General Dentistry

General Dentistry at Midland Dental Center in Scarborough

our General Dental services

Welcome to Midland Dental Center, where your oral health and aesthetic goals are our top priorities. Our extensive range of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services is designed to keep your smile healthy, functional, and beautiful.

General Dentistry Services

1. Dental Health Assessments

  • Comprehensive Oral Evaluations: During your initial visit, we conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and overall oral structure. This includes digital X-rays, intraoral photos, and a detailed assessment of your bite and jaw alignment. We use advanced diagnostic tools to identify any existing issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

2. Professional Teeth Cleanings

  • Routine Dental Cleanings: Our hygienists perform regular cleanings to remove plaque and tartar that build up over time, even with good brushing and flossing habits. These cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, preventing decay, and keeping your breath fresh.
  • Deep Cleanings (Scaling and Root Planing): For patients showing signs of gum disease, we offer deep cleaning treatments to remove bacteria and tartar from below the gum line. This procedure helps to stop the progression of gum disease and promotes healing in the gum tissues.

3. Advanced Tooth Extractions

  • Simple Extractions: When a tooth is damaged beyond repair or needs to be removed for other reasons (e.g., orthodontic treatment), we perform simple extractions. This involves loosening the tooth and carefully removing it with minimal discomfort.
  • Surgical Extractions: For more complex cases, such as impacted wisdom teeth, we perform surgical extractions. This procedure involves making an incision in the gum to access and remove the tooth, ensuring a smooth recovery with minimal disruption.

4. Customized Bruxism Solutions

  • Night Guards: For patients suffering from bruxism (teeth grinding), we offer custom-fitted night guards that protect your teeth from excessive wear and tear. These guards are designed to fit comfortably while you sleep, preventing damage and alleviating symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity.

5. Root Canal Therapy

  • Endodontic Treatment: When a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to decay, trauma, or cracks, root canal therapy is necessary. During this procedure, we remove the infected pulp, clean and disinfect the root canals, and then fill and seal the space to prevent further infection. This treatment can save your natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction and preserving your smile’s function and appearance.

6. Gum Disease Management

  • Gingivitis Treatment: Early-stage gum disease, or gingivitis, is treated with non-surgical methods such as professional cleanings, improved oral hygiene practices, and possibly antibiotic therapy. By addressing gingivitis early, we can reverse the condition and prevent it from progressing to more serious forms of gum disease.
  • Periodontitis Therapy: For patients with advanced gum disease, we offer more intensive treatments, including scaling and root planing, laser therapy, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. These procedures are designed to remove deep-seated bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of the gum tissues, helping to restore your oral health.

7. Emergency Dental Services

  • Urgent Care: Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and we are here to provide prompt, effective care. Whether you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or an abscess, our team will assess the situation quickly and provide the necessary treatment to relieve your discomfort and address the underlying issue.

8. Preventive Dental Care

  • Regular Check-Ups: Regular dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining long-term oral health. During these visits, we monitor your teeth and gums for any changes, perform routine cleanings, and provide guidance on how to care for your teeth at home. Early detection of issues allows us to intervene before they become more serious.
  • Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. We offer fluoride treatments, particularly for children and adults at higher risk of decay, as part of our preventive care program.
  • Dental Sealants: Sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, where grooves and pits can easily trap food and bacteria. This simple, painless procedure is highly effective in preventing cavities, especially in children and teenagers.

9. Patient Education

  • Oral Hygiene Instruction: We believe that patient education is key to maintaining good oral health. Our team will teach you the proper techniques for brushing and flossing, recommend the best products for your needs, and offer tips on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy between visits.
  • Nutritional Counseling: Diet plays a significant role in oral health. We provide nutritional advice to help you make choices that support healthy teeth and gums, including information on foods to avoid and those that promote strong, cavity-resistant teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry Services

10. Dental Bonding

  • Tooth Bonding: Dental bonding is a versatile and cost-effective solution for repairing minor imperfections in your teeth, such as chips, cracks, and gaps. We apply a tooth-colored resin to the affected area, carefully sculpt it to match the natural shape of your tooth, and then harden it with a special light. The result is a seamless repair that enhances the appearance of your smile.

11. Aesthetic Dental Services

  • Teeth Whitening: Over time, teeth can become stained or discolored due to factors like coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or simply aging. Our professional teeth whitening treatments use powerful, yet safe, bleaching agents to lift stains and brighten your smile by several shades in just one visit. We also offer take-home whitening kits for your convenience.
  • Smile Makeovers: A smile makeover is a comprehensive approach to improving the aesthetics of your smile. We combine various cosmetic procedures, such as veneers, bonding, whitening, and contouring, to create a smile that complements your facial features and boosts your confidence.

