Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can we help you?
Choosing a Calgary dentist to look after your family is a big decision. When you choose Avenida Dental Centre for your dentistry, we want you to feel confident in your choice, which is why we always welcome your questions. If you do not see your specific question listed here, give us a call and one of our friendly and professional team members will be happy to help.
Other
To make visits convenient and easier for our patients, we offer direct billing to your insurance on the day of the procedure. If any outstanding balances occur, we will often contact you directly.
Alberta Fee Guide
We follow the fee guide for all services. You can read more on our dedicated fee guide page.
Teeth collect stains over time due as they are exposed to colourful foods, tea, coffee, wine, or from tobacco use. We offer teeth whitening, also called teeth bleaching, to remove stains caused by everyday life.
Teeth whitening is safe for most healthy patients. A checkup with one of our Avenida Dental Centre dentists will ensure that your particular type of discolouration will respond to teeth whitening and that it will be safe for you.
We create custom take-home whitening trays for patients to whiten their teeth gradually over the course of several weeks. It is always more effective to begin a teeth whitening program following a professional dental cleaning, which removes tartar and surface stains.
Teeth Whitening in South Calgary
- Impressions of teeth
- Instructions on home whitening procedure
- Delivery of custom teeth bleaching trays
To avoid sensitive teeth and gums, follow the instructions precisely. Using more than the recommended amount of whitening gel could cause it to leak out of the tray edges.
Over time, stains can begin to collect again. We offer additional whitening gel for touch-ups should you wish to maintain the whiter, brighter appearance of your teeth.
We invite you to contact our dental office to arrange a consultation to discover if teeth whitening is right for you.
Help with Teeth Grinding in South Calgary
Dr. Jayde Wiedemann discusses clenching and grinding of teeth and how it can affect your oral health. Contact our South Calgary dental clinic if you have more questions on bruxism.
Dental x-rays are recommended to find teeth that are diseased or damaged that are not visible during a regular visual check-up. Often, cavities will occur between the teeth, underneath seemingly healthy enamel or below the gum-line. With x-rays we can catch these cavities in their early stages, significantly reducing the chance of more costly procedures such as root canal treatment or a crown. In addition to cavity detection, x-rays are a valuable tool for catching early-stage bone loss, infections or diseases.
How often should I get x-rays?
How often we recommend x-rays is dependent on a number of factors but generally, it’s based on a patient’s oral health, age, and signs of oral diseases. Overall we recommend x-rays to be taken on an annual basis with your biannual check-up. This ensures we can catch any tooth damage or diseases before they become larger and more costly concerns.
Dental Anxiety Help in South Calgary
Has your dental anxiety kept you from visiting the dentist? Contact our South Calgary dental clinic to learn more about how we can help make you feel more comfortable at Avenida Dental Centre.
Contact Our South Calgary Office
Want to learn more about dental x-rays and how we use them at Avenida Dental Center? Please contact our South Calgary dental clinic for more information on dental x-rays.
Children's Dentistry
Contact Our South Calgary Dental Clinic
Do you have more questions on cavities? Please contact Avenida Dental Centre to schedule your next dental appointment.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit by age one, or when they get their first teeth. It’s important to see the condition of these first few teeth and to give parents strategies to provide the best care possible for their children.
Importance of Baby Teeth
Baby (primary) teeth are important because they provide the blueprint for adult (permanent) teeth and preserve space as those teeth come in. Decay and premature tooth loss may cause overcrowding or misalignment of teeth. Our Avenida Dental Centre dentists are committed to working closely with parents to build a stable foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.
Children’s Dentistry
Regular dental appointments beginning at a young age also affords our dentists the opportunity to monitor growth and development. If jaws do not develop properly, we can recommend treatment with an orthodontist for interceptive orthodontics to improve jaw development with palatal expanders or other types of phase I orthodontics.
We work with each child, moving at a pace they feel comfortable with and explain their procedures in non-threatening terms to ensure their comfort throughout.
