Category Archives for "Cosmetic Dentistry"

7 Signs You Might Need a Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is one of the dental procedures we’re required to do quite often. This is necessary when the interior of a tooth has been damaged by infection or decay. During a root canal, our Scarborough dentist removes the root of the tooth including the blood vessels and nerves. The root area is then cleaned thoroughly and sealed to restore your tooth to its full functionality.

Here are 7 common root canal symptoms that show you have infection that needs to be addressed.

1. Persistent Dental Pain

Pain is often one of the earliest signs that you have a tooth root problem. If you find it hurts to eat and drink, it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible. Alternative causes of the pain could be:

  •         gum disease
  •        a tooth cavity
  •        referred pain from a sinus infection or a similar problem
  •        a damaged tooth filling
  •        an impacted tooth that may be infected.

If a dental examination shows that you have developed inflammation in the tooth root from an infection, however, antibiotics are not usually very helpful. A root canal procedure may be the best solution for relief.

2. Gum Swelling

Any form of gum inflammation and swelling is a sign of potential infection. The swelling might be accompanied by pain or raised bumps, and it could come and go without warning. Swellings that are tender to the touch or that ooze pus could be caused by an abscess. Root canal therapy is the best treatment for most of these conditions.

3. Tooth Discolouration

If one or more teeth begin changing to a darker shade, this could be caused either by poor oral hygiene or food and drink staining the enamel. It could also be the result of nerve damage below the surface of the tooth. During an examination, our dentists will identify whether a root canal in our Scarborough office will prevent further damage.

4. Tooth Sensitivity

If a tooth suddenly becomes sensitive to hot or cold substances, it could be a sign that the nerves or blood vessels are damaged. This is one of the most common root canal causes cited by patients consulting with our office to find out why they experience oral pain. Typically, irreversible inflammation of the nerve that necessitates a root canal presents with hot or cold sensitivity that lingers for over 30 seconds after the stimulus is removed. Spontaneous pain or pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night are also indications the inflammation will not get better without a root canal.

5. Pressure Sensitivity

If it hurts you to put pressure on a tooth, causing sensitivity that lasts for several days or weeks without improving, you could have a damaged tooth root. Getting an early examination followed by a root canal procedure in our Scarborough office can help you to prevent the infection from spreading, and eliminate the pain forever.

6. Deep Tooth Decay

When dental cavities are neglected or left for too long, they can spread down into the tooth root and affect the nerves. This will cause you pain and discomfort, an unpleasant odour on your breath, and could potentially affect your overall wellness. Cleaning out the decayed tooth and root area and sealing it with a dental crown is the best option for restoring the tooth and recapturing your attractive smile.

7. Cracked and Broken Tooth

A broken, cracked or chipped tooth can lose some of its enamel and result in the nerves below the surface becoming exposed. When this happens, it’s easier for bacteria to enter the area and cause tooth root infections to occur.

Instead of waiting for a problem to develop, an early visit to our dentists can prevent root canal pain. If you do develop a problem, getting it resolved as soon as possible can help you to avoid needing to have emergency root canal surgery.

For more information on getting a root canal in Scarborough, set up a consultation with our experienced, compassionate dental team. Please call 416-291-3117 or click here to schedule an appointment today.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry and How They Benefit You

General dentistry is focused on maintaining your oral health through prevention and treatment of diseases. Cosmetic dentistry, however, deals with the overall appearance of your teeth and mouth, and how they contribute to the way you look and feel. It’s important to know what the difference is between the two, because it will help you determine what services you need and what to consider when you’re looking for the best cosmetic dentist in Scarborough.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Enhancing your smile can have amazing results on your life, by boosting your confidence and self-esteem. Smile more with the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry, which is a service that ranges from basic color correction to the restoration of missing teeth. The most popular types of cosmetic dentistry include:

1. Teeth whitening
2. Dental veneers
3. Dental bonding and
4. White fillings

The best solution for each patient depends on how severe their cosmetic dental problem is, their age, state of health, and budget or dental insurance. Whatever your situation, our experienced practitioners at the best dentist in Scarborough will be able to develop a customized plan for you. This plan will often make use of several different types of cosmetic dentistry to provide you with the best option.

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

There are many reasons why having an attractive smile makes you both look and feel better about yourself. While a minor chip in a tooth may not be a critical health issue, dental bonding will improve the way you present yourself overall. Don’t think of cosmetic dentistry only in relation to appearance, either, because there are also many great functional benefits to this type of treatment.

