A: Your smile is typically one of the first things other people notice about your face. People who feel comfortable smiling with confidence may project a happier, friendlier image to others. When individuals suffer from a visible dental issue such as discoloured, chipped, broken or misaligned teeth, they may avoid smiling or interacting in social situations. General cosmetic dentistry procedures can quickly and safely correct these and other problems. Many of our clients report that their enhanced smiles increase their self-confidence and allow them to take control of their personal and professional lives.

A: There are many reasons why teeth become discoloured or stained over a person's lifetime. Some of those reasons include: - Trauma or injury to the teeth - The wear down of tooth enamel, causing the yellow-tinted dentin layer to become exposed - Consuming staining substances, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, wine or blueberries - Taking certain medications, such as tetracycline taken as a child - The overabundance of fluoride use, also called fluorosis Dr. Dan Haas offers professional in-office or at-home tooth whitening techniques to reverse tooth discolouration and provide clients with a dazzling, white smile worthy of the red carpet. Porcelain veneers are also effectively used to mask tooth discolourations.

A: There are several different cosmetic dentistry procedures to correct a missing tooth: Dental implants Dental bridges Removable appliances, such as dentures Each procedure has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and it is important that the dentist and client weigh all of the options before deciding on the appropriate course of action.

A: Porcelain veneers and dental bonding are two very popular ways to correct teeth that are chipped, cracked or broken. For porcelain veneers, a small amount of tooth enamel is removed from the problem tooth and a custom-made thin shell of porcelain is applied to the tooth. In dental bonding, the surface of the problem tooth is roughened to accept a covering of composite resin that is shaped and molded to look like the client's natural tooth. In each process, the material used on the tooth is created to match the colour of the existing teeth for seamless integration. The result is a natural-looking smile. These two processes can also correct teeth that are Narrow, Short, Misaligned, Discoloured or Oddly shaped.

A: Yes. Porcelain fillings have become the preferred method for filling cavities. As opposed to the old silver mercury amalgam fillings, which are unsightly, porcelain fillings are safe, durable and blend naturally with the tooth. Existing silver fillings can also be replaced with the porcelain material to allow clients to laugh heartily without embarrassment.

A: Plaque forms on your teeth daily. When sugar combines with the bacteria in plaque it produces acids that damage the enamel on your teeth. Although decreasing sugar intake will help, it is impossible to avoid sugar completely as it is naturally found in many of our foods, including fruits and vegetables. In order to maintain healthy teeth and gums you must brush and floss daily using good techniques to ensure the best results.

A: The brand of the toothbrush is less important than the type of brush, and how often you brush your teeth. We recommend that you have a soft-bristle brush. This type of brush will effectively remove plaque and a soft brush will not damage your gums. We also recommend that you brush at least twice a day. The condition of your brush is also important, as when the bristles begin to bend over it is time to start using a new brush. When the bristles on your toothbrush are bent over they lose their ability to remove food and plaque. It is the tip of the bristles that clean your teeth the best.

A: Tooth enamel is hard but also has microscopic pores. Sugar combines with the bacteria in plaque, which forms on your teeth daily, to produce acids that seep into the enamel's pores. This causes the enamel to demineralize and become weak, contributing to the formation of cavities. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the natural remineralization process. This keeps your teeth strong and healthy. Fluoride also fights cavities by reducing the amount of acids that are produced by plaque.

A: Tooth sensitivity is often experienced when the surface of the tooth has been worn down. One of the most common reasons for adults is that the roots of the teeth are exposed because the gums are receding. This allows the effects of heat and cold to penetrate to the pulp where the nerves are located. The problem gets worse as you tend not to brush your teeth properly if they cause you pain. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity, let us know so we can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment to take care of your discomfort.

A: You are already exposed to low levels of radiation from the environment on a daily basis. This is caused by natural sources of radioactive substances: in the earth, from the sun and from naturally occurring radiation in our bodies. This is commonly referred to as background radiation. The amount of radiation you receive during a single X-ray is equivalent to a few days of background radiation. In addition to the low levels of radiation used, we target the X-ray machine only at those areas we need to review in order to ensure that you have healthy teeth. For your added safety and comfort, Haas Dental Centre uses Digital X-rays, increasing the quality of dental X-rays while lowering you exposure to X-ray radiation. We also cover your body with a lead apron, providing you with additional protection.

A: It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a serious problem. The end result is bone loss and the loss of teeth. Even though you may brush and floss regularly, regular visits to the dentist will help detect gum disease in the early stages.

A: If you already have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is: Regular cleaning in our practice. Brushing twice a day. Flossing once a day.

A: Many people suffer from bad breath; in fact, 40% of the population has problems with bad breath at some time in their lives. Some reasons for bad breath may be: Poor dental hygiene. Eating certain foods, such as garlic or onions. Smoking. Chewing Tobacco. Diseases, such as cancer or diabetes. Dry mouth (often called morning breath). You can help reduce the incidence of bad breath by brushing and flossing each day to remove plaque. By avoiding certain foods you can also eliminate a lot of bad breath problems. If you wear a denture or removable partial denture, it is important to clean it thoroughly everyday and remove it at night so your mouth tissues can restore themselves daily. If a bad breath problem persists then let us know and we will try to discover what the problem is and recommend a treatment.