We also use these early childhood dental appointments to discuss habits such as thumb sucking, bottle use and pacifiers to avoid any complications.
If you are searching for children’s dentistry in South Calgary, we welcome you to Avenida Dental Centre where we welcome every member of the family.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns in South Calgary are an excellent solution for teeth that have been broken or severely damaged by decay, and the good news is that the process to complete a crown is straightforward.
A tooth crown typically takes two appointments to complete. During your first visit, your dentist will prepare your tooth for its new restoration and make a temporary crown for you to wear while a trusted dental lab handcrafts your final crown.
It may take two to three weeks for the lab to complete your dental crown, and then you’ll return to Avenida Dental Centre to have our dentist permanently place it. At this time, they’ll make any adjustments needed to ensure that your bite is functioning correctly and that your new crown fits comfortably. Once that is completed, it’s time for you to enjoy your new tooth!
Choosing a dental crown in South Calgary to restore your smile is a great way to return aesthetics to your smile without losing any of the chewing function you had before. A porcelain crown is durable and can also be customized to match your teeth and naturally complete your smile.
If you have questions about dental crowns or other treatment procedures, we welcome your call to our dental practice.
A crown or “cap” is a protective cover for a tooth that is at risk of fracturing and would be too difficult to fix with a filling or veneer. Crowns can restore the beauty and strength of natural teeth.
Common Reasons for a Dental Crown
- Tooth had root canal treatment in the past
- A very large or challenging filling
- Cosmetic concerns such as excessive wear or teeth that continually keep chipping and breaking
- Dark or discoloured teeth
- To hold a dental bridge in place
Contact Our T2J 7A4 Dental Clinic
These are just a few of the reasons our Calgary dentists at Avenida Dental Centre would recommend a crown. If you are interested in discussing whether your tooth requires a crown please contact us to book an appointment!
Dental Implants
You might be surprised to learn that getting a dental implant in South Calgary is not as uncomfortable as you might think.
The process starts with implant placement surgery. During your surgery, dental anesthetics are used to ensure that you are numb and don’t feel anything during the procedure.
After implant placement surgery, we give your implant time to heal and integrate with your bone, which happens through a process called osseointegration. This typically takes anywhere from three to six months.
When your implant is fully fused with your bone, it is ready to support your new tooth. You’ll return to Avenida Dental Centre where our dentists will attach the customized crown they designed to complement your smile.
A dental implant closely mimics your natural tooth since it replaces both your tooth and its root. It provides excellent longevity since it has the potential to last for a lifetime with excellent home care and regular dental checkups.
If you are suffering from tooth loss and would like to learn more about tooth replacement options, our dentists would love to talk with you. During an evaluation, they can determine if tooth implants in South Calgary are the right treatment for your needs and walk you through the treatment process.
Dentistry has seen some incredible and impressive advancements, especially concerning tooth replacement.
Any archeologist will confirm that humans have always been interested in restoring a lost tooth. We’ve been incredibly clever and creative in our techniques and materials, yet few replacement teeth can fuse with your jaw bone without being rejected.
The Success of Dental Implants
While there are many things to appreciate about dental implants, a major draw is the over 95 percent success rate they enjoy.
Many Calgary patients can enjoy the look and function of a new smile without having to worry about their implant slipping, falling, or failing.
Natural-Looking Tooth Restorations
While many tooth restorations are beautifully and accurately handcrafted to resemble your natural tooth, only dental implants can fill in for an absent tooth by mimicking the tooth root and thereby stimulating healthy bone growth.
With dental implants, patients never worry about receding jaw bone, shifting teeth, and other dental issues. You can eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
Modern Dental Implants in Calgary
If you are interested in restoring a tooth, contact Avenida Dental Centre. We are more than happy to arrange a consultation with our dentist to go over your options.
If you’re considering replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, you may be wondering what to expect. Here’s how the process works.
The first step is placing the implant into your jawbone during a simple surgical procedure. After placement is completed, we allow your implant time to heal and fuse with your bone. This happens naturally over a period of three to six months because your implant is made of biocompatible titanium.
