Dentistry Blog
October 25th, 2011
Severe, chronic headaches are a major concern for a number of people in and around Calgary, Alberta. Oftentimes, these headaches interfere with work, social, and family activities, causing people to seek relief with prescription medications. While these medications can provide temporary relief, they cannot address the root cause of your headaches. For people who suffer from chronic headaches this means a life-long reliance on these prescriptions, and the potential for several more headaches in the years to come.
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.
Posted in TMJ/TMD | Comments Off
October 18th, 2011
Veneers vs Invisalign.
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.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers | Comments Off
October 16th, 2011
Oral cancer is fast becoming the deadliest cancer. Oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect but unfortunately over 60% are diagnosed at a late stage. One in four diagnosed with oral cancer will die. One person every hour of every day dies from oral cancer in North America.If detected early there is a 80-90% survival rate. This all points to early detection.
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
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
October 1st, 2011
I often hear: “I’m getting old so my gums will recede.” Sorry, but that is not something we can blame on age alone. Yes, we all get long in the tooth but our teeth should not!!
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.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
September 25th, 2011
The High Cost of Cheap Veneers!!
The price difference in veneers is dramatic in some cases. You can travel to Mexico and get a “great deal”. I’ve seen adverts for $400 each. Sounds great, but as the old saying goes “if it’s too good to be true it probably is”.
What if one of your veneers broke or fell off just before a big presentation or special event? Would the cost savings be worth it if your veneers started to stain or crack after just a few months? I had a new patient who came to see me as her New Mexican veneers fell off on the flight home. Yes on the flight home.
You’re probably considering porcelain veneers because you want a fantastic smile, so it just doesn’t make sense to sacrifice quality.
With some purchases, cost may be the most important factor. But veneers aren’t something like a TV or pair of jeans. If you buy a certain model Samsung TV it makes sense to shop around and find all the stores that sell that particular model and find the cheapest price. Each TV model is identical, made in the same factory etc., the only difference is the price. But veneers are different. Veneers are not picked out of a box, instead they are customized to you and your tooth. Each veneer in the same mouth is different and customized to the tooth it covers.
Quality of porcelain veneers varies depending on:
- Quality of the material: The technology used to manufacture porcelain veneers has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years.
- Skill of the ceramist: Each porcelain veneer is hand-made, and only a master ceramist will be able to craft you’re veneers so that they perfectly match the shape, size and color of your existing teeth.
- Cosmetic skill of the dentist: Each veneer must be carefully fitted and bonded to the tooth.
Cost is a potential barrier to receiving the level of veneer you wish to create your smile, which is why we have financing options available.
We will not begin your veneers procedure until you completely understand the costs involved. We offer financing options to help with costs. I also advise patients to wait and save if they need. Its much better than paying for poor quality.
High-quality porcelain veneers are an investment in your image. Don’t risk the embarrassment of bad veneers by settling for cheap, low-quality products or services. If you’re in the Calgary area, we would love to help you review your veneers options with a free consultation and get you on the road to a stunning new smile. Call our office to arrange a free consultation.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers | Comments Off
September 6th, 2011
When deciding on a permanent solution for your missing or severely damaged teeth, you should consult with a dentist, evaluate the facts and decide which option best meets your needs and goals.
With recent dental implant technological advancements, there are multiple choices to replace your teeth. Two of the most durable and popular options are:
Traditional dental implants consist of a small titanium screw that is placed into your jaw that serves as a replacement root. Eventually, the implant fuses with the jawbone and creates a permanent fixture for your artificial tooth.
For the procedure to work, there must be enough bone in the jaw, and the bone has to be strong enough to hold and support the implant. Traditional implants are much stronger and more durable than crowns and bridges that are cemented into place, or dentures that are removable. These implants are comfortable and allow you to continue living the way you always have been, like eating your favorite foods.
Mini dental implants are essentially a smaller version of the traditional implants. They are smaller in diameter than regular implants and are more ideal for individuals with a thin bone structure or smaller teeth.
Mini dental implants are so narrow that they usually are embedded into your bone underneath the gum tissue without extensive surgery. This procedure is much less invasive than traditional implants, and mini dental implants are also typically a less expensive option than traditional implants.
If you would like more information on the differences between traditional dental implants and mini dental implants, please contact Calgary, Alberta, dentist Dr. Steven Cload at Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Dental Implants | Comments Off
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