Dental Services

Dentists use the term “diastema” to refer to any space (gap) that lies between two teeth. From a standpoint of function and dental health, these types of gap-toothed situations do not pose a problem. In regards to cosmetic appearances, however, some people find them unappealing.

Tooth bonding provides one way a dentist can “close” (fill in) a diastema. Dental bonding can be placed on the two teeth that lie on each side of the gap so to reduce the gap’s overall width. Depending on its original size, a dentist and patient might decide to fill in a diastema just partially or else close it all of the way.

It could be possible that a diastema might be closed by way of placing porcelain veneers rather than dental bonding. For the most part, the same advantages and disadvantages weighed when making a decision between porcelain veneers and composite veneers should be considered when deciding how to close a diastema.

A dental bridge is made up of two dental crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth in between. Natural teeth, dental implants, or a combination of natural teeth and dental implants can be used to support the bridge.

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal ofdental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities(dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and flossing, and dental hygienistscan remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning.

An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It’s most commonly caused by severe tooth decay. Other causes of tooth abscess are trauma to the tooth, such as when it is broken or chipped, and gingivitis or gum disease.
These problems can cause openings in the tooth enamel, which allows bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (called the pulp). The infection may also spread from the root of the tooth to the bones supporting the tooth.
To eliminate infection, the abscess may need to be drained. Achieving drainage may be done through the tooth by a procedure known as a root canal. The tooth may also be extracted, allowing drainage through the socket. Finally, a third way to drain the abscess would be by incision into the swollen gum tissue.

Antibiotics are prescribed to help fight the infection. To relieve the pain and discomfort associated with an abscessed tooth, warm salt-water rinses and over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be used.

A dental crown is a restorative oral prosthesis, similar to a thimble over a thumb, and that is shaped and made to look like a real tooth. A crown is usually placed over a tooth that was damaged by eitherdecay or by a fracture, to cover and protect it by reconstructing its shape, its size and its strength. A deteriorated tooth, which requires a dental crown, may be alive or have been treated with a root canal.
Once cemented, a dental crown completely covers the portion of the tooth which is above the gum. Porcelain is the material that is mainly used to make a crown because of its aesthetic qualities, with visual properties that are very similar to dental enamel. Therefore a crown looks like a real tooth in its shape and colour.

Reasons for a crown:

• To protect a weakened tooth (by tooth decay for example) against rupture, or to keep together a cracked tooth.
• To restore an already broken tooth or a severely worn out tooth.
• To restore a tooth that has had a root canal and a post.
• To cover and support a tooth that had a large filling when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure left to be restored by a new filling.
• To cover a tooth that is malformed or severely discoloured.
• To cover a dental implant.

Types of crowns:

• An all ceramic crown is the most aesthetic crown because it is made of porcelain only and is Dr. Halpin’s preferred material. Its shape and colour can match the qualities of natural teeth very closely. Porcelain only crowns are recommended for anterior (front) teeth to favour beauty and offer a better looking smile. Porcelain crowns are generally fabricated in a dental laboratory.
• A crown made of gold alloy is the one that lasts the longest. It resists very well to chewing forces, it rarely breaks, and it causes very little wear to opposing teeth. The gold’s metallic colour is the main disadvantage of this type of crown and this factor reduces its popularity.
• A crown made of porcelain fused to gold is a more aesthetic crown than the one made of gold alloy. Porcelain can make a crown look very similar to a natural tooth. The gold part, which is located below the porcelain, helps give strength to the tooth. Sometimes the gold under the porcelain may show, especially at the gum level.
• A CEREC crown is also made of porcelain only. This technology allows the dentist to engineer himself the crown following an electronic impression. Even though CEREC’s porcelain is an option today, dental laboratory’s porcelains are still more aesthetic and resemble more the natural appearance of teeth.

