Dental Exams
Dental Exams are check-ups where our dental team examines the health of your oral soft tissue and teeth. The most common types of exams are Comprehensive Exams and Routine Exams.
Comprehensive Exams are for new patients to our office. The exam is a discovery method to understand your main concerns, medical and dental history and dietary habits. X-rays, visual exam, intraoral pictures, digital impressions and a dental hygiene appointment may be included in this initial process. Our dental team is then able to compose
a tailored treatment plan which addresses your concerns and our dentist’s concerns.
Routine Exams involve x-rays and a visual exam. It is performed annually or earlier if you have a specific concern. Upon discovery of any issues or concerns, we will review with you and discuss possible treatment options.
Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene is also referred to as “dental cleaning”. The practice reduces gingival inflammation around the teeth by removing plaque and calculus deposits loaded with bacteria from the enamel and root surface. Reducing inflammation promotes healthy gums and jaw bone for strong teeth. Our hygienists at Guardian Dental Care use a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments to ensure your teeth are clean and smooth.
Dental Fillings
Dental Fillings is a procedure completed in a single appointment to restore the function and/or aesthetics of a tooth previously damaged from decay or trauma.
Dental filling material includes various types such as amalgam, gold, composites and ceramic. Each material has its limitations and unfortunately, there is no substitute stronger and healthier than the natural tooth. If you have concerns regarding the materials used in a dental office or how your body will interact with certain dental materials, rest assured we will take the time to discuss the most suitable filling material for you.
Amalgam fillings contain 50% mercury and The Canadian Dental Association and Health Canada both recognize mercury is released from amalgam fillings and results in mercury being absorbed into our body. The debate is how much mercury is released and how much is absorbed. Mercury is extremely toxic, and we believe any concentration in our body is unsafe. Guardian Dental Care utilizes Mercury Instrument’s VM3000 mercury vapour monitor to measure the mercury vapour generated in our office. This monitor continuously measures the mercury vapour in air to concentrations below 1.0 microgram per cubic meter. In fact, it is capable of measuring the mercury vapour released from amalgam fillings in your mouth. When work is done on amalgam fillings, high levels of mercury vapour are released and readily absorbed into your body. For optimum health, you should consult with a dental or health professional prior to work on amalgam fillings. If you are concerned about the amount of mercury being released from your amalgam fillings, please contact us.
Dr. Knudsen is a member of IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) and practices Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). Dr. Knudsen and his staff will discuss SMART with you and advise you to seek help from an experienced health professional knowledgeable in heavy metal detoxification.
Crowns
Crowns are coverings for teeth, also referred to as “caps”. You may benefit from a crown if your tooth is discolored or misshapen, has a large filling and is not severely damaged. The condition of your tooth will determine how much of the tooth a crown may cover i.e. the whole tooth or a portion of the tooth to preserve more of your natural enamel. Our office requires two appointments to complete this procedure. The first appointment is to shape the tooth, so the final crown will be approximately the same size and shape as your original tooth. A digital impression captures the modified shape of your tooth and professionally trained technicians at the dental lab will fabricate the final crown. The second appointment is to fit and permanently secure the crown to the tooth.
Fixed Dental Bridges
Fixed Dental Bridges are a permanent solution to missing teeth. A bridge uses a tooth or teeth behind, and in-front of, the missing tooth/teeth for support. It consists of multiple teeth connected together and is permanently secured to the support tooth/teeth. Our office requires two appointments, and like crowns, we modify a tooth in front of and behind the missing tooth and perform a digital impression. Skilled technicians from the dental lab will fabricate the bridge which we permanently secure to your support teeth at a second appointment.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots and these artificial roots are the foundation to which a variety of other components can connect to. For a single missing tooth an artificial crown may be secured to the dental implant. Multiple dental implants can be fitted with certain components to receive a permanent bridge or fitted with different components to retain a removable denture. If you have one or more missing teeth and do not wish to permanently damage the adjacent teeth, then a dental implant may be a good option for you. For more information about dental implants and our special pricing, be sure to contact us.
Titanium implants are very popular because of their strength, versatility and decades of success. Titanium implants can replace the root of any tooth in the jaw. If four implants are placed in the right location and at a proper angle they can support all the teeth for an entire jaw. This technique is called All-On-4.
Zirconia implants are not as popular in Canada compared to titanium, but they still are a very effective method to replace the roots of teeth. Currently, it is common to use zirconia implants to replace front teeth for aesthetically challenging cases. Zirconia implants are effective in cases where a patient's smile reveals the entire tooth, plus the thin gum tissue above the tooth. Using a titanium implant causes the gums around the tooth to appear darker and therefore not aesthetic. Zirconia implants do not corrode and are an alternative for someone who has an allergy
to titanium or to titanium corrosion products.
Dr. Knudsen uses surgical guides fabricated utilizing digital imaging and implant placement planning software. These precision guides help to ensure the implant is placed in the optimum location to help ensure long-term success.
Full & Partial Dentures
Full and Partial Dentures are replacement teeth which can be removed. A full denture replaces all the teeth for the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. Full dentures rely on the jawbone and gum tissue for support, stability and retention. Some people are Olympic denture wearers and can eat almost anything. However, most people have limitations and those with full upper and lower dentures only have about 10% chewing power compared to people with all their natural teeth.
