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Laser Dentistry
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They used to be the stuff of sci-fi movies but these days you're just as likely to find lasers in the dental office. Lasers have been put to medical use for several years and are now used in state-of-the-art dentistry. Lasers have made new dental treatments possible while improving on more traditional ones. Lasers don't replace traditional instruments, but they help them work better and make treatment more comfortable for the patient.
Laser light can be focused into a tiny point to do very fine precision work. It is so precise in dental surgery that there isn't as much swelling and scarring around tissue and less of a need for sutures. Lasers are gentle on soft gum tissue and stop bleeding from even the tiniest blood vessel so that the surgical area stays almost free of blood and the dentist can actually see better. The heat from the laser also has a sterilization effect. Many patients report a pleasant anesthetic effect, as the laser seems to desensitize the area being worked
on.
Lasers are being put to many tasks in the dental office. They remove diseased gum tissue to prevent gum disease. They painlessly remove canker sores and help cold-sensitive teeth. Lasers are also good at cosmetic jobs. Laser light is used to harden white fillings and veneers to make them extra strong. It's expected that someday soon lasers will be adapted for use in every aspect of dentistry.
The Quiet Revolution
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By the year 2016, a significant percentage of our population will be over fifty years of age. We've become quietly dedicated to revolutionizing the dental field by increasing our awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of these individuals.
Today's baby boomers are sophisticated, informed consumers who are aware that oral health is an important part of overall health. You are insightful and understand the relationships between appearance, self-esteem, and physical and mental well-being. We are committed to providing comprehensive treatment addressing these priorities.
A healthy, attractive mouth is more than vanity. It's common sense. Wholesome gums do look more appealing, but it's critically important to understand how gum disease can affect you, and why it's our primary concern for older adults. Did you know that research continues to reveal new relationships between oral bacteria and systemic diseases?
Concerns with less dramatic potential to influence health are no less worthy of attention. That's why we're committed to sharing information regarding medication, diet, and cosmetic restorative options. We want you to be informed so that you can make choices that will keep you happier, healthier, longer.
An attractive mouth is more than just vanity. It is health common sense.
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Your First Line of Defense |
What's free, quick, painless, and something you've probably already experienced but didn't notice? Oh, yes ... and so important that it could save your life? This is no trick question. The answer is an oral cancer examination - an essential part of our practice, each and every time you come in for a checkup.
Oral cancer is the sixth most. common cancer, but it hasn't received a lot of press. Pity, because oral cancer kills. It has the worst five-year survival rate of all major cancers. With early diagnosis it can be cured, yet the disease often goes unnoticed because it is usually painless. But it can be observed, if you know what to look for.
We should all be alert to signs of oral cancer, and check for symptoms. Avoid regular sun exposure, tobacco, and excessive alcohol intake. You needn't rely only on yourself. We have a protocol for oral cancer exams, and since most people see their dentists more often than their doctors, we are your first line of defense.
| The 1-Minute |
The 5-Minute |
| Patient Protocol |
Dental Protocol |
Every month, look for...
...a sore on any oral tissue that bleeds easily or does not heal
...a color change of the oral tissue a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small eroded area
...pain, tenderness, or numbness
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Your dentist will examine and evaluate...
...the oral cavity, including lips, cheek, tongue, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate
...the oropharynx including tonsils, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, and base of tongue
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You probably didn't realize that your ear bones and your jawbones started out as one and the same. As your body developed, the bones separated, but because the same nerve that controls the tensor tympani muscle in your ear controls your chewing muscles, your jaws and ears can share muscle pain. And that symphony of noises that you hear - the ringing, clicking, popping, or grating - may actually originate in your jaw. Other symptoms that could indicate dental problems include feelings of pressure or dizziness, excessive earwax, and difficulty clearing your ears.
How can you tell if ear symptoms are dentally related? Dentally related ear pain is usually felt in just one ear and can feel very deep. It can spread to the temple or the back of the head. You may have muscle soreness around your jaw joints, or a sideways shifting of the jaw when you open wide.
The most common cause of jaw-related problems is a bad bite. Your teeth must meet every time you swallow - over 2,000 times every day and night! If your bite is unbalanced due to misaligned teeth, the muscles must work harder to bring the teeth together. Eventually the chewing muscles can become fatigued, they may shorten, and they may even go into painful spasms.
If you have any of these symptoms, please give us a call. We can help harmonize that tympani symphony.
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Healthy, Vibrant, Natural |
You have made a conscious decision to floss, brush, and have regular cleanings, and you've implemented a good oral home care regimen. In short, you have done all the right things for your oral health! But your smile is just not quite as dazzling as you would like it to be. Now is the time to do something nice for yourself - you've earned it!
Consider a safe, reliable cosmetic dental procedure: whitening.
No matter how rigorously you follow your dental care routine, many of life's simpler social pleasures like drinking tea, coffee, and red wine will gradually stain your teeth. Sometimes yellowing is just a fact of ageing or the result of using some medications. And some people are just unlucky in the hereditary sweepstakes.
Increasing numbers of adults arc improving the appearance and function of their teeth. We often correct cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth using
bonding
or with
veneers
. We can use
crowns
to repair severely damaged teeth, and bridges and implants can he
natural-looking choices to energize your smile.
We want your smile to radiate the health you feel. Reward yourself ... ask us about how we can help you to achieve your best smile possible:
healthy, vibrant, and natural!
