Who doesn't want a great smile? Feeling confident about our teeth and smile is essential. We could all use some help to get that perfect smile. Forty years ago, there was one option for teeth straightening but now technological advances give us new options. Clear orthodontics aligners, like Invisalign, an alternative to Braces.

Braces are still an option but are not the only game in town. Braces use brackets connected to one another by wires. These wires move teeth slowly overtime by pulling teeth into a new direction. The brackets come in metal and clear plastic. Orthodontic aligners, like Invisalign, rethink teeth straightening. They are form fitting custom-made retainers that slowly change the tooth’s position over time. They move the teeth in a similar way to how braces work however Invisalign is conveniently removable and transparent making them a virtually invisible. They do what braces do without the restrictions. Invisalign® is custom-made for your teeth so you do not need wires and brackets. Little by little, your teeth shift into the place they are supposed to be, creating that winning smile.

Aside from invisibility and convenience there are many other reasons to choose Invisalign.  Here are the top 10 most important reasons to use Invisalign.

1. AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES

Invisalign is as effectively a treatment as traditional braces. Under bites, overbite, overcrowding and gaps between teeth are all things that can be addressed when using Invisalign. You will be fitted for several versions of retainers that make slight adjustments to move your teeth over the treatment time. They are made from a clear plastic or acrylic material and fit tightly over the teeth.

2. DECREASE SELF CONSCIOUSNESS

Using braces can increase our insurity. No one wants a metal mouth and they don't want to be called ‘Brace Face.’ Invisalign as a solution can often remove the source of anxiety letting people be themselves and feel confident.

3. EATING HABITS

When wearing braces, there are many things you should not and cannot eat. There is no popcorn, no apples, no raw carrots and, especially no candy. Invisalign removes these restrictions because of their removability.

4. CONVENIENCE AND TIME SPAN OF TREATMENT

Invisalign takes between 10 and 24 months depending on the teeth need to be moved or rotated. Usually treatments at the dentist office are shorter. You also visit the dentist less.  After the first visit you drop into your dentist’s office once every 6 weeks and get a new pair of aligners.

5. COST EFFECTIVE

Your dental insurance plan—orthodontic treatment with Invisalign can often be covered by many dental insurance policies. Many dentists or orthodontists offer monthly payments to make payments convenient and affordable.

6. AESTHETICS

Although one of the least important factors. This is a major reason people choose Invisalign over traditional braces. The practically invisible units make them almost nonexistent and being able to remove them completely is an obvious bonus.

7. CAN BE USED AS PROTECTIVE GEAR AND MOUTH GUARD REPLACEMENT

Wearing them while at or participating in sporting activities can give your teeth more protection. Using Invisalign as a protection for the teeth when doing Things Mountain biking playing group sports gives you an added layer of security. You can use your retainer as a mouth guard protecting your teeth from grinding while you sleep. Along with this you can also use your retainers to whiten your teeth.

8. YOUR DENTAL HYGIENIST WILL APPRECIATE IT

The aligners being removable make brushing and flossing easy. This helps maintain proper oral hygiene. When teeth are cooked or cluttered they are harder to clean giving bacteria a playground in your mouth. Once your teeth have moved the instruments the hygienist uses are more effective. You may spend less time in the dentist chair getting your teeth cleaned.

9. REDUCTION OF PAIN

If you have ever had a sore face from grinding understand what I mean. Facial muscles get sore when you grind in your sleep and the only solution is a mouth guard. Wearing Invisalign while working it is magic can also help you stop grinding as there is a protective layer between your teeth.

10. A GOOD BITE

Orthodontics was invented to help improve health. It is not just about a pretty smile. A good bite can stop the jaw clicking, pain in joints around the mouth, and will improve chewing.

If you have questions about Invisalign®, we’d love to answer all your questions. Please reach out to us to see if Invisalign is right for you. Our team will walk you through the procedure and even invite you in for a free consultation.  

By Homer Dental Centre

At our downtown dental clinic we often see people with cavities after the holidays. We thought we would share some tips to help you take care of your teeth during the sweet season. It is that wonderful time of year where we often let ourselves enjoy the lovely taste of sweets and hard candies. Sharing  chocolates, cookies and hard candies  at work is common. Receiving candy as gifts is synonymous of this time of year.  How do we enjoy our sweets, save our precious smile, and  continue to be cavity free over the holidays.  These tips will ensure you keep your teeth in top notch condition over holidays. We love see our patients at our downtown vancouver dental clinic however we also want to make sure you enjoy the holidays without needing a dental visit.

Only have a bit of Candy. With Shortbread, gingerbread, candy canes, chocolate, and so much more we often fill our bellies with things we normally wouldn't touch. No one wants to skip the holiday treats. It is important to be aware of what and how much candy you are eating. Hard candies and toffees can have the worst impact.

