Tender or sore jaw muscles, problems opening or closing your mouth, headaches that you cannot explain, or a clicking or grinding noise when you chew or yawn may be caused by TMD, or temporomandibular disorder. Some causes include clenching and grinding (most often during sleep), injury to the face or jaw or some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment of TMD can include wearing a bite plane (or night guard) which is made of clear plastic. It fits over the biting surface of the teeth of one jaw so that you bite against the splint rather than your teeth. This evenly distributes the force of your bite and helps your jaw joints and muscles to relax.

Bonding is used when a tooth has been chipped, damaged, misaligned or stained/discoloured. A composite resin material (like putty) is used. This material is applied to the tooth and molded to fit the form of the tooth. Once the composite material has been shaped, it is subjected to a "bonding light" which both dries and sets the material. Once this has been completed, the dentist then polishes and smooths the material.

Bridges are used as tooth substitutes which are attached to neighboring natural teeth. To secure a bridge, both the surrounding tissue and bone of the adjacent teeth must be healthy.

The bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth which are placed between crowns and fixed over the natural, neighboring shaped teeth.

We provide dental care to children of all ages, and recommend that you bring your child in within six months of their first tooth coming in, or by the age of one whichever comes first. Your child's first check-up includes an introduction to the dental environment. We make this appointment quick and fun so that your child will start off with a positive dental experience. We will count your child's teeth, and review preventative measures to help your child have a happy, healthy mouth.

A crown is a cover for a tooth which is decayed, damaged or has had recurrent fillings. A crown is usually made of porcelain, metal alloys or gold.

A dentist will remove any decay around the tooth to be crowned and also a small quantity of enamel. The tooth is then shaped into a base for the crown. The dentist will take an impression of the shaped tooth so that the crown will fit precisely into place. The artificial permanent tooth is then cemented onto the shaped natural tooth.

The dental hygienist works with your dentist to prevent dental disease and keep your mouth healthy. The dental hygienist is registered and certified to clean your teeth and discuss with you the importance of caring for your teeth and gums at home.

The dental hygienist may do a basic exam of your teeth and gums, and will inform your dentist about the results of the exam. Your dental hygienist may take X-rays, make dental impressions or clean, polish and apply fluoride to your teeth.

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are artificial teeth which are affixed to a metal framework. The metal framework has clasps which attach to the patient's natural neighboring teeth. Partial dentures are given to patients with several missing teeth and/or if the adjoining teeth are too unstable to hold a bridge.

Full Dentures
Full dentures are for patients without teeth. The denture fits into the patients mouth, directly onto the gums. The denture is made of an acrylic framework which has manufactured teeth set into it. These artificial teeth are made of plastic or porcelain.

When dental sensitivity occurs, we suggest trying desensitizing toothpaste. If the toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, there are in-office treatments available. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth. Also, in the event that receding gums cause the sensitivity, we may use agents that bond to the tooth root to "seal" the sensitive teeth. The sealer is usually composed of a plastic material.

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. They are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable, severe infection, or severe gum disease.

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile

A dental implant is a metal (usually titanium) screw that is placed into the jaw bone through surgery in a dental practice. The screw acts as an anchor for an artificial tooth or a set of artificial teeth. Dental implants are an excellent option for people in good oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth. Implanted teeth look and feel like a patient's own teeth. They are very secure.

Mouth guards, also known as sports guards or athletic mouth protectors, are crucial pieces of equipment for any child participating in potentially injurious recreational or sporting activities. Fitting snugly over the upper teeth, mouth guards protect the entire oral region from traumatic injury, preserving both the esthetic appearance and the health of the smile. In addition, mouth guards are sometimes used to prevent tooth damage in children who grind (brux) their teeth at night.

The space inside the hard layers of each tooth is called the root canal system. This system is filled with soft dental pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels that help your tooth grow and develop. Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is the process of removing infected, injured or dead pulp from your tooth.

Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. The sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often.

We use up-to-date technology, such as a soft tissue laser, to provide more comfortable and effective treatment for our patients.

Laminate veneers perform the same function as bonding teeth. They are used for chipped, damaged, misaligned, or discoloured teeth. However, the laminate veneers typically last longer than the bonding of teeth. At the first appointment, the dentist will remove a very small layer of tooth enamel and then take an impression of the teeth. At the second appointment the teeth are acid etched and then cement is applied to the surface. The veneers (a tooth shell made of composite resin or porcelain) are then attached and bonded with a bonding light. The dentist then polishes the veneers.

Professional bleaching is always performed in a dental practice. It is used for teeth that have been stained by coffee, tea, tobacco or age. Your dentist will decide which bleaching procedure will work best for your teeth as whiteners cannot correct all types of discolouration (such as tetracycline stains which do not respond as well). Bleaching will lighten teeth in varying degrees for approximately 95% of the population. Restorations and veneers will not be affected by bleaching and will remain the same colour.