Comprehensive, modern and digital dentistry in a relaxed setting.
We are a family dental office providing all general dental services and we direct bill to most insurance carriers. Our office follows the most current Ontario Dental Association suggested Fee Guide. We are accepting patients who are part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). See here for more details.
Our services
More information coming soon.
Grafting
Digital Oral Scanning
Fillings
Implants
Extractions
Crown and Bridge
Cleanings
Root Canals
Exams
Digital X-Rays
EXAMS
There are several dental examination types offered:
New Patient Exams
Also called a Comprehensive Oral Exam (COE), this exam is required for new patients of our office who wish to seek routine, comprehensive dental care (including cleanings) at our office. It affords the proper time for the dentists to review a patient’s medical and dental history, any concerns they may have, and complete a thorough clinical and x-ray examination to assess overall dental health, and so that recommendations (if any) can be made to maintain or optimize dental health.
Roughly 30-45 minutes is required for this exam, and the fee is __. Length and fee of appointment is reduced for children. The applicable service codes are 01103 (adults), 01102 (older children), 01101 (infants-young children).The Comprehensive Oral Exam screens for signs of oral pathology and oral cancer, TMJ disorders, gum disease, and tooth-related problems (eg. cavities, dental infections, breakdown of pre-existing dental work).
Note regarding dental x-rays: Do I need them? Are they safe?
Recall Examinations
Often referred to as a “Check-up”. These examinations are less comprehensive than a Complete Oral Exam, and can only be offered to patients of record where the dentist has pre-existing familiarity with the patient’s dental health and existing treatment needs. These exams are usually done at the end of a dental cleaning appointment. The fee is $35 and the applicable service code is 01202.
Emergency Examinations
Scheduled to address often sudden and unexpected dental pain, infections, or broken teeth of an urgent nature. The fee ranges from $50-139 and the service code is 01205
Specific Examinations
Scheduled to assess any other dental-related issue not specified above. The fee ranges from $50-139 and the service code is 01204.
CLEANINGS
Cleaning appointment (also called dental hygiene or recare appointments) are an essential part of maintaining dental health and is a cornerstone in preventive dentistry. Cleaning appointments typically last 60 minutes in length and cost $200-350 (cost affected by if x-rays, fluoride and checkup exams are required).
SCALING (AND ROOT PLANING)
The service by which a provider (dentist or registered hygienist) will remove calculus (aka tartar) and plaque from teeth using a combination of ultrasonic and hand instrumentation. Some people with very sensitive teeth prefer hand instrumentation only, or may benefit from numbing of the gums (using Oraqix gel or Local Anaesthetic administered by the dentist). Billed by units of time, where one unit equates to 15 minutes. Applicable service codes include 11111-11117. Insurance dental plans usually cover a certain number of units if scaling that can be used throughout the year.
POLISHING
Helps remove any tooth surface staining and impart a luster or shine to the teeth using a pumice-like paste (“prophylaxis paste”) and a low-powered, slowly rotating dental hand piece. Usually billed as 0.5 (11107, $29) or 1 unit ($36)of time, depending on how much staining there is.
FLUORIDE APPLICATION
The use of professionally administered dental fluoride onto the teeth at the end of a cleaning appointment as part of a maintenance program to control cavity risk. Dental fluoride works by incorporating into the enamel layer of a tooth, whereby is forms a mineral called fluorapatite which is more resistance to dental decay. It also attracts calcium and phosphate minerals to assist with enamel remineralization. Lastly, it directly confers an antimicrobial effect.
Dental fluoride can be administered through different modalities, including a rinse, foam, or varnish. The fluoride varnish is a 5% sodium fluoride formulation that gets coated on the teeth.
FILLINGS
Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures done at a family dentist office. They are used to repair and rebuild teeth that have some portion missing due to dental decay, cracks or fractures, (if small enough), or to change the shape and contours of an otherwise healthy teeth. This can be done for esthetic reasons or functional reasons, for example excessive space between teeth leading to food getting trapped. When dental fillings are placed on front teeth for primarily esthetic purposes, we sometimes refer to this as dental bonding. The cost of a filling will depending on what type of tooth is it being placed on, and how large it is (how many sides of the tooth does it bond to). Costs can range from $150-$450 per tooth. Several filling materials exist, with the two most common being resin composite (“white fillings”) and amalgam (“silver fillings”). Our office does not offer to place amalgam fillings.
ROOT CANALS
Root Canal Treatment (Root Canal, or RCT) is a dental procedure whereby a tooth’s nerve tissue (dental pulp) is removed and cleaned out, along with any bacteria or infection within. They are often needed when a patient has a painful and/or infected tooth and does not want to have the tooth extracted. Sometimes, RCT is required on a tooth that is not painful (ie. asymptomatic) and has a healthy pulp, but the tooth is badly broken down and insufficient tooth remains to rebuild adequately. In such cases, access to the tooth’s root structure is needed to place a post and core to act as a foundation on which the broken tooth can then be rebuilt with a crown or large filling.
