preventative / sleep apnea / restorative / cosmetic / orthodontics / surgical / sedation / fees /

Preventative

Teeth cleaning, scaling and periodontal maintenance, fissure sealants, fluoride treatments; smoking cessation programs (in partnership with the patient's family physician); halitosis (bad breath) assessment and treatment; oral cancer screening and prevention.
Healozone: ozone treatment for hypersensitive teeth, herpetic lesions (cold sores), aphtous ulcers (canker sores), caries (decay) prevention.
We place strong emphasis on educating patients to understand and appreciate good preventative oral care. Daily proper oral hygiene and healthy nutrition are fundamental in maintaining oral health. Regular visits to the dental office for cleaning and examinations give the dentist an opportunity to detect serious conditions or diseases in their early stages, thereby offering a better chance for an effective cure.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
 
Obstructive sleep disorders are medical disorders of the sleep pattern characterized by a temporary, partial or complete, obstruction of the airway:
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
“Apnea” = Greek term meaning “without breath”
During sleep there is an overall decrease in the muscle tone of the body. As the throat muscles relax, the soft palate and uvula vibrate while the air passes in and out, producing the sound of snoring. Snoring is produced by a partial obstruction of the airway. Snoring may increase due to alcohol / sedative consumption, weight gain, nasal obstruction and with age.
 
When the airway obstruction is complete, the condition is called ‘obstructive sleep apnea’ (OSA). OSA occurs in repeated episodes during the night. The episodes vary in length and frequency. During this time the individual continues to make efforts to breathe.
Some of the symptoms indicative of OSA are snoring, fatigue, memory impairment, daytime sleepiness, poor work performance and loss of sexual interest. Severe OSA can result in serious complications, including heart failure.
The diagnosis of OSA is made by specialized testing: an overnight sleep test called polysomnogram.
 
While snoring without OSA is not harmful to one’s health, many people with OSA are not aware that they have it. Obstructive sleep apnea is usually recognized by others who witness the individual during episodes, or it may be suspected because of its effects.
 
The treatment for OSA is prescribed by a physician specialized in sleep disorders. The sleep doctor may indicate that an oral appliance may be helpful in alleviating mild to moderate OSA symptoms, or it may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as CPAP (continuous positive air pressure).
The treatment with an oral appliance is reversible and noninvasive.
The treatment with an oral appliance is provided by a dentist at the recommendation of a physician from the Sleep Disorders Program. The dentist will provide an oral appliance only if he/she received a letter of referral from the sleep doctor.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
First appointment: thorough medical and dental history + thorough examination; dental impressions.
Second appointment: delivery of the oral appliance with detailed instructions of use.
Following appointments: at regular intervals of time (once/month+/-) when the appliance is evaluated for fit and efficacy (the ‘titration’ period) until it is determined that the appliance is functioning optimally.
Maintenance appointments every 6 months (+/-); the ‘recall’ or ‘check-up’.

Restorative

Fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, bridges, implants (the prosthesis over the implants), dentures.
CEREC restorations: crowns , inlays, onlays in one single visit. CEREC materials are metal free and are the closest to the tooth enamel. The high bond strength of CEREC allows the dentist to save as much healthy tooth tissue as possible while restoring the strength of the tooth.
Healozone treatments alone or in conjunction with other procedures.
The goal is to conservatively eliminate decay and to restore a dentition functionally and esthetically. We believe firmly that oral health reflects a person's quality of life. A constant effort is made by all staff to ensure that patients understand the benefits of various treatments available.

Cosmetic

Teeth Whitening, bonding, porcelain laminate veneers (Empress, traditional feldspathic); crowns (Procera-Zirconia, Captek, and other ceramic); pressed ceramic crowns, inlays and onlays( Empress); Belle Glass inlays and onlays, and more.
Advanced Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry consists of a variety of elective dental procedures that enhance a person's smile. As early as the XIXth century, the dental profession perceived a need to relate facial esthetics, age and personality to the appearance of the teeth. Today the public has a wide array of available options in terms of materials and techniques aimed at enhancing esthetically facial features through a healthier, youthful and charming smile. Such, there is an increased need to understand the patient as a person, learning about personality, motivations, desires and expectations.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT OUR OFFICE WHEN SEEKING COSMETIC DENTAL SERVICES
The first appointment:
As a courtesy to all who wish to explore their options for a smile makeover, the fee charged for the initial consultation will be credited towards the treatment. This is not an examination appointment. It is a time when the client is introduced to our office, our staff, our rules. It is an opportunity for the client to determine if the cosmetic dentist here meets expectations not only from a professional stand point, but also from a personal point of view. Those interested in cosmetic dental procedures are encouraged to bring a list of questions and concerns regarding their particular situation. At the end of the consultation appointment the patients will know what cosmetic procedure - if any, is best suited in their case and they will receive an appointment date for a comprehensive examination.
The second appointment:
Is dedicated to gathering clinical information. All our cosmetic cases require a comprehensive examination, x-rays, models and photographs.
The third appointment:
From the information gathered at the examination appointment, a diagnostic wax-up of the teeth planned to receive the cosmetic makeover is presented to the patient. Together, patient and dentist evaluate the wax model and make necessary corrections - if any.
The fourth appointment:
Once the diagnostic wax up is approved, the teeth are prepared according to the reduction guidelines determined preoperatively. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic while the patient has access to television, DVD/VCR, or simply perefers a quiet time. At the end of this session the patient leaves the office with the prepared teeth covered in provisional restorations resembling the final product. The patient is also given instructions regarding oral care while in temporization.
The fifth appointment:
Under local anesthetic, the cosmetic work is placed on the teeth and verified for fit and esthetics. Once it is determined that the results meet the esthetic requrements of both, patient and dentist, the cosmetic resorations are definitively bonded in place.
The sixth appointment:
One week after the delivery, the patient is scheduled for a final short visit to the office. At that time, the cosmetic restorative work is inspected one more time for fit and comfort.

Orthodontics

Inivisalign treatment is clear, removable and comfortable.
Clear: Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of custom-molded clear aligners that are virtually invisible so you don't have to hide your smile.
Removable: You can take your aligners out to eat, brush and floss - promoting better oral hygiene durin treatment.
Comfortable: Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners don't have wires to irritate your mouth.
Quick initial results: In just a few short weeks you and your peers may notice a difference in your smile.
See a simulation of your results before you begin: The doctor can show you how your teeth may look when the treatment is finished - before you start - using computer 3D modeling.
Average treatment is about a year.

Surgical

We perform tooth extractions, attend to emergencies involving trauma to face and jaws, as well as other small surgical procedures that are within the scope of a general practice and are required in order to restore oral health.
We understand the emotional impact which surgery has on patients and we approach it with humanism, kindness and compassion.

Sedation

These services are intended to provide comfort and relaxation for those individuals who approach a dental office with fear and apprehension, as well as for lengthy and challenging procedures which otherwise might tire the patients unnecessarily.
We provide dental services under conscious sedation in the form of nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and/or medication, and under general anesthesia administered and monitored by specialized medical staff in anesthesia clinics.

Fees / Policy

We provide dental services for children, adults and seniors.
Patients have individual needs, emotional, physical and financial. We make every effort to satisfy all patients' unique requirements.
Our fees follow the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons Fee Guide. Some procedures which are time-consuming and require high-cost materials have the fees adjusted accordingly. We take pride in our work and take the time to do it properly. We are loyal to our clients and we hope to serve them for many years to come.

Dr. Monica Monty at Coal Harbour, Vancouver, British Columbia.