Comprehensive
Dental Services

Our team of dental hygienists at Landmark Dental Centre is committed to providing extensive periodontal therapy for our patients to help ensure a healthy smile for a lifetime!

PERIODONTAL SCALING & ROOT PLANING

The objective of scaling and root planning is to remove calculus (tartar) which causes inflammation to the gingival (gum) tissue and surrounding bone.

These non-surgical procedures which completely cleanse the periodontium, work very effectively for individuals suffering from gingivitis (mild gum inflammation) and moderate/severe periodontal disease.

Why is periodontal scaling and root planning necessary?
Disease prevention – The oral bacteria which cause periodontal infections can travel via the bloodstream to other parts of the body.  Research has shown that lung infections and heart disease have been linked to periodontal bacteria.  Scaling and root planing remove bacteria and halts periodontal disease from progressing, thus preventing the bacteria from traveling to other parts of the body.

What do scaling and root planning treatments involve?
Scaling and root planing treatments are only performed after a thorough examination of the mouth.  We will take X-rays, conduct visual examinations, and make a diagnosis before recommending or beginning these procedures.

Scaling – This procedure is usually performed with special dental instruments and may include an ultrasonic scaling tool.  The scaling tool removes calculus and plaque from the surface of the crown and root surfaces.  In many cases, the scaling tool includes an irrigation process that helps reduce bacteria below the gums.
Root Planing – This procedure is a specific treatment that serves to remove cementum and surface dentin that is embedded with unwanted microorganisms, toxins, and tartar.  The root of the tooth is literally smoothed to promote good healing. Having clean, smooth root surfaces helps prevent bacteria from easily colonizing in the future.

During the next appointment, the hygienist will thoroughly examine the gums again to see how well the pockets have healed.  If the gum pockets still measure deeper than healthy pocket depths, additional and more intensive treatments may be recommended or a referral to one of our network of Periodontists (gum specialists) may be required.

FLUORIDE TREATMENT

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay.  It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies.  The benefits of fluoride have been well known and are supported by many health and professional organizations.
Topical fluoride strengthens teeth by absorbing into the outer surfaces of the tooth, making the teeth and exposed root surfaces more resistant to decay.  We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and varnishes.  Dentists and dental hygienists generally recommend that patients have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental hygiene visits.

Do I need a fluoride treatment?
Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend the use of professional fluoride treatments for the following reasons:

• Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth
  
• Exposed and sensitive root surfaces
  
• Fair to poor oral hygiene habits
  
• Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake
  
• Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments, or medications
  
• Recent history of dental decay
  

Can fluoride help with sensitive teeth?
Yes, fluoride can help. A fluoride varnish absorbs into the tooth structure and hardens the enamel to prevent pain and sensitivity triggered by cold, sweet, or sour foods.

Do you have any bleeding when brushing and/or flossing your teeth? You could have the first stage of periodontal disease – gingivitis.

Gingivitis

• Gingivitis is a build-up of bacteria that causes localized areas of inflammation.
• In its early stages, inflammation around the gums is observable, with gum tissues appearing red and swollen.
• Gums that are easily irritated or that bleed during brushing and/or flossing indicate the presence of gingivitis.

Our team of dental hygienists will remove the plaque buildup which is necessary to prevent the further development of gum disease.

Early Periodontitis

• As the gums become more inflamed, they start to pull away from the teeth, forming spaces known as periodontal “pockets.”
• Food, bacteria, and plaque begin to collect in the pockets, leading to infection. The surrounding bone becomes damaged both by bacterial toxins and by the immune system’s response to infection.
• A periodontal examination includes using a periodontal probe to measure the pocket depths around each tooth identifying teeth that are at the early stage of periodontitis.

Our team of dental hygienists will customize a hygiene program to treat infected areas more frequently.

Moderate Periodontitis

• The symptoms of periodontitis become more severe as inflammation spreads, and some discomfort may occur.
• More supporting bone is lost, teeth loosen, and the gums recede further.

Advanced Periodontitis

• A major cause of tooth loss in adults, advanced periodontitis is marked by painful abscesses that are the result of the infection spreading beneath the gums.

SEALANTS

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth.  More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves.  Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay.  A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.

Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.

Reasons for sealants:

• Children and teenagers – As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16.
• Adults – Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
• Baby teeth – Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and child is cavity prone.

What do sealants involve?

Sealants are applied by our one of our dental assistants or hygienists and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth.

The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then isolated with cotton to keep the area dry.  A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth.  The teeth are then rinsed and dried.  Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. The material then cures with a special light.

SPLINTS/NIGHTGUARDS

BRUXISM
If you find yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day, or you wake up with sensitive teeth, a sore jaw, or a headache, you might suffer from bruxism.

Bruxism refers to an oral parafunctional activity which occurs in most of us at some point in our lives.  The grinding of the teeth and the clenching of the jaw are the two main characteristics of this condition, which can occur either during the day or at night.

Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders and causes most of its damage during sleeping hours.  The clenching and grinding which accompanies bruxism is symptomatic of a malfunctioning chewing reflex, which is usually turned off when sleeping.  For people who are bruxing, deep sleep or even naps, cause the reflex nerve control center in the brain to turn off, and the reflex pathways to become active.
Earache, depression, headaches, eating disorders and anxiety are amongst the most common symptoms of bruxism.

