Monday - 8 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday - 8 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday - 8 AM – 5 PM
Thursday - 8 AM – 5 PM
Friday - 8 AM – 3 PM
What can you expect as a patient of Foothills Dental Centre? Personalized service, a relaxing environment, and adental team with the knowledge, experience, and skill to bring out the best in your smile.Dr. Vu andDr. Madej focus on delivering quality care, not herding patients in and out to get to the next case. Only by taking time with you can the doctor understand your concerns and work with you in the best way possible to achieve your goals.
The range of skills and experience on our team is diverse, and so are the services we offer. We try to incorporate a wide variety of dental technology for all things related to your smile's health and well-being under one roof. Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej will educate you about your oral health, explain your choices for care, and guide you in the decision-making process. When you’ve made your decision on how to proceed, we’ll tend to you with gentle, compassionate care for an experience that we believe is one of the finest available.
At Foothills Dental Centre, our services include complete family comprehensive dental care, children dentistry, sedation, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, root canals, oral surgery, dental implants, and much more. We’ll take care of your smile as if it were our own and deliver dependable results that improve oral and overall health.
Digital radiography eliminates the need for traditional dental film by providing images immediately, so there is no need to wait around for one to develop! In addition, the quality and size of the digital image are far superior to film. Digital radiography also exposes you to up to 90% less radiation than traditional film. Larger images, combined with computer tools, let our doctors highlight certain problem areas onscreen so that patients can see them. This aids patient education and is just one of the many ways that you are involved in the treatment planning process!
Intra-oral cameras allows us to take high-quality images of your teeth, which are then used in conjunction with digital x-rays to help us understand which type of treatment is just right for you.
At Foothills Dental, we an important and revolutionary tool called VELscope to screen patients for oral cancer. This system adds only a few minutes to the already comprehensive oral screenings we provide, but its value is immeasurable! It is comfortable, painless, and lets our doctors identify and diagnose suspicious lesions within the oral cavity. Our patients are grateful that we have invested in this device, as it provides us with a more in-depth oral screening tool.
When oral cancer is detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is 80% or greater. Thanks to VELscope, we are able to detect abnormal cancer cells earlier, allows us to provide patients with the best care currently available!
Laser therapy is another cutting edge tool we’re using to provide patients with the most current and advanced dental care. With laser, we’re able to offer minimally invasive alternatives to procedures that require scalpel incisions. This is because lasers provide more precise control over the depth and extent of cutting, thereby minimizing the amount of bleeding.
Some of the most popular uses for lasers include periodontal therapy and dental surgery, among others. When used for periodontal therapy, laser surgery lets out patients gently remove disease tissue to improve tissue response and reduce periodontal pocket depths.
When used for dental surgery, laser therapy lets our doctors safely and gently
But these are just a few examples! If you’d like to learn more about laser therapy, call our office today to schedule a visit with one of our doctors at Foothills Dental Centre!
Our handpicked team delivers warmth, personality, and professionalism. They stay current with leading-edge dentistry to bring you advanced services to make the most of your smile and improve your oral health. Every member of our team is here to serve you to the best of our ability and provide quality, compassionate care.
Dr. Andrew Madej was born in Windsor, Ontario. Growing up, he was very involved with his Polish community and his church. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at theUniversity of Western Ontario in 1992 and worked as a dentist for a number of years in Northwestern Ontario before moving to Ottawa in 2005. Together with Dr. Vu, he is a member of the:
Dr. Madej strongly believes in updating his dental skills and knowledge to provide patients with the most modern and technically advanced care possible. He believes in explaining all treatment options to patients and educating them with intra-oral cameras images, digital x-rays, and informative CASEY videos.
He has also traveled extensively, both to the United States and around Canada to attend numerous continuing education courses annually, including courses on CEREC CAD/CAM, oral conscious sedation, orthodontics and Invisalign, neuromuscular dentistry, implant dentistry, and smile makeovers.
Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej earned Fellowship status in The International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The awarding of Fellowship status is an honour which a professional society such as the ICOI bestows on a dental professional involved in dental implant treatment. The ICOI has a Fellowship program in which active members achieve Fellowship status through their education, research and actual clinical experience. The International Congress of Oral Implantologiest is dedicated to communicating scientific knowledge and improving the clinical practice of dental implantology worldwide. The ICOI has public information programs, publishes a bimonthly journal and a quarterly newsletter. It conducts numercous scientific symposia each year and supports research and education through its Implant Dentistry Research and Education Foundation (IDREF).
Dr. Madej values a healthy and active lifestyle. Together with Dr. Vu, he competes in triathlons in the summer and cross-country ski marathons in the winter. When he’s not at the office, he enjoys gardening, photography, and reading.
Dr. William Vu grew up in Toronto and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Toronto in 2002. He worked in the Greater Toronto area and Ottawa before moving to Hinton. Together with Dr. Madej, he is a member of the:
Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej have worked together to create a dental care facility with patient comfort and the highest quality dental care in mind. They constantly update and invest in equipment, technologies, and continuing education to bring patients the very best that dentistry has to offer. His continuing education experience includes courses on oral conscious sedation, orthodontics and Invisalign, oral surgery, implant dentistry, and smile makeovers.
Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are important to him and he regularly hikes in the mountain and competes in triathlons in the summer and cross-country ski marathons in the winter. Dr. Vu also enjoys spending time with friends and family and relaxing by listening to music and reading.
If you want good overall health, start with your smile. Numerous studies illustrate the correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. We feel that the best way to achieve health and wellbeing is to stop problems before they start. Our general and family dentistry services do just that.
From children’s dentistrythat starts kids on the right path for a lifetime of healthy smiles to neuromuscular solutions to restore comfortable TMJfunction, our LVI-trained dentists focus on getting – and keeping – your smile in great shape. Periodontal (gum) health is quickly and effectively rejuvenated with modern therapies. If you’re a serious athlete or a weekend warrior,Under Armour Performance Mouthwear™ will protect your smile and take your game to the next level.
It all starts with a comprehensive checkup and cleaning at our Hinton office. The doctor will examine each component of your smile and recommend treatments to maintain or improve oral health. Regular cleanings rid teeth of hardened food particles and plaque that harbor disease-causing bacteria. We’re your first line of defense for a healthy smile, and we take that role seriously. Seeing us on a regular basis will keep your smile in top condition.
Your smile is an invaluable asset. Protect it with quality care from Foothills Dental Centre.
Our office regularly cares for the dental needs of children as young as three years old. However, if you notice that your child has a problem with his or her teeth or gums prior to this age, please schedule an appointment. You may also want to bring your child to your dental checkup when he or she is about two so that your child can become familiar with the sights, sounds, and friendly helpers in our dental office. We call this a "Happy Visit." Your child's independent checkup at age three will involve a tooth-by-tooth inspection and periodontal exam. The dentist will check for proper development, as well as tooth decay and other areas of concern.
As your child grows, he or she will need regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure optimal oral health. Our team will also teach oral homecare techniques so that your child can learn how to effectively brush and floss, with your help at first, then on his or her own. The dentist may recommend dental sealants or fluoride supplements. Sealants are thin, clear coatings that protect hard-to-clean back teeth from the sugars that cause tooth decay. Fluoride attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. Because most bottled water does not contain fluoride, your child may be deficient in this essential mineral. Sealants and fluoride supplements are quick and easy protective measures that can save your little one from cavities.
Let us help your children learn the importance of optimal oral health from a young age. In some cases, we refer children to pedodontists, who are specialists in children's dentistry. We will help you make the best choices for your child's unique and precious personality.
Improving the appearance of your smile through cosmetic dentistry can have life-changing results! Your self-image will soar as you speak, laugh, and smile with confidence. Dr. Vuand Dr. Madejhave extensive experience in administering modern aesthetic solutions at our Hinton office.
Browse through our before-and-after photoson our website foothillsdentalcentre.com to see the amazing results of cosmetic dentistry treatments such as porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and cosmetic bonding. We offer traditional orthodontics and Invisalign clear braces for teens and adults who want to straighten crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth. If your smile requires extensive work to regain optimal appearance and function, the doctor may recommend a smile makeover. This cosmetic full-mouth reconstructive procedure consists of a series of phased treatments to reinforce your smile’s foundation, while enhancing its beauty.
