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dental bridgeIf you are missing a tooth or several teeth, dental bridges are a very natural-looking way to replace them. Dental bridges not only help restore the function of your missing teeth but have several advantages that may make them the right treatment option for you.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group in Nanaimo, BC welcomes you to read more about dental bridges and contact us for an appointment to discuss whether or not a dental bridge might be the solution you are looking for.

Restore your smile

Missing teeth often affect the appearance of your smile – unless they are at the back of your mouth.  Dental bridges fill in the teeth and look as natural as your surrounding teeth.

Maintain facial shape

Your face and jawbone can change shape if you are missing one or several teeth. Your jaw bone needs the pressure from the teeth chewing to stimulate it to regenerate.  Without the teeth there, the jawbone recedes.  Replacing lost teeth will help maintain facial shape and minimize changes to your face and jaw.

Prevent chewing problems

TMD is caused when your teeth are not meeting properly and the bite becomes imbalanced.  This leads to a host of symptoms including headaches, earaches, jaw pain and even neck and shoulder pain.   Since missing teeth cause you to favour chewing on one side consistently, this behaviour could lead to bite issues and more serious jaw joint issues such as TMD.

Allow you to speak properly

Teeth are important to proper pronunciation in speech. Missing teeth can quickly affect the way you talk. A dental bridge provides the same function as a natural tooth and immediately allows normal speech ability to return.

Prevent teeth from shifting

When a tooth is missing, the teeth around the space tend to shift, tilt, or drift into that space. Once teeth have shifted, it is not easy to shift them back.  A dental bridge holds the space of the missing tooth and prevents undesired changes to the neighbouring teeth.

Advantages of dental bridges compared to implants

Dental implants have become a popular alternative to dental bridges and may indeed be a good choice for you.  Since we’re on the topic of advantages of dental bridges, however, the following are a couple of the significant advantages.

  • Bridges are much less expensive than implants, especially if multiple teeth need to be replaced.
  • If your bone has recessed at the site of the missing tooth, implants may require bone grafting

Please contact us to consult one of our Nanaimo dentists if you would like to find out which treatment option would be best to replace your missing teeth.  We look forward to meeting you at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group soon!

digital xray nanaimo dentalWe invest in technology to provide you with more environmental, comfortable and convenient dental imaging with digital x-rays.

Digital radiography gives our dentists superior technology in capturing and viewing x-rays, while providing you with a more comfortable experience. Here are four benefits that digital x-rays have over the traditional film method:

Immediately review the images on-screen

The digital x-ray procedure is similar to the traditional method you may be familiar with—you remain in the chair and wear a protective radiation blanket—but instead of using film, we place a small sensor in your mouth that instantly sends  the x-ray images to a computer monitor.

Within minutes, you will be reviewing the images with your dentist. In emergency situations, eliminating this waiting time is a great benefit for patients in pain.

Just like traditional imaging, problems such as cavities, bone loss, tooth decay, gum disease, and others will be revealed with digital imaging. The sensors can be re-positioned to capture as many images as necessary to efficiently view the x-rays.

State-of-the-art viewing technology

Capturing digital images also allows the dentist to view your x-rays with more tools. The ability to use colour contrasting can highlight certain areas that may have gone unnoticed with the traditional film method.

Rather than retaking x-rays that are unclear, dentists are now able to zoom-in and enhance any area of the image in high-definition to produce a clear picture. Patients are also able to view the x-rays, giving us the opportunity to share and demonstrate how your teeth are doing.

Simple referring with digital files

In case we need to refer your case to another dentist or specialist, we are able to quickly send your x-ray electronically to greatly reduce the waiting period. Since we store x-rays on your digital file, we can also correspond with your previous dental offices with ease.

Storing images digitally allows us to compare current and future x-rays to determine treatment success or to discover deterioration that may require additional treatment.

The safer, environmentally-friendly method

While traditional film x-rays are proven to not emit a harmful amount of radiation, digital imaging reduces that amount approximately by an additional 80%. The electronic sensors we use require much less radiation to be effective as they are more sensitive than film.

In addition to the time saved by producing a digital image, the environment is spared of the harmful chemicals needed to develop an x-ray from film.

Please contact us today or read more about digital x-ray technology on our website. We look forward to sharing our new equipment with you on your next visit to Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group!

missing tooth nanaimoA missing tooth could be more of a problem than you might imagine. Did you know that since each of your teeth depends on one another to keep their position, a missing tooth can cause your teeth to shift and tilt?

