Return to list of services

New Families

Starting your children off on the path excellent oral health by introducing them to a dental environment at an early age.

At Lesniak Dental Group we recommend seeing your children for the first time as soon as the first tooth erupts (usually around 6 months), and no later than 3 years. At this visit in addition to a clinical examination is a education session for the new parents. This session will review the importance of establishing excellent oral habits, answer questions, and demonstrate techniques to optimize the oral health of your children.

Growing Children

Maintaining your growing children’s teeth is just as important as keeping your adult teeth in great shape. Cavities in primary teeth progress fast and can lead to infection and tooth loss. This can affect the permanent teeth coming in. The best way to avoid this is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

At Lesniak Dental Group, our goal of applying minimally invasive preventative care starts early. For your children, this involves regular cleanings and check ups, fluoride treatment, sealents, and optimizing home oral hygiene. Should a cavity develop, it is best to handle it when it is in small and can be predictably treated.

← Return to list of services

Here, at Lesniak Dental Group, we believe in the power of prevention. Depending on your individual needs, we will recommend either quarterly or semi-annual cleanings and biannual or annual examinations. Not only do they help us stave off any dental problems before they arise, but they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. During a professional cleaning we use specialized tools to remove hard plaque, otherwise known as calculus, that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It often involves a fluoride treatment for those at high risk of tooth decay, and a polish to help remineralize and further protect your teeth. Even if you have not had a cleaning in over two years, it is never too late to treat your teeth.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

• Brush with a fluoride tooth paste

  • Use the rule of 2s: Brushing should be done at least 2 times per day and for 2 minutes each time.

  • Ask our dental hygienists if you have any questions about proper brushing techniques

  • Any over-the-counter toothpaste with fluoride will work just fine. However, there are specific toothpastes to suit your needs (ie. high cavity rate, stained teeth, sensitive teeth). Please be sure to ask one of our team members if you have any concerns.

• Floss daily before bedtime

  • Typically, this should be done prior to brushing

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush

  • The soft bristles protect the gums and still removes plaque from teeth

  • Some people may benefit from an electric toothbrush. Please be sure to ask one of our team members if that might be you.

• Use an alcohol-free mouth rinse

  • This can help freshen your breath and keep your gums healthier

Return to list of services

Clenching and Grinding Guards

Clenching and grinding your teeth can have devastating effects to your dentition. In addition to natural wear and tear, clenching and grinding can significantly accelerate tooth surface loss, result in sore head and neck muscles, produce dental sensitivity, and may cause damage to your jaw joints. The first line of treatment is often guard that protects your teeth from this damage.

What are the causes of teeth grinding?

• The jury is still out on this one, but likely the following factors play roles:

  • Stress or anxiety

  • Obstructive sleep apnea or sleep related breathing disorders

  • Certain medications, alcohol, or recreational drugs

Sports Guards

Your favorite sports such as; hockey, football, baseball, and basketball, can unfortunately cause inadvertent damage to your dentition. A sports guard can help avoid, or reduce the extent of the damage caused by such an adverse event. Custom made sports guards fit your teeth and mouth precisely to improve comfort and maximize the protective benefit.

Sports guards can also be used to improve your athletic performance in certain activities such as power lifting or strength training. Specially designed sports guards can be designed to protect against the clenching that gives you an extra push of strength in the gym.

← Return to list of services

Do you have a cracked or broken a tooth? Do you have a missing tooth that you wish to replace? Are you unhappy with the aesthetics of your teeth? Our dentists can help you choose the best solution.

Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth supported prosthetics that function and look like natural teeth. While crowns can cover and protect a single tooth, bridges are used for those of you who may have a missing tooth. Veneers are a minimally invasive solution for those unsatisfied with the esthetics of their smile or for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin veneers come in customizable colors, lengths and shapes and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.

Crowns

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. A crown is indicated for a structurally weakened or heavily restored tooth that is at risk of fracture, correct dental misalignment, and improve bite planes.

