General Dentistry in West Edmonton
The Care That Keeps Your Teeth for Life
General dentistry is the foundation of lifelong oral health. At La Perle Dental Centre, we provide routine and preventive care for patients of all ages, catching small problems before they become painful and expensive ones.
Catch Problems Before They Hurt
Most dental issues are painless until they're serious. Regular checkups let us find decay, gum disease, and bone loss while they're still easy and affordable to treat, saving you from the bigger procedure down the road.
We Handle Everything In-House
From cleanings and fillings to gum treatment, your whole family's routine care is taken care of in one place. No referrals, no extra trips, no surprises.
Care That Fits Your Budget
We price below the Alberta fee guide, direct bill your insurance, and offer flexible in-house payment plans for anything not covered. We also accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan with no fee difference charged.
Accepting the Canadian
Dental Care Plan
What We're Trying to Prevent
Most dental problems are silent until they're serious. By the time a tooth hurts or a gum bleeds, the condition has usually been developing for months or years. Routine care is how we catch these things while they're still small and manageable.
Here's what untreated problems typically become over time:
- A small cavity becomes a large cavity, then a root canal, then an extraction
- Early gum inflammation becomes gum disease, then bone loss, then loose or missing teeth
- A minor crack becomes a fracture that can't be saved
- Plaque buildup becomes tartar, which brushing alone cannot remove
None of these progressions are inevitable. They're just what happens when care gets delayed. Every visit to La Perle is an opportunity to stay ahead of them.
Gum Health Is Tooth Health
Your gums are the foundation everything else is built on. When gum disease sets in, it doesn't stay in the gums. It spreads to the bone underneath, and eventually to the teeth themselves. The progression looks like this:
- Gingivitis: early inflammation caused by plaque buildup, often painless and fully reversible with treatment
- Periodontitis: infection spreads below the gumline, damaging the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place
- Advanced periodontitis: significant bone loss, loose teeth, and in many cases, tooth loss
The good news is that gum disease caught in the early stages is straightforward to treat. We screen for it at every visit and address early signs before they have a chance to advance. Catching it at the gingivitis stage is the difference between a cleaning and a surgery.
What We Offer
Full Oral Examinations
A thorough review of your teeth, gums, bite, and surrounding tissue. This is how we catch decay, gum disease, and early signs of other conditions before they become problems you can feel.
Teeth Cleanings
Even with consistent brushing and flossing, tartar builds up in areas your toothbrush can't reach. A professional cleaning removes that buildup, reduces your risk of gum disease, and leaves your mouth in a healthier baseline state.
Oral Cancer Screening
A quick visual and physical check of your mouth, throat, and surrounding tissue, performed at every exam. Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early and often shows no symptoms in its initial stages.
Fluoride Treatments
A fast, painless treatment applied after your cleaning that strengthens enamel and helps protect against decay. Especially beneficial for children, patients with a history of cavities, and anyone with sensitive teeth.
Sealants
A thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to seal out bacteria and food from the grooves where decay most commonly starts. A simple preventive step that can save significant treatment down the road.
Composite Fillings
Tooth-coloured fillings that restore a decayed or damaged tooth to its natural shape and function. Composite material bonds directly to the tooth, which means less removal of healthy structure compared to older silver fillings.
Night Guards & Mouth Guards
Custom-fitted guards that protect your teeth from grinding during sleep or impact during sports. Grinding wears down enamel over time and can lead to cracking, sensitivity, and jaw pain. A night guard is a simple way to prevent damage that is difficult and costly to reverse.
TMJ Oral Appliances
For patients experiencing jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or discomfort when chewing, a custom oral appliance can help reduce pressure on the jaw joint and relieve symptoms without medication or surgery.
Scaling & Root Planing
A deep cleaning that goes below the gumline to remove tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces of teeth. Recommended when gum disease has progressed beyond what a routine cleaning can address, and effective at stopping it from advancing further.
Safe Removal of Silver Fillings
Old amalgam fillings can crack, leak, or contain mercury that some patients prefer to have removed. We follow safe removal protocols to minimize exposure during the process and replace them with tooth-coloured composite restorations.
A Team That Listens Before It Acts
We Handle Complex Cases In-House
We Focus on Results, Not Recommendations
Dental Care That Works for Your Life
Fees Below Alberta Fee Guide
Direct Billing
to Insurance
Open Evenings and Weekends
Same-Day
Emergency Care
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't afford the treatment that's recommended?
We'll always talk about cost before anything gets started. If there's a gap between what your insurance covers and what's needed, we offer simple in-house payment plans so you can break it into manageable amounts. We never pressure patients into treatment, and we'll always explain what happens if something is left untreated so you can make an informed decision.
Can you see my whole family at the same appointment?
Yes. We encourage family scheduling so everyone gets their care done in one visit. Let us know when you book and we'll do our best to coordinate appointment times for your household.
My teeth look fine. Do I still need X-rays?
Yes. X-rays show us what we can't see with the naked eye, including decay between teeth, bone loss, and changes beneath the gumline. Most dental problems aren't visible on the surface until they've already progressed. X-rays are how we stay ahead of them.
What is a sealant and does my child need one?
A sealant is a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay from forming in the grooves. They're most commonly recommended for children but can be used for adults too. We'll let you know if they're a good fit based on the exam.
Is an oral cancer screening part of a regular checkup?
Yes. We screen for oral cancer at every exam as a standard part of the visit. It takes only a few minutes and involves a visual and physical check of the mouth, throat, and surrounding tissue. Early detection significantly improves outcomes.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common signs include bleeding when you brush or floss, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, and gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth. Many people have early gum disease without any noticeable symptoms at all, which is why regular checkups matter.
What is a deep cleaning and do I need one?
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, goes below the gumline to remove tartar buildup that a regular cleaning can't reach. It's recommended when gum disease has started to progress. We'll only suggest it if the exam shows it's genuinely needed.
Does a cleaning hurt?
For most patients, a routine cleaning is completely comfortable. If you have sensitive teeth or gum inflammation, there may be some mild discomfort, but we work at your pace and check in throughout the appointment. If you're anxious, let us know before we start.
What happens if I haven't been to the dentist in a few years?
That's more common than you'd think, and it's not a reason to keep waiting. We'll assess where your oral health stands, prioritize what needs attention, and put together a realistic, affordable plan to get things back on track. There's no judgment here.
How often should I come in for a checkup?
Most patients benefit from a checkup and cleaning every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease or more frequent decay may need to come in more often. We'll recommend a schedule based on what we find, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Located in West Edmonton
La Perle Dental Centre is in the heart of the La Perle neighbourhood, serving families across West Edmonton. Free on-site parking. Easy access from 182 Street NW.
Free parking is available on site. We are near West Jasper Place Community Health Centre at 9710 182 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 3T9.
