Sedation Dentistry

Does the idea of visiting the dentist give you mild anxiety? Or does it leave you with a paralyzing fear? At Bear Creek Dental, we specialize in sedation dentistry; therefore we are prepared and ready for patients who suffer from dental phobias and anxieties. Different types of sedation we provide include oral sedation, a pill, nitrous oxide, and intravenous sedation. The type you receive will need to be discussed with our doctor during a consultation.

Sedation is a process used to establish a relaxed and calm state through the use of sedatives.  Sedation techniques can be used for any type of dental procedure, depending on the needs of the patient. In fact, it often makes patients feel as if a procedure has only lasted a few minutes instead of several hours. Questions to ask your doctor are “Will I be unconscious during the dental procedure?” or “Do I need someone to drive me home?” Regardless of the type of sedation, our doctor deems best for you, you are guaranteed to be safe in good hands.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sedation dentistry, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit http://www.bearcreekdental.ca/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Prevent Periodontal Disease

When you visit our team at Bear Creek Dental, how often do our hygienists tell you to brush and floss, more than you already are?  How often do you listen?  Our mouths are full of bacteria that along with mucus and other particles are constantly forming plaque on the teeth. Plaque is the leading culprit of periodontal (gum) disease which can be prevented by the simple action of brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease can range from mild inflammation to a serious disease that can cause major damage to tooth structure, eventually resulting in tooth loss. Gum disease can also be painless, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms. If you have gums that are swollen, red, or bleed easily when you brush or floss, you should address the problem immediately. The longer plaque sits on the teeth, the more dangerous it becomes. In addition to visiting us twice a year for routine cleanings, we encourage patients to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to prevent periodontal disease.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your oral hygiene status, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit http://www.bearcreekdental.ca/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Dental Implants

Are you self-conscious about your smile because you have teeth that are missing? If so, then dental implants might be the solution. A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. Out of a variety of tooth replacement options, we offer to patients at Bear Creek Dental, dental implants are the most permanent and beneficial.

Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to replacing a natural tooth because it stands on its own without any support from nearby teeth. In addition, dental implants have many advantages such as improving a patient’s speech, making eating easier, improved comfort, as well as improved self-esteem. Success rates of dental implants vary, but with proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants, please give us a call immediately. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit http://www.bearcreekdental.ca/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Don’t Delay a Dental Emergency

At Bear Creek Dental, our experienced dental team is ready to handle any situation, including dental emergencies. Accidents happen, but when a tooth becomes chipped, cracked, or knocked out, you’ll need to visit us immediately to correct the problem and prevent any further damage. Broken teeth can almost always be saved, but at the first sign of a dental emergency, we encourage patients to please call us and explain what happened. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding emergency dental care, please give us a call immediately. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide here at the practice, visit http://www.bearcreekdental.ca/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Mouth Guards for Sports

The staff at Bear Creek Dental wants you and your family to know you may be overlooking an important safety precaution.  Adults and children who are active in sports should always wear some kind of mouth protection. A mouth guard helps prevent damage to the teeth and jaw, and also helps prevent injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.

You can find generic mouth guards in most sporting goods stores, but not in many sizes. These mouth guards often end up feeling bulky and uncomfortable, which leads to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all. A bulky or cushioned mouth guard can even interrupt breathing and speaking.

Have a dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting and get a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects your teeth and still fits comfortably.  This is an easy precaution to take, and you can go right back to playing your best.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit BearCreekDental.CA.

Invisalign

The doctors at Bear Creek Dental are excited to offer Invisalign smiles to patients looking to straighten their teeth without traditional braces.  Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth. An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth, and a typical treatment plan can be completed in less than a year.

To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, we begin with an examination. A dentist can determine if Invisalign will be effective in achieving the smile you want. Impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, depending on your individual treatment plan. For the best results a set of aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day. You should remove the aligners to eat, and to brush and floss.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit BearCreekDental.CA.

Night Guards

At Bear Creek Dental, we help our patients with every aspect of their oral care, including teeth grinding. Also known as bruxism, this behavior is commonly the result of sleep apnea and can cause headaches and neck aches, as well as tooth damage. CPAP machines are the most commonly employed means of combatting sleep apnea, but they may not defend against bruxism, for which patients need an oral appliance known as a night guard.

Like the mouth guard used to protect athletes, a night guard is custom-made from an impression of the patient’s mouth. The durable material resists grinding better than enamel. But a night guard also provides the wearer with more restful sleep by keeping the jaws in a forward position. Sleep apnea is often the result of patients’ airways getting closed off during sleep, and teeth grinding is sometimes a result of the body attempting to open airways by changing jaw position. The forward position maintained by night guards is the optimal one for airflow, removing a cause of bruxism as well as preventing damage.

Tough though they are, night guards still need to be protected during the day by being kept in a hard plastic container. They and the container also need to be cleaned and dried on a daily basis.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit BearCreekDental.CA.