Invisalign Treatment and Aftercare Tips

When individuals perform self-diagnosis and try self-treatment, there is always room for error. Some people view using clear braces as their most cost-effective way to correct minor smile defects and order braces online. However, when you visit our dentist in NA, Calgary, for a consultation or because of teeth misalignment issues, you may find that other restorative services such as Invisalign will achieve your goals faster. If you seek orthodontic treatment from a dentist near you, there are options for straightening teeth that do not require metal braces. Invisalign in NW Calgary is an orthodontic treatment that can align teeth correctly without using metal braces. Invisalign uses a clear aligner created from an image generated by a computer model and the impression that our dentist and his team get from your mouth to change the position of bad teeth. While traditional braces use fixed wires to straighten the teeth, Invisalign uses a series of customized, transparent plastic straighteners to straighten the teeth. After a few months, you can move the teeth to a new and comfortable position. Invisalign adopts a series of calibrator trays that are replaced every one to two weeks. The design of each replacement tray keeps the teeth changing and moving, so the feeling will be slightly different. You need to wear the Invisalign tray for most of the day to experience the effect. However, they can be easily removed for eating, brushing, flossing, or using on special occasions.

Who Needs Invisalign?

For adults and teens with chipped teeth, uncomfortable bites, and crowded and crooked teeth are just some of the problems that our Invisalign can correct. In addition to being unsightly, these problems can also affect dental health. Teeth cracks leave the gums unprotected and may cause periodontal disease. Uncomfortable bites can put pressure on the jaws and sometimes cause joint pain. Overcrowded teeth often cause plaque to accumulate because it is difficult to effectively floss, and this causes tooth decay in these crowded areas. At Toothworks dental, our Invisalign solves all these problems.

Getting started

Once you are sure that you are interested in Invisalign, you will have an initial consultation where you will meet with your dentist. You will have a conversation with your dentist about the Invisalign process, including how Invisalign works and your estimated cost. As part of the consultation, once you decide to continue treatment, you may receive an X-ray. Our dentist will X-ray and take pictures of your mouth, teeth, and face from different angles so that the dentist has a detailed understanding of your mouth as the basis for their dental work and be able to create customized braces for you. Patients may need to apply small composite patches on each tooth to help the Invisalign aligner grasp and shift each tooth. The patch is made of the composite material used in the filling and can be easily removed at the end of the Invisalign operation without discomfort. If necessary, the patient may also need to reduce the distance between the proximal ends when the patient’s mouth is crowded. Performing this procedure can create more space between the teeth. Our dentist in Calvary will use discs to remove the tooth enamel to create more flexibility.

Initial Fitting

At the time of the visit, you will get a composite patch and proximal reduction (if needed), and you will also have the first impression of Invisalign braces. When putting on the aligners for the first time, they should be held tightly. Our dentists will check the fit and possibly different molds until you are satisfied with the results. Dental practitioners will ask you how you feel, how uncomfortable you are, and whether you can feel any movement.

After Treatment care

You will need to clean the tray regularly, morning and evening. You can do this before or after brushing your teeth. The tray needs to be cleaned to remove the bacteria produced during the day or night. If you don’t clean the trays well, they will start to smell. You can clean them with a toothbrush, but don’t use toothpaste. You should also rinse the tray during the day and when you remove it after each meal. With the powerful technology of the Invisalign aligner in Calgary and the experience of our dentists, your new smile will gain the expertise it deserves. Make an appointment with our dentist in NW, Calgary now to learn more.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Excellent to Reinvigorate Your Smile

Are you analyzing teeth whitening treatments to help reinvigorate your smile tainted by discoloration? Professional in-office teeth whitening treatments from the dentist T3R 0R5 are popular cosmetic dental procedures in Canada currently. Unlike home-use systems incorporating low-dose bleaching ingredients, in-office whitening treatments are performed under carefully monitored conditions allowing for safe and pain-free use of higher concentrations of bleaching gel, yielding results visible instantly. In-office teeth whitening treatments, despite their excellence, are expensive and may encourage you to try over-the-counter systems designed for home use. However, it helps if you understand stains on your teeth are best removed by a professional who determines the kind of staining affecting you by evaluating your dental health.

Are You a Candidate for In-Office Whitening Treatments?

Your candidature for teeth whitening treatments with the dentist in northwest Calgary is determined by the professional after evaluating your mouth. If you are a victim of tooth and gum hypersensitivity, the dentist will likely recommend take-home bleaching trays with carbamide peroxide at low doses not as potent as hydrogen peroxide. Some kinds of stains are resistant to highly concentrated in-office bleaching ingredients. In such cases, the dentist recommends a supervised routine of intensive at-home bleaching or alternatives like bonding, crowns, or veneers. If your teeth have become transparent with age, you are not a suitable candidate for in-office teeth whitening. The dentist assesses your teeth to determine your candidature before confirming your suitability for the treatment.

