Sports Mouth Guards
A mouth guard is one of the best ways to protect your mouth during sports or any other activity where a strike to the head is possible. Research has also shown that a properly made, custom sports mouth guard will also dramatically reduce the chance of concussion. Making a custom mouth guard is a simple process that requires us to take models of your teeth. We can then make a high quality guard that is custom fit in the colour of your choice.
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Devices
Snoring and sleep apnea impact a large number of individuals and their partners. CPAP, the most common way to treat sleep apnea, is not well tolerated by a large number of people. Custom oral devices are a great alternative for these individuals. They are also a great solution for those that snore, but do not have sleep apnea. They help to make affected individuals, and their bed time partners, more rested and much happier.
Clenching/Grinding Devices
Our North American culture is one characterized with increasing stresses. This has impact on the entire body including your teeth. Stresses can cause clenching and grinding often without people realizing it. This can lead to short or worn teeth, broken teeth and even cracks that lead to tooth loss. In addition it can lead to muscle and/or jaw joint pain or damage that can have a serious impact with jaw function.
Oral Hygiene Therapy
Gone are the days of a simple “cleaning”. Modern day dental hygiene therapy involves specific treatment that is prescribed after a thorough exam and diagnosis of the presence/absence and severity of gum disease. If gum disease is diagnosed, we will prescribe care that is individualized to eliminate the offending bacteria and restore beautiful and healthy gums.
Research has demonstrated that gum disease can influence negative changes in other parts of your body. Some of these changes can increase your likelihood of developing:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Premature birth
- Low birth-weight babies
- Certain forms of cancer
Research on the impact of gum disease on other aspects of overall health are ongoing.
Sealants
Sealants are a wonderful tool in protecting the teeth from cavity causing plaque and acid. They are a white coloured material that fills the grooves of the teeth. As a result, areas that once could trap fine particles of food are now smooth and particles slide right off.
Study Models
Where necessary, copies of the teeth are made so that the detail of the teeth can be replicated and carefully studied. This helps in making diagnoses and is also used to allow you to see the details of your teeth that are normally difficult to see.
Digital Photographs
Digital photographs allow fine detail of the face, teeth mouth and gums to be displayed on a computer screen. After we take dental photographs we will use them to show you exactly what we see. This makes it easier for you to ask the right questions to help make informed treatment choices.
Digital Xray Imaging
Your initial exam will include a set of ONLY necessary xrays. Digital xrays allow each image to be magnified and altered to give the best chance of detecting problems early. Early detection allows for more conservative intervention. Digital technology also significantly reduces the amount of exposure to radiation.
Cavity Risk Assessment
There are a variety of factors that influence whether or not someone gets cavities. Each of these factors varies in the degree in which it impacts each person. This is the reason that some people get cavities even though they take regular care of their mouth while others, who take much less care of their mouth, never get a cavity. We will guide you in identifying your individual risk to developing cavities and educate you on the most current techniques on how to help avoid them.
Comprehensive Examination
The first exam at Thunder Bay Dental Center will take a highly detailed look at all of the factors that impact the mouth. Drs. Puksa and Florindo will carefully evaluate and review all of the following:
- All components of each tooth
- Health of the gums
- Health of all other soft tissues
- Tooth wear/breakdown unrelated to cavity
- Jaw joint health
- Esthetic evaluation
By carefully reviewing all of these systems, we can inform and educate you on the good things that are happening in your mouth and also the conditions that could be improved. We will use these findings in combination with models and photographs to develop a comprehensive and fully customized treatment plan.
