STREMBISKI DENTAL GROUP
General Family Dentistry

ROUTINE EXAMINATIONS AND CLEANINGS

Regular examinations and cleanings can keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime and can help prevent periodontal disease.  Six to nine months is the usual interval for cleanings although your hygienist may suggest you book more frequent cleanings depending on certain factors such as risk for gum disease, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions and tobacco use. 

Gingivitis is caused by plaque that accumulates below the gum line which damages the ligaments supporting the gums.  Pockets form around the teeth creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria; this causes sore and bleeding gums.  This condition can be reversed with regular cleanings with a hygienist and a good home care routine.
If left untreated the bacteria can damage the bone that supports the teeth and eventually the teeth become loose and may need to be removed.  This condition is called Periodontitis and it cannot be reversed as bone does not grow back although it can be treated with regular cleanings to prevent the condition from becoming worse.  Periodontal disease is associated with heart disease, stroke, low birth weight babies and bad breath.

CHILDREN
It is particularly important to start your children on a healthy oral health routine. We encourage parents to bring their children for their first visit when they have all their baby teeth, usually when they are two or three years old.  Being seen by a dentist at an early age ensures that the cleaning you are doing at home is working and to identify any early dental issues to prevent them from getting worse.


Call us today and book a cleaning and check up appointment!

                                      403 342-4402









MOUTHGUARDS

If you or your children are involved in a contact type sport such as hockey, a mouth guard should be an important part of your sports equipment.

Mouth guards come in a variety of forms and work well if they are comfortable to wear, which is an important consideration in protection. Store bought (boil and bite) mouth guards do not provide comfort or a good fit and thus are not able to provide adequate protection.

A custom mouth guard is designed to cushion the teeth and spread the force of impact, this prevents tooth fracture, damage to the tongue and lips and more importantly, lowers the risk of concussion. Our custom mouth guards come in a variety of colours and are inexpensive.  

We recommend a custom mouthguard for all sports including hockey, lacrosse, football, and martial arts. Most minor sports have now made mouthguards mandatory.





BRUXISM APPLIANCES (NIGHT GUARDS)

Bruxism is a habit that involves grinding and or clenching of your teeth.  Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth as it mostly occurs during sleep. If diagnosed early, bruxism can be treated before damage to the teeth occurs. Severe bruxism can cause chipped teeth, increased sensitivity to temperature, enamel wear, jaw pain and headaches.

The most common cause of bruxism is stress but it can also be caused by misaligned teeth, a response to pain or a result of a sleep disorder.  Alcohol and caffeine can aggravate the condition.  Bruxism is common in children but most outgrow it when they reach adolescence.

When bruxism causes jaw and or facial pain or there is damage to the teeth we will suggest you wear a custom bruxism appliance, commonly known as a night guard.  This appliance is worn during sleep and is designed to prevent grinding and help alleviate headaches and jaw pain. They are custom made in a dental laboratory and are easy and comfortable to wear.

If you suffer from morning headaches, increased tooth sensitivity and have been told by family members that you grind or clench, please let us know.

RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

We provide all forms of restorative dentistry and will give you our opinion on what treatment options we think will work best for you.

Dentists and patients have several choices available to them when it comes to selecting materials to repair missing, damaged and decayed teeth.  Many factors influence the choice of material used such as the patient’s oral health, the location of the restoration and the load the restoration will bear.


Amalgam (silver) fillings

Amalgam fillings have been used for more than a century.  Amalgam is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear and remains a valued choice for many dentists.  It is most often used for large restorations of the molars or where the restoration is not visible when the patient smiles. It is less expensive than other restorative materials and stands up well to heavy chewing and biting.
Dental amalgam is a stable alloy, it is a combination of metallic elements including; silver, tin, copper and elemental mercury.  It is biocompatible and well tolerated by patients.  Amalgam has been thoroughly tested and researched by governing bodies all over the world and has been rendered a safe and reliable restorative material.


Composite (white) fillings

Composite fillings are used where the restoration is visible.  They are not as durable as amalgam fillings but work very well for small to mid-size restorations.  They can be matched to your natural tooth colour so they are esthetically pleasing and have become a popular choice.



