Services

Even with the best brushing and flossing, over time stains and hard deposits form on the teeth. These hard deposits are called calculus. For some people, calculus forms very quickly within 3 months, and for others it takes longer. When you come in for a check-up, our team can help select a cleaning frequency that is right for you. Our expert hygienists are trained to remove these deposits in the most gentle and effective way possible. Hygiene appointments are also good opportunities to review your overall oral health and answer any questions you might have. It feels great to have a bright, clean, and healthy smile, and we look forward to keeping your teeth in the best shape possible!

We pride ourselves on providing thorough check-ups and solution based treatment plans. At check-ups we can hear about what issues are most important to you and offer ways to help. We often do check-ups visually aided by advanced digital imaging technology.

We often find that check-ups are a good preventive screening opportunity. After we get through the initial checkup and move on to maintenance, we hope to have quick easy check-ups where we can congratulate you on a healthy and beautiful smile.

Oral cancer screening is an important reason to come in for a thorough oral examination. In our clinic we use a combination of physical examination, Velscope, and oral photography. When needed we work closely with oral cancer specialists to make sure that you get the best and most timely care. Sometimes we can do a biopsy to help confirm a diagnosis and get someone life saving information in a quick and definitive way.

What does a cavity feel like? In the first stages of a cavity, often people will experience cold sensitivity. Later on people can experience sensitivity to heat or even to something sweet. These symptoms alone do not guarantee that you have a cavity, however they can be an indicator that it is a good time to stop by and get a check-up. If it is established that you have a cavity a white filling is often the treatment of choice. We generally use white fillings to treat cavities that are small to medium sized. After removal of the cavity we place a layer of bond and then incrementally place the white filling material. The material is applied in a gel-like form and then is light cured to make it as hard as a tooth. We then shape the filling anatomy to make it match your tooth and bite. White fillings can be used to treat cavities in both the back teeth and front teeth and can be very aesthetically pleasing. If a cavity is large, or you have other existing fillings, sometimes the best treatment is a crown. Generally it is best to try to catch cavities early and provide the most conservative treatment possible. Regular check-ups help us find quick and easy solutions that will work for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Diagnosis at a check-up or new patient exam

• Individual treatment plan developed to prioritize the most important treatment first

• Fillings provided in priority sequence

Whitening is an easy and cost effective way to rejuvenate your smile! At Foundation Dental, we provide a professional strength whitening system that is both strong and gentle. It has a desensitizing formula that makes whitening easier. Often people report whiter teeth after a single 20 minute application. Most people like to whiten multiple times to get their teeth the brightest. Whitening works best on clean teeth so we always encourage coming in for a check-up, cleaning, and polish prior to whitening.

Invisalign is the process of straightening the teeth with clear aligners or trays. It means that we can straighten the teeth in a way that is more easy and comfortable than traditional braces. The results are incredible! Some treatments can be done in a matter of months while more comprehensive treatments can take longer to achieve.

The use of our new iTerio Element 5D digital scanner allows us to communicate with Invisalign and we can even get your consultation results in 2 business days!

It has never been easier to get straight healthy teeth with your very best natural smile.

Parents often ask, “When should I bring my child in for their first dental visit?” It surprises some to hear, but kids should come in when their first tooth emerges into the mouth or before the age of 1 (whichever comes first). There are a lot of things changing in their little mouths so we take the time to answer all of mom or dad’s questions. We are dedicated to ensuring that our little patients have a positive dental experience. Our office is kid-friendly, with a dedicated play area & iPad station, ceiling mounted entertainment in the treatment rooms, and the much loved prize box. For great pediatric dental care in New Westminster, we’ve got you covered.

Dental Implants are the ideal long-term solution for missing teeth. The dental implant connects to your bone providing a strong foundation to build a new permanent tooth. The results are teeth that look and feel natural. At Foundation Dental we believe in making excellent dental implants affordable so it’s easy to pick the best option for your dental health. It’s simpler than you might think; we can tell you if you are a good candidate for a dental implant in 20 minutes or less.

