Restorative
Teeth issues becoming a problem? We can help! Although we believe the best approach is prevention of oral diseases, despite your best efforts, sometimes things happen and teeth need to be fixed. Typically fixing problems early while they are still small helps avoid unnecessary pain, costs, and future complications while also leaving teeth stronger. At Pine Family Dental, we take a pragmatic approach to dental care. We assess the dental problem, provide detailed options and answer all your questions so you may make an informed decision. Our approach is not to tell you what to do but give you information so you can decide what is best for you.
What is it and when would I need it?
A filling helps to restore a tooth that has cavities back to its normal shape and function. A filling also prevents further cavities by sealing out bacteria preventing it from further decaying your tooth. Fillings are also used to repair broken teeth or teeth that have been worn down over time due to grinding and clenching. A composite (tooth-coloured) filling is made from a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles and matches the color of the tooth. Amalgam or silver coloured fillings are still available but are much less popular given the modern advancements of white coloured composite fillings. During your appointment we will assess the appropriateness of the different filling materials for your tooth.
What should I expect during and after the procedure?
The tooth is prepared for a filling by shaping and removing any cavities. A conditioner and bonding agent is then applied to the tooth. The final step is filling the hole with tooth-coloured composite which is subsequently hardened by curing it with a special light. There is no need to wait for the composite filling material to harden. The tooth is then shaped and polished so that it feels and looks naturals in the mouth. If freezing was required, patients are asked to not eat and drink until the freezing wears off. This can typically take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
What is it and when would I need it?
Teeth with large fillings, unfavourable fractures, or root canals may benefit from a crown. A crown, sometimes known as dental cap, is a type of dental restoration which completely covers the tooth. A crown will preserve the remaining tooth structure and provide more mechanical protection than a filling thereby lessening the chance of future fractures from the stress of chewing and grinding. We live in a time with exciting new dental advancements in technology and materials. As a result, crowns are made with different materials that have different aesthetic and functional considerations. Dr. Lok will assess your situation and review with you his recommendations and provide you with appropriate options.
What should I expect during and after the procedure?
Crowns require two appointments that are usually spaced about 1-2 weeks apart. At the first appointment, the tooth is prepared for a crown, a 3D digital scanner is used to scan your mouth and the resulting information is sent electronically to a capable lab where they will fabricate your crown. In the meantime, we make and glue in a temporary crown for you to use in the interim. This temporary crown helps protect the tooth as well as maintains the space for the future crown. Because the temporary crown is glued in with a weaker temporary glue, we advise not eating sticky foods until the second appointment.
At the second appointment, your newly fabricated permanent crown will be assessed by Dr. Lok for proper fit, shape and colour. The temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is then glued in its place. This new crown should at this point feel and function like a natural tooth.
What is it and when would I need it?
A bridge is used in place of missing teeth to stabilize your bite. A bridge consists of an artificial tooth that is connected to neighbouring teeth.
What should I expect during and after the procedure?
Similar to a crown, a bridge will require two appointments. The procedure requires shaping the neighbouring teeth and taking digital scans. The digital files are sent to the lab where they will make a custom bridge for you. In the meantime, we will make and glue in a temporary bridge that acts as a place holder until your next appointment approximately one to two weeks later.
During the second appointment, we remove the temporary bridge and we glue in the permanent bridge. Dr. Lok will verify its colour, fit and shape to ensure it feels and functions like your natural tooth. After the glue has fully hardened you may use the bridge to eat like a natural tooth. We will review how to care for the bridge and incorporate a bridge flosser into your regular oral hygiene routine.
What is it and when would I need it?
Dental Implants are used to replace single or multiple missing teeth without disturbing neighbouring teeth unlike a bridge or denture. It feels and functions the most like your natural teeth. There are two major components of an implant, namely the titanium screw and the implant crown. Titanium implant screws are surgically placed in the jaw bone where the previous roots use to be. After several months of healing, your bone has grown around this implant screw and the implant crown is made to fit on top of the titanium screw. Implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. There are many types of implants and materials that will affect the overall aesthetics, function, durability, and maintainability of your custom implant. Dr. Lok can assess your situation, review appropriate options and help you replace that missing tooth with a functional and aesthetic implant tooth.
What should I expect during and after the procedure?
The implant process involves a team-based approach involving Dr. Lok as well as an implant surgeon. First, an assessment is made on the feasibility of an implant. The assessment involves an examination of your mouth, CT scans and X-rays. Many factors are taken into account such as your overall health, the quantity and quality of your bone, and the health of your gums just to name a few considerations.
After all relevant factors are considered and discussed between dentists and the patient decides to pursue the implant a surgery will be scheduled. During this appointment a titanium implant screw is placed. If necessary, the surgery may also involve bone grafting to bulk up the bone where the implant is going to be placed. This would have been determined during the assessment steps. Once the implant screw is placed, we need to wait for your bone to grow around this implant screw which typically takes several months. During these months you will be monitored by the implant surgeon for satisfactory healing.
Once the healing is complete, the implant surgeon will ask you to return to Dr. Lok’s office where we will begin making the implant crown. This involves two appointments. The first appointment involves scanning your mouth with a 3D digital scanner. Then the file is digitally sent to a dental lab where the implant crown is made. The second appointment will be where you finally get a implant crown fixed on top of the implant screw. Your new implant tooth will be very similar to your natural teeth. Remember to keep it clean by brushing and flossing it. Even though implants cannot develop cavities, the gums and tissue surrounding an implant can still get infected and lead to problems. A well maintained implant can offer many years of comfortable problem-free chewing.