A Root Canal will take approximately 60 minutes to 120 minutes and cost from $700-$1300 depending on the tooth and number of roots it has. Front teeth (incisors, some premolars) usually only have one canal, and back teeth (molars) can have two, three, four, or more canals. Considerable variation exists in the number and shape of roots from person-to-person, and this can affect length of procedure, cost, and success rates. Success rates for Root Canals are approximately 85-90%, but can be decreased by complicating factors (eg. presence of a large infection).
After a Root Canal procedure, some mild to moderate discomfort can be expected from the area. Usually this discomfort resolves over the next few days, but occasionally can take longer (weeks) to fully resolve. Bruising and facial swelling are much rarer complications. Sometimes, prescription pain killers and antibiotics will be given after a Root Canal procedure, depending on the initial circumstances.
Before and after of a lower premolar tooth receiving Root Canal Treatment due to severe pain and infection from a previous large filling that was encroaching on the nerve. Notice the white line running down the length of the root indicating the root canal has been cleaned, disinfected and filled to allow for healing and symptom resolution.
EXTRACTIONS
Unfortunately, sometimes a tooth is not fixable and needs to be removed because it poses a risk for infection and pain. Our office offers dental extractions to patients in a calm and efficient manner. While our office is capable of offering extractions for all teeth (including wisdom teeth) for patients of all ages, we sometimes have to refer patients to a dental surgeon if there are medical risks at hand or if sedation is required.
Discussing the option for tooth removal would first require the dentist make a diagnosis from an exam and x-ray. Once the patient has made an informed decision to remove a tooth, the surgery is scheduled. Sometimes, the tooth can be removed same day.
Prior to the surgery, a written consent form must be filled out and a patient’s medical history reviewed and blood pressure obtained. Once this is completed, local anesthetic is administered to numb the site. While there should be no sharp or painful sensations experienced, pressure sensations can often be felt during tooth removal. The appointment most commonly lasts anywhere between 20-45 minutes; longer appointments are sometimes necessary depending on the scope of surgery and number of teeth being removed.
After the surgery, the patient will be biting on gauze. Self-dissolving sutures are often placed to facilitate gum healing. Prescriptions for pain killers or antibiotics are sometimes given, depending on the clinical situation. Patients must follow all post-operative instructions to reduce the chance of complications, all of which are thoroughly discussed prior to the patient leaving.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are a modern way of replacing missing teeth. In many situations, they are the best option for tooth replacement. Their advantages over alternative replacement options include:
i) superior strength and chewing function
ii) great esthetics and comfortability
iii) predictability and expected longevity
A dental implant is comprised of a titanium alloy that is shaped like a post or screw. A relatively minor dental surgery is needed to place the implant within the jaw bone, and enough time is allowed for it to heal. Once successfully healed (termed osseointegration), the implant functions like the root of an artificial tooth. It acts as the foundation onto which a dental crown can then be attached. Discomfort from the implant surgery is mild to moderate and can last a few days up to a week or two. Usually no time off work or changes to daily routine is required during the healing process. The price is dependent on the complexity of the clinical situation and surgery, but typically varies from $4000-$5000.
The surgery involves administering local anesthetic to numb the area. An gum incision is then made, and a series of dental drills are used to slowly enlarge a precisely positioned hole that must match the location and angle of the desired tooth. Once the hole is prepared, the implant is inserted and a healing component attached. The gums are then sutured to allow for optimal healing. Pain killers and antibiotics are often prescribed. During the procedure, x-rays will be needed to verify angulation of the implant. Healing time can vary and depends on the nature of the case, but usually averages three to four months. After the healing time is elapsed, the implant is tested for good integration and then a crown is made and placed onto the implant. The implant still needs to be maintained by the patient with good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, Waterpik etc.) and routine dental cleanings. X-rays should be taken periodically to check for continued implant health.
Intra-oral scanning
Also called digital scanning, this allows the teeth of an individual to be scanned using a specialized camera. The camera takes thousands of photos over the course of a few minutes which are then stitched together using software and AI to create a highly accurate, three dimensional model of your mouth. This digital model can then be utilized to fabricate dental appliances such as night guards, crowns, bridges, and implant prosthetics. This technology can substitute the use of traditional impression materials such as alginate, a playdough-like material that has to be packed into the mouth to capture an analog replica of one’s teeth.
Digital scanning is often quicker and a lot cleaner than taking traditional impressions, and patients often tolerate it better as it is less likely to cause gagging. The procedure takes 2-5 minutes and involves the dental assistant or dentist using the camera to slide across all the surfaces of the teeth. Our office, uses one of the newest and highest quality scanners on the market, the Trios 5 by 3Shape.