At Alexander Dental Centre we provide a complete range of general dentistry services to help you maintain your oral health, and improve your smile. We offer restorative and cosmetic procedures, provide preventive and emergency treatments. Each treatment is designed with you, our patient, in mind. We listen to your concerns and find the best solution for you.

Teeth whitening is a popular dental procedure which can brighten your entire smile. We take the necessary time and steps required to make sure your results look natural and ensure your comfort and safety. We offer in office and home whitening.

There are many over the counter teeth whitening products available on the market, however, for the most efficient and safest whitening treatment, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recommends using custom-fitted mouth trays made by the dentist. The tooth-whitening gel can leak out of ill-fitting trays causing irritation to your gums, as well as not whitening as efficiently as custom trays. You can avoid these problems with trays that precisely fit your mouth and bite.

Philips Zoom uses a blue LED light and a hydrogen peroxide gel to help you safely get a brighter, whiter smile in less time. Each procedure begins with a short preparation, followed by three 15 minute whitening sessions and an optional forth session for darker teeth. Post treatment you will receive your custom made trays together with take home whitening gel and a ACP (amorphous calcium phosphate) sensitivity relief gel, to help relieve tooth sensitivity. Most patients experience little to no sensitivity with Zoom whitening system.

Philips Zoom DayWhite and NiteWhite take-home whitening gel are designed around specific patient needs and preferences, so it's easy to find the best fit. DayWhite and NiteWhite use Carbamide Peroxide whitening gel, a substance that reacts with water to release a non-toxic bleaching element. Carbamide Peroxide releases the whitening agent slower than the Hydrogen Peroxide (found in all over the counter products) and remains active for 6 to 8 hours. DayWhite and NiteWhite also have ACP (amorphous calcium phosphate) incorporated in it, which helps relief tooth sensitivity.

During your visit for tooth whitening, we take a mold of your teeth and create a comfortable, customized mouth tray. The mouth tray holds the whitening gel. The mouth tray is placed inside the mouth and sits only against the teeth, thereby avoiding contact with the gums. Patients can choose either to wear the mouth tray throughout the night or for stretches that last from two to four hours. When worn through the night, the tooth whitening treatment lasts one to two weeks. Patients with more sensitive teeth may opt for the latter approach, which lasts three to five weeks.

Invisalign clear aligners uses the most advanced technology to straighten your teeth. Your lifestyle is not interrupted; you can still enjoy eating the foods you like. We will complete a set of impressions and photographs and together with the Invisalign team we will put together a complete digital treatment plan to achieve the best smile for you. Each aligner throughout your treatment gradually and predictably moves your teeth and your smile is transformed. Every aligner has to be worn for two weeks, 21 hours per day.

Bonding or resin bonding or white fillings are tooth coloured resin bonded to your teeth, then sculpted into proper shape and size to match your adjacent teeth and bite. The resin is a composite of liquid acrylic and tiny particles of glass, which forms a durable, stain resistant surface that mimics the texture of your natural teeth. Bonding is a quick, easy and non-invasive solution for chipped, stained, worn and cracked teeth as well as a cosmetic solution for malformed teeth or widely spaced teeth. While bonding is a wonderful technique, it will not solve each and every dental problem.

To bond a tooth, first the tooth surface is cleaned to remove plaque and bacteria and etched with phosphoric acid (same acid that is present in pop) to create micro pores in the enamel. Next, clear liquid, called bonding is applied over the tooth surface and air is blown to gently spread the bonding in a thin layer. A bright, blue light is applied to harden the bonding. The last layer is the resin, or filling, which is light cured with the same blue light to harden it and lock it onto the tooth surface. After the last layer is applied, the resin is shaped and polished.