Gold Inlay Restorations

Gold inlay restorations are custom made restorations and are the best option for large molar restorations. Gold is the best and longest lasting filling material that dentistry has to offer.  It has many advantages over materials that are commonly used in dentistry.  There are four main advantages for choosing gold: esthetics, durability, biocompatibility and value for money.



Porcelain Inlay Restorations

Porcelain inlay restorations are custom made restorations that mimic your natural tooth appearance.  They are highly resistant to wear but can wear down opposing teeth if the inlay surface becomes rough due to grinding or fracture.  They are prone to fracture when placed under heavy loads and because their strength depends on porcelain thickness, they require aggressive tooth reduction during preparation.

Crowns

A crown (commonly known as a cap) is a tooth-like covering that is custom made to fit over your existing tooth.  It supports a tooth that no longer has sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling.  A crown is also recommended on teeth that have had root canal treatment as the tooth becomes brittle and discoloured over time.  Crowns are made of semi-precious or precious metals, porcelain or a combination of metal fused to porcelain.



Bridges

A bridge is a custom made structure that replaces one or more missing teeth.  Fixed bridges look and function similar to natural teeth, they are permanently cemented in place and have many benefits.  They restore lost teeth and maintain your natural bite, improve your smile and chewing ability and prevent shifting of adjacent teeth.
 







Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

It may be necessary to perform endodontic (root canal) treatment to save a tooth. When the tooth pulp (nerve) is diseased or damaged it becomes infected causing pain and sensitivity. Root canal treatment can save the infected tooth by replacing the diseased pulp with a special material that will keep the tooth functional.  Common symptoms that indicate the need for root canal treatment are: pain or throbbing while biting, increased sensitivity to hot and cold, severe decay and inflammation around the tooth. In most cases we can provide you with root canal treatment although if we feel your case is more complex we will refer you to an Endodontist.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Veneers

Veneers are durable custom made porcelain covers for the front teeth and are an excellent option for patients who want to change their smile. Although they are not suitable for all patients they are a cosmetic alternative for the following conditions:

• Chipped or broken teeth
• Widely spaced or uneven teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Discoloured teeth

ORTHODONTICS

Orthodontics can boost a person's self-image as the teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned, but an attractive smile is just one of the benefits. Alleviating or preventing physical health problems is just as important.  Without treatment, orthodontic problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, loss of bone and chewing and digestive difficulties. A "bad bite" can contribute to speech impairments, tooth loss, chipped teeth and other dental injuries.

A thorough orthodontic evaluation includes an examination of the teeth, jaw, joints, profile and a study of the bite and swallow.  X-rays and models of your teeth are necessary to show how your teeth and jaws fit together and photos record the profile and face before treatment.

It is important to be specific on what you hope to achieve from orthodontic treatment.  A treatment plan is designed to correct the problems and help you achieve the best smile possible.  Orthodontic treatment can be successful for people of all ages. 

Common orthodontic terms include:

A palatal expander gently widens the upper and or lower jaw to make room for crowded teeth.
A functional appliance guides the jaws into position.
Braces gently move the teeth into position.
A retainer holds teeth in their corrected position until they stabilize.
Ask us if orthodontics is the right choice for you.

SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT

Snoring can cause many problems both medically and socially.  Restful sleep is vital for your health, it is as important as good nutrition and exercise and your quality of life may be affected without it.  Severe snorers can suffer from long-term health problems associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

We can arrange a polysomnogram (sleep test) to be performed in the comfort of your own home.  If you do not suffer from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or you are diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA, we can treat the snoring with a Sleep Appliance.

A Sleep Appliance is a custom mouth guard that has proven to be effective in the treatment of snoring.  It is worn during sleep and is designed to bring your lower jaw forward slightly, preventing the tongue and soft tissue in the throat from collapsing and obstructing the airway.  These appliances are custom made and are relatively comfortable and easy to wear.

Severe snorers are often so deprived of restful sleep that it impairs their job performance and memory. They may also suffer from:

Cardiovascular Disease               Stroke

Dr. Strembiski and our staff have taken extensive training in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea and have had great success in treating our patients with snoring problems. We work closely with a Registered Respiratory Therapist and this partnership allows us to provide the best possible treatment for your diagnosed condition.



   Call us today for a snoring and sleep apnea consultation!

                                       403 342-4402