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If you have recently visited your dentist on Yonge Street for tooth pain, only to find out you need a root canal you might be a little worried about how much it’s going to hurt or you might not know exactly what to expect. Root canal therapy has a bit of scary stigma attached, but having a root canal when it’s needed can help save your tooth and improve your overall dental health. When you’re unsure about a root canal, here’s what you can expect and how it can help you long term.

Save Money

If your dentist on Yonge is suggesting a root canal, it is because the affected tooth is dying or infected, or both. There are alternatives to having a root canal, of course, and the most common one is tooth extraction. Depending on which tooth needs the root canal, you might not wish to have a gap in your smile, so you’d need to arrange for an implant, bridge or crown to be put in after the tooth is pulled. These options are pretty expensive, and insurance doesn’t always cover all the costs. So pulling the tooth might seem like the easier route, but if you don’t fill the space you might find your teeth shifting over time to accommodate, and you might even have issues with proper chewing function.

 Remove Infection

A tooth that is dying usually has some kind of infection deep in the pulp of the tooth. If this infection is not treated with appropriate antibiotics (which your dentist will prescribe) and the tooth is not cared for properly, then the infection could spread to the bone of your jaw and even your bloodstream, and that is very dangerous to your health.

Prevent Cracked Teeth

When a tooth needs a root canal it is because it’s dying, and those kinds of teeth can become very brittle which makes them vulnerable to cracking. If your tooth cracks, the only option is to perform a tooth extraction and leaving a gap in your smile. An early root canal can save the natural tooth, and make sure it doesn’t crack or chip causing more discomfort and long-term complications.

Retain Your Smile

Once the root canal is performed, your dentist will cover the tooth with a crown. For many years, crowns were only available in a metal finish (usually gold) but with recent dental technologies, improving the crowns are custom made to match the shade of your natural teeth. This way, no one will even know it’s a crown and you’re preserving your natural tooth.

Relieve Pain

As a tooth is dying, it’s very painful for the person experiencing it. When a root canal is performed, the dentist will freeze the area and you won’t feel the procedure being performed. As the freezing wears off, you are most likely to not feel any pain because the dentist has removed all the infection, pulp and nerves within the tooth. Many people often report that a root canal actually helped them to feel less pain than before, even though the procedure itself is thought to be painful.

If you think you might be in need of root canal therapy, contact our dental office conveniently located on Yonge Street.

If you are not completely happy with your smile because of crooked, gapped, or overcrowded teeth you may be wondering if you should ask your Thornhill dentist about Invisalign braces. For a long time, metal braces were the only reliable way to straighten teeth, but in the past few decades, Invisalign braces have offered a more discreet option.

And while Invisalign braces can be extremely effective for correcting minor to moderate cosmetic issues with your smile, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine if this might be the right treatment for you.

Are you concerned about the appearance of braces?

The most obvious reason why people consider Invisalign over traditional metal braces is their appearance. Like the name suggests, Invisalign braces are practically invisible. This is very appealing to teenagers who don’t want to look different from their friends as well as to adults who wish to maintain a more professional appearance.

What is the condition of your smile?

Invisalign is recommended by dentists in Thornhill for treating minor to moderate issues, including crooked teeth, gapped teeth or overcrowded teeth. It is not recommended for more severe issues.

How old are you?

Invisalign braces are recommended for individuals age 13 and older. Getting Invisalign braces involves first getting an impression of your teeth. With younger children, their teeth change more often making Invisalign an impractical option for them.

For teens, Invisalign has created a special line of products just for them.

How committed are you to the treatment?

Straightening your teeth with Invisalign requires some discipline on your part. To be effective, the aligners should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day. Aligners should only be removed when you are eating, brushing or flossing. It can be tempting to forgo wearing your aligners for longer periods of time and easy for some people to lose their aligners, but this will only result in treatment taking longer.

After aligners are no longer needed, you still need to be committed to follow-up care. It may be necessary to wear a retainer at night to ensure the effects of the treatment are not reversed.

Get a professional opinion at our Dental Office in Thornhill

If you are considering Invisalign braces for yourself or for your teen, the first step is to get a professional examination. Contact Sunlight Dental today to schedule an appointment to see if Invisalign braces are right for you.

