Prevention

Prevention is always better than treatment. You can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile through regular home care, professional dental cleanings and regular exams.

During your first visit a through examination is performed. This includes X-rays and other information gathering procedures such as digital pictures, Velscope for oral cancer detection, etc. that are necessary to diagnose existing problems.

A treatment plan is then discussed with you that may require some immediate visits to complete initial treatment. Once treatment is complete your name will be placed in our preventative care system. Regular follow-up appointments are essential for prevention.

Regular prevention is truly your best investment. It can help you avoid costly treatments in the future to remove decay, restore teeth and treat gum disease.

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Children & Orthodontics

Morgan Crossing Dental can take care of all orthodontic needs for your child. Whether it is taking care of braces, fitting a retainer, making a mouth guard, or anything else, the Morgan Crossing Dental team would be happy to help you.

For children we recommend bringing them in for early observation, which can help catch common problems such as cross bites, crowding, spacing, over bites and narrow jaws before they worsen or become permanent.

Dental Care

Gum disease (Periodontal Disease) is responsible for about 70 percent of adult tooth loss. It is characterized by swollen, inflamed gums surrounding the teeth. Symptoms are so mild in the early phase, many patients don’t recognize them: red, tender, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing teeth.

Plaque, a sticky substance that forms in the mouth from food, saliva and bacteria gets inside the space between the gum line and the tooth. If not removed, plaque hardens into a substance called calculus or tartar that is very difficult to remove. Eventually, the bacteria in the plaque and tartar eat away at the fibers that hold the gums to the teeth, creating deep pockets. As bacteria spread, the pockets become deeper until the bacteria finally eat away the bone that holds the tooth in place.

Once gum disease sets in, we can often treat it with non-surgical therapy including:

  • Scaling – to remove hardened plaque from below the gum line
  • Root Planing – to reduce rough areas on teeth roots
  • Polish – to remove stains from teeth
  • Antibiotic Therapy – to battle infection
  • Laser Treatment – to remove bacteria and promote gum reattachment
  • Surgery – advanced cases may require the care of a periodontist, in which case we will refer you to a trusted colleague

Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight, and most recently, dementia. Because of these findings, research continues. We may learn much more in the next few years.

It all starts at home. Adequate home care is imperative if you want to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile and prevent costly dental treatment in the future. The goal of home care is to regularly remove the sticky film of bacteria called plaque from your teeth.

Brushing

Brush your teeth twice daily using a soft tooth brush. Gently vibrate the brush in a circular fashion at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. Then gently vibrate the brush back and forth on each tooth surface until you have effectively cleaned the entire mouth. You should also brush your tongue to remove the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Flossing

Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth that you can’t reach with regular brushing which can be up to 40% of the tooth surface. Take 12″ to 18″ of dental floss and wrap it around the middle finger of each hand. Pull the floss tightly, and then use your thumb and forefingers to slide the floss gently between each set of teeth. Curve the floss around each tooth and move the floss up and down along the tooth, going as low as you can comfortably get under the gum line. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth until you have flossed the entire mouth.

Rinsing

Always rinse thoroughly with water after brushing (or after meals if you are unable to brush.) You may occasionally use a mouthwash to rinse. However, recent studies indicate that the over-use of mouthwash in an otherwise healthy mouth can change the normal biological activity of the mouth, leading to dried tissues and other problems.

Dental examinations help to diagnose disease before it becomes hazardous to your health. In addition, regular examinations can save you money by alleviating problems while they are small and before they become expensive to repair, or in some cases, impossible to repair. Your dental examinations generally include the following

  • Oral cancer screening
  • Gum disease evaluation
  • Visual examination of tooth decay
  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays to see cysts, tumours, invisible decay and other problems that can’t be seen by the naked eye
  • Evaluation of status of current restorations (fillings and others)

By looking for trouble every six months, we can often reduce your potential for large dental problems. For instance, left untreated, a small cavity can grow to destroy an entire tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked tooth can cause pain or break off and create additional problems. Furthermore, advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for adults, and oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year. Caught and treated early, these diseases can be controlled.

We cannot express enough how important it is to see your dentist regularly. Remember, preventing disease is always better than treating disease.

Dental Services We Offer

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General Dentistry
We provide the full range of dental treatments, from a simple scale.
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Cosmetic Dentistry
A great smile is a huge asset in our social and professional lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes we do bill insurance companies on your behalf.

Our dental treatment rates are based on the suggested dental fee guide by the BC Dental Association.

Yes! We are always accepting new patients.

Yes we do! The first visit for a child is recommended at 1 years old. Then we recommend they come back each year after, until about 3 years old. Then the frequency should be increased to every 6 months for regular check ups.

You can call our front desk at 604.560.5060, email us at mcd@morgancrossingdental.com or send us a message using our Contact Form

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