MAINTAIN ORAL HEALTH WITH GENERAL DENTISTRY IN STITTSVILLE
Choosing a dentist is an individual’s decision; the key to choosing the best-fit dentist for you includes various factors. We accept patients of any age, and that means we specialize in treating elderly patients as well as toddlers. Your little ones will love our kids’ corner, and the not so little ones will enjoy our reading nook with bean bag chairs to lounge in and use our Wi-Fi.
One of the things you will notice when you first contact our office is that we have time for you. You won’t be rushed, and we will listen to what you have to say. We will try our very best to accommodate your schedule. If you have a dental emergency and are in pain, we will make sure you are cared for as soon as possible.
GENERAL DENTISTRY
If you are looking for a dentist to treat your children, nothing can replace a mother’s touch provided by Dr. Cathy. Dr. Cathy treats many children and loves seeing kids of all ages with varying needs. Dr. Cathy’s focus is on full restorative general dentistry from fillings to veneers, crowns and bridges, as well as gingival grafting. If you don’t like your smile, Dr. Cathy will take the time to discuss all your treatment options with a free consultation. “Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.”
Dr. Mike’s focus is on orthodontics and general dentistry, including fillings, night guards, implant crowns, bridges and dentures. If straight teeth are what you are looking for, Dr. Mike treats children and adults in orthodontics. Dr. Mike is one of the leading providers in Invisalign® in the Ottawa area. Dr. Mike’s humour and easy-going will be sure to make you smile and make your dental appointment more enjoyable.
On more demanding cases, as well as teaming with each other, Dr. Cathy and Dr. Mike work with various dental specialists allowing for all dental needs to be met with a multi-discipline approach to your dental and overall health.
EXAMS AND X-RAYS
X-rays are an essential component of dental diagnosis and treatment. Some conditions might go undetected without the use of dental x-rays. Current equipment and techniques provide effective diagnostics at low levels of radiation exposure.
Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging in which digital x-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Capturing and saving digital x-rays offers your dentist an instant image of your overall smile.
We will save them electronically as part of your confidential records. Our system allows us to retrieve your images anywhere on our network. We are also able to share these records with specialists and insurance companies if required.
X-rays are an essential component of a dental diagnosis.
We will save them electronically as part of your confidential records. Our system allows us to retrieve your images anywhere on our network. We are also able to share these records with specialists.
ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Three people a day die from oral cancer in Canada!
Late detection of oral cancer is the primary reason that mortality rates are so dismal. As with most other cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Though tobacco use is a major predisposing risk factor, 25% of people with oral cancer have no lifestyle risk factors.
Increased risk: Patients age 18-39 with no lifestyle risk factors.
High risk: Patients age 40 and older with no lifestyle risk factors or patients age 18-39 with lifestyle risk factors.
Highest risk: Patients age 65 and older with lifestyle risk factors or patients with a history of oral cancer.
Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include:
Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)
Immune deficiencies such as HIV and AIDS
Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16/18)
PERIODONTAL SCREENING
Periodontal disease (Periodontitis) damages the gums, ligaments and bone structure that support your teeth. It is caused by the bacterial infection associated with plaque. Plaque is that clear sticky substance that builds throughout the day on your teeth, which is removed by regular brushing and flossing. Plaque that isn’t cleaned off through brushing and flossing hardens into tartar, which must be removed by a hygienist through ‘scaling’.
Tartar on the teeth can cause an infection that will accumulate below the gum line. Over time the bacterial infection can result in the gums separating from their grip on your teeth causing ‘pockets’ between your gum and tooth to develop. These ‘pockets’ make room for more infections and additional problems. These include receding and painful gum tissue, loosened and damaged teeth, constant bad breath issues and even tooth loss.
Periodontal disease can be prevented and treated like most ailments, the earlier it is detected, the better.
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
Why does your dentist want to schedule another appointment with you - even if today’s oral examination was perfect?
Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. For maximum benefit, a good home care regimen must be supplemented with an examination at least every six months. (Depending on the status of your oral health, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits).
After a professional cleaning, plaque (as well as stains from food, beverages and tobacco) begins to build-up almost immediately. Over time, plaque build-up hardens into bacteria-laden tartar (or calculus), which can only be removed by a professional in a dental office.
Your dental exam involves far more than cleaning your teeth. Remember, prevention is key!
Dental cleanings and check-ups are extremely important. Your dentist can prevent problems before they become problematic. Regular check-ups and cleaning help maintain healthy teeth and mouth for a lifetime.
Tooth decay describes the breakdown of strong healthy teeth over time. Your tooth’s surface is composed of a hard mineral coating called enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, but by no means indestructible.
Enamel is constantly exposed to naturally occurring oral bacteria. These bacteria contribute to plaque formation on your teeth (the fuzzy feeling your tongue sometimes feels when rubbing up against your teeth). Plaque combines with sugars to eat away at the enamel, causing holes known as cavities.
