Suter Brook Dental

General Dentistry

Gum Grafting

Gum Grafting in Port Moody

Suter Brook Dental Group offers gum grafting procedures for receding gums, which are typically the result of gum disease. This procedure helps to build up the gums and restore a healthy base for the teeth, preventing pain, sensitivity, and tooth loss.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. When a patient has been diagnosed with gum disease, the gum tissue may diminish or pull back from the teeth. This can leave the roots of the teeth exposed or vulnerable and may result in the instability of the teeth.

Symptoms of gum disease include: 

  • Pain during normal activities such as chewing, speaking, or brushing the teeth and gums
  • Sensitive teeth 
  • Loose teeth 
  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
  • Teeth that appear longer due to gum recession, which may ultimately expose the root of the tooth if the recession continues

Gum Grafting Procedures

If you are experiencing more advanced symptoms of gum disease, our dental team will examine your gums to determine if you are a good candidate for gum graft surgery. In a gum grafting procedure, healthy gum tissue from another area of the mouth is harvested and “grafted” onto locations where gum tissue has receded or thinned. Typically, tissue from the roof of the mouth is used for gum grafting, but it depends on the type of gum graft you need.  

There are several types of gum graft procedures, including free gingival grafts, connective tissue grafts, and pedicle grafts. Your experienced dental team at Suter Brook Dental Group will examine the level of your gum recession to decide which type of grafting will be most beneficial for your oral health. 

Additional Information About
Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is a treatment option that can be adapted to the diverse needs of patients. The experienced dental team at Suter Brook Dental Group can provide you with more specific details about gum grafting and how it will work for you. Be sure to book an appointment with our team to gain a full understanding of the procedure and what to expect.

Request an Appointment

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. When a patient has been diagnosed with gum disease, the gum tissue may diminish or pull back from the teeth. This can leave the roots of the teeth exposed or vulnerable and may result in the instability of the teeth.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening in Port Moody

Early detection of oral cancer can save lives! Suter Brook Dental Group can prevent health issues such as oral cancer by providing regular screening at your appointments. If you have questions or concerns about oral cancer, let us know; we will be happy to provide you with personalized information about the risks, screening process, and treatments. 

Why Early Detection is Essential

The Oral Cancer Foundation has stated that oral cancers are becoming more prevalent each year. However, when oral cancer is detected early, there is an 80-90% survival rate when it is treated. This is very high compared to some other types of cancer. 

Our goal is to help guarantee early diagnosis and treatment for our patients by providing regular screening to detect oral cancer at an early stage. In most regular appointments, such as dental hygiene cleanings and check-ups, your dental team will examine your mouth for abnormalities that may indicate oral cancer.

Our Oral Cancer Screening Process

At Suter Brook Dental Group, we screen for oral cancer in most regular appointments, such as dental hygiene cleanings and dental exams. However, if you have noticed any symptoms or are experiencing discomfort, we encourage you to book an appointment for a screening. 

Your dental team will begin by asking you about the risk factors for oral cancer, including lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking and alcohol use. After this, your mouth, jaw, head, and neck will be gently touched to feel for lumps. We also use a tool called Velscope. This tool is very non-invasive and uses a special light to detect abnormal tissue and cancer cells. 

If our team has concerns about your oral health after conducting our screening process, we’ll help you take the next steps to confirm a diagnosis. 

Symptoms and Signs of Oral Cancer

Common symptoms of oral cancer involve changes to the facial or intraoral region. Signs to be aware of include:

  • Lumps and bumps on the mouth, neck, or jaw
  • Thickening or swelling of tissue 
  • Mouth sores 
  • Intraoral bleeding
  • Hoarseness or voice changes
  • Unexplained weight loss 
  • Pain in or around the ears

If you notice symptoms that last more than two weeks, we recommend booking an appointment to have an oral cancer screening. 

Reduce Your Risks

Risk factors for oral cancer include: 

  • Exposure to the HPV-16 virus
  • Tobacco use
  • Prolonged or excessive sun exposure
  • Alcohol use (especially when combined with tobacco use)
  • Poor oral health

Suter Brook Dental Group is here to help you avoid risks to your health. We have resources and tools for you to help you understand the risk factors for oral cancer and take care of your oral health at home and in our dental office.

Request an Appointment

To schedule a dental exam and receive oral cancer screening, please call our office directly to book an appointment. Our administrative team will be happy to help you!

Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants in
Port Moody

Suter Brook Dental Group offers dental sealants to help protect our patients’ teeth from tooth decay and cavities. If you have questions about dental sealants, be sure to ask your dental care team about whether they’re right for you at your next dental exam or cleaning appointment.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are protective coatings that are painted gently over the tooth surface to protect the tooth enamel from bacteria, germs, and food particles. Your team of dental professionals may recommend dental sealants as a preventative treatment in a regular dental exam or dental hygiene appointment. 

