Dr. Justin C. Kerr – Dentist | Cochrane, AB

Dr. Justin C. Kerr is a Dentist (Sedation Dentistry Options). Practicing at a dentist practice in Cochrane, AB, Dr. Kerr is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Kerr is licensed by The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of the dental profession in AB. Dr. Kerr provides a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages, including preventative care, routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal treatments (non-specialist), and basic extractions, focused on maintaining overall oral health. Dr. Kerr also provides comprehensive general dental care with various certified levels of sedation (such as nitrous oxide/'laughing gas', oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation, depending on specific qualifications) to help anxious patients, those with a low pain threshold, or individuals undergoing extensive procedures feel significantly more relaxed and comfortable throughout their dental treatment. Further, Dr. Kerr offers facial esthetic treatments using therapeutic neuromodulators (e.g., Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® for bruxism, TMJ pain, or cosmetic enhancement of the upper face such as frown lines and crow's feet) and/or dermal fillers to complement dental aesthetics, address facial harmony, and rejuvenate facial appearance, based on their specific certified training levels. Dr. Kerr serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For patient convenience, direct billing to many major dental insurance plans may be available at the clinic.

Dr. Justin C. Kerr earned a Dental Degree. Dr. Kerr brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. Dr. Kerr offers a broad range of dental services and may have particular interests or developed skills in areas such as General Dentistry with Facial Esthetic Services (Neuromodulators & Dermal Fillers) and General Dentistry with Certified Sedation Options. Dr. Kerr is dedicated to ongoing continuing education to provide up-to-date dental care.

Key aspects of Dr. Kerr's dental practice philosophy include: a strong emphasis on preventative dentistry and patient education to help maintain lifelong oral health; a commitment to utilizing modern dental technology and evidence-based techniques for optimal treatment outcomes; believing in conservative dentistry, aiming to preserve natural tooth structure whenever possible. Dr. Kerr provides consultations in English.

Dr. Justin C. Kerr provides expert care for a wide range of dental and oral health conditions for patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Tmj Disorders Bruxism

• Jaw Pain, Clicking, Popping, or Locking (TMJ Symptoms): Experiencing pain, discomfort, clicking sounds, popping sensations, or episodes of jaw locking in the jaw joint (TMJ) or surrounding facial muscles.
• Teeth Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism) - Day or Night: Addressing the underlying causes and direct consequences of involuntary parafunctional teeth grinding and clenching habits.

Gag Reflex Management

• Difficulty with Dental Procedures Due to Severe Gag Reflex: Seeking strategies, desensitization techniques, or appropriate sedation options to manage a strong gag reflex during necessary dental care.

Gum Disease Initial

• Gingivitis (Early Gum Disease): Treating the initial stage of gum disease to prevent progression to more serious periodontitis.
• Mild to Moderate Periodontitis (Initial Management by GP): Early to moderate stages of gum disease involving some bone loss around teeth, managed by GPs with deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) and ongoing maintenance.

Tooth Decay Cavities

• Dental Caries (Cavities / Tooth Decay): Restoring teeth affected by decay with appropriate filling materials to maintain oral health.
• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) / Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Addressing aggressive tooth decay in toddlers and preschoolers with tailored treatment and parental education.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Kerr. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Dental Bridges (Fixed Partial Dentures): Fixed prosthetic solutions designed to effectively fill the gap left by missing teeth, thereby improving chewing ability, speech, and overall smile appearance.
• Oral Conscious Sedation (Anxiolysis): A commonly used sedation option for patients with moderate dental fear or anxiety, allowing them to remain conscious and able to respond to verbal cues but feel deeply relaxed and often have little memory of the procedure.
• Denture Adjustments, Repairs & Relines: Providing necessary adjustments, repairs (e.g., for cracks or broken teeth), and relines (to improve fit due to gum shrinkage) for existing dentures to enhance comfort, stability, and functionality.
• Professional Teeth Whitening (In-Office & Take-Home Kits): Professional-grade bleaching solutions and techniques to achieve a noticeably whiter, more vibrant, and radiant smile under dental supervision.
• TMJ/TMD Assessment, Diagnosis & Orofacial Pain Evaluation: Diagnosing various temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and other orofacial pain conditions through a detailed patient history, thorough clinical examination, and, if necessary, adjunctive diagnostic aids or imaging.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Kerr. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Justin C. Kerr adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in AB and standards of The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA).

