Dentistry Blog
January 18th, 2012
Your recovery from dental implant surgery will depend on the type of dental implant you choose, and your body’s natural ability to heal. For standard dental implants, this process can take up to one year. This is because the implants need to integrate into your jawbone before they can act as a sufficient replacement for your new false tooth. Dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth only when your body accepts them as a new tooth root. This takes some time, but offers the most reliable and permanent results.
Mini Implants
New advancements in dental implant technology have brought about mini implants. Mini implants can be placed without surgically cutting gum tissue, which reduces healing time and allows for much faster results. With mini implants, it is possible to walk into our office with ill-fitting dentures, and walk out with a secure, seamless smile.
No one procedure is ideal for every patient. During your initial consultation with Dr. Cload, your options along with your expected recovery time will be discussed with you in full.
If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and would like more information about dental implants, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule an initial consultation today.
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December 5th, 2011
Are you afraid of the dentist? You’re not alone. In fact, recent studies have found as much as 30 percent of the population avoids seeing a dentist for general dental services due to fear and anxiety. If 30 percent of the population is afraid of receiving general dental services, logical extension would suggest that at least 30 percent are also afraid of receiving cosmetic dental treatments. This is unfortunate on many levels.
The quality of your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A healthy, bright, appealing smile can go a long way in making a good first impression, as well as lending itself to feeling healthier and more attractive. But what can be done about those kinds of fears?
Sedation Dentistry
At Southcentre Dental Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, we are pleased to offer our patients the option of sedation dentistry. With a sedation dentistry procedure, Dr. Cload can help you feel completely relaxed and comfortable during even the most involved dental procedures. Using only safe and effective methods, Dr. Cload will work closely with you to determine the type and amount of sedation appropriate for your particular case.
If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and fear of the dentist has kept you from getting the dental care you need, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic to discuss your options for sedation dentistry today.
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December 1st, 2011
One of the ways we keep you at optimal health is by protecting against the bacterial assault that occurs daily in your mouth. For many patients, even with healthy mouths, this requires getting cleanings three times a year instead of two.
Why do insurance companies only cover two cleanings? The concept of getting dental cleanings twice a year stemmed from toothpaste advertising campaigns back in the 1930′s and 40′s which promoted getting dental check up and cleanings every 6 months. The dental insurance companies adopted that regimen into their coverage in the 1950′s and unfortunately, have not changed their stance since. That is surprising considering that 80% of the adult population suffers from periodontal disease.
So why do you need three cleanings? You may not. The number of cleanings you require per year depends on you and no one else. Some patients see our hygienists four times per year and some will see them four times in a month initially to get their gum and supporting bones to a state of health before we can even decide on a yearly hygiene frequency. Not even hygienists and dentists can always get away with twice a year cleanings. No one can get at every surface of their teeth to remove problems. This includes the bad bacteria which contribute to the build-up, bad breath and the formation of gum disease. The accumulation depends on your personal hygiene habits, genetic disposition, mineral content in your saliva and diet. You can, however, fight the build up of tartar, bacteria and their toxins by having more frequent cleanings.
What we know about the bad bacteria is that it takes about three months to establish a colony in your mouth and by the fourth month, they are in full production of the bi-products or toxins that attack your enamel and gums. By doing three cleanings a year, we are able to interrupt this cycle and keep you at optimal health. It also allows for early detection of any possible decay formation which now (with the help of some technologically advanced products), we can reverse.
So what should I do? Try to not let your insurance coverage dictate your cleaning intervals. We strive to consider all factors that affect your dental health and make our recommendations with the ultimate goal of total health and wellness for you. We understand that this means you might have to pay out of pocket for the additional cleaning, and so we give our recommendation based on your risks and let you make the choice! Come see us for your regularly scheduled cleaning and we’ll be happy to make an assessment and recommendation for you! Contact us today.
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November 18th, 2011
Veneers are, without a doubt, modern dentistry’s best way to replicate nature. That is always the goal of cosmetic dentistry- to replicate nature, not try to improve upon it. Porcelain veneers are not the only option for changing one’s smile but are commonly used when a patient wants to gain a lot of control of their smile (change color, size, shape, etc).
The advantages to porcelain veneers are:
- Aesthetics: Porcelain is our most ‘natural’ looking enamel replacement material because it replicates many of the same properties as enamel. For example, enamel has a property called translucency (where light can enter and be reflected back out). Porcelain has that same characteristic and can be varied by the master ceramist to blend with the surrounding teeth.
- Durability: Porcelain veneers are bonded to the underlying tooth structure. Because of this, there is a chemical adhesion to the tooth and the veneer on a microscopic level. Done correctly and precisely, this bonded procedure can last upwards of 2o years.