Main reasons why bruxism should be promptly treated:

• Gum recession and tooth loss – Bruxism is one of the leading causes of gum recession and tooth loss; firstly, because it damages the soft tissue directly, and secondly because it leads to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria can colonize and destroy the supporting bone.
• Occlusal trauma – The abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces can lead to fractures in the teeth, which may require restorative treatment.
• Myofascial pain – The grinding associated with bruxism can eventually shorten and blunt the teeth.  This can lead to muscle pain in the myofascial region and debilitating headaches.
• Arthritis – In severe and chronic cases, bruxing can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint.

Treatment Options for Bruxism:

There is no single cure for bruxism, though a variety of helpful treatment options are available.  Some common ways in which bruxism is treated include:

• Nightguards/Splints – An acrylic mouthguard can be designed from digital scans using our Itero to minimize the abrasive action of tooth surfaces during normal sleep.  Mouthguards should be worn on a long-term basis to help prevent tooth damage, damage to the temporomandibular joint and help to stabilize the occlusion.
• NTI Appliance – This device is fitted by the dentist and only covers the front teeth. It is worn intermittently on a schedule to help retrain the temporalis muscle.

Webster’s Definition: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state.
In dentistry, we restore tooth structure using a variety of materials and procedures to bring teeth back to their original state.

We use tooth coloured restorations (bonding) to repair teeth that have:

• Decay or cavities
• Small fracture lines and breaks
• Excessive wear
• Gaps or spaces between teeth
• Esthetic problems

Not all restoration materials are the same. Landmark Dental Centre works with the latest materials and techniques to provide premier restorations for our patients.

LANDMARK DENTAL CENTRE is a proud PARTNER with BIOCLEAR         

Webster’s Definition: a reward of victory or mark of honor; an artificial substitute for the part of the tooth external to the gum.

We use crowns to restore teeth that have:

• Decayed, broken, or fractured teeth that cannot be restored with a filling
• Structural or cosmetic restoration of smile teeth
• Large, old fillings that need to be replaced
• Root canal treated teeth

A crown covers the part of the tooth that you see and protects it from future damage or fracture. Our affiliated lab technicians work hard to make sure the crown is fabricated to your tooth’s original size and shape. We work with you to choose the crown material which works best for your tooth based on strength of material, esthetic concerns, and your preferences.

No more IMPRESSIONS – no goop, no gagging

In most cases, our dentists can use our Itero scanner to digitally record the preparation of the prepared tooth and share that information with our dental lab electronically. No trays and no impression material.

Webster’s Definition: a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle (such as a river); a dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that uses two anchoring teeth on either side of a space made by a missing or extracted tooth, to replace the missing tooth.

Bridges:

• Replace or fill the space of a missing/extracted tooth
• Help keep your cheek and overall face shape after you lose a tooth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position and damaging your bite
• Restore your ability to chew and therefore maintains good digestive health
• Restore your smile
• Can be used to replace removable partial dentures
• Bridges are one option for replacing a missing tooth (or teeth) when the teeth that are anchoring the bridge need restoration as well.

No more IMPRESSIONS – no goop, no gagging

In most cases, our dentists can use our Itero scanner to digitally record the preparation of the prepared tooth and share that information with our dental lab electronically. No trays and no impression material.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a root-shaped titanium fixture used to support one or more missing teeth. Dental implants may be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth or assist in the retention and comfort of removable dentures, improving chewing function.
Dental implants are just as secure and durable as your natural teeth. The longevity of dental implants easily outlasts things like dentures or bridges.

Advantages of dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
• Restore a patient’s smile.
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
• Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

What is getting a dental implant?

The process of getting dental implants requires a few visits over several months. Records are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant(s).  The implant(s) will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Once the implant(s) has integrated with the bone, the final restoration is fabricated to custom fit the implant. If it is a single tooth, a crown is fabricated.

Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.

HOW DOES INVISALIGN TREATMENT WORK?

Invisalign®  clear aligners use the most advanced technology to give you your best smile.
SmartTrack material can straighten your teeth with more predictability. Plus, your smile is
shaped more comfortably than with traditional braces.
Invisalign®  offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth fast and
contains no metal.
Invisalign®  treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays.  The dentist
changes the trays every several weeks to fit the new tooth configuration.  In addition to the
reduced visual impact, Invisalign®  aligning trays can be temporarily removed for important
occasions – meaning that treatment duration is patient-controlled.

THE TREATMENT

A complete Itero® scan is used to craft a complete digital treatment plan, mapping out your
best smile from beginning to end. The ClinCheck is reviewed and approved by you prior to
treatment.

THE ALIGNERS

Invisalign clear aligners are designed to transform your smile and are made with unique
advances, such as SmartTrack material for comfort and predictability. Each aligner
throughout your treatment gradually and predictably moves your teeth as you continue
with your day-to-day activities.

Teeth whitening is the most non-invasive, conservative way to brighten your smile! We fabricate custom-fitting whitening trays and use ZOOM Day Whitening in a take-home system that is known to dramatically whiten teeth.

It’s important to note that teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, so make sure to have your teeth examined before starting any whitening systems. Restorative/Filling material and porcelain crowns are unaffected by whitening solutions. Please contact us to book an evaluation to find out if whitening is a good option for you!

Some people develop a condition called gum recession. This is when the root of the tooth is exposed and the gum tissue migrates down the root of the tooth. When left untreated the exposed roots and bone can become sensitive and is likely to decay. In more severe cases, bone loss can lead to the loss of a tooth.
A gum graft can prevent or reverse these adverse effects and restore your gums to good health.

What is a gum graft?
Gum grafting involves taking a piece of tissue from a site within the mouth and attaching it to where the gum tissue has receded. It uses healthy tissue already in your mouth to correct and protect the rest of your smile against further complications.