Essential Dentistry

When you visit our dental clinic near you in Okotoks for a dental checkup, your dentist will begin by asking you about your recent medical history. They will then examine your mouth and take x-rays. Your dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, and your dentist will make recommendations for a treatment plan based on their findings. Your dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening.

When looking for an Okotoks dentist near you, you may notice that some are listed as a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), and some are listed as a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Essentially these both mean the same thing, that your dentist has graduated from an accredited dental school. They both have the level of education required to earn a dental degree and have the knowledge and skills available to provide you with top-quality dental care.

Dental care is a personalized service that requires a strong doctor-patient relationship. When you visit a dentist, use the following checklist to determine if they are suitable for your needs: Is the appointment schedule convenient for your own schedule? Is the office neat and orderly? Are there arrangements for dental emergencies? Does the office provide information about fees and payment plans before scheduling an appointment? Is the office easy to get to from your workplace or home? Does your Okotoks dentist record your medical and dental history? As a patient it’s important you find an office that supports your needs – these are some of the questions our patients ask when coming into our office and we are happy to answer any of the questions you have!

Make sure to maintain healthy habits at home, such as brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing daily. You should also build a relationship with your dentist; see them regularly and speak to them openly about any concerns you may have.

You should visit a dentist in Okotoks if: You have tooth sensitivity to hot or cold substances; You are unhappy with the appearance of your smile; Your mouth feels dry often; Your jaw pops or is painful; You have a spot or sore in your mouth that isn’t going away; Your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or you have puffy gums; You have a medical condition such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease; You have a family history of tooth decay or gum disease; You have pain or swelling in your mouth, neck, or face.

The area is numbed during the visit, so you won’t feel pain while the teeth are being prepared. Your gums might feel a little bit sore for a few days afterward, but that goes away quickly as you get used to your new tooth.

You can use a “floss threader” or a tiny brush to get into the small space between the bridge and your gums. Keeping that spot clean is the most important way to make sure your bridge stays in good shape for years.

Yes, a bridge can fill a gap of one, two, or even three teeth in a row as long as the teeth on the ends are strong enough to hold them up. If the gap is too big, the team might talk to you about using an implant for extra support.

Yes! A bridge actually makes eating much easier because you have a full set of teeth to chew with. You should avoid chewing on very hard things like ice or hard candy to make sure the porcelain doesn’t chip.

A cracked tooth cannot heal on its own and requires dental treatment to stop infection and prevent further damage.

Not every cracked tooth needs a root canal. Only cracks that reach the nerve may need it. Small cracks can often be treated with bonding or a crown.

Most people feel better within a few days, with complete healing from the procedure taking one to two weeks.

A tooth with a root canal becomes more brittle and usually needs a crown for protection and strength.

Many cases of crowding can be treated with Invisalign; however, severe crowding may necessitate extractions or another orthodontic treatment.

After switching to a new aligner, most patients experience mild pressure for a few days, which is typically transient.