Starting The Teeth Whitening Treatment

Before starting the in-office teeth whitening treatment, Calgary dentists NW give you a cleaning to remove plaque and debris accumulated on the surface and between your teeth. A dental exam is also performed, checking for potential problems like severe tooth decay, gum disease, and cracks. The bleaching ingredients cause varying degrees of irritation if you have any of these conditions. The dentists will likely delay the treatment until the problems are treated. The dentists take images of your teeth to measure their color on a shade guide. The photos provide a benchmark to assess your progress.

The In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure

Relatively standard routines are followed by teeth whitening in NW Calgary when whitening your teeth. The steps involved are not uncomfortable or painful.
  • You have a cheek retractor inserted into your mouth, exposing the aesthetic zone.
  • Your gums are painted with a liquid rubber dam or hardening resin to protect against irritation from the bleaching gel.
  • The bleaching gel consisting of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the aesthetic zone and left in place for about 15 minutes.
  • The bleaching gel is washed off for a new application for additional periods of 15 minutes.
  • Some teeth whitening treatments incorporate ultraviolet light focused on your teeth to activate the bleaching process. However, no evidence is available to prove the light improves the bleaching outcome.
  • Your teeth are checked between gel applications to determine how they have whitened and whether further bleaching is required.
After the eventual gel application, the cheek retractors are removed, and you receive instructions to rinse your mouth. The dentist measures the post-treatment shade, which may be as low as 2 to 3 or eight shades out of 16. The bleaching process dehydrates your teeth resulting in whitening, making them look whiter than there were earlier. If the results are unsatisfactory, the dentist will likely recommend follow-ups with in-office bleaching at a later date or a regimen of at-home bleaching trays.

Benefits of in-Office Teeth Whitening

In-Office teeth whitening treatments deliver fast results providing the safest form of bleaching. Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are now more controllable because of the thicker peroxide gels and using de-sensitizers like potassium nitrate and fluoride.

Downsides of in-Office Teeth Whitening

The most significant downside of in-office teeth whitening is the higher prices charged than take-home alternatives. In-office teeth whitening prices are around $ 650 per session compared to below $ 100 for over-the-counter bleaching trays or strips. Take-home bleaching trays cost about $ 400. In-office bleaching treatments are unpredictable and depend on various factors like age, the kind of staining affecting the teeth, and heredity. Furthermore, in-office teeth whitening is not permanent, and your teeth start accumulating stains shortly after the treatment. Therefore many dentists recommend at-home maintenance of the teeth whitening results using low dose bleaching gel kept on the teeth for longer durations. If you want to maintain the results of teeth whitening, limiting staining foods and beverages is the best option besides quitting smoking. Therefore, you must avoid staining your teeth by maintaining excellent dental hygiene and using the self-care tips mentioned to have a brighter and whiter smile longer.

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns and Bridges

Crown and bridges are popular treatments in restorative dentistry. Dentists use these dental devices to improve the appearance and functioning of damaged teeth.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crowns are used in several instances. Mostly, they cover chipped, broken and teeth that are damaged by the effects of dental decay. They can also be used aesthetically if you do not feel confident about your smile. Crowns can also be used with dental implants to top the artificial titanium pole. The dentist in Northwest Calgary also uses dental crowns after root canal therapy to reinforce the tooth, protecting it from further damage.

Types of Crowns

There are three main types of crowns liable to the material used. The kinds of crown best for you depend on where it’s being placed in the mouth, durability, and appearance. Metal Crowns They are mostly made using gold and other metals used in dentistry, like silver. Metallic crowns have these benefits:
  • String and very long-lasting
  • Involve less tooth removal
  • Metal crowns are more comfortable and less traumatic to the teeth when biting down.
Gold crowns are costly as they are durable and generally provide a wear value. Ceramic Ceramic crowns are porcelain-based. They have high tooth aesthetics as they can be adjusted to match your natural teeth’ color shade. Porcelain crowns are mostly recommended for front teeth. Benefits:
  • Durable and smooth hence comfortable
  • Natural tooth shine hence great aesthetics
Porcelain-fused-to metal Also called PFM crowns, the materials combine the strength of metal and aesthetics of ceramics. The end product is stronger than porcelain and resin crowns but not as sturdy as metal crowns. Benefits
  • Great aesthetics
  • Strong and long-lasting

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns at Tooth works dental offer these benefits:
  • Protection and restoration
Dental crowns are the best devices to reinforce a damaged tooth or one at risk for tooth decay. After a root canal treatment, the tooth is left weak and brittle, so it must be protected using a dental crown.
  • Aesthetics
In addition to tooth protection, dental crowns also add aesthetic value to your teeth. They help to restore your teeth’ natural shape and color, and even strength. They are made using solid and good-looking materials, which fixes flawed teeth. Another advantage of crowns is that they can be customized to match the neighboring teeth’ color.
  • Durability
Of most dental restorations, crowns are perceived as the most long-lasting. This is because the materials used to make crowns are strong and of good quality.

What is a Dental Bridge?