Bridges

A dental bridge serves as an option to replace a missing tooth, or teeth.  Deciding between a bridge and dental implant is based on each individual case.  If you have neighboring teeth that would benefit from a crown, due to structural weakness or decay, or if an implant is not an option for you, a bridge is a reasonable option to restore a space in your dental arch.

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, veneers can be a good option. They are thin, porcelain or resin shells that are customized in color and shape to optimize your smile. Veneers are minimally-invasive aesthetic treatment.  Common uses for veneers include chipped, irregular, malformed, or discolored teeth.

← Return to list of services

Missing teeth can make your chin protrude forward, lower face collapse, and cheeks appear more hollow and sunken.  Your function and diet also suffers leading to malnutrition and its associated health consequences. If you are missing multiple teeth, a denture may be the option for you. Dentures can be a fine option for restoring your function and aesthetics.  When combined with implant placement, dentures can nearly restore your function to that of your natural dentition. See implant dentures for more information.

Depending on the number and location missing teeth, we can provide you with a variety of traditional, and implant supported removable denture options.  During your consultation, we will assess all of your options, review risks and benefits, provide cost estimates, and help you choose an option you will feel most comfortable with.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are for those who are missing some, but not all of their teeth a few.  A partial denture can be used to replace these missing teeth, provide stability for your dental arch, and restore function lost by missing teeth.  Dental implants can be incorporated into a partial denture to aid in support, retention and stability of this removable prosthesis.  Without dental implants, partial dentures rely on the remaining teeth and soft tissue of anchorage and stability.  Partial dentures can be comfortable, aesthetic, and functional if time is taken to design and fabricate correctly.

Complete Dentures

Some patient require removal or have had previous removal of all their teeth due to multiple reasons including decay, and advanced periodontal disease.  A complete denture is often a starting treatment of lost hard and soft tissue.  Some patients adapt well to complete denture and are often aided by favorable denture supporting ridges.  Other patients lack this favorable ridge anatomy and will benefit from additional implant support.   In either case, at Lesniak Dental Group, we are well equipped to handle both traditional dentures, and those that are assisted by implants.  

Return to list of services

Toothache Root Canal Treatment

A root canal involves removal of the infected internal contents of a tooth. The inside a of a tooth can become infected due to several reasons including:

• Large cavities

• Trauma

• Root resorption

• Extensive tooth wear

• Others  

Your root canal procedure should be a comfortable experience that can be completed over one to two appointments depending on the difficulty of the situation. Occasionally a course of antibiotics is also needed prior to, or after the root canal to help manage the infection.

Following your root canal, a full coverage crown is recommended in the vast majority of cases.

Prophylactic and Restorative Root Canal Treatment

In certain situations, a root canal may be recommended prophylactically prior to placement of a crown if there is suspicion that the tooth will require a root canal in the near future.

If a tooth has been heavily restored with filling material, a root canal may be required to properly restore your tooth with a foundation material followed by a full coverage crown.

← Return to list of services

Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth in a state of comfort, function, and aesthetics.  In certain instances, dental problems such as advanced tooth decay, trauma and periodontal disease require a tooth be extracted. Other times when extractions are recommended include non-restorable malformed or misaligned teeth.  Impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth, may be recommended for extraction to prevent future problems, and arrest problems they may already be causing.  Regardless of the reason, a recommendation for extraction is not taken lightly.  It is made with the best intentions considering both oral and systemic health.

In addition to the extraction, Lesniak Dental Group can offer several tooth replacement options that can restore your comfort, function and aesthetics.

Prior to your extraction appointment we are happy to answer questions relating to the procedure, expected healing times, follow up appointments, tooth replacement options, and any other questions you may have.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. But, often times, we lack enough space for our wisdom teeth to erupt into a normal position that can be adequately maintained. Other times times, these wisdom teeth remain encased in bone not erupting at all. In either scenario, they can cause damage to adjacent teeth, and cause considerable discomfort even progression to a dental infection. Certain clinical clues help clinicians determine which wisdom teeth should be extracted, and those that can be maintained and monitored.

At Lesniak Dental Group we offer extraction of both erupted and impacted wisdom teeth should they be deemed likely to cause a future problem, or are actively causing a problem.

