Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses on smile enhancement. From subtle changes to major repairs, our doctors at Vista Dental can fix your smile imperfections with cosmetic dental services. Although cosmetic procedures are usually elective, rather than necessary, depending on the patient case they can provide restorative benefits. Allow us to explain a few of the cosmetic procedures we provide at our practice.

• Dental bonding – bonding is a tooth-colored material that is used to fill gaps or change the color of teeth. When teeth are chipped and slightly decayed, bonding can assist in fixing these issues. It can also be used as a filling for cavities.


• Veneers – Veneers are thin pieces of plastic porcelain that change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers look exceptionally realistic and fix crooked or cracked teeth.


• Teeth whitening – The most popular of cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening or bleaching can make your teeth appear at least 3 shades whiter. We can provide you with take-home trays so that you can whiten in the comfort of your own home, or we can whiten your teeth right here in the office.

Our doctors can answer any questions about the following procedures. If you wish to schedule a consultation to discuss what is best for you, we are happy to assist you in this decision.

If you have questions about cosmetic dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077. 

How to Clean Dentures

Last week, we described the process of getting dentures. This week, we want Vista Dental patients to learn how to care for their new set of teeth. Although they will still need to brush regularly, there will be some major changes.

Natural teeth produce their own protective film. Since dentures do not have this, they are more vulnerable to being scratched by the minerals in ordinary toothpaste, which they do not need anyway. It is wise for patients to use two sets of soft-bristled toothbrushes; one for use on their mouths, and one to use on their dentures with toothpaste recommended by dentists specifically for that purpose. The entire denture needs to be scrubbed twice a day, and patients should brush their gums in the morning to stimulate blood flow.

Dentures need to be removed every night. During this time, they should be left soaking in room-temperature water or cleaning solution. Hot water could warp them, and patients should be careful handling them. If a denture does break, repairs should only be done by a professional.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Dentures

At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we provide our patients with many options for tooth replacements. While we recommend implants for replacing individual teeth when the patient has sufficient bone tissue, there are still many cases in which dentures are the best solution. But dentures come in many varieties and have improved since past decades, so we thought our patients would appreciate a run-down.

Dentures can either be a full-mouth restoration or only a replacement for front teeth. Partial dentures clasp onto reshaped natural teeth on either side. Placing full dentures requires the extraction of all the teeth in a jaw.

To ensure the dentures fit, impressions will be made of the patient’s mouth before any extractions or reshaping. In cases of full reconstruction, patients will be given immediate, temporary dentures to wear while their permanent ones are being manufactured in a dental laboratory. After a few months, they will have a second impression made to be used as the basis for their permanent dentures. This is done because the removal of tooth roots will cause their faces to change shape, and their permanent dentures will be refitted over the course of the patient’s life.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Childhood Thumb Sucking

Good oral health begins in childhood, and at Vista Dental, we’re proud to be a resource for Medicine Hat families. Because thumb sucking is such a common behavior in small children, many parents wonder whether it is harming their child’s dental development. While it is not a good thing, whether it is a cause for concern depends on whether the child is close to losing their first baby teeth.

Babies and toddlers commonly suck their thumbs or a pacifier as a way of self-soothing. Because the connections between their skull bones are not fully developed, their faces are a bit more flexible than older children’s. However, baby teeth start falling out and being replaced with permanent teeth at around the age of five. Continued thumb sucking at this point will likely result in an overbite and could also cause other forms of misaligned teeth, or even misaligned jaws.

It is best to approach children over the age of four who are still sucking their thumbs by encouraging them to participate in breaking their own habit. If there is a deep-seated anxiety which is motivating their behavior, it may be necessary to consult with a child psychologist. Children sometimes develop a habit of pushing their tongues against their incisors as a substitute for thumb sucking, which also can cause an overbite.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

HPV-Associated Oral Cancer

Dentists commonly treat a number of oral pathologies, not just those directly related to the teeth, and one of our most important duties at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat is to assess adults for oral cancer. As a result of years of anti-smoking campaigns, oral cancer fatalities have declined. However, rates of oral cancer associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) are on the rise, which is why we want our patients to be aware of its risks.

Tobacco-associated oral cancer usually occurs in the front of the mouth and can be scanned for with technology which is standard in most dental offices. But HPV-associated cancer usually occurs further back in the throat, in a region called the oropharynx, giving throat cancer the medical name “oropharyngeal cancer.” Most adults will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives, and the one strain out of hundreds which is known to cause throat cancer cannot be tested for.

Detecting HPV-associated cancer usually requires a tactile examination. This type of cancer is easier to treat and has a higher survival rate than tobacco-associated cancer, but because people think of oral cancer as a smoker’s disease, they often do not know to guard against it. Visit our office if you are suffering from pain or numbness in your throat or the area between your jaw and your ears, as these are common symptoms.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

What is Gum Grafting?

Vista Dental offers patients solutions for both their teeth and gums, to achieve optimal oral health as well as a stunning smile!  Even if you haven’t had the best oral hygiene habits until now, we can still help correct the negative effects of gum disease with gum grafting.  A gum graft procedure covers exposed teeth and repairs receding gums. 

When plaque builds up at the gum line, the gums stretch and form little pockets around the buildup. These pockets can be cleaned out, but they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  Receding gums cause teeth to become exposed closer to the root, which causes sensitivity. A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement and encourages the growth of new material around the graft.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the services we provide, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.

WaterLase Technology

Vista Dental takes pride in offering the best dental technology for our patients. WaterLase is an incredible development in the tools dentists use every day, and also has many benefits for patients.  The WaterLase device uses the combination of laser and water power to replace the traditional drill and scalpel tools.  The WaterLase can be used on both hard and soft tissue, and is so versatile that dentists can complete more work in a single session. 

When used on the gums, the WaterLase causes little to no bleeding and less swelling. The precision that can be achieved by using WaterLase is also important for teeth because the laser can target only decayed tissue without compromising the healthy tooth that remains.  This powerful and precise technology helps dentists achieve great results without causing trauma to the mouth, which results in less pain and recovery time.  Using WaterLase means less anesthetic shots for the patient and can even eliminate the need for anesthetic in some cases.  Patients who experience anxiety at dental appointments should also try this less invasive and virtually painless method.

To learn more about WaterLase and all the technology we use, visit VistaDentalMH.Ca for more information. To schedule an appointment at Vista Dental, located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.