Airdrie Dental Clinic

The importance of oral health cannot be overstated. Not only does it give you pearly white smiles, but also protects from bacterial infections and illnesses that can happen when we don’t have good dental care!

Finding a reliable family dentist is very important because they will help eliminate any anxiety about going to the Dentist, as well as providing preventative measures in time, so there aren’t issues later on down the road with teeth problems or gum disease.

Below are the following factors you should look for when settling with a family dentist.

Qualifications and Experience

When selecting a dentist, don’t just trust any old professional. Researching properly can help you find the best option for your family’s oral health needs!

For them to practice, they must have certain qualifications, which include certification from accredited dental schools as well as from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) which is the body responsible for accrediting dental, dental specialty, dental residency, dental hygiene and dental assisting education programs in Canada. Additionally, make sure there is plenty of experience behind these professionals’ names; an extra point goes out if it comes with multiple decades worth!

It’s always a good idea to do research before you come in so that your experience will be pleasant and quick. You can find client testimonials and reviews on the Internet or directly on the website. We recommend talking directly with staff members as well, who are more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have!

Some dental clinics offer cosmetic services exclusively, and others general dental care. When choosing a family doctor, select a dentist with both good qualifications and experience and provide dental care for a variety of services and all ages.

Services Provided

There are a lot of factors to consider when looking for the perfect family dentist. You’ll want one who can provide all your dental needs in an easy, accessible way that does not require going from clinic to clinic based on your needs. Having an all-around dentist will also save you money and the stress of switching from one dentist to another based on your needs.

Some examples of services you should consider your dentist to specialize in include teeth whitening, cleaning (including periodic checkups), periodontal care like gum therapy or bridge treatments; root canal treatment, pediatric care for your children, a variety of dental sedation options to suit your needs, sleep apnea treatments & the possibility of emergency care if necessary.

The Atmosphere and Culture

A good family doctor should create a comfortable environment for every member of the family. Most children have dental fears. If you have young kids, look out for child-friendly features such as playrooms to ease the tension. 

It is advisable to visit the clinic before hiring a family dentist in Calgary to observes how the staff welcomes and treats the patients and the level of hygiene observed. 

Also, look whether they have clean waiting rooms and enough furniture to accommodate your family. The right family doctor should provide a positive environment and experiences to every member of the family.

Affordable Dental Care

The cost of dental care varies from one doctor to another due to location, standards of care, and operational costs. Depending on your budget, you should contact a family dentist that is affordable but offers quality services. Another thing you should look for apart from affordable dental care is if they accept your insurance. 

Dental services and procedures can be costly. Choose a family dentist that works with your insurance company to ease the financial burden. If you do not have insurance cover, look for a practitioner that offers fair out-of-pocket prices and convenient payment plans. 

At Sierra Dental we are proud to announce that we follow the Official Alberta Fee guide to help families receive quality dental care without breaking the bank. Inquire to learn more.

Do They Offer Emergency Dental Services?

Some dental issues can be diagnosed early enough and prevented, while others such as broken teeth or gum swelling may not show until it is too late. Most emergency situations happen when we’re least expecting them to do so!

For this case, it is important to have a family dentist in Calgary SW that offers emergency services. Confirm the measures they have put in place in such a scenario and how they first respond to emergencies. 

 A good family dentist should be available for you and your family at all times.

Do you want a more beautiful smile? If so, cosmetic dentistry may be the solution for you.

Cosmetic dentistry includes any dental work that improves the appearance of the teeth, gums and/or bite to create a more symmetrical, harmonious, and ultimately beautiful smile.

Some people desire this form of dentistry simply because they want to improve their natural appearance such as the colour, position, shape, size or alignment of the teeth. Others damage their teeth in accidents or have teeth removed and require cosmetic fixes.

Either way, the main point of cosmetic surgery is an aesthetic one to improve the overall appearance rather than to improve functionality or to ease pain.

