General Dentistry in Maple Ridge — Fillings, Implants, & More
Serving Maple Ridge and Surrounding Areas
Having good oral health goes beyond just brushing your teeth twice a day. General dentistry plays a role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating a range of oral conditions.
Westgate Dental & Implant Centre offers restorative services with more advanced treatments as part of our general dentistry services.
Let our general dentists conduct various treatment options, depending on your dental health needs.
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy in Maple Ridge
Poor oral hygiene can lead to several problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath or even dental surgery. But with proper care, you can keep your mouth and gums healthy and avoid these issues. That’s where general dentistry comes in.
The area of general dentistry is responsible for identifying and preventing dental diseases and conditions affecting the natural teeth, gums, and other oral structures. Even if you take exceptional care of your teeth at home, it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly for examinations and professional teeth cleanings.
A handful of dental clinics offering general dentistry in Maple Ridge, BC, provide quality dental care services. These clinics deliver dental care services, such as teeth cleaning, whitening, and more. Westgate Dental Clinic is an excellent place to go if you need any of these services.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry encompasses a comprehensive spectrum of preventive care, restorative methods, and diagnostic procedures aimed at maintaining your sparkling smile. It forms the foundation for good oral health and directly impacts a person’s overall well-being, especially those with an active lifestyle.
Preventative Care
Includes regular checkups or cleanings, oral examinations, and diagnostic procedures like X-rays. Cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, which harbour bacteria and lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental examinations identify early signs of decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Restorative Dentistry
This focuses on restoring the function and aesthetics of damaged teeth compromised by decay, trauma, or fractures. Common procedures include fillings (composite resin or amalgam), crowns (porcelain or zirconia), and bridges (fixed restorations replacing missing teeth).
Other General Dentistry Services
Extractions (removal of teeth), root canal care (removal of infected pulp), and periodontal treatments (addressing gum disease) also fall under the umbrella of general dentistry.
Prioritizing Patient Care and Comfort
We take the time to understand our old and new patients’ unique needs, concerns, and dental history. Open communication allows us to tailor treatment plans and address any anxieties before procedures begin.
All our dentists in Maple Ridge have finished undergraduate education and completed the degree from an accredited dental school. This signifies special training in dental care, oral medicine, and cosmetic procedures to meet the highest educational standards in the field of dentistry.
We ensure patients understand all dental services options, associated risks and benefits, and potential outcomes. This fosters a patient-centred model of care, where informed patients actively contribute to dental treatment decisions.
Our General Dentistry Services
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings restore the function and beauty of affected tooth compromised by decay (cavities). Early detection and treatment with fillings prevent the need for more complex procedures in the future.
Composite Resin Fillings | These tooth-coloured fillings are common due to their natural look and strong bond to the tooth structure. |
Amalgam Fillings | These traditional metal fillings are durable and cost-effective compared to composite fillings. |
Glass Ionomer Fillings | Promote remineralization of the surrounding tooth structure. Well-suited for pediatric dentistry and particular areas with minimal occlusal (biting) forces. |
The filling procedure involves:
- Local anesthesia to numb the area
- Removal of decayed tooth structure using a dental drill
- Cleaning and disinfecting the cavity
- Placing and shaping the filling material
- Curing the filling material with a light source
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Third molars (wisdom teeth) erupt later than all other permanent teeth. But in some cases, we need to extract third molars due to several reasons:
- Impaction (unable to erupt fully due to lack of space)
- Recurrent infections
- Damage to surrounding teeth
Wisdom tooth extraction is a simple or surgical procedure, depending on the tooth’s position and angulation. Simple extractions involve removing the tooth with forceps after numbing the area. Surgical extractions involve an incision in the gum tissue and bone to access the tooth.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
A sleep disorder marked by breathing interruptions during sleep, which can lead to reduced oxygen levels and fragmented sleep.
Westgate Dental & Implant Centre offers sleep apnea treatment like custom-made mouthpieces and night guards that reposition the lower jaw slightly forward to open the airway and prevent apnea episodes.
Implant Overdentures
Implant overdentures receive additional support and stability from dental implants. Compared to traditional dentures, this improves:
- Tooth function
- Chewing ability
- Overall patient satisfaction
The process involves placing dental implants in the jawbone and attaching the denture to these implants using specialized attachments.
Dental Implants
A general dentist places short titanium screws in your jawbone to replicate tooth roots to provide a strong foundation for supporting dental implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures.