FILLINGS/
OBTURATIONS
Tooth decay often results in cavities that need to be filled. If you have a tooth with a cavity in it and it is left untreated, the tooth will decay further, this could lead to the need for more treatment and the possibility of losing the tooth altogether.
Composite Fillings
Composite tooth-coloured fillings are made of a mixture of glass and plastic. They form a smooth barrier around your tooth. After preparing your tooth for the fillings, the dentist places the composite material into the tooth, one layer at a time. We will use a special light to harden each layer before putting on the next layer. One of the many advantages of composite fillings is they can be matched to the colour of your teeth.
Preparing the Tooth
Before we fill any tooth, we examine it visually and use dental instruments to check it further. In some cases, we take x-rays to see the entire structure of the tooth more clearly and avoid potential pitfalls.
TOOTH EXTRACTION
Pulling a tooth, or tooth extraction, is something that our dentists would consider only if it is absolutely necessary, and there is no possible way to save it. Once a tooth is very severely fractured or decayed, or if there is excessive bone loss around a tooth as a result of severe gum disease, our doctors may consider the last resort of removing the tooth in order to prevent further infection in the damaged tooth from spreading to nearby teeth and endangering them or the rest of the body as well.
In addition, our dentists may recommend tooth extracting your wisdom teeth (the furthest back molars in the mouth) if they determine, through X-Rays and an oral examination, that there is not enough room in the jaw for them to grow in properly. Wisdom teeth can get wedged between the vertical portion of the jaw and the rest of one’s teeth, or they can grow sideways, causing discomfort, inflammation and infection (which can put the nearby teeth in danger as well).
EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES
At Red Barn Dental, we know how painful a dental emergency can be, and we know that you want to get it fixed right away. We provide urgent care for a variety of dental emergencies by simply calling our office at 613-831-7750 and listening to the prompts, you could be in communication with the doctors at any time.
Important:
Just a reminder that if an adult tooth is chipped or knocked out, we could reglue the fractured pieces or reinsert the entire tooth if this procedure is done as quickly as possible (within 1-3 hours) and the tooth is kept moist in the patient’s saliva or milk. Call us right away for us to get this done as quickly as possible.
Need an emergency dentist in the Stittville area? Call us anytime!
DENTURES
Red Barn Dental offers denture solutions to our patients looking to replace several or even all of their teeth. We can create, adjust, or clean your dentures.
Full dentures may be recommended to replace all of the teeth on the top and/or bottom portion of your mouth. These are typically made from acrylic.
Partial dentures may be used to replace several missing teeth. Unlike full dentures, partial dentures are generally made from a combination of acrylic and metal.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
There are many reasons a person might want dental implants, but the most common reason is simply the amount of teeth a person has lost throughout their lifetime, regardless of age. With dental implants, you could once again eat the many foods you used to enjoy before you lost a few important teeth. Also, you can smile freely without worry once you have dental implants.
Dental implants are small posts made of titanium that go where missing teeth reside in the jawbone. These posts will bond with your jawbone and create a secure foundation for your new artificial teeth. When you lose teeth due to age or neglect, you put yourself at risk for your bone deteriorating. Dental implants can help prevent this from happening.
If you believe that dental implants are the best choice for your situation, then we’ll gladly schedule a time to meet with you. During this visit, we will perform a radiographic/dental exam in addition to going over your health history. The purpose of this consultation (and any future ones) is simply understanding what you want and what is ideal for your existing dental needs. If you have questions about anything, it’s best to ask during these consultations.
You can expect your entire dental implant procedure to take anywhere from 6-8 months. This is the average time with implant/bone integration. In addition, the majority of our patients have reported little to no disruption in their lives when undergoing a dental implant procedure.
If you have more questions or want to schedule a free consultation, just give us a call. We would be happy to help you and schedule a visit.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal (or an endodontic) treatment is a common dental procedure performed to save your natural tooth caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. At the centre of your tooth is pulp. The pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerves that help to build the surrounding tooth and can become infected, and the given infection is released at the root tip of the tooth giving way to an abscess.
Root canals are fairly common. This simple treatment can save your natural tooth. Root canal treatments have a poor reputation due to instances in the distant past that antibiotics were not given to the patient before the treatment. The necessary anesthetic would not take due to being blocked by the infection itself. Nowadays, we make sure that the anesthetic will be taken by giving you the necessary antibiotic treatment before the root canal treatment.
Symptoms of the infection can be:
Visible injury
Swelling of the gums
Sensitivity to temperature
Pain and pressure in the tooth and gums
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend this less invasive treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed, and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits, depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavourable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
What Happens After a Root Canal Treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, the root canal is capped with a temporary filling, and a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact your office for a follow-up permanent restoration within a couple of weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth, but this is usually followed by a crown (cap) to protect the now fragile tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to help and respond to this situation.
