Dental Crowns

Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19? Yes!

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the world around us. Preventive protocols like physical distancing and covering mouth are now important to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection. But, it is also important to maintain oral health. A cleaner and healthy mouth contribute to minimizing the chances of viral infections as it is well known that a healthy body is less prone to any infections. The pandemic has pushed many to neglect their oral health concerns and as the world starts to unlock, the question still persists- Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19?

Dentist-Covid19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), there has not been one single reported case of COVID-19 transmission associated with dental offices so far. Just like any of us using masks on daily basis, washing hands, using sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces, the dentists to have already put all preventive protocols in action to ensure safety for their staff and patients. All safe dental offices have geared the patient & staff interaction to be straightforward and predictable by minimizing contact wherever possible, by using PPE kits and minimizing chairside adjustments, etc. Efficiency in all aspects of treatment and operations has now become critical. So, why neglect oral health when all the infection control procedures are in place! The dental community has been issued safety guidelines to follow, but here are a few things you can do to overcome the hesitation of seeing your dentists during the pandemic.

Yes, Please.

Before you make an appointment, here are a few questions you may ask to overcome the apprehension:
If patients are screened over the phone before their visit.
If the practice limits the number of people allowed in the waiting room at one time.
If they disinfect all surfaces including telephones, the EFTPOS machine, door handles, etc.

If all instruments/tools are sterilized after each patient.

If the staff have enough personal protective equipment?
If both staff and patients wear masks at all times?
If they have removed high contact items in the reception area like, magazines & toys.
If they have adjusted seating in the reception area to facilitate social distancing.

If the answer to all of these questions is “yes,” it means the dental office is doing everything to provide a safe environment & hence, you can feel at ease going to the dentist’s office.

Your Call
A safe dental practice puts infection control measures in action and you can see it for yourself in the initial visit. It’s then your choice to go ahead or not. So, here’s a list of everything you need to observe before you make an informed decision.

A safe dental practice:

● Records your detailed travel history and medical history.
● Sterilizes instruments for each and every patient.
● Uses disposable suction tips and instruments.
● Disinfects the dental chair, instrument panels, dental light unit and benchtops between every appointment.
● Places protective barriers over surfaces such as a headrest, x-ray units, etc.
● Uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
● Requests patients to undertake a 30-second preoperational antimicrobial mouth rinse with a 0.1% hydrogen peroxide solution before treatment
● Uses high-speed suction that reduces aerosols by 95% whenever possible.
● Uses rubber dam that reduces aerosol by 70% whenever possible.

We know it is not easy right now. Post lockdown, many businesses have reopened, including dental practices. Pandemic or not, dentists are trained to regularly disinfect and will continue to do so. Returning to your dentist is purely a personal decision, but making an informed choice by assessing the hygiene protocols will save you from neglect that can cost more than just money.

Come to Expressions Dental for all your Dental Needs!

Our team of dental professionals follow stringent safety protocols and are always here to help you get the expert dental care you need in Calgary even during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Do you have questions about our safety procedures? Need more information? Interested in an appointment? You can contact us online or give us a call. See you soon!
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Read more about the article When Does Your Tooth Need a Dental Crown?

When Does Your Tooth Need a Dental Crown?

Often, dental issues might leave you with cavities that are too large to fill, or sometimes, the tooth is cracked, worn or weakened. In such cases, a dental crown may be a necessity. Sometimes, two or more dental crowns can be used on either side of missing teeth with artificial teeth attached to the crowns. This is called a Dental Bridge.
So what exactly is a dental crown?
A dental crown is like a “cap” for your tooth. This crown helps your tooth to be restored to its standard shape, size and function. A crown can help improve how the tooth looks.
When do you require a dental crown?
  1. When the tooth has been weakened due to decay
  2. Cracked tooth
  3. Worn-out tooth
  4. Discoloured tooth
  5. Misshaped tooth
  6. A tooth that has had Root canal treatment
What is it made of?
A dental crown can be made entirely from tooth-coloured ceramic, porcelain, or metal alloys. The type of crown depends on where it will be placed inside your mouth. At Expressions Dental, we offer various types of Dental Crowns in Calgary.
How is the crown placed?
First, the damaged tooth is assessed. Then the tooth is prepared to receive the crown by reshaping or removing a portion of the tooth. This reshaping is done to make sure there is sufficient space for the tooth to receive the dental crown. After this step, a temporary crown is placed until the permanent crown is manufactured. When the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent one is bonded or cemented to your tooth.
How to take care of dental crowns?
You can take care of your dental crowns just the way you take care of your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly coupled with dental checkups can help you prolong the life of your crown. If you are looking for dental crowns in Calgary, Expressions Dental is happy to help. Call +1 (403) 252 7733 to consult our dentists.
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Read more about the article Different Types of Dental Crowns

Different Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crown as the name suggests is a kind of tooth-shaped cap fixed onto a tooth for the
conservation of tooth structure. It is not removable. Dental crowns are designed to protect damaged teeth, enhance appearance, strengthen the tooth, extend tooth life and manage
alignment.

