How Invisalign Works

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Have you ever wondered how Invisalign works?

Check out this informative video to find out.

P.S. Aren’t Aussie accents the best!?!?

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign, traditional orthodontics or clear aligner orthodontics, please contact simpli dental in Regina and we would be happy to arrange a consultation with one of our dentists!

 

Immediate Load Dental Implants

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As you may have read in our previous blog post, dental implants are made up of several components including the dental implant, the abutment and the implant-supported crown. The dentist can decide to wait to place the dental crown on top of the implant or do so immediately when the dental implant is surgically placed into the jaw bone.

Immediate loading of dental implants is when the dental restoration (crown, denture or bridge) is affixed to the dental implant at the time of surgery. This has become a treatment option popular with patients due to faster results and better esthetics.

Alternatively to immediate loading, delayed loading of dental implants occurs when the dental restoration (crown, denture or bridge) is affixed to the dental implant after the implant has been given sufficient time to integrate with the bone.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to the immediate loading of dental implants.

Immediate Dental Implant Loading Advantages:

  • Quicker treatment as the patient does not need to come back for as many appointments.
  • Faster time from surgery to tooth as the restoration is put on at the time of surgery.
  • Optimal esthetics can be achieved at time of placement and the patient can leave the office with a tooth attached to the implant.
  • Higher patient satisfaction as a result of faster treatment.

Immediate Dental Implant Loading Disadvantages:

  • Not suitable for all patients. Everyone’s case is unique and should be evaluated by an educated dental professional to determine if immediate loading of a dental implant is right for you.
  • Can delay or prevent integration of the bone with the implant due to force placed on the implant during healing.
  • Potential for long-term implant instability and ultimately failure. This can occur because the dental implant was not given adequate time to integrate to the bone. When the dental implant integrates with the bone it is termed osseointegration.

So, are immediate load implants right for you? It’s not possible to know without a thorough consultation with a dental professional and evaluation of dental x-rays. There is a chance that this option could be a good choice for your unique situation, but we can’t say that for certain until assessing the current status of your oral health. It is worth exploring immediate load implants as a possible treatment option but don’t get too excited without doing more research. It will be possible for some patients but others will need to stick with the traditional method of delayed loading. Thank you for taking the time to visit simpli dental. If you are considering dental implants in Regina and would like to know more about your options, please feel free to contact our office and schedule a consultation.

simpli dental Regina

reception@simpli.dental

(306) 520-4473

Night Guards & Bruxism Appliances

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So your dentist told you that you need a night guard!

What is a night guard? Why would you need one?

A night guard is an appliance that is worn while sleeping to protect the teeth from tooth on tooth wear as a result of grinding or clenching. We term excessive teeth grinding and clenching “bruxism.”

A night guard or bruxism appliance typically covers all of the teeth in one arch and is flat on top. When an individual grinds or clenches, the teeth do so against the appliance and not the opposing teeth. This prevents wearing away of the tooth structure.

So what if I grind my teeth every once in a while?

It may not seem like a big deal if you grind or clench your teeth and you may not notice any adverse effects. The problem is that over time it can have a significant impact on our teeth and result in severe wear. When many teeth are worn down it is very costly to repair because it requires crowns on every single tooth. Yes, you may need as many as 32 crowns if you grind your teeth. The process to repair these teeth also typically takes 18-24 months to complete as the jaw joints and muscular health needs to be considered and accommodated throughout the process.

Will grinding my teeth cause premature aging?

It may sound crazy that grinding your teeth can cause premature aging but it actually can cause a person to appear older than they are. This is due to a loss in facial height as the teeth get worn down. As you can see in the picture below, the woman appears much older in the left. The only thing that has changed is her facial height.

Grinding your teeth can cause a number of other problems including:

  • Headaches
  • Jaw pain and stiffness of the jaw joint
  • Premature wearing of fillings, crowns and other restorations
  • Muscle tightness
  • Earaches
  • Broken teeth
  • Broken fillings, crowns and other restorations
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Tooth loss

When to see your dentist

  • Teeth are worn, damaged or sensitive
  • Your jaw, face or ear is painful
  • Your partner says you make a grinding sound in your sleep

What causes teeth grinding?

The cause of teeth grinding isn’t always clear, but it’s usually linked to other factors, such as stress, anxiety or sleep problems.

Lifestyle

Other factors that can make you more likely to grind your teeth or make it worse include:

  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Using recreational drugs
  • Having lots of caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee

Teeth grinding in children

Teeth grinding can also affect children. It tends to happen after their baby teeth or adult teeth first appear, but usually stops after the adult teeth are fully formed.

