FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
GENERAL
1. Q: Is it possible to keep my teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime?
A: Yes, with routine dental and preventive care combined with excellent oral hygiene.
2. Q: Is the dental treatment painful?
A: No, when proper techniques are used, dental treatment can be extremely comfortable and pain free.
3. Q: What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
A: This a sign that Periodontal Disease is present and needs to be treated. This is what leads to tooth loss.
4. Q: Are the dental x-rays harmful?
A: No, our equipment is state of the art and minimizes patient exposure.
5. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discolouration of enamel and dentin. Tooth whitening or bleaching is a
simple means to be bestowed with a gleaming white smile that does wonders for your levels of confidence. The
latest bleaching methods ensure that you have a more radiant and delightful smile. In due course of time, teeth
become dark since minerals breach the enamel surface of the tooth. As bleaching agents split up, oxygen is pushed
through the tooth enamel. Staining rapidly vanishes and the tooth structure is not harmed.
6. Q: What can be done with my gaps?
A: Gaps may range from wide spaces between the teeth, to a missing tooth or teeth. Gaps or diastema, are efficiently
closed by use of bonding with composite resin, veneers or crowning.
7. Q: What can be done with my worn and irregular teeth?
A: Worn teeth are usually a sign of "bite problems". Worn teeth can be restored with some form of reconstruction,
veneers and/or crowns.
8. Q: How do you know if you have an inflamed/infected tooth nerve?
A: Some signs are heat and cold sensitivity, swelling and pain, or a bad taste in your mouth. Or, you may experience
no symptoms at all, and not realize that you have a dental problem until your dentist discovers this before you
get symptoms.
9. Q: Is it important to floss your teeth?
A: Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the build-up of plaque and deters the onset of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
10. Q: What are dentures & who needs them?
A: Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually attached to
a plate. Simply put, dentures are a set of false teeth. If you have lost most or all of your teeth, you are a perfect
candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural teeth remaining, a partial denture is recommended
to help improve chewing ability, speech and support for facial muscles.
A: Yes, with routine dental and preventive care combined with excellent oral hygiene.
2. Q: Is the dental treatment painful?
A: No, when proper techniques are used, dental treatment can be extremely comfortable and pain free.
3. Q: What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
A: This a sign that Periodontal Disease is present and needs to be treated. This is what leads to tooth loss.
4. Q: Are the dental x-rays harmful?
A: No, our equipment is state of the art and minimizes patient exposure.
5. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discolouration of enamel and dentin. Tooth whitening or bleaching is a
simple means to be bestowed with a gleaming white smile that does wonders for your levels of confidence. The
latest bleaching methods ensure that you have a more radiant and delightful smile. In due course of time, teeth
become dark since minerals breach the enamel surface of the tooth. As bleaching agents split up, oxygen is pushed
through the tooth enamel. Staining rapidly vanishes and the tooth structure is not harmed.
6. Q: What can be done with my gaps?
A: Gaps may range from wide spaces between the teeth, to a missing tooth or teeth. Gaps or diastema, are efficiently
closed by use of bonding with composite resin, veneers or crowning.
7. Q: What can be done with my worn and irregular teeth?
A: Worn teeth are usually a sign of "bite problems". Worn teeth can be restored with some form of reconstruction,
veneers and/or crowns.
8. Q: How do you know if you have an inflamed/infected tooth nerve?
A: Some signs are heat and cold sensitivity, swelling and pain, or a bad taste in your mouth. Or, you may experience
no symptoms at all, and not realize that you have a dental problem until your dentist discovers this before you
get symptoms.
9. Q: Is it important to floss your teeth?
A: Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the build-up of plaque and deters the onset of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
10. Q: What are dentures & who needs them?
A: Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually attached to
a plate. Simply put, dentures are a set of false teeth. If you have lost most or all of your teeth, you are a perfect
candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural teeth remaining, a partial denture is recommended
to help improve chewing ability, speech and support for facial muscles.
ORTHODONTICS
11. Q: What is initial orthodontic examination/consultation?
A: In order to determine your specific needs, an orthodontist will completely evaluate your teeth. This will likely include:
-Impressions of your teeth, from which models are made (these are useful for the orthodontist, and will remind you
exactly how your teeth looked before correction).
-Photographs of your teeth, face, and smile.
-X-rays of your head and teeth.
-Your medical health history and dental health history.