Another often overlooked fact is how the missing tooth affects your jawbone.  Since one of the functions of a tooth is to stimulate bone renewal, once the tooth is gone, the bone quickly starts to recede and disappear.

All things considered, it’s very important to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible – and dental implants are becoming one of the top choices to do so.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

A small titanium post acts as a substitute for the root of the tooth and creates a very strong anchor for a custom-made dental crown. Implants can be used individually, or to support a number of dental prostheses, including implant-supported bridges and dentures.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Natural Appearance
A porcelain crown placed over the dental implant will look as natural as possible.

No Impact on Other Teeth
Since dental implants do not require restorations on the neighbouring teeth, you don’t need multiple restorations on teeth that may not need it otherwise.

Stimulates Bone Renewal
Since bone regenerates due to stimulation from teeth rooted in the bone, a dental implant stimulates the bone and gums as much as a natural tooth would.

High Success Rate
The success rate for implants is remarkable: 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants.

Easy Care
A dental implant can be brushed and flossed normally.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

As with all things, good care is required to make your dental implants last.  With regular care and good hygiene habits, it’s possible that your implants can last for a lifetime.

Find Out if a Dental Implant is Right For You

The best dental implant candidates are in good health, and have healthy gum tissues and adequate bone in the jaw to support the implant.

We welcome you to read more about dental implants at Downtown Dental Group in Nanaimo on our website and to contact us to book an appointment.  We look forward to meeting you soon!

Perhaps you have a root canal-treated tooth that needs strengthening, a CEREC same day crownbroken or misshapen tooth, or one that’s been weakened by large cavities?  If this is the case you may need a dental crown –and this post is for you.

Like most scientific fields, dental technology and knowledge have advanced in the realm of dental crowns and the traditional approach is no longer the only choice.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to offer CEREC, also known as same-day or same-appointment dental crowns. The whole crown process is completed in one visit with no need for a temporary crown.

CEREC is a sophisticated computer-aided system for producing durable high-quality ceramic restorations. It is simple to use, fast and excellent for conserving the natural tooth. It is ideal for patients who want a solid ceramic, authentic tooth-coloured alternative to traditional crowns made of metal or gold – all completed in one visit.

If a CEREC crown is not right for your circumstances, dental crowns done by an aesthetically trained dentist are significantly more natural looking and shaped to fit your smile, preserve more of the original tooth structure, and the temporary crown used in the process is so natural looking and functional that many people would be happy to keep it.

To discover why both aesthetic and CEREC crowns look more natural, we have to explore why teeth look white in the first place.  In essence, light reflects off of the structure of a natural tooth, so it looks relatively bright. Traditional crowns however are made of metal and are covered with a porcelain material that makes them look white.  The metal inside the crown absorbs light rather than reflecting it, therefore making it less translucent and quite noticeably not a natural tooth.  The other related downside of the traditional porcelain fused to metal crown (PFM), is that sometimes the metal inner part of the crown near the gum-line will begin to show.  This dark line stands out sharply and is not aesthetically pleasing.

Aesthetic crowns and CEREC crowns are made from a solid block of ceramic, like a statue that’s carved from a solid piece of stone.  The way it reflects light mimics that of a natural tooth and therefore looks perfectly natural among your own teeth.  Metal showing along the gum line is not possible, as there is none used.

Another huge advantage of the aesthetic crown is the comfort of the process.  All crowns are made in a dental lab, so there is a waiting period between having the tooth prepared and the crown being fitted.  Traditional dentists use a temporary crown that is meant only to cover the tooth, and not so much to be functional or to look good.  In the aesthetic crown process, the opposite is the case.  Not only is the temporary crown shaped exactly as the real crown would be, it feels as good as the real thing.

Beyond appearance and comfort, the aesthetic crown has one more significant benefit.  Since the aesthetic crown is placed with adhesive rather than cement, less surface area of the original tooth needs to be in contact with the crown.  This means more of your healthy original tooth surface can be preserved.

Contact us today to book an appointment or visit our website for more information.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo.  Our Nanaimo dentists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office, we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

The Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontists recommend all children have an orthodontic evaluation invisalign no more braces nanaimoby age 7. Treatment does not necessarily begin at that time, but knowing which specific problems a child may be developing can prompt early attention and correct the problem before it starts impacting the child or teen’s health.