- Lack of staining: Unlike bonding or natural teeth, porcelain veneers do not really stain because of the material (essentially a glass ceramic). Additionally, porcelain veneers are glazed in an oven as the final process in their fabrication so this prevents (or minimizes) staining.
- Strength: Besides using metal in your mouth, porcelain systems today are the strongest materials we have.
Nothing in dentistry is perfect though. There are some disadvantages associated with porcelain veneers:
- Cost: Porcelain veneers are expensive. Veneers range in quality across the board, just like most products we buy. For example, just like in automobiles, you may want to buy a sub-compact car or a high-end luxury sedan. Porcelain veneers are typically no different in that you get what you pay for. The price they can range from is $700 – $2000 per tooth. This does not mean that you can’t get quality at $700 nor does it guarantee a $2000 veneer is going to be perfect. This is why it is so important to look at the “before and after” results of the dentist you are considering to make sure they’re qualified to meet your expectations.
- Invasive: Porcelain veneers are typically more invasive to the enamel than other options (for example, tooth bonding is less invasive.) Even at a minimal thickness of 0.3mm, without a little tooth reduction, the tooth could appear bulky. There are situations, though, where the tooth does not require any reduction (i.e. drilling).
- Not stronger than enamel: It’s a myth that porcelain is good for people who have chipped or broken their teeth through grinding (or chewing ice, etc). Porcelain is not stronger than enamel. So basically anything that could chip or break a natural tooth will do the same to porcelain. In many instances, we mandate a night-guard in our cases to ensure protection on your investment.
Porcelain veneers can be a great investment, if they are the right option for you. Contact our office for a free consultation and find out if porcelain veneers are right for you!
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November 7th, 2011
Flossing is an important step in any proper dental hygiene routine. Many people skip flossing under the assumption that brushing alone is adequate to remove food and plaque from their teeth. However, avoiding this necessary step will result in an increased risk for gum disease and tooth decay, which may result in invasive and avoidable dental procedures.
Why Flossing Matters
Your tooth brush is incapable of removing food and buildup from between your teeth. Small particles of food that cannot be seen remain in between your teeth even after you brush. Left in place, these particles along with plaque buildup combine to slowly eat away your tooth enamel.
Plaque is a natural byproduct of every food and beverage you consume. Plaque takes a mere 24 hours to turn into tartar, which is not only harder to remove, but it serves to secure bacteria onto your teeth. Providing a protective shell for bacteria, they can begin deteriorating your tooth enamel, leading to decay and infection. Only flossing can remove plaque and food from in between your teeth before it has a chance to turn into tartar and becomes a serious dental concern.
Flossing is a simple process that takes less than two minutes a day. During your biannual visits to our Calgary, Alberta office, one of our experienced dental hygienists will discuss proper flossing with you to help make this important daily practice that much easier.
If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and would like to learn more about proper dental hygiene, please contact Dr. Steven Cload to Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule an appointment today.
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November 1st, 2011
Menopause becomes part of a woman’s life. Many women worry about osteoporosis and will visit their doctor for treatment options to prevent that from occurring.
There have been many forms of medication in the past that were prescribed for these bone conditions. For the last decade or so, the major drug of choice has been some form of Bisphosphonates drug. Examples include Floramax, Boniva, Actonel, Didronel, and Reclast. Some of these drugs are also used to treat other bone diseases like Paget’s Disease, as well as some forms of cancer. These drugs do wonders for maintaining the bone levels of women in their postmenopausal years.
However, there are always side effects with any drug we take and it is important to know those serious side effects, especially on medication that is taken on a daily basis for long periods of time.
Bisphosphonates are no different. The drugs work by affecting the bone cells, called osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which means they slow or stop the natural process that dissolves bone tissue, resulting in maintained or increased bone density. So why is all this important for your mouth and jaws?
For those who take the Bisphosphonates, there is a risk of what is called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition in which the bone is dying. For patients who take the pill form, it is important to understand that based on the information currently available, the risk for developing bone osteonecrosis is low. Preventing osteonecrosis of the jaw is very important to dentists when treating patients during oral surgery, tooth extractions, gum and bone disease, dental implants, and root canals. The best form of treatment is prevention. You are likely at low risk, but it is important for us to know you are on these medications so we can make sure you maintain a good clean bill of dental health. So, when your dentist asks if you are on any new medications, let them know.
If you think you will be on a Bisphosphonates drug in the near future, or if you already are on one, give us a call so we can do a thorough dental examination and treat any conditions you may have early, to avoid any need to worry about osteonecrosis of the bone.
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