Walking into a dental appointment is easier when you understand what's happening and why. This guide explains the most common dental procedures in plain language, so you can ask good questions and feel more at ease in the chair.
Rebuilding a damaged tooth: crowns and bridges
A crown is a custom cap that restores a tooth that has been damaged. A bridge replaces missing teeth. Both are designed to look and feel natural.
Some offices use CEREC technology, where a crown is scanned, designed and milled in the office, so many crowns can be completed in a single visit. Our same-day CEREC crowns guide covers how that works in more detail.
Replacing missing teeth: dental implants
Dental implants are a permanent, natural-feeling replacement for missing teeth. Modern planning is highly precise:
- A Cone Beam 3D scan maps your jaw.
- That information helps plan exactly where each implant should go.
- A 3D-printed surgical guide then helps place the implant precisely.
If you're weighing your options, the dental implants guide is a good next read.
Saving a tooth: root canal therapy
When decay reaches the nerve, a root canal clears the infection, relieves pain and saves your natural tooth. Many people dread the name, but the goal is relief. A dental laser can reach the narrowest canals, which supports a cleaner, more thorough result.
Brightening and reshaping your smile
There is more than one way to approach whitening:
| Option | How it works | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Take-home trays | Whitening used at home | Gradual |
| In-office Philips Zoom | Light-activated gel | Fast, dramatic |
Veneers are thin overlays bonded to the front of the teeth. They can close gaps, mask stains and reshape a smile, and digital impressions help them fit and look natural. A smile makeover blends several treatments into one personalised plan, designed around your face and goals.
Jaw pain, headaches and facial comfort
Jaw-joint and muscle problems can cause headaches, clicking and pain. The first step is finding the cause. Low-level laser therapy can ease jaw-muscle inflammation and pain without surgery. Botox is also used to soften lines from sun, wind and time.
Everyday and deeper care
Routine care keeps small problems small. It includes:
- Tooth-coloured composite fillings
- Inlays and onlays
- Cleanings on a schedule that suits you
When gums or bone need attention, periodontal treatment and gum and bone surgery are available. Wisdom-teeth removal is often considered in the late teens.
Questions to ask at any appointment
- What is the goal of this treatment?
- What are my options, and how do they compare?
- How many visits will it take?
- How should I care for my teeth afterwards?
A good dental team welcomes these questions. If you feel nervous, say so; you can also read about sedation dentistry.
Where to go next
If you live in South Surrey or White Rock and want to see how these treatments fit together under one roof, our original treatments overview offers a quick summary. You can also learn more about the team and book on the main website.