SINGLE IMPLANTS

If you have lost a tooth we can replace it using a single dental implant. If you have a tooth that has been causing you problem after problem, a dental implant may also be the right choice for you. Your dental implant will look and function just like your other natural teeth.

MULTIPLE IMPLANTS

Multiple implants are the best treatment when someone has two or more missing teeth in a row. Implants are placed and crowns are attached providing a natural look and feel. With this technique we can use two implants to provide three or more new teeth.

IMPLANT ATTACHED DENTURES

With 2-4 implants in each arch and locator attachments we are able to hold dentures effectively and make chewing stronger. The implants hold strongly in the jaw and the locator connects to the implants and snaps into the denture. This snap in and snap out approach allows the implants and dentures to be cleaned easily and feel more natural. With locators we can convert an existing denture or fabricate new ones. With 4 implants in the upper arch we can get rid of the part of the denture that covers the roof of the mouth. This allows the tongue to contact the top of the mouth and makes food taste better.

IMPLANT SUPPORTED FIXED DENTURES

A fixed implant supported denture is the best choice to replace a full arch of upper and/or lower teeth. This works for people who need new teeth for the first time or people who need to replace dentures. 4 to 6 implants hold the teeth firmly in place giving the look and feel of natural teeth. We can sometimes even use only 2 implants to convert existing lower dentures. These implants work to help your jaw bone to stay strong and healthy. Love your bite and your smile.

We are excited to share an exciting new technology that we have in the clinic, the iTero Element 5D Plus digital scanner. Digital scans are used to replace the gel based impressions of the past. They work by overlapping numerous images to generate an extremely accurate 3D model of your mouth. These scans can be done repeatedly to show how things change over time and can even be used to detect cavities. Scans can also be used to provide information to dental laboratories for crowns, bridges, implants and dentures. One of the big benefits of scans is that they make the dental experience easier and more interactive. Scans also speed up treatment times. Where it used to take 3 weeks to get your Invisalign results it now takes only 2 days! Not all impressions can be done with imaging but the majority can and we look forward to showing how this technology will help your oral health. Please note that there are no patient costs to using this new technology but the benefits are a better experience and better outcomes.

Your smile is 3 dimensional! That is why we have invested in the award winning I-Cat Flex, a 3D panoramic imaging solution. Advanced digital 3D imaging gives us a complete picture of your teeth and jaws. High-quality images allow for highly effective planning in providing the best in patient care. Better diagnosis means that you get the care you need when you need it, all in one clinic by the team you know and trust.

A 2D panoramic image is a rectangular picture that shows all your teeth and supporting oral structures. It is used for diagnosis and screening purposes and is done on a periodic but not frequent basis. 2D images and 3D images are done using our low dose iCat scanner, which is generally considered the best scanner in the dental industry.

Digital X-Rays are pictures that show the inside of the teeth, between the teeth, and the teeth’s supporting structures. New digital technology allows us to get a better image and we can share the results with you easily on the computer in each treatment room. Digital imaging is a lower dose image. We always follow the principle of ALARA - as low as reasonably achievable. This standard means you can rest assured that we take the right number of images and that each image is relevant to your oral care.

Many people have some level of anxiety around dental care. We are often able to develop trust with our patients and put them at ease. However, even with a good level of mutual trust, some of our more anxious patients prefer us to provide sedation. At Foundation Dental we can provide a wide range of sedation options to make dental visits easier. Two of those options are listed below:

NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide can provide a sense of calm and relaxation, making an appointment feel much shorter. An advantage of nitrous oxide is that it works within minutes and can be reversed very quickly. This means that you can leave the dental office after your appointment without someone accompanying you or driving you home.

