General / Preventative Dentistry
Our main objective at Victoria & 54th Dental is to help patients preserve the beauty and longevity of their teeth.
We provide a complete array of preventive care because an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Studies have shown a direct link between dental health and overall health. We keep your mouth healthy and monitor for conditions that may occur.
Detecting problems early is important for maintaining and saving natural teeth and preventing painful dental emergencies. We provide optimum cleanings and regular evaluations to monitor oral health.
But we’re also here for you 24/7 when you have a dental emergency.
Services
Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene form the foundation of lifelong dental health. During your cleanings, a hygienist will examine you for signs of gum disease and decay to catch problems early.
At Victoria & 54th Dental, we use tooth-coloured fillings made out of a silicon dioxide-filled plastic mixture called composite resin.
But colour isn’t the only advantage to composite resins. The tooth/composite bond actually supports the remaining tooth structure, insulating against temperature changes.
Medium and small composites can last 10 to 15 years. (For larger fillings, we recommend crowns to support weakened tooth structure.)
Emergencies don’t always happen when your dentist’s office is open and most hospitals/emergency rooms no longer have dentists on staff. So, what do you do if your tooth gets knocked out, fractured, or chipped after hours? At Victoria & 54th Dental, we handle dental emergencies 24/7, which means our team is there for you when you need us most.
Root canals are necessary when the soft tissue in a root canal becomes inflamed or infected because of decay, cracks, chips or dental injury/trauma. Root canals help save teeth and prevent patients from needing extractions and dental implants. If left untreated, pulp infections can lead to abscesses, which can be very painful and at times dangerous.
Pain when chewing, temperature sensitivity, discolouration, swelling and lymph node tenderness are some signs that a patient might have a pulp infection. Do not wait for the pain to become severe before seeking treatment.
If you're self-conscious about cracked, broken, decayed, or worn teeth, we can bring back your healthy, natural-looking smile with dental crowns (also called caps). A crown can return structure, strength, and function to a tooth with extensive decay or damage. Designed to fit naturally and function as a healthy tooth, a crown protects your tooth from further damage. There are a lot of crown materials available, which can be overwhelming and confusing for patients.
Typically, we can design, create, and place your crowns in just two appointments. Once a crown is placed, you care for it as you do your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and daily flossing will help protect against decay and breakdown. It is so important to see us for professional cleanings and a preventive exam.
Our dentists and support staff will provide you with oral hygiene education at every visit. From brushing techniques to information about proven technologies, we can answer all your questions.
In 2015, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that 4,400 Canadians would be diagnosed with oral cavity cancer. It also estimated that 1,200 Canadians would die from oral cavity cancer.
Although oral cancers are often diagnosed in people who use tobacco and/or drink alcohol, they can still occur in people who have no risk factors at all.
Think of your dentist as your number one soldier in the fight against oral cancer. During regular dental check-ups, your dentist will examine your mouth for an at times painless, white or red spot or small sore. Other signs of oral cancer can include:
- A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
- A colour change in oral tissue
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small, eroded area
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
Our office uses the new, advanced technology VELscope (Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope) screening light (a device based on technology developed by the BC Cancer Agency) to help detect early oral cancer. Please request the exam if you have concerns.
Remember to schedule regular check-ups for everyone in your family. Two visits per year are recommended for general care. If you notice any unusual changes in your mouth between visits, call your dentist immediately. Together you and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer.
For patients who actively participate in sports that can injure their teeth, a custom fit sports guard is an excellent form of protection. Tell us about the sports you play and we’ll find the right guard for you.
Once our team determines that you are a good candidate for a night guard, we custom-make one for your mouth. A professionally made night guard has a better fit and offers more protection than store-bought models.
When your dental night guard is in place, you can sleep soundly and know that, even if you do grind your teeth, they will be protected.