A temporary or provisional crown is made by the dentist himself and has a lifespan of a few weeks. It is made of acrylic or stainless steel, and serves as a temporary restoration until the permanent crown is made by a dental laboratory. A temporary crown is not strong and can break easily.

A replacement tooth called a crown will be created for you by your dentist and attached to the implant abutment. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak. Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that the dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.

In 2007, Dr. Halpin went from placing crowns on implanted teeth, to also surgically placing implants. This has reduced our patients’ wait for an implant as they no longer have to be referred to an oral surgeon for the procedure.

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable, however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants.

Dr. Halpin is now able to utilize mini implants for the stabilization of a complete denture.

Our office sets aside time daily for emergency care. If you have a dental emergency please do not hesitate to call for assistance. For after hour emergency care, please call the office where there will be a phone number on our answering machine with instructions on how to get in touch with the dentist on call. Please do not hesitate to call if needed.

The foremost cause of gum disease is plaque buildup, which forms on your teeth continuously. This sticky, clear substance can be somewhat eliminated with regular, twice-a-day flossing and brushing of the teeth; however, these methods do not adequately rid the teeth and gums of all plaque, so routine professional cleaning is essential.
Almost 75% of the general population does not get their teeth professionally cleaned on a basis regular enough to prevent gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), which, if left untreated, turns into periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

Typical non-surgical gum treatments include root planning and scaling, and are usually advised if pockets exist between your gums and teeth that exceed a depth of three millimeters. Scaling and root planing is considered “conventional periodontal therapy,” and differs from regular professional cleanings by cleaning deeper beneath the gum line and eliminating more than the soft, sticky plaque that is removed by general cleaning.

Local freezing can be provided if a patient hasn’t had a cleaning for a long time and finds a scaling or root planning session uncomfortable.

Invisalign and Spark aligner systems are a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that dentists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces. Your clear aligner treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. Since your aligner system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist, you know you’ll end up with a smile that truly fits.

Invisalign – Click Here to See How It Works

Dr. Halpin has been a Certified Invisalign Practitioner since 2006. Our support staff are also all trained in clear aligner systems.

In 2020 our team began also offering the Spark aligner system, in addition to Invisalign. We find benefits to both aligner systems and work together with our patients to find the aligner system that will work best for them.

Properly diagnosed, designed, and custom fabricated mouthguards are essential in the prevention of athletic oral/facial injuries. A properly fitted mouthguard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing, and (possibly the most important criteria) have excellent retention, fit, and sufficient thickness in critical areas. Presently, over 90% of the mouthguards worn are of the variety bought at sporting good stores. The other 10% are of the custom made variety diagnosed and designed by a health professional (dentist and/or athletic trainer). We highly recommend a custom made mouthguard, for the very best in oral/facial protection as well as concussion deterrence.

Dental anxiety or phobia is said to effect up to 75% of the population in one way or another. At Bridgeview Dental we have a commitment to provide a great experience for all of our patients. Patients have dental fears for various reasons. We find for the majority of patients that a little bit of extra TLC and patience is all it takes to alleviate this stress. For other patients sedation is the best approach to reducing anxiety and fear.

At Bridgeview Dental we offer both Oral Sedation and Nitrous Sedation and a combination of both. We also refer patients to receive both IV sedation and general anaesthetic if necessary. We utilize Nitrous Oxide Sedation for dental procedures such as fillings, root canals and extractions. We do not offer this form of sedation for hygiene appointments. For hygiene we offer oral sedation, local and topical anaesthetic.

What is Nitrous Oxide Sedation?

Nitrous Oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) is a sweet smelling gas that has both an analgesic (pain relieving) and anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) effect when inhaled as a mixture with Oxygen. Nitrous Oxide enters and leaves the body unchanged and therefore has a rapid onset and rapid recovery time. This also allows the operator to control the level of effect throughout the procedure. Nitrous oxide and oxygen are delivered to the patient through a tight fitting nose mask.

Who is Nitrous Oxide Sedation for?

