Azarko Dental ★9.7

A denturist with his own lab next door

Azarko Dental Group dates to 1979, when two brothers opened a practice in west Edmonton; it has run as a group clinic ever since and now sits inside the dentalcorp network. What separates it from every other name in the Edmonton top ten is Howard Getty — a second-generation denturist who joined in 2007 and keeps his denture lab immediately next door. Full and partial dentures, implant-supported ones included, are fitted and built by the same hands.

Treatments and services

General and family care: exams with oral cancer screening, hygiene, white fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals, extractions and wisdom teeth; children from the first birthday. Surgical and restorative: implants, bone grafts and sinus lifts where the jaw needs building up first. Cosmetic: whitening, smile work, therapeutic and cosmetic Botox. Orthodontics: Invisalign and braces. A separate urgent-care arm takes knocked-out teeth, lost fillings and swelling, with a dentist on the emergency rota at weekends.

Technology

The office is paperless: digital charting at every chair, digital x-rays, an overhead screen showing what the dentist sees. An iTero scanner replaces impression putty and drives the Invisalign workflow. VELscope fluorescence supports oral cancer screening. Lasers run through the practice — decay removal, gum-disease therapy, sterilizing canals during root treatment, cold sores, jaw pain, gum contouring.

Dentists

Seven general dentists share the rota. Dr. Allan Zhang handles surgical extractions, molar root canals and implant placement, and is trained in upper and lower face Botox. Dr. Dubin Roy, who speaks Hindi and Gujarati, concentrates on molar endodontics and adhesive dentistry. Dr. Nandini Mehta, a University of Toronto graduate, works with anxious patients. Dr. Brett York holds the Sunday emergency chair. Seven hygienists and a dedicated sterilization team stand behind them.

Who it suits

West Edmonton families wanting one address for grandparents, parents and toddlers; anyone facing dentures who would rather deal with the person building them; nervous patients, who agree a plan before treatment starts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be seen at the weekend? Yes — the clinic opens seven days, and a dentist covers emergencies on Sunday.

Who makes my denture? The clinic’s own denturist, in his lab next door; fitting and construction are his own work.

Will I be referred elsewhere for an implant? No — placement, bone grafting and sinus lifts are done in house.

Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan accepted? Yes, and insurers are billed directly.

Opening hours