Vivant Dental offers digital radiography (X-rays). Digital technology not only employs less radiation than traditional x-rays, but also provides viewable images almost immediately. No more waiting for films to develop! Dr. Bellusci or Dr. Chow will be able assess the images and review findings with you right on the screen.
In addition to being quick, digital radiography allows images to be easily shared with other oral health care providers who may be involved in your care, such as orthodontists, oral surgeons and pediatric dentists.
The types of radiographs that we take at Vivant Dental are bite-wing, periapical and panoramic radiographs:
Bitewings: Bitewing radiographs show the crown portions of both the upper and lower teeth. They are useful for checking for signs of dental cavities, defective fillings and crowns, and gum disease.
Peripicals (or PAs): Periapical radiographs show the entire length of a few teeth. We use it to look at the roots of the teeth, and it’s surrounding bone. Sometimes, it can pick up signs of infection and disease.
Panoramic radiographs: Panoramic images capture all the teeth in the mouth in a single image, including teeth that haven’t come out yet. It’s may be used to track teeth development, look for cysts and tumors, and assess wisdom teeth. These don’t provide the same type of detail as bitewings and periapicals, so we usually rely on those other images to assess dental decay.
A mouth guard is a custom-fit dental appliance that reduces the risk of injury to teeth. We recommend professionally fitted mouth guards, rather than those purchased over the counter. These appliances are created uniquely to each patient to prevent discomfort, or inadequate protection.
There are several reasons why a dentist would prescribe a mouth guard. They include:
Frequently Asked Questions
You should be fit for a custom sports guard if you participate in sports or activities that put your oral health at risk. These guidelines also apply to children who participate in sports that can cause tooth-related injuries, such as football, basketball, soccer, martial arts, etc.
You may need a night guard if your dentist diagnoses you with bruxism (tooth grinding), or clenching. Over time, teeth wear from grinding or clenching during sleep can lead to sensitivity and irreversible damage. Using a night guard can reduce the rate your teeth are wearing down.
Your dental team will take impressions of your teeth and send it to a dental laboratory, which will construct a durable and comfortable new mouth guard customized to your bite. At your second visit, you will try in the mouth guard, and Dr. Bellusci or Dr. Chow will make additional adjustments if necessary to ensure a good fit.
Caring for a mouth guard is simple. You’ll need to rinse and brush it after every usage with a soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste/mild soap and cold water. When not in use, store your mouth guard in a hard, ventilated container provided by the dentist. Keep mouth guards away from hot temperatures to prevent warping. Also keep them away from pets!
Although custom night guards are made of durable materials and designed to last through many uses, they do need to be replaced from time to time. Keep an eye on your night guard, checking it frequently for wear.
We suggest that. Inform your dentist if your night guard no longer has the optimum fit, shows a lot of wear, or creates discomfort when worn. Sometimes, it may just be a matter of slight adjustments for a better fit.
Did you know…
Sealants should be applied to a child’s teeth immediately after any tooth with deep grooves erupts to reduce the risk of early decay. Depending on a child’s oral development and risk factors for tooth decay, fissure sealants may be applied to the teeth as young as age 6. It is at this time that the first molars typically appear.
Do you want your teeth to be straighter? Are you worried that metal braces are difficult to clean around? If so, consider Invisalign!
Invisalign is a type orthodontic treatment that uses clear “aligners,” or custom-fitted trays to move teeth over time. A course of Invisalign treatment involves a series of trays, each one moving the teeth little by little until the desired outcome is reached.
Your teeth should be in stable condition before Invisalign begins. If you are new to our office, the process begins with a comprehensive checkup. The dentist will check your teeth for cavities, gum disease, and any other issues that need to be resolved beforehand. Next comes record-taking, which include impressions (moulds) of your teeth and photographs.
Invisalign suitability is determined on a case-by-case basis. Once your records are analyzed, and the dentist determines that you are a candidate, your Invisalign treatment plan is reviewed with you prior to starting treatment.
Unlike braces, Invisalign trays can be taken out when you eat, floss, and brush, making it easier to keep your teeth clean. (Having said this, trays should be left on for over 22 hours a day for them to work properly.) Another difference is that Invisalign trays are made of a clear material, which is a more discreet and aesthetic way of correcting misaligned teeth compared to braces.
If you would like to learn if Invisalign is right for you, contact us to book an appointment today!
Complete dentures are an effective and affordable way of replacing missing teeth. Composed of a durable plastic resin and sometimes porcelain, full dentures can be fabricated to look real.
Did you know…
that 6.4 percent of Canadians are missing all their teeth, according to the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) released by Statistics Canada in 2010.
You may be a candidate for dentures if you are (or will be) missing all your teeth on at least one arch and are in need of an affordable prosthetic solution. Most denture wearers find that full dentures can restore some of their original tooth function – not to mention create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. To find out if dentures are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist.
If you have any decayed or damaged teeth that need to be removed, they will be extracted before your dentist takes a mould of your remaining gum structure. This mould will be sent to a dental lab for the denture to be fabricated. There are a few steps to making a denture, and therefore you will need to come in for a few appointments the denture are ready. Once the dentures are completed, you will return to your dentist for a final fitting.
Yes. Dentures are removable prosthetics that will need to be cleaned and brushed daily. You should also brush your gums daily to prevent infections caused by bacteria. Keep in mind that it may take some time to adjust to dentures as you learn how to use the muscles in your cheeks and tongue to keep them in place. But over time, you should begin to feel more comfortable with your new prosthetics. Don’t forget that even with a full denture, regular checkups are still recommended to check your gums and other tissues in your mouth.
Sunday: By appointment only
Monday: 11am — 7pm
Tuesday: 11am — 7pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8am — 4pm
Friday: 9am — 5pm
Saturday: 9am — 5pm