What are Dental Crowns and Bridges?

Dental crowns and tooth bridges are two types of prosthetic devices to replace missing teeth. Unlike other solutions such as dentures, crowns and bridges are both permanent.

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown or cap is a prosthetic tooth which can either be part of a dental implant when the entire tooth is missing, or it can be attached to a tooth that has been damaged but still has the root intact. In the second scenario, a dental crown can help to protect what is left of the natural tooth.

In the case of a dental implant, a titanium peg or “root” is inserted into the jaw bone and a dental crown is attached to it. Over time the jaw fuses to the titanium root and the implant becomes as strong as the natural tooth was. It also looks and feels completely natural, so only the patient and the patient’s dentist know that the tooth is prosthetic.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a solution that may be recommended if the patient is missing more than one consecutive teeth. A bridge consists of one or more prosthetic teeth that are cemented to the natural teeth on either side or to dental implants on either side. It is called a bridge because it literally bridges the gap where there are missing teeth.

Like implants, bridges can also look quite natural, however, they do not have the “root” that implants do.  If you have missing teeth and would like permanent replacements, you should arrange a consultation with your dentist to see whether implants or bridges would be the better option for you.

How to Care for Crowns or Bridges

One of the nice things about crowns and bridges is that because they are permanent, they do not require special care. You only need to brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth. With proper care, bridges and crowns can last a decade or even a lifetime. Keeping your surrounding teeth and gums healthy with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups is one of the keys to making your crowns or bridges last as long as possible.

Contact Sunlight Dental Today

If you have missing teeth and think you might benefit from crowns or bridges, contact Sunlight Dental today and make an appointment with one of our dentists.

Life can be a challenge when you have missing teeth. Not only can it be embarrassing, but missing teeth can cause you problems when eating and talking. It can even compromise the health of the teeth that you have left. Full and partial dentures are one solution, however, if you want to improve your quality of life, you should speak with a dentist in Richmond Hill about dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are permanent prosthetic teeth that are secured to the jawbone with titanium pegs or “roots”. These titanium roots are inserted into the jawbone and as the jaw heals, they become extremely secure. A dental crown is placed on top of the root to provide the appearance and functionality of a natural tooth. 

How can dental implants improve your life? 

Whether you are currently using dentures or you simply have empty gaps in your mouth, dental implants can help to improve your life in the following ways:

• They look, feel and function like natural teeth – while full and partial dentures can fill in spaces where you are missing teeth, people living with dentures often feel insecure because there is a possibility of their dentures coming loose. They also require a special cleaning regimen. Dental implants, on the other hand, are anchored into the bone and do not come out. You can clean them in the same manner that you clean your natural teeth – with brushing and flossing. 
• They can help you feel more confident – because there is no worry about them coming loose, and because they look completely natural, dental implants can help you to feel more confident. Who knows? If your Richmond Hill dentist determines you are a good candidate for dental implants, you just might find yourself being more outgoing and living a richer life. 
• They protect your oral health – Did you know that missing teeth can lead to other health problems? It’s true when you have gaps in your smile, surrounding teeth can shift out of place and the jawbone can even deteriorate. Dental implants help to keep your jaw healthy and your remaining natural teeth in place. 

Are you a good candidate for dental implants?

Provided that your jawbone is in good condition and you are otherwise healthy, there is a good chance that you are a candidate for dental implants. Contact Sunlight Dental Clinic today to schedule an appointment with one of our Richmond Hill dentists.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile. But when you have teeth that are missing, crooked, stained or misshapen, your smile can feel less than beautiful. You may find yourself avoiding photos – or even worse – avoiding social situations because you don’t feel confident about your smile.

