Aurora Family Dentistry

Ask A Dentist

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers about Dentistry and Oral health.

As a general dentist’s office, practically anyone that wants their teeth “looked at” is welcome to book an appointment and meet with our doctors. We provide general routine, cosmetic, restorative and preventive services to patients of all ages. In cases where we feel that patients need extensive repair and restoration; or will benefit from seeing a specialist, we refer them to trusted colleagues outside of our own clinic.

As soon as he or she starts teething. The recommended age for a first visit is 3 years, as by that time, all the primary teeth are in place. However, teething may start as young as 3 months, and if you feel there is any problem or simply want professional advice, we are happy to help. We recommend you start bringing them to appointments with you so that they become familiar with our office and staff and any problems can be nipped in the bud. As they grow older, between 3-5 years of age, you should start scheduling regular appointments where they will be taught how to take care of their teeth.

While not a recognized area of dental specialization, this term has gained immense popularity recently. Simply put, cosmetic dentistry focuses primarily on the appearance of your teeth, and in particular, your smile. While generally, healthy gums and teeth, by default look great. However, the cosmetic dentist carries out specific treatments to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your smile – alignment, colour, filling gaps, etc that make your smile look better.

Each smile is unique, and as such, ‘improving’ it is a very loosely defined term. However, things like the colour of your teeth, their placement, the structure of the jaw, any missing or overlapping teeth – all of these factors make a big difference to the appearance of a smile. Correcting these factors can significantly ‘improve’ a smile. However, the most important aspect of any smile enhancement is taking into consideration other facial features, speech and also the lifestyle of the patient. Only when all these are considered does a smile enhancement give the results we seek.

Yes – we can help in cases of staining, discolouration and teeth whitening – all three.

There are many ways to fill gaps between teeth. Bonding and porcelain bridges are the most commonly used techniques in cases of gaps. In cases where the gap is due to a chipped or broken tooth, porcelain veneers can also help. Depending on the architecture of your mouth, your dental history and your budget, we can suggest the best option for you. In most cases, gap-filling takes no more than two visits, with most procedures taking just a single session at our clinic.

Very simply, an implant is an artificial tooth that looks and functions exactly like your natural teeth. It is a great alternative to bridges or dentures and is an almost-permanent solution to missing teeth. They blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth, and it’s practically impossible to tell an implant from a natural tooth. Anyone who needs it can get an implant, however, good dental hygiene, sound jaw & bone structure are a must. A consultation with us will determine whether you need an implant and if you’re the right candidate for it.

Your teeth come in a set of thirty-two. Even if one of these is missing, it adversely affects the others. Teeth support each other. A missing tooth can more than often cause neighbouring teeth to loosen and fall out. Missing teeth trigger a change in the alignment of the remaining teeth, causing them to shift or move. This will impair your bite, causing problems with chewing and even digestion. Worse, if the missing tooth is not replaced, food particles will start to compact in the area, eventually causing severe infection.

Dr. Fahimay Naqvi is highly experienced in the treatment of gum disease. Essentially, if your gums are tender, if you notice blood on your toothrush while brushing, if you get a sharp, shooting pain when you eat sweet, hot or cold items, if you constantly have bad breath – you may be showing symptoms of early stage gum disease or gingivitis. An appointment at Aurora Family Dentistry will help you understand the problem and we will provide a solution to cure and prevent repeat occurrences.

Compared to traditional x-rays, digital x-rays emit 80% less radiation, which means they’re much safer for you. Moreover, while traditional x-rays are printed in the form of a radiogram, digital x-rays can easily be shown on a monitor. This helps the doctor explain your situation to you easily. Their digital format makes them easier to transfer to others – specialists, insurance companies, etc. Digital x-rays also require no chemicals in the process of developing, making them environmentally friendly too.

Fear of dentists or ‘odontophoia’ is a very real problem and we understand how frustrating it can be. Not only does the patient suffer mental stress and tension during the visit, it can even hamper the procedures or, in worst cases, cause the patient to avoid seeking out remedies to dental problems altogether. At Aurora Family Dentistry we offer different sedation techniques including conscious sedation, to help you remain calm throughout the procedure. Moreover, our dentists and staff are extremely warm, friendly and understanding, particularly when our patients feel afraid. This itself goes a long way in making patient comfortable.

Patients can opt to pay by cash or credit/debit card. While each insurance policy is different, and the extent of coverage depends on the provider, most policies do cover restorative and preventive procedures. Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered. However, it’s best to check with your provider if you have doubts. If covered, we are happy to file the insurance paperwork and claim online for you.