The case of a Nanaimo teen treated by Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is a good example of early intervention heading off a host of serious consequences.  The Nanaimo teen’s case started with his adult teeth coming in crooked and tilted and his lower jaw in a receded position.   Since the adult teeth no longer formed a smooth chewing surface after the adult teeth came in, the child began to experience the early signs of TMD, a jaw disorder characterized by clicking of the jaw, soreness in the jaw from chewing, jaw tension and headaches.  In this case, the child could not even chew gum without complaining of jaw soreness and headaches.

Teen orthodontic before and after photos :

teen_ortho

“This was a more complicated case, “ says Dr. Mahara, “as the goal was to fix the jaw position, by moving the lower jaw forward, and straighten the crooked teeth.”

The teen recalls the time when his teeth needed straightening and his jaw was in pain.  “I was very aware of my crooked teeth and tried to hide my smile or not smile at all,” he says.  “I remember having a sore jaw and  headaches almost everyday,” he adds.

Dr. Mahara began the teen’s orthodontic and TMD treatment by correcting the jaw position with a fixed appliance that almost immediately eliminated the jaw pain and tightness which were the early symptoms of TMD.  Two years later the lower jaw had moved back into a normal position and then at age 15 the teen began the second phase of his TMD and orthodontic  treatment using traditional braces to straighten his teeth.

By age 16, the Nanaimo teen had completed his TMD and orthodontic treatment and couldn’t be happier with his nearly perfect straight teeth and a normal, pain-free bite.

If your child has crooked adult teeth or complains of jaw soreness and discomfort from chewing, talk to your dentist.  As with the Nanaimo teen treated at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group, a positive ending to this story is possible with early intervention and a sound treatment plan.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

Hockey players may make missing teeth look like no big deal – but the reality is quite the opposite! In fact, everythe health effects of missing teeth tooth in your mouth serves a valuable function, even a missing tooth in the back of the mouth which is not visible in your smile.

Why is this?  You could say that each tooth in your mouth depends on the others to keep its proper position and furthermore that even your face and lips depend on your teeth to maintain its ideal shape.

The fact is that missing teeth create a space that eventually will lead to shifting and tilting of adjacent teeth or opposing teeth, or if many teeth are missing, allow significant changes to the shape of the face and mouth.

The more teeth that are lost and not replaced, the increased chance that wrinkles and lines will form and the cheeks and lips will collapse, causing you to look older than you are.

The jawbone is another major consideration.  As soon as a tooth is lost, either from gum disease or an extraction, the supporting bone in the jaw begins to dissolve. Over time, loss of bone and shifting of teeth can limit dental options for replacing the missing teeth.

The ideal solution is to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible after it is lost. This will retain your oral health by preventing bone loss and reducing movement of surrounding teeth.

Keep in mind that your teeth are there to serve you with more than the ability to chew alone. A full set of teeth are necessary for the health of the gum and jaw tissues as well, not to mention the obvious effects on your confidence and well-being.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you have several options for making your smile complete:

  • a fixed bridge
  • a complete denture
  • implants

Our team at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is here to help you get a healthy smile back after losing a tooth or several teeth.  After a consultation with our Nanaimo dentists on Vancouver Island, we’ll advise you on the most suitable treatment option for your unique situation.

If finances are holding you back, we have a convenient and low-cost financing option to help you get your full and healthy smile back. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office, we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

If you suffer from a fear of the dentist, inhalation sedation or  “laughing gas” could be a sedation dentistry solution sedation dentistry nanaimofor you to consider.  Here are 6 of the advantages of this mild and temporary form of sedation dentistry.

It works very rapidly.
Since it is a gas, it reaches the brain within 20 seconds, and relaxation and pain-relieving properties usually take effect after only 2 or 3 minutes.

The depth of sedation can be adjusted as needed.
Due to the quick uptake and effect of laughing gas, your dentist can adjust your level of sedation quickly as well.  Other sedation techniques, such as oral sedation take a longer period of time to take effect and therefore don’t allow for this.

It is a very flexible sedation dentistry treatment method.  With laughing gas, it’s easy to give incremental doses until the desired action is obtained.  Also, it can easily be switched off entirely when not needed and then switched on again if there is any further need.

There’s no after effect.
The gas is eliminated from the body within 3 to 5 minutes after the gas supply is stopped. You can safely drive home and don’t need an escort.