Brush your teeth often. After eating candy it is always a good idea to get that sugary substance off your teeth. If you do brush right after you have a crunchy or sugary candy your teeth will thank you  and your smile won’t be damaged once the holidays are done.  This simple act will reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Keep a Routine: The holidays often change routines as we jet here and there to see loved ones. It is important to keep brushing twice a day. And if eating candy brush more often.

Be Prepared: put that toothbrush and a mini toothpaste in your purse or bag for those  just in case moments. If you do find yourself without a toothbrush while enjoying the festive season get some sugarless gum. Chewing helps stir up saliva which can help get rid of food debris.

Flossing: We all know we should floss but this is the time of year where it is most essential.  This little act twice a day or more could save you a dentist visit in the coming months.

We at Homer Dental Centre, your downtown Vancouver dentist hope you have a wonderful holiday season. We wish you and your pearly whites the best.

Keep Brushing

Yours Truly

Homer Dental Centre

The adoption of the Canadian Health Act in 1984 meant Canadians across the country were given access to basic health services. There were some notable exemptions against the vast array of services offered most especially dental. Canadians either pay out of pocket for dental services or contribute to a health plan. These plans are acquired through a group plan from employers or personally.

According to the latest Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), 62% of Canadian have private dental insurance. This means that a third of Canadians do NOT have dental insurance. For families in the lower income brackets in British Columbia, who qualify for MSP premium assistance, they have access to the Healthy Kids program which covers $1400 of basic dental services every two years.

Shifting towards private health insurance options, Pacific Blue Cross has a stand-alone dental insurance that lower cost monthly but only covers 60% of cost for the first year. Though this coverage increases to 80% by the third year. The rate starts at $29 for a single person to $96 for a family. Comparing insurance quotes is not the focus of this article.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach since everyone is in a unique situation. Each family needs to evaluate how their budget can fit the plan as well as emergencies. Comparing the monthly cost to the coverage stated in the plan will help families decide. Some plans may be more expensive monthly but have no wait time before they are enacted which may be helpful depending on the circumstances. Thankfully insurances websites make it easy to have multiple quotes open so families can quickly compare and find the best plan for them.

Do you still have Mercury fillings in your teeth? Heavy metals–like mercury are toxic to our bodies. High levels of mercury can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, twitches, insomnia and anxiety to name a few. In the past 100 years Mercury levels have dramatically increased in the environment. Industrialization was a major contributing factor.

Mercury is lipophilic, which means that it concentrates in fatty tissues. As the brain is mostly fatty tissue Mercury seems to concentrate there. Inorganic mercury from dental fillings (amalgams) can affect and does affect the body once this mercury is in your body; it is primarily distributed in the kidneys and brain. Although mercury can be dispelled from the body, it has an affinity for sulfur-containing molecules and can bind to them causing a build up in the fatty tissue.

Mercury from silver dental fillings (amalgam) is constantly absorbed into your body from chewing, brushing, grinding, and even slows corrosion. There is a large question about these silver fillings causing toxic levels of mercury in our bodies. Mercury has a long half life and sticks around for up to 18 years after the fillings have been removed from the body. The American Dental Association states that the use of amalgam fillings is safe.However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes old mercury fillings (removed from the body) are toxic waste and therefore has to be disposed of in such a way as not to contaminate landfills. So mercury fillings in our mouths are still considered a normal practice, but they cannot be thrown in the garbage due to safety concerns. That doesn't seem to make sense.

Research forces us to question the safety of certain types of fillings. Silver filling can be removed safely and effectively if done by a trained dentist. Have you asked your doctor about your mercury fillings and if so, what was their response?

References

(i) Lindh U. Removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy alleviates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with amalgam-associated all health. Neuroendocrinology Letters 2002; 23(5/6):459-482.

(iv) Prochazkova, J., et al. The beneficial effect of amalgam replacement on health in patients with autoimmunity. Neuroendocrinology Letters. 2004; 25(3): 211-218.

(v) Stejskal, J. and Stejskal, V. The role of metals in autoimmunity and the link to neuroendocrinology.Neuroendocrinology Letters.1999; 20: 351-364.

As summer ends and school starts up again, it is time to catch up on your to-do list. Visiting the dentist for your bi-annual cleaning and checkup is a great way to check on your overall health as well as maintaining your smile and oral health. Technology is at the center of how your dentist makes your visit comfortable and quick.

Long gone are the days of pulling teeth to fix your toothache. Dentistry continues to evolve every year so that adults barely recognize the dentist's office from their youth. Improvements in preventative care, sedation, pain relief, cosmetics and restorations revolutionize nearly every procedure so that more reliable and safer than ever imagined. Even visiting 123 Dentist clinics has improved from check-in to transferring your files.

