We understand that the first time at a new dental office can feel intimidating for some, so we want to make sure your first visit with us is as comfortable as possible. Remember, our goal at Yaletown Dentistry is to exceed your expectations in every way!
During your first visit to Yaletown Dentistry, one of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer and take X-rays of your teeth as needed. After your dental profile is reviewed, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. We will also discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
Let our incredible team take care of you. We will blow you away with our professional service, friendly and attentive staff, and unparalleled dental experience.
Yaletown Dentistry is committed to providing every patient with an excellent dental experience. We have a special financing solution available for patients who wish to finance their dental care.
LendCare is a Canadian company that is also an official financing partner of Invisalign Canada. LendCare offers financing for up to 60 months (5 years).
Please follow the link below and fill out our LendCare Form:
For most appointments, we ask that you cover the full cost of your service at the time of your appointment. We accept all dental insurance plans and will take care of all of the necessary paperwork on your behalf, to ensure prompt reimbursement to you from your insurance provider. Based on the treatment you require, however, we can always make financial arrangements with you and your insurance company to allow you to receive dental treatment promptly.
Patients can email or call our receptionists to find out more detailed information regarding insurance coverage for dental appointments.
Visiting the dentist regularly not only will help keep your teeth and mouth healthy but also will help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:
Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is important, and your dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:
Most dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment. Your insurance may pay for a certain percentage of your Invisalign treatment, or it may pay for a certain dollar amount. We offer flexible payments to fit any lifestyle.
Simple or complex cases, Invisalign clear aligners can straighten it out – faster than braces, and at a similar affordable cost.
Some of your payment options can include:
Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are colour-matched to the rest of your teeth.
There is a complete aisle of over-the-counter whitening products out there. For the most part, they contain a much lower concentration of product, which means you will likely have to use the product for much longer than you would a custom, dentist-administered system.
Other things to consider when assessing the effectiveness of over-the-counter whitening systems is how long it is in contact with your teeth. If the solution is in contact with saliva, it will quickly be washed away. If it is only in contact with your teeth while brushing, it is going to take a very long time to see any difference. A tray-based system holds the solution against the teeth, preventing the saliva from diluting it, making it much more efficient and effective.
With the over-the-counter whitening strips, you are restricted with a generic length and width. If you have a broad smile, the whitening strip may not cover the ‘corners’ of your smile, making your smile look like an uneven color from the side profile. If your teeth are larger than average, you will not be able to consistently whiten the teeth, leaving your teeth with stripes of different colors. Another concern with the whitening strips, especially if teeth are crowded or overlapped, is that if the strip is not carefully contoured into the crevices between the teeth, you will end up with dark areas between the teeth. The strip may also extend onto the gum tissue, which can lead to sensitivity, tenderness, and temporary discolouration of the gum tissue.
Generally over-the-counter whitening products are safe, but using them without first having a dental consultation could result in issues like sensitivity, if cavities or root exposure are present. There are things that can be done in conjunction with whitening to help reduce any sensitivity. As well, it is important to realize that existing fillings and crowns will not change colour when you whiten your natural teeth. If your fillings currently match your tooth colour and you lighten your teeth, your filling is then going to appear darker and you will be looking at the additional cost of replacing or polishing it.
The need for dental x-rays depends on each individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary radiographs/x-rays based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease.
Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are recommended annually to detect cavities. Panoramic radiographs are recommended to give an overview of the jaws and are particularly useful when examining wisdom teeth or developing teeth. This x-ray would be reassessed only every five years or so unless there is a specific issue of concern, like unexplained pain or erupting wisdom teeth.
We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth of x-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources.
Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation by using a lead apron or drape when taking dental x-rays, as well as using digital technology. Digital x-rays help improve diagnosis, use significantly less radiation (60-90% less compared to traditional film x-rays), allow you to see enlarged clear x-ray images to better understand your treatment recommendations, and are beneficial to the environment by eliminating toxic film processing solutions.
Most adults will benefit from fluoride treatments. When your teeth are polished a minute amount of fluoride rich enamel is removed, and the application of fluoride following the polishing helps to re-establish that fluoride seal. Fluoride also acts to help re-mineralize any de-calcified areas and areas of sensitivity, like exposed roots and also has a bacteriostatic property, which means it keeps bacteria from multiplying.
If it has been a long time since you’ve had any cavities, and you have few or no dental fillings, no root exposure or sensitivity it may be OK for you to forgo the fluoride on occasion.
Once your child’s first tooth erupts it’s recommended that you come in to see the dentist, or at least make sure you speak with your dentist to ensure you know how to care for your child’s teeth, and what things to be cautious of. You should also bring your child to the dentist if you notice anything ‘odd’ like a dark spot, or if your child avoids chewing or eating certain foods because perhaps a tooth hurts. If your child has a fall that can also cause damage and should be investigated further.
The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months old and no later than one year old. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.
It is best to be positive about your child’s first visit and avoid phrases like ‘it won’t hurt, or tell them if they don’t let you brush the dentist will have to take their tooth out. Their first visit should be a fun, social visit. Even if you don’t like the dentist try not to transfer that to your child. Perhaps having another family member come with them would be a good idea. Talk about the positive, that they might get to have a fun ‘ride in the chair’ and ‘play with the magic straw and squirt gun’, or watch the ‘TV in the ceiling’. We all want your child’s first visit to be a positive one.
Gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stage. Other causes of gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease, and, if detected, is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss, and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of gum (periodontal) disease. Common signs of gum (periodontal) disease:
Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth two times a day for two to three minutes each time. Your dentist recommends that adults and children should change their toothbrush every three to six months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions, as you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with severe gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks in order to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.
According to your dentist and the American Dental Association, you should be brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque. It is also recommended that when you brush your teeth, you use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue; it will help keep your breath smelling fresh!
Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for cavities or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your doctor will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.
ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss at least once!
Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. This will help prevent cavities. Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and lead to oral cancer).
Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least every six months.
If a back tooth is lost, it can have a significant effect on one’s appearance. Teeth shift when the missing tooth is no longer there to support the others, creating changes in your bite. A sinking or puckering may also become obvious between the cheeks and mouth, and lips may look thinner and straighter. There are many options for replacement; bridges, implants, or partials may be a good option. Talk with us about what option will work best for you.
Bone loss in the jaw will always follow the loss of a tooth and can cause facial changes, speech changes and diet changes. Dental implants can restore normal eating and speaking abilities and enhance facial appearance.
The changes that arise in a woman’s dental health when she is expecting may be surprising and unexpected. For instance, pregnancy gingivitis is common and is caused by increased levels of hormones. Gums may become puffy and bleed easily. Contact us with any questions about pregnancy and your dental health.
Clenching your jaw excessively when you are stressed or during sleep is very common but can damage teeth and lead to headaches, joint problems and tooth fractures. Untreated, clenching and grinding your teeth can cause hypersensitivity to hot and cold, fractures, and even loosen teeth. Early diagnosis and treatment can ward off pain before it starts and helps you avoid the problems associated with this condition.
One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer and take X-rays of your teeth as needed. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
1050 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC,
V6B 2R9
Across Blue Water Cafe
Attention: Access from Helmcken street (Hamilton is a one way street)
