What is a Dental Crown?

When a tooth is weak, it can become less functional in your mouth and can really affect your smile. We believe in preserving your real teeth as long as you can. This is why here at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, we offer dental crowns for weak teeth that still have a healthy root.

A dental crown is a cap or a “crown” that goes over the exposed part of the tooth. They are ideal when there is too much damage for a filling, an inlay, or an onlay to hold, but not enough where the whole tooth needs to be extracted. When there is still an intact root, we can reshape the tooth to place a crown that will strengthen and protect the tooth.

To place a crown, first we remove any decay. We then reshape the tooth by filing down the sides of the tooth. An impression is taken of the area so that a dental laboratory can create a completely customized tooth. We are able to have it made to look and feel just like one of your real teeth. A temporary crown is worn while your custom crown is being created. A couple of weeks later, you will come back to have your permanent crown placed.

If you are experiencing embarrassment or pain from a decayed or injured tooth, come see us to find out if a crown is right for you. To schedule an appointment with Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call us at (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

What are Wisdom Teeth For?

As you begin to enter adulthood, your wisdom teeth make their presence known in the far reaches of your mouth. Wisdom teeth – officially the third molars – are the last set of teeth to come in, usually between 17 and 25 years of age. The reason we have them lies in the mouths of our ancestors because early humans needed an extra row of teeth to chew their food: a diet of uncooked, hard items. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and will need to be removed by one of our dentists at Flossophy Dental.

When wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars, or be angled inward or outward. When these teeth are poorly aligned, they can crowd or damage adjacent (healthy) teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. It’s important to know that just because your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you pain doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wrong. At Flossophy Dental, your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth to make a decision on whether or not they need to be extracted.

If you wish to inquire about wisdom tooth extractions, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

What is Dental Sealant Used For?

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are top candidates for sealants. However, at Flossophy Dental, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth – to prevent tooth decay.

In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost earlier than expected. Applying sealant is a simple and painless process for any of those concerned. It takes only a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wear-and-tear at regular dental checkups.

If you wish to inquire about dental sealants, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint and you have two which work together as a pair, one in front of each ear. These joints are what allow you to chew, speak, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions characterized by pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues and limitation in jaw movements. Fortunately, relief is available and here at Flossophy Dental, we use behavioral treatments first to change the way you use your jaw muscles.

Some symptoms of temporomandibular disorders include pain when opening or closing your mouth, trouble chewing, jaw becoming locked, headaches or ear pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, and teeth grinding. Many of these symptoms can be often associated with other health problems, so only a medical professional can tell you if it is due to TMD.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with TMJ disorder, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

The Root Canal Procedure

 

Here at Maiden Lane Dental, a root canal is the treatment we use to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. We know that this can be a scary procedure for some and we would like to ease your anxiety by providing you with a step-by-step guide on how we complete the process.

The area around the tooth is first numbed with an anesthetic to start the procedure. One of our dentists will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove the infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. Your tooth will then be placed with a temporary crown until you are able to be fitted with a permanent one.

If you have questions regarding an upcoming root canal procedure, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Here at Flossophy Dental, a root canal is the treatment we use to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. We know that this can be a scary procedure for some and we would like to ease your anxiety by providing you with a step-by-step guide on how we complete the process.

The area around the tooth is first numbed with an anesthetic to start the procedure. One of our dentists will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove the infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. Your tooth will then be placed with a temporary crown until you are able to be fitted with a permanent one.

If you have questions regarding an upcoming root canal procedure, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

 

Your Diet and Your Dental Health

The health of our teeth and mouth are linked to overall health and wellbeing. Therefore, to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, your diet – what you eat and how often you eat – are important factors. Changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods, due to the bacteria in the mouth that converts sugars and carbohydrates to acids. These acids begin to attack the enamel on teeth and although we love to see you here at Flossophy dental, we would rather you eat a balanced diet to improve your smile naturally.

The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth. Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (celery and carrots). It’s important to limit your consumption of sugar containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar. Exposing your teeth to abundant amounts of sugar can lead to tooth decay.

If you have questions about how diet affects your dental health, give us a call. To learn more about services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333. 

The Proper Flossing Technique

Gum disease begins at the gum line and between teeth which is why you should floss at least once a day. Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums and helps remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Believe it or not, flossing is more than just running string between your teeth to get the foods particles out, there is a proper flossing technique and our staff at Flossophy Dental would like to share it with you.

• Wind 18” of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1”-2” length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.


• Keep a 1”-2” length of floss tight between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.


• Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. Gently wrap floss around the side of the tooth.


• Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.

If you have questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.