ORAL SEDATION

We can also provide oral sedation in the form of a pill. This sedation can be quite strong and can cause people to forget their appointment altogether. Very convenient if you are nervous! A person will be impaired after taking this pill for 24 hours and will need someone to drive them home and accompany them afterwards.

We constantly strive to make the dental experience easier. Many aspects of dentistry can be done without any need for anesthetic and with no anticipated discomfort. The best way to achieve this is to focus on coming to the dentist regularly for preventive care. The earlier we can fix things the easier it is. When anesthetic is required we will always use jelly anesthetic first. We also have extra strength dental anesthetic and we can use it in higher quantities so that the dentistry is completely painless.

Everyone deserves to be proud of their smile. We will go one step further and say everyone deserves a smile that inspires them with confidence and fills them with joy! We are proud to be able to provide results that are in some cases truly life changing. Solutions might include one appointment veneers, porcelain veneers and crowns, or Invisalign. Our approach is non-judgemental and we commit to being solution focused and helpful.

If you are looking for a smile makeover, you’ve come to the right place! Together we’ll find the solution that works best for your smile. Some options include veneers, direct veneers, crowns, full mouth reconstruction, or Invisalign. When there are missing teeth, the best results might include implants and a combination of the above options. You can rest assured that we will work hard to provide a result you can be proud of.

One appointment veneers are also called direct veneers or composite veneers. They are used to provide a very affordable cosmetic result. The teeth can appear straighter and brighter in just one appointment. You can even select the level of brightness so that you can be sure to be satisfied with the results.

Veneers have long been considered the best way to achieve a cosmetic smile makeover. The best aesthetics can be achieved with a natural translucency and custom colour selection. They are colour stable and will maintain their shine for years to come. One additional benefit is that a veneer requires minimal tooth reduction. Maximal aesthetics with minimal effect on the teeth means a naturally beautiful result.

Crowns are used to replace the outer structure of a tooth. They can be done individually or with other teeth depending on what is required. The crown covers the whole exterior of the teeth allowing it to be protected from damage. Crowns can be made of traditional materials like gold or porcelain fused to metal when requested. Usually they are made of all ceramic materials such as EMax and zirconia which provides a metal free aesthetic result.

Bridges are used as a permanent way to replace one or a couple of missing teeth. They connect the teeth on either side of the space together much like a bridge spans a body of water. Before dental implants, bridges were considered to be the best way to replace missing teeth.

This technique uses a combination of implants, crowns, and veneers to restore a person's teeth to ideal health and aesthetics. The transformations are incredible! This is one of the most emotionally rewarding areas of our practice. We have a proven and reliable technique that creates great results. It also takes less than average amounts of time in the dental chair, making the overall experience easier.

Periodontology involves working to build and maintain the bone and soft tissue that support the teeth. For most people this involves regular visits to our very talented oral hygiene department. Our process is to do a thorough evaluation to determine your baseline gum health. Then we do a series of cleanings to make sure we get to an endpoint of health. This is widely viewed as the gold standard in oral health. Please see the detailed explanation below in the Non Surgical Periodontal Therapy section.

There has been a shift in the gold standard for assessing periodontal health and providing treatment. Periodontal health relates to the gums and tissues that support the teeth. Gum health also relates to systematic health with associations to cardiovascular health and other total body effects. As such we take very seriously our role in providing the best gum health possible. A simplified approach might look like:

• Initial Check Up Appointment: Assessment and records to understand what your baseline health is

• Hygiene Appointments: This usually takes more than one appointment and is dependent on your individual needs.

• Reassessment Appointment: Have you reached the parameters of health? If so a hygiene frequency is established. If not, some hygiene is repeated to make sure you get to optimal health.

Throughout the process, our expert hygienists provide techniques and gentle encouragement to help your at home cleaning process. Our whole team did a very intensive educational hygiene program to make sure everyone is working together to get you the best possible results. This evidence based approach is in keeping with the American Academy of Periodontology recommendations. We also use imaging and digital scanning to help provide you with clear information to best understand your oral health.

