Restorative Dentistry

When our doctors at Vista Dental use the term “restorative dentistry,” they are referring to the integrated management of oral health problems and restoring the mouth to a functional and esthetic state. Restorative dental procedures may include replacing missing teeth with dental bridges, tooth bonding, crowns, or dentures. The goal of these procedures is to preserve the natural teeth as much as possible.

Dental restorations that our doctors provide to makeover your smile are endless. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and provide a natural look and feel to patients, while veneers can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, cracked, or uneven. With proper oral care and hygiene maintenance, whichever restoration you and our doctor decide on will be the best option for you.

If you have questions or concerns regarding restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Though baby teeth are temporary, they are important for setting the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. Baby teeth are prone to cavities and this tooth decay that occurs in toddlers and infants is called baby bottle decay. Baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, though others can be affected. The common cause is frequent exposure to sugary beverages. Our doctors at Vista Dental are here to help parents prevent this condition in their child.

After feeding your child, wipe his or her gums with a clean gauze pad or washcloth. Begin brushing his or her teeth without toothpaste once the first tooth is exposed. Clean and massage the gums and make sure your child is getting enough fluoride to ward off cavities. Depending on your child’s age, he or she may be a candidate for dental sealants to prevent tooth decay.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric dental services, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Cosmetic Gum Surgery

Patients who are unhappy with their smiles for a variety of reasons come to Riverwalk Dental for a solution.  The look of your smile includes the gums, and even when a patient’s teeth are healthy they may feel their gums keep them from a perfect smile.  Riverwalk Dental offers cosmetic periodontal surgery to give every patient the chance to achieve the look they desire.

Cosmetic periodontal surgery is the process of sculpting a patient’s gum line.  A procedure can include removing gum tissue, grafting gum tissue, or both. Patients with excess gum tissue may have a gummy smile, and this can be removed with a scalpel tool or laser to expose more of the tooth.  Elongated teeth are the result of gums that have receded.  In these cases, gum tissue is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted onto the area lacking tissue.  The end result is an even, stunning smile!

To learn more about cosmetic periodontal surgery and all the services we provide, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, call 403-456-4994.

Pediatric Dentistry

The doctors and staff of Riverwalk Dental are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.

Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development.  Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, call 403-456-4994.

The Process of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. Tooth decay originates with dental plaque that isn’t removed between the teeth during brushing and flossing. A person is more likely to develop decay if they suffer from poor oral hygiene, a diet that is high in refined sugar, tooth roots exposed by receding gums, and/or reduced flow of saliva. To prevent tooth decay, it’s important to visit our doctors at Vista Dental twice a year for professional cleanings.

Tooth decay occurs in stages. The first stage of decay begins when chalky white areas on the surface of the tooth appear, due to the loss of calcium and plaque buildup. Acids will begin to deteriorate tooth enamel and will eventually start breaking underneath the tooth’s surface. If decay is left untreated, the dentist will begin to dissolve, resulting in potential tooth loss. If you experience tooth pain of any kind or are concerned about a cavity, schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options.  

If you have questions regarding oral care for orthodontics, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

TMJ/TMD Diet

A temporomandibular joint disorder may cause the jaw to be achy, sore, and difficult to open. Because of these symptoms, it’s helpful to adjust your diet after being diagnosed with this condition. The temporomandibular joint acts as a hinge that causes your jaw to slide forward and side-to-side to assist you with yawning, chewing, and speaking. Our doctors at Vista Dental suggest adjusting your diet to alleviate these discomforts.

Soft food gives your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers, and cheesecake are good things to choose from. They may not be the healthiest of options, but they are delicious and easy to eat!

If you have questions regarding temporomandibular joint disorder, please give us a call. To learn about the 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. 

Sealants For Pediatric Patients

Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves tend to trap food and bacteria.  Vista Dental wants to help you protect your children’s teeth with sealants, a preventative measure used to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel.

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.  Dental sealants are applied to surfaces of these back teeth much like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface and hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years. If you think anyone in your family would benefit from a dental sealant, our dentists can determine if you are eligible and start preserving your teeth!

To learn more about sealants 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.