SDF, or sodium diamine fluoride is a liquid antimicrobial that is applied at the dental office to stop the progression of small cavities. It is a conservative approach to managing dental decay. When applied to a cavity, it can remineralize, or strengthen the cavitated tooth structure. The procedure only takes a few minutes. It’s quick, and doesn’t require any anesthetic.
Although we usually manage cavities by removing the decay, and placing fillings, it’s not always possible. These are some situations that may benefit from the use of SDF:
SDF is used to control early cavities. SDF is not used for very deep cavities that are close to the innermost layer of the tooth (also known as the pulp), or if the tooth is painful. We also avoid using it where esthetics is a concern.
The main side effect is that SDF leaves a brown or black stain when it is applied to dental decay. However, it doesn’t stain healthy, sound enamel.
SDF should not be used on patients with silver allergies, or certain gum and soft tissue conditions.
No, SDF is different from the topical fluoride treatment you routinely get at dental cleaning appointments. The type of fluoride used at hygiene appointments is mainly aimed at preventing future cavities, not arresting existing ones. That type of fluoride does not leave a stain.
Still have questions? Contact Vivant Dental in Surrey today.
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.
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure to lighten the appearance of one’s smile. Professional whitening services are either performed in clinic or prescribed by the dentist for take-home use.
Did you know…
that teeth naturally darken as we age? Furthermore, certain foods, beverages, medications and habits can contribute to a darker, yellowed, or stained smile.
You may be a candidate if you are experiencing teeth discolouration, but have healthy teeth and gum structure. Schedule a consultation with our dentists, Dr. Anthony Bellusci and Dr. Vivian Chow, to find out if these procedures are suitable for you. Unfortunately, kids, pregnant or nursing women and those currently treated by a physician for a serious illness are not candidates for whitening.
Vivant Dental offers Zoom!® in-office teeth whitening. For this method of whitening, Dr. Bellusci or Dr. Chow will first protect your gums, lips and cheeks before applying a whitening agent to your teeth. The agent is activated and left for a set amount of time. Your results will vary according to the natural shade of your teeth and degree of external discoloration.
Our dental team will take impressions of your teeth to make thin, custom upper and lower whitening trays. Once the trays are ready, we will instruct you on how to safely apply the Opalescence whitening solution in the comfort of your own home.
Please avoid consuming highly pigmented food and beverages, such as tea, coffee and wine for 48 hours to reduce staining. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity following professional whitening. Consider using the sensitivity relief products recommended at your appointment.
Composite fillings are white-coloured dental restorations designed to be inconspicuous in appearance. Dentists can use composites to fill cavities or broken teeth. They blend in more naturally with surrounding teeth structure compared to silver-coloured amalgam fillings. Most dentists select composite materials in areas that are more noticeable when patients smile, such as the front teeth. Advancements in dental technology and composite filling composition allow for dentists to use these materials on molars as well.
that white-coloured composite fillings are chemically bonded to the teeth surfaces? This can preserve more natural teeth structure while enjoying a restoration that is discreet and understated.
You may be a candidate for a tooth-coloured filling if you have a cavity, broken tooth, or deteriorated filling. Schedule a dental assessment with Dr. Bellusci or Dr. Chow to find out if composite fillings are an option for your dental situation.
During your visit, Dr. Bellusci or Dr. Chow will numb your gums and teeth with a local anesthetic. Once the area around the tooth is anesthetized, your dentist will remove the decayed or damaged portion of your teeth and then place filling material on it. He or she then uses a hand-held light to harden the material. Finally, the dentist shapes, polishes and checks your filling.
You should be able to return to normal activity and oral home care once the numbing has worn out. Please inform us if you experience bite. It is normal to have some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following treatment. This usually goes away on it’s own. However, please inform us of temperature sensitivity that persists beyond a week.
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!
Tooth extractions are routine dental procedures used to remove decayed, damaged, or otherwise problematic teeth. Dentists usually make every effort to preserve natural teeth, although sometimes an extraction is necessary. Depending on which teeth are removed, they may be replaced with a dental implant or another oral prosthetic, such as a bridge or denture.
You may require the procedure if one or more of your teeth are decayed so severely that fillings or other restorations are not a possibility for treatment. However, many patients also undergo extractions for impacted teeth (including wisdom teeth), advanced periodontal disease and cracked teeth.
We will review your medical history and the extraction procedure with you prior to starting. The extraction procedure depends on the shape and condition of the tooth. You will be given local anesthetic, which numbs the area around the tooth for a few hours.
Post-operative care following a tooth extraction is essential for healing and preventing complications. You will be instructed to avoid certain foods and also to keep the surgical site clean at all times. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, it is important that you complete the course of treatment to prevent infection. Finally, you will be advised to avoid smoking or drinking through a straw, as doing so may delay the healing process.
Dental veneers are used to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one or more teeth. Veneers are very thin porcelain or resin shells that are customized for a desirable colour and shape. They are bonded to the surface of the teeth to reshape broken, misshapen or irregular teeth, as well as provide a solution for discoloured teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments. Patients with veneers typically achieve a natural tooth appearance that is well-tolerated by the gums and also resistant to future stains.
Did you know…
that dental veneers are a conservative way of completely making over your smile? In fact, veneers are a go-to cosmetic procedure that has become popular with celebrities who want a brighter and more symmetrical smile.
Veneers can help if you have gaps between your teeth or teeth that are broken, chipped, irregularly shaped, or misaligned. To find out more about whether dental veneers are right for you, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Before dental veneers can be placed, the surface of the teeth must be prepared for bonding. After administering a local anesthetic, your dentist will remove approximately half a millimeter from the surface of the teeth. You’ll then bite into a mould that will be used to form your veneers in a dental lab. When the veneers are ready, you’ll be asked to return to have them fitted, bonded, and adjusted.
Do you have a toothache or a broken tooth? When toothaches or dental emergencies happen, waiting several days for a dental appointment might not be an option.
Urgent problems that threaten the health of your teeth or leave you in pain should not be ignored. Some emergencies are extremely painful, so a visit to the local dentist may provide some palliative relief.
Vivant Dental is committed to helping you manage sudden injuries that require immediate treatment.
that the steps you take during a dental emergency may improve your outcome? These are some recommendations from the Canadian Dental Association:
Emergency dental services are not just for those who have sustained dental trauma. If you are experiencing severe dental pain or swelling, contact us. We aim to provide same day appointments for emergencies.
Dr. Bellusci and Dr. Chow will make recommendations to manage your specific situation at your visit. Some general advice to protect your teeth are:
Sunday: By Appointment Only
Monday: 11am — 7pm
Tuesday: 11am — 7pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 8am — 4pm
Friday: 9am — 5pm
Saturday: 9am — 5pm
