Payment Options

For your convenience, our office accepts several different methods of payment; we can receive direct payment through your dental insurance plan, cheques, all major credit cards - Visa, Master Card, Amex - as well as Debit payments.

Differed payments through major credit cards can also be arranged which will allow you to spread the cost of your dental treatment over time.

How can I get my dental records transferred?

Original dental records belong to the dentist who provided the treatment, not the patient, since dentists have to keep all of their records for a period of time (as set out by their provincial dental regulatory body). Once you have changed to a new dentist, you can request that a copy of your records be transferred from your former dentist.

You may be required to sign a release form from your former dental office. If you have questions about the records transfer process in Ontario, feel free to ask us or contact the provincial dental regulatory body.

Do I really have to go to the dentist every six months?

How often you come in for a check-up depends on your oral health needs. The goal is to catch small problems early. For many people, this means a check-up every six months. We may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on how well your gums and teeth are taken care of, problems you have that need to be checked or treated, how fast tartar builds up on your teeth, and so on.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I floss every day?
• Do I brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and follow my dentist's instructions on how to brush properly?
• Do I eat a well-balanced diet, including food from all food groups, and limit sweets and sticky foods?
• Do I smoke?
• Do I have a history of cavities or gum disease?
• How is my overall health?

The answers to these questions are all factors that affect your oral health. They will help you and your dentist decide how often you need to visit for check-ups. Also, it is worth noting that you should not determine your need for dental care on what your dental plan covers.

Do I need x-rays at each visit?

How often you need to have x-rays also depends on your oral health. A healthy adult who has not had cavities or other problems for a few years probably won't need x-rays at every appointment. If your dental situation is less stable and your dentist is monitoring your progress, you may require more frequent x-rays.

If you are not sure why a particular x-ray is being taken, ask your dentist. Remember that dental x-rays deliver very little radiation, and they are a vital tool for your dentist to ensure that small problems do not develop into bigger ones.

What causes tooth sensitivity and what can i do about it?

The porous part of your tooth, called dentin, is the region that registers pain.  Normally dentin is protected by an overlying layer of enamel.  However, dentin can become exposed when teeth experience fracturing or chipping due to trauma. Wearing down your enamel through clenching or grinding, and the recession of your gums through gum disease or improper brushing are also factors that expose dentin. 

Pain from sensitive teeth often comes and goes, but if you experience constant pain, you may have a more serious problem. There are many effective treatments for sensitive teeth and the course of treatment depends on the exact cause of your pain.  Some effective methods include:

• Switching to a soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent gum irritation
• Using a toothpaste designed to insulate the nerve that registers pain
• A fluoride rinse or gel

How can I tell if I'm brushing and flossing properly?

Brushing: Brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying special attention to the areas where your teeth and gums meet. Clean every surface of every tooth. Use the tip of your brush to clean behind your upper and lower front teeth. Replace your brush every two to three months.

Flossing: Take a stand of floss about 18 inches long and wrap it around your middle fingers. Using a clean section of floss each time, ease the floss between each tooth; then, sweep it up and down several times while curving around the tooth at the gum line. Repeat on every tooth.

What if I am already in the early stages of gum disease?

If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is coming for a professional cleaning with a dentist or dental hygienist, in addition to brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day.

Gum disease has several stages. The initial stage is called gingivitis, which is an infection of the gingival (gum tissue). In this stage, gums become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. The underlying bone remains unaffected. In later stages, however, gum disease can lead to bone loss and the loosening or even loss of teeth.

When gum disease is more serious, we may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has at least three years of extra university training in treating gum disease and in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have been lost because of gum disease.

A periodontist also treats serious forms of gum disease that do not get better with normal dental care. When serious gum disease is found, brushing and flossing become even more important.

I have been prescribed a treatment i know nothing about, what should I do?

Ask questions. It sounds simple enough, but sometimes we feel embarrassed to ask simple questions. There is no need to feel that way.

You will feel much better, and will be able to make a better decision, if you understand the dental procedure that is recommended to you. If you don't say anything, your dentist may think that you already understand.

Here are some tips when asking questions. Ask:

• If you can see any pictures of the procedure or what it looks like when it is done
• How many times our office has done this procedure in the past
• How much it will cost
• How long it will take
• If it will need to be redone in the future
• If there are alternatives to the procedure and if so, what are the pros and cons of each option.

The final decision about how and when to proceed with any treatment is yours. To help you understand what is involved in the treatment, we can provide you with accredited electronic sources as well as printed material to read. Be careful about getting information from unknown sources, as some of this information may not be reliable.

If you have already left the dental office without asking questions, call back later. If, after all of your questions have been answered, you are still uncertain, you may wish to get a second opinion from another dentist. Often, a second opinion will give you confidence that your dentist has planned the right treatment for you.