Types of night guards

The two most common types of night guards will cover all of your teeth. There are others available that provide partial coverage as well.

Professional dentist made night guards

  • Custom made to fit your teeth
  • Durable
  • Fabricated by a third-party laboratory
  • Require an impression of your teeth
  • Tight and well-fitting

Over the counter night guards

  • Inexpensive
  • Can be molded to fit your teeth
  • Typically do not fit as well as professionally made night guards

If you are concerned that you may grind your teeth or are in need of a night guard, you can contact simpli dental in Regina to set up a consultation and we will answer any questions you may have.

Dental Bridge or Dental Implant? Advantages and Disadvantages

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So you want to replace that missing or broken tooth? Fortunately for you there are several options to choose from including the following:

  • Removable partial dentures
  • Implant supported crowns
  • Fixed partial denture, more commonly known as a dental bridge

 

 

Removable Partial Denture

Implant Supported Crown

Dental Bridge

 

There are several advantages and disadvantages to each solution for replacing a missing tooth. A removable partial denture is just that, removable. A dental implant or bridge is fixated in the mouth and not removable.

We will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the two fixated options, bridges and implants.

Dental Implant Advantages:

  • Improved appearance
  • Better speech
  • Comfortable and natural feeling
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Improved oral health
  • Durable with a high success rate
  • Convenience in cleaning
  • Adjacent teeth remain untouched

Dental Implant Disadvantages:

  • Cost. They can be expensive.
  • Potential for complications as some implants will not integrate with the bone and fail
  • They require a minor surgery
  • They are a life-long commitment and require ongoing maintenance and sometimes even replacement of the crown/restoration.
  • Time. Often a tooth needs be extracted, the site is allowed to heal for several months, the implant is then placed and requires several months to integrate into the bone before a crown can be placed on top of the implant. A dental bridge can be completed faster. There are some cases that a crown can be placed on top of an implant at the time of surgery and therefore can be a quick procedure. These cases are best determined by an oral health professional.
  • Insurance coverage for dental implants is becoming more common but dental insurance sometimes may not cover the cost.

Dental Bridge Advantages:

  • Improved appearance
  • Better speech
  • Comfortable and natural feeling
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Improved oral health
  • Durable with a high success rate
  • Adjacent teeth can benefit from the full-coverage of the bridge restoration if the adjacent teeth are in need of crowns/full-coverage restorations.
  • Dental insurance coverage typically covers dental bridges more than they do implants. However, we are seeing this change and more insurance companies are covering the cost of a dental implant as well.
  • Time. They are typically faster to complete than a dental implant that cannot have a crown placed immediately.

Dental Bridge Disadvantages:

  • More difficult to clean than a single-tooth dental implant
  • Adjacent teeth need to be prepared and reduced resulting in a permanent loss of tooth structure.
  • Cost. Dental bridges can be expensive.
  • Potential for complications as some teeth that are used to support the bridge may need root canal treatment following preparation, the bone support could fail, the restoration could break or the supporting teeth could develop decay/cavities. If a dental bridge fails it will need to be replaced.
  • They are a life-long commitment and require ongoing maintenance and sometimes even replacement.

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, please read our blog post here.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a dentist in Regina at simpli dental for a free consultation to discuss replacing a broken or missing tooth. Please contact us here.

simpli dental

Dental payment plans and financing

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We often have patients request dental payment plans and financing options. We understand that dental treatment can get costly. At simpli dental, we want to ensure that our patients have the opportunity to comfortably pay for their treatment.

simpli dental utilizes third-party dental financing providers that offer our patients payment plans. These companies include the following,

How to take advantage of dental financing options…

  1. Apply for financing through one of the three companies listed above.
  2. Receive notification of approval for financing and provide that notice to simpli dental.
  3. Get your dental work done without paying. The financing company will pay us directly.
  4. Make regular monthly payments to the financing company following your dental treatment. The number of payments will be determined by the cost of treatment and your regular payment amount.

Why doesn’t simpli dental offer in-clinic financing and payment plans?

We are a dental clinic that strives to offer as low of prices as possible for dental treatment. Therefore we need to ensure that we keep our costs low. In-clinic financing options would require costly resources and expertise. simpli dental believes that our focus is better placed on providing quality dental treatment.

If you would like to learn more about the price of some of simpli dental’s treatments, please view our pricing page here.

