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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

TMD and Headaches

One of the most frequently overlooked causes of chronic headaches is TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD pulls and strains the muscles in your jaw, which can result in increased tension that leads to chronic, debilitating headaches. Left untreated, this disorder will continue to strain your muscles and produce severe headaches.

Calgary dentist Dr. Steven Cload has years of experience in detecting TMD. Once detected, Dr. Cload can offer you several options for TMD treatment that are directed at the source of your problem, and not just on fixing the side effects. Chronic headaches will interfere with every aspect of your life. Through a simple TMD evaluation at our comfortable Calgary office, you can address the source of your headaches, and begin living a life free of intense, debilitating pain.

If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and suffer from chronic headaches, please contact Dr. Cload at Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule a TMD evaluation today.

A beautiful smile brings so many benefits. When you’re proud of your teeth, you will probably smile more.  This makes people feel more comfortable around you and gives you more confidence. For these reasons, many patients with crooked, crowded or stained teeth come see us  for two of our most popular cosmetic dentistry services that address these problems: veneers and Invisalign® clear braces. Making the choice between veneers or Invisalign® you need to consider several factors.

• Extent of problems: If you have crooked or uneven teeth in several areas of your mouth, or if current crowding is likely to lead to problems in other areas of your mouth, then you’re probably better off using Invisalign® trays to permanently correct those problems.
• Time investment: Veneers are a much more immediate solution. Whereas veneers can give you a completely new smile in a couple of weeks, most of our Invisalign® patients wear their trays between 1 and 2 years before their teeth are in correct alignment.
• Cost: The overall cost of your dental restoration will vary depending on the extent of the problems, as discussed above. Veneers  are generally more costly than Invisalign® process depending on how many veneers you would need to cover your smile imperfections, Invisalign® might be a more cost-effective option.
• Customisation and control. Porcelain veneers are commonly used when a patient wants to gain a lot of control of their smile (change color, size, shape, etc).

If you are considering veneers or Invisalign call our office for a free consultation with Dr. Cload.

Oral cancer had in the past been associated with heavy smokers,drinkers and more than twice as likely to affect men.That demographic is changing dramatically.Young women are now becoming the number one victim of oral cancer. This is due to the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer. It  is now the number one cause of oral cancer.

It is the easiest to detect if you visit your dentist regularly. At every recall visit your dentist or hygienist should perform a cancer screen of your mouth along with your neck.

Technology also aids our goal of early detection.  At Southcentre dental clinic in Calgary Dr.Cload and his team will offer a simple test using the Velscope light detection system that helps us to see changes in your oral tissue before they become visible. If you wish to have this simple $10 test performed please call our office to arrange the screening.

Below are 5 links for a wonderful presentation by Dr.Oz on detection and treatment.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-2
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-3
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-4
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-5

Receding gums can be a sign of much more serious issues, such as periodontal disease (gum disease), bite problems such as grinding and clenching, postural issues in the body and even evidence of sleep disorders. Unfortunately, many people including health care professionals  believe that gum recession is normal or a sign of brushing too hard. It’s neither. Actually gums only recede if the bone below the gums is breaking down. The gum recession follows bone loss and the only thing keeping those teeth in your smile is the bone they sit in. Lose the bone and you lose the teeth.  Because gum recession happens gradually, it isn’t always easy to tell if your gums are receding. The following are some signs to look for:

• Tooth sensitivity, caused by exposed tooth roots.
• The tooth appears longer than normal.
• A notch can be felt at the base of the tooth, near the gumline.

Knowing the cause is important because we will not be able to effectively treat the recession without knowing the actual cause.

If gum disease is causing your gum recession, your dentist or periodontist might recommend an intense cleaning process known as scaling and root planning to reduce the presence of bacteria.

If misalignment is the cause, then a bite analysis for potential TMJ issues is necessary along with postural analysis such as neck alignment and back problems.  A poor posture can lead to clenching and grinding which is a major contributor to gum recession.

One common way to repair the damage is to graft skin, usually taken from the roof of the mouth, to cover the root. You can also take some steps at home to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth, such as by using special toothpaste.  Also applying a desensitizing agent or filling the notches along the gumline with a tooth-coloured filling material may be required.

Don’t put off gum recession treatment, it is the sign that something is wrong. Gums do not receed because they decide to.

If you are in the Calgary area, please contact Dr. Cload for a free consultation concerning your receding gum-line.