No injection is required.
Most people who harbor fears of the dentist also have fears about needles.  Laughing gas is easy to administer and requires no needles.  In cases of very severe needle phobia, getting laughing gas first can help you feel relaxed enough to allow the needle required for IV sedation.

It is a very safe form of  sedation.
It has very few side effects and the drugs used have no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.

Effective at minimizing severe gagging.
Inhalation sedation has been found to be very effective in eliminating or at least minimizing severe gagging.

Despite all the benefits of laughing gas as a sedation dentistry treatment option, many dental clinics do not offer it.  To offer it, training is required, the equipment is takes up space and the cost of the equipment and gases is high.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to offer inhalation sedation to our patients despite the above mentioned barriers. We strive to make you feel as comfortable as possible during your dental visits to our clinic and offering laughing gas is part of our effort to serve you and all of your family’s dental needs.  Please read more about sedation dentistry at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group on our website.

We look forward to seeing you and invite you to call to book an appointment today!

 

As a parent, bringing your child to the dentist can be difficult if your child is afraid.  Our focus at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is to help you care for your child’s dental health from the beginning and help you to ease your child into developing a positive and lifelong habit of regular dental check-ups and hygiene visits.

Start With Great Habits

Start them young by bringing your child along to your own or their siblings’ dental visits.  We’ll make sure theychildrens and teetn orthodontics nanaimo August 2015 are engaged positively and that they even get a small prize for coming.  Regular visits to the dentist cannot be emphasized enough in creating conditions for great oral health. Start your child young on a path that will encourage proper dental hygiene, emphasize the link between diet and cavities, and teach injury prevention.

When you child is three years old they should begin having a regular dental examination.  Starting this early keeps those early appointments short, easy and positive, turning them into a patient who enjoys coming to the dentist.

Catch Correctable Problems Early

Crowded teeth and irregular bites due to narrow jaws or underdeveloped lower jaws can often be corrected through the use of functional appliances if caught early.  The ideal age for the use of functional appliances is between ages seven and eleven, but can be utilized as early as age 4, if the upper jaw is too narrow and is having a negative effect on the child’s breathing and speech.  Catching dental problems early can mean less time in orthodontic treatments as a teen and not having to remove permanent teeth due to over-crowding.

Supervise Brushing up to Age 5 or 6

Since children lack dexterity and often really do not understand how important it is to brush thoroughly, it’s important to supervise their brushing once they are able to do it on their own. You should supervise your child’s brushing until you are comfortable with them doing it themselves, which often means until the age of 5 or 6.  This investment of your time will be worth it when your child’s check-up reveals a clean bill of health!

Don’t Forget About Flossing!

Once your child’s teeth have grown in, your child should start flossing daily.  Most parents have no problem with enforcing a routine of brushing each morning and each evening before bed, but often neglect to add the important step of flossing.  Simply put, the tooth brush cannot reach between the teeth which cavities often start.  The best time to floss is at night – so add it to your child’s bedtime routine and set your child up for a complete and effective oral healthcare routine.

Nothing Except Water After Night Brushing & Flossing

After your child’s bedtime brushing make sure they do not drink anything besides water or eat before bed.  If your child does eat or drink after brushing, make sure they brush again!  Foods or sugary drinks at night are one of the major causes of decay and cavities in young teeth, so it’s worth being very strict about this rule.

Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Get in the Way

You child learns a lot from you, including your attitudes.  Therefore, speaking and acting positively about going to the dentist, naturally creates a positive attitude in your child about the dentist.   A lot of adults harbor anxiety about going to the dentist.  This is unfortunate since modern advances in dentistry, such as sedation dentistry, make it completely unnecessary to even remotely fear going to the dentist.   If you have dental anxiety, come and see us to find out how we can help you and read more about sedation dentistry on our website.  In the meantime, as a parent, do your best to contain your anxiety and make your child’s experience the positive one that it can and should be.

We look forward to you contacting us to book an appointment for your child today!

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

In North America, it is estimated that 90 million people snore or have a more serious breathing condition dental sleep appliance for sleep apneaknown as sleep apnea. In sleep apnea cases, an individual stops breathing for ten seconds or more hundreds of times each night. Sleep apnea can lead to many serious health problems and produce symptoms like sleepiness during the day and loss of ability to concentrate.

What are the causes of snoring and what can be done to correct it?

Snoring can be related to excessive weight, to sleeping on one’s back, consuming alcohol within several hours of going to bed or a genetic predisposition. A constriction of the airway occurs during sleep, which allows the vibrations that we hear as “snoring”.

