General Dentistry

• Child Dentistry
• Hygiene
• Teeth Extraction
• Night Guards
• Sports Mouth Guards
• TMJ / TMD Treatment
• Laser Dentistry
• Dental Sealants
• Gum Contouring

 Dentistry for Children

As for a child’s mouth, it is quite different from an adult’s mouth, which is why it is crucial to monitor the development of teeth and their health to prevent complications and to support the formation of a beautiful set of teeth.

The Canadian Dental Association has recommended that children should visit the dentist as early as six months after the appearance of the first tooth to ensure that there is a good base for oral hygiene. It is important to note that the child’s dental visits should be as regular as possible and the child should be encouraged to see the dentist as a positive experience hence the importance of early education and prompt detection as suggested by UBC Dentist at Lelem Village.

Oral Hygiene

 It is recommended that one uses mouthwash when brushing misses some areas of the mouth as well as for maintaining good oral hygiene to avoid complications such as cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath.

It is recommended that one visits the dentist for professional dental checkups at least every six months for a complete dental checkup and tooth cleaning which is ideal in preventing dental issues.

Tooth Extraction

In Lelem Village, our focus is to ensure that we treat and save your natural teeth as much as possible but where this is not possible then extracting a tooth becomes necessary especially if the teeth are crowded. Our team? They will ensure that the whole process is as comfortable as possible thus reducing any discomfort that the patient may experience with the use of anesthesia.

Then, we will assist you in a comfortable recovery process, to ensure that you are well informed on what to expect. However, it is important to note that removing a tooth isn’t just limited to that one area; some other teeth in that area or may even begin the to position move of around, your which jaw. may And affect if the it’s way a you front chew tooth? It also has an effect on one’s self-image as well. That is why we are always willing to explain all the possible options for replacement in details to ensure that you are well informed.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

The back most molars which are commonly referred to as the third molars or wisdom teeth normally develop in the late teens or early twenties. But here’s the thing; if there is not enough room for them to come through or if they are coming through at an angle (tilted, rotated or impacted), they are referred to as impacted.

An impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain, infection and tooth damage

Wisdom teeth—when those back molars choose to develop in the most unwanted manner, as if they are seeking a fight with the rest of the teeth. You might feel that tooth rubbing against its neighbour, not only causing pain, but actually eroding the tooth next to it. And don’t even get started on the food traps—stagnant particles stick to that wisdom tooth as if it were a magnet for debris, attracting bacteria to settle in. So, in due course? That’s decay and gum disease at its finest, no wonder.

Then, there is the risk of infection. This tooth if impacted can cause more than just discomfort; it is a formula for swelling, an ache, and inflammation of the gums that can spread the pain to the jaw and even the face. But that’s not all, sometimes a cyst may develop around that impacted tooth. A cyst is a pouch that is filled with fluid, and it can do a lot of damage to the jawbone without the person even knowing it. It is something that needs to be dealt with at once.

It also helps to have it removed as early as possible to avoid complications.

One way of avoiding this and the many complications that an impacted wisdom tooth can cause is to have it removed before it fully grows into the mouth. Having it pulled out before the roots grow deep can really make a big difference. X-rays are our best friend here; they enable us to track the progress of these wisdom teeth.

After reviewing the x-rays, it can be seen that the wisdom teeth are starting to become a problem and then we can go ahead and remove them. It is better to experience some discomfort in the present time than having a big dental problem in the future, don’t you think???

 Night Guards

Bruxism or more commonly known as teeth grinding is a habit that is done unconsciously and usually happens when one is asleep thus straining his or her jaw as well as causing damage to the teeth and the jaw joints. It mainly happens due to stress but it can also happen in case of misaligned teeth which leads to discomfort in the form of sore jaw muscles, headaches, neck or ear pain.

This is because they often notice the signs of wear on teeth from grinding. Are you having sleepless nights? A custom night guard might be just what you need for some real sleep. These guards do not only protect you from grinding and clenching of teeth but also ensure that your jaw is in a relaxed position at all times during sleep. But wait, there’s more? They can also be made to suit your needs; you can decide to get one for TMJ pain, grinding, or even sleep apnea.