This method offer many benefits over traditional bridges or dentures, including:
- Improved functionality and chewing ability
- Enhanced aesthetics and a more natural appearance
- Preservation of jawbone health due to osseointegration (fusion between implant and bone)
White for Life Program
Westgate Dental & Implant Centre may offer various teeth whitening options, including the “White for Life” program.
This program involves a combination of in-office professional whitening treatments and take-home whitening kits to help our patients maintain their results over time.
Dental Cavity Treatment
Cavities are diagnosed through visual examination (regular exams), dental X-rays, and potentially using diagnostic tools like lasers. These are areas of tooth decay caused by bacterial breakdown of tooth enamel and dentin. Early detection and treatment are necessary to prevent further damage.
The primary dental cavity treatment is filling the decayed area. In advanced cases, root canal therapy or tooth extraction may be necessary.
- Fluoride Treatment: For remineralization of early-stage cavities.
- Dental Fillings: As discussed earlier, to restore decayed tooth structure.
- Crowns: For extensive decay affecting a significant portion of the tooth structure.
Periodontal Disease Treatment (Gum Disease)
Periodontal disease is a progressive inflammatory condition affecting the gums and supporting bone. Gingivitis is the early stage and is characterized by gum inflammation. Periodontitis is the advanced stage, leading to bone loss and tooth loss if left untreated.
Treatment for gum disease includes:
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) | Non-surgical removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth and root surfaces to remove bacterial build-up and promote healing. |
Antibiotics | May be prescribed in some cases to combat infection. |
Surgical Procedures | For advanced periodontitis, gum surgery may be necessary to access deeper areas for cleaning or regenerating lost bone. |
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, characterized by inflammation and bleeding gums. It is treated with correct dental hygiene practices and professional cleanings.
Gingivitis treatment focuses on removing plaque and calculus buildup through cleanings and an improved dental practice at home, including brushing and flossing twice daily.
Professional Dental Cleaning | Regular professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup inaccessible with brushing and flossing alone. |
Improved Oral Hygiene | Maple Ridge family dentist will instruct on correct brushing and flossing techniques to remove plaque effectively at home. |
Antimicrobial Mouthwash | May be recommended as an adjunct to mechanical cleaning to control plaque and gingivitis. |
Root Canal Treatment
When a cavity reaches the pulp (inner chamber) of the tooth, causing inflammation or infection, root canal treatment is needed.
The general dentist starts by removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the canals within the tooth root, and sealing them with a filling material. A crown is placed on the tooth to restore strength and function.
Why Choose Westgate Dental & Implant Centre?
Our Maple Ridge dentists understand the significance of having good oral health for a confident smile and overall well-being.
Our general dentists utilize advanced technology and techniques to deliver a range of general dentistry services, from regular checkups and professional teeth cleanings to complex dental treatments for better dental hygiene.
Whether you’re seeking preventative care, restorative dentistry, or solutions for sleep apnea, we are committed to providing dental procedures tailored to your unique needs. Our comfortable and welcoming environment ensures a positive dental experience for you and your family members.
Don’t wait any longer to have a smile makeover. Contact Westgate Dental & Implant Centre today to schedule an appointment and experience the difference exceptional general dentistry can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the perks of composite resin fillings over amalgam fillings?
Composite resin fillings offer several advantages:
- Tooth-coloured: They blend seamlessly with the natural tooth structure. Provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance compared to the dark metal of amalgam fillings.
- Bonding: Composite resin bonds straight to the tooth enamel. This creates a stronger seal and potentially reduces the need for extensive tooth removal for cavity preparation.
- Conservative approach: Because of their bonding capability, composite fillings demand less removal of healthy tooth structure than amalgam fillings.
When is wisdom tooth extraction necessary?
Wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary in several situations:
- Impaction: If the wisdom tooth is unable to erupt fully due to lack of space, causing pain, infection, or pressure on surrounding teeth.
- Pericoronitis: Swelling of the gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This leads to pain, swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth.
- Angulated wisdom tooth: When the wisdom tooth grows in at an angle, increasing the risk of damaging adjacent teeth or nerves.
- Cyst or tumour development: Wisdom teeth contribute to the formation of cysts/tumours in the jawbone.
Are dental implants suitable for everyone?
Dental implants are a versatile solution for replacing missing teeth. However, they are not suitable for everyone. Here are some factors to consider:
- Jawbone Health: Adequate bone density in the implant placement area is necessary for successful osseointegration (fusion with the jawbone). Patients with bone loss may require bone grafting procedures before implant placement.
- Overall Health: Certain medical conditions may increase the risk of implant failure, so a thorough medical history evaluation is essential.
- Smoking: Smoking can significantly impede healing and increase the risk of implant complications.