12. Veneers

  • Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. They are an excellent solution for correcting a variety of cosmetic concerns, including discoloration, gaps, misalignment, and irregularly shaped teeth. Porcelain veneers are highly durable and mimic the natural translucency of enamel, providing a beautiful, long-lasting smile.
  • Composite Veneers: For a more affordable alternative, we offer composite veneers, which are made from tooth-colored resin. While not as durable as porcelain, composite veneers can still achieve excellent aesthetic results and are typically completed in a single visit.

13. Dental Crowns

  • Porcelain Crowns: When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a crown may be necessary to restore its function and appearance. Porcelain crowns are crafted to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, providing a strong and aesthetically pleasing restoration. They are commonly used after root canal therapy, to support a large filling, or to protect a weakened tooth from breaking.
  • All-Ceramic and Zirconia Crowns: These crowns are made from high-strength, biocompatible materials that offer superior aesthetics and durability. All-ceramic and zirconia crowns are ideal for patients with metal allergies or those who prefer a metal-free option that closely resembles natural teeth.

14. Dental Bridges

  • Traditional Bridges: A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of a false tooth (or teeth) anchored by crowns on the adjacent teeth. Traditional bridges are an effective solution for restoring your smile and maintaining proper alignment and function of your bite.
  • Implant-Supported Bridges: For a more stable and long-lasting option, we offer implant-supported bridges. These bridges are anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth, providing superior support and durability while preserving the integrity of your remaining teeth.

15. Dentures

  • Full Dentures: Full dentures are a complete set of removable prosthetic teeth that replace all the missing teeth in your upper or lower jaw. They are custom-designed to fit comfortably and securely, restoring your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
  • Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are designed for patients who are missing several teeth but still have some natural teeth remaining. They consist of a metal or acrylic framework that holds the prosthetic teeth in place, filling the gaps and preventing your remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment.
  • Implant-Supported Dentures: For patients seeking a more secure and stable option, implant-supported dentures are anchored by dental implants rather than resting on the gums. This provides a much firmer fit, preventing the dentures from slipping or moving while you eat or speak.

16. Dental Implants

  • Single Tooth Implants: A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as a replacement root for a missing tooth. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, a crown is attached to it, restoring your tooth both functionally and aesthetically. Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement due to their durability and natural appearance.
  • Implant-Retained Dentures and Bridges: For patients missing multiple teeth, implant-retained dentures and bridges offer a secure and long-lasting solution. These restorations are supported by strategically placed implants, providing superior stability and preventing the bone loss that often occurs with traditional dentures.

17. Inlays and Onlays

  • Inlays and Onlays: When a tooth is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough for a crown, an inlay or onlay may be the best option. These restorations are custom-made to fit the precise shape of the cavity, providing a stronger and more durable alternative to fillings. Inlays fit within the grooves of the tooth, while onlays extend over one or more cusps.

18. Orthodontic Treatments

  • Clear Aligners: Clear aligners are a discreet, removable alternative to traditional braces for straightening teeth. These custom-made trays gradually shift your teeth into alignment without the need for metal brackets and wires. Clear aligners are popular among adults and teens who want a more convenient and less noticeable orthodontic option.
  • Traditional Braces: For patients with more complex orthodontic needs, traditional braces remain an effective treatment option. We offer both metal and ceramic braces to correct issues such as misaligned teeth, bite problems, and overcrowding, providing comprehensive care for a beautiful, healthy smile.

19. Restorative Fillings

  • Composite Fillings: When a tooth has a cavity or minor damage, composite fillings offer a natural-looking repair. These tooth-colored fillings are made from a durable resin that bonds directly to the tooth, restoring its shape and function while blending seamlessly with your natural teeth.

20. Dental Sealants

Protective Coatings: Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, where cavities are most likely to form. Sealants act as a barrier, protecting these vulnerable areas from food particles and bacteria. This preventive treatment is especially beneficial for children and teenagers, helping to maintain a cavity-free smile.

FAQ

Got Questions? We Have Answers!

In our FAQ section below, we address some of the most common questions we receive about general dentistry at Midland Dental Center. This section is designed to provide you with quick, helpful insights into our services, dental care practices, and what you can expect during your visit. If your question isn’t covered here, or if you need more detailed information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

General dentistry at Midland Dental Center encompasses a suite of essential services designed to maintain optimal oral health. Our Scarborough-based practice offers routine check-ups, professional cleanings, fillings, root canal therapy, and gum disease treatment. Each service is tailored to meet individual needs with a focus on preserving natural teeth and ensuring a healthy mouth.

Midland Dental Center recommends regular dental check-ups every six months to ensure your oral health is closely monitored. These visits allow our dentists to detect any early signs of dental issues, providing preventative care to maintain your smile’s health and vitality.

Your initial visit to Midland Dental Center will include a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning, and a detailed assessment of your oral health history. Our team will discuss your dental goals and concerns, providing a foundation for a personalized care plan.

At Midland Dental Center, we offer a variety of tooth replacement options, including dental implants, bridges, and both partial and full dentures. Our treatments are customized to restore functionality and aesthetics to your smile after tooth loss.