Dr. Steven Cload's Dental Blog

Once thought of as a luxury reserved for the rich and famous, tooth whitening has now become quite popular among normal, everyday people with average incomes. More and more people are choosing to have their teeth professionally whitened in cosmetic dentists’ offices instead of living with the yellow, stained teeth they have had for years.

Some tooth stains are resistant to whitening. You may have tried over the counter whitening products in the past with less than satisfactory results, or you may have been told that whitening will not be effective for you. If you are living with stained teeth, and have not tried or looked into whitening recently, please contact Calgary’s Southcentre Dental Clinic today. You may discover that today’s whitening methods will work on your tough stains.

Even if whitening will not work for you, you can still have the dazzling smile you dream of. Porcelain veneers can cover the discoloration, and if you have other cosmetic dental flaws, porcelain veneers will take care of them at the same time. It is a win-win solution to a very frustrating problem.

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment because they are so versatile and beautiful. Porcelain veneers can be applied in three easy visits. You can have porcelain veneers and tooth whitening together, too, if you do not need veneers on all of the teeth you would like to whiten.

To learn more about your options for a dazzling smile in the Calgary, Alberta area, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic today.

Porcelain veneers are designed, created, and placed in a three step process.

The first visit is when Dr. Steven Cload, really needs your input, and it is when he will answer all of your porcelain veneers questions. The two of you will discuss your goals and what you want to get out of your veneers. This is the design phase, and Dr. Cload will go over your options with you. He will also explain the details of the steps involved in your porcelain veneers procedure.

When you come in for your second visit, Dr. Cload will prepare your teeth to accept the porcelain veneers and get the precise measurements needed to create them. Preparing your teeth ensures secure bonding and can also be part of creating the beautiful shape that your and Dr. Cload have decided on for your smile. Temporary veneers will cover and protect your teeth until your next visit.

Impressions made of your prepared teeth, as well as other specifications, such as those needed for color-matching, will be sent to the lab where your porcelain veneers will be custom crafted.

When you return, your beautiful new veneers will be permanently bonded in place.

For more detailed information on your custom porcelain veneers procedure in Calgary, Alberta, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic and schedule your consultation today.

The Epworth sleep apnea test is a short and simple questionnaire in which you are asked to rate your likelihood of dozing off or falling asleep in eight common situations, such as riding in a car or watching TV. It takes most people about two or three minutes to complete; you can take the test and score yourself at home.

Although it is a quick and easy test, the results are very meaningful. It is used by healthcare professionals worldwide as an initial assessment of daytime sleepiness, to determine if a patient may suffer from a sleep disorder and how severely it is affecting their health and lives. Used at home, it can help you determine if it is time to seek medical advice.

The Epworth test is particularly effective in detecting sleep apnea. Dr. Steven Cload uses the test to differentiate sleep apnea from primary snoring. Whether your snoring is caused by sleep apnea or not, Dr. Cload can help you stop. However, his approach to treatment will be affected by the underlying cause. If the Epworth test suggests that sleep apnea is at the heart of your snoring he may want you to use the Apnea Risk Evaluation System™ (AREAS), which monitors you while you sleep.

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can lead to life-threatening health problems, as well as the daily risks caused by sleep deprivation. Fortunately, sleep apnea and snoring can be treated, giving you and your family the gift of restful sleep again. Dr. Cload can provide you with a custom-fitted device to wear while you sleep that keeps you jaw in the proper position so that you airway stays open. If the underlying cause of your snoring or sleep apnea involves a misaligned bite or temporomandibular joint disorder(TMJ/TMD), he can help you resolve that as well.

If you live in the Calgary, Alberta area and snore or experience daytime sleepiness, please contact Southcentre Dental Clinic today.

The temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your face in front of your ears where they connect your jawbone to your skull. The temporomandibular joints move by pivoting and gliding which allow you to open your mouth and move your jaw from side to side.

Temporomandibular joint disorder is a term that refers to a group of disorders or conditions that involve this joint. Teeth grinding and clenching, chronic gum chewing or cradling a telephone between your shoulder and the side of your head can instigate TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). An injury or trauma from an automobile accident or a blow to the head or face can also trigger TMD/TMJ.

Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder include the inability to fully open or close your mouth, difficulty swallowing, headache, facial, neck, shoulder and back pain, insomnia and depression.

Medications prescribed for these symptoms do nothing to alleviate the actual cause of these symptoms. A neuromuscular dentist is trained to recognize and treat the underlying causes and bring relief to the many sufferers of TMD/TMJ.

The treatment for TMD/TMJ may involve conservative measures such as reducing stress through physical therapy, avoiding those activities that trigger pain and discomfort such as gum chewing or wide yawning, and anti-inflammatory medications. More aggressive measures such as orthodontics and surgery are also available to the neuromuscular dentist.

If you live in Calgary, Alberta and would like to learn more about the temporomandibular joint and the part it may play in the pain you are experiencing, please contact Dr. Steven Cload at Southcentre Dental Clinic today.