FAQs
What is our treatment philosophy?
Our approach to dentistry involves an emphasis on education and prevention. It is far better to prevent issues rather than fix them once they arise – just like anything else!
We take advantage of the recent technological advances in dentistry to help us in diagnosis and communication with our patients. With 3D scanners as well as intra-oral photography, we look at your teeth together and talk through your treatment choices – or where to improve to prevent treatment.
When it is time to do a filling, or any other treatment, we practice minimally invasive dentistry with the goal of keeping your teeth healthy, pain free, and looking good for life. We use the most researched and proven biocompatible materials that replicate the anatomy and properties of a tooth. No restoration is better than a natural tooth, but with the best materials we can come close.
How do I know if I have a cavity?
The most common symptom that a cavity causes is sensitivity to sweet foods. You may also see yellow, brown, grey, or black discolouration on the tooth, depending on how advanced the cavity is. If a tooth is very sensitive to cold, or painful to bite down on, it’s a separate issue and you should book an appointment.
When in doubt – come in and check with us!
How often should I come for a cleaning?
Generally speaking, a cleaning every 6-months is the golden rule to follow. Depending on your at-home oral hygiene, it takes bacterial colonies (plaque) 3-6 months to mature. Plaque is what leads to cavities, gum disease, and bone disease. Once these bacterial colonies are mature, they can cause harm much faster. So, getting rid of them prior to them causing that harm is our recommendation!
For patients who have advanced gum and bone disease, sometimes we do cleanings every 3 months to help stabilize their condition. After a couple years of this cleaning schedule, we can often return to 6 monthly cleanings.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies provide coverage for cleanings only every 9 months. This is typically not enough to maintain ideal oral health for most individuals. Coming in one extra time every 2 years can make a big difference, or your oral health relies on you being the world’s most diligent tooth brusher and flosser at home!
Do we see kids at our clinic?
As a family dental practice, we love seeing kids – we even see 3 generations of many families! Our goal is to make dental visits a positive experience for kids, whether they are energetic and happy or a bit worried about coming in.
The first dental visits for a child are extremely influential on how they will view dentists for the rest of their lives. With a thoughtful and caring approach, we aim to extinguish any dental phobia before it begins! We recommend coming for the first visit around 3 years old.
Do we accept the CDCP Dental Plan?
Do we do orthodontics at our clinic?
Yes, we provide both adult and child orthodontics. For adults, we have moved to exclusively working with Clear Aligners (Invisalign). Straight teeth offer an overwhelming benefit to one’s oral health, greatly enhancing the look and longevity of teeth. See our Invisalign page for more info.
With kids, we focus on intercepting issues as they arise with the purpose of creating healthy teeth and conditions for unrestricted growth of the teeth and jaws. This can play into your child’s ability to speak, eat, breathe, and of course, smile. Treating issues early on can help prevent sleep apnea and snoring as your child ages.
Are we accepting new patients?
All new patients are very welcome here. Whether you’ve moved and are looking for something a bit closer or haven’t been to the dentist in a while and think it’s time – we’re happy to help you.
The best way to book with us is to call us Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, you can fill out the ‘contact us’ form here on the website.
What will my first visit look like?
The first visit is an important one. We like to begin with every new patient by performing a comprehensive exam. We consider your dental past and your current status, to help us determine your future needs. You will receive any necessary digital X-Rays as well as a 3D iTero Scan of your teeth. This iTero scan gives us a 3D replica of your teeth, which we can look at on a screen together. It is an excellent communication tool that helps us explain any of our findings – or congratulate you for having such healthy teeth!
You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have, and our team will do our best to give you a thorough answer. The comprehensive exam typically takes about an hour from start to finish. We typically book a cleaning on a separate day just for this first initial visit. Going forward, you will always see a dentist for your exam and a hygienist for your cleaning on the same day.