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FAQ

General


Do you accept new patients?

Yes- New patients and referrals are always welcome.


What will happen on the first visit to the office?

On the first appointment, you will have to fill few new patient forms and then our team will conduct an exam, take X-rays and setup a consultation. Following the exam, the dentist will give you treatment plan options and recommendations for your care. Dentist will also explain pros and cons of each treatment option and answer all your questions and concerns. Hence it will help you make an informed decision.


At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?

Canadian Dental Association recommends that a child should see a dentist at the eruption of his/her first baby tooth or at least before the child’s 1st birthday. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth, also assess for nursing bottle caries and overall oral health. After the first visit, be sure and schedule regular checkups.


How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning? How often should I see the dentist?

Children, teens and adults should all see the dentist/dental hygienist for a regular checkup and cleaning. The Frequency of visit is based on many factors some of them are, patients overall oral health, oral hygiene and caries risk. In most cases dental cleaning and dental exam should be done every six month. Patients who are at a greater risk for gum disease or dental caries may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your Dentist will help determine how often you should come for regular checkups and dental cleaning.


How do I schedule next checkup?

Simply Call Family Dentistry @ Picton. Our receptionist will be happy to help schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know, and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.


What payment options are available to pay for my dental treatments?

We accept Visa, MasterCard. Debit, Cheque, Cash and offer third party financing. For your convenience we will send your insurance claim electronically to your provider.


What if I have a dental emergency?

Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule.


If something comes up and I need to cancel my appointment, will I be charged?

If you are able to give us a 2 business day notice there is no charge. However, cancellations and no-shows with less than 2 business day notice, may be subject to a fee.


Dental


I have impacted wisdom teeth but they’re not causing me any pain. Should I still see a specialist to have them removed?

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, if it becomes necessary, it’s easier in younger people because the tooth roots are not fully developed and the bone in which the teeth sit is less dense. Extracting your wisdom teeth before any complications develop also allows for shorter recovery time and less discomfort after the surgery.


What is your recommended method of teeth whitening?

We use a dentist-prescribed, take-home system that offers noticeable tooth whitening results in a matter of days. Our tooth-whitening system can be applied during the day or nighttime.


Do you offer sedation dentistry for all ages?

Yes. We provide oral and nitrous oxide sedation, more commonly known as “laughing gas” for all ages.


How safe is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is very safe. Used for both adult and kid, it is one of the safest sedatives in dentistry. It is well tolerated, has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic. Patients remain fully conscious when breathing nitrous oxide.


Do you do dental implants?

Yes. We perform full service for dental implants – covering every stage of the process. In fact, dental implants look and feel so natural that you’ll forget you ever lost a tooth.


What should I do if I have Bad Breath?

Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning. There are various reasons such as poor hygiene, certain foods, gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, dieting, poor fitted dental appliances, use of tobacco products, and certain medications and illnesses. However, in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent. To prevent bad breath one should practice good oral hygiene, see dentist regularly, stop smoking or chewing tobacco, drink water frequently and use mouth wash/rinses. In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath.


Which type of toothbrush should I use?

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It’s unnecessary to “scrub” the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.


Is one toothpaste better than others?

Generally, no. However, it’s advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.


How often should I floss?

Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.


What’s the dental “crown” or a “cap”?

These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, or even stainless steel. These restorations are called “crowns” or in layman term “caps”. The Dental crown can be of tooth color and matched perfectly with your remaining teeth.


What’s the difference between a “bridge” and a “partial denture”?

Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutment teeth on either side of missing teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.


What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?

Although there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting “white” or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. While fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, “white” fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.


Do I need to have a root canal just because I have to have a crown?

No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.


I like to have straighter teeth, but I hate how braces looks. Can I get invisible braces?

Yes, we do provide Invisalign, which consist of series of transparent retainers worn to straighten your teeth over a set period of time.


Is there any age restriction on whom Invisalign can be used to straighten the teeth?

No, Orthodontic- Invisalign treatment can be done for patient of any age, starting from teenager to seniors.