Once your implant is fully healed and integrated with your bone, it’s ready to support a new tooth. Your South Calgary dentist designs your new tooth using durable porcelain that we customize to match your smile.
Dental implants can also support prosthetic appliances like a dental bridge or denture, allowing patients with multiple missing teeth to enjoy the benefits that implants have to offer.
Tooth implants protect the health of your bone by keeping it stimulated, just like a natural root would. This also provides excellent longevity since they can often last for a lifetime.
Another benefit of choosing a dental implant to replace a lost tooth is that it is almost like having your natural tooth back again. Your new tooth looks, feels, and functions just like your natural tooth did, which also makes it easy to care for since brushing and flossing are the same.
Contact Avenida Dental Centre today if you’d like more information about dental implants.
Emergency Dentistry
Breaking a tooth may or may not cause you discomfort. If it’s not uncomfortable, you might wait to contact your dentist. However, in either case, a broken tooth might lead to more significant problems, and you may want to contact your emergency dentist in South Calgary as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to know.
Even if it is not causing you pain, a broken tooth allows bacteria to enter into your tooth, and it can make its way to your nerve. When this happens, an infection can develop that will cause discomfort and result in the need for a tooth extraction if left untreated. Don’t let this happen; call for emergency dentistry in Lake Bonavista right away if you have a broken tooth.
When you’re proactive about treating a broken tooth, a dental crown can repair your compromised tooth. A crown fits over your damaged tooth and replaces it with a porcelain restoration customized to look and feel like your natural tooth. Your new tooth crown blends seamlessly with your smile and provides all the functions you had before.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a broken tooth in South Calgary, protect your oral health by calling your emergency dental team at Avenida Dental Centre at (403) 225-0990 for prompt dental care.
Unfortunately a dental emergency will likely happen to everyone at some point in their life. Our south Calgary dentists will always find time in our schedule to help you get out of pain, most times the same day.
Like any injury or emergency situation, do your best to remain calm and let us worry about finding a solution. Below are a few common emergencies we encounter and how to best handle them at home:
Broken tooth:
Fractures or fillings coming out are quite common. Often these teeth will be quite sensitive to cold temperatures or biting hard foods. Until you’re able to visit us avoid hard foods or anything too cold that could cause you sensitivity. If needed, take some over the counter ibuprofen or Advil.
Knocked out tooth:
Sports, especially hockey are quite notorious for this. If you’re unfortunate enough to have this happen, do NOT touch the root of the tooth. Either try to place the tooth back in the socket or temporarily store the tooth in milk. Time is of the essence as the chances of success in re-implanting this tooth drop significantly with time. We always have a dentist on call after hours if you ever experience a severe emergency.
Swelling:
This often happens with infected teeth or gums. If the swelling is very rapid and is noticeable in the mirror, please call us ASAP or visit your nearest walk-in clinic.
Cuts or lacerations:
If you experienced some type of accident and require stitches, please visit the nearest ER immediately. The physician will recommend afterwards to come visit us to assess your teeth for any damage.
Invisalign Clear Braces
Invisalign is a unique treatment in that it uses clear aligners made of plastic instead of brackets and wires to straighten teeth.
The clear aligners are customized to snugly fit over your teeth and make safe, gradual movements over time. You will change to a new set of aligners every two weeks to keep your treatment progressing as planned.
Because the aligners are clear, they are hardly noticeable; and because of their snug fit, they don’t interfere with talking, smiling, or any of your other normal daily activities.
Dr. Wiedemann and Dr. Toy plan your treatment, and Invisalign creates a series of aligners that you will use to complete that treatment. Depending on your needs, most treatment plans with clear braces in South Calgary can be completed in around 12 to 18 months.
One of the primary benefits of choosing clear braces to straighten your teeth is, of course, discretion. Adults love the fact that they can straighten their teeth without anyone noticing.
Another advantage is that the aligners are removable. This means you can take them out for meals, brushing and flossing, and other significant events. Removable aligners make treatment easier, but remember that wearing your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours per day is the best way to keep your treatment on track.
Contact Avenida Dental Centre today at (403) 225-0990 for more information about Invisalign in Lake Bonavista.
This is easily one of our most common questions about Invisalign in Calgary and one of the hardest to answer.
Our goal with Invisalign clear braces is to straighten out overcrowded, misaligned, or crooked teeth. The precise treatment time is contingent on many different factors and is different for each patient.
No Two Smiles Are the Same
Your smile is uniquely yours. Like a fingerprint, no two smiles are exactly alike. Each patient has their unique bite alignment and facial structure to consider, making the design and number of aligner trays different from other patients.
On average, Invisalign clear braces do their job within several months to a year. Some patients may have minor alignment issues that can be cleared in six months, while others might have more severe orthodontic needs that could take longer than eighteen months to treat.
Are You Interested in Invisalign?
Like many of our dental treatments, Invisalign is catered to you. Some people may need to undergo orthodontic treatment longer than others. Many patients at Avenida Dental Centre start seeing changes in just a month or two, yet others may need a little more time to see a shift.
The only way to know how long your Invisalign clear braces treatment will be is by calling our Calgary dentist at (403) 225-0990.
If your teeth are not as straight as you would like them to be, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign. If your teeth are overlapping, or if your bite is not in line, Invisalign may be a good option for you.
Invisalign Clear Aligners Vs. Metal Braces
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal and wire braces, and it may be an ideal therapy for patients who do not want silver detracting from their smiles.
Invisalign clear braces in Calgary, AB are discreet aligners custom-designed to fit your smile. Every few weeks, you change to the next aligner in the series until you’ve finished the entire set. As you move through aligners, your smile gradually straightens.
With Invisalign, you can remove your aligners when eating, brushing, and flossing your teeth.
Aligners are ideal for patients who have healthy teeth and gums—teeth that are healthy enough to withstand mild pressure as they move into straighter positions. Your dentist in Calgary examines your teeth and gums, takes x-rays, and talks to you about your smile goals. Together, you decide whether Invisalign is right for you.
Avenida Dental Centre Available For Orthodontic Appointments
If you would like to schedule an exam for Invisalign, or if you have questions, contact a member of our dental team today.
Preventive Dentistry
Teeth collect stains over time due as they are exposed to colourful foods, tea, coffee, wine, or from tobacco use. We offer teeth whitening, also called teeth bleaching, to remove stains caused by everyday life.
Teeth whitening is safe for most healthy patients. A checkup with one of our Avenida Dental Centre dentists will ensure that your particular type of discolouration will respond to teeth whitening and that it will be safe for you.
We create custom take-home whitening trays for patients to whiten their teeth gradually over the course of several weeks. It is always more effective to begin a teeth whitening program following a professional dental cleaning, which removes tartar and surface stains.
Teeth Whitening in South Calgary
- Impressions of teeth
- Instructions on home whitening procedure
- Delivery of custom teeth bleaching trays
To avoid sensitive teeth and gums, follow the instructions precisely. Using more than the recommended amount of whitening gel could cause it to leak out of the tray edges.
Over time, stains can begin to collect again. We offer additional whitening gel for touch-ups should you wish to maintain the whiter, brighter appearance of your teeth.
We invite you to contact our dental office to arrange a consultation to discover if teeth whitening is right for you.
Healthy gums should not be inflamed or bleed while brushing, flossing, or eating.
As part of our preventive dental care, we provide a periodontal evaluation to identify any areas of bleeding or pocketing.
How Periodontal Disease Develops
Periodontal disease develops when bacteria infect the gum tissue. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, is often reversible with improved home and professional care and a dental cleaning designed to remove tartar, which irritates gum tissue.
As infection advances into periodontitis, pockets develop between the gums and tooth structure. When left untreated, tooth loss and bone loss can occur.