12. Q: How to clean my teeth with braces?
A: Brush between wires and gums to loosen any food particles. There are special toothbrushes for this, check with the
orthodontist for recommendations.
i) Start on the outside of your upper teeth, positioning the bristles at a 45 degree angle, toward the gum. Brush two to
three teeth at a time using a circular motion, about ten strokes.
ii) Next, brush the inner surfaces in the same manner. Brush the chewing surfaces. Repeat the same process for the lower
teeth as for the upper ones.
iii) Rinse your mouth as well as your toothbrush. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure you’ve brushed all tooth
surfaces.
iv) Floss daily between braces using a floss threader. Toothpicks, stimudents, and other interdental devices work well
under brackets.
13. Q: What not to eat by the one with braces?
A: You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means
making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your braces or cause problems
for your teeth. Here’s a list of items to avoid (or they can still be enjoyed but with caution):
-Apples (don’t bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.), Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-flavored chewy
candies, gummi anything!), Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls), Corn on the cob (remove the kernels from the cob,
then enjoy), Corn chips/crispy tacos, Hard foods (they’re tough on braces, causing bending and breaking), Ice (no
crunching), Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel), Nuts, Pizza crust/crusty breads
(outer edges), Popcorn, Pretzels (the large, hard varieties), Sticky foods (can bend wires and pull off brackets), Sugary
foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water).
TEETH WHITENING
14. Q: Is it possible to make my teeth whiter?
A: Yes, we offer professional tooth whitening.
15. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
16. Q: How long does Whitening take?
A: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by about
45 minutes of bleaching. And who may benefit from tooth whitening? Almost anyone.
11. Q: What is initial orthodontic examination/consultation?
A: In order to determine your specific needs, an orthodontist will completely evaluate your teeth. This will likely include:
-Impressions of your teeth, from which models are made (these are useful for the orthodontist, and will remind you
exactly how your teeth looked before correction).
-Photographs of your teeth, face, and smile.
-X-rays of your head and teeth.
-Your medical health history and dental health history.
12. Q: How to clean my teeth with braces?
A: Brush between wires and gums to loosen any food particles. There are special toothbrushes for this, check with the
orthodontist for recommendations.
i) Start on the outside of your upper teeth, positioning the bristles at a 45 degree angle, toward the gum. Brush two to
three teeth at a time using a circular motion, about ten strokes.
ii) Next, brush the inner surfaces in the same manner. Brush the chewing surfaces. Repeat the same process for the lower
teeth as for the upper ones.
iii) Rinse your mouth as well as your toothbrush. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure you’ve brushed all tooth
surfaces.
iv) Floss daily between braces using a floss threader. Toothpicks, stimudents, and other interdental devices work well
under brackets.
13. Q: What not to eat by the one with braces?
A: You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means
making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your braces or cause problems
for your teeth. Here’s a list of items to avoid (or they can still be enjoyed but with caution):
-Apples (don’t bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.), Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-flavored chewy
candies, gummi anything!), Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls), Corn on the cob (remove the kernels from the cob,
then enjoy), Corn chips/crispy tacos, Hard foods (they’re tough on braces, causing bending and breaking), Ice (no
crunching), Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel), Nuts, Pizza crust/crusty breads
(outer edges), Popcorn, Pretzels (the large, hard varieties), Sticky foods (can bend wires and pull off brackets), Sugary
foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water).
TEETH WHITENING
14. Q: Is it possible to make my teeth whiter?
A: Yes, we offer professional tooth whitening.
15. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
16. Q: How long does Whitening take?
A: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by about
45 minutes of bleaching. And who may benefit from tooth whitening? Almost anyone.
DENTAL IMPLANT
17. Q: Will it hurt?
A: Dental implant surgery has less discomfort than having several teeth removed. And just like any surgery there can be
some discomfort. However we use anesthetic and offer intravenous sedation as an option to eliminate any discomfort.
We also prescribe medication to control any discomfort or swelling that may occur after the procedure. We take special
care to remain in contact with you and to see you post-operatively. We’re available 24 hours a day should you have any
concerns.
18. Q: Are all implants successful?
A: Data collected over 30 years has shown that dental implants are 95% successful. Dental implants are made from titanium,
which is compatible with our bodies, so the body does not reject dental implants as it might a soft tissue implant, such
as a heart or a lung.
19. Q: What do they feel like?
A: Dental implants feel similar to natural teeth. They provide a strong, solid base to affix permanent teeth, and they feel very
real.
