What We Offer
Our team is committed to tailoring a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. We strive to provide the most up-to-date, comprehensive and gentle care possible.
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We will always make time to see our patients should there be a dental emergency. If your specific dentist is not available, another dentist will be able to see you to diagnose and treat the problem. Please do not hesitate to call our office at 902-835-3954 should an emergency arise, or if you need after-hours information left on our answering machine each day.
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We perform all aspects of preventative dentistry including scaling and root planing (cleaning), polishing, fluoride application (as needed), sealants, and preventative restorations. The frequency of regular cleaning appointments is always patient-specific, and it depends on your periodontal (gum) diagnosis as well as your oral home care. We strongly support preventative dentistry as a means to maintain a healthy mouth for a lifetime.
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Fillings
Fillings restore or replace missing or damaged/diseased tooth structure. We can also use fillings to reshape teeth. We use white (composite) and silver (amalgam) filling materials to restore teeth. Porcelain and gold materials can also be used to replace tooth material for a longer-term restoration. Depending on the location and degree of the tooth damage we may recommend one material over another. We will discuss the best-suited material with you and make sure you are happy with the type of restoration you receive.
Crowns
If significant tooth material is damaged or missing, we may recommend a crown (cap) for the tooth. Crowns can be recommended for esthetic reasons as well. A crown is a long-term restoration that is custom made for the tooth and cemented or bonded into place. With the addition of our digital scanner and milling unit at Bedford Dental, we are now capable of fabricating Cerec crowns on site and can usually insert your crown in one appointment! This procedure can sometimes require 2 appointments, if so, the first appointment we prepare the tooth and fabricate a temporary crown for you to leave with. The second appointment we cement the final crown in place. Most modern crowns are made of a very strong and esthetic material called zirconia, a combination of zirconia and ceramic, or all-ceramic. Crowns can also be made of gold. With proper care crowns can last decades.
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If significant tooth material is damaged or missing, we may recommend a crown (cap) for the tooth. Crowns can be recommended for esthetic reasons as well. A crown is a long-term restoration that is custom made for the tooth and cemented or bonded into place. With the addition of our digital scanner and milling unit at Bedford Dental, we are now capable of fabricating Cerec crowns on site and can usually insert your crown in one appointment!
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We offer a full variety of aesthetic restorations to address all your cosmetic concerns. We can use composite (white filling) bonding, ceramic crowns, veneers and bleaching to treat many aesthetic problems. Sometimes we can eliminate areas of spacing and mild crowding using these methods, while other times you may need orthodontics (movement of the teeth with braces or removable appliances) to achieve the best result.
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Dental implants are currently the most successful long-term way of replacing missing teeth. Essentially, a dental implant is a titanium "root". It gets placed in the jaw (in the location where your tooth root used to be). We can then build a crown on top of it. Implants are most often placed with normal anesthetic, like when a filling is done. The patient is fully awake and able to communicate with us.
Unlike a partial denture, an implant crown is not bulky and it is fixed in place. Unlike a bridge it is a self-supported structure (leaving the adjacent teeth alone), which can be brushed and flossed like any other tooth. Implants also support the bone, meaning that the bone is maintained in that area, just like a natural tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace all types of missing tooth areas, including supporting a full denture. Implants greatly increase denture retention and stability, especially in the lower jaw, where dentures tend to just "float around".
We both place implants and restore them at our clinic. Please call our office if you are interested in a dental implant consult.
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Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colorless, odorless gas that is used during dental treatment for anxiety relief and relaxation. It is administered through a nasal mask and it can cause feelings of happiness and sedation. People are able to respond to commands, talk, swallow and breathe as normal while having nitrous oxide sedation. Recovery from nitrous oxide sedation is rapid and is flushed and eliminated fully from your system within minutes at the end of your appointment by normal breathing. You are able to walk and drive safely after nitrous oxide sedation.
Dr. Catherine Murphy has special training to administer nitrous oxide sedation at Bedford Dental Centre.
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Professional dental office bleaching is a proven method for permanently whitening teeth. This is because we are capable of using professional strength bleaching solutions that change the colour of the deeper layers of the tooth (dentin) in a very controlled and safe way. We offer two different methods of tooth whitening. Your dentist will evaluate your unique situation to determine if you are a good candidate for professional tooth whitening, and which bleaching method would be ideal for you.
The first is a take-home system where custom-fitting trays are made for your teeth. You then place the bleaching solution in these trays and wear them for 1-5 hours at a time. You control the timing of your bleaching sessions. Typically, this system requires 2-3 weeks of intermittent bleaching sessions to achieve optimal results.
The second bleaching method is the in-office Zoom2! Treatment. The big advantage of this system is that you achieve optimal results in one visit. This technique involves placing a strong bleaching solution on the teeth, after the gums and soft tissues have been protected. A light is then directed at the teeth to intensify the bleaching effect. The treatment involves 3-4 fifteen minute bleaching sessions. We also provide the custom made bleaching trays with this method so that you can do touch-up bleaching over the years to come.