The dentist near you uses a dental bridge if you have one or more missing teeth. The bridgework is cemented on the surrounding natural teeth or dental implant posts. The extra crown wings are anchors to the false middle tooth that rests on the missing tooth gap. The artificial tooth is called a pontic, while the supporting crowns are abutments.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are three main types of dental bridges, namely:
  • Traditional Bridge
It’s the conventional type of bridge where the pontic is held between two abutment teeth that; attached to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. They are also called fixed bridges and are used when one or more teeth are missing.
  • Cantilever Bridges
Cantilever bridges are used when the supporting tooth is only on one side of the missing tooth gap. During the procedure, the false toot I anchored on one side of the missing gap, where there is a healthy natural tooth.
  • Maryland Bridges
This bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework and bonds the frame to the back of the adjacent supporting teeth, different from cantilever and traditional bridges.
  • Composite bridges
They are used when there are no large fillings on the abutment teeth. It’s mainly used for front missing teeth and involves anchoring the false teeth on only one side of one or more adjacent teeth.

Benefits of Bridges

  • Durability
Like dental crowns, bridge materials are pretty durable.
  • Aesthetics
This among the top benefits of bridges is you can recover the tooth functionality and appearance.
  • Biteforce distribution
Dental crowns and bridges near you help to distribute the bite pressure while eating.
  • Functional restoration
Tooth gaps affect your chewing as well as speech. Using a dental bridge restores these functions so you can speak and eat normally.

Care

Care for your crowns and bridges is easy. You have to ensure that you don’t bite on hard substances and foods to void cracking your dental devices. Also, maintain healthy oral hygiene through brushing and flossing every day. Ensure you regularly go for dental checkups to the dentist near you to check for any problems with your crown or bridge.

Uses of Dental Crowns in Dentistry 

Dental crowns are among the most-used and popular dental appliances in dentistry. They have been used on multiple occasions to help patients enjoy beautiful smiles and functional mouths. A fact you may not know is that crowns are useful independently, but also are codependent with other types of oral appliances. If you are visiting any Calgary dentists in NW for restorative treatments, chances are that your treatment will be based on the use of dental crowns.

What Are Dental Crowns?

They are tooth-shaped, tooth-colored shell-like oral appliances that are used to repair and restore teeth. Crowns are used to repair or replace damaged crowns of teeth. The crown part of a tooth consists of the enamel and the dentin. When damage has been incurred on this part, then a dentist near you will employ a tooth crown to repair the tooth.

How Are Crowns Applied?

The process of installing back and front tooth crowns in NW Calgary uses a dental bonding procedure. Ideally, your attending dentist will determine the most suitable crown for your tooth through taking impressions of your damaged tooth. The dentist starts by removing the damaged part of your enamel and trimming it to a shape comparable to the size of a typical dental crown. This process applies differently, based on the reason why you need a crown. Still, even though your tooth may not be damaged, part of it has to be trimmed to make room for the dental crown. Afterward, your dentist will take impressions of that tooth as a mold to come up with a perfectly fitting dental crown. This process will take some time, which is why you are likely to go home with a temporary dental crown. Once your crown is readied, it is then attached to your tooth using special cement and laser light to cure it.

Uses of Dental Crowns

The process of installing a dental crown is not complex. You can get your crown ready in a few days, or even opt for same-day dental crowns. The important area of focus should be about how the crowns are used for dental treatments. The many areas that crowns are useful include:
  • Repairing decayed teeth – instead of losing your tooth through an extraction process, a dental crown can fix a decayed tooth. It can replace the damaged enamel and be the new crown for your tooth.
  • Holding a filling in place – a dental filling can equally be used to treat a decayed tooth. However, when the filling used is too big for the tooth, it needs to be held in place by a dental crown.
  • Repairing a broken or cracked tooth – instead of dental bonding or veneers, teeth crowns can still be used for this purpose.
  • To cover an implant – a dental implant typically replaces the root of a tooth. In that sense, the top part of your tooth is still left untreated. A dental crown is mostly used to cover the implant and complete your tooth replacement treatment.
  • To make a dental bridge – a dental bridge comprises an artificial tooth and a dental crown. The traditional dental bridge actually uses two dental crowns to hold the replacement tooth in place, during a tooth replacement procedure.
  • To covers stains on teeth – professional teeth whitening is effective in many cases. However, some stubborn stains may still resist the whitening gel. In other instances, your preference may be to cover up the discoloration instead of belching them. For such, some patients opt for dental crowns instead of other methods liked dental veneers.
  • To boost the strength of teeth – this is often the case when the structural build of a tooth is compromised. A tooth crown may be placed to strengthen the teeth, adding an extra layer of protection to your teeth.
  • To cover a root canal procedure – to save your tooth, root canal therapy may be the only treatment viable. It helps treat your tooth from the inside, without necessarily damaging the structure of your tooth. In that case, to seal your tooth after the procedure, your dentist will use a dental crown. This will prevent any future re-entry of bacteria causing infection in your tooth.