Learn more about cosmetic dentistry solutions from Foothills Dental:
Whether you know it as periodontal disease or gum disease, this widespread oral health condition is one that demands serious attention. Numerous medical studies have shown that a link exists between periodontal disease and health problems in the rest of the body. A short list of these health problems includes heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and pregnancy complications.
Not all forms of periodontal disease are the same, though. For some patients, treating gum disease might be as simple as spending more time brushing and flossing. For others, more rigorous forms of periodontal therapy may be required.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Diagnosing periodontal disease yourself can be difficult and is not advised, as not every patient has the recognizable symptoms. That’s why regular visits with Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej are so important. During a regular checkup, our doctors will complete a thorough exam of your teeth and gums to check for signs of periodontal disease. The video below explains how Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej diagnose periodontal disease in cases where there are no discernible symptoms. In other cases, the symptoms may be more obvious.
Symptoms of periodontal disease include:
Periodontal disease is also the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. That’s because the bacteria associated with plaque buildup destroys bone tissue, making teeth more vulnerable. If you recognize any of these symptoms, don’t wait to seek treatment. Using some of today’s best tools and techniques, Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej will you help diagnose and treat your periodontal disease so that you can improve your confidence in your oral health.
To schedule an appointment, call Foothills Dental Centre. Trusted and proudly serving Hinton, Edson, Jasper, Grande Cache, Spruce Grove, Whitecourt and the Drayton Valley.
Modern Dentistry at its Finest
Modern dentistry blends high-tech toolswith personalized attention. Our focus on preventioncan save you time, money, and discomfort down the road and give you a healthy smile to enjoy now and years to come. Cosmetic treatments, such as porcelain veneers and Invisalign clear braces, transform flawed teeth. To remedy the discomfort and dysfunction of an incomplete smile, Dr. Madej and Dr. Vu offerdental implants, the tooth replacement solution that mimics the look and feel of natural teeth.
Comforting Care
Experience comprehensive care in an atmosphere personalized for your comfort. If dental visits make you nervous, or if you want to complete your dental work in just a few visits, considersedation dentistry. Time will fly by as you experience the soothing effects of sedation and receive quality care from a team devoted to delivering a distinctive dental care experience.
Our Practice Philosophy
Our main goal at Foothills Dental is a healthy smile that inspires your confidence and leaves you feeling happy and comfortable.
Our dental practice is “patient-centered.” That means we provide individualized care for each and every patient. In this way, you are receiving not only the best and most accurate care possible, but also the care that meets your needs, concerns, and desires!
You will be involved in every step of the diagnosis and treatment planning stage. The Foothills Dental team will review your x-rays, intra-oral photos, and periodontal findings on a large-screen computer display so that you are able to make informed decisions regarding our recommendations for your oral health.
Each step of the way, we strive to make your visit a relaxed and comfortable one. Among the many comforts we offer, you will find heated neck cushions, blankets, your choice of music, Internet access, beverages, and even warm towels!
Let us help your achieve and maintain your healthy, happy smile!
“We are committed to helping our patients achieve a lifetime of optimum oral health. Each team member strives to foster patient relationships based on mutual trust, excellent customer service, and the best patient care available. Patients will be at ease knowing that they will be provided with the finest in modern dentistry with a sense of comfort and kindness!”
Our office contains technologically advanced equipment to make your experience comforting and rewarding. Some of our modern dental technology includes intraoral cameras, digital X-rays, and VELscope oral cancer screening.
At the heart of everything we do is an abiding devotion to deliver comfortable, quality care in an engaging and professional environment. We practice relationship-based dentistry, which means that we’ll work with you one-on-one to understand your dental needs and desires, then deliver personalized care focused on what’s best for you. You’ll be treated as a unique individual.
You and your family will receive quality care from a team who understands your unique situation. Dr. Vu’s and Dr. Madej’s comprehensive experience and skill sets enable them to offer full-service dentistry to remedy a wide-range of dental issues. From comprehensive checkups and hygiene to oral surgery to dental implants, we offer diverse services to take care of all of your dental needs.
Your comfort is always foremost in the minds of our team. Relax with a comfy blanket and pillow, enjoy a heated bean bag or watch your favorite television shows. During your dental treatment, experience total peace of mind and body with sedation dentistry.