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Read more about the article Treatment for Chipped or Broken Teeth

Treatment for Chipped or Broken Teeth

One common dental emergency is chipped or broken teeth. You may crack, chip, or break your teeth due to an unforeseen accident or injury. You can exercise caution while playing sports or during any other recreational activities, but it is highly unlikely that you will be able to completely protect yourself from getting hurt or damaging your tooth. If you happen to face such a situation, there are dental options to restore your chipped or broken teeth and restore your smile.

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Read more about the article Replace Your Missing Tooth With Dental Crowns And Bridges

Replace Your Missing Tooth With Dental Crowns And Bridges

If you have a missing tooth you know the effect it can have on the quality of your smile and also your life as it also affects the choice of your food consumption. It can also cause a problem in how you chew and speak. To fix the problem of a missing tooth you can opt for dental crowns and bridges, which is one option for it. A weak, broken, or an incomplete smile may be able to restored by fixing dental crowns and bridges.

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Read more about the article Remedies for Teeth Sensitivity

Remedies for Teeth Sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity is a tingly feeling or a flash pinch of pain affecting either all teeth or one or more teeth. The pain associated with tooth sensitivity may occur constantly or intermittently. Intermittent tooth sensitivity can occur while ingesting hot or cold food or beverages, or when cold air hits the teeth.

Remedies

  • Desensitizing toothpaste – There are several brands of toothpaste for sensitive teeth available. Your dentist may recommend one or you may have to try different brands until you find the product that works for you. Be sure to use fluoridated toothpaste for sensitive teeth, not whitening toothpaste. Try spreading a thin layer of the desensitizing toothpaste on the exposed tooth roots before bed.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Avoid highly acidic foods
  • Use a fluoridated mouthwash
  • Avoid teeth grinding

The Dental Visit

It is always best to see a dentist about sensitive teeth to determine the true nature of the sensitivity. During the consultation, your general dentist will ask you questions about the nature of sensitivity. Xrays and tests may be performed

Once it is determined that the cause does not require dental restorative treatment, your general dentist may apply an in-office desensitizer, which acts as protective coating designed to thwart any hypersensitivity.

The following are some dental procedures that may reduce tooth sensitivity:

  • Bonding, dental crowns or inlays – These may fix a tooth flaw or decay that is causing sensitivity.
  • Fluoride gel or varnish
  • Surgical gum graft – This will protect the root and reduce sensitivity if the gum tissue has eroded from the root.
  • Root canal Treatment – This is a last-resort treatment for severe tooth sensitivity that has not been helped by other methods.

So if you’ve been suffering with painful sensitivity that keeps you from eating the foods you love, make an appointment with your general dentist.

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Read more about the article Prevent Teeth Grinding

Prevent Teeth Grinding

Grinding teeth, called bruxism, may develop at any age. It is usually done unconsciously in sleep, but it can also occur when a person is awake.

Causes

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding.  Bruxism is found more frequently in people who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep and in people whose lifestyle includes smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine.

Treatment

The treatment for teeth grinding depends on its cause, which is evaluated by dentist with a comprehensive exam.

  • One way to protect your teeth and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal appliance – such as, splints, bite guards, night guards, bite plates and bruxism appliances. These are custom made, plastic mouth pieces that fit over your top or bottom teeth. Wearing one of these appliances will help reduce jaw muscle pain and protect your teeth. The appliances are usually worn at bedtime.
  • If anxiety or stress is believed to be the cause of your grinding, then behavioural management is an option. Relaxation techniques, meditation and psychoanalysis can help manage the stress and anxiety.
  • If your bruxism is due to physical problems such as misaligned or broken teeth, your general dentist may have some suggestions for how to correct these problems with dental crowns or braces, or other techniques that may help resolve the grinding.
  • Stimulants and depressants have also been linked to various sleep disorders. Limit caffeine and alcohol to avoid developing a habit of teeth grinding.
  • If you’re grinding your teeth during the day, make yourself aware of when it happens and train yourself not to clench your jaw.
  • It may also be a side effect of some medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects before taking prescription drugs.
  • Limit chewy foods that give your jaw a workout, especially when jaw discomfort is at its worst.

If you’re still not sure what’s causing you to grind your teeth, see your general dentist. Not only will your general dentist help you find the solution to your problem, but regular dental visits will allow your general dentist to check for its signs and help you control it before the damage gets out of hand.

