GENERAL DENTISTRY
The professional dental team at Viznyak Dentistry are focused on diagnosis, treatment, management and coordination of oral health services for patients and their families.
Family and General dentistry includes everything from education focusing on preventive practice to regular hygiene visits to fillings, crowns, bridges and more. The whole family will find continued health and comfort with general dental services at Viznyak Dentistry.
EXAMS + CLEANINGS
You will meet our administrators first. They will book your appointment and help you with any necessary paperwork. At your first cleaning appointment, you will spend most of your time with a dental hygienist. Your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and polished. The condition of your gums and teeth will be recorded in your chart to create a base line of your dental health. Digital x-rays will be taken to check for cavities and any oral pathology. You will receive oral hygiene instructions and if necessary, the hygienist will demonstrate how to properly floss and brush your teeth. Finally, the dentist will examine your mouth, inform you about the state of your oral health and explain a treatment plan if needed.
FLUORIDE TREATMENT
Fluoride is a mineral found in natural water sources. Research shows that fluoride reduces the incidence of dental caries in children and adults and helps repair the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride can be obtained in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides are applied directly to the tooth surface. Systemic fluorides are ingested (e.g. fluoridated water, fluoride tablets). Fluoride varnishes used in a dental office come in much higher concentration than those found in tooth pastes or mouth rinses. Professional fluoride treatment takes only a few minutes. A gel, foam or varnish is applied to the teeth with a cotton swab or a brush or it can be used in a rinse placed in a special tray which is held in the mouth for several minutes.
After the treatment, you will be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for thirty minutes. Depending on the patient, fluoride treatment is recommended every 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.
PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
Patients with active periodontal disease will require deep scaling and root planing. This is a non-surgical approach to the treatment of periodontal disease. In order to complete the treatment, several appointments may be necessary and afterwards more frequent maintenance visits are recommended, usually every 3 or 4 months. Patients who suffer from more severe periodontal disease will be referred to a periodontist (gum specialist).
ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Oral cancer screening is part of an examination performed by the dentist during regular checkup visits. If there is a suspicion of cancer or a precancerous condition, the patient will be referred to an oral surgeon for a biopsy.
DIGITAL X-RAYS
Our office uses digital x-rays, which deliver much lower levels of radiation compared with film x-rays. As a general rule, we recommend bite-wing radiographs every two years, to check for tooth decay. However, if a patient is at a higher risk of decay, we may recommend them more frequently. Panoramic x-rays are good for assessing the position of wisdom teeth and detecting pathologic changes within jaw bones.
FILLINGS
Teeth damaged by decay are restored with dental fillings. The most popular filling material is composite resin. Composite fillings come in a range of shades to closely match the colour of the patient’s natural teeth. Teeth that are heavily restored with fillings should be covered with crowns in order to rebuild their strength and prevent further breaking and chipping.
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Root canal treatment is recommended whenever there is an infection deep within the tooth. When the pulp inside the tooth is infected, the tooth becomes non vital and the only way to save it is to perform a root canal procedure. The alternative to a root canal is an extraction. During root canal treatment, the nerves and pulp are removed from the tooth. The canals are cleaned and filled with a special material. Following root canal treatment, the tooth becomes brittle and should be restored with a crown.
NIGHTGUARDS
Grinding teeth at night (bruxism) can lead to various problems like headaches, sore jaws, facial pain and worn-down teeth. One of the main reasons why people grind their teeth at night is stress. In today’s world, bruxism is a widespread phenomenon affecting large portions of the population. The problem can be alleviated by a custom-made night guard. Night guards provide a cushion between the upper and lower teeth, thus creating protection for your dentition.
ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARDS
For those involved in contact sports, a mouthguard is a must. An athletic mouthguard fits over the patient’s upper teeth and provides necessary protection from a physical blow that may occur during contact sports. Athletic mouthguards come in various styles and colours, you will have several choices.