Dental sleep appliances

There are a number of new dental sleep appliances that help to open the airway and reduce snoring. Dental sleep appliances can be quite tolerable and much less bulky than the earlier dental anti-snoring devices. Dental sleep appliances no longer lock the jaw into one position, leaving you free to yawn, talk and even sip water while wearing them.

Is a sleep appliance right for you?

A consultation with your dentist will let you know whether a dental sleep appliance is appropriate for you.

Your dentist will establish that you do not have sleep apnea or refer you to a physician to have this evaluated. Even when sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, dental sleep appliances can be a very effective treatment method.

What is the cost of dental sleep appliances?

The cost of these appliances is roughly equal to a weekend away for a couple and the benefits are significant. If you have dental insurance these appliances may even be partially covered.

Alternative ways to reduce snoring

Other ways to reduce snoring include reducing weight to an ideal level, sewing a tennis ball into the back of a pajama top to help the sleeper avoid lying on their back, and reducing alcohol consumption before bed.

If you have a snoring problem and would like to stop snoring now, book a consultation today to see if a dental sleep appliance would benefit you and help you achieve your goals.  Read more about sleep apnea on the Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group website.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

Have you experienced tooth sensitivity lately? It often happens while biting into a cold food or while sipping a hot beverage. how to combat tooth sensitivity What should be a pleasurable experience, such as eating an ice cream cone or enjoying a hot cup of coffee, can be painful for those suffering with tooth sensitivity.

Even everyday hygiene such as brushing or flossing trigger that shooting pain of sensitivity.  It’s not fun.

The good news is that there are several actions you can take, some with the help of your dentist, to combat tooth sensitivity.

But first, why is this happening in the first place?

Causes

Tooth sensitivity occurs when either: the enamel that protects the “dentin” of the teeth above the gum line is eroded; or when the gums recede leaving the tooth root exposed.  This is often caused by cavities reaching the dentin layer. If this is the case, it should be checked out to confirm via x-ray otherwise it may progress to needing a root canal treatment.

The exposed dentin layer of the tooth has this reaction because it contains microscopic tubules, which are essentially small hollow tubes or canals. Without its protective covering of enamel or gum tissue, these tiny tubules allow heat. cold or acidic or sticky foods to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth – and this result is the shooting pain of tooth sensitivity.  It lets you know that something is wrong.

What can be done to combat this awful pain?

6 steps to combat tooth sensitivity

Check your toothpaste

Can toothpaste really make a difference?  Yes!  Special toothpastes contain an active ingredient called potassium nitrate, which helps provide a barrier to the exposed tiny tubules in the dentin.  This barrier between your food and dentin can be just enough to put an end to the pain.  Keep using this toothpaste consistently to get the results you want.

Be aware while brushing

Most people brush too hard in an attempt to remove plaque.  Be aware, as brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can actually wear away enamel!  When gum recession is present, the result is even worse.  Overly vigorous brushing can wear away at the cementum, which covers the tooth root – leaving a very sensitive tooth exposed.

The correct way to brush is gently with a soft bristled brush.  To be effective brush longer – a full 2 minutes.  Changing your brushing habits may not be easy, but it’s a change that will help significantly.

Watch out for food and drinks that destroy enamel

Acidic foods such as red wine, fruit juice, soda, oranges and even pickles can damage your enamel. Since enamel loss is irreversible, the earlier you can implement this, the better.  If you do partake in these foods and drinks, wait 20 minutes and then brush.

Look to your dentist for options

Your dentist can offer you some options as well.  Desensitizing agents like fluoride varnish can be applied to the sensitive areas of your teeth. They do wear off over time so they’ll need to be reapplied periodically.

Put a stop to tooth grinding

If you’re grinding your teeth, you could be wearing away enamel and giving yourself a sensitivity problem. A solution for this is a mouthguard worn at night. If you notice yourself clenching during the day, remind yourself to relax your jaw with your teeth slightly apart.

Treat your receding gums

Normally the root of your tooth is covered up by your gum tissue. However, when gum recession occurs, the root can be exposed and cause sensitivity. A dental specialist may be able to rebuild or restore your receding gums, for example with a treatment involving tissue grafts.

Before considering gum grafts, however, it’s important first to pinpoint the exact cause of sensitive teeth. If incorrect brushing is the cause, for example, this has to be dealt with first, so that the treatment is not only effect but long-lasting.

Please contact Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group to book an appointment today!