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At Dr. Neil Zastre Inc. we provide a full spectrum of dental services.  Our patients can expect an honest diagnosis and treatment plan that takes as many reasonable options into account. 

We provide custom crown and bridge work, we can design and assist with dentures and Dr. Neil Zastre continues to be involved with an implant study club based in Vancouver.  We also offer orthodontic services to patients who are good candidates for Invisalign or Tip-Edge® braces.

We do refer some situations out to specialists in cases where we cannot meet a patient's needs in a cost effective and timely manner.  Dr. Zastre has worked with many of our area specialists for years and is confident that if your treatment is referred out, you will be well taken care of.

A bridge is created to fill a space created by a missing tooth.  Although the materials generally used in a bridge are strong they are not as solid as the original tooth structure they are made to replace.  With proper care and routine professional checkups and cleanings your bridge can last for several years.

A bridge is a good treatment option to replace missing teeth.  If nothing is done to hold the space then the teeth around the opening will likely drift out of position.  A common three unit bridge for example will ensure that the teeth on either side of the opening are properly prepared to hold the ‘replacement’ tooth in place.  The look and feel of a bridge can be a natural looking part of your mouth and smile.

Patients with missing teeth may soon realize that some form of treatment is required.  Many problems can occur if missing teeth aren’t replaced. The space left by a missing tooth cause the teeth around the space to move, this shifting can result in a change to a patient’s overall bite. An increased risk of gum disease and further tooth decay are also concerns when treating a patient who has missing teeth.  As teeth shift and your bite is impacted, your speech may also be noticeably affected.

Implant Supported Bridge

If you are missing several teeth, an implant-supported bridge can provide a solid alternative which offers many benefits over a conventional denture. The benefit of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support. For many people who are missing teeth dental implants are the next best thing to having their own teeth.

Do you need a Crown?

Some of the more common dental problems faced by patients as they age are cracked and broken teeth. A crown fits over the fractured tooth and is designed to hold the tooth together, restoring the original shape, function and appearance of the tooth. Placing a crown over a fractured tooth may or may not involve root canal treatment, depending on how early the problem is discovered and treated.

Teeth with large cavities or filings become more likely to fracture. Placing a crown can reduce this risk and help you retain your tooth for years to come.

A tooth usually needs to be crowned following root canal therapy. When a root canal is performed on a tooth, or when the nerve and blood supply to the tooth are compromised, the risk of the tooth breaking increases. This can cause the tooth to become dehydrated and brittle leaving the tooth very susceptible to breaking. Crowning a tooth is done to reduce the risk of the tooth breaking off and having to be extracted.

Solving the problem!

Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments.

During your first visit, the tooth is physically shaped and prepared for the crown. An impression (or mold) is made and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. The temporary crown is usually constructed from plastic so it is not very strong. You need to take care not to chew hard or sticky foods with it. The impression is sent to our laboratory where a dental technician constructs the final crown.

On your second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted, adjusted and cemented into place.

Every crown is custom made for you and the tooth it will repair! Some adjustments may be required during and after the fitting process with our goal being to give you an aesthetic, long lasting tooth every time!

Dentures are created using artificial teeth embedded in a pink base.  The base rests on the ridges that remain after your teeth have all been extracted.  The base stays in place using suction but lower dentures may require the use of an adhesive to prevent movement – suction with lower dentures does not tend to be solid.

Although the technology for creating and placing dentures has improved in recent years, lower dentures do tend to be more uncomfortable and mobile then upper dentures.  Titanium dental implants can be used to help enhance the comfort and retention of your denture.  Dental implants provide a strong anchor upon which the denture can be placed, limiting mobility and providing for a more natural, comfortable fit.

If you are missing several teeth, an implant-supported bridge can provide a solid alternative which offers many benefits over a conventional denture.  The benefit of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support.  For many people who are missing teeth dental implants are the next best thing to having their own teeth.

Patients with a lower denture have found that the best reason for choosing an implant is it will help stop a lower denture from sliding. A removable denture can make chewing uncomfortable and talking difficult. Implants can restore function and aesthetics to normal levels even if a denture is still required. If you are interested in determining if you are a good candidate for a dental implant please speak to our receptionist and she will make the necessary consultation appointments.

Cracked to Broken

When a tooth begins to crack it will act like a crack in a windshield. Over time the crack will begin to grow or spread. If you wait until the tooth begins to ache, you are much more likely to need a root canal in addition to a crown. Prevention:

While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks.

• Don't chew on hard objects such as ice, un-popped popcorn kernels or pens.
• Don't clench or grind your teeth.
• If you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to us about getting a night guard to protect your teeth.
• Wear a mouth guard and/or a mask when playing contact sports.

If you experience symptoms of a fractured or cracked tooth, please contact us immediately.  Early diagnosis and treatment will reduce the risk of pain and suffering you may experience if the problem progresses.

Cuspal Fracture: When a cusp, or the pointed part of the chewing surface of your tooth, becomes weakened, the cusp may fracture.  Part of the cusp may break off or may need to be removed.  Depending upon the extent of the fracture, the pulp may also become damaged and a root canal may be required. 

Cracked Tooth:  This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth toward the root and sometimes below the gum line.  A cracked tooth is not completely split into two distinct pieces. This may cause sensitivity when biting or to cold temperature.

Movable Segments:  If caught early enough, the tooth is usually crowned but endodontic therapy may be needed at a later date (typically with in the first 6 months).  

