General Dentistry
Most dental treatments aim to address or prevent the two leading oral health issues: tooth decay and gum disease. Common procedures include restoring teeth with fillings, extracting irreparable teeth, and scaling to manage gum-related problems.
However, general dentistry encompasses much more than these treatments. Dental professionals aim for the prevention of oral diseases through regular checkups, encouraging individuals to schedule professional cleanings and evaluations every six to nine months to maintain optimal oral health.
Child Dentistry
A child’s mouth is very different from an adult’s, which makes it important to check their teeth’s health and growth to avoid future problems and to support a bright, healthy smile.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit within six months of their first tooth appearing to build a strong foundation for oral health. Early education and prompt detection are key to making dental visits a positive experience for your child at UBC Vancouver Dentist at Lelem Village.
Hygiene
Oral hygiene is essential for keeping your mouth and teeth clean to prevent issues like cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath.
It is important to have regular appointments every six months for a thorough oral exam and professional teeth cleaning, which effectively removes plaque and tartar, helping to protect against dental problems.
Teeth Extraction
At Lelem Village, we’re all about keeping your natural teeth healthy and intact whenever we can—but, sometimes, pulling a tooth is simply unavoidable, especially if things are getting a bit crowded. Our team? They’re here to make sure the experience is as comfortable as possible, keeping discomfort to a minimumusing using anesthesia.
Afterward, we’ll take you through a smooth recovery, making sure you feel confident in what’s next. Now, it’s worth noting: removing a tooth isn’t just about that single spot; nearby teeth might start to shift around, which could impact how you chew and even your jaw’s alignment. And, if it’s a front tooth? That can bring up some self-image concerns too. We get that. So, we’re ready to talk through all the replacement options in detail, so you feel supported every step of the way.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Those last molars of yours—often known as third molars or, more commonly, wisdom teeth—usually start making an appearance in the late teens or early twenties. But here’s the thing: if there’s not enough space for them to grow, or if they’re stuck in the jaw at an awkward angle (tilted, rotated, or just plain wedged in there), they’re considered impacted.
An impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain, infection and tooth damage
Ah, wisdom teeth—when those back molars decide to pop up at odd angles, it’s like they’re just picking a fight with the rest of your mouth. You might feel that tooth pressing up against its neighbor, sometimes not just causing pain but actually wearing down the tooth beside it. And don’t even get started on the food traps—bits get lodged around that wisdom tooth like it’s a magnetic mess, practically inviting bacteria in for a long-term stay. Over time? Yeah, that’s decay and gum disease waiting to happen, no surprise there.
Then, there’s the infection risk. An impacted tooth can bring more than just discomfort; it’s a recipe for swelling, aching, and inflamed gums that can end up spreading pain across the jaw and even into your face. And here’s where it gets a little more unsettling—occasionally, a cyst might set up shop around that buried tooth. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac, which can damage your jawbone without you knowing it. It’s something you want to treat ASAP.
Early removal can prevent problems
One way to sidestep the pain—and let’s be real, all the chaos—that an impacted wisdom tooth can bring is to get it removed before it gets too cozy. Taking it out early, before the roots go deep, can really make a difference. X-rays are our best friend here; they let us keep an eye on how those wisdom teeth are developing.
Once it looks like they might be gearing up to cause trouble, we can go ahead and remove them. Better to deal with a little discomfort now than a whole dental saga down the line, right?
Night Guards
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is an involuntary habit that often occurs during sleep, leading to significant strain on your jaw and potential damage to your teeth and jaw joints. It usually results from stress but can also be caused by misaligned teeth, leading to discomfort such as sore jaw muscles, headaches, and pain in the neck or ears. Dentists commonly notice signs of wear on teeth from grinding.
Are you experiencing sleepless nights? A custom night guard might just be the answer to getting some real rest. These guards don’t just stand guard against grinding and clenching—they also help keep your jaw in a relaxed, comfortable position all night long. And the best part? They can be crafted specifically for what you need, whether it’s relief from TMJ discomfort, grinding issues, or even sleep apnea.
Sports Mouth Guards
A mouthguard, often called a mouth protector, mouthpiece, gumshield, gumguard, or nightguard, is a handy little device designed to shield your mouth by covering your teeth and gums, helping to prevent and reduce injuries to those precious teeth, arches, lips, and gums. They’re especially important in contact sports, where protecting your smile is crucial.
Custom mouthguards are fantastic because they
- Prevent oral damage
- Protect against facial injuries
- Ensure complete comfort for athletes
- Save you from countless hours in the dental chair
- Fit snugly in your mouth to make breathing easier
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a meticulously crafted titanium screw designed to act as a substitute for the root of a missing tooth. This implant is inserted into the jawbone, where it gradually fuses with the bone, providing a sturdy foundation for a replacement tooth. Dental implants are versatile and can effectively replace a single lost tooth or multiple missing teeth, allowing for a natural appearance, feel, and function. With a proven track record and extensive clinical history, dental implants help maintain facial structure and alleviate the challenges associated with tooth loss. Individuals who have lost teeth due to injury, disease, or decay may qualify for this procedure, which is offered at numerous clinics across Greater Vancouver.
Whether you are missing one tooth, several, or even all of them, dental implants can be paired with crowns or bridges for a comprehensive solution. Some older patients may worry that their age could limit their eligibility for dental implants, but overall health plays a more significant role than age itself. If you are fit enough to undergo a tooth extraction, you are likely a suitable candidate for dental implants. Following a thorough assessment of your dental and medical history, your dentist will help determine your eligibility and address any questions you may have.
