseased or otherwise damaged, an extraction can present the best option.

Additionally, an extraction may be performed in preparation for further dental work – for example, dentures, bridges or dental implants – or to address overcrowding in the mouth. Wisdom teeth extraction is often the result of the emerging teeth becoming impacted or protruding at the wrong angles

Extractions are a common procedure that, most often with local, can be performed while the patient experiences little discomfort.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth extraction is a very common procedure. The surgery may be a result of the wisdom teeth being impacted, protruding at the wrong angle, or overcrowding the mouth. Our dental professionals will be in a position to assess your wisdom teeth and advise in advance of any potential issues, and the best course of action to take.

Root canal work, or endodontic dentistry, is conducted on the root and soft tissue beneath the tooth. Root canal procedures may be needed even when the upper portion of the tooth appears normal and healthy, but disease, damage or infection is evident is the softer root below. As this area contains connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves, it’s necessary for the dentist to have undertaken additional specialist education in order to perform this work.

Root canal treatment can require two visits to our clinic and uses local anesthetic to maintain the patient’s comfort throughout the procedure.

Should any of the following symptoms become persistent, it may be a sign of a problem with a root, and as such we’d recommend that you contact us to schedule a checkup.

• Sensitivity to hot or cold food or drinks
• Sensitivity when applying pressure to the top of the tooth
• Pain experienced in or beneath the tooth while eating or chewing
• Swelling in the face
• Toothache that prevents sleep

A filling is needed to restore or repair a tooth that has become cracked or broken, or when decay has created a cavity. The dentist will use a light drill to remove the decayed area and create a smooth space into which the filling will be secured. When the space has been cleaned, the white composite or silver amalgam is fitted, shaped, smoothed and hardened, before being given a final polish. Fillings are a highly common procedure, performed in a single appointment and often at time of diagnosis.

Toothache is often the first sign of a cavity that may require a filling, but tooth decay is not always so obvious or visible to the naked eye. Regular checkups, and diagnostic examinations including dental X-Rays make sure that decay is caught at the earliest opportunity.

White and silver fillings
The patient has the choice of using the popular white composite filling to match the colour and natural look of the tooth, or the more traditional silver amalgam, which can be more conspicuous. White fillings tend to be used when the cavity is in a more visible area of the mouth, but silver amalgam remains an available option to patients when the cavity is in less visible areas like the back. White composite filings are strong and durable and, like all fillings, can be expected to last for many years.

A bi-annual visit to the hygienist goes a long way to maintaining good oral health all year round. Our hygienists provide a complete clean that includes flossing, cleaning and polishing. An oral X-ray may also be needed to assess potential or emerging issues such as tooth decay. But it’s always worth remembering that the best oral hygiene begins and ends at home, with twice-daily brushing and nightly flossing.

Why see a hygienist
Failure to effectively remove the plaque-causing bacteria from your mouth during homebrushing and flossing can lead to plaque, over time, hardening to create tartar where the tooth meets the gum. Tartar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease (periodontal disease).

Dental Hygiene Visits
A visit to our dental hygienist is a rewarding experience that leaves you feeling fresh and healthy. The session includes an initial oral examination of your teeth and gums, followed by a thorough clean to remove plaque and calculus, and finally a polish.

If necessary, the dentist may take an X-Ray of your teeth, the results of which will be reviewed with you. If any further action is needed, the hygienist will be able to let you know at that time, while also offering suggestions regarding the best dental practices for you at home.

Regular visits to the hygienist – every 6 months is normal – are the best way to ensure good oral hygiene and health is maintained through the year.

More often referred to simply as bad breath, there can be several reasons why people suffer from halitosis. The good news is that all of them are treatable. From oral bacteria to gum disease, tooth decay to digestive system and throat issues can all play their part in creating halitosis. One of the most common causes is plaque build-up, which can be countered with good brushing and flossing techniques. Smoking and alcohol consumption can both add significantly to the cause.

Halitosis Treatment
We treat halitosis by first identifying the cause of the problem. That way, we’re getting to the bottom of the problem and avoid short term solutions that don’t last. Whether bad oral hygiene is to blame, requiring a degree of patient education on cleaning techniques, or a tooth decay or gum disease issue that needs more comprehensive treatment, we promote a prevention-first approach, and apply a cure when necessary.

Habit breaking appliances are designed to prevent the negative effects of habits such as thumb-sucking and finger biting, and conditions like sleep apnea. While most young children will grow out of their habit within the first few years, if the behaviour persists beyond around the age of five or six, it can impact tooth alignment and jaw development.
Appliances can be fixed or removable, and each is customized to the patient.

Thumb Sucking
While most young children will grow out of the habit of thumb sucking within the first few years, if the behaviour persists beyond around the age of five, it can impact tooth alignment and jaw development. An overbite or protrusion can affect the upper teeth while the lower front teeth may be forced backwards over time, having a greater impact on bite.

A thumb guard or Mandibular Advancement Device is a dental appliance designed to prevent the habit being performed and break the cycle of behaviour. Attached to the child’s mouth using orthodontic bands, it is worn full-time for the duration of the treatment.

Sleep Apnea / Snoring is very common and easily treated condition that affects both the patient, and often their partner, due to frequent and loud snoring. Sleep apnea affects a person’s breathing during sleep, resulting in interrupted or shallow breathing spells, and preventing the deep, restorative sleep we all need.

Benefits of treating sleep apnea
Improve the quality of sleep
Lower the frequency and loudness of snoring
Reduce interruptions to sleep

Several dental appliances are available to treat sleep apnea – more commonly called snoring – and can be fitted by your dentist.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) or night-guard is the most common dental device used to treat sleep apnea. The MAD has the familiar look of a sports mouth guard, and works by slightly altering the position of the jaw in order to maintain and open airway.

Tongue Retraining Device (TRD) is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway as open as possible