General FAQs

 

Q) How long is an initial dental appointment?

A) Dental appointments are usually between 30 and 45 minutes. Anticipate a comprehensive assessment of your jaws, teeth, gums, bite, and oral tissues to evaluate the development and growth of your teeth. If needed, a cleaning may be performed before polishing the teeth and extracting tartar, plaque, and surface stains.

Q) Should I bring anything to my first appointment?

A) Yes, if applicable, please bring a list of your current prescriptions. In addition, any relevant medical history, such as prior dental work, oral surgeries, or insurance information will also be helpful.

Q) What are your hours of operation?

  • Monday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Tues: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Wed: 9:30 am – 7 pm
  • Thursday: 9:30 am – 7 pm
  • Friday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Q) Can I request a dental appointment on your website or call?

A) You can call us at 403-980-1847 or request an appointment via our website. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Q) Do you offer direct billing?

A) Yes, we offer direct billing as long as the Benefit Provider enables us and has a valid credit card number to cover overdue balances. Sometimes, benefit assignments are not allowed due to account balance issues. Some policies will not allow benefits to be allocated to the dental office and will only send payment to the patient. In these examples, we require payment at the time of treatment.

Q) What factors do you consider when providing an estimate for treatment?

A) Treatment estimates are based on the latest information on file. If you’re worried about the costs, ask about our ‘Pre-Determination.’

Q) What’s the most effective way to budget for my treatment?

A) We’re happy to help you create a detailed treatment plan. We can outline all the costs so you can appropriately prepare for each appointment. We’ll also prioritize treatments so you can be present during the most urgent treatments and plan future visits later.

Q) Which costs can be covered by dental insurance?

A) The patient is responsible for knowing and understanding their insurance plan and notifying us if any policy changes occur, what the policy covers, and who it insures.

Also, please note that because of privacy laws, we cannot procure information from your insurance provider on your behalf. Therefore, having a pamphlet or form with this information for your appointment will be beneficial.

Q) My dental insurance said it pays 100% for my dental treatments: why do I still owe you money?

A) Typically, this question occurs when the patient looks at their Explanation of Benefits statement (EOB) or when they view their plan booklet and see the fee the dentist charged surpasses the fee set by the insurance provider. The issue is that the provider’s fee is the negotiated amount agreed upon between your employer and the insurance provider and depends on the premium paid for your benefit plan. 

For this reason, the coverage can fluctuate even between colleagues of the same business or other patients insured by the same insurance provider. If you still have questions regarding dental insurance or our payment options, please contact us at (403) 980-1847!

 

Dental Clinic

 

Q) Where is your dental clinic located, and what are your hours of operation?

A) We are located at 201-1 Midtown Blvd SW Airdrie, AB, T4B 4E7.

  • Monday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Tues: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Wed: 9:30 am – 7 pm
  • Thursday: 9:30 am – 7 pm
  • Friday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am – 3 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Q) Why should I choose Airdrie 8th Street Dental?

A) Airdrie 8th Street Dental aims to provide high-quality dental services in a welcoming and supportive environment for you and your family. Moreover, our dental hygienists and assistants work tirelessly to meet your oral health needs. Additional reasons to choose 8th Street Dental include:

    • Direct Billing Available – Assignment Accepted
    • Accepting New Patients
    • No Referral Required
    • Extended Evening and Weekend Appointments Available
    • Orthodontics are non-assignment
    • Payment Plans for Braces

Q) How do I choose the best dental clinic in Airdrie?

A) 8th Street Dental is a well-known dental clinic in Airdrie. We provide general, preventive, and restorative dental care services in Airdrie.

Q) What are the dental services you provide at Airdrie 8th Street Dental Clinic?

  • Family Dentistry
  • Children’s Dentistry
  • Restorative (Cosmetic) Dentistry (Teeth whitening, white fillings, dental crowns, and more)
  • Orthodontic Dentistry (Dental braces, sleep apnea, etc.)
  • Dental Implants
  • Partial Dentures
  • Root Canal Therapy
  • Dental Hygienists
  • Periodontal Care and more

 

Dental Braces

 

Q) What are the 3 types of braces?

A) Numerous types of braces are available; the 3 primary types are:

    1. Traditional metal braces
    2. Ceramic braces
    3. Clear aligners such as Invisalign®

Q) Are dental braces good or bad?

A) Braces are a great way to straighten your teeth and improve your overall dental health. With straighter teeth, you can more easily brush and floss, reducing the probability of gum disease or tooth decay.

Q) How long do I need to wear dental braces?

A) The length of time needed for braces depends on a case-by-case basic. Typically, patients will wear fixed braces for about 18 to 24 months. For oral issues that are more challenging to correct or for our older patients, braces may be required for up to three years. If your dental problems are less severe or you’re a prime candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign, braces may only be needed for 6 to 12 months.

Q) Do I still need dental checkups every six months if I have braces?

A) Yes! Patients receiving orthodontic treatment should visit their dentist even more frequently. Why? With braces, food gets caught in spots out of reach of your toothbrush. This accumulates bacteria, increasing your risk of gingivitis, cavities, and gum disease.

Q) Are dental braces painful?

A) It’s normal to experience some discomfort or soreness when you first have your braces fitted (or when you have them tightened). However, most pain is caused by the pressure required to make enough tooth movement for the braces to function.