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When the inner most layer of the tooth (the pulp) has been irreversibly damaged, we will often recommend root canal therapy to save the tooth. Irreversible pulp damage can be caused by deep cavities, trauma, or even heavy chronic forces such as grinding. Without root canal therapy an infection will begin in the tooth and surrounding bone. These infections may or may not be immediately painful, but do require treatment. We use advanced techniques to clean and disinfect the inner infected layer of the tooth, then fill the root canal space, so we can successfully restore the tooth. We have multiple methods to keep you very comfortable should you require a root canal. Most patients actually become quite relaxed during the procedure and some even fall asleep!
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When a tooth is not restorable due to extensive decay or trauma, we will need to remove it. We use the most gentle techniques possible to remove teeth, especially since it is so important to try to maintain the surrounding bone and soft tissue should you wish to have a dental implant to replace it. Again, we have multiple methods to keep you as comfortable as possible, should you require an extraction.
We also perform other types of surgery. Some of these include: removal of excess gum tissue, gum surgeries, implant placement surgeries, and root tip surgeries.
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We make many different types of removable dentures to replace missing teeth. When a patient is missing all of the teeth in either the top or bottom jaw, we can fabricate complete dentures. If there are teeth remaining, we can design a partial denture (one with a cast-metal base). We also make temporary plastic partial dentures, and implant-supported over dentures that "click" into place.
Although dentures do not provide the same level of form or chewing function as real teeth or dental implant teeth, they can still be designed to look and feel very life-like. The fabrication of any denture is sophisticated work, requiring between 4-8 appointments.
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A bridge (also called a fixed partial denture) is another method of replacing a missing tooth (or teeth). Fabrication of a bridge involves preparing both the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth space for crowns (abutments). Then the laboratory makes a false tooth (or teeth) that is attached to the crowns on either side. The bridge is made in one solid piece and is cemented into place (it is non-removable).
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We treat children of all ages.
We believe that prevention is the most important foundation our child patients need to maintain a healthy smile for life! For this reason we developed our "Well-Baby Visit", so that our families can start out on the right foot.
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The Canadian Dental Association and our IWK dentists recommend that children be examined by their dentist 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth. For most children this would mean that their first visit would be between ages 12-18 months. We have designed a specific appointment for these young patients and their parents that should set a wonderful dental foundation for your family. The appointment is set up with one of our experienced hygienists. Your dentist will visit during the appointment to perform a knee-to knee exam with your baby, and address any specific concerns.
We understand that children of this age are generally not capable of sitting alone in the dental chair, or having a full "cleaning" of their little teeth yet. We have many techniques for working with our very young patients in a quick and playful way. We have designed the appointment to be very informative for parents and guardians of infants and toddlers. Along with a risk assessment for the development of cavities, we answer all of your most common questions such as:
- When will my child get all of his or her teeth?
- Are my child's teeth coming in the right order and on time?
- Do my child's teeth have cavities?
- When should I start brushing and flossing his or her teeth?
- How do I brush and floss my child's teeth at this age?
- Should I use fluoridated toothpaste, when and how much?
- What if my child swallows toothpaste?
- What types of drinks should I be giving my child in his or her zippy cup?
- What types of foods should I be feeding my child for a healthy body and healthy teeth?
- My child chipped his or her tooth! What should we do?
- What should I do if my child falls and bumps his or her tooth?
- What should I do if my child's front tooth is grey?
- When are my child's baby teeth going to fall out?
- After the well-baby visit, children are normally seen starting at age 3 for regular cleanings and check-ups. We clean the teeth, check for cavities, monitor growth and development and encourage and educate children about good oral home care.
We welcome new child patients at any stage of their growth and development. We perform many different types of treatments for children including fillings, extractions, sealants, space maintainers and some orthodontic appliances.
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Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry involving the bite (or occlusion), dental-facial growth modification, and well as the movement of the teeth. Different appliances are used to move the teeth and/or influence a patient's growth and development in a beneficial way. Some orthodontic appliances include braces, removable appliances, and appliances that are fixed or cemented into place.
We provide many orthodontic appliances that are removable and cemented into place. When we feel that you or your child could benefit from braces or more sophisticated orthodontic treatment, we will refer you to an experienced, certified orthodontist, who will provide state of the art care.
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Geriatric dentistry involves all aspects of dental care for the elderly. We care for many geriatric patients. As we age, cognitive function and manual dexterity decrease, and it becomes much more difficult to care for the teeth properly. Due to general health conditions and prescribed medications, this population often suffers from oral conditions such as root cavities and extremely dry mouth (xerostomia). We greatly respect and enjoy working with our geriatric patients.
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We design bite planes to address many complaints and concerns including night-time clenching and grinding (bruxism) and TMJ (temperomandibular joint) dysfunction (TMD). TMD is a complex entity involving bone/cartilage, nerves and muscles. It is generally multi-factorial in nature and as such, has a variety of recommended treatment options depending on the diagnosis including behavior/habit modification, bite plane therapy, physic or massage therapy, medications, and even surgery. We diagnose and treat many cases of bruxism and TMD in our clinic. In more complex cases we may refer you to a certified TMD specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
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We strongly encourage our athlete patients to wear sports mouth guards during all contact sports to protect the teeth and gums. It is easier to protect than it is to replace! We fabricate custom-made mouth guards in our clinic that are thinner, stronger and allow for more airflow for breathing than any over-the-counter mouthguard.
