Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discolourations of enamel (the outside layer of tooth structure) to create a whiter, brighter appearance. No natural tooth structure is lost, and no anesthetic is required.

A number of factors can contribute to discolouration including:

	Excessive flouride		Trauma (injury) to teeth
	Pulp (nerve) degeneration		Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining
	Genetic and acquired illnesses		Restorative materials (silver, gold)
	Aging		Staining substances (coffee, tea or tobacco)

New technologies in teeth straightening make it easy to correct crooked, crowded, or overly-spaced teeth. New technologies such as invisible/removable teeth aligners eliminate the frustration and discomfort of straightening your teeth.

Straighter teeth can also lead to:

	Healthier gums		Improved chewing & speech
	Easier cleanings		Decreased dental trauma
	More beautiful smile		Decreased wearing of teeth

Although teeth grinding (bruxism) may happen at any time, people often grind their teeth in their sleep. The causes are not clear. Stress is one possible cause, but often the reason for the habit is not known. If you suffer from a sore, tired jaw, dull headaches, earaches, or sensitive teeth, this may be a good signal that you grind your teeth.

Teeth grinding may cause:

	Chipped enamel		Cracked teeth
	Loosened teeth		Flattened, grooved, worn-down teeth

The preferred method of tooth replacement is dental implant treatment. Dental implants look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Implants are made from titanium. This is because, living bone will bond permanently to titanium and your system will not reject your implant like other foreign bodies.

Implants can be used to:

	Replace a single tooth
	Support a bridge to replace several missing teeth
	Support a bridge when all teeth are missing
	Provide secure fixation for a removable denture

Before		After

Dentures aren't what they used to be. New advances in dentistry enable us to improve the fit, comfort, and appearance of dentures. Whether you are missing some or all of your teeth, you can derive many benefits from replacing them with full or partial dentures.

Dentures can benefit you by:

	Filling out your smile by giving support to the cheeks and lips
	Creating a more youthful, vibrant appearance by holding up facial muscles
	Aiding in speaking, chewing, swallowing, and smiling

Cosmetic bonding, often called resin bonding, is when a tooth-coloured resin is bonded to your teeth, then sculpted into proper shape. The resin is a composite of liquid acrylic and tiny particles of glass. The composite resin forms a durable, stain-resistant surface that can be polished to mimic the texture of your natural teeth. Cosmetic bonding is a quick and easy, relatively inexpensive solution for teeth that are:

	Broken or chipped		Worn or abraded
	Discoloured or stained		Cracked or pitted
	Malformed or crooked		Widely spaced or uneven

Before		After

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is caused by plaque, a colourless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other by-products in the mouth, irritating the gums and causing them to become red, tender and swollen. It also causes the gums to bleed easily. If not removed daily, plaque hardens to form calculus (tartar) around the necks of the teeth.

Here's what you can do to prevent gum disease:

	Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth every day
	Eat a well-balanced diet, avoiding sticky sweets and junk food
	Examine your mouth routinely for any early signs of gum disease
	Visit us at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and oral examination

Root canal therapy treats disorders of the nerve of the tooth. It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In 95 percent of these cases today, however, this is no longer true. We believe in saving teeth (instead of removing them) and we will make every effort to save yours! Our goal is to help you preserve your natural teeth for a lifetime, so you can smile with confidence.

The four most common reasons for root canal treatment are:

	Trauma - a physical blow to a tooth
	Constant striking of a tooth in the opposite jaw that traumatizes the tooth
	Physical irritation - deep decay or a very large filling
	Severe gum disease

Simply put, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, or grow into the mouth. They are just as useful as any other tooth if they grow in properly. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth properly, they are referred to as impacted. Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent potential problems.

The following symptoms may indicate that a wisdom tooth should be removed:

	Pain
	Infection in the mouth
	Facial swelling
	Swelling of the gumline in the back of the mouth

Oral health involves much more than preventing cavities or keeping your teeth white. An unhealthy mouth can lead to many serious health conditions - including cancer. Visiting our dental clinic on a regular basis is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your oral health.

Based on the condition of your teeth and gums, our dental hygienists will customize an oral hygiene program for your care between visits and may advise on other matters relating to oral health.