Absolutely! Even if you are not experiencing any dental symptoms and, even if you believe that you have no dental issues, it is still very important to attend at your dentist’s office for both regular cleanings and check-ups. The frequency of these visits will depend upon your overall oral health. However, the goal of these visits is to avoid or minimize any dental issues before they become bigger ones.

At your dental check-up, our Calgary dentist will generally take x-rays (as may be required) and conduct a thorough dental examination. It is through x-rays and a visual examination that issues such as cavities, gum disease and even oral cancer can be detected as early as possible, earlier than you may be able to detect on your own. At your cleaning appointment, our dental hygienist will clean (scale) and polish your teeth, as well as apply fluoride, if you so choose. For many people, regular check-ups and cleanings are recommended every six months. However, as with any treatment plan, this varies from patient to patient depending upon their individual oral health needs and overall oral health.

At your dental and dental hygiene appointment, this is also a great opportunity to discuss any changes you have noticed to your oral health and any particular issues you may be experiencing or concerns you may have regarding your oral health. It is also an opportune time to have any of your other oral health related questions answered.

Your oral health is an integral aspect of your overall health and, as such, it should be regularly monitored by a dentist. In fact, many aspects of your oral have systemic affects on other aspects of your health, including your cardiovascular health, making your oral health care just as important as any other aspect of your overall health and wellbeing.

If you would like to make an appointment for a dental check-up or cleaning, we’re here to help. Please call our office and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have and book your appointment at a time that is convenient for you. 

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! The health of your teeth and gums is particularly important during your pregnancy as your oral health can affect the health of your developing baby. You should attend at your Calgary dentist for regular dental hygiene appointments, as well as check-ups by your dentist. 

If you do require dental treatment such as a filling or a root canal, discuss with your dentist the risk and benefits of proceeding with the dental treatment while you are pregnant versus after you have your baby. Also note that, according to the Government of Canada website, the best time to have dental work done while you are pregnant, if possible, is during your second trimester, or between the fourth and sixth month. Of course, if you are experiencing any dental pain, dental trauma or any other symptoms that would be considered to be a dental emergency, you should not hesitate to call your Calgary dentist immediately so that your situation may be assessed and your concerns attended to promptly.

If you have any questions about your oral health during your pregnancy or if you are experiencing a dental emergency and require an emergency dentist appointment in Calgary, please call one of our friendly team members at 403.283.4252. We would be happy to schedule an appointment for you at your convenience and answer all of your questions and concerns.  

Dr. Dirk Thompson is a general dentist. Specialists are dentists with additional training and qualifications which are recognized as specialties by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta.

At times, your dental concerns may warrant a visit to a specialist’s office, such as a periodontist (a specialist in issues related to the gums), an oral surgeon, an endodontist (a specialist in root canal therapy), a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist.  These specialists have extra training and are certified by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta in their fields of specialty.

Patients are referred to specialists for complex dental issues, particularly for treatment involving complicated root canals or oral surgery, or where specialized equipment is required to address dental concerns such as specialized microscopes. If it is necessary to refer you to a dental specialist, we can make a recommendation for you or you may see the specialist of your choice. 

By now you have probably heard of one of your family members, friends or work colleagues talk about having dental work completed in a foreign jurisdiction in what is sometimes referred to as “dental tourism”. If you are wondering whether you should forego your usual visit with your Calgary dentist in favour of having dental work completed in a foreign jurisdiction while on a sunny vacation, you should first consider the following.

One of the most significant benefits of seeing a dentist in Calgary is that all dentists and their professional activities in Calgary (Alberta) are regulated by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta. This means that, when you visit a dentist in Calgary, you can be assured that:

• they have the proper education and has passed the board examination to become a licensed member of the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta
• they are accountable to both you and the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta
• your dentistry is delivered in a safe and effective manner
• they are following the standards and guidelines set by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta
• they are committed to fulfilling their bi-annual continuing education requirements
• they have malpractice insurance
• if you have an issue that cannot be resolved between yourself and your Calgary dentist, you can ask the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta for assistance in resolving the matter

With respect to the standards and guidelines set by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta, these standards and guidelines govern a wide range of topics that keep you safe and ensure that quality dentistry is provided by your Calgary dentist. Some of these standards and guidelines include the following:infection prevention and control protocols

• • maintenance and inspection of x-rays
  • patient record keeping
  • informed consent protocols
  • limitations on scope of practice
  • continuing education protocols
  • advertising standards

If you are considering booking a “dental vacation”, one of the first things you should consider and fully inform yourself about is what standards does the particular jurisdiction have with respect to both licensing dentists and regulating their practices. You should also consider such issues as:

• What will you do if you require follow-up treatment after returning home?
• What if there are dental complications after you return home?
• What will happen if you feel you should have a refund of all of a part of your money?