Cosmetic surgery generally involves two main fields:

1. Prosthodontics: the replacement of missing teeth and associated tissues using crowns, bridges, and dentures.
2. Orthodontics: the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of poorly positioned teeth and misaligned bite patterns.

Periodontics, which usually involves the placement of dental implants to address gum disease around the teeth, is sometimes required too.

Most cosmetic procedures are elective, meaning that insurance does not typically cover them unless they are medically necessary.

A periodontist treats issues affecting the gums and the bones in your mouth.

Gum disease can take many forms and may have a long-term negative impact on your health if not treated. Minor infections of gum tissue caused by gum bacteria can rapidly become more serious and start to attack the bone.

If you suffer from gum problems, you need a diagnosis and treatment plan from a qualified periodontist as soon as possible.

Your dental and medical histories will be reviewed, your oral cavity will be examined, and you will be advised of the treatment options available.

Your periodontist will assess the severity of the issue and usually treat it with non-surgical methods. However, more serious cases may require surgery.

Some people visit a periodontist only when their gums have already receded and are causing pain, discomfort, and/or affecting their appearance. This can be costly.

It’s best to see a periodontist as soon as you experience the early warning signs of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of the disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling around the gum at the base of your teeth.

Many of the problems associated with gingivitis can be prevented with good oral hygiene, such as regular cleaning and frequent visits to the dentist. If gingivitis has already turned into periodontitis, a visit to the periodontist is long overdue.

Sedation dentistry is dental work performed when a patient is in a relaxed state under sedation. It can help to relieve the anxiety or emotional discomfort that some people feel when undergoing dental procedures.

If you have a phobia or fear about sitting in a dentist’s chair, the medicine used in dental sedation will relax you without the risks associated with anesthesia.

Sedation dentistry usually involves the following four stages:

• Preparation by the patient

To undergo sedation, you will probably need someone to attend the appointment with you and drive you home afterwards. The other preparation instructions will depend on the type of sedation medicine you will take.

For nitrous oxide sedation, you should not eat for at least half an hour before your appointment but water can be consumed.
Oral sedation is a little more restrictive: no solid foods should be consumed for six hours before your appointment, no liquids for three hours before and no alcohol for 24 hours before.

You will also need to check with your dentist about medications you can and cannot take before your treatment.

• Taking the sedation medicine

If you choose oral sedation, you will take a mild sedative pill about an hour before your dental procedure. By the time of your treatment, you will feel completely relaxed, but you will remain conscious and able to respond to your dentist’s instructions.

Nitrous oxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. 

Both pills and gas will leave you in a relaxed state ready for your procedure.

• The dental work is performed

When you are calm and relaxed, the dental work will be performed. You will be conscious throughout but feel no pain or discomfort.

• Post-appointment recovery

You will recover from mild sedation quickly and be able to do most of the things you can normally do.

For stronger sedation, a friend or family member will need to drive you home, and you may need to take the rest of the day off work. Follow your dentist’s advice closely.

ecause obstructive sleep apnea can occur due to the mechanics of the mouth and throat (a relaxed tongue/throat muscles, enlarged tonsils or a small mouth/jaw), dentists can play an important role in treating it.

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, an appointment with your dentist may reveal some treatment options that your doctor has not mentioned.

The most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). However, these machines are not effective for everyone and some people simply prefer not to wear a mask when sleeping. Wearing a specially made oral appliance or mouth guard may be an alternative option to consider.

Oral devices made for sleep apnea sufferers may ease mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms in patients who are not overweight.

Mandibular advancement devices (see below) are the most commonly used device but tongue-retaining devices are also an option for some people.

Your dentist can assess your mouth and sleep problems and recommend whether you would be a good candidate for either of these oral appliances.

If you decide to proceed, you will need a checkup early on to see how well it is working. You should stay in regular contact with your dentist to monitor your sleep apnea symptoms and see if an adjustment or replacement is needed for your device.