faq oral health
In our office we use the Zoom whitening system as used on the extreme makeover program. Extreme Makeover helped to bring whitening and other cosmetic procedure to the public's attention, but the positive results of whitening speak for themselves. Our fees include the take home kit allowing you to maintain your white smile through touch ups in the comfort of your own home.
Many of our patients have asked us about the pros and cons of whitening so we have chosen to include them here on our site.
Cons: The negatives associated with whitening are generally short term. The results of teeth whitening are noticeable after a single visit and will be noticed by others around you if you are self-conscious at first. Some patients experience heightened tooth sensitivity and irritation or soreness in their gums during the whitening process. These effects dissipate shortly after the whitening process has been completed. We can test for sensitivity prior to beginning a whitening treatment.
Pros: Whitening is safe and effective. The long term results of increased confidence and health benefits of smiling more often far outweigh any short term discomfort.
The results of whitening last for a long period and can be maintained through take home touch ups (included with our whitening treatment). The bright white look of your teeth will convey a cleaner, healthier and youthful appearance. The effect has been shown to increase confidence and allow you to smile more often. White teeth create a positive focal point for others while you speak, leading to an increase in your confidence.
A common problem that patients come to us with is sensitive teeth. One of the avoidable causes of sensitive teeth that is 'in your hands' so to say, is aggressive brushing. Many people are under the misconception that brushing harder with a firm bristled tooth brush will better clean their teeth. This coupled with improper brushing technique (using a back and forth motion) can damage enamel exposing dentin and resulting in tooth sensitivity.
Using a soft bristle brush with proper technique along with regular cleanings at our office will be more effective at keeping your smile beautiful and healthy. If your teeth have become sensitive to hot, cold or give you pain when you brush them, come in and see us. If aggressive brushing is the problem, we can fix the damaged tooth and offer you suggestions to care for your teeth. If the sensitivity is caused by a more serious problem, we can start you on the path to better oral heath and a pain-free mouth.
The root canal procedure is often the most effective way to save a natural tooth once a cavity/decay, infection or injury has gone too far for a simple repair.
The outer layer of your tooth is made of a hard substance called enamel. This layer is made to withstand chewing forces and daily activities of your mouth. It also protects the dentin and pulp portion of your teeth that are connected directly to your bloodstream and nourish the tooth.
The layer of enamel, although strong is by no means indestructible. Once a problem has passed the enamel and entered the dentin and pulp of your tooth infection often occurs. This can be painful for your tooth and your health can be adversely affected. Root Canal Therapy is the removal of the root canal content or 'pulp' composed of blood vessels and nerves. This stops any further infection from entering the bloodstream as well as removing the source of pain from your mouth. The area or 'canal' is then filled and the tooth is repaired with a crown to protect it from further breakage.
This allows you to keep your natural tooth as the place holder in your mouth rather than needing an implant, bridge or other false tooth.
In the not so far past amalgam or 'silver fillings' were the only option strong enough to withstand the forces that chewing places on a tooth. Advancements in material have made it possible for a composite resin to hold up to the stress that a mouth puts on a tooth. These composite resins have an aesthetic advantage to their amalgam predecessors as they can be made to match the colour of your tooth.
Composite fillings can often be placed while affecting less of the natural tooth. These fillings also bond to the tooth, making the tooth more resistant to future fracture. Their ability to match your tooth's natural colour also makes them virtually indistinguishable from your tooth. Composite fillings do cost slightly more than amalgams to place due to the materials and procedure involved.
Amalgam fillings have come under scrutiny due to their mercury content. The risk to a person's health from the trace amounts of mercury vapour that may be released during chewing has been the topic of debate. Many people have amalgam fillings and aside from those with metal allergies, adverse effects have been negligible. These fillings are strong, effective and have been in use for over a century now.
We would be please to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both materials with you as we are pleased to be able to offer you both alternatives.
If you are missing a tooth for any reason you could be affecting more than just your appearance. The teeth in your mouth serve many purposes including, chewing, clear speech, holding adjacent teeth in place, maintaining oral health and more. A missing tooth can allow adjacent teeth to shift, adversely effecting surrounding teeth, increasing the chance of decay and increasing the look of premature aging.
Think of a missing tooth as a place where a tooth used to be. It is important to fill the place of that tooth with one of the dental options available to you. An Implant is a permanent solution to a missing tooth that can solve the negative aspects associated with a missing tooth. The implant as its name suggests is a prosthetic post that is implanted into your bone in place of your tooth's root. Once the bone and tissue have healed sufficiently a cosmetically pleasing false tooth is placed on the post and crowned to look and act naturally.
Once you have consulted with Dr. Omar, it may be determined that an implant is the solution for your missing tooth. We will refer you to a specialist whose can perform the implant to the highest standard available. Once the post has healed we can complete the crown portion of the implant procedure for you in our office. This can save you some money and allow you to have the procedure completed where you are comfortable.
WHY CHOOSE SKYLIGHT FAMILY DENTAL!
At our Scarborough dental clinic, your oral health is our top priority. We believe that our patients deserve the best dental treatment possible to achieve the ideal results. We also care about our patients' comfort; always providing service in a positive and friendly dental setting.