Dental sealants can be particularly useful in areas of the teeth that are difficult to clean, such as in the pits and fissures (grooves) of the permanent molars and premolars. They’re often applied in areas where there are small lesions that could lead to more serious cavities.

Dental Sealants for Children

The earlier a sealant can be applied, the more effective it will be in preventing dental cavities. This is why, in many cases, dental sealants are used for children and teens. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) specifically recommends dental sealants for children, citing evidence that the risk of cavities is three times greater for children without sealants than children with sealants. Note that dental sealants are usually only applied to the occlusal surfaces (chewing surfaces) of the permanent teeth.

Dental Sealants for Adults

Dental sealants are most often used for children, but they may also be used to prevent cavities later in life. However, sealants tend to last for many years, so if sealants have been applied previously, adults will not need new sealant. 

What to Expect

A dental sealant is a very non-invasive treatment method that uses several liquid dental materials to coat specific areas of the teeth (usually over the chewing surfaces, rather than the smooth surfaces of the teeth). The sealant materials may need to be hardened using a special light. 

Dental sealant is almost clear, which means it won’t be visible on the teeth after it’s applied. Once you’ve finished your appointment, you can return to your usual routine right away. Be sure to follow the oral hygiene routine your dental care team has provided for you! This will help ensure the dental sealant procedure is effective and prevent future cavities from developing.

Request an Appointment

Suter Brook Dental Group is pleased to offer dental advice, diagnosis, and treatments to the Suter Brook Village Community. If you have questions about your oral health or you need to book an appointment, reach out to us today.  

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays in
Port Moody

Dental x-rays are a medical imaging tool we use to look at portions of your mouth that aren’t visible to the eye. They’re an important part of regular dental exams and play an essential role in diagnosing oral health issues.

Types of X-Rays

Dental x-rays are also known as dental radiographs. Using a very low amount of radiation, x-ray machines provide an image of the areas below the surface of your teeth and gums. 

Intraoral x-rays capture images from inside the mouth and are typically highly detailed. Meanwhile, extraoral x-rays are captured from outside the mouth and may be less detailed. For example, a panoramic x-ray is often a machine that rotates around your head and captures images of all the structures that make up your face, neck, head, and oral cavity. CT (computed tomography) scans are another highly detailed type of extraoral x-ray that provides 3D imaging of a particular area. 

When Are X-Rays Needed?

X-rays are often used for diagnosing dental issues, planning dental treatments, and assessing dental emergencies. New patients may require additional x-rays so that the dental team can assess all of the features of your mouth and face. 

We may also base the type and frequency of x-rays on factors such as your age, your medical and dental history, and whether we are monitoring ongoing symptoms of current or potential oral diseases or issues. Children tend to receive more x-rays so our dentists can intervene early if there are issues in the development of the permanent teeth.

What to Expect

Your dental care team at Suter Brook Dental Group works hard to make your x-ray experience as positive and non-invasive as possible. Before the x-ray, you’ll be given a leaded apron to place over your torso to protect your organs from the radiation (keep in mind that radiation exposure from dental x-rays is very minimal).

Once the x-ray machine is properly positioned and ready, your dentist or dental hygienist will ask you to stay as still as possible so that the images can be captured accurately. Most x-rays take only a few seconds to capture, but the machine may need to be repositioned several times to capture all the images your dentist needs.

Request an Appointment

Suter Brook Dental Group uses dental technology to monitor and maintain the dental health of our patients. Keeping up to date images of your teeth on file can help us monitor any changes in your oral health and take preventative or restorative action. Book your dental exam or dental hygiene appointment with our experienced team today.

Patient Exams

Suter Brook Dental Group Welcomes New Patients

Caring for the oral health of our patients begins with regular dental exams. These check-ups give our team the opportunity to detect oral health problems early, which can improve treatment outcomes and lead to better general health.

Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygienists in
Port Moody

Excellent dental hygiene leads to a brighter, healthier smile. Regular appointments with our knowledgeable dental hygienists can prevent oral health issues from developing and boost your overall quality of life. We look forward to seeing you in the dental chair at your next appointment!

Root Canals

Root Canals Treatments in Port Moody

If the root of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, it can be a very painful and uncomfortable experience. We provide root canal treatments right here in our dental offices located in Suter Brook Village. Our experienced dentists can help save the tooth that is affected and keep your smile intact!

Teeth Extractions

Teeth Extractions in Port Moody

Suter Brook Dental Group is pleased to offer teeth extraction services in our Suter Brook Village dental office, including wisdom teeth removal. We work hard to help you maintain the health of your teeth, but in some cases, the removal of a tooth is necessary for your overall oral health.
2

When was your last visit?

Take Care Of Your Oral Health & Book Your Dental Hygiene Appointment Today.