Although there is no doubt that there is quality dentistry in foreign jurisdictions, before making the decision to have treatment done outside of North America, our Calgary dentist strongly encourages you to do your own research about both the dentist and the jurisdiction’s dental association.

For more information about dental tourism, see our recent blog on this topic.

The answer to this often-asked and much worried about question is, no, you should not experience any pain during your dental treatment by your Calgary dentist.

Most dental treatments are completed with a local anaesthetic or “freezing”, which should thoroughly numb the area of your mouth that is being treated. Although you may feel some mild discomfort from the initial poke of the needle that delivers the local anaesthetic (don’t panic – they’re really not that bad!) or from keeping your mouth open for an extended period of time, if you are feeling any pain during the actual procedure, you should alert your dentist so that additional local anaesthetic can be given.   

After your dental procedure, depending upon the amount and type of local anaesthetic given, you can expect the “frozen” feeling in your mouth to wear off within a few hours. While you are still frozen, our Calgary dentist recommends that you don’t eat or chew gum, as you could accidentally bite your lip, cheek or tongue and not even be aware of it. 

After your freezing wears off, depending upon the type of procedure done, your overall health and your general pain tolerance, you may experience some discomfort for several days. For minor dental procedures such as fillings and other dental restorations such as crowns or veneers, most people feel no pain or discomfort at all. After your dental treatment, to help alleviate any pain or discomfort and decrease any risk of complications, always make sure you follow our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson’s, homecare instructions and take pain relievers as recommended by Dr. Dirk Thompson. For most patients, over-the-counter pain medications offer sufficient pain relief. 

And as always, if you have any questions about what to expect during your dental procedure by our Calgary dentist, please ask away! We’re here for you and happy to answer all of your questions so that you are always completely comfortable and informed about your dental health.

The cost of a dental filling by a Calgary dentist varies depending upon several factors.  

First, the cost of a dental filling will depend upon which tooth is being filled. Generally, teeth that are at the front are less expensive than teeth that are at the back of your mouth.

Second, the cost of a dental filling by your Calgary dentist will depend upon the number of surfaces which need to be filled. Basically, this is referring to the size of the cavity in the tooth. A tooth has five surfaces and the more surfaces that have decay in them and have to be filled, the larger the filling will be and the higher the cost will be.

Lastly, the cost of a dental filling depends upon what material is used to fill the tooth. Teeth can be filled using amalgam or composite material. At our Calgary dentist office, Dr. Dirk Thompson prefers to always use a composite material and generally this is the choice of most patients today.

In Alberta, generally the cost of a filling will range from approximately $150.00 to $400.00 or more. This cost will depend upon which particular tooth is being filled, the number of surfaces with decay in the tooth, the type of material used to fill the tooth cavity and the dental office’s individual fees, which vary from dental office to dental office.

In addition to the cost of a filling, there may be additional costs to consider including the cost of a dentist’s examination, one or more x-rays, as well as other potential costs which depend upon the nature of your dental concerns.

If you attend at the office of a Calgary emergency dentist (being a general dentist who sees dental emergencies) and require emergency treatment by a Calgary emergency dentist, then there may be additional costs such as an emergency dental examination.

At the office of Dr. Dirk Thompson at Advance Your Health Dental, we always strive to ensure that the cost of your dental treatment is transparent and thoroughly explained to you prior to commencing any dental treatment. If you have dental insurance and are unsure as to what dental treatment will be covered by your dental insurer, prior to commencing any dental treatment, including dental fillings, you can ask for our team members to submit a dental pre-determination to your dental insurer so that you will know how much of our fees and other costs will be covered by your dental insurer.

If you have questions about our dental services including cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, implant dentistry, general dentistry and emergency dentistry by our Calgary emergency dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, please do not hesitate to contact our Calgary dentist office today at 403.283.4252.

The cost of having dental work varies widely depending upon the current state of your oral health, whether you wish to have any cosmetic dentistry procedures, and your choice of the dental treatment options presented to you.

At our Calgary dentist office, we recognize that the cost of dental treatment can be an important factor in determining which treatment that you choose. With this in mind, we will provide you with as many options as possible, while at the same time providing you with as much information as possible related to both the short-term and long-term benefits of each treatment option so that you may make a fully informed decision regarding your dental work.

Our Calgary dentist can also pre-determine your dental work with your insurance company so you are aware of your out-of-pocket costs prior to proceeding with treatment, particularly for major dental work such as crowns, veneers, dental implants, bridges and multiple restorations. It is important that you are aware of all of the terms and conditions of your insurance plan as many dental insurance plans have yearly maximums, and coverage can vary depending upon the type of treatment procedure you require, particularly treatments for cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions about your dental insurance plan, call our Calgary dental office today and we will do our best to help you understand your dental insurance benefits.

You can also ask our Calgary dentist team to submit a pre-determination to your dental insurer(s) for any proposed dental work by submitting a request below.