A partial denture replaces missing teeth and relies on the natural teeth, gums and jawbone for support, stability and retention. There are a few types of partial dentures: all plastic, plastic with wire clips or metal base with metal clips, plastic gums and teeth. Each option has its advantages and limitations. If you would like to know more about the different types of partial dentures and material they are made with, please contact Guardian Dental Care to schedule a consultation.
Extractions
Extractions are removal of teeth from their socket in the jawbone. Teeth may need to be removed for a number
of reasons. Some people have an extra tooth and others may need teeth removed to create space prior to orthodontic procedures. Infection in a tooth is another reason for an extraction as well as a tooth which can
no longer be repaired predictably.
Removal of a tooth will likely cause other teeth to shift and trigger other issues with your dental health. Commonly after an extraction, adjacent teeth will move, allowing food to get trapped and leading to cavities. If the extracted tooth is not replaced, then over time the tooth opposing the extraction site may super erupt into the empty space and end up taller than the other teeth. The taller tooth may interfere with chewing or other jaw movements and lead to TMJ disorders. Correcting the teeth after they have moved is time consuming and costly. It is a wise choice to have a plan to prevent these complications by replacing the tooth shortly after it is extracted.
Tooth removal can be stressful. Please allow our skilled and caring staff at Guardian Dental Care to discuss your options to replace the tooth before the extraction. We commit to your dental care before, during and after the extraction procedure.
Cosmetic Dentistry
We feel that, whenever possible, preserving your natural teeth is the strongest and healthiest option. Any alteration of the teeth is irreversible and cannot be “undone”. To some extent everyone is critical of their own teeth. In most cases, slight imperfections do not affect dental health and provide unique personal characteristics. If you are truly unhappy with the appearance of your teeth or they are affecting your dental health, we will listen to you and develop a plan to make you confident with your smile.
Invisible Braces
For our orthodontic procedures we utilize Invisalign® invisible aligners. Invisalign® aligners use a patented thermoplastic design to apply controlled pressure to your teeth causing them to move in the desired direction.
A series of aligners will move your teeth from the current position to the new desired position. The aligner material is so clear they’re practically invisible.
Invisalign® works well for orthodontic relapse patients, patients with mild to moderate crowding and other types
of malocclusion. The process begins with an exam consisting of digital photographs, impressions and digital x-rays of your teeth to create a custom plan. Using the digital files, Invisalign® will create a virtual model of your teeth
to show their planned movement. When you are satisfied with the proposed final position of the teeth, we begin
the treatment.
If you’re concerned about whole body health you’ll be glad to know invisible aligners do not cause galvanic electrical current in your mouth which can happen with traditional metal braces.
Oral Appliances
We offer a full line of oral appliances that is not limited to sports mouthguards. We also offer nightguards, snoring appliances, bleaching trays, retainers and much more.
Sports mouthguards prevent trauma to teeth and can even help prevent concussions. The level of protection is directly related to the quality of the mouthguard.
Stock mouthguards are the least expensive and can be purchased at retail and drug stores. They are not formed to the teeth resulting in poor fit and minimal protection.
Boil and bite mouthguards involve warming the mouthguard in hot water until it is soft and biting into the mouthguard. Biting into the warm mouthguard causes the rubber between the teeth to be thin compromising the level of protection. They fit better than the stock mouthguards.
Custom made mouthguards have the best fit and highest level of protection. We make custom mouthguards right in our office. We make a custom mould of your teeth and form two layers of mouthguard material over the mould of your teeth. We have access to a wide variety of mouthguard colours to choose from. Our custom mouthguard prices are very good. Call us for pricing and be sure to let your whole team know.
Nightguards protect your teeth from clenching and grinding while you sleep. Clenching creates tremendous force on your teeth. It is common for people who clench to have chipped enamel, shallow craze lines or even deeper vertical cracks. Grinding wears away the enamel from the biting surface of your teeth. Over time the enamel becomes very thin or even is worn completely. Without enamel your teeth will wear down even faster and will be very sensitive. Repairing teeth that are damaged from clenching or grinding can be very expensive. Wearing a nightguard is a great way to prevent clenching and grinding trauma to your teeth.
Snoring appliances move your lower jaw forward while you’re sleeping and can prevent snoring and possibly sleep apnea. When you’re sleeping your jaw muscles relax and your lower jaw can fall back reducing the size of your airway. If the soft tissue in the back of your mouth partially blocks your airway it can cause you to snore or worse stop breathing for a period of time. The snoring appliance will hold your lower jaw forward and prevent the soft tissue from the back of your mouth from obstructing your airway which actually increase the airway space so you can breathe easier.
Bleaching trays are an effective alternative to in-office bleaching. They are thin rubber trays custom fit to your
teeth and designed to hold bleaching solution. Wearing the tray with bleaching solution inside for 45 to 60 minutes daily will result in whiter teeth after a day or two. The bleaching trays are reusable and you can purchase bleach solution refills so you can periodically bleach your teeth to maintain a nice white smile at a fraction of the cost of repeat in-office bleaching appointments.
Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. At Guardian Dental Care, we do our best to ensure you are seen by a dentist as soon as possible. If the emergency happens after hours, your call will be redirected to speak with a dentist regarding your emergency. The dentist will gather information to determine the seriousness of the emergency and will take the necessary actions to address the emergency dental condition.