Basics of Bruxism

When you’re angry, or anxious, do you find yourself clenching your teeth together? Do you wake up with a sore jaw and ask yourself why? If you’ve answered yes to either of these questions, you may want to pay attention while our doctors at Riverwalk Dental discuss the basics of bruxism. Bruxism is the action of clenching or grinding the teeth and although this can occur during the day, it’s most common during sleep.

Bruxism takes a toll on tooth enamel because the action of grinding your teeth can wear it down.  Enamel can’t be restored once it’s lost, so it’s important to address this problem at the first sign of grinding.  Bruxism may cause tooth sensitivity, headaches, and aching jaws due to the overuse of the jaw muscles. When bruxism interferes with sleep, our doctors may suggest a night guard as a treatment option. Depending on the severity of malocclusion, orthodontic options may also be explored.

If you have questions or concerns about bruxism or night guards, please give us a call. Riverwalk Dental is located at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.

Traditional Braces

When you hear the term “orthodontics,” traditional braces are probably the first thing to come to mind. At Riverwalk Dental, we have a variety of orthodontic options for patients to choose from if they desire a straighter smile, but we’d like to take the time and explain the benefits of traditional braces. Depending on your level of self-discipline, they may or not be a better option than their clear alternative – Invisalign.

Traditional dental braces consist of brackets and archwires that are placed on the teeth, which use elastic ties to secure them. Though they are the least aesthetically pleasing option, patients can select from a variety of color choices to express their personalities through their smile. Traditional braces treat a wide range of malocclusion issues such as crowding, alignment issues, and irregular spacing. Though there may be mild discomfort once the brackets are placed, they are permanent until removed, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing aligners. The length of treatment varies from person to person, but once they come off, you’ll see that the duration was worth it.

If you have questions about our orthodontic options, please give us a call. Riverwalk Dental is located at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.

Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment

At Riverwalk Dental, we offer Invisalign to our patients who desire a straighter smile, but don’t want the interference of traditional metal braces. With Invisalign, your daily activities will never be interrupted because the aligners are virtually invisible. To help you decide if Invisalign is right for you, we’d like to explain what to expect during treatment.

From overbites to underbites, and open bites to gapped teeth, Invisalign treats many cases of malocclusion. Before beginning the treatment process, your doctor will then take 3D images of your teeth and map out a precise treatment plan. Once you receive your aligners, you will need to wear them 20-22 hours a day for the best results. The advantage of Invisalign over traditional braces is that you can remove them to eat, brush, and floss.  When your treatment is complete, you can opt for a Vivera retainer, a retainer that is custom-made using the same state-of-the-art technology as Invisalign clear aligners.

If you wish to inquire about Invisalign, 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 at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, 403-456-4994.