Fortunately, the smile that you have today can be changed through cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is a general term for any dental procedure or a combination of dental procedures that are meant specifically to improve the appearance of your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile in several ways including:

• Straightening Your Teeth – To truly straighten your teeth, you will need to use either conventional braces or Invisalign aligners. If your teeth are only slightly crooked, however, it is possible to make them appear straighter through the use of veneers.
• Close Gaps Between Teeth – A small gap between your front teeth can be attractive, however, some people can be self-conscious if they have a very large gap. Procedures such as dental bonding or veneers can help to make gaps appear smaller.
• Whiten Your Smile – A whiter smile can make you appear to be years younger. Professional teeth whitening can give you a brighter and whiter smile. Dental veneers are also an option to make teeth appear whiter.
• Improve the Shape of Your Teeth – Misshapen teeth can make your smile look less attractive. For this problem, your dentist may recommend dental crowns, dental inlays or onlays, or veneers.
• Replace a missing tooth – while replacing a missing tooth is not strictly cosmetic, it will help to improve your smile – particularly if the tooth or teeth are near the front of your mouth. Options for replacing missing teeth include implants, dental crowns, bridges, and full and partial dentures. Your dentist will recommend a course of action determined by how many teeth are missing, where they are located, and your overall oral health.

Are these procedures covered by my insurance?

Procedures designed to replace and/or straighten teeth may be covered by your insurance if it can be demonstrated that they are being done for reasons other than being strictly cosmetic. Other procedures such as whitening are unlikely to be covered by insurance.

Nevertheless, the benefits you receive from having a better smile and increased confidence can be well worth it.

Contact Sunlight Dental today!

If you are unhappy with your smile, contact our office today. One of our dentists would be happy to meet with you and recommend procedures to help improve your smile.

If you are missing all of your teeth, there are several dental remedies available to replace your natural teeth. One of the best options however are full mouth implants or implant-supported full bridges or dentures.

Full mouth implants replace all of your natural teeth as well as some of the roots. Titanium  abutements or “roots” are inserted into the bone of the jaw. As the jaw heals, these titanium roots become extremely stable as they bond to the bone. Artificial teeth or crowns are then affixed to these titanium roots. In the case of full mouth implants, you will likely not have a root for every tooth, but some of your artificial teeth will likely be supported by a bridge.

The number of roots that you will need will depend on several factors. Every patient is different and your dentist will work with you to ensure that your treatment gives you the best smile possible.

Compared to conventional dentures, full mouth implants have several advantages:

• Look and feel like natural teeth

When it comes to finding a tooth replacement method that looks and feels natural, nothing beats implants. Not only do they look just like real teeth, but because they are so stable, they help you retain most of your chewing and talking ability. With conventional dentures, you may have difficulty eating certain types of food and it some cases, they can interfere with your speech.

• Help protect the bone

When you are missing teeth, the supporting bone structure begins to deteriorate or resorb.  This can happen even with traditional dentures. This can cause the jaw to have a collapsed appearance and negatively affect your smile.

With full mouth implants however, the titanium roots help to preserve the bone underneath.

• Long lasting

If cared for properly, you full mouth implants can last a very long time – maybe even a lifetime. Implants are cared for the same way that you would care for natural teeth – through regular brushing and flossing.

Contact Sunlight Dental Today

If you are missing your teeth and tired of wearing traditional dentures, then full mouth implants may be an option for you. Contact our office today for an appointment with one of our dentists.

If you’ve been in an accident or perhaps are just missing a tooth or two, your dentist may have suggested having a dental implant done. It seems like it’s straight forward enough, but do you know all the details about having a dental implant done? If this is a procedure you’re considering then here’s what you need to know about an implant.

What, exactly, is an implant?

A dental implant is, in short, a fabricated tooth that matches the shape, size and colour of your natural teeth. The implant itself is a replacement for the root, or foundation, of your tooth so that the portion of the tooth you see has something to secure to under your gums. You can have dental implants that are either permanent or removable, which your dentist can discuss the benefits of each with you to determine what’s right for you.

How are they secured?

Well, the short answer is your dentist will secure a post into your jawbone. The roots of your natural teeth go all the way down to your jaw, so it only makes sense that an implant would too. This post will be cemented in so that it can act as a really strong foundation for the tooth on top.

How long do they take to heal?

Depending on your dentist, it will probably take two trips to have a dental implant completely finished. In the first visit your dentist will prepare the space, or spaces, that will have implants in them. They will also complete the post portion of the implant, including drilling and cementing it in place. This procedure can take a couple weeks to heal as they do cut away some of your gums. Your dentist will likely want your gums to completely heal before the put the tooth portion on top of the post and make sure you didn’t have any issues with the post procedure.

If everything has healed well, your dentist will have a tooth made that looks like your other teeth, and ready to put on top of the post so you now no one would even know you were ever missing any teeth.

