FAQs

At Harwood Dental Group, we believe that education is the key to productive patient/dental office relationship.Our professional team is readily available to assist you with any questions or concerns. Listed below for your reference are commonly asked questions:

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, Harwood Dental Group continues to grow and accept new patients. Walk-ins and emergencies are also welcome. Call us to schedule your appointment.

Are bleeding gums a sign of a problem?

Bleeding after brushing or flossing can be unsettling. It can also be a sign of an otherwise mostly silent disease – periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss. It is a build-up of bacteria from plaque and tartar that can inflame or infect gum and bone.

Periodontal disease causes deep pockets to form in tissue between the gums and teeth. This sometimes gives the appearance of puffy or receding gums. During dental exams, we routinely examine your gums. There are a number of treatments for bleeding gums and periodontal disease, including removing plaque and tartar below the gum line. These treatments, performed in a dental office, are called scaling and root planing. They allow the gum to heal and become healthy again. We recommend daily brushing and flossing as well as regular checkups and cleanings to help prevent periodontal disease.

Fillings: silver or white…what’s the difference?

Many of us who grew up before the time of fluoridated water have a mouth full of silver fillings. These fillings known as amalgams, have proven to be extremely durable restorations, but they are not very pleasing to the eye.

Fortunately, recent advances in dental materials have made it possible to use tooth coloured filling materials. These materials can be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and are used to achieve long lasting and attractive restorations. In our practice, we use tooth coloured materials for almost all of the fillings that we place. We even use these materials to replace old amalgam fillings that have started to deteriorate or that simply detract from the appearance of our patient’s smiles.

Can I replace an old crown that looks unnatural?

Many of our patients have asked us about replacing very old crowns that have deteriorated or crowns that do not blend well with their natural teeth. We will ensure that the shade is matched and the crown is shaped precisely for a very natural, indistinguishable appearance that is also functional.

Can I replace an old crown that looks unnatural?

Dental bonding is a simple, painless and affordable procedure that has many uses, including:

repairing chipped or cracked teeth
closing spaces between teeth
reshaping teeth
covering badly stained teeth

Bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored resin. The dentist prepares the tooth for bonding by placing a mild chemical on it to roughen the surface. Using a shade guide, the dentist selects a shade that closely matches your tooth and then mixes and tints the resin. The resin is applied in thin layers and then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser.

The dentist then shapes and polishes the resin to smooth it and give it a natural look.

The procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. You can even get several teeth bonded in one visit. No special techniques are needed to care for bonded teeth – just good oral hygiene.

What’s today’s potential of cosmetic dentistry?

You may have heard a lot about cosmetic dentistry, and for good reason. Cosmetic dentistry holds the promise of a brighter, more attractive smile.

Restoring the beauty of your smile through cosmetic treatments can do wonders for your sense of confidence. We offer a wide range of treatments that can improve the colour of your teeth, repair chips and cracks, and cover dark stains. We can also help with crowded and crooked teeth. Our office offers Invisalign, clear braces that are hardly noticeable but very effective at improving the alignment of your teeth.

Today’s cosmetic dentistry is suited to your busy lifestyle. In-office whitening can be done in an hour. Our crown restorations can be done in one visit. Today’s treatments are also less invasive and less painful than those used even a few years ago.

If you have any questions about the appearance of your smile and the possibilities offered by cosmetic dentistry, speak to us today.

How can nitrous oxide help with dental treatment fear?

Do you ever get anxious about having dental work done? Has your fear prevented you from getting the dental care you need? No one knows these fears better than your dentist. That’s why we offer inhalation sedation, or laughing gas, to our patients.

Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide (N₂0), is an odourless, colourless gas that patients can inhale through a mask placed over the nose. The gas, often pleasantly scented with vanilla or mint, works rapidly. Patients report feeling relaxed, calm, and happy during use. As its nickname implies, laughing gas can sometimes make people feel giddy or giggly, but without losing control.

With nitrous oxide, we are able to perform many procedures on previously anxious patients and patients feel no pain or discomfort. It has the added advantage of being completely reversible, with no lingering grogginess. When a procedure is completed, patients are given oxygen to breathe for a few minutes and the effect of the sedation is completely reversed.

There’s no need to put off dental work because of fear or anxiety. Ask your dentist whether inhalation sedation, or laughing gas is right for you.