Nitrous Oxide sedation has a range of uses in the dental offices. Some patients only fear the dental injection (needle) and we only use sedation for this stage of treatment. Other patients feel anxiety during the entire procedure and this can be heightened by the drill noise and such. Nitrous Oxide sedation can also help patients with a lower pain tolerance.

Nitrous Oxide sedation can be particularly useful in children’s dental care. Many children are afraid of needles and dental treatment. Nitrous Oxide sedation can be administered to keep a child from panicking during the procedure. It may also completely eliminate the need for anesthetic.

Who can not take Nitrous Oxide Sedation?

You must discuss this with your dentist as everybody has their own unique medical history. In general, Nitrous Oxide sedation can be safely administered on most of the population, depending on behaviour. As long as the patient is cooperative, we can usually use it and each patient is pre-assessed for it’s use. All health concerns will be discussed with the dentist prior to nitrous use.

How long until I recover from the sedation? Can I drive home after?

Once the Nitrous Oxide gas is turned off, the patient is breathing 100% Oxygen. It only takes a few seconds for the effects to fade. We keep you on 100% Oxygen for 3-5 minutes just to be safe. This also helps prevent possible headaches afterwards. As long as you feel fine you are free to leave unattended and drive as well.

If you are interested in receiving treatment under Nitrous Oxide Sedation, please call us at 902-445-9255 or email info@smilehalifax.ca.

Orthodontics (from Greek orthos “straight or proper”; and odons“tooth”) is the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Dr. Halpin’s philosophy with orthodontics is based on early intervention as much as possible. This means every child should have an orthodontic consultation, which can be done during a regular hygiene cleaning appointment, by 6 yrs of age. Then a plan can be outlined which often uses functional oral appliances (retainers) and braces.

Dr. Halpin has been an Associate Member of the International Association for Orthodontics since 2001 and in 2010, completed an upgrade in his credentials for Advanced Orthodontics. Our hygienists are also fully trained and certified in providing orthodontics. In 2017 we invested in an iTero dental scanner to benefit our patients. This means no more goopy impressions!

Veneers are thin shells that cover the front side of teeth. They are used to restore stained, discoloured, deformed or slightly damaged teeth from wearing out. Veneers are mainly placed over front teeth, therefore correcting their contour, colour and size to improve the smile’s appearance.

Although we do provide veneers in our office in some situations, Dr. Halpin still believes that in most cases orthodontics is a better long-term solution than veneers.

Recontouring involves the removal of small amounts of tooth enamel in order to change the length, shape or surface contours of a tooth. It is a relatively quick and painless procedure and is also called tooth reshaping or odontoplasty. It is an effective way to correct minor imperfections and can improve overall dental health, by removing minor crevices or overlaps where plaque or tartar can build up. When recontouring cannot completely fix tooth imperfections, your dentist may combine this treatment with bonding.

There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks, each of which requires a different treatment:

• Minor cracks — Also called “craze lines,” these are surface cracks that affect only the outer white surface of the tooth, called the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment, however your dentist may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots.
• Cracked tooth — This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with filling material. The tooth often will need a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may need a root canal as well.
• Chips — Minor chips don’t always need treatment. Your dentist may suggest repairing the damage with filling material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look and feel better. If the chip is very small, the dentist may polish and smooth out the chipped area.
• Broken cusp — These breaks affect the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause much pain. Your dentist may repair the damage to restore the tooth’s shape. Frequently, however, a crown will be required.
• Serious breaks — These breaks go deep enough to expose the nerve. They almost always cause the tooth to hurt and be sensitive. Sometimes the broken part of the tooth will bleed. You will need root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve and probably a crown to restore the tooth to normal function so you can eat and chew properly.
• Vertical breaks or split root — These cracks start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. These breaks are often painful because the area around the root may be inflamed or infected. In most cases, the tooth will have to be removed and replaced with a bridge or a dental implant.
• Decay-induced break — In this case, the tooth has broken or crumbled because a cavity weakened it from the inside out. Your dentist will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth. In some cases, if the decay is extensive and goes down to the bone, the tooth may have to be removed and replaced with a bridge or a dental implant.

