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Our Team

Our Team:

Meet the Kopec Dental team! We want to ensure your dental experience is a pleasant one. Learn more about our team members – and learn that we’re not so scary after all!

Dr. Perry Kopec, DMD

Dr. Kopec graduated from the University of Manitoba in his home-town of Winnipeg and promptly moved out west. He has practiced dentistry in Calgary for 32 years. Strangely enough, he knew at the ripe age of 4 years old that he wanted to practice dentistry and once he had his first visit at age 5, that confirmed it! Dr. Kopec loves to restore teeth as close to their natural position, shape, size and colour as possible. His continuous goal is competency  in all areas of oral surgery and periodontics. What Dr. Kopec appreciates most about his work is seeing the difference in his patients’ eyes after teeth restoration. Bringing out the confidence and the sparkle in his patients  rewards his work beyond measure.

Dr. Kopec is currently pursuing his helicopter pilot license!

We asked Dr. Kopec what he would be if he were not a dentist. His response: “A dentist”.

Heather, Registered Dental Assistant Level II

Heather graduated from Holland College in PEI after growing up in New-Brunswick. She has been by Dr. Kopec’s side for 22 years. Her decision to enter dentistry came out of the pressure to choose a specialization for college! She continued with dentistry and intrigued by specialty areas like orthodontics.

Heather loves to spend time with her boys!

If Heather were not a dental assistant, she would be an audiologist.

Chelsea, Registered Dental Hygienist

Chelsea graduated from Camosun College in Victoria, BC. She has been practicing hygiene for 7 years. As a kid, she spent lots of time in and out of dental offices with her braces. Because of the positive experience she had, she knew she wanted to become a hygienist.

She loves to run, play with her girls, and go on family camping trips!

If Chelsea were not a RDH, she would be a pharmacist.

Dallas, Registered Dental Assistant

Dallas graduated from Holland College in PEI. She grew up moving around Canada, but has landed back in her birth place. Her uncle is a dentist, and her mom is a dental assistant, so her interest in dentistry came about naturally. She had braces as a kid, but unfortunately had a poor experience. This inspired her to educate others and to help them take care of their own teeth and health. She loves to see her patients smile!

She loves spending time outdoors camping and hiking. If she can’t get outside, you will be sure to find her in spin class!

If Dallas were not a dental assistant, she would be a nurse.

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Dental Dictionary

Dental Dictionary:

We want you to be informed and feel knowledgeable about your oral health and hygiene, as well as the services available to you. Use this dental dictionary or contact us to learn more!

Abscess

A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection.

Abutment

A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture.

Amalgam

A silver filling material.

Anesthetic

An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling.

Anterior

The front position.

Apex

The end of the root.

Asepsis

No micro-organism.

Attrition

Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.

Avulsed

An injury that causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of the mouth.

Bitewing

A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together. The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavities in between teeth and height of bone support.

Bleaching

Whitening of teeth.

Bridge

A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding.

Calculus

The hard deposits on tooth structure. Also known as tartar.

Canine

The third tooth from the middle of the jaw. There are four of them. They are the longest teeth in humans.

Canker sore

An ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth. It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus.

Caries

Tooth decay.

Cavity

A hole on the tooth.

Cast

A model of teeth.

Cementation

The process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis on the associated area.

Chlorhexidine

An anti-microbial agent. It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses. It is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases.

Clasp

A metal arm extended from a removable partial denture. It helps to hold onto natural tooth structure and thus provide anchorage for the denture.

Cold Sore

An ulcer or blister on lip. A form of herpes simplex.

Composite

White filling.

Cross-Bite

An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. The lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.

Crown (Porcelain/Plastic/Metal)

A crown is almost like a “cap” on a tooth. It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and outlook.

Decay

A soft substance caused by the bacterial demineralization of enamel and dentin. An infection within a tooth. Must be treated.

Dentistry

A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concerning teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.

Dentition

The position, type, and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw.

Denture (Immediate, Complete, Partial, Over-denture, Temporary)

An artificial object to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures. There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences.