Split Tooth:  A split tooth is a cracked tooth in which the crack has created 2 distinct segments that can be separated from one another.  The position and extent of the crack will determine if any portion of the tooth can be saved, but most of these teeth will need to be extracted.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.  A dental implant serves to replace both the natural tooth that has been lost and its root.  Implant technology and the materials we use today were originally developed in Europe more than 30 years ago. With a success rate in dental literature of 95 - 98 percent  they are a great option for patients who have good oral health but have lost a tooth or several teeth.

Choosing this form of treatment must be made carefully because it involves a long term commitment, a recognition that the technology can be expensive and is not without risk.  Because implants require surgery, patients must be in good health, have healthy gums, have adequate bone to support the implant and be committed to their optimal oral hygiene and maintaining regular dental visits.  When placing an implant an adequate height and width of bone must be in place to insert the implant into.  If there is not enough bone then a bone graft may be used to increase both the bone height and/or width before the implant surgery can take place.

Implants are very durable and will last for many years. Patients must refrain from certain behaviors, like smoking, or they will risk the success of their implant. Implants require the same care and maintenance as real teeth, including brushing, flossing and regular professional cleanings and dental check-ups. Dental implants can help restore your natural smile and give you the confidence you deserve and the comfort you once had.

Implants are a worthwhile investment but not all patients are candidates for this treatment. Numerous factors will need to be evaluated in determining if you are a good candidate, some of which include: overall health and wellness, medications, oral health history, tobacco usage, oral hygiene habits, gum disease, medications and the availability of adequate bone in which the implant will be placed.

​Periodontitis does have a number of root causes attributed to it but whatever the cause, proper oral hygiene is a very important part of treatment and prevention.

Genetics, diabetes and certain medications have been linked as contributors of periodontitis.  Some of the known causes that we have more control over include smoking, stress (may result in dry mouth) and poor nutrition. 

Periodontal disease (gum disease) includes both gingivitis and periodontitis.  Both conditions are serious and characteristic of chronic bacterial infections that affect the gums and bone supporting your teeth. 

Frequent and proper brushing and flossing are the keys to reducing the severity of either of these conditions and the intensity of the bad breath that can result from them. 

Typically gingivitis shows itself with red gums that are swollen and bleed often.  Gingivitis is the milder form of periodontal disease and is usually treatable with professional assistance and good home oral care

Periodontitis is characterized by the following principles:

 1.         bacteria and the host's immune response cause the disease;
 2.         the disease is chronic in nature and cannot be cured; and
 3.         we cannot remove all of the offending plaque for you.

Periodontitis is more severe than gingivitis and requires more intensive treatment. Periodontitis, if left untreated, can result in the permanent loss of teeth and may require surgical treatment. The fact that periodontitis cannot be cured does not mean that it cannot be treated effectively. Regular or more frequent visits are important.

If you suffer from periodontitis there are some things you should know about the condition and what you need to do keep it under control

Why do I need a root canal?

Root canal treatment is performed if you have compromised the health of the pulp of your tooth. Common symptoms include sore and swollen gums, toothache, pain when eating or drinking, and facial swelling. Despite common concerns root canal treatment is not painful, in fact it seeks to relieve the pain the infection or pulpitis is causing. Timely treatment can save a tooth and alleviate your pain and discomfort.

When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, root canal therapy is the best treatment option in order to save the tooth itself.  Keeping your teeth is a primary goal for us at Smilebrite Family Dental. Spaces left by tooth loss can cause your other teeth to move out of alignment and may result in other bite and jaw problems.  For us, saving a natural tooth also helps avoid replacing it with an artificial tooth.

Root Canal Therapy is the process of removing the infection and affected pulp tissue. Once the decaying material is removed, the canal is filled and the opening is sealed. Root canals are often sealed with permanent material and then covered with a crown. The crown is an essential step in ensuring that your bite alignment and jaw function as they did before the tooth infection occurred.

Most root canal therapy is successful but not always. In some cases retreatment may be required.  Your chances of a successful root canal are improved by early diagnosis and treatment.

Smoking

Although we would prefer that none of our patients smoked, it is very important to not smoke for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Smoking has many known risks for your overall health and your oral health in particular. Following root planing and most oral surgeries smoking is not recommended.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues that support each of your teeth.  The connective fibers that make up your gum tissue serve to anchor your tooth root into its socket and the surrounding bone.

Scaling is important and root planing may be necessary.  Scaling removes deposits of bacterial plaque, calculus, food debris, and pus that may have accumulated in the infected pocket(s).  It is a routine hygiene procedure that meticulously removes contaminants that have built up around the gum line.  Bacteria become plaque and plaque solidifies and becomes tartar.  Tartar is difficult to remove and when left, can increase inflammation and create pockets between your teeth and their surrounding gums.

Root planing smooths and cleans the root of the tooth so that the gum tissue may heal next to the tooth. How much work and how often it is required depends on each case.   Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth under the gum line where pockets have formed.  If proper treatment is maintained, the gums will be given a chance to heal and firmly reattach to roots that are clean and smooth.  This will help prevent tooth loss and problems with sensitivity.

Yes, cigarettes have profound and direct negative impact on disease.   Periodontitis has been linked to increasing the risk of certain other conditions such as heart disease and also an increase in the frequency of pre-term, low birth weight babies.