Dentures can be used to replace one or more teeth that are missing. Replacing teeth is often done using traditional acrylic or a more modern Nylon material. These dentures can be done in a way that makes for a better smile and ability to chew. If all of the teeth need replacement we can use complete dentures. These teeth can be made in the colour and to the cosmetic specifications you prefer, more natural or bright. This ensures a great result. We can also use dental implants in combination with these dentures to provide an even more natural result.

Traditional dentures are an effective way to replace problem teeth and can be quite effective. However, they don’t always fit as tightly as desired and don’t provide the natural chewing ability people want. Implant supported dentures have a much more natural feel and improved long term aesthetics. The dentures can attach directly to the implants allowing for a tight fit that feels and looks natural.

Getting a “tooth in a day” means that we can give you a new tooth in one appointment. An implant is placed in the missing space and we provide a temporary crown attached to the implant on the very same day. This temporary crown provides an aesthetic result but does not bite. We allow the implant six weeks of healing time before a final crown is placed and the tooth can function normally. The end result is a tooth that looks and feels natural.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

First Visit

• Diagnosis appointment with CBCT Scan: 20 min

• Implant placement: 40 mins

• Temporary crown fabrication: 40 min

Post-operative visit, 6 weeks later

• Impression to make a permanent crown: 30 min

• no freezing required

Final placement, 1 week later

• final crown placement (30 min)

• no freezing required

Injectables Cosmetics are used for two main reasons in dentistry. The first is cosmetic where injectables decreases and prevents fine wrinkle lines. It can also be used to provide a brow lift and provide a more open look to the eye area. We also use injectables to help with temporomandibular disorder - the pain associated with clenching and grinding. In these ways injectables can provide a meaningful impact ranging from a more youthful appearance to diminished grinding and less headaches.

Generally adults have 32 teeth when they have all of their teeth in place. However most people only use 28 teeth. The additional 4 teeth are called wisdom teeth and are located at the very back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth often do not grow in the correct orientation and are misshapen and difficult to clean. Some people need urgent management of these teeth due to an infection called pericoronitis. If necessary, we are able to take these teeth out which allows for good health of the other molar teeth. Current techniques allow us to remove wisdom teeth in a way that is less uncomfortable and the new medicines we use afterwards make healing much easier.

Teeth can require extraction for a variety of reasons. Whatever the case may be we always work to maintain the integrity of the bone and soft tissue during the procedure. This is especially important when we are planning to replace a missing tooth with an implant. When we are able to preserve the bone around the tooth we are able to keep the area stronger. Taking the tooth out is an important part of this. Giving you the best long term result is our goal.

Grafting is most often associated with healing existing recession and preventing recession from progressing over time. In our clinic this is most often done through a modified pinhole technique. This advanced technique leads to great results with no incisions and quick healing.

Bone grafting helps maintain the strength of bone after an extraction. It allows us to prepare the area to accept an implant in the future. Generally bone grafting makes the healing phase easier and less painful.

Root canals are generally an easy and painless procedure. They are similar to a filling but the filling material is special and goes into the root of the tooth. Root canals are a great long term way to relieve the pain associated with inflammation or infection within the tooth. In the old days root canals were considered uncomfortable. Tooth pain is very challenging and people can unfortunately be in pain leading up to a root canal treatment. The root canal however should be painless and is the solution to get out of the tooth pain. If you are experiencing significant pain please let us know right away. We can help on an urgent basis and relieve your pain as soon as possible.

Sleep is essential to a person's general health and wellness. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by people having more than usual pauses in breathing and multiple brief wake ups. This sleep disturbance can be associated with a number of general health issues. The gold standard for treatment is still the CPAP forced air machine applied while sleeping. For some people oral appliances that maintain a healthy forward lower jaw position can help as well. This is where we can make a big difference. Sometimes this process also helps to decrease snoring which is great both for the individual and for their partner!