Why Choose Westdale Dentistry during the Pandemic?

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Dec 01, 2020

Your safety is our top priority

This is a challenging time around the world and here at home in Canada. Knowing that you might have concerns, especially about your dental visit, we want to reinforce that your health and safety as well as those of our employees are at the heart of everything we do at Westdale Dentistry. As we continue to learn more about the risks of COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus), we remain committed to ensuring your dental experience, from start to finish, is safe and comfortable.

We are working closely with public health agencies and the government to implement additional prevention measures as the situation evolves. We appreciate your understanding that, although we’re doing everything we can to maintain a safe and comfortable environment, your experience during this time may be a little different than what you’ve come to expect.

Although our daily cleanliness and hygiene practices already meet Health Canada’s standards of routine practices of infection control, we’ve taken steps to help ensure both you and our employees are protected from the risk of infection and communicable diseases.  As usual you will be asked to wear a mask if you present with a cough.

• We’ve increased our environmental cleaning practices
• We’re installed additional antiviral products, such as hand sanitizer, throughout the office.
• Our employees have been trained in preventive and reactive measures as recommended by Health Canada.
• Our dedicated Team has been proactively meeting to monitor the level of risk associated with COVID-19 and ensure the procedures we’re implementing are appropriate and communicated to our employees and patients.

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, and we’ll continue to respond to the latest developments, while keeping you informed. I invite you to watch a short video on the safety steps that we have taken to keep you safe!

What is Sleep (Sedation) Dentistry?

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Nov 01, 2020

Sleep Dentistry, Minimal and Oral sedation are different types of sedation offered at our clinic, and are beneficial during complex procedures.

It is common for many patients to feel nervous or anxious about their dental procedures. Our team at Westdale Dentistry works in collaboration with an Anestheologist to provide our patients with the option of being completely asleep using General Anesthesia. By having a more relaxed patient, dentists may be able to complete more of your dentistry in one appointment.

Benefits of sedation dentistry include:

• Patient comfort and relaxation
• Movement control
• Control of gag reflex
• Time saving – fewer dental visits needed

Different types of sedation:

Sleep Dentistry:

Westdale Dentistry in collaboration with an Anesthesiologist provides our patients with the option of Sleep Dentistry that involves the use of General Anesthesia. The patient is completely asleep.

Minimal sedation

Minimal sedation involves the use of Nitrous Oxide, known as laughing gas. The patient is completely conscious, but has a pleasant, relaxed feeling.

Oral Sedation

This is a light sedation, where you are also awake but may not remember the details of the dental procedure. Pills are prescribed to relieve anxiety before your dental appointment.

Are you a candidate for sleep dentistry? Click here to book your FREE consultation!

Is Your Smile at Risk of Root Decay?

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Oct 01, 2020

When we think about tooth decay and cavities, we tend to think about darker spot or hole on the surface of a tooth. But, many of us don’t know that cavities can occur on the ROOT of a tooth… so long as it’s been exposed by insufficient (receded) gum tissue. This oral health issue is referred to as “root decay”.

Am I at risk for root decay?

Anyone with exposed dental roots or notable gum recession is at risk for root decay. That said, it’s primarily seniors and older adults who experience this problem the most – as their gum recession tends to be the most severe. In addition to this, the senior population tends to have a dryer mouth environment due to medication – raising their risk for root decay even higher. This is because a dry mouth lacks the #1 protector against decay: saliva.

How do I protect my smile from root decay?

Root decay is preventable through good daily oral hygiene care. This includes daily flossing, as well as GENTLE brushing twice a day, using no other than a soft bristled toothbrush. This is because aggressive or abrasive tooth cleaning is one of the main contributors to gum recession. In conjunction with diligent and gentle daily oral care, a visit to the dentist and hygienist every 6 months (or as required) will also help to ensure your gums and teeth stay in tip top shape.

A cavity that exists on the root of the tooth is treated in the same way that a cavity penetrating the enamel is treated – with a dental filling! However, timeliness is key when it comes to treating a cavity on the root. This is because the decay can reach the tooth’s pulp at a much faster rate than if it were to begin on the tooth’s surface enamel, causing irreversible damage. If root decay is discovered too late, it a root canal procedure may be the only option – or worse, tooth extraction.

How long has it been since you’ve visited the dentist and hygienist?

Are you due for a check-up and cleaning? Our friendly team of dental professionals would love to see you! Call or e-mail us today to book an appointment.

Why Choose Tooth Coloured Fillings?

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Sept 01, 2020

We’ve Got the Break Down on Composite Resin

Tooth-coloured fillings, otherwise known as white fillings, are composed of a material that dentists refer to as “composite resin”. This type of dental filling is able to provide an extremely natural-looking result, as the material mimics the appearance and colour of the patient’s tooth being receiving treatment. Tooth-coloured fillings are especially ideal when it comes to restoring front teeth, or teeth that are more visible when a person is smiling or talking.

