Lumineers For A Smile Makeover

At Vista Dental we are always being asked by patients about the latest cosmetic solutions available.  There are several methods for whitening or straightening teeth, but lumineers are the best way to give your smile a complete cosmetic makeover without undergoing a procedure.

Lumineers are thin shells made of high quality porcelain that bond directly to the surface of your teeth and look like your natural smile.  To outfit a patient with a full set of lumineers, we begin with taking an impression.  This impression will be used to ensure a perfect fit for your new smile.  Some patients won’t require preparation of the teeth, but depending on your individual case your dentist may want to contour or shave teeth in select places.  This is only done when your dentist sees an area they determine could be a problem to fit the shells on.   A new set of lumineers is fabricated outside the office, and on a final visit they are bonded directly to the surface of your teeth to wear forever!

If you’re ready to makeover your smile or have questions about lumineers, please give us a call!  To learn about all the services we provide at our practice, 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.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants have many advantages, including improved appearance, improved speech, improved comfort, and many more. When you are missing teeth, your self-confidence becomes depleted and you’re left feeling down and out. Our doctors at Vista Dental make it a priority to revive your self-esteem by recommending a treatment method that will help you eat, chew, smile, talk, all while looking completely natural.

The entire implant process is performed over a course of a few months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is then made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary, and after the implants are placed, the gums are sutured. Depending on the patient’s case, if a specialist at Vista Dental is not able to perform the surgery in office, he or she will recommend you to someone who can.

If you have questions or concerns regarding restorative dental services or dental implants, 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. 

Tooth Abscess Treatment

A tooth abscess is an infection in or around the root of the tooth which may or may not be painful. It occurs when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal dies, becomes inflamed and goes untreated. The most common symptom of a tooth abscess is a feeling of ache in the bone around the tooth, but you may also experience pain when chewing, or notice swelling of the gums. If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, give our doctors at Vista Dental a call to treat the problem.

Dental abscesses may range from mild to severe. If the abscess has spread to a superficial area, there is typically tenderness to the touch of the infected area. Most abscesses are painful, so people usually seek treatment immediately. If the infection is not treated, it can damage the surrounding bone and teeth. Daily brushing and flossing along with regular dental checkups can prevent tooth decay and a dental abscess.

If you have questions or concerns about a tooth abscess, 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. 

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  At Vista Dental we can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, 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.

Laser Treatment for Gums

The dentists of Vista Dental have seen great results at his practice from laser technology.  This advancement in the technology available to dentists has been especially successful in periodontal treatments.  Patients experiencing every stage of gum disease can see improvement from laser treatment.  The laser is so effective in periodontal treatments because it can target unhealthy gum tissue and leave healthy tissue undisturbed. The precision that can be achieved with a laser results in less trauma to the mouth and less recovery time.

In the past, periodontal treatment was completed using more aggressive tools and often required stitches. With a precise laser, treating only the affected gum tissue and not damaging any healthy gums is more efficient and causes little to no bleeding, which means less swelling after the procedure.  Patients often find the laser procedure relatively painless, so less and sometimes no anesthetic is needed! 

To learn more about the periodontal treatments we offer, 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.

Effects of Tartar Buildup

If you practice poor oral hygiene, you are likely to develop plaque buildup, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth along the gum line. Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease and when left untreated, can lead to tartar buildup that only our doctors at Vista Dental will be able to remove.

Because tartar is spongy, it absorbs stains easily. The most common sign of this mineral is a yellow or brown deposit between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. Therefore, if you are a coffee or tea drinker, or a smoker, it is especially important that you prevent tartar buildup. Proper brushing, especially with an American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste, and flossing is necessary to reduce both plaque and tartar buildup. The process for removing tartar is called scaling. During a scaling procedure, the doctor or a hygienist will use special instruments to remove it.  

If you have questions regarding dental health, oral hygiene, or periodontal disease, 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. 

Nocturnal Bruxism

Clenching your teeth in a bout of stress may seem harmless, but it actually does more harm than good. Teeth clenching and tooth grinding are symptoms of bruxism, a condition in which a patient performs these actions while awake or asleep. When bruxism occurs during sleep, however, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, regardless of the cause, our doctors at Vista Dental can recommend a dental appliance to alleviate the condition.

A patient who suffers from nocturnal bruxism can benefit from wearing a night guard during sleep. The purpose of a night guard is to alleviate pressure that is put on the jaw and to create better airflow during sleep. Wearing a night guard protects teeth from further damage and from becoming worn down, broken, or cracked. Bruxism cases can range from mild to severe, depending on which kind you are diagnosed with, treatment options may vary.

If you have questions regarding bruxism, 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.