Bonding is perfect for correcting chipped and cracked teeth, discoloration of a tooth’s surface, or even reducing gaps between existing teeth. Bonding can create more beautiful teeth and change your smile. Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures (porcelain, veneers or crowns), bonding is a non-invasive procedure maintaining much if not all of the original tooth.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are a few appointments necessary for fabricating a denture. A series of impressions of your jaw are made. Models, wax forms and plastic patterns are fabricated and you will have a few try in appointments when the denture will be assessed for shape, fit, and colour.

There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures.

Conventional Complete Dentures are removable appliances used in cases where no teeth are left in the mouth. They are made of a pink acrylic to which the plastic teeth are attached. New dentures may feel odd and loose for the first few weeks until your muscles and tongue get used to holding them in place. It is not unusual for minor irritation to occur when you first start wearing your new dentures until you adjust to them. Eating and speaking may be affected in the beginning.

Implant Retained Complete Dentures are complete dentures built over implants (2 to 4 implants). They offer increased stability and retention than the conventional complete dentures.

Partial dentures are removable appliances used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. We offer different types of partial dentures, according to the needs of our patients.

Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures and Thermodent Partial Dentures are thermoplastic dentures that are lightweight, thin and flexible and have almost invisible clasps that surround your natural teeth. They are the most cosmetic and comfortable partial dentures. In certain situations these partial dentures can be designed as unilateral dentures, to replace one or two adjacent missing teeth.

Metal cast Partial Dentures are partial dentures made of a metal framework to which pink acrylic and plastic teeth are attached to replace the missing teeth. This type of denture has metal clasps that surround your remaining natural teeth.

Acrylic Partial Dentures are partial dentures fabricated entirely of acrylic to which metal clasps can be added for maximum retention.

Fixed bridges replace missing teeth, improve appearance, make chewing easier and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Even if spaces created by missing teeth are not visible they can cause a variety of problems. One missing tooth can cause other teeth to move or tilt forward. If you are losing one tooth you might notice a change in your bite, shifting, drifting and spacing between your remaining teeth. If missing teeth are not replaced, more teeth may eventually be lost due to excessive forces applied during chewing.

Fixed bridges can be made of porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal and they are attached or cemented to your natural teeth on either side of the space to be filled. It takes usually two visits to prepare and fabricate a bridge. During your first appointment the teeth supporting the bridge are reshaped and an impression of the prepared teeth and surrounding and opposing teeth is taken. The impression can be taken digitally or with a mold. Once the impression is taken of the newly reshaped teeth, we will send the impression to the dental lab to have the bridge custom-made. The custom bridge will typically be created within 2 weeks. To protect your prepared teeth, a provisional bridge is fabricated in the office and cemented with temporary cement until the permanent bridge arrives. The colour of the future bridge is chosen according to the colour of your teeth. Sometimes, when a front tooth is involved, we will schedule an appointment with the lab technician. The doctor will accompany you to the lab, where together with the lab technician you will choose the right colour for your bridge.

During your second visit to the office, the new bridge is tried in and the necessary adjustments are made until the bridge feels comfortable and then cemented permanently. Sometimes, small adjustments are needed after you try the new bridge for a few days.

Implant supported bridges are similar to the fixed bridges, the only difference is that the bridge is supported by implants and not by your natural teeth. Each end of the bridge is supported by a dental implant. Implant supported bridges allow replacing several missing teeth than a traditional fixed bridge. There are more visits involved in fabricating an implant supported bridge. One of the specialists we work with will place the implants in the jaw, followed by a 4 month waiting period when the bone and the implant integrate. When the implants are integrated an impression is taken and sent to the lab where your bridge will be fabricated. Implant supported bridges are attached to the implants with small screws.

A dental crown is a tooth restoration that fits on top of a natural tooth to cover all visible sides of the tooth (above the gum line). The natural tooth will need to be prepped in order to receive the restoration. We will usually trim down the natural tooth (contour the tooth) to allow space for the crown to fit on top. This restoration is also called a “dental cap” as it caps the whole tooth.