Your Teeth before Retirement

The easiest way to have good oral health in the future is to take care of them now. Flossing once a blue moon and skipping brushing once a day are habits that you need to change now. Taking care of them presently means they will be within your twilight years. Watch out more damaging, your enamel, keeping gum disease in check, and keeping receding gums in check.

Dry Mouth: Lack of saliva can be a factor of any medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer treatments. It is also normal to lose saliva as you age which can cause other dental issues

Darkened teeth: A lifetime of staining food and drink will show their effects over time and change the dentin.

Diminished taste: Medications, diseases, and other effects of aging can change your taste.

Root Decay: While not a new problem, it becomes more difficult to manage as you aged. This is especially if you did not take care of your teeth when you were younger.

Gum Disease: Plaque build-up means decay and receding gums. This can lead to loose teeth with means.

Tooth Loss: Take care of them or lose them. It is that simple.

Oral Health for Seniors: Your Teeth beyond Retirement

Getting older is something we all experience and people are living longer than ever. This means you need to keep your teeth maintenance more rigorous to keep your oral health up through your longer and fuller life. For the most part, dental health is slowly increasing vigilance rather than an abrupt change at any particular age. Just like diet and exercise, oral health is important to have healthy and rich life.

As adults we know the value of taking care of our teeth. As children we have to be taught not only about our teeth but why taking care of them is so important. If we were to ask people how many teeth they have many may  not be able to answer without counting. This let us to believe that we should share what we know about the tooth.

As adults the average amount of teeth we have is 32. Children have less and begin to lose them at about age six. Losing our baby teeth is a rite of passage and the first sign of growing up. Parents coo over this by saving teeth and pretending to be the tooth fairy.  We continue to lose our baby teeth into our teens. Our permanent adult teeth replace all those baby teeth we lost plus some. As adults we have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars, these include our 4 wisdom teeth.

Our teeth our the first step in the digestive process. We use all parts of our mouth to chew, cut up and begin to digest our food. Our teeth help us break apart the food and our saliva begins the process of digesting that food. Our teeth are located in our upper and lower jaw bones and are supported by gingival tissues (better known as gums). A tooth is similar to a plant; some parts you can see and some parts you can't. The part of the tooth that can be seen is called the 'crown.' It would be similar to the flower and stem of the plant. It is the viable portion of the tooth. The neck is the section between the tooth and root, it is small and located where your gums are. The root area is the remaining part of the tooth, and is the buried part of the tooth, much like a plant’s root systems. A tooth’s root system extends past the  gums and  into the jaw bone. We call these root systems or roots  the 'dental root.'

Along with these parts of the tooth the tooth is also made up of various layers. We will go from outside in. The outer part of the crown (the part of the tooth you can see) is covered by enamel. That Enamel is a very hard substance rather like a crystal. This enamel helps protect our teeth from daily wear and tear. Just below the enamel is a layer that is softer called ‘Dentin.’ Dentin is much like bone and makes up most of our tooth. It is what gives our teeth their colour. At the core of the tooth you will find what we call ‘Pulp.’ Inside the the pulp chamber (where the pulp is located) blood vessels and nerves enter the tooth and become part of the pulp. These nerves feed the tooth nutrients which keep it alive. The last part of the tooth to mention is called ‘Apical Foramen.’ The Apical Foramen is a small opening at the top of each root which allows the nerves and blood vessels into the tooth.

We at Homer Dental believe that taking care of your teeth is a process. And the first step in that process is understanding your teeth.  

Homer Dental Center - Professional Vancouver dentists

We at Homer Dental will always try to show you your different options when it comes to choosing what to do with your teeth. Most things change over time, your teeth are no different. Today we are going to share some information about teeth whitening. Many different factors contribute to the discoloration of our teeth. As we age our teeth change colour. This can be due to what we eat and drink or just our DNA make. Even if we brush, floss, and go for our regular checkups our teeth naturally become less bright over time.

Even environmental factors such as air quality can contribute to teeth losing their natural radiance. Professional teeth whitening is an effective way to lighten, brighten, and eliminate stains. We all want that naturally white smile. Nowadays teeth whitening is a common practice. And like anything there are choices. You can either whiten your teeth at home or you can go and see your dentist to get the procedure done. If you choose to go to the drugstore you will find ample shelf space dedicated to tooth whitening products. There are many over-the-counter name brand products to choose from. However if you are unsure or squeamish about the whole at home whitening thing the best thing to do is go and speak to your dentist. Getting your teeth professionally whitened might be the best option for you. Dentist-supervised treatments are safer and offer more dependable results.

One thing to be aware of when whitening your teeth is that the results will vary depending on the treatment you choose. Most people are satisfied with the outcome of their whitening treatment as the teeth become shades lighter making your smile brighter. Most people are very pleased with their bright new smile following the professional procedure.

