Whitening Methods

For many years, dental companies have been perfecting the art of professional teeth whitening, creating professional-grade products that whiten teeth dramatically – sometimes anywhere from four to eight. At Vista Dental, each one of our doctors is proud to offer professional tooth whitening using a specialized bleaching gel and custom-made trays to reveal radiant results.

When you whiten your teeth, you wish to make a noticeable difference in your smile’s appearance. Over-the-counter gels and strips can whiten teeth between one to two shades. Professional teeth whitening at our office can whiten teeth anywhere from four to eight shades. This means that even the least noticeable result with professional whitening is twice as effective as over-the-counter kits. If you desire a brighter smile, schedule a consultation to discuss your whitening options.

If you have questions regarding teeth whitening or 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. 

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Oral health has many benefits for the rest of the body. At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we encourage all our patients to get regular cleanings. We’re particularly excited about new research showing that treatments for gum disease can also improve symptoms of cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver due to chronic inflammation. It is often the result of smoking or alcohol, both of which are also linked to gum disease. But people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are also at increased risk for periodontal disease, which prompted scientists to look for a deeper connection.

People with cirrhosis have more frequent bouts of inflammation and decreased cognitive function. Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University investigated whether these symptoms improved in patients who underwent periodontal therapy. They found that treated patients had improved cognitive function and a higher count of bacteria that fight inflammation. While it is too early to definitively say that treating gum disease improves outcomes in people with cirrhosis, we can say that people without gum infections are less likely to inhale harmful bacteria. Better oral hygiene also leaves people with less mouth discomfort and feeling better about themselves.

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 Vista Dental MH.

Bridges

Vista Dental in Medicine Hat is a modern dental office with all sorts of ways of restoring missing teeth. Dental bridges are one of the most commonly used kinds of prosthodontics, so we want to ensure our patients’ understanding of them is up to date.

Bridges are used when multiple teeth are missing or have extensive decay. The most basic kind of bridge is a series of connected crowns. Two of a patient’s natural teeth would be reshaped into cylindrical abutments, and the artificial crowns at the ends of a bridge would be fitted over them, with a third crown suspended between. Bridges are less taxing on the patient than implants, which have to integrate with the jaw bone, and individual crowns won’t drift. But the classic bridge requires all the teeth in its way to be removed or reshaped, making it undesirable for people who only need some teeth replaced.

Dentures can also be thought of as bridges, and removable partial dentures can be used for people who only need a few teeth replaced. The denture can be constructed with a gap for a natural tooth, and although it may need to be refitted if the tooth drifts, it is easier to clean. Partial and full dentures can also be supported with mini-implants, providing some jaw bone stability with a shorter osseointegration process than full-sized implants.

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 Vista Dental MH.

 

Benefits of a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard

Mouthguards are very versatile. They provide damage control for those who grind and clench the teeth, athletes with an increased risk of dental injuries, and to reduce snoring from sleep apnea. At Vista Dental, we offer custom-fitted mouthguards to our patients for ultimate comfort and protection.

Mouthguards can be used by anyone but are most beneficial for those who play contact sports. Those who play hockey, soccer, football, or basketball, pose a higher risk of dental injury and trauma and a mouthguard provides a barrier to protect them from these problems. A custom-fitted mouthguard will also benefit a “bruxer” who grinds their teeth and risks wearing down tooth enamel. If you’ve ever considered a mouthguard, our doctors will discuss what is best for you.

If you have questions regarding custom-fitted mouthguards 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. 

Halitosis

When bad breath isn’t masked by mints or mouthwash, the odor may become a chronic problem. Unlike morning breath, halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you have an adequate oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day, but still suffer from a foul odor in the mouth, you may need to visit our doctors at Vista Dental to discuss your treatment options.

Bad breath is embarrassing, especially when you aren’t the first to notice. With halitosis, chronic bad breath is usually caused by poor oral hygiene habits. It can also be a result of dry mouth, dental problems such as gum disease, or an underlying medical condition. If your bad breath has you feeling self-conscious, schedule a consultation with our doctors at Vista Dental to get the problem under control.

If you have questions regarding halitosis, 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. 

Periodontal Maintenance

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession, and even tooth loss.  Vista Dental wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A scaling and root planing procedure is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal

To learn more about deep periodontal cleaning and all the other 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.

Bone Grafting For Dental Implants

A bone graft is the term for harvesting bone material from a healthy location and grafting it to a location that is broken or weakened.  At Vista Dental, our doctors perform bone grafts on patients in need of dental implants.  Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 

In the same procedure, bone material is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, the dentist can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

To learn more about bone grafting and all the 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.