Preparing and placing your filling

When a person comes in for a filling or several using composite resin, our Toronto dentist will first carefully remove any trace of the decay present on the tooth. Next, our dentist will ensure the area is ready to place the filling. Composite resin is soft in its initial form, so it’s easy for the dentist to work with it and fill your cavity in layers. Each layer of composite material is carefully and strategically applied to the tooth structure and hardened with a special blue curing light to ensure a strong bond.

When to choose a tooth-coloured filling

A patient and his or her dentist will make a decision together about which type of filling would be best for their cavity. Small to medium sized cavities do very well with composite fillings, but if a cavity is especially large, then a different material such as amalgam (silver) filling may be more appropriate.

Composite materials have gotten stronger over the years, making them a great and dependable restoration for both front and back teeth, as they can typically withstand significant biting forces. White fillings are the #1 choice for the modern patient because of how virtually undetectable they are in the mouth. They also require less removal of healthy tooth structure during a placing, making them even more preferable. Let’s all clap for composite!

Want to learn more about the types of dental filling materials we offer here at Yonge & Front Dental? Or just simply interested in becoming a patient at our clinic? Don’t hesitate to contact us today!

What is Invisalign Treatment?

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Aug 01, 2020

What Are Invisalign Braces?

Invisalign is a special type of braces you can wear without anyone knowing you have them on. They are clear and fit snugly over your teeth to create the appearance of wearing no braces at all! At the same time, they gently and gradually move your teeth into better position.

Advantages of Invisalign over Metal Braces

You might immediately decide that Invisalign is just what you have been waiting for, simply because of the improvement in appearance over metal braces. Yet, Invisalign provides many other benefits that you cannot get with traditional metal braces. The following list sums up a few of the reasons you might prefer Invisalign braces.

• Natural appearance
• Take in and out when you like
• Eat normally
• Dental hygiene is easier
• Talk as easily as without them
• Have less gum and cheek irritation
• Spend less time in dentist’s chair

The Invisalign Process for Straightening Teeth

Navigating the Invisalign process is extremely easy and takes very little time away from your other activities and interests. After a discussion of the Invisalign process, your dentist takes x-rays and photos of your teeth and makes a physical impression of your teeth and mouth. All of this is sent to an Invisalign lab so your aligners can be created. You simply start with the first aligner and then change to a new aligner every two weeks.

Living with Invisalign

Managing your life is simple when you choose Invisalign for straightening your teeth. You can eat anything you want to eat. All you have to do is pop out the Invisalign braces each time you eat, have anything you like, and then pop them right back in! Brushing and flossing your teeth could not be easier than with Invisalign braces. Simply take out the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. You can clean the aligners gently with a brush and soap and then put them back into place. When you want to do something with a risk of dental injuries like contact sports, take them out until you finish the activity. You can wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day for maximum effectiveness.

What is ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Treatment?

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July 01, 2020

Achieve a Bright and Stunning Smile

Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed, the #1 patient-requested whitening brand, is clinically proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades in 45 minutes and has clinically superior results and efficacy versus other professional whitening alternatives.

In a study, WhiteSpeed provided over 50% better results than leader non light competitor immediately following the procedure and after seven and 30 days. When combined with pH booster in the whitening gel, WhiteSpeed’s advanced blue LED technology greatly accelerates the whitening process, delivering dramatic results your patients will love in just one office visit.

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. There are a variety of dental procedures that will help you achieve a beautiful smile.

Try the free Philips Zoom Whitening App

A virtual teeth-whitening app that lets you see how pearly white your teeth can be with Philips Zoom. Get it HERE!

Over time teeth become stained from coffee, tobacco, and from natural discolouration due to age. Over the counter products do not work, as the level of bleach in these products are low.

These products also have other limitations such as it has the inability to treat rotated or crooked teeth (bleach cannot go around these teeth), and over time, the chemicals in the product may cause gum sensitivity, and cost significantly more than a dentist prescribed solution.

When teeth whitening is done at our office or with our teeth whitening kit, we create a custom plastic tray fitted only to your mouth. You get to keep the custom tray, and can continue the prescribed treatments at home with the teeth whitening kit, which will be given to you.

Please note that teeth whitening has its limitations, as it is not a permanent solution. The bleaching works only on natural tooth enamel. If you had restoration work done, you will need to complete your bleaching regimen and then replace any restorations you may have. Doing so will ensure that the colouring will match the brilliance of your newly whitened teeth. In either case, care instructions will be given, and regular visits to your dentist will ensure that your healthy and bright smile is maintained for as long as possible.