What can you expect as a patient of Foothills Dental Centre? Personalized service, a relaxing environment, and adental team with the knowledge, experience, and skill to bring out the best in your smile.Dr. Vu andDr. Madej focus on delivering quality care, not herding patients in and out to get to the next case. Only by taking time with you can the doctor understand your concerns and work with you in the best way possible to achieve your goals.
The range of skills and experience on our team is diverse, and so are the services we offer. We try to incorporate a wide variety of dental technology for all things related to your smile's health and well-being under one roof. Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej will educate you about your oral health, explain your choices for care, and guide you in the decision-making process. When you’ve made your decision on how to proceed, we’ll tend to you with gentle, compassionate care for an experience that we believe is one of the finest available.
A healthy smile plays a big part in your overall health! That’s why routine dental care is of the utmost importance. But as important as regular brushing and flossing are, more is needed to maintain excellent gum health. Bacterial plaque and calculus (also known as tartar) buildup causes gum deterioration, and therefore needs to be removed routinely by a registered dental hygienist. If plaque and calculus are left under the gum tissue, gingivitis and periodontal disease will set in, eventually leading to bad breath, swollen and sore gums, and, unfortunately, tooth loss.
If left untreated, the various types of gum disease can significantly affect both your oral health and your overall health. Recent research indicates that heart attack, diabetes, stroke, and even premature birth all share a strong connection with uncontrolled gum disease. For these reasons, it is crucial to see a dental hygienist regularly!
We can provide you with nutritional counseling to help guide you towards healthy choices for optimal gum and tooth health. Your medical history will also be reviewed and we will provide you with information pertaining to any conditions or medication and their possible effects on your oral health. During your dental cleaning (also known as “gum therapy” or periodontal cleaning) we will work with you to identify areas of concern, and provide helpful tips and tricks you can use to achieve a healthier smile!
In some cases, we refer patients to a specialist for oral surgery. Your dentist has also taken significant postgraduate courses for various procedures. So that you can receive the majority of your dental care in our office, where you feel comfortable, cared for, and familiar, we offer some minor oral surgeries and endodontics. These may include:
If we believe that you would be better served by a specialist, we'll refer you to a trusted colleague. Should you have questions or concerns about any dental procedure that we recommend, please ask. Our team is always available to share information and educational materials. The more you understand about your dental treatment plan, the wiser your decisions.
Are you tired of suffering the discomfort and embarrassment of missing teeth? Does your loose denture make chewing difficult? Do people have trouble understanding you when you speak? These problems can be resolved – never to return again! Dental implants are long-lasting anchors that support natural-looking replacement teeth. A single implant post supports an individual crown, while a few posts provide unsurpassed stability to a bridge or denture.
Implant posts are made of surgical-grade titanium. An oral surgeon or other specialist surgically inserts them into your jawbone. During the healing phase, a process called osseointegration occurs in which jawbone tissue integrates the post as if it were a natural tooth root. Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej design and attach custom replacement teeth made specifically to anchor onto implant posts.
Ideal candidates possess good oral and overall health. Chronic conditions such as diabetes may slow healing but typically aren’t a deterrent if controlled with medication. Smoking may negatively impact implant success, so you may be advised to stop prior to your surgery. Jawbone quality is perhaps the most important factor in implant success.
If you have insufficient jawbone mass, Dr. Vu or Dr. Madej may suggest a bone graft. They perform the grafting process in our Hinton office, so you can be assured your procedure will be conducted in comfortable, state-of-the-art surroundings by a skilled doctor and team. Donor or synthetic bone is used to shore up bone structure and create a welcoming environment for implant posts to fully integrate with jawbone.
Dental implants stop the loss of jawbone that occurs when natural teeth are missing and ensure that existing teeth stay in position for proper bite alignment. You’ll experience freedom from the hassles of missing teeth as you enjoy the benefits of a complete, healthy smile. Dental implants have a 95 to 98% success rate and the potential to last a lifetime with proper care.
Did you know that fear of the dentist is one of the most common phobias people face? Dental anxiety is definitely something that we are novice to, and we recognize the fact that we need to help our patients feel as calm and relaxed as possible. Unfortunately, having a fear of the dentist can prevent people for having their much needed dental work done. If you let all of your dental issues be left unattended, it may lead to a much more serious problem in the long run.