If you are interested in learning more about dental payment plans and financing and would like to book a free consultation at our clinic, please click here.

simpli dental

Free teeth whitening in Regina

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Free teeth whitening in Regina

So you want to brighten that smile with free teeth whitening in Regina!

Teeth whitening in Regina provided by simpli dental can be a great option to enhance a healthy smile.

So how does one go about getting free whitening in Regina?

It’s quite simple actually. To begin, we need to let you know that we do not prioritize esthetics over good oral health. In order to take advantage of our free whitening, our patients need to achieve and maintain good oral health. That means following through with the recommended treatment plan provided by a dentist at simpli dental or another dental clinic in Regina.

Good oral health means…

  • No decay
  • No broken or fractured teeth
  • Healthy gums achieved by regular dental cleanings
  • No broken or fractured fillings or other restorations
  • No infection

Once you have achieved what simpli dental considers good oral health you can make an appointment at our clinic to obtain your free teeth whitening kit.

To get your free teeth whitening…

  1. Email reception@simpli.dental and inform us that you would like to make an appointment for free teeth whitening or book a dental appointment online here. (Please note that if you are not a regular patient at simpli dental we may require an initial consultation to determine if you are a candidate and in good oral health).
  2. Arrive at your appointment to get custom impressions made
  3. Return in approximately one week to pick up your custom teeth whitening trays and whitening gel

If you would like to make an appointment for an initial consultation to see if you are a candidate for free teeth whitening, please book an appointment here or email us at reception@simpli.dental

We look forward to giving you that bright, white smile!

simpli dental

 

Please note that at the time of posting free teeth whitening is available to all individuals. Although we have no intention of doing so, this is subject to change without notice.

How much does a teeth cleaning cost in Regina?

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simpli dental provides teeth cleanings for patients in Regina and the surrounding area!

Recently we posted about the importance of getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis. But we understand that it doesn’t stop there. You may want to know how much it costs to get your teeth cleaned.

There are several factors to consider when determining how much a dental cleaning will cost. The primary factor is the length of time it takes for the dental hygienist to complete your cleaning.

When we complete a dental cleaning at simpli dental, we charge for the following:

  • Scaling (hand or ultrasonic)
  • Polishing
  • Fluoride

The fees for scaling and root planing are determined based on units of time. One unit of time is 15 minutes. The fees are:

  • 1/2 unit: $18.45
  • 1 unit: $36.90
  • 2 units: $73.80
  • 3 units: $110.70
  • 4 units: $147.60
  • Polishing: $32.40
  • Fluoride (rinse): $15.30
  • Fluoride (gel or foam): $18.90
  • Fluoride (varnish): $22.50

Most patients require between two and three units of scaling.

Teeth Cleaning Before & After

Remember that every patient is unique and may require a different level of service. The best way to determine the cost of a dental cleaning would be to speak with your dental health provider.

If you would like to book an appointment to discuss treatment with one of our dentists in Regina, please contact us here.

Please note that these prices are subject to change and may not be the most recent figures.

Why do I need my teeth cleaned?

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simpli dental offers teeth cleaning in Regina! But is it necessary? Read on to find out why we think it is…

Why are the dentist and hygienist always nagging me to get my teeth cleaned every four to six months? In short, it’s because we care about your oral health!
Regular dental hygiene through professional scaling and root planing helps maintain the supporting structures of the teeth. When teeth are clean we accomplish the following:

  • Healthy gums that are pink and do not bleed. In contracts, inflamed gums are red and bleed easily.
  • Lack of deep pockets. We all have pockets that exist between our gums and our teeth. When we have gingivitis or periodontitis we get deep pockets that are difficult to clean, harbor bacteria and cause bone loss.
  • Stable teeth. When our gums and bone are healthy, we avoid periodontal disease that can result in loose teeth, pain and the need for extraction.
  • Good breath. Clean teeth and gums result in fresher smelling breath.

We need to get our teeth cleaned on a regular basis to remove tartar, calculus and plaque that build up on teeth. When cleaned off, they will accumulate again and need to be removed. Most people on regular oral hygiene maintenance get their teeth cleaned every four to six months.

Some other important things to know about oral hygiene:

  • We get tartar or calculus on our teeth that can not be removed with floss or a toothbrush. It needs to be “scaled” off with professional instruments that a dental hygienist uses.
  • Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums.
  • Periodontal disease or periodontitis is inflammation of the gums with bone loss.
  • Periodontitis usually starts with gingivitis.
  • Bone loss can result in tooth loss.
  • There has been shown to be a link between periodontal disease and heart disease.