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Read more about the article Want to Change the Shape of your Teeth?

Want to Change the Shape of your Teeth?

Keeping your teeth clean and cavity free is indeed important, but the fact your teeth are healthy doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be ecstatic with their appearance. Genetics may provide you with teeth that are crooked, oddly shaped or that have large gaps between them. Or perhaps the appearance of your teeth has been altered from physical trauma or as a result of teeth grinding.

Whatever the reason, some people want to change the shape of their teeth. Maybe they want their teeth to be longer, or they want to close a gap between the front teeth. The good news is that, there are several dental services that allow you to choose the best option for you based on your unique dental needs and personal preferences.

In order to change the shape of your teeth, dentists use crowns, dental bonding, veneers, or they recontour your teeth.

Treatment options:

  • A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over teeth. When crowns are put in, they fully encase the tooth so that only the crown is visible, which allows a dentist to make the crown in the shape of desirable teeth.
  • Dental bonding, on the other hand, is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the tooth’s surface. The resin is then hardened with a special light, which will bond the material to the tooth.
  • Veneers can also be to change the shape of teeth. They are very thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover just the front surface of teeth.
  • Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth is a procedure that involves small amounts of tooth enamel being removed to change a tooth’s length, shape or surface.
  • All of these options have different costs, different levels of durability, and different amounts of time to complete.

Contact Expressions Dental if you want to discuss how to change the shape of your teeth using one of the methods mentioned here.

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Read more about the article How to Fix Gap between Front Teeth?
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How to Fix Gap between Front Teeth?

  • A mismatch between the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth can cause either extra space between teeth or crowding of teeth. If the teeth are too small for the jaw bone, spaces between the teeth will occur.
  • Sometimes some teeth are missing or undersized. This happens most often with the upper lateral incisors. That can cause spaces to develop in the upper teeth.
  • Habits can also lead to gaps between the teeth. Thumb sucking tends to pull the front teeth forward, creating gaps.
  • Spaces can develop from an incorrect swallowing reflex. For most people, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth (palate) during swallowing. Some people develop a different reflex known as a tongue thrust. When they swallow, the tongue presses against the front teeth. Over time the pressure will push the front teeth forward. This can cause spaces to develop.

Children may have temporary gaps as their baby teeth fall out. Most of these spaces close as the permanent teeth reach their final positions.

Treatment:

  • Some people get braces, which move the teeth together. If your lateral incisors are too small, your dentist may suggest widening them using crowns, veneers or bonding.
  • If you have a space because you are missing teeth, you might need more extensive dental repair. This might include dental implants, a bridge or a partial denture.
  • If the gap is caused by periodontal disease, then periodontal treatment by a dentist or gum specialist (periodontist) is necessary. When gum health is restored, in many cases braces can be used to move the teeth into place.

In many cases, a gap between the front teeth in the upper jaw will close by itself. An oral health professional or orthodontist should be able to advise about the need for treatment for a child from about 10 or 11 years of age.

If you have a space between your teeth or see one in your child’s mouth, contact Expressions Dental™. Our general dentists will help determine the reason for the space and will provide treatment options.

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Read more about the article Taking Care of Temporary Dental Crown

Taking Care of Temporary Dental Crown

Temporary dental crowns are a temporary fix until a permanent crown is ready. The primary reasons for wearing a temporary crown are to keep the tooth protected from external stimulus, keep the tooth from shifting and serve as a dress rehearsal for function and aesthetics for the permanent crown.  Here is what you need to know about taking care of the temporary crown for the couple of weeks that you have it cemented:

  • Avoid sticky, chewy foods (for example, chewing gum, caramel), which have the potential of grabbing and pulling off the crown.
  • Minimize use of the side of your mouth with the temporary crown. Shift the bulk of your chewing to the other side of your mouth.
  • Avoid chewing hard foods (such as raw vegetables), which could dislodge or break the crown.
  • Slide flossing material out-rather than lifting out when cleaning your teeth. Lifting the floss out, as you normally would, might pull off the temporary crown.
  • Let your dentist know if the provisional crown should fracture or fall out, even if the tooth is not sensitive. The teeth are prone to shifting when not covered by the temporary crown.  Going without your temporary crown even for couple of days may cause the final crown not to fit properly.
  • Be sure to call your dentist’s office if the temporary crown feels too prominent to your bite. It is more likely to break or come uncemented.
  • If you experience prolonged sensitivity or pain, please call your dentist’s office.

If your temporary dental crown comes off at any time during the waiting period for the permanent restoration, please contact our office immediately. It is very important for us to get the temporary back in place as quickly as possible, to ensure that the permanent restoration fits properly.

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