← Return to list of services

Fillings, otherwise known as dental restorations, are used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage. A filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your health.

Before the filling itself is placed any decay, must be removed. We offer local anesthesia to numb or freeze your tooth along with laughing gas sedation (for those extremely anxious patients) to ensure maximum comfort. There are two main types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin (white fillings).

Amalgam

Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the most economical option for our patients. They are a great option for patients who may experience a higher rate of decay or when the structural integrity of your tooth is severely compromised. Despite the mercury content, these silver fillings have been proven to be perfectly safe.

Composite Resin

The color of a composite resin fillings can be customized to match your natural teeth.  It is an aesthetically pleasing option. However, it is slightly more expensive than an amalgam filling. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. These filling materials have come along so far in terms of strength that we now commonly use them to fill most teeth, including molars.

← Return to list of services

Implants are used to mimic the form and function of our natural teeth. Natural teeth are made up of two components: a crown and a root. The crown of our tooth is the part we chew with; it is above the gums and bone. A root is located beneath the bone and gums, and it is used anchor our crown in place. A dental implant is a titanium "root" that gets fitted into a socket in your jawbone that mimics the form and function of a tooth root. Fastened to the implant is a crown that looks and functions like a natural tooth.  The new crown is customized to match your adjacent teeth and to fit your bite.

What are the benefits of getting dental implants?

• They look and act like natural teeth

• They can last a lifetime with the right care

• You don’t get cavities or decay

• They improve your appearance, comfort, and speech if you are missing a tooth or teeth

• It maintains your bone levels after an extraction

• It is easier to chew your food than it would be if you left a space

Implant Dentures

Dental implants can be used to help improve the support, stability, and retention of complete and partial dentures.

At Lesniak Dental Group, our implant dentures are completed by a registered specialist in prosthodontics - Dr. Robert Lesniak. Prosthodontists are the experts in replacing missing teeth having completed dental school and an additional three years of specialty training. Dr. Lesniak is skilled in the full range of implant dentures in both surgical and prosthetic aspects. Please visit: www.drrobertlesniak.com for more information.

Several different treatment options are available for implant dentures. Within each category there are a multitude of possible treatment options, Dr. Lesniak is happy to review these in detail with you.

Implant Assisted Partial Dentures

Implant assisted partial dentures combines removable partial denture with implants. Your partial can clip onto the implant improving its support, stability, and retention. In addition, with implants, we can often remove the metal clasping components that attach to you natural teeth

Implant Assisted Complete Dentures

Implant assisted complete dentures combine complete dentures with implants. The key feature of this treatment is the dentures remain removable by the patient to facilitate both home hygiene and repair if needed. Based on the number of implants, these removable implant dentures can be fabricated to have some movement, to no movement at all functioning with perfect stability. Generally, 2-6 implants are required for implant assisted complete dentures.

Fixed Implant Dentures

A fixed implant denture is secured in place and is not removable by yourself at home. These fixed dentures can be removed by a trained dental professional for maintenance and repair as needed. These options are ideal for the patient who cannot, or will not tolerate a removable denture. Generally, 4-8 implants are required for fixed implant dentures.

← Return to list of services

Lesniak Dental Group is pleased to offer the services of Dr. Larry Lesniak, a certified specialist in orthodontics. Offering both traditional braces and clear aligners such as Invisalign.

There are various ways to correct crooked or crowded teeth without the use of traditional braces. One method works by way of placing clear, hard plastic trays/retainers over your teeth. The trays are laid out in a sequence that will slowly move your teeth into more ideal positions. Each tray varies in shape and is customized to your bite. Although they are to be worn as close to 24 hrs as possible, they are typically removed for eating and brushing/flossing. Whether you are an adult or a teen, our invisible aligners may be a great option for you.

What are the advantages of orthodontic treatment?