At Dr. Justin C. Kerr's practice, the focus is on partnering with you to achieve significant improvements in your oral health, address your specific dental concerns, and help you attain your desired smile. Dr. Kerr frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• If an old dental crown that needed to be replaced because it was visibly worn, chipped, poorly fitting, or had decay underneath has unfortunately put feeling good about their overall appearance and the positive first impression their smile makes on hold or made it less enjoyable, Dr. Kerr works closely with patients towards attaining their old, uncomfortable dental bridge being replaced with a well-fitting and aesthetic new one, effectively helping them regain their previous level of oral function and aesthetic confidence.
• The journey from a desire to discuss options for a comprehensive 'smile makeover' to address multiple aesthetic concerns to wellness often involves Dr. Kerr's dedicated care. The milestone is their persistent bad breath being eliminated after addressing the underlying dental cause, which opens the door back to activities such as no longer experiencing the embarrassment or discomfort of ill-fitting or noticeable dental work.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. Kerr about an urgent need to replace a recently lost front tooth before other teeth started to shift or their appearance was significantly affected is to attain their jaw no longer clicking or popping painfully, and jaw movement feeling smoother. This success not only improves oral health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like simply relaxing and not having dental pain or problems on their mind constantly.
• Through Dr. Kerr's skilled guidance and modern dental techniques, patients suffering from their jaw making clicking, popping, or grating sounds when they opened their mouth wide or chewed often find they can readily achieve their breath feeling consistently fresh and clean due to improved oral health and once again enthusiastically pursue enjoyable pastimes like no longer avoiding certain social situations because of how they feel about their teeth.

Your personalized dental treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Kerr, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional, aesthetic, and overall oral wellness objectives. Dr. Kerr is committed to empowering patients with the information and high-quality care needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Dr. Kerr's practice, a dental office in Cochrane, is situated in a central location within the Cochrane neighborhood of Cochrane. The clinic is conveniently located near local shops and community amenities and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally available close to the dental office; please observe local signage.

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr. Kerr?

Typically, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a general dentist. Patients are welcome to contact our clinic directly to arrange their visit with Dr. Kerr.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Kerr at the clinic?

At your initial appointment, Dr. Kerr and the team at the clinic will focus on getting to know you and your oral health. Expect to fill out a medical history form, have a discussion about any dental issues or goals you have, followed by a detailed examination of your mouth. Digital X-rays may be taken to get a complete picture. Based on this, Dr. Kerr will explain their assessment and any recommended treatments. It's a great time to ask questions.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used to further minimize exposure. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary, for example, for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments. Dr. Kerr will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr. Kerr for a check-up and cleaning?

For most patients, check-ups and cleanings every 6 months are recommended for preventative care. However, Dr. Kerr will recommend a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions. For example, some patients may need visits every 3-4 months if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term health might have slightly longer intervals. It is important to follow Dr. Kerr's specific recommendation.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

In Alberta, provincial health plans like the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) typically do NOT cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics for the general population. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often through employers) or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits). It is important to verify any potential public coverage you might be eligible for and to always check the details of your private dental insurance before starting treatment.

#9109, 101 Sunset Drive
Cochrane, AB, T4C 0W8

Phone: (403) 981-3685

Dr. Justin C. Kerr is a licensed Dentist in AB, regulated by The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) under the Health Professions Act (Alberta).

Registration can typically be verified through the website of The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA).

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Kerr and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.