Services Overview
Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law. (As adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates). At our practice we offer a full range of dental treatment. As the definition of dentistry from the American Dental Association (ADA) states, procedures that are beyond the scope of our practice are referred to an area specialist. So, long story short, we treat you the way we would treat our own teeth.
Bridges
Dental bridges are very similar to dental crowns in terms of preparation, and in the materials and methods used to construct them. The primary difference is that, where dental crowns are used to reconstruct damaged teeth, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The teeth either side of the gap are prepared in much the same way as for a crown. The bridge is then fixed onto these two teeth, a hollow crown between them bridging the gap left by the missing tooth. Top of page
Bonding
Bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked or discolored, and is an alternative to veneers. The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape. The resin is then trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance. The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before repair is needed. Top of page
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone in order to repair bone fractures that are extremely complex, pose a significant health risk to the patient, or fail to heal properly. Bone generally has the ability to regenerate completely but requires a very small fracture space or some sort of scaffold to do so. Most bone grafts are expected to be reabsorbed and replaced as the natural bone heals over a few months’ time. Top of page
Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays
When over 1/2 of a tooth’s biting surface is damaged we reccomend an inlay or onlay to restore your tooth. Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth; an onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extends out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Dental crowns – also known as caps – are artificial coverings used to reconstruct damaged teeth, restoring them to their original size, shape, and colour. These treatments all require two visits. At your first appointment we will prepare the affected tooth by removing a significant part of it, leaving only its hard inner core in the form of a stump. A dental technician will then construct your permanent crown according to an impression of the affected tooth. During this time, you will be provided with a temporary crown. On your second visit, your permanent crown will be ‘cemented’ onto your original tooth. Crowns can be manufactured using a variety of different materials. The most popular of these materials is porcelain, as its colour is virtually indistinguishable from the natural color of your own teeth. It is also possible to manufacture gold crowns, but ceramic restoration is considered much more beneficial due to its aesthetic qualities. Top of page
Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy
Treatment is performed by removing the diseased or dead pulp tissue from each canal in the tooth. Front teeth may have as few as one canal, while back molars may have up to four or more. The root canal spaces are thoroughly cleaned, shaped and filled with a material called "gutta percha" which is a biocompatible material that has been used successfully for decades. Root canal treatments can often be completed in one visit, however, difficult teeth with many or strangely shaped canals may require a second appointment. The great majority of root canal treatments are non-surgical and is designed to save natural teeth and prevent the need to replace teeth lost with dental implants, bridges or partials. At the center of a tooth lies a soft-tissue called the pulp. The pulp is comprised of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue which is responsible for developing and nourishing the hard structure of the tooth. Due to decay, extensive restorations or trauma, the pulp may become irreversibly inflamed or infected. Symptoms stemming from this condition include temperature sensitivity, pain, swelling and sensitivity to pressure. Top of page
Extractions
Your doctor may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment. The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health. To avoid these complications, in most cases, your doctor will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth. Referrals are made to the specialist in the case of more complex treatment and medical needs. Top of page
Implants
Dental implants are considered the most durable, functional, and natural solution for replacing missing teeth. Whereas a bridge will affect adjacent teeth, dental implants involve introducing a titanium post into the jaw, providing a stable root over which a crown can be placed. The results are permanent, leaving you with a natural-looking smile, and the confidence to eat the foods you love without worrying about sustaining damage to your reconstructed teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, thus preventing the bone deterioration that can occur when teeth are missing. Top of page
Lava Chairside Oral Scanner
Digital Dental Impressions with Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S.
Imagine turning an uncomfortable procedure like impressions into a remarkable‚ interactive‚ 3D
experience for during your dental appointment and being able to confidently review your dental
impression work in spectacular detail with Dr. Drews.
The Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S. is a digital impression system utilized by Dr. Peter Drews that
provides a powerful new connection with his team of highly skilled dental technicians. This allows
precision fit dental restorations that will last for years to come. Top of page
Odyssey Diode Laser
The diode laser represents the latest advance in laser technology. It is a surgical instrument that is reliable, portable, and powerful. It provides quick, precise soft–tissue surgeries with minimal or no bleeding, swelling, or post–operative pain. It has a broad range of applications, which includes tissue retraction during restorative procedures, gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, crown–lengthening, frenectomy, bacterial decontamination, and removal of diseased epithelial lining during periodontal treatments. Its use enhances placement of contemporary materials and enables soft–tissue corrections both for restorations and natural dentition. Top of page
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is concerned with the correction of the position of the teeth and jaws, aiming for a healthy and attractive smile. Orthodontics can be used alone to align crooked teeth and improve a smile or to position teeth to allow other dentistry to be more successful eg. providing optimal space for a bridge or implant. Although typically carried out on children, orthodontic treatment can be very successfully carried out on adults and there is no upper age limit for treatment, as long as the teeth and gums are healthy, with the result that more and more adults are undertaking treatment. Drews Dental Services is a provider of ClearCorrect, which straightens teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Top of page
Partials and Dentures
For patients who have either lost some or all their teeth, or will be having them extracted, a complete denture, or partial denture is a viable treatment option. A complete denture is a removable prosthesis designed to replace all of the teeth on an arch with artificial teeth, while a removable partial denture is designed to ‘anchor’ to the remaining teeth. Top of page
Periodontal Disease
Many times, when periodontal disease is diagnosed, it can be effectively treated with non-surgical therapy. Treatment usually consists of placing a small ultrasonic tip between the tooth and gum to remove plaque and tartar deposits below the gum line that cause the disease. Four to six weeks later, when treatment is complete, periodontal pockets are often eliminated due to gum shrinkage. With small pockets, the patient can himself/herself, properly maintain them with proper brushing and flossing. This non-surgical therapy is highly effective and even in the most severe cases of periodontal disease, non-surgical therapy often precedes surgery so that the overall tissue quality prior to surgery will limit the amount of surgery that may need to be done. However, should non-surgical therapy not result in the desired result, we will assess you further for surgical intervention and/or referral to a periodontist. Top of page
Sealants
Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves acting as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can't reach. Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years. Top of page
Soft Tissue Grafting
Dental soft tissue grafts are done to help repair the damages of gum recession. A dental surgeon will graft soft tissue from a donor site within the mouth and use it to cover exposed roots. This can help to lessen tooth sensitivity and also improve the look of your smile. Top of page
Velscope
The VELscope Vx is a hand-held device that provides dentists and hygienists with an easy-to-integrate
adjunctive mucosal examination system for the early detection of a wide variety of oral diseases,
including pre-cancer and cancer.
The VELscope works through tissue fluorescence – an optical phenomenon that causes abnormal
tissue to appear a different color. By regulating the illumination intensity and wavelength output,
the VELscope Vx’s patented ‘ring-of-light’ illumination element causes healthy cells in the mouth to
fluoresce, emitting a bright green glow. By contrast, potential areas of concern will show a marked lack
of fluorescence, appearing dark when viewed against the healthy tissue.
Most people are aware that the fluorescence technology used by VELscope Vx can help a doctor locate
oral cancer and premalignant dysplasia. But the fluorescence technology can also help the attending
clinician locate lichen planus, lichenoid mucositis, squamous papillomas, candidiasis, viral and bacterial
infections as-well-as inflammation from a variety of causes (e.g. trauma) and even salivary gland tumors.
A clinical study* of 620 low-risk patients showed how the VELscope helped catch 28 lesions—including 5
dysplasias—that were missed by the naked eye.
*E. L. Truelove et al, Gen. Dentistry, July/Aug 2011, 281-289. Top of page
