Dental Implants
Implants are indicated whenever at least one tooth is missing. If the missing space(s) is not filled, the teeth surrounding the space often drift, the opposing teeth in the other arch will erupt further into the oral cavity (hypereruption) which can change your bite, bone erosion can occur in the area, and even changes in speech might occur. The popularity of implants has increased steadily over the years.
Implants are designed to replace the root of a missing tooth and can be used to support crowns, bridges, or dentures. The root-form implant is the most common type and basically consists of three main components:
Implant screw - This part of the implant is made of titanium and is surgically placed in the bone. Titanium is accepted by the body extremely well and fuses with the bone (called osseointegration) during the healing process.
Abutment - This is a metal collar that attaches to the top of the implant screw and is the base for a crown, bridge, or denture.
Crown - The crown is the manufactured tooth that fits on top of the abutment. Bridges and dentures can also be secured to the abutment. The placement of the crown, bridge, or denture is the final step of the implant process.
Dentures
Dentures are divided into two main categories: complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures are designed to replace the teeth in an entire arch when all the teeth are missing.
Partial dentures are used when there are still teeth present in the arch.
Complete and partial dentures can provide patients with a functional replacement when teeth have been lost.
Complete dentures consist of an acrylic base to imitate gum tissue, and the teeth that can be made of acrylic or porcelain. The denture base is made to closely fit the contours of the arch to ensure the denture is stable during normal oral functions such as eating, speaking, or swallowing.
Partial dentures can be made with a metal framework and teeth attached in the areas where the teeth are missing. The metal framework also has clasps or arms that extend out and fit around some of the existing teeth. The combination of the framework and the arms that wrap around some of the teeth keep the partial denture stable during normal oral functions.
There are a lot of indications for the patients wearing dentures in order to maintain the health of oral tissues. The dentist will provide all necessary information for patient education.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Our practice offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry options to provide each patient with individual dental care to achieve our goal of improving or maintaining the appearance of your smile.
Digital X-rays
Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging, where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include time efficiency through bypassing chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Also less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional radiography.
Digital Radiography (DR) or (DX) is essentially filmless X-ray image capture. In place of X-ray film, a digital image capture device is used to record the X-ray image and make it available as a digital file that can be presented for interpretation and saved as part of the patient’s medical record. The advantages of DR over film include immediate image preview and availability, a wider dynamic range which makes it more forgiving for over- and under-exposure as well as the ability to apply special image processing techniques that enhance overall display of the image. The largest motivator for healthcare facilities to adopt DR is its potential to reduce costs associated with processing, managing and storing films. Typically there are two variants of digital image capture devices. These devices include Flat Panel detectors (FPDs), and High Density Line Scan Solid State detectors.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy is an indispensable procedure in treatment of teeth that are severely decayed, infected, or broken. Root canal therapy can maintain your teeth life for more years, saving them from extraction.
The dentist will access the pulp chamber in the crown of the tooth and will reveal the root canals contained in the roots of the tooth. The infected nerve is removed and the canals are shaped using special files to smooth the walls and ensure no pulp tissue or infection is left. The canals are then filled with a special material that seals off the root canals.
A root canal is part of a naturally occurring space within a tooth that consists of the pulp chamber, the main canal, and more intricate anatomical branches that may connect the root canals to each other or to the surface of the root. The smaller branches are most frequently found near the root end (apex) but may be encountered anywhere along the root length.
Unfortunately, after root canal therapy the tooth often becomes brittle. To protect the tooth from fracture, it is recommended that a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy be restored with a crown.
Because of the complexity and difficulty of root canal therapy (due to multiple configurations and particularities of root canal in each individual) this treatment is always a challenge for the dentist. Sometimes is necessary to refer the patient to endodontists specialized in root canal therapy.
Fillings
Modern dentistry has allowed us to combine beauty as well as strength when filling teeth. Restorations are close to their original strength and appearance with composite resins and other modern materials. The patient comfort is always the main priority of the dental team, leading to a positive experience.
