Prophylaxis is a thorough dental clean of your teeth, removing plaque and stains. Dentists recommend an oral evaluation and cleaning every 6 months as a preventative measure.

Dental scaling, also known as scaling and root planing, is a procedure where a dental professional cleans deep below the gum line. Scaling and root planing is a way your dental office treats and prevents gum disease.

Dentin is a layer of porous material located underneath the surface of the tooth (enamel and cementum). Cavities that have spread to the dentin of the tooth are more likely to spread and get bigger, causing tooth sensitivity, especially if your enamel layer is worn down.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral used to prevent the bacteria that causes tooth decay and cavities, by making the enamel (outer surface of teeth) more resistant.

Fluoride makes the forming tooth’s enamel (the hard surface of the tooth) stronger. This allows the tooth easier resistance to tooth decay.

Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper.
Composite fillings are made of special plastics called resin-based composites and more closely resemble your tooth colour.

Anesthesia is a type of medication used to prevent pain during a procedure, such as a root canal or extraction, by blocking the nerves that sense and transmit pain.

Local Anesthesia is a topical or regional injection of a drug to eliminate pain in one part of the body. Local anesthesia does not involve loss of consciousness.
General Anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness during which patients do not feel painful stimulation. Patients often require assistance in maintaining airway.

Palliative treatment is used to ease painful or uncomfortable symptoms without curing the underlying condition.

Sedation dentistry is a medical procedure involving the use of sedative drugs (administered as gas, pills or intravenous), to induce a state of unconsciousness. It allows complex dental procedures to take place in fewer appointments or to reduce anxiety in extreme cases.

Tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth or tooth parts. An extraction can sometimes be performed by a general dentist, but often times an oral surgeon is required to properly remove the tooth.

Tooth extraction is usually needed because of disease, trauma or crowding. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to have the extraction performed.

The dentist will numb the area to lessen any pain, perform the extraction and then advise you to follow a post extraction plan for recovery.

Restorative treatments (or Basic Restorative Services) restore decayed or damaged teeth to prevent future oral health issues.

Dental bridges use artificial teeth called pontics to replace one or     more missing teeth. Your existing teeth or dental implants on either    side support the pontic between them, like the two ends of a    suspension bridge.

A fixed dental bridge is firmly held in place by either your natural      teeth or dental implants and can only be removed by a dentist as part      of a treatment plan.

A space maintainer is used to hold space for permanent teeth to move into place and is custom made from acrylic or metal by a dentist.

Dental sealants are thin coatings made of a special plastic. They are applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and form a surface that can help protect teeth from cavities.

A dental crown is an artificial tooth. It is designed to restore missing tooth structure by covering the top of a natural tooth or a dental implant.

Options include a metal alloy (a mixture of metals such as gold alloy or a base-metal alloy), porcelain (includes ceramic and glass-like materials) or porcelain fused to metal crown (which is when porcelain covers a metal crown). Metal crowns tend to last longer than other crown materials and porcelain crowns are the most natural looking.

A permanent dental crown typically takes two dental office appointments, however may involve one further appointment.

First dental office appointment

• The tooth and surrounding gum tissue is numbed
• The biting surface and sides of the tooth are shaped to allow space for a new crown.
• The dentist may “build up” the tooth if the tooth is decayed or too small to hold the crown.
• An impression of the tooth is made to create the custom crown.
• A temporary crown will be placed to cover the prepared tooth until the permanent one is ready.

Second dental office appointment

• The dentist may numb the tooth and surrounding gums.
• The crown is cemented in place.

You may need a follow-up appointment to adjust the crown.

No, but teeth that have had a root canal in the past often do need to have a crown placed on the tooth. A root canal should be completed before a crown is permanently placed on the tooth.

The life of a crown depends on your care and daily dental hygiene practices. 90% of crowns should not require major treatment within five years, and 50 to 80% last between 15 and 20 years.

Crowns cover the entire top-chewing surface of a tooth.
Inlays lie within the cusps or grooves of the tooth.
Onlays cover one or more cusp tips, including some of the chewing surface.

Veneers are thin, tooth colored shells that are custom made to cover the front side of your teeth. They are used for teeth that are stained, chipped, decayed, or crooked.

Veneers are typically irreversible because a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed to attach the veneer.

Dentures are custom made artificial teeth (partial or full mouth) connected to a base. They are a removable replacement for teeth.

Conventional – A full removable denture made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed, which may take several months.

Immediate –Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a prior visit. Immediate dentures are a removable denture that is inserted on the same day that the teeth are removed.

Overdenture – Fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth

Removable Partial Denture – There are two options for removable partial dentures. One has replacement teeth attached to gum colored plastic bases and the other has metal framework and clasps that connect to your teeth.

Typical concerns after getting dentures include:

• Dentures may feel loose because the muscles of your cheek and tongue are still learning to keep them in place.
• Minor irritation or soreness.
• Saliva flow may temporarily increase.

Follow-up appointments are generally made with the dentist after a denture is inserted so it can be checked and adjusted.

To Keep Your Dentures Healthy:

• Rinse your dentures before brushing
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures without a scratch.
• Make sure to clean your mouth thoroughly including brushing your gums, cheeks, the roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque.

When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in water to keep them from getting distorted.

Dental x-rays use a very low level of radiation. Protective measures are taken, including placing a lead apron and/ or thyroid collar on you. Dangerous side effects are very rare.

Minimal Sedation is a minimally depressed level of consciousness. You will still be able to independently breathe, respond to tactile stimulation and verbal command as you normally would. However your cognitive function and coordination may be impaired while sedated.

Moderate Sedation is a moderately depressed level of consciousness.  You will be able respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. You are also able to maintain a patent airway and cardiovascular function.

Deep Sedation is a drug-induced deeply depressed level of consciousness. Although you can’t be easily aroused, you will still be able respond purposefully to repeated or painful situations. You may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway while sedated.

The frequency of dental x-rays depends on your current oral health, age, and any signs or symptoms of oral disease. The dentist usually recommends an x-ray for new patient to assess current oral health and have a point of reference for any future developments.

Some common questions include:

• Who will evaluate me before the procedure?
• What is the training and experience that the person providing sedation or anesthesia for the procedure have? Do they renew their training regularly?
• What level of sedation or general anesthesia will be given? Is it minimal sedation (relaxed and awake), moderate sedation (sleepy but awake), deep sedation (barely awake) or general anesthesia (unconscious)?

Are there any possible concerns or complications after returning home?

X-rays allow your dentist to find any damage or disease, to a tooth or teeth, not visible to the naked eye during a regular dental check-up.

If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely a maintainer will hold space for the adult tooth for when it is ready to come into place.

Sealants help prevent tooth decay by creating a barrier between the tooth and decay-causing bacteria, and when combined with a regular oral hygiene routine can help prevent cavities.

The dentist will be able to determine the best time to apply sealants. Dental studies indicate permanent first and second molars, at ages 6 and 12 respectively, are the most likely to benefit from dental sealants.

The dentist may recommend sealants to adults depending on the patient’s oral health history or risk for tooth decay.

Bridges are one procedure your dentist may recommend to replace a missing tooth or teeth, which might impact your ability to eat and talk.

• To help keep the tooth strong for biting and chewing, a crown is sometimes placed on a tooth that needs to be restored, such as after root canal or in order to protect a weak or discolored tooth.
• Crowns can also be used to help secure a dental bridge.

Common questions include:

• Are there any alternative treatment options you would recommend instead of a crown?
• What type of material do you suggest for a dental crown and why? Will it impact my cost?
• Is there anything I should add to my dental hygiene routine to take the best care of my dental crown?
• I’d like to understand what my potential costs will be.

Fillings are used to fill a cavity or hole. They are also used when a dentist removes decay and has to properly restore the removed tooth.

Advantages:

• The fillings are tooth-colored; this is a good choice to keep your teeth natural looking.

Disadvantages:

• Composites cost more than amalgam.
• Composite fillings are not covered by some insurance plans.
• Composite fillings are less durable and usually replaced more often than amalgam fillings.

Advantages:

• They are more durable, making them an option for large cavities or back teeth where a lot of force is applied when chewing.
• They are less costly

Disadvantages:

• To prepare the tooth for the filling, the dentist may need to remove more tooth structure compared to other types of fillings.
• These fillings are not tooth-colored and their silver color may be visible when you laugh or speak.

You may need a full or partial set of dentures if you have lost all or some of your natural teeth. They make it easier to eat by restoring your bite. They are created custom for each patient.

The dentist can choose from multiple combinations of filling options, based on the type and location of the filling. These include:

• A direct tooth restoration by placing a filling into a cavity.
• Indirect tooth restoration by customizing tooth replacements (for e.g. crowns, onlays, or inlays). They can be made from a variety of materials such as a combination of metals or porcelain.

1. How many dental cleanings a year should I have?
2. Is there anything I should focus on to improve my oral health?

If you maintain good oral hygiene you may be fine with one dental cleaning a year, however twice a year is recommended. Your dentist will give you the best advice, taking into account your teeth, gums, and how well you maintain good oral hygiene.

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry.  Endodontists treat and prevent diseases and injuries of the pulp (inside the tooth) and associated particular conditions (tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth).

Endodontists perform both routine and very complex procedures, including root canal treatment, endodontic surgery, and special procedures.

Endodontic treatments help repair a tooth to ensure it remains healthy and functional. Endodontic treatments can save teeth after traumatic dental injuries or due to deep decay that has infected the pulp.

Periodontists treat a range of gum diseases such as mild gingivitis to more severe periodontitis. The treatments vary, such as scaling and root planing (the cleaning of infected root surfaces), root surface debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and regenerative procedures (the reversal of lost bone and tissue).

• Don’t smoke.
• Be gentle and don’t rinse your mouth vigorously.
• Don’t use a straw for 24 hours.
• Follow the diet your dentist suggests.
• If your mouth starts swelling, apply a cold cloth or a bag of ice and call your dentist right away.

• How can I help my mouth heal as quickly as possible?
• What is the best way to stop swelling?
• Should I take any pain medication after the extraction?

DDS, or Doctor of Dental Surgery is a one of the professional degrees earned by practicing dentists.

Gingiva is the dental term for the gums.

Dental bonding is a process where your dentist adds material to your tooth and “bonds” the material in place in order to change the color or shape. Bonding is often an option for repairing chipped teeth.

When a tooth is impacted it means that it does not have enough room to emerge or develop correctly. Impacted teeth can result in pain, and can also be more vulnerable to decay. In some cases your dentist will recommend removing impacted teeth even in the absence of discomfort to avoid future potential dental issues.

Tooth decay, know as a cavity is the destruction of your tooth’s outer enamel material. Cavities are caused by plaque, which creates acids that break down your tooth. It’s important to get cavities treated as soon as possible to avoid further, more severe, oral health issues.

Some dentists may hold a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree, while others hold a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine.) DDS and DMD are the same degree, the type is

Like with any tooth extraction, its very important to take steps to ensure your mouth recovers properly after you leave your appointment. Listen carefully to your dentist’s exact instructions, but some general rules of thumb are:

• Don’t smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously.
• Avoid drinking through a straw for at least 24 hours.
• Brush and floss as normal, but avoid the area where the tooth was removed.
• If you experience swelling, apply a cold compress and call your dentist right away.

Tooth abrasion is wear to your teeth caused by friction or force from an external object, such as your nails, a pen, brushing your teeth too hard, etc.

Bruxism is the dental term for teeth grinding or clenching of the teeth. It is caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and in some cases an abnormal or uneven bite.  It is damaging to your teeth, can cause headaches and jaw soreness.

Bruxism often occurs during your sleep. Your dentist may create a specially designed mouth guard, to be worn during your sleep, to assist.

Cementum is a hard connective tissue covering the roots of your teeth. The cementum tissues give attachment to your periodontal ligament, which are the fibers that connect the root of your tooth to your jaw.