Though we do offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation as part of our sedation dentistry, we are able to make even the most worrisome of people more comfortable withIV sedation. IV, or intravenous, sedation is the form of sedation where we administer the sedative though your vein, and the amount of sedation depends on your anxiety level.
It is important not to eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your dental work. An exception can be made if you have to take other medications, or otherwise advised byDrs. Vu or Madej. When we administer the sedation, you will begin to feel extremely relaxed; you may even fall asleep! Patients usually remain conscious, allowing you to be responsive should our doctors need to ask you a question. Because your safety and well being are our top concern, we monitor your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Once the procedure is done, we will remove the IV and let you sit and relax. It is best to have someone you trust drive you home, as you will still be woozy.
People who have fears about going to the dentist are not the only ones who benefit fromIV sedation. People who suffer from TMJ, have a sensitive gag reflex, or any other neuromuscular afflictions have found relief with this form of sedation. If you have any questions on howIV sedationcan help alleviate your fears, call our office, and we will be glad to help!
People of any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Teeth that are crooked, crowded, or that stick out affect the way your teeth look and function. Orthodontic treatment not only improves the look of your smile but your health as well. Straight teeth are easier to clean and less likely to get gum disease, tooth decay or injured. If you are not happy with the way your teeth look or function, orthodontic treatment may help.
Our practice philosophy is directed towards obtaining the highest quality, longest lasting results possible. This includes the ideal fit and function of all teeth and a proper relationship between all of the facial bones (not just straight front teeth).
The removal of permanent teeth is something we try to avoid. In the majority of patients, we try to encourage skeletal and jaw development (instead of extracting teeth), therefore we are able to accommodate all the teeth. However, because of certain biological or esthetic factors, in some situations it is necessary to consider the extraction of some permanent teeth in order to achieve optimum results. We are careful not to prematurely start treatment. Optimal timing keeps a child's treatment to a minimum, avoiding excessive treatment time. However, there are many patients who will benefit from two stages of treatment. Often an early interceptive stage can decrease the complexity, duration and cost of the total orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej are general dentists, with training in orthodontics. They offer traditional braces and Invisalign clear braces to adjust teeth and create healthy, pleasing smiles. Just like extractions and root canals, general dentists provide orthodontic treatment for the majority of mal-aligned (crooked) teeth and refer the more complex cases to a specialist (orthodontist).
Traditional braces have improved! You can now choose from metal and tooth colour ceramic brackets placed on the front of teeth. Low tension applied to a thin wire threaded through the brackets gradually shifts teeth into their ideal arrangement. This type of orthodontic treatment isn’t just for kids and teens. Many adults choose it, too.
Clear, BPA-free acrylic aligners fit over teeth and work by exerting gentle pressure. This pressure incrementally moves teeth in the desired direction for a beautiful, healthy smile. The aligners are removable, which is an attractive feature. You can easily clean your teeth – and your aligners. There are no diet restrictions withInvisalign, and our adult patients appreciate the discrete nature of treatment with clear braces.
At your orthodontic consultation, you and the doctor will discuss your goals and expectations to determine whether traditional braces or Invisalign clear braces is the best method to create the smile you’ve always wanted.
Sedation dentistry allows you to put your fears behind you and approach dental visits with self-assurance. Time will fly during your appointment and, in the case of oral sedation, the doctor can potentially perform multiple procedures in a single visit. You’ll complete your dental work in total relaxation and in a minimum number of visits.
Dr. Vu and Dr. Madej offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to calm nerves and patient anxiety. Both sedation methods provide safe, effective results for a positive, comfortable experience.
Often called "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is inhaled through a nasal mask during dental procedures. You’ll experience a warm, comfy feeling of safety and security. Because the effects of nitrous diminish almost immediately after removal of the mask, you can return to your normal routine immediately following your dental appointment.
A sedative taken prior to your dental visit calms your nerves and creates a sense of complete calm. You’ll feel intensely relaxed, but you’ll remain in complete control at all times, able to voice your needs and requests to the doctor and team. Oral sed
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