General Dentistry

Just What You Need

Initial Dental Examination

At Smileworks the thorough initial examination takes approximately 1-1.5 hours:
  • Medical history outlining any health conditions that may affect future dental treatment
  • X-rays: detailed snap shot of the inside of your teeth and overall root health
  • Photographs of the inside and outside of the mouth
  • Examination of Gum condition for signs of infection and early signs of oral cancer, cysts or other suspicious growths
  • Checking the overall health and function of your temporomandibular joint (the joint that joins your jaw to your skull
  • Examining the condition of restorations including root canals and crowns
  • Checking the position of the teeth including their spacing and your bite
  • Checking for damaged, missing or decayed teeth
  • Examination of the general condition of the bones in the face, jaw and around the mouth
  • A discussion of any dental concerns, desires or questions you have
  • A discussion of the options you have to achieve your goals
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Cavities

You'd be surprised at how many different ways there are to fill it. A filling is a common procedure to repair a cavity or hole in a tooth. But did you know you have options? For many years, silver amalgam was most commonly used in fillings. Today, other materials are widely used and you have more choices than ever. There are now gold, porcelain, or even virtually invisible white fillings. There is no longer a standard filling that's right for every situation.
  • A cavity is a hole in a tooth that can be painful and irritating
  • A common procedure to repair cavities is a filling.
Two categories of fillings are:

Direct is where the filling is made directly in the patient's mouth. Generally this takes one appointment.
 In addition to restoring the form and function of a tooth these fillings can be matched to the colour of the tooth. White fillings look natural and set quickly so the tooth can be used right away.

  • Matches existing teeth
  • Looks natural
  • Ready to use the same day

Indirect are fillings made outside the mouth in a dental lab.
 This allows for strengthening of the filling using heat and pressure that cannot be used in the mouth. An indirect filling may be necessary when a cavity is too large for a direct filling. It commonly takes two appointments to place an indirect filling. Indirect fillings can be made of gold, porcelain or composite resin. Each material has its own unique advantages and indications for use. Talk to your dentist about the right material to meet your needs.

  • For large cavities that are too expansive for direct filling
  • Can be made of gold, porcelain, or composite resin
  • Are strong because they are made using techniques only available in a lab
  • Generally takes two appointments, one to prep and the second to place the filling
If you need a filling your dentist will help you to make an informed choice about which option will be best for you. We care about you and your teeth.

Root Canals

Teeth have channels in their center, called canals, that contain nerves, blood vessels and other tissues (the pulp). These tissues can become irritated or inflamed from trauma, large cavities or even previous dental treatment. If this occurs, your dentist or endodontist (a specialist in root canals) removes the diseased pulp and seals the canal(s). Generally, this is done in one appointment, but sometimes two or more visits are needed. A crown is almost always recommended for a tooth after a root canal, to decrease the chance of the tooth breaking.
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Gums

Periodontal (gum) disease results from toxins produced by the bacteria in your mouth. It can lead to inflamed gums and loss of the bone that supports the teeth. Treatment involves removing or controlling the bacteria to prevent or slow the diseases progression. Smoking, diet, overall heath and stress also contribute to the disease. Recent medical research has indicated an association with other diseases such as diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.
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