Crowns are custom made to fit each patient’s tooth perfectly. After the tooth is prepared, we will take an impression of the tooth and send the digital or molded impression to the dental lab. The crown will be created usually in 2 weeks. A temporary cap will be placed over the prepared tooth while you wait for the custom permanent crown to be fabricated. Crowns can be made of porcelain, a combination of metal and porcelain or semi-precious metal according to each situation.

Crowns can also be used over dental implants. If you are missing only one tooth, that tooth can be replaced with an implant and an implant supported crown. The crown can be cemented over the implant or attached to it with a screw.

Many people grind or clench their teeth during sleep and some people may even do it during the day. Grinding and clenching your teeth is a frequent cause for tooth wear, tooth fracture, jaw pain and even pain after a filling.

A night guard is an appliance prescribed as treatment for tooth grinding (bruxism) or clenching. It protects the teeth and soft tissue by offering a barrier between the upper and lower teeth. There are different types of night guards; we will help you pick the right one for you.

We will take a mold or digital impression of your teeth and have the lab technician fabricate your custom made night guard according to your bite.

During root canal or endodontic treatment the inflamed or infected nerve (or pulp) is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected. The tooth is then filled and sealed with rubber-like material called gutta-percha. After the root canal treatment is finished the tooth is restored with a crown or filling. If your tooth needs extra support, a post might be inserted before the filling and/or crown are applied.

Occasionally a tooth that received root canal treatment fails to heal or continues to hurt despite the treatment. Sometimes, tissues fail to heal, or a tooth that initially responds well to root canal therapy becomes painful or diseased months or years later, in which case retreatment may be needed.

A root canal therapy can take 1 to 3 appointments, depending on the situation. In some situations, a medication has to be applied inside the tooth or an antibiotic has to be prescribed to fight the infection.

Nitrous oxide more commonly referred to as laughing gas, is a safe and effective way of managing anxiety and pain during dental treatments. Contrary to its name, laughing gas does not necessarily make you laugh but it makes you more calm and comfortable during the procedure. Laughing gas works quickly to relax you and it also has mild analgesic effect which helps you during dental anesthesia or other procedures that involve some discomfort. When the treatment is finished, the gas is turned off and you will receive oxygen for at least five minutes to purge the remaining gas from your lungs. You will be able to resume your regular activities right after the treatment, however, we recommend not to eat for 2-3 hours after the procedure.

Oral cancer screening is part of our dental examination. It is performed every time you come to the office for your cleaning and check-ups. Our hygienists and dentists are carefully checking your tongue, throat, cheeks and soft tissue for signs of cancer. During the examination and cleaning we look for lumps, changes in your neck, face, and inside your mouth, as well as any discoloured tissue or sores inside your mouth. If anything looks suspicious we will discuss with you the next steps involved.

Digital impressions are 3D intraoral scans that create a map of your teeth and surrounding tissue. By using a wand-like tool connected to a computer and an advanced software we create a virtual, computer generated model of hard and soft tissues. Impressions can be sent to the lab, where dentures, crowns, bridges or other restorations are made, or can be used to analyze your bite and explain our findings.

The intraoral wand is an optical scanning device capable of capturing digital images which are put together by a software into a virtual model. Many patients (like patients who have gag reflex), find digital impressions easier and more comfortable than traditional impression materials.

Digital impressions are efficient, accurate and reduce possibility of material inaccuracies. They are a tremendous help for patients who have claustrophobia, gag reflex, or anxiety, because they eliminate bulky, distasteful materials.

Our office uses one of the best digital scanner on the market, and the latest software available - Carestream CS 3600 with Scanflow.

Digital X-rays or radiographs use electronic sensors instead of traditional X-ray film to capture X-ray images and they have many advantages over the X-ray film. One of the biggest advantages is that a digital radiograph needs less radiation to produce the same quality image as a film (digital X-rays gives 70% less exposure to radiation than conventional X-rays). The digital image can be enhanced by altering brightness and contrast, which is a helpful tool in diagnosing disease. They are faster than the film by eliminating the need for film processing.