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The Bees' Knees
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A natural substance carried by the bees' knees - or at least their hind legs - and used to
strengthen and protect their beehives could someday find its way to your medicine cabinet in a toothpaste or mouthwash.
Researchers are exploring uses for propolis, named from the Greek "defender of the city." It has effective antibacterial and antifungal properties that protect the hive, and has been prescribed since ancient times as a cure for wounds and diseases. Twelfth century texts show that it was prescribed for mouth and throat infections in Europe.
In a scientific study, propolis effectively inhibited the activity of plaque-producing enzymes from 75-95% in solution, although its effectiveness varied depending upon the collection site. The search is still on for the specific active compound that makes it work, and further research could mean an effective anti-cavity toothpaste.
But there are other natural cavity fighters you can use right now - like brushing, flossing, rinsing, and watching your sugar - and honey - intake.
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For Once, The Joke's On Snoring
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The Klearway Snoring and OSA Appliance could be your answer
Snoring has long been considered socially incorrect and something of a joke - particularly if the snorer's a woman, But male or female, snorers can exceed 38 decibels of sound, about the equivalent of light highway traffic. And yes, men do snore louder than women. Even though snoring doesn't appear to cause hearing loss or interrupt the snorer's sleep, it's estimated that their partners lose about one hour of sleep a night. If you live with a snorer, it might seem like at least an hour!
But that is just the least of it. More dangerously, as many as 40% of snorers could suffer from a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which has been implicated in everything from cardiovascular disease to car accidents and train wrecks.
OSA occurs when the snorer's airway is blocked during sleep, leaving the sufferer gasping for air and waking numerous times throughout the night.
OSA has been linked with hypertension, heart attack, stroke, acid reflux, diabetes, and social problems associated with insufficient oxygen intake and interrupted sleep over time. These include difficulty learning or performing on the job, damaged personal and professional relationships, and accidents with machinery including planes, trains, and automobiles. As we learn more about OSA, the stereotype of an older individual with flaccid muscle tone is being replaced with a profile that includes young, fit, professional football players, children, and pregnant women. In short, serious sleep disorders like OSA can occur in all kinds of patients.
Thankfully, modern science and modern dentistry has found safe, reliable, and comfortable non-surgical interventions. At our practice, we use the Klearway Snoring and OSA Appliance. It is easily inserted, completely reversible, non-surgical, and is customized for each individual patient. The Klearway appliance is soft so it won't bother your teeth or gums, and has been specially designed so that you can yawn, swallow, speak, and even drink water without removing it.
Don't ignore snoring or the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Please call us at (604) 596-8712 and we'll be happy to provide a consultation and answer any questions you might have about the Klearway Snoring and OSA Appliance.
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Orthodontics For Adults |
People over the age of 18 now make up more than 40% of our orthodontic patients. There are good reasons braces aren't just for kids anymore. Modern braces can be a great way to improve your smile and make your teeth last longer. Straightened teeth are more pleasing to the eye and far less susceptible to dental diseases. And you don't have to suffer the humiliation of metal mouth any longer.
Modern braces can be a great way
to improve your smile
See-through brackets made out of clear ceramic can make your braces virtually invisible. Braces can also be bonded to the insides of your teeth where they are out of sight. New wiring that doesn't have to be tightened as often can cut down on the number of dental visits.
It's true that children's teeth are softer and easier to move. However, adults follow their dentist's instructions much better, and that can drastically cut down on treatment time. Look around. It's more than likely that some of your friends and colleagues are wearing braces and you don't even know it.
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Contact Us |
Location Map
From the Dentist
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We have a new name Lifestyle Dental Care has been chosen to represent our new direction, we hope to not only maintain the high standard of dental care you are accustomed to, but also to enhance our patient's lifestyles with the many other services that we provide.
With our constant post-graduate education, and brand new equipment, we are pleased to offer our patient's braces, and cosmetic dentistry to enhance their smiles. Our at-home (7-14 nights) whitening system will brighten up our smile in no time, the laser guided x-ray machine will be used for head, jaw, and jaw joints x-rays, the Diode Laser is used in treatment of gum disease and other soft tissue conditions. Intra oral appliances are available and are now proven to relieve constant headaches, jaw, neck, and shoulder pain. Other appliances can also help to fight sleep apnea and snoring so that you and your spouse can both wake up fresh in the morning.
Shannon, our new certified dental assistant, has been invited to add strength to our endeavor by providing gentle and personalized care for you. She has more than three years experience in the dental field, is well liked by our patients, and all of us.
This is an exciting time in the dentistry field. We are committed to move ahead with technologies and knowledge that will bring quality and smiles to your life. Please call us or visit our web site
www.lifesmile.ca for further information.
Yours in good dental health
Dr. Roger Cheung
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Relationships And Rewards
Every season has a way of inspiring thoughtful moments. In the summertime, there's something quietly compatible about the heat, the slower pace, and tranquil reverie...
Our thoughts often turn to important relationships. Since much of our life is spent as professionals here at the practice - that's a lot of relationships! You might find it strange to think of this as a humbling notion, but it is.
When you return time after time, we understand that you are expressing your trust in our professionalism. When you refer your friends and family, we understand that you are placing your relationships in our care.
Your trust and confidence are so important to us that we're introducing our new Referral Reward Program. We have included four referral cards that you can give to friends to bring on their first visit. Don't forget to fill in your name! Each of you will receive a gift certificate. The rewards of our relationship keep on growing!
Sincerely,
Dr. Roger Cheung
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