We encourage the assessment of infants and children by a dentist within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age. Establishing a dental home early is important so the child feels comfortable in the dental office and so the parents have the necessary tools to keep the baby teeth healthy at home. Important information regarding hygiene, diet, fluoride, and bottle/breastfeeding will be provided at your first visit.

If you are in pain or discomfort, you should come in immediately for treatment. X-rays and local anesthetic are considered safe for pregnant women, if required.  Necessary treatment is safest in the second trimester of pregnancy. If you have a planned elective treatment, we recommend that you defer treatment until after delivery. 

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water, and food. It becomes incorporated into our teeth, increasing their strength and making them more resistant to developing cavities. Fluoride can also reverse existing cavities. We recommend using a fluoridated toothpaste twice daily to prevent cavities.

To treat each patient individually, we need to gather as much information as possible about your general and dental health. Your first visit will be very thorough and include an oral cancer screening to check for lumps and bumps, followed by a complete extraoral and intra-oral examination to check the health of the jaw, gums, teeth and bone.  Photos, scans and necessary x-rays will be taken based on your need. We will discuss any notable findings and provide you with a list of several options to approach your care. With your goals in mind, a comprehensive treatment plan will be reviewed, the cost estimates and timelines will be discussed, and any questions you have will be answered. We charge a $100 non-refundable chair deposit when booking the appointment, which will be applied to your account.

Dental x-rays are an integral part of the proper diagnosis and treatment planning for each individual patient. We use digital radiography to minimize the exposure of patients to radiation and will recommend specific x-rays based on the need of the patient. Everyday you are exposed to low levels of radiation just by stepping outside in the open air. With the current technology, people are exposed to extremely small amounts of radiation from dental x-rays and they are considered safe!

The recommendation is for people to brush their teeth for two minutes, twice daily with a soft bristled toothbrush using a fluoridated toothpaste. We do not recommend medium or hard-bristled toothbrushes as they are too harsh on the teeth and gums. You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or as the seasons change. Powered toothbrushes have been shown to be very effective as well, but similar to the manual toothbrushes they must be used correctly. Your dental hygienist will provide you with proper oral care instructions.

 Sometimes posterior teeth have deep grooves where food and bacteria can become trapped. Sealants are a safe, special coating painted on clean teeth to seal them and prevent the development of cavities. They are typically placed in children upon eruption of the adult teeth and can last for several years. In fact, school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children without sealants!

How often you go for cleanings depends on your oral health needs. There are several factors that impact your oral health: brushing properly twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a well-balanced diet and limiting sweet/sticky foods, avoiding smoking, your history of cavities and/or gum disease, as well as your overall health. We will determine your visit frequency based on these factors.  If you have deep gum pockets, heavy tartar build up, poor home care, orthodontic braces, or you have a difficult time with manual dexterity, we will likely recommend that you see us for more frequent visits. 

Amalgam fillings are composed of mercury, silver, copper and tin. They are very durable but not esthetic and are typically placed in the back teeth. Scientific studies have not verified that dental amalgam causes illness in the general population. They do however, release small amounts of mercury vapour, especially when chewing, which can be absorbed into the body, reach organs and cross the placenta.  

Composite fillings are made of a ceramic and plastic compound that is glued onto the tooth. Bonding composite allows us to preserve more tooth structure compared to amalgam fillings. These are “white” and therefore have a more natural, esthetically pleasing appearance. Composite offers adequate clinical strength, however it is somewhat lower than that of amalgam. The process of composite placement is more technique sensitive as it requires a dry area to prevent contamination.

Not every tooth that is getting a crown needs a root canal, however most teeth with root canals will need a crown. If a tooth has a large filling or is broken, it may still be vital (alive) and/or asymptomatic (not painful). In this case we would recommend a crown but no root canal. If a tooth has a large filling or is broken and it is necrotic (dead) and/or symptomatic (painful), we would recommend a root canal followed by a crown. The crown can be used to restore shape, appearance, and function and prevent further damage. 

Invisalign is a very popular, versatile method to treat misaligned teeth in both teens and adults because it is less noticeable than conventional metal braces. It uses a series of removable aligners (clear plastic trays) to slowly move teeth into the desired position. If you have gaps between your teeth, crowded teeth, a crossbite, and/or too much overjet or overbite, you may qualify for Invisalign. A full assessment is required to determine whether you are a good candidate. If your case is more complicated, full traditional braces may be indicated. Keep these things in mind with clear aligners:

• You may develop a slight speech impediment and notice an increase in saliva.
• You must wear the retainers 24/7 except for eating and brushing.
• If you grind or clench your teeth you may wear through them; you will not be able to wear your TMJ night guard while doing Invisalign.  
• The aligners will stain with excessive coffee and tea drinking.

Yes! We accept most dental insurance plans. Please bring your insurance information to your first appointment so we can submit your claim directly. Also, note that we are here to help you navigate your insurance benefits, but we are not responsible for knowing the details of your benefits or what will be covered.

We require 48 hours notice to cancel your appointment. If it’s less than 48 hours provided to us, a $75 fee will be applied to your account.