Enhanced appearance

There’s a common saying that you only get one chance to make a good first impression, and it’s true. Life might not all be about your appearance, but enhancing your appearance definitely has advantages. Improving your exterior makes you feel better about yourself, which impacts the way you interact with other people as well as your own feelings of self-esteem. If stained and discoloured teeth prevent you from smiling, then it stands to reason that porcelain veneers and teeth whitening will resolve the problem. Don’t underestimate the importance of showing your full smile when you meet someone, whether it’s during a job interview or while you’re on a first date.

More self-confidence

The benefits of gaining self-confidence aren’t always obvious. Your self-esteem impacts every facet of your life, from personal relationships to your professional career. The benefits of cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening and dental bonding include improving the appearance of chipped or cracked teeth, which in turn increases your self-confidence.

Enriched diet and lifestyle

Missing, painful or sensitive teeth makes it challenging to speak and chew, particularly when it comes to certain types of food. If you have a malocclusion or uneven bite, it not only affects your appearance but can also have an effect on your digestion. Problems that seem minor can therefore have a major impact on your diet and nutrition. Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as crowns and bridges help to strengthen your bite and improve your ability to chew. This not only benefits your physical health but your mental health too.

Better dental (and overall) health

Cosmetic dentistry benefits your overall health almost as much as your dental health. Procedures like dental implants can prevent future damage to your bone and gums, while inlays and onlays help to protect your tooth enamel from deterioration. Regular checkups and cleaning prevents the build-up of plaque and tartare, and help to identify problems requiring treatments like root canal therapy before they become critical.

Upgraded financial outlook

Dental care is expensive, and anything you can do to protect your teeth, bones and gum tissue helps save you money in the long term. These various types of cosmetic dentistry can optimize your oral health and your smile, which gives your confidence a boost. In addition, the right treatments can also positively impact your career and improve your financial outlook, while helping you to avoid future costly procedures.

Consult with the best cosmetic dentist in Scarborough to find out how we can support your oral health efforts. Please call 416-291-3117 or click here to schedule an appointment today.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures: The 4 Best Ways to Enhance Your Smile

Cosmetic dentistry has been around since dentists first began improving patients’ appearance through dental work, but in the 21st century it has become a specialty. Practitioners can now get extra training in various cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you get—and maintain—the smile you want.

Analyzing Your Smile​

The process of enhancing your smile begins with a thorough analysis, to discover where improvements can take place. To do this, the dentist evaluates:

  • the shape, size and colour of your teeth,
  • your gum line and condition,
  • tooth alignment and spacing,
  • your bite closure and the position of the upper and lower jaws
  • the shape and condition of your face, lips and skin.

From this examination, we can figure out how cosmetic enhancements will affect your overall appearance, because changing one aspect can alter your entire look.

Cosmetic Procedures to Choose From

In addition to simple improvements you can make such as regular cleaning, polishing, home and professional whitening, there are a host of other cosmetic dentistry procedures you can consider.

#1: Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a common procedure for anyone with a chipped or discoloured front tooth. Your dentist applies a composite material to the tooth, which bonds as it hardens. It fills any small surface cavities, chips and cracks, and covers stains or areas where the tooth root is visible. The bonding material is carefully matched against the colour of your tooth, and once it’s trimmed and polished, it’s practically invisible. It’s an affordable and quick cosmetic dentistry procedure and the results can last for several years.

Click here to learn more about the dental bonding procedure.

#2: Cosmetic Crowns

Dental crowns are porcelain tooth covers custom-made to fit and blend in with the colour and shape of your natural teeth. We fit these to repair damage from decay or trauma or to improve the appearance of teeth that were odd-shaped or wrongly sized from the outset. A crown will support and protect the tooth beneath it, while restoring the appearance of the tooth invisibly and effectively. The process is quick and pain-free, and we do it right in our Scarborough dental office.

Click here  to learn more about dental crowns.

#3: Porcelain Veneers

A typical dental veneer is an ultra-thin layer of porcelain-based material applied to your teeth to replace the tooth enamel. If your teeth are mostly in the right position in your jaw and in a healthy condition, adding veneers can enhance your smile, hide stains, and fix minor spacing problems like tooth gaps. Veneers can also be made from composite resin, for a faster and more inexpensive restoration that lasts from 5 to 7 years on average.

Click here to learn more about the dental veneers.

#4: Dental Implants

The ultimate in cosmetic dentistry procedures is tooth restoration through dental implants. These are artificial teeth mounted on posts and inserted surgically into your jawbone. They behave exactly like natural teeth, which means you can brush and floss them, eat any food you like, and never need to take them out. Implants are also the most natural-looking artificial teeth you can get. Getting them installed takes longer, but once you have them, you’re set for life unless you have an injury to your mouth area.

Click here  to learn more about the dental veneers.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures don’t need to be frightening, and all the options mentioned here will result in better outcomes than if you do nothing.

Schedule an appointment today with our dentists in Scarborough to find out how we can enhance your smile and confidence.