 What are the benefits?

If you have lost a tooth, especially one in the front of your smile, you probably feel like it’s the only thing anyone ever notices about you. An implant can help restore your confidence and make your smile perfect!

Another big benefit, especially if you’ve had dentures for the past bit is that implants make you feel like you’re using your natural teeth. They will fit better than even the best dentures because they aren’t removal and won’t shift during a meal.

Finally, other dental procedures – like crowns – require surrounding teeth to be reduced down to have crowns put on the teeth to anchor the crown or bridge in place. Implants, however, don’t affect any surrounding teeth so they actually support better oral health over time by keeping healthy teeth whole.

Implants can seem like a scary procedure, but if you’ve lost a few teeth implants are a great option to restore your chewing function and perfect your beautiful smile!

Five Ways to Beat your Bad Teeth Genes

As much as we want to blame our poor oral health on our parents and their genes, according to the American Dental Association many common periodontal diseases are not resulted from a single genetic defect, but rather from gene-environment interactions. Research has not yet found a gene that poses significant risks to periodontal health, there are however many environmental factors that can make or break your smile.
Not to worry though, we have you covered. We understand that the dental office is not everyone’s favourite Friday night plan, so we are here to offer you with five simple ways to improve your oral health, the appearance of your smile, and those so called bad genes:

1. On top of flossing and brushing your teeth every night, try to do it throughout the day too. Brushing your teeth after breakfast is also crucial as night time, when your immune system is at rest the bacteria throw a party in your mouth. Make it a habit to brush after breakfast!
2. Visit your dentist or hygienist a least every six months for a professional dental cleaning. Everyday life results in a build up of tartar, plaque, and bacterial bio-films that have to be professionally removed. Plus, visiting your dentist regularly ensures you are constantly on top of your oral health which is the most important prevention method.
3. Keep smoking at bay. This is an obvious one. Smoking is the leading cause of gum disease in the United States, as it aids in the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. It also discolours your teeth.
4. Drink acidic drinks with a straw to avoid contact with your teeth. These include carbonated drinks, coffee, and alcohol. Constant exposure to acidic foods and drinks results in the wearing down of your enamel over time.
5. Keep an eye on your sugar intake, because bacteria love those sugars as much as you do! Ensure you brush your teeth following the consumption foods and drinks high in sugar.

Here is what one of our clients had to say about her experience with cosmetic veneers:IMG_9547

The idea of having a tooth pulled can be frightening for some people, but tooth extraction is actually a fairly common dental procedure which can leave you with a healthier mouth in the long run.

Reasons why you might need a tooth extraction

There are a number of reasons why your dentist might recommend an extraction including trauma, alleviation of crowding, to make room for dentures or because of periodontal disease. The most common reason however is severe dental decay or cavities.

When a cavity is large enough, the tooth can become weak and eventually crack or break. Often, you dentist will be able to save the tooth with a root canal and crown, however when the problem is too severe he or she may recommend a tooth extraction.

What to expect when you have a tooth pulled

Depending on the condition of your tooth, your dentist may recommend that you take an antibiotic prior to the procedure. In this case, he or she will write you a prescription that you should pick up before the day of your tooth extraction and take as recommended.

During the procedure itself, your dentist will numb the surrounding area so that you will not feel any pain. Using forceps, the dentist will loosen the tooth by gently rocking it back and forth until it is loose enough to pull out. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, they will also have to remove some of the surrounding gum tissue.

Oftentimes the dentist will finish the procedure by using self-dissolving stitches to close the gum and sometime they will perform a bone graft. A bone graft is usually only done when they are planning for a dental implant, denture or partial denture.

Recovery after a tooth extraction

Recovering from a tooth extraction usually takes no more than a few days but it is still important to take the proper precautions. While your dentist will provide you with specific instructions for your situation, some general guidelines are:

• Controlling swelling with an ice pack on the outside of the moth
• Avoiding sports and vigorous activity until the socket has healed
• Keeping mouth clean and brushing gently around the socket
• Eating soft foods until the mouth has healed
• Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids

Regardless of why might need a tooth extraction, the team at Sunlight Dental Clinic can help make the process as easy as possible and help you restore a healthy smile. Call us today at 905-889-0819