• Corrected bite and straighter smile

• Improved comfort, aesthetics, and function of your dentition

• With clear aligners, more convenient oral hygiene maintenance since you can take them out of your mouth unlike traditional braces

← Return to list of services

Excessive jaw clenching and grinding (otherwise known as bruxism) can not only accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration, but it can leave you waking up with a sore neck, facial muscles, a headache, and generalized sensitivity of the teeth. Meanwhile, snoring can impact the quality of your own sleep and that of those around you. To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we fabricate customized nightguards.  These nightguards fit over your natural teeth and act as a barrier between the top and bottom dental arches.

What are the causes of teeth grinding?

• The jury is still out on this one, but it may be attributed to:

  • Stress or anxiety

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

  • Certain medications, alcohol or recreational drugs

← Return to list of services

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the soft and hard structures supporting the teeth (ie. the bone, gums and fibers that attach these things). Among the causes for periodontal disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and illnesses such as diabetes (especially if left untreated). Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar/calculus (or hardened plaque) from above (scaling) and below (root planing) the gum line. Most gum diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene. However, what can start out as gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums) can quickly turn into periodontitis (it's scary and more serious brother). With gingivitis, you might experience bad breath and bleeding, tender gums. This occurs as the gums pull away from the tooth to create “pockets,” thereby exposing a dental root to infection. Once the dental root and the bone anchoring the root become infected, it can lead to loose teeth, painful chewing, abscesses and other complications that ultimately lead to tooth lose.

Diagnosing Gum Disease

In order for us to determine your periodontal health, our initial Comprehensive Exam and annual dental hygiene appointments will include an assessment of the health of your gums, and your bone levels. This assessment begins intra-orally, where we look at the colour, shape, and bleeding tendencies of your gums as well as with measurements of the pockets surrounding your teeth. This information is then coupled with the information on your dental X-rays, which can show us the amount of space between your bone and the crown of your tooth. From there we can determine your periodontal status and suggest a suitable periodontal maintenance program for you. Some people are suggested to visit our dental hygienist every 3 months, while others can wait 12 months.

Gum Graft or Gingival Graft

The gums (or gingiva) protect the roots of our teeth. In some patients the gums can recede or wear away. This recession leads to exposure of the root surface.

Sometimes the way we choose to treat gum recession is by doing a procedure called a gingival graft. This procedure involves grafting some palatal tissue (from the roof of your mouth) over the site of root exposure, or recession. This has many benefits including protecting the root from cavities, reducing recession, and improving the gingival health surrounding the tooth/teeth.

← Return to list of services

As we age, our teeth darken. This is due to the bright white enamel layer thinning out and the darker yellow dentin layer shining through more and more. Furthermore, we add dark foods and drinks into our diet such as coffee, tea, wine and colas which stain our teeth and accentuate this darkening. Although teeth whitening cannot add thickness back to your enamel to camouflage your dentin layer, it can definitely remove your surface stains and make your teeth appear brighter and whiter. Professional teeth whitening can be faster, more effective, and longer lasting than treatments you find over the counter.  This is because we have access to bleaching and whitening kits with higher strengths. This can be accomplished either in-office in as single session, or through the use of customized whitening trays that you take home and use for 1-2 weeks for 30mins/day. Following your whitening treatment, maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain dark foods and beverages (or drinking them  through a straw) will help keep your teeth brighter and whiter longer. 

In-office Whitening

Procedure:

1. Thorough cleansing and polishing of teeth

2. Application of gum protectant

3. Application of whitening agent

4. Whitening agent is laser-activated

5. Whitening agent is left on teeth for several minutes

6. Teeth and gums are rinsed

Things to avoid:

• Tobacco products

• Coffee and tea

• Red wine

• Food coloring

• Any bright-colored drinks

Return to list of services 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can have devastating affects on your systemic health affecting your cognition, cardiovascular health, and alertness.

Lesniak Dental Group work with our medical colleagues to provide sleep apnea appliances that serve as an alternative to CPAP. These sleep apnea appliance are custom made to fit your teeth to guide your lower jaw forward opening your airway. This therapy has been shown to be effective in cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Snore Guards

Snoring can be disruptive to a bed partner and even an entire household in extreme cases. In addition, it serves as a risk factor for sleep related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea. Lesniak Dental Group can offer snore guards to help reduce or eliminate this troublesome snoring.