Denturist

The person who specializes in fabricating dentures. A Denturist is not responsible for making any type of diagnosis or carrying out any other treatment (e.g. removing teeth).

Desensitization

A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth.

Diagnosis

The process of identifying dental disease.

Diastema

The space between two adjacent teeth.

Distal

A direction indication in the mouth. It indicates the direction away from the middle of the jaw.

Edentulous

No teeth.

Endodontics

A department of dentistry involving diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental pulp (where the nerves and blood vessels are inside the tooth).

Eruption

The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth.

Excision

The action of cutting something off.

Extruded

When a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket.

Filling

A restoration placed on a tooth to restore its function and appearance.

Flipper

A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment.

Floss

A thread/tape that goes in between teeth for cleaning.

Fluoride

A compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, and rinses to strengthen teeth.

Fluoride Treatment

Teeth treatment with fluoride agents like gel or rinse. It helps to prevent tooth decay.

Fracture

When a cusp of a tooth becomes weakened, a fracture may result. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root and damage to the pulp is commonplace.

Framework

A metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic attachments.

Gingiva

Gum tissue.

Gingivitis

The mildest form of gum disease: inflammation of gum. The earliest sign is bleeding gum.

Hemorrhage

Bleeding

Hemostasis

Stop bleeding.

Impaction

A condition where a tooth is not able to come in normally or is stuck underneath another tooth or bone.

Implant

A device (usually “screw-like”) put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge.

Impression

A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray.

Incisal

The cutting edge of front teeth.

Incisor

The four upper and lower front teeth.

Inlay

A restoration (usually gold, composite or ceramics) fabricated in the lab that cements on a tooth like a missing puzzle piece. It helps to restore the normal function and outlook of the tooth.

Interproximal

The space between two adjacent teeth.

Lingual

The side of the tooth towards the tongue.

Mesial

The side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw.

Molar

The last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.

Mouthguard

A device to be worn in the mouth. Depending on the design of it, it prevents injury to teeth and/or jaw during teeth grinding or sport events.

Nightguard (Splint)

A mouthguard which is worn at night time.

Occlusal

The biting surface of the back teeth.

Occlusion

The way how the upper and lower teeth close together.

Onlay

A restoration covers the entire biting surface of a tooth.

Open Bite

The situation where the upper teeth not able to contact the opposing lower teeth.

Orthodontics

A special field in dentistry which involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bite abnormalities or facial irregularities.

Over Bite

The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together.

Overhang

The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity.

Palate

The roof of the mouth.

Panoramic Radiograph

An x-ray film used to obtain the wide view of upper and lower jaw and their associated structures.

Perforation

An opening on a tooth or other oral structure.

Periapical

The surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth.

Periodontal Disease

Gum disease, ranging from inflammation to serious disease that may result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth.

Periodontics

A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.

Permanent teeth

Adult’s teeth. The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old.

Pin

A piece of “nail-like” metal. It usually is used for better retention of a filling.

Plaque

Is a biofilm that develops naturallyon the teeth. It gives rise to tooth decay and can lead to periodontal problems.

Polish

A process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy.

Pontic

The false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth.

Post

A big pin which can be made with different materials such as metal or carbon. Its function usually is to support a big buildup on a tooth.

Posterior

Located at the back.

Pre-authorization

An approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out.

Pre-medication

Medication needing to be taken before treatment.

Premolar

The two teeth located in front of the molar.

Prescription

A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient. In dentistry, a prescription can also be a written statement for preparation of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician.

Primary Teeth

Baby teeth.

Prophylaxis/Prophy

The procedure of teeth polishing. It also means the prevention of diseases.

Prosthesis

An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.

Prosthodontics

A specialty of dentistry involving diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.

Pulp

The innermost part of a tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth.

Pulpectomy

The removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth.

Pulpotomy

The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.

Radiograph

An x-ray picture.

Recall

The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.

Recementation

The process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area.

Restoration

An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth. It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge, etc.

Retainer

A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment.

Retreatment

The process of repeating the root canal treatment.

Root

The bottom part of tooth. It anchors the tooth to its supporting units.