Is there any pain or discomfort involved?
Many patients find that the discomfort associated with the procedure is minimal, often reporting a level of comfort afterward that exceeds their expectations. The implants are inserted with great care and gentleness, ensuring attention is given to all the surrounding tissues. To prevent any pain during the procedure, your dentist utilizes anesthesia and sedation techniques. You may also be encouraged to speak with a former patient who has undergone tooth replacement therapy, allowing you to gain insight into their personal experience.
How will I benefit from dental implants?
Implant treatment offers numerous advantages, including improved aesthetics, a greater ability to chew and savor your favorite foods, and often helps safeguard your remaining teeth and jawbone. Dental implants provide a range of benefits that were previously unavailable for addressing missing teeth. In essence, these implants are designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.
How long will the treatment take?
The duration of treatment can differ based on your unique circumstances. Today, it is often achievable to attain well-functioning and visually appealing teeth within just a few days, whether you reside in Vancouver, Delta, Abbotsford, or beyond. However, in some situations, it may be necessary to extend the timeline before completing the restoration to ensure the best possible outcome.
Will I ever be without my teeth?
The answer varies based on individual circumstances, but typically, most patients are able to leave our office fitted with a type of temporary prosthesis.
How much will it cost?
The cost of replacing teeth with dental implants varies based on several factors, such as the number of teeth that need replacement and how many implants are required to adequately support those replacement teeth. It’s important to understand that not every missing root necessitates an individual implant. Additional procedures might also be needed before implant placement to ensure the long-term success of your dental implants. To receive a personalized fee estimate, it is essential to have a dental examination conducted by a professional. Following a thorough diagnostic assessment, your dentist will provide recommendations tailored to your needs along with an overview of the investment required for the procedure.
How long do implants last?
Many patients can anticipate their dental implants to last a lifetime. The very first recipient of dental implants received them in 1965, and they functioned effectively until his death in 2006, showcasing an impressive lifespan of over 40 years. For decades, dentists in and around Greater Vancouver have been successfully placing dental implants.
How do implants compare to normal dentures?
Dental implants offer a level of quality of life that dentures simply cannot match. In a recent survey of patients who transitioned from dentures to implants after having their teeth extracted, the results were telling: while natural teeth received an impressive rating of 10, dentures fell short with a rating of just 2, whereas implants came in strong at 9. Your friends may not even realize you have implants, but chances are you’ll be eager to share your experience with everyone.
TMJ / TMD Treatment
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is located on either side of your head, just in front of your ears, connecting your mandible, or jawbone, to your temporal bone, or skull. Known for its complexity, the TMJ allows for a range of movements, including rotation, forward, backward, and side-to-side motions, enabling essential functions like chewing, swallowing, speaking, and yawning.
When issues arise concerning the muscles, bones, or surrounding tissues of the TMJ, it may lead to temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, which encompasses a variety of intricate problems with multiple potential causes, such as teeth grinding, jaw clenching, dental misalignment, jaw trauma, and stress. Symptoms can include chronic pain in the jaw, face, head, and shoulders, along with headaches, ear pain, and clicking or popping sounds in the joint.
A thorough dental and medical evaluation is often vital for diagnosing TMD, which may involve identifying signs such as popping, clicking, and grating sounds during jaw movement, painful chewing, jaw locking, and smooth-worn teeth lacking their normal contours. Ear issues are frequently associated, and examination may reveal infections of the ear, sinuses, or teeth. Diagnostic tools like dental X-rays and CT scans help clarify the joint’s bony structure, while MRI is employed to assess soft tissues. Given the complexity of TMD, treatment approaches are equally multifaceted, typically focusing on jaw rest, application of heat or ice, medications including muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories, splint therapy with mouth guards, and correction of any bite abnormalities.
Laser Dentistry
At Lelem Village, we offer a variety of dental lasers designed for various dental procedures. Our knowledgeable dentists can help determine if laser dentistry is right for you. With a commitment to providing comprehensive care, our experienced team is well-equipped to utilize the latest in dental laser technology.
The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
- Laser dentistry minimizes the need for anesthesia and eliminates vibrations and drilling noise.
- Surgical treatments performed with a dental laser often eliminate the need for stitches.
- Infections are greatly reduced as the laser effectively sanitizes the treatment area.
- Takes less time to heal.
- Dental laser treatments typically take less time than conventional dentistry procedures.
- Natural teeth are preserved longer, ensuring healthy tooth structure remains protected.
- Ideal for young patients and those who experience anxiety during dental visits.
- Delivers exceptional preventive care.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a protective layer made of thin plastic that fills the grooves of molars and premolars, areas that often trap plaque—a combination of food particles and bacteria that toothbrush bristles can struggle to reach, increasing the risk of decay.
We suggest that sealants be applied as soon as the permanent molars emerge, usually between the ages of 5 and 7 for the first molars and 11 to 14 for the second molars and premolars, and they should be replaced as they wear down over time.
The process involves cleaning and drying the teeth, applying a special solution to create a slightly rough surface for improved adhesion, then painting on the sealant and curing it with a safe, high-intensity light, thereby establishing a robust barrier against cavities.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring, commonly known as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, helps to create a balanced gum line, whether it is positioned too low or too high in relation to your teeth.
While this procedure is primarily viewed as cosmetic, enhancing the aesthetics of your smile, it may also be performed as part of essential periodontal treatments, such as crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures.