Frequently Asked Questions about Our Dental Clinic in Hamilton

 

Is professional teeth whitening in Hamilton better than a drugstore kit?

It’s faster. Discolouration settles into the enamel, usually from cigarettes, tea, coffee or a medication, and professional whitening is made to lift it quickly. The kits sold at drug stores tend to take weeks before they show much. We run more than one whitening option here, so the choice comes down to the result you’re after and how far you want to take it.

Which veneers are better, porcelain or composite?

Porcelain, generally. It lasts longer than composite and it doesn’t stain, which is why it’s usually the recommendation, though composite earns its place too, since a composite resin veneer gets finished in a single visit where porcelain takes about two. Either one is a thin, custom-designed shell that fits over the tooth and enhances its shape, its colour, its size. They cover crooked or poorly shaped teeth, chipped or broken ones, stained fillings, and the spaces between teeth. After that it’s ordinary maintenance, brushing twice and flossing daily, plus a little care with hard foods, since veneers can chip if you’re not careful.

What can cosmetic dentistry fix besides whitening?

Quite a bit. Chipped, broken, discoloured and missing teeth are the usual reasons for it, and from there we can reshape a tooth, close a gap, restore one that’s small or missing, improve a gummy smile, or alter the length of a tooth. Smaller repairs are usually bonding, and that’s a one-visit job. Composite resin gets built up on the tooth in layers, the colour selected to match the rest of your teeth, then a light hardens the material and the tooth is shaped. We re-examine it afterward to determine whether any further polishing is required.

How long do dental crowns last?

Up to fifteen years, depending on how well you treat your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing helps extend a crown’s life, as do cleanings and check-ups and a healthy diet. The crown itself is a permanent cap seated over a tooth that’s been weakened, used after a deep cavity or a root canal, to protect a fractured tooth, or to attach a bridge. Having one fitted doesn’t hurt. Your tooth gets reshaped, an impression taken so the crown fits exactly, and if it’s going out to a lab you’ll wear a temporary until it comes back. The permanent one is cemented into place and fully set by the time the freezing wears off.

Is Stone Church Family Dentistry accepting new patients in Hamilton?

Yes, and emergencies are welcome too. Tuesday runs from noon to 7pm for anyone who can’t get away during the day, with Monday, Wednesday and Thursday open 9am to 4pm. Parking is free, and we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Interac. Dr. Lillian Ivankovic and the team at Stone Church Family Dentistry would be glad to hear from you, so give the office a call and we’ll schedule a time to talk.