Gum Disease Treatment in T2J 7A4
We offer customized gum disease treatments in our South Calgary dental office to assist in healing and the management of gum disease. A targeted dental cleaning will remove tartar and bacteria from between the teeth and below the gumline. Our hygienists and dentists focus on patient comfort and providing educational resources to empower patients to regain their health.
Regular follow-up dental cleanings at 3-4 month intervals, combined with diligent home care will assist in maintaining healthy gums.
In some cases, medicated oral rinses may be part of a gum disease treatment regimen.
If you notice painful gum tissue, recession, or if your gums bleed when you clean them, contact Avenida Dental Centre. We look forward to welcoming you.
Each patient is different, and your oral health can change throughout your lifetime. Certain health conditions, such as pregnancy or diabetes, may mean that more frequent dental visits could be beneficial.
For most patients, visits every three to six months will support good oral health. We will discuss our recommendations with you and answer any questions you have.
Six-Month Dental Exams and Cleanings in T2J 7A4
Many people believe that twice-yearly dental exams are enough. For generally healthy patients with minimal dental needs, these maintenance appointments that include a dental checkup, x-rays, scale and polish and an updated medical history will be sufficient.
Of course, if a change occurs, your personalized dental treatment plan may need an adjustment.
Three or four Month Dental Exams and Cleanings
For patients with periodontal (gum) disease, maintenance appointments will reduce the likelihood of re-infection. Once you have gum disease, you will always be more prone to a reoccurrence. Three or four dental cleanings per year are often recommended.
Our dentists and hygienists are passionate about making each dental appointment as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for our South Calgary community. Even if you have missed a few dental cleanings, we will help you get back on track without guilt or judgment.
Contact Our South Calgary Dental Clinic
Do you have more questions on cavities? Please contact Avenida Dental Centre to schedule your next dental appointment.
Ill-fitting dentures can make it difficult to eat a variety of foods and may even cause embarrassment when eating with others. Dentures that slip or fall can also cause denture sores to form as they shift about in the mouth.
Because of changes in bone over time, dentures require periodic relines or replacement. Other changes in health can also cause denture fit to change, including weight gain or loss.
Schedule Periodic Dental Exams
Even if you do not have any remaining natural teeth, we still recommend periodic dental exams to support good oral health.
- Exam of soft tissue and gums
- Denture exam and inspection
- Adjustments to both full and partial dentures
- X-rays to monitor bone health
Regular Dental Exams in T2J 7A4
Many patients with dentures do not realize the importance of regular dental exams. Your dentist is often the first person to notice changes in tissue that could indicate oral cancer or the presence of pre-cancerous lesions. As with all types of cancer, early detection improves prognosis.
If we ever see suspicious tissue lesions, our dentists will recommend a biopsy and follow up with your results.
For new dentures or to have the fit of your denture adjusted, please contact our South Calgary dental office to book a dental appointment.
We usually will spend a couple of hours with each new patient over the age of 18 for a cleaning and a visit with our dentist. A comprehensive exam and consultation will help you and your dentist develop rapport and give you an opportunity to share anything about your oral health that has been bothering you or that you have questions about.
Each person is unique and we want to create an oral health strategy personally tailored to your specific needs.
Your First Dental Visit
- Evaluation of each tooth
- Examination of dental restorations
- Soft tissue health check
- Oral cancer screening
- Dental x-rays (if necessary)
- Explanation of any oral conditions
- Presentation of treatment options and alternatives
- Scheduling next appointments when applicable
Dental Cleanings in T2J 7A4
Dental cleanings are tailored to support healthy teeth and gums. A scale and polish might be sufficient for one patient, while others might require a more extensive dental cleaning to remove tartar and promote healing.
Intraoral photos, taken in the dental chair, will assist our dentists in explaining anything they see that requires your attention.
For a dental appointment in South Calgary, contact Avenida Dental Centre. We welcome new patients and proudly serve the Calgary community.
Contact Our South Calgary Office
Want to learn more about dental x-rays and how we use them at Avenida Dental Center? Please contact our South Calgary dental clinic for more information on dental x-rays.