Fillings (restorations) are used to replace tooth structure that is decayed. Caries can be detected through direct observation or x-rays. Fillings are also used to repair fractured, broken, or severely worn teeth.
The dentist will proceed to cavity preparation, removing any remaining decay and shaping the final cavity. The next step will be the addition of composite-resin filling material, cured (hardened) after with a curing light. The final step will be polishing the filling to adapt it smoothly to the natural shape of the tooth.
Composite fillings are very aesthetic restorations since they are available in natural shades matching tooth color. They are also being tolerated perfectly by all the patients. In some cases cavity preparation could become very large for usual fillings and the dentist will recommend an inlay or an onlay (partial crown), restorations designed to replace more tooth structure. Those restorations are made in a dental laboratory after the dentist has taken you an impression of the preparation. The final placement of inlay or onlay will be made in a second visit at the dental office.
Fillings do not last forever so it is essential that you visit the dentist regularly for further examinations. Fillings can develop cracks or simply wear down due to chewing forces.
The dentist monitor the integrity of your fillings during regular exams and will recommend replacing a filling if a problem is detected.
Extractions
Dental extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons.
Tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration is the most frequent indication for extraction of teeth.
Other indications are related to impacted or problematic wisdom teeth and also to make space for orthodontic treatment in some particular cases.
Oral Surgery
Oral Surgery is the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and neck.
It involves, but is not limited to: wisdom teeth removal, apicoectomy, TMJ disorder, facial trauma, corrective jaw surgery, oral pathology, dental implants, osseous tissue surgery, anesthesia and bone grafts.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in Canadian adults. Good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations are essential in prevention and early detection of gum disease – which sometimes developing without any warning signs.
The inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone, and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis (gums disease) and periodontitis (gums and bone disease) are the two main forms of periodontal disease also called gum disease or pyorrhea.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common infections today. More than 75% of North Americans over 35 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. Although many are infected, few know they actually have the disease. In a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms.
Crowns & Bridges
When teeth are heavily decayed they may be too weak to survive with just a filling. By placing a crown, a tooth may be given a new lease of life. Even when a single tooth is lost a denture may not be required as a bridge can be made which spans the gap with a tooth attached to those next to the space. Sometimes when a single small tooth is lost at the front of the mouth a simple bridge can be made which has 'wings' that are glued to the back of the adjacent teeth. This results in less tooth being damaged by the drill.
Veneers
Veneers are routinely used to cover teeth which are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned. Veneers are used for many of the same reasons as bonding but they involve a different procedure.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin that measure less than 1.5mm thickness. First, the dentist will prepare your tooth and then take an impression of the prepared tooth, possibly place a temporary filling in the space, and send the impression to a dental laboratory to have the veneers manufactured.
The veneer is then cemented into place. Although veneers are more expensive and time-consuming than bonding, they are less expensive and conserve tooth structure when compared to crowns.
Typically veneers are difficult to stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.
Bonding
Composite bonding can work wonders for your smile. Using materials that match the shade, translucency and the texture of your teeth, gaps between teeth can be closed, spots and discolorations can be eliminated, and your self-confidence can be enhanced through the improved appearance of your smile.
The dentist will match the shade of your existing teeth and then tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth much like the filling procedure.
The procedure is sometimes referred to as bonding because an adhesive agent is used to actually bond the resin to the tooth structure.
The resin is hardened (cured) with a curing light and then shaped, contoured, and polished to give a cosmetic and natural appearance. Bonding is the least expensive cosmetic procedure and can be completed during a single dental visit.
Composite bonding is excellent for small defects in the teeth -- spots, chips, or gaps between teeth. For smile alterations involving an entire tooth or multiple teeth, porcelain is the material of choice.
Meet Our Team
The professionals at Dentistry @ Smiths Falls maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education. Meet them here: