At Summeridge Dental Care we provide a full range of dental care. We work together to assess your needs and prepare a treatment plan with you including the different options you may have. The following list includes some of the services we can offer you. For more information on any of the services listed or unlisted, do not hesitate to come in to the office and speak with one of our dentists. We would be happy to answer any of your questions. We have provided a link to the Ontario Dental Association’s website which provides excellent explanations of procedures and treatment options.

Family Dentistry

We check for cavities, gum disease, proper development of teeth and their alignment, oral cancer, proper oral hygiene and infection. As necessary, we will take radiographs, or x-rays according to our patient's individual needs. We want our younger patients to enjoy coming to the dentist and we do our best to make them very comfortable.

 

Our team of hygienists will provide your dental cleanings, otherwise known as scaling and polishing, to help prevent gingivitis or periodontal disease. Your recare schedule will be at 3, 4, 6, or 9-month intervals according to your individual needs. The schedule may change according to the condition of your gingiva and the bone supporting your teeth. Oral hygiene is continually monitored and altered as necessary. Regular visits help to maintain your optimal oral health.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to replace single or multiple missing teeth. It is a wonderful approach to restoring your dentition without harming any other teeth in the mouth. Other options usually involve cutting or preparing other teeth to accept a restoration or denture in order to replace the missing tooth or teeth. Implants are a more conservative option than bridges because there is no loss of tooth structure from teeth that would otherwise not need to be prepared. Dental implants are placed by a specialist. They are similar to a screw that gets placed within the bone. There is a waiting period for the implant to osseointegrate or stabilize within the bone. While you are waiting for this stabilization there is a temporary tooth that will hold the space. Once the implant is ready to restore, you will come to the office for the fabrication of a crown on top of the implant. Often,we will recommend a nightguard or bruxism appliance to protect your new tooth or teeth.

Crown and Bridge

These procedures are used for different reasons. Crowns are used to protect a tooth from fracturing after root canal treatment or due to a very large filling which leaves the tooth undermined and at risk of fracturing. Crowns are also used to change the look of teeth in order to improve the esthetics of your smile. A crown is made in two appointments. The first is a longer appointment in which the tooth is prepared to accept the crown and an impression is taken to be sent to the lab so that a new crown can be made. You will leave the office with a temporary crown. On the second appointment, less than two weeks later, your dentist will permanently cement your crown in place.

Bridges are used to replace single or multiple missing teeth. The procedure is similar to a crown in that two, or more teeth are prepared for crowns. The teeth bordering the space act as support for the missing one(s) as does a bridge over water. The bridge gets permanently cemented into your mouth as one piece on the final appointment. Bridges work extremely well to replace the missing teeth but they do require the removal of tooth structure to allow for the materials that make up your brige or crowns. You must continue to clean around your bridge and we will show you how to keep it clean and healthy.

Cosmetic Dentistry

There are many procedures that dentists use to improve the look of your smile. Some include bleaching, composite resin fillings or veneers, porcelain veneers, contouring of teeth, crowns, orthodontics, and replacing missing teeth. We can bleach your teeth to whiten them and refresh your smile. White or composite resin fillings can change the shape, colour and alignment of your teeth. They can also be used to replace unsightly or old fillings that no longer match the colour of your teeth.Veneers can be used which cover the front surface and a small portion of the back of your tooth. They can be done in the office from two different materials. Resin veneers are done in one appointment and porcelain veneers are completed in two appointments. The porcelain veneers must be made in a dental laboratory. White fillings or veneers can also be used to close spaces between teeth. Orthodontics can also be used to close spaces or change the alignment of teeth. Missing teeth can be replaced with implants or bridges or dentures if required. Sometimes gum sugery can be used to recontour your gums or add gums to where they are missing.

 

Root Canals

A root canal is used to clean, reshape and disinfect a tooth following an infection associated with a tooth. If an infection penetrates the nerve or the inside of the tooth, a root canal or endodontic procedure will be completed. Files are used to remove the nerve and blood vessel from the tooth. The inside of the tooth is rinsed, disinfected, dried and then sealed with cement and a plastic-type filling known as guttapercha.The procedure can be completed in one or more appointments at the doctor's discretion. A crown is recommeded following a root canal because the tooth is weakened by the procedure. A crown will protect the tooth from a nonrestoreable frature. The alternate choice for a tooth requiring a root canal is extracton or removal of the tooth. This is sometimes recommeded if the tooth's prognosis is very poor.

Extractions

Extractions are required in some cases due to infection or for orthodontic reasons. Sometimes a tooth will have too many things wrong with it due to periodontal disease, extensive loss of tooth structure, or a non-restoreable fracture and therefore an extraction will be recommended. We have nitrous oxide sedation to help ease your anxiety if required. Complicated extractions may be referred to an oral surgeon in the area if necessary.