Teeth cleaning in Regina

 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to schedule a teeth cleaning.

Pricing for teeth cleaning at simpli dental in Regina as well as other services provided by us can be found on our pricing page.

Keep smiling!

simpli dental

 

How to save money at the dentist

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How to save money at the dentist-simpli dental

Looking to save money on dental treatment? Then read on…

The answer to the question of how to save money on dental treatment is a simple one, go to Mexico! We’re joking, don’t do that unless you have done thorough research on the dental provider. We are fortunate in Canada that the quality of work we see from our colleagues is of a high standard. A wide variety of treatment come out of foreign countries, both good and bad.

The main problem with getting dental treatment done in a foreign country is dealing with post-treatment complications. Many people expect a local provider to warranty or repair work done by another dentist. Unfortunately that rarely happens as the local dentist is put in a difficult situation not knowing the treatment plan, materials used or complications that occurred during the procedure. Unless you are looking to get a nice vacation out of the deal, we have a few other ways to save money on dental treatment as opposed to going out of the country.

Ways to save money on dental treatment:

  1. Get dental insurance. Health benefits can be obtained through an employer, government or individually. They can be a great way to help subsidize the cost of dental treatment. Make sure you understand what your insurance plan covers. Your plan will likely have a yearly maximum and any amount over that is 100% your responsibility with no assisted pay from the insurance provider. Keep in mind that your dental benefits is a plan between you and your insurance provider. A dental clinic will help you understand your benefits and submit proposed treatment to your insurance provider for a pre-authorization approval but ultimately it is your responsibility to know what you are covered for. Due to privacy regulation, insurance providers are disclosing less information to dental clinics. Therefore the burden has been placed on the patient to know their policies and what they are responsible for paying out of pocket.
  2. Schedule regular visits with ongoing maintenance. The patients we see in our clinic that spend the least amount on dental treatment are those that come in on a consistent basis. It may seem counter intuitive. Why would visiting the dentist more often result in lower costs? This is due to the fact that with regular visits, oral health problems can be detected early resulting in the treatment being less costly. For example, a cavity detected early on can be placed with a filling for a couple hundred dollars. If left longer to the point where it can be felt and is painful, it could require root canal treatment, posts, fillings, and a crown, resulting in several thousands of dollars.
  3. Find a provider you trust(Like Simpli Dental?). Having confidence in your dentist, hygienist and clinic staff is crucial in knowing you are receiving the best treatment. A good provider will give you all of your treatment options and tell you what they think is best for your oral health. By seeing someone that you trust, you will know you are getting the most honest treatment possible.
  4. Listen carefully to treatment plans and ask questions. There are many options to fix a tooth and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Some are better than others and many vary in price. Make sure to ask your provider questions to ensure you understand what all of your treatment options are. Many times, we focus on one treatment option and block out others that may be more affordable.
  5. Know the long-term effects. A quick and cheap fix may end up costing you more money in the long run. For example, an extraction is often a more affordable option than saving a tooth that may require several appointments and multiple treatments to fix. However, the space you are left with may cause problems when teeth shift or bone levels recede. If you decide later on that you want to fill the space from an extraction, you may end paying more because it is more complicated to fix than if it were done earlier.
  6. Get a second opinion. You have options and you should explore them. If you are proposed a treatment plan that you don’t have full confidence in, go and get a second opinion. There are many providers available that will give you their professional opinion that you can compare.

If you have questions or would like to see a dentist for a consultation, please contact us.

Dentists accepting new patients in Regina

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are you accepting new patients-dental in regina sk

Not all dentists in Regina are accepting new patients. This is for a number of reasons but is primarily an individual decision that the provider has made and believes it is best for their practice and existing patients. Typically, they are too busy and want to focus on providing the best quality of treatment to their existing patient base. For dentists that are newer to the city of Regina, they typically won’t stop accepting new patients until late in their career if ever. Because patients move practices for a number of reasons including moving away, personal preferences, relocating within the city, or recommendations from others, a dental practice’s current patient base usually is in constant flux.

Although our primary dentist, Dr. Blake Mitchell has been practicing dentistry for 5 years now, he has no intention of not accepting new patients any time in the near future. If you are looking for a new dentist in Regina that is accepting new patients, Dr. Mitchell would be pleased to meet you and discuss your oral health needs.

For a complimentary consultation, please email us at reception@simpli.dental or book online here.

We look forward to serving you and providing affordable dental treatment at simpli dental.