The terms "whitening" and "bleaching" are often used interchangeably. However the FDA uses the term "bleaching" to define only products that contain bleach better known as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/carbamide peroxide (CH6N2O3). Bleaching can lighten teeth shades beyond their natural shade state.

Teeth whitening is a common practice and a low-risk procedure today. As this is a non-invasive procedure the side effects seen are mild and rare.

Not only can whitening teeth contribute to one's overall dental health it can also help achieve that pearly white smile that often boosts one's self confidence.

The Cost of whitening one's teeth will depend upon which type of treatment is chosen, your dentist, the duration of your treatment, and more. The Average cost of an over the counter treatment at home treatment is about $50.00. You can get cheaper but like anything the cheaper something less effective it can become hazardous. One should be aware of the levels of peroxide in each brand as that can have a damaging effect.

The take home treatments from the dentist are usually around $200 dollars. Some dentists even throw this in if you go to them for your initial procedure. In office dentist whitening is usually between 200 and 400 a visit. It is however the most effective and safest route to go. You are being monitored, cared for, and in the hands of trained professionals.

Each of these methods vary with risks, price, and outcome. There are different dentists, different brands, different cost, different teeth. All these things contribute to the outcome and experience of teeth whitening The best thing we can say about teeth whitening is that when done properly patients feel more confident, happy and ready to smile. They truly have a pearly white smile.

Homer Dental Center - Dental clinic in downtown Vancouver Dentist

How to Find the Right Vancouver Dentist

Choosing a dentist is an important task.You want a dentist you can talk to, learn from and feel good about visiting.  It is a partnership in healthcare and you want to use the same dentist for years to come. How do you go about finding the right dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) offers several suggestions:

Recommendations – Ask Friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, other group members, your physician or your pharmacist and see who they use as their Vancouver Dentist

Referral – See if your current dentist can suggest someone in your new area.

Professional listings – Contact your provincial or territorial regulatory authority or dental association. Many association websites have a dentist locator or dentist directory. Good oral health care requires a good relationship between you, your dentist, and the dental team. You may want to call or visit more than one dental practice before making your final decision.

To help we’ve come up with a list of the top 10 things to consider when looking for a new Vancouver Dentist :

1. Does the dental office submit claims to all insurances?

Ask if they submit claims to all insurance providers of if you have to do that yourself and pay first. Most dental offices do submit claims and they may even send in an estimate claim before you get any work done. It is worth asking as you don't want to be caught off guard at the end of your dental visit

2. What  payment options are available? and if you are not insured what do they offer  non-insured patients?

Dental insurance is a big deal and you want to know what your plan is.  If you don’t have insurance asking your new dental office about a big consideration financing options is important. Some practices what payment upfront and others offer payment plans. It is always good to know what you are getting into before you decide on a dentist.

3. Where is the office located and What are the office hours?

The Location of the Dentist office. Is the location convenient? How long does it take to get an appointment? What are the office hours? are they open on weekends? A big part of getting to the dentist is convenience. To maintain a healthy set of chompers  you must be able to make your biannual appointments.  Convenience is key  when choosing a dentist.

4. Does the Dental office offer specials or do anything to show

appreciation for current patients?

Introductory offers  and referral programs are common in dental practices.    Some practices even have promotions to show their appreciation for existing patients. This might be something to consider when looking for a dentist.

5. How does the Dentist help make patients comfortable.

Not many people asks this question but it is important to know.  What do the dentist do to make sure you are comfortable. If you have anxiety some dentists will offer you anti anxiety medication. Knowing what your dentist does and what the  dentist’s approach to helping patients is a key component to feeling safe and comfortable when getting treated.

6. Continued Training & Education

Does the dentist continually educate themselves on current information. Are they part of any groups or ongoing educational programs? Dentists that are up to date on current practices and dental advancements will make your overall all dental experience better

7. In an emergency what can you expect?

It is always good to know what to do in case of an emergency. Many dentists will have an informational message as their outgoing message to help patients know what do when an emergency happens.  Ask your new dentist  if they have emergency hours or  what they should do in case of an emergency. It is always good to be prepared.

8. Do they discuss treatment plans and  give cost estimates?

Your treatment plan is going to be personalized. Having a discussing about  your treatment is important. Ask questions about if procedures are covered under your insurance plan.  Ask what you should expence and how do do your aftercare. A dental office should detail everything that will happen so you know what to expect, how many visits you might need, how much it will cost.

9. What is the office like?

You will be visiting the dentist office at least twice a year.  Make sure you are comfortable. Things to consider are cleanliness and friendliness. Is this a place where you can see yourself visiting

Choosing a new dentist is an important decision. It is a partnership and mos likely a long term relationship. Hopefully these tips above will help you find the perfect practice. If you are looking for a new dentist, give us a call  (604) 408-2408 to set up an appointment to make a visit and meet the doctors. Our office is in the heart of Yaletown steps away from the skytrain