FAQ

The Middlesex-London Health Unit, Canadian Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend that a child be seen shortly after the first tooth is visible, and before their first birthday. Byron Family Dental offers an interactive one on one "first tooth first visit" appointment for babies which serves to introduce your child to the dentist early, paving the way for positive experiences in the future. This appointment also gives you valuable tips and information which can be used to make sure you are doing everything that you can to prevent dental problems for your little loved ones. Call the office for more details.

Not necessarily. Composite (white) resin fillings shrink after setting which could lead to sensitivity, however technological advances in dental materials have led to filling materials that minimize this shrinkage and therefore minimize sensitivity. While they do involve a few steps to place properly, a tooth with a white filling should not result in long-term sensitivity. That being said, sometimes the depth of the filling or condition of the tooth in question could increase the chances of sensitivity occurring. Dr. Kliman or Dr. Clarke would be happy to answer any more questions you have about sensitivity.

Yes. The technological advances in these materials have improved their strength immensely.

Relax! It is normal to be a bit apprehensive before a dental appointment. Allowing a stranger two-handed access to your mouth with some funny instruments can be a bit unnerving for some. It should be noted however that Nitrous Oxide is a mild sedative, meaning it gives one a relaxing, slightly euphoric feeling but does not "put you asleep". Laughing gas will even make Dr. Kliman’s jokes funnier. You will still be conscious and present during the appointment, and a certain calmness and willingness to work together with us is required to get the most out of it. It is very safe, you will leave the appointment feeling no ill effects, and you will be able to drive yourself home or return to work. It can also be a great tool for nervous kids to improve cooperation through the appointment.

A root canal is done to save a tooth from the extraction or to prevent possible serious infection. Usually, a tooth that needs a root canal already has a large filling or large cavity, to begin with, and when the root canal is completed, you end up with a more fragile situation. That is why we will usually suggest you protect the investment you make in a root canal with a crown.

A crown goes one step further than a filling. It is a tooth coloured restoration that resembles a whole natural tooth but is hollow on the inside (hence the nickname "cap"). After a tooth is prepared for a crown, it is cemented on top permanently. This gives your tooth resistance to breakage or cracking, and is recommended in cases where teeth have large fillings or small cracks to avoid root canals or extractions. It is also strongly recommended following a root canal to give a tooth back some of the strength it lost.

Simply put, a dental implant is a prosthetic replacement for a natural tooth. They are also commonly used to provide dentures with unbeatable retention, to allow you to eat, speak and smile with ease!

An implant is a very conservative method to replace teeth since no other teeth are used or involved in the process. It is placed in nearly the exact position as the natural root of a tooth within the bone, thus preserving that bone which ultimately will resorb or "melt" away with time as we see with other treatment options. Once the bone has healed around the implant adequately, we are ready to attach your new tooth or denture on top!

What you are left with is a durable and cosmetically pleasing long term restoration that closely mimics what nature intended and requires only basic maintenance. It is the only tooth replacement option that preserves your valuable bone, thus maintaining the position of other teeth and providing support for the soft tissue of our facial structures for an overall aesthetic appearance.

If you would like to learn more, Dr. Kliman would be happy to provide a consultation to discuss how this exciting branch of dentistry can help you!

Metal implants are made out of a medical-grade titanium which is a similar composition to the titanium used in hip and knee replacements. They are generally very safe and biocompatible, and have been used in medicine and dentistry since the 1950s. A new alternative to traditional metal implants is all white zirconia implants. Dr. Kliman is very excited to be able to offer all white implants on a case by case basis. If you have any more questions about the difference between white and metal implants, Dr. Kliman would be happy to discuss it with you!