Root Canal

The canal that runs inside the root of the tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.

Root Canal Treatment

A treatment for the root canal inside the tooth.

Root Planing

The action of cleaning the root area of teeth.

Rubber Dam

A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity.

Scaling

The physical removal of deposits from tooth and gingival structure.

Sealant

A thin layer of plastic-like material covering the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity.

Sedation

The use of medication to calm a patient.

Space Maintainer

An appliance to maintain the space between teeth.

Splint

An appliance or a material to prevent movement of a mobile part.

Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ)

The joint that links the two parts of the jaw.

Torus

An outgrowth of bone. It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw.

Veneer

A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) that attaches to the front of the tooth. It is usually used to improve the appearance of the tooth.

Wisdom Tooth

The eighth (also the last) tooth from the middle of the jaw.

Xerostomia

Dry mouth.

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Our Technology

Our Technology:

We use the latest in technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care.

As a bonus, during your visit we invite you to relax in our chair and enjoy that day-time talk show you never get to watch!

Lasers

At Canada Place Dental we use the Biolase and the Odyssey Laser, the latest in diode laser technology available for soft tissue modification and preventive care. The laser’s high-energy light beam acts as a sterilizer on the area it is working, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial infections and relapses.

X-rays

We use digital x-rays so you are exposed to less radiation. We take x-rays in order to see things not seen by the naked eye such as the condition of your roots and the areas between your teeth. This helps us to determine bone loss, root health and the indication of any growths that may affect your health.

Infection Control

Infection control protects both you, our patient and our  staff. We employ a thorough protocol and have extremely high standards of our sterilization process. At all times we use disinfectant hand soap, we wear gloves and face masks, we use chemical disinfectant on all counter tops and surfaces, we sterilize all equipment before every use and we use disposable material where possible.All reusable equipment is sterilized in a device called an autoclave. The autoclave kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure. Please ask us  if you have questions or concerns about our infection controls.

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Our Policies

Our Policies:

The cost of treatment depends on the complexity of your needs. We’ll discuss fees, policies and payment options before starting any treatment.

Fees

We do our best to ensure that your treatment is affordable, while maintaining the highest level of professional care. For your convenience, we accept payment by cheque, Interac, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance Policy

It is very beneficial for you to fully understand your dental plan before you have any work done. We will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We also offer Electronic Claims Submission for services covered by insurance. We require payment in full when services are provided. We will help in any way we can by filing your claim and handling insurance questions for you.

Professional care is provided to you, our patient, not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our policies.

The Canadian Dental Association provides more great resources on understanding how dental fees and your dental insurance work. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about our policies.

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Your Appointment

Your Appointment:

We want your appointment to be a pleasant one. We’re ready to help you with questions about scheduling, financial policy and insurance, to make that part of the process as simple and understandable as possible.

New Patients

We ask you arrive 10 minutes prior to your first appointment in order to provide us with the details of your medical history, and insurance coverage information. This will help to expedite your claim process so we can help to maximize your reimbursement. Do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have about our office or your visit.

Scheduling

In order to provide the best quality care possible, we make every effort to be on time and see every patient at their scheduled time. We ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. Please note that if you are late, we may not be able to see you right away, or may need to reschedule your appointment to another day.

Appointment Reminders

We have convenient methods to remind you of your up-coming appointment to suit your communications preferences. Opt-in to our email or text reminders that will prompt you to call to schedule your cleaning, or through which you have the ability to quickly confirm your appointment time. If you prefer, we will send you a reminder post-card closer to your appointment date, and follow-up with a phone call about a week prior. We want your experience with us to be as comfortable and as convenient as possible.

Cancellations

We do our absolute best to set you up with an appointment time that works with your schedule. If you are unable to make your appointment, kindly try your best to let us know by phone or email 2 business days prior to your appointment to avoid a charge of $80. We reserve a lot of time for your care and these appointments are not easy to fill on short notice. We do understand that ‘life’ comes up, and we do our best to accommodate your needs and will always see to it that you are rescheduled as soon as possible.

Emergency Care

If you have pain or an emergency situation, please contact us. Every attempt will be made to see you that day.