Root canal treatment is needed for two main reasons:

Infection

An untreated cavity is a common cause of pulp infection. The decay erodes the enamel and dentin of the tooth until it reaches a root canal. This allows bacteria to infect the pulp and antibiotics are not a permanent solution. The inflammation caused by the infection reduces the blood supply to the tooth. The reduced blood supply also keeps the pulp from healing.

Pulp damage

Trauma or a fractured tooth can damage the pulp. So can a lot of restorations, such as several fillings placed in the same tooth over a period of time.An infection in the pulp can affect the bone around the tooth. This can cause an abscess to form. The goal of root canal treatment is to save the tooth by removing the infected or damaged pulp, treating any infection, and filling the empty root canals.

If root canal treatment is not done, an infected tooth may have to be extracted. It is better to keep your natural teeth if you can. If a tooth is missing, neighboring teeth can drift out of line. They also can be overstressed from chewing. Keeping your natural teeth also helps you to avoid other treatments, such as implants or bridges. Also, if you ignore an infected or injured tooth the infection can spread to other parts of your body.

An uncomplicated root canal treatment often can be completed in one visit. Once the root canal treatment is finished, you will need to have a crown or filling placed on the tooth. You are likely to receive a crown if the tooth is discolored or if it is used for chewing. The purpose of the crown is to prevent the tooth from breaking in the future.

Dr. Halpin performs most root canals himself, so a referral is rarely required.

What makes you unhappy about your smile? Is it crooked teeth, gaps between your teeth, or stains? Whatever it is, Bridgeview Dental offers the latest Smile Makeover procedures to solve these issues and create the smile of your dreams.

A Smile Makeover is a cosmetic dentistry treatment plan that uses both cosmetic and aesthetic procedures to restore and improve your smile. Quickly and comfortably, Halifax dentist, Dr. Andrew Halpin can correct:

• Crooked, overlapped teeth
• Chipped, broken, worn teeth
• Unattractive metal fillings
• Missing teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Gummy smiles
• Stained, discolored teeth

Your smile will be transformed, and your self-confidence will be renewed with a stunning, straight, white smile! A thorough dental examination is the first step to a more beautiful smile. During the consultation, you will discuss your goals, expectations, and desired outcome to determine how your new smile will look.

Before cosmetic work can begin, any outstanding dental health issues must be addressed and corrected. When the function of your mouth, teeth and gums is in good shape, Dr. Halpin is ready to move on to the “beauty” portion of enhancing your smile.

Each Smile Makeover is different and highly individual.

Sleep apnea is characterized by an interruption in breathing during sleep. People with this disorder may stop breathing up to hundreds of times during the night, often for a second or two at a time. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Interruption in breathing patterns during sleep
• A feeling of being tired and not getting enough sleep

Diagnosis of sleep apnea will characterize what kind of problem you have. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two kinds. This is where the back of the throat collapses, obstructing breathing. Central sleep apnea is the less common version of the condition. This is where there is no obstruction of breathing, but the central nervous system fails to signal the lungs to keep breathing during sleep due to some kind of instability in the respiratory system.

Since 2006, Dr. Halpin has been certified in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea through the use of oral appliances. He works carefully to diagnose and treat each patient individually.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is pain in the jaw joint that can be caused by a variety of medical problems. The TMJ connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone) in front of the ear. Certain facial muscles control chewing and problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, facial pain, ear pain, headaches, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, problems biting, and jaw clicking or popping sounds when you bite. Dental treatments do not cause TMJ.

TMJ syndrome can be caused by:

• Trauma
• Disease
• Wear and tear due to aging
• Habits such as grinding or clenching the teeth
• An incorrect bite
• Stress
• Nail biting

Common symptoms include noticeable pain when a person is moving his or her jaw, such as when eating, chewing, or yawning. The pain will more frequently be on one side of the jaw, but sometimes will be on both sides and can be gradual or sharp and sudden. A sufferer may also feel soreness or tenderness to the face, which may radiate to other areas including the ears, head, neck and even the shoulders. The strain and discomfort often leads to severe headaches, particularly in children. People of any age and gender may suffer from TMJ.

Dr. Halpin has been treating patients with TMJ issues since 2000. Treatment starts with an orthodontic evaluation to determine if you have TMJ and how it can be remedied.

A night guard made by Dr. Halpin, might be given to the TMJ patient to stabilize the jaw during sleep. These night guards, or splints, are clear plastic devices that would be used to reduce teeth grinding and clenching at night (a condition called bruxism). The splints would help in keeping the jaw’s condition from worsening, relieving pain, and helping a displaced disc to return to normal. Dr. Halpin tends to make anterior deprogrammers, as opposed to flat biteplanes. The cost is approximately the same, but the success of anterior deprogrammers much higher.

We are pleased to offer FREE consultations with Dr. Halpin for TMJ.

A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable or broken, cracked and extensively decayed teeth. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are also done.

Dr. Halpin routinely performs all of his own extractions, including wisdom tooth removal.

Most of us have at least one unsightly silver dental filling in our mouths, if not several. There was a time when mercury fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, were the best materials dentists had to restore teeth affected by cavities.

Advances in dental technology have replaced the use of amalgam fillings with white, composite fillings. While mercury fillings are still being placed by some dentists, Dr. Halpin has chosen to treat our patients with only the latest composite and porcelain dental materials.

Dark-coloured amalgam fillings are not only unattractive but these dental fillings can also put teeth at risk of fracture. Over time these metal fillings will corrode and expand, resulting in broken or cracked teeth and/or the development of new decay under these fillings.

Natural-coloured composite (white) fillings closely match the natural colour of your teeth. In fact, even close up they can be difficult to spot, helping to maintain the natural appearance of your smile. The same cannot be said about amalgam fillings, which are easy to spot and undeniably unnatural looking. Silver fillings can corrode and leak metal ions into natural tooth structure, resulting in a dark and even black appearance to your teeth.

You can expect personalized care and service at Bridgeview Dental. Dr. Halpin will thoroughly examine each of your teeth. In many cases we will take digital photographs of your teeth and fillings to allow Dr. Halpin to see hidden or small cracks more easily.

Stronger, mercury–free dental restorations may be recommended if any of your existing amalgam fillings exhibit signs of cracking, wearing, leaking or deteriorating. Depending on the size of your existing filling, the tooth may be best restored with a white filling or a dental inlay or onlay.

Contact us today in Halifax, NS to learn more about how you can achieve the beautiful, functional smile you’ve always wanted!

Tooth whitening is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients and there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after whitening so they will match the newly whitened teeth.

Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or red wine.  Bridgeview Dental will provide to each patient receiving SpaDent whitening, FREE custom made whitening trays to take home for long term touch-ups so you can keep your smile white and beautiful!

Reasons for tooth whitening:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development).
• Normal wear of outer tooth layer.
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.).
• Yellow, brown stained teeth.

What does tooth whitening involve?

Our clinic now offers Spa-Dent Light Activated Whitening done in 1 hour!

The Spa-Dent whitening process provides the maximum whitening benefit, in the least amount of time with virtually no sensitivity, all under the supervision of your Dental Professional. The revolutionary gel formulation is placed in dual arch mouth trays with the precise dosage of whitening material. Our unique blue and red LED light activates the gel, providing powerful whitening with cellular stimulation.

This process will penetrate but not harm or damage the tooth enamel, including caps, crowns and veneers. The effect whitens the whole “smile” area of a patient’s teeth.

You will be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.

 

See “Tooth Removal”.