Dr. Terk's dental hygienists will help keep your teeth and gums in tiptop shape. At your visit you will receive an oral examination, an oral cancer screening, any necessary x-rays, and a dental scaling “cleaning”.
The scaling will remove any superficial stains, dental plaque (soft deposits), and calculus or tartar (hard deposits) that are visible on your teeth. The final step is to polish your teeth.
If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist or hygienist, or if you have certain problems with your gums, we may recommend that you have deeper scaling, root planning, and curettage at a subsequent visit. These procedures remove the plaque, tartar, and abnormal tissue that has accumulated deep under the gumline where a toothbrush or floss won't reach. If these deposits are not removed, they may lead to gum disease, bad breath and tooth loss. In an effort to make your scaling, root planning, or curettage as comfortable as possible, we will usually give you local anesthesia and perhaps treat only a part of your mouth at each visit.
If you have developed gum disease (periodontal disease), scaling, root planning and curettage will almost always be a part of your treatment plan. Gum disease start when plaque is not removed effectively – it can irritate your gums and make them "pull away" from your teeth, causing the bone around your teeth to shrink away. It is possible for people to lose their teeth even if they are completely free of tooth decay. Warning signs of gum disease can include puffy, red, tender or swollen gums, gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing, bad breath, or a bad taste in your mouth.
Everyone has a space around his or her teeth that can be measured with an instrument called a probe. In healthy gums, that measurement should be 2-3mm deep. If the plaque, which forms around the teeth, is not removed, this space will become deeper and what is called a pocket will form. More plaque bacteria will accumulate in the pocket – the gum disease will worsen and become more difficult to treat.
It is important to have your gums assessed regularly and to learn how to keep your teeth clean. Dr. Terk and his hygienists are dedicated to helping you learn how to keep your teeth for a lifetime!
Dr. Terk's office offers different professional whitening systems that can achieve a whiter, brighter smile. Dr. Terk will assess the teeth in order to determine if patients are good candidates for these services.
In-Office Whitening
Dr. Terk offers the Rembrandt one-hour whitening system. The procedure is performed by any one of Dr. Terk's hygienists using a lightning gel which is activated by a sapphire light. Results vary from patient to patient, but on average our patient's have seen immediate results of two to three shades lighter. The treatment cost is $550.00.
At-Home Whitening
Natural teeth can also be whitened effectively with an at-home whitening system, which is used while you sleep. Dr. Terk takes an impression of the upper and lower teeth to make custom trays that will fit perfectly. A special whitening gel is applied to the trays and worn during sleep. After as little as three nights of wearing the trays, there is a dramatic difference in the colour of the teeth. This whitening treatment can last several years and will not damage the teeth. This choice of whitening allows the patient to purchase gel refills at a later date to repeat the whitening. The fee for professional at-home whitening is $385.00 and refills cost approximately $55.00.