Q) Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have dental braces?

A) Yes. Try brushing your teeth three times daily (minimum) to keep your mouth clean and healthy while wearing braces.

 

Emergency Dentist

 

Q) What is considered a dental emergency?

A) A dental emergency is a situation that calls for immediate assistance for severe mouth pain. Numerous things, such as a dental injury or oral infection, can cause this. Some common emergency dental problems include:

    • Dental abscesses
    • Severe tooth decay
    • Knocked-out teeth
    • Lost crown or filling
    • Broken or chipped teeth
    • Damaged orthodontics, etc

Q) Should I go to the emergency dentist for a toothache?

A) If it’s a chronic toothache (lasting longer than two days), yes, you should visit your dentist. However, you should consult your dentist sooner if you’re experiencing a high temperature, swelling in your mouth, or pain when biting down.

Q) How do I see an emergency dentist?

A) At Airdrie 8th Street Dental, we offer quick and convenient emergency dental services. Call us today if you require emergency dental care—(403) 980-1847.

Q) Will an emergency dentist extract my tooth?

A) We will do our best to save your natural tooth if possible, as it allows you to maintain the natural mouth structure. Also, the risk of infection is reduced if the tooth can be saved instead of removed. Moreover, it saves you the restoration fee of a dental implant or dental bridge.

 

Dental Implants

 

Q) What is a dental implant?

A) A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw that replaces a tooth root. An experienced and trained dentist accurately positions it into your jawbone.

Q) What are the 3 types of dental implants?

A) The three most common dental implants are endosteal, zygomatic, and subperiosteal.

Q) How long do dental implants last?

A) The typical lifespan of a dental implant is between 10 to 30 years. This means that, based on the age you receive the implant, it can last for the remainder of your life. No other tooth restoration has this kind of longevity.

Q) Is it painful to have a dental implant?

A) You won’t feel any pain during your dental implant procedure because you will be numbed beforehand. You may experience pressure at times; however, it most likely won’t cause any pain or discomfort. Oral sedation is available for patients who experience anxiety related to dental procedures.

Q) How do dental implants work?

A) A titanium implant is positioned into your jawbone and is given time to heal. Next, a second minor surgery is performed to attach an abutment to the implant. An abutment is a connector that protrudes through the gum line and serves as a base for the dental restoration. Then, a custom-made crown is secured into the implant.

Q) Are dental implants safe?

A) Having a dental implant is safe if the necessary protocols are followed. At Airdrie 8th Street Dental, we have a team of trained and experienced clinicians offering implant treatment, who are committed to providing quality dental care. If you have any questions regarding the risks of implant surgery, please contact us and we would be happy to help.

 

Sleep Apnea

 

Q) What causes sleep apnea?

A) Sleep apnea is a partial or complete halting of breath during sleep. This forces the body to work harder for oxygen, making the brain send signals that snap the body awake to continue proper breathing. Its causes can be throat-muscle over-relaxation, which obstructs the upper airway, preventing air from filling the lungs. Another cause is incorrect signalling by the brain, which results in intermittent breath pauses.

Q) What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

A) The most common indicator of sleep apnea is snoring loud enough to disrupt your sleep and others close by—even through the walls. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

Q) What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?

A) Sleep apnea symptoms can interrupt your day-to-day life due to its effect on your health and productivity. If left unchecked, sleep apnea can cause:

    • Reduced energy and productivity levels
    • Anxiety, irritability, mood swings
    • Inability to regulate insulin which can result in diabetes
    • Hypertension since the heart is working harder to pump oxygen through the body during the night

Q) What is a CPAP machine? How does it work?

A) CPAP is an acronym that stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A gold standard treatment, CPAP therapy helps people suffering from sleep apnea. The therapy offers regular use of the CPAP device, which prevents airway collapse during the night while you’re asleep. The result? You sleep easier and snore less without repeatedly waking up.

Q) Does CPAP therapy have side effects?

A) No known side effects of CPAP therapy have been documented. Yes, many myths exist about CPAP therapy; however, if you have any concerns regarding CPAP therapy, contact us and we would be happy to help.

Q) What is a snore guard?

A) A snore guard is a dental device used to prevent snoring. These custom-fitted devices are designed to position your lower jaw forward while you sleep. The idea of a snore guard is if your jaw is placed forward, which expands your upper airway size, it reduces the air resistance that causes snoring.

Q) How does a snore guard work?

A) A snore guard prevents your jaw and tongue from slipping back into your throat, which would restrict your airway passage. So by placing your lower jaw forward, snore guards stop airway blockage and reduce or eliminate snoring.

Q) How are snore guards made?

A) These devices are made by creating an impression of your teeth. The impressions are then sent to a dental lab, where they are made to fit your mouth precisely. So, for example, your snore guard will fit perfectly over your top teeth during the night as you sleep, as it readjusts your lower jaw into the proper position.

Q) How do I take care of my snore guard?

  • Clean your snore guard before and after using a toothbrush and cold water. 
  • Occasionally, clean the snore guard in cool water, rinsing it well afterward.
  • Keep your snore guard in its provided case. 
  • Ensure your snore guard remains in cool temperatures. Keeping it in heated areas such as hot water or in direct sunlight can distort its shape.
  • If you detect holes, wear or tears or if the guard becomes uncomfortable to wear, please contact us to have it assessed.