Dr Martin performs many general and restorative dental treatments. His calm and gentle chair-side manner will help make your visit to Banff Dental Care a comfortable one.
The following are the general dentistry treatments and services performed by Dr Martin:
White Fillings
Dental cavities or tooth decay is caused by acid producing bacteria that breakdown the hard surfaces of a tooth. When dental caries causes holes in teeth, it is necessary for dentists to remove the decay and restore it to prevent further decay and maintain the functionality and esthetics of the tooth.
Basically, there are several different types of fillings that can be used to fill a cavity. At Banff Dental Care we are pleased to say that we are a mercury free office and do not offer silver fillings. We prefer to use composite resin fillings that are colored to match the shade of your teeth for a very natural esthetic appearance.
Crowns and Bridges
Also known as ‘caps’. Crowns are a type of restoration in dentistry that completely caps a damaged tooth and protects your tooth from further damage. Unlike a filling which only fills in a hole, crowns essentially become the tooth’s new outer surface. Often this procedure will be performed if the tooth has been extensively chipped, cracked or decayed so badly that the appearance and shape is compromised. In cases like these the remaining tooth is prepared and a crown is created by a lab and fit over the prepared tooth structure and cemented in place to cap the tooth.
A bridge is a permanent solution to replacing one or more missing teeth. The bridge or ‘pontic’ (dental term for false tooth) is fused to two crowns on either side of the space of the missing tooth to hold it in place. As with dentures, bridges will prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting.
Root Canals (Endodontics)
A Root canal treatment is the process of removing the infected, injured or dead pulp from a tooth. When dental cavities begin damaging the layers of the tooth through the enamel and dentin, it may make its way towards the dental pulp. The dental pulp houses the nerves and arteries of a tooth and when cavities make their way into the pulp, cold and hot sensitivity can persist and extreme pain is usually a resulting symptom. When this happens the dentist drills down into the tooth to remove all traces of bacteria and decay and then proceeds to remove and clean the pulp chamber and root canals with fine instruments. This is usually a 1 or 2 visit process ending with a tooth that is no longer painful, fully functional and natural looking.
Implant Restoration
Dental implant surgery is another solution for replacing missing teeth by permanently anchoring a prosthetic tooth to the jawbone. Dr Martin will refer you to specialist for the implant surgery where a titanium implant is placed left to heal.
After the surgery a period of at least 3 months is required to let the tissue recover and prevent further trauma. Once the area has had time to heal, Dr Martin will perform the restoration part of the process. This is where a replacement tooth is crafted and then connected it to the dental implant.
Dentures
Dentures are appliances attached to a removable supporting structure made to replace missing teeth. Not only do they help improve appearance but they provide other important benefits as well. Dentures aid in chewing ability and pronunciation in those missing only a few teeth to those missing all their teeth. Partial dentures also help prevent the remaining teeth from ‘drifting’ by holding them in position as their normal teeth would.
