Frequently asked questions

The frequency of dental X-rays you need depends entirely on what your specific oral health requirements are. A dental X-ray is a vital tool that helps your dentist detect potential problems early before they develop into more serious issues. In general, most people receive a dental X-ray once or twice a year.

Some people wonder if they can place veneers over their front teeth to fill in a gap, or move their teeth closer together with clear aligners. Unfortunately, large spaces cannot easily be patched over with veneers and fillings. Even significant tooth movement could alter your bone anatomy, causing it to look irregular. Replacing teeth with an implant or bridge is best.

Bridge abutments are the “crowns” on either end of the restoration that set on top of the supporting teeth. Abutments can also refer to the top of the implant that supports an implant bridge. The pontic is the “false tooth” or artificial crown that is suspended in the middle, filling in the gap between your teeth.

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water, and various foods. It can prevent and even reverse tooth decay. In many parts of Amercia, fluoridation adding and adjusting fluoride in public drinking water serves to protect a community from tooth decay. With the exception of dental fluorosis a change in the colour of teeth when higher than optimal levels of fluoride are ingested in early childhood there is no credible health risk associated with the use of fluoride. For children aged three years or younger, parents should consult a dentist to determine if your child is at risk of tooth decay. For children aged three to six years old, a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended by the American Dental Association. Children aged three to six years old should be supervised by their parents when brushing their teeth to ensure the child is using an appropriate amount of toothpaste, to prevent them from swallowing toothpaste, and to teach them how to clean their teeth effectively.

Dentists have an obligation to maintain the standards of practice of the profession and must ensure that recommended infection prevention and control procedures are carried out in their offices. Basic procedures to safeguard against infection and the spread of germs includes your dental team wearing masks and surgical gloves and frequently washing their hands, and disinfecting and sterilizing all dental tools they use on every patient. The operatory (the room with the dental chair where patients are examined) is also cleaned after each patient visit. If you have any questions or concerns about dental office or staff hygiene, ask your dentist to explain to you what precautions and procedures we use to prevent the spread of germs and disease.

There are several brands of toothpaste that are recognized by the American Dental Association which are trusted by consumers based on sales volumes. We recommend you use a toothpaste that bears the American Dental Association's seal of approval and one that contains fluoride.

The American Dental Association recommends having your child assessed by a pediatric dentist within six months of the eruption of your child's first tooth, or by one year of age to prevent any dental problems. Your child's teeth should be examined by a dentist every six months.

We don't actually put you to sleep during a dental appointment. We have options to administer oral conceive sedation or intravenously sedative to help you relax. You will still be conscious and can talk to your dentist, but you will be in a state of deep relaxation. However, you might not remember much of your dental appointment afterward because the sedative can cause partial or full memory loss while you are under sedation. This procedure is commonly referred to as sleep or asleep dentistry.