20. Q: Am I too old to have dental implant in my mouth?
A: As long as you are in good health, age is not a factor. We routinely place dental implants in patients in their 70s and 80s.
21. Q: How long before I have teeth?
A: You will have teeth when you leave our clinic. To complete treatment it takes from four months and, in some cases, as
long as 18 months, but temporary teeth will be placed on your implants the very same day the implant procedure takes
place.
22. Q: Do dental implants look like teeth?
A: Yes. Your teeth will look natural. If supporting bone and gum tissue has atrophied (shrunken down) your new teeth may
need to be slightly longer to fill the space, but the difference will be so minor, no one will be able to tell.
A: Dental implant surgery has less discomfort than having several teeth removed. And just like any surgery there can be
some discomfort. However we use anesthetic and offer intravenous sedation as an option to eliminate any discomfort.
We also prescribe medication to control any discomfort or swelling that may occur after the procedure. We take special
care to remain in contact with you and to see you post-operatively. We’re available 24 hours a day should you have any
concerns.
18. Q: Are all implants successful?
A: Data collected over 30 years has shown that dental implants are 95% successful. Dental implants are made from titanium,
which is compatible with our bodies, so the body does not reject dental implants as it might a soft tissue implant, such
as a heart or a lung.
19. Q: What do they feel like?
A: Dental implants feel similar to natural teeth. They provide a strong, solid base to affix permanent teeth, and they feel very
real.
20. Q: Am I too old to have dental implant in my mouth?
A: As long as you are in good health, age is not a factor. We routinely place dental implants in patients in their 70s and 80s.
21. Q: How long before I have teeth?
A: You will have teeth when you leave our clinic. To complete treatment it takes from four months and, in some cases, as
long as 18 months, but temporary teeth will be placed on your implants the very same day the implant procedure takes
place.
22. Q: Do dental implants look like teeth?
A: Yes. Your teeth will look natural. If supporting bone and gum tissue has atrophied (shrunken down) your new teeth may
need to be slightly longer to fill the space, but the difference will be so minor, no one will be able to tell.
ENDODONTICS
31. Q: What is Endodontics?
A: Endodontics is a speciality branch of dentistry relating to the dental pulp and tissue that surrounds the roots of a tooth.
Endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) treats the soft pulp tissue inside the tooth.
32. Q: What is damaged root canal?
A: When the pulp of a tooth becomes badly damaged by decay, multiple or deep restorations, or trauma it may have to be
removed in order to retain the tooth. In many cases, where the damaged pulp has progressed to causing infection in the
tissues including the bone surrounding the tooth, that infection will also have to be managed.
33. Q: What causes a root canal damage?
A: There are several causes that may lead to a root canal damage. They include:
34. Q: How painful is a root canal?
A: Root canals have the bad reputation of being extremely painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself has
no more discomfort than having a filling placed.
35. Q: What is a pulpotomy?
A: Pulpotomy is the clinical term for the removal of the painful nerve tissue at the top of the root canal system. It is
performed with primary teeth as a final treatment of the nerve. In adult teeth it is referred to as a partial root canal and is
usually provided during an urgent care appointment to relieve pain.
A: Endodontics is a speciality branch of dentistry relating to the dental pulp and tissue that surrounds the roots of a tooth.
Endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) treats the soft pulp tissue inside the tooth.
32. Q: What is damaged root canal?
A: When the pulp of a tooth becomes badly damaged by decay, multiple or deep restorations, or trauma it may have to be
removed in order to retain the tooth. In many cases, where the damaged pulp has progressed to causing infection in the
tissues including the bone surrounding the tooth, that infection will also have to be managed.
33. Q: What causes a root canal damage?
A: There are several causes that may lead to a root canal damage. They include:
- A deep cavity
- A cracked tooth
- A broken tooth
- Repeated dental procedures to the same tooth
- Severe injury to the tooth (even if it can’t be seen with the naked eye)
34. Q: How painful is a root canal?
A: Root canals have the bad reputation of being extremely painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself has
no more discomfort than having a filling placed.
35. Q: What is a pulpotomy?
A: Pulpotomy is the clinical term for the removal of the painful nerve tissue at the top of the root canal system. It is
performed with primary teeth as a final treatment of the nerve. In adult teeth it is referred to as a partial root canal and is
usually provided during an urgent care appointment to relieve pain.