Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

Patients who are unhappy with their smiles for a variety of reasons come to Riverwalk Dental for a solution.  The look of your smile includes the gums, and even when a patient’s teeth are healthy they may feel their gums keep them from a perfect smile.  Cosmetic periodontal surgery is a chance for patients to achieve the look they desire.

Cosmetic periodontal surgery is the process of sculpting a patient’s gum line.  A procedure can include removing gum tissue, grafting gum tissue, or both. Patients with excess gum tissue may have a gummy smile, and this can be removed with a scalpel tool or laser to expose more of the tooth.  Elongated teeth are the result of gums that have receded.  In these cases, gum tissue is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted onto the area lacking tissue.  The end result is an even, stunning smile!

To learn more about cosmetic periodontal surgery and all the services we provide, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, call 403-456-4994.

Root Canal Therapy

When the tooth nerve becomes infected, the person suffering is likely to need a root canal. Root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has badly decayed. Our doctors at Riverwalk Dental understand that the term root canal can sound terrifying, but it’s actually more painful to live with a permanent toothache. To help you get a better understanding of the root canal procedure, we are here to explain.

Once an X-ray has been taken and the location of the infection is targeted, our doctor will numb the area around the tooth. Since the nerve is dead, anesthesia may not be required, but we can discuss sedation options with you if the procedure makes you nervous. A hole will then be drilled into the tooth and our doctor will clean any remaining bacteria and debris. Once the tooth is cleaned completely, a temporary dental crown will be placed. You will then need to follow-up to have a permanent crown applied.

If you have questions or concerns about root canal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located in Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable or don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge, talk to one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental to see if dental implants are an option for you.

Dental implants come in different sizes and heights, including standard, and narrow (mini). The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. Dental implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about dental implants, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located in Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.

Diabetes and Sleep Apnea

We pay special attention to the unique needs of our diabetic patients at Riverwalk Dental. People with diabetes have many additional health concerns, including an increased risk of gum disease, but our services extend to obstructive sleep apnea (OAS), as well. The link between OAS and diabetes is not completely understood, but there is a very high correlation.

Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for OAS. It makes the patient’s soft tissues likelier to sag into their airways when they’re lying down. As a metabolic disorder, diabetes puts people at an increased risk for obesity, but the connection may be deeper than that. Scientists believe that the stress of disrupted sleep causes the body to release hormones which release more glucose, creating a vicious circle. Sleep apnea also raises the patient’s blood pressure, while diabetes causes painful nerve damage that is also disruptive to sleep.

There are several means of easing the symptoms of sleep apnea dentists can help with. Among them are providing CPAP machines, which are masks that help to regulate the wearer’s breathing. We can also help provide night guards to reduce nighttime teeth grinding, which is often an attempt by the body to keep the airways open.

Dr. Jared Palmer and his team operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.

 

Reducing Children's Dental Anxiety

Riverwalk Dental proudly provides dental services to Calgary residents of all ages, including children. We hope that they will develop a lifetime of good oral health habits, but unfortunately, many children also develop a fear of dentists. That’s why we want to help parents ensure their children are comfortable visiting us and getting their teeth cleaned.

Ideally, children will be brought in for their first appointment as soon as their first tooth starts to erupt. Going to the dentist should always be a normal part of life. But in reality, children are often apprehensive around adults they don’t know well. If possible, it is best for children to be accompanied by their siblings so that older ones can set a good example and younger ones can see there’s nothing to be afraid of. If one of their guardians has their own issues with dental anxiety, it is probably best for another person to come with and explain things to them.

To get children ready, simply tell them the dental staff wants to give their teeth a good cleaning and make sure they are healthy. It’s unnecessary to explain complicated procedures we almost certainly won’t be doing and emphasizing a need to be brave signals you expect the visit to be uncomfortable. We can explain our procedures and instruments to your children in age-appropriate terms once they’re here.

Dr. Jared Palmer and his team operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.