Mouth Guards for Sports

A mouthguard also known as mouth protector, mouthpiece, gumshield, gumguard or nightguard is an innovative device that is worn over the teeth and gums to help in preventing or minimizing injuries to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. They are very vital especially if you are engaged in contact type of sports because you need to protect your mouth.

Custom mouthguards are fantastic because they:

• Avoid or lessen the chances of having oral injuries.
• Help in preventing facial injuries.
• Guarantee maximum comfort to athletes.
• Spare you from sitting in the dental chair for hours on end.
• Allow you to easily breathe since they are well fitted in your mouth.

TMJ / TMD Treatment

The temporomandibular joint is the one that is situated on both sides of the head just behind the ear, where the mandible or the lower jaw joins the temporal bone of the skull. Being one of the most complicated joints in the human body, the TMJ offers a degree of movement that includes rotation, lateral movements, protraction and retraction thus facilitating common activities such as chewing, swallowing, speaking and yawning.

Discomfort which affects the muscles, bones or the tissues surrounding the TMJ may lead to temporomandibular disorder also known as TMD, which is a group of conditions with many causes including bruxism or tooth grinding, clenching of the jaw, malocclusion, injury to the jaw, and stress. It can cause pain in the jaw, face, head and shoulders, headaches, ear pain,auditory hallucinations,and other associated symptoms like clicking or popping of the joint.

Sometimes it is important to have a dental and medical assessment to determine the presence of TMD, which may include the identification of symptoms for example; popping, clicking, and grating sounds when the jaw is moved, painful chewing, jaw locking and worn down teeth that are not as round as they should be. It is common to have ear related problems and on examination one may find infections of the ear, sinuses or teeth. Dental X-rays and CT scans assist in the assessment of the joint’s bony structure while MRI is used to evaluate the soft tissues. Since TMD is a complex disorder, the treatment methods used to manage it are also quite extensive, and usually involve avoidance of jaw movements, heat or ice application, drugs like muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs, splint therapy including the use of mouth guards and correction of any bite defects.

 Laser Dentistry

At Lelem Village, we have different types of dental lasers for different dental procedures that we offer. Our dental experts will be in a position to advise you on whether laser dentistry is suitable for you. To this end, our team is dedicated to offering a complete range of dental services and is thus proficient in laser dental treatment.

Why Laser Dentistry is a Great Choice

• Laser dentistry reduces the need for anesthesia and there is no vibration or drilling sound.
• Dental procedures done with a laser dental instrument do not require stitches as a rule.
• Infections are cut down to a minimum as the laser also disinfects the treated area.
• The healing time is also reduced.
• Dental laser treatments are usually faster than the conventional dentistry procedures.
• Natural teeth are kept as long as possible so that healthy tooth structure is not affected.
• Perfect for children and those who have issues with anxiety when visiting the dentist.
• Provides top quality preventive care.

How Does A Dental Sealant Work?

A Dental sealant is a barrier made of plastic like material which is placed on the surface of the back teeth in order to prevent the accumulation of plaque on the surface of the teeth which is difficult to clean using a toothbrush thereby reducing the risk of decay.

We recommend that sealants be placed as soon as the permanent molars come in, which is at 5 to 7 years for the first molars, 11 to 14 years for the second molars and premolars, and should be replaced when they wear off.

It requires cleaning and drying the teeth first, then using a special treatment to make the surface of the teeth rough to enhance the adhesion, then coating the sealant on the prepared cavities and hardening it with the help of high intensity light that is safe to use, thus creating a protective layer against cavities.

 Gum Contouring

Gum contouring, also referred to as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting is a process which involves the correction of the gum line to give it a proper shape that is in proportion to the teeth.

This is because this procedure is mainly recognised as a way of improving the appearance of your teeth and thus improving your smile. However, this can also be done as part of the necessary periodontal treatments which include crown lengthening, pocket reduction and regenerative procedures.