Our Carestream RVG sensors are integrated with our patient management software and our digital 3D scanner and offer the best diagnostic tools.

Intraoral cameras help you see what we see during dental examinations. This tool will cause you no pain, and you may even have fun during your examination. The intraoral camera looks like an oversized pen that captures high-resolution images in your mouth and shows them in real-time on a tablet. We can attach these photos to your health record and track any changes that may occur. We can discuss your oral health, we can point out any issues and you can learn about your mouth. The more you see, the more you understand and the easier it is to make decisions when it comes to your treatment.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated properly. The cause of periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene and not having professional cleaning on a regular basis. Our gum treatments are tailored according to your needs and include from oral hygiene instructions and basic cleaning to LASER therapy and Oravital treatments. Advanced cases my require referral to a periodontist (gum specialist) for surgery.

Oral hygiene is the aspect of dental care which involves keeping your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible. We know that picking a tooth brush, a dental floss or even a tooth paste can be overwhelming, due to the variety of products on the market. Our team will help you make the right purchase when it comes to your dental tools. During your cleaning appointments we will show you which dental floss is best for you, what to look for when buying a tooth brush, why some mouth washes are better than others and what the differences between different tooth pastes are.

Scaling and root planning are commonly known as cleaning and are the first step in preventing and treating gum disease. Scaling is a type of therapy that removes plaque and calculus around the teeth and slightly under the gum line. Root planning is a deeper scaling that removes plaque and calculus around the roots and often requires local anesthesia.

Oravital is a comprehensive treatment which provides accurate diagnosis and effective treatments of oral infections that cause periodontal disease, halitosis (bad breath) and peri-implantitis (infections around implants). It uses advanced microbiology tests and a personalized regimen of antibiotics and antimicrobial rinses. The procedure is safe and painless and consists of a few samples of bacteria taken from your tongue, gums and saliva. The swabs are sent to Oravital labs, where they are analyzed and a treatment plan is developed. Regular dental hygiene appointments, good oral home care together with the Oravital treatments can help you maintain a good oral health.

Diode laser is a soft tissue laser used in reducing inflammation in periodontal pockets. Laser therapy shortens healing time, reduces bleeding and reduces bacteria that cause inflammation. Adding the laser therapy to the other conventional treatments can significantly improve results. Studies have shown decreased gum bleeding, decreased inflammation and pocket depth, as well as decreased tooth mobility when scaling and root planning and good oral hygiene are combined with laser therapy.

Diode lasers are safe and non-invasive tools and require minimal local anesthesia.

The ideal time for your child’s first dental visit is around the first birthday. During their first visit we will discuss with you about the importance of brushing, diet and habits to ensure optimum dental health and to prevent dental disease. Don’t be surprised if during your child’s first visit to our office we are not doing any treatments. We are trying to help your child feel comfortable and building a relationship with your child. Our staff works hard to make every visit to our office enjoyable for both parent and child.

Little kids are examined sitting on their parent’s lap in the dental chair. If your child has a toy or a blanket they like, you can bring it to their appointment. If their older brother or sister is already our patient, it might help to bring them along.

Every time your child has a regular checkup we assess risk for decay, evaluate gums and teeth, and assess bite and dental growth.

Tooth extraction is needed when a tooth has significant damage, loss of bone support or it cannot be saved with any treatments available. Sometimes, teeth are extracted for orthodontic purposes, to create room for tooth movement or if the teeth are blocking other teeth from coming in. Baby teeth will also need extraction if they are not falling out in time for adult teeth to come in.

Sometimes collaboration with an oral surgeon is needed for complicated extractions, like wisdom teeth extractions, impacted teeth, or for patients with medical conditions. Our office uses a team-based approach addressing these difficult problems to make sure you receive the highest quality experience and results.