Frequently Asked Questions

The primary means to oral hygiene is proper and methodical brushing of teeth. This cleans away the plaque on a daily basis and also helps to keep the breath fresh. Brushing teeth at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste is recommended to keep them clean. The fluoride in the toothpaste makes the enamel more resistant to attack by the decay-forming acids in the mouth. The toothbrush selected should have a firm, comfortable grip with soft rounded bristles on a contoured head and replaced every 3-4 months for best results or as soon as the bristles are frayed.

Step 1: Place bristles along the gum line at a 45o angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.

Step 2: Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back and forth rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.

Step 3: Maintain a 45o angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gum line. Gently brush using back, forth, and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces.

Step 4: Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up and down strokes using the front half of the brush.

Step 5: Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth and use a gentle back and forth scrubbing motion. Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odour-producing bacteria.

Dental Veneers can be a less expensive and less invasive alternative to crowns. They are an ideal choice for people with severe staining and discoloration caused by coffee, soda or cigarettes. They can also be used to correct crooked, chipped, misshapen and oddly shaped teeth. Unlike tooth crowns, Veneers do not require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself although in certain circumstances removing a part of the tooth might be necessary. Be sure to discuss these requirements with your dentist before the procedure. Veneers will not stain and they are very durable, lasting anywhere from ten to fifteen years and they are perfect for people looking to acquire a pleasant smile.

The first step in getting tooth veneers is to have your dentist cast moldings of your teeth. Once these moldings are cast, the veneers themselves are created. Veneers are essentially thin slices of porcelain or plastic molded to the shape of your teeth. The dentist will then lightly buff the outer layer of your teeth to allow for the added thickness of the veneer. In certain cases, he may also have to remove a part of your tooth. The dentist will then use cement to bond the veneer to your tooth. Be sure to request a temporary placement in the beginning to make sure you are happy with the results. Once you are satisfied with your new smile, the dentist will then cleanse your teeth with chemicals and replace your veneers using a permanent cement and a light beam to achieve a durable bond

Dental implants are titanium bolts which are surgically screwed into your jawbone to allow for a realistic looking crown to be anchored in place. Implants can be a welcome alternative for people missing most or all of their teeth and can also be used to replace a single missing tooth. The procedure requires surgery and, depending on the size and shape of your jawbone, might also require a bone graft. However, once it has ‘taken', the implant will last a lifetime. The crowns anchored to an implant do have to be replaced every ten to fifteen years.

There are also a number of variables depending mostly on the shape of the jawbone and the number of implants that need to be placed. The surgery to insert the implant into your jawbone can require a three to six month healing period. In certain cases it might be possible to connect the prosthesis, whether it be a crown, a bridge or a full denture immediately after the surgery, this depends on each individual case.

But once the implant has fused with the surrounding bone, the resulting anchor is very strong and durable and makes for excellent results.

Dental implants are a dependable and life long cosmetic dentistry procedure. Compared with bridges that require certain degree of adjacent tooth reduction, and dentures which sometimes feel loose and unstable, they provide a permanent solution that is both functional and natural appearing.

Dental implants are not without their downside. Other than the considerable expense involved, the procedure can also be time-consuming once preparation and healing time are factored in. There can also be some amount of pain involved throughout the procedure. Finally, as with any form of complex surgery, there is always the risk of complication.

A dental bridge is basically a false tooth (also known as a pontic) which is placed in the space left by a missing tooth. Porcelain crowns on either side of the tooth are bonded with resin to the pontic in what is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.

Bridges reduce the risk of gum disease and help correct some bite issues. They can last for a long time.

Dental bonding is a procedure that uses a composite resin to restore and reshape damaged and decayed teeth in a variety of manners. Bonding can be used for everything from removing stains to closing gaps in teeth to correcting crooked or misshapen teeth. A cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material to your tooth, shape and sculpt it and then harden the material using a high-intensity light. The resulting new surface is then finely polished. Composite bonds can last from seven to eleven years.

Minor dental bonding procedures can usually be completed in one office visit for small fixes and for replacing fillings. More complicated bonding procedures can require additional time and visits and may involve the casting of a mold and the use of temporary fillings while the permanent bond is cast by the lab. These types of bonds are usually made of porcelain, color-matched to your existing teeth and provide a durable and stain resistant solution to your problem.

A new, properly fitted denture will help you look better by providing the support your lips need, and by giving your face and smile a more natural appearance. Having good-looking teeth also gives you the confidence and freedom to smile and live life to the fullest

A tell-tale sign that it's time to replace your dentures- when you notice sagging facial muscles, excessive wrinkling and protruding lower jaw.

You should brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed, or after each meal. You should also floss daily, and rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy between dental cleanings.

Remember to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months, and avoid using hard-bristled toothbrushes, and this can cause tooth sensitivity and promote bleeding gums.

If you are experiencing dental pain, contact our dentist. Waiting could make the problem worse, and early treatment is always easier to perform, less invasive, and less expensive.