Getting Dentures

Dentures are the most famous kind of prosthodontic (prosthetic tooth). Though other options, such as implants, now exist for individual teeth, there are situations in which it is best for a patient to have a removable appliance. Getting dentures is a big decision, but Bear Creek Dental is dedicated to helping patients get maximum satisfaction from their treatments.

Partial dentures are like removable bridges. They replace the front teeth and clasp onto the teeth on either side. Installing them requires reshaping of the teeth being clasped unless they are supported by implants. Full dentures require the extraction of all the teeth in the arch. The denture will replace all of them and be either implanted or suctioned to a patient’s mouth.

Before their teeth are extracted, patients will have an impression made of their bites. This will be the basis for the immediate dentures they use in between the extractions and the second set of dentures they get, which will be based on an impression taken of their mouths a few months later. The second impression and denture set are necessary because the removal of teeth roots causes the patient’s jaw to change shape. After the dentures are placed, the patient’s jaw will continue to lose bone matter, which is why the dentures must be refitted periodically.

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.

 

Inlays and Onlays

For nearly every problem a patient could have with their teeth, there is a restorative option which is both cosmetically pleasing and will get them back to chewing without pain. One specialized type of restoration is the partial crown. Also known as inlays or onlays, partial crowns repair the chewing and grinding surfaces of the molars and premolars.

The chewing teeth are distinguished by their large surfaces. The raised bits, called cusps, are separated by indentations which are often a trap for plaque. An inlay, the smaller of the partial crowns, covers an indentation like a permanent sealant. Onlays replace cusps along with indentations. Any decay a patient has experienced must be drilled away before an impression of the patient’s mouth can be made.

Once an impression is made, a dental laboratory can use it to mill a custom-fitted partial crown from porcelain. (Ceramics are the most popular restoration material in modern times, although glass resins and gold are sometimes used.) During a return visit, the partial crown may be cemented in place, completing the restoration process. Standard oral hygiene will remain necessary.

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.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry emphasizes the importance of ongoing hygiene procedures and daily practices to prevent tooth decay and dental diseases. Preventive oral care strategies begin with home care, such as brushing at least twice a day and flossing after each meal. When our Bear Creek Dental team and the patient work together, this can prevent costly, invasive procedures in the future and allow you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime.

The most important part of preventive dentistry is brushing your teeth daily with American Dental Association approved toothpaste. Additionally, your toothbrush should be replaced when you notice that the bristles are starting to fray. The act of brushing your tongue and flossing the correct way will remove bacteria that if not removed, may lead to gingivitis. The most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy mouth is schedule routine dental appointments every six months. Considering that oral health is the window to your overall health, it’s best to keep your mouth as clean and healthy as possible.

If you have questions about preventive dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Botox for Facial Pain

For over 20 years, Botox has commonly been used to erase unsightly frown lines and/or wrinkles. Recently, Botox has developed a popular reputation in the dental industry as a therapeutic use for facial pain due to TMJ/TMD. This is because Botox contains a tiny dose of botulinum which has the ability to decrease facial pain associated with this condition. If you’ve exhausted your treatment options for eliminating facial pain, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Bear Creek Dental to see if Botox is right for you.

TMD, commonly known as a temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition associated with pain in the jaw and facial muscles, which can cause headaches, earaches, and general facial pain. During the procedure, Botox will be injected into the facial muscles without any sensory loss. This allows the facial muscles to relax, instead of contracting, which typically causes pain. There are other dental conditions that are sometimes treated using Botox, but our doctors at Bear Creek Dental will recommend the usage of this substance as he or she sees fit.   

If you suffer from facial pain and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bearcreekdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors in Grand Prairie AB, call 1-780-539-0404.

Reasons for a Root Canal

If the cause of your teeth pain is serious decay or infection in the tooth pulp, our doctors at Bear Creek Dental may recommend a root canal. A root canal is a multi-step dental procedure that involves removing the infected tooth pulp (and sometimes the nerve) from a tooth and sealing it to protect against future teeth pain.

Not all types of teeth are indications for a root canal. But signs of infection severe enough to require a root canal include: severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed), discoloration (darkening) of the tooth, swelling and tenderness in nearby gums, and a persistent or recurring pimple on the gums. Root canal therapy helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limit the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and often for a lifetime.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide 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.

Are You Flossing Properly?

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach – under the gum line and between your teeth. The next time you visit us at Bear Creek Dental for a professional cleaning, it’s important to utilize the floss we give you in your goody bag. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.

To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn about the services we provide 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.

The Proper Brushing Technique

If you’ve ever licked your tongue and felt a fuzzy buildup, that buildup is called plaque and it can be very dangerous if not removed accordingly. Plaque can lead to periodontal disease and eventually tooth decay if a proper oral hygiene routine is not practiced on a daily basis. Our doctors at Bear Creek Dental can’t stand behind you while you brush your teeth, but he can encourage you to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. He can also provide you with these brushing tips, to make sure that you are doing the job correctly.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, 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.