Frequently Asked Questions

That’s exactly what we aim for. We can use digital smile design to show you what’s possible and get your input throughout the planning process. The goal is a smile that enhances your natural features, not something that appears artificial or overdone.

We consider your age, facial structure, and what you personally want from treatment. We aim for a smile that appears like it’s always belonged to you, just healthier and brighter. Your feedback throughout the process helps guide the final design and outcome.

Cost varies depending on your goals and what treatments you need. A simple makeover might involve whitening and bonding, while a comprehensive one could include veneers, crowns, implants, and orthodontics. We’ll provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation so there are no surprises later.

We can work with your budget and stage treatments over time if that helps make treatment more manageable. Interest-free payment plans through SmileRight and Humm are available to help spread the cost of comprehensive treatment without financial stress.

Timeline varies considerably depending on what’s included in your plan. Simple makeovers using bonding and whitening might be completed in a few weeks, while comprehensive makeovers involving orthodontics, veneers, and implants can take several months to over a year to complete.

We’ll provide a realistic timeline during your consultation based on your specific situation and goals. Some treatments need to happen in stages with healing time in between, while others can run alongside each other to keep treatment progressing efficiently.

Resistance to tooth brushing is common in young children. Stay calm and consistent, making brushing non-negotiable while keeping the experience as positive as possible. Offer choices like which toothbrush to use or which tooth to start with, giving your child some control.

If resistance continues, talk to us during your visit. We can reinforce why brushing matters in ways children understand and sometimes hearing it from the dentist makes a difference. Some children respond well to demonstration on stuffed animals or having the dentist show them directly during appointments.

Making dental care positive and routine helps children develop good habits without resistance. Use a timer or play a two-minute song while brushing, let your child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste flavour, and brush together as a family.

Praise effort and progress rather than perfection, and avoid using dental visits as threats or punishments. Reading books about dental care, watching age-appropriate videos, or creating reward charts for consistent brushing can make oral care feel like an achievement rather than a chore.

Children can start learning to brush with supervision around age 3, but they need parent help and supervision until around age 10. Young children don’t have the dexterity or attention span for thorough brushing on their own, so parents should assist or follow up after they brush.

We teach age-appropriate techniques during visits and show parents how to help effectively at home. Even when children brush independently, parents should supervise to ensure they’re brushing long enough, reaching all surfaces, and using the right amount of toothpaste.

The ideal time for braces varies depending on the individual child and the specific orthodontic issues. Many children begin comprehensive orthodontic treatment between ages 11 and 13, when most permanent teeth have emerged but growth is still occurring.

However, some children may benefit from earlier intervention for specific problems, while others can wait until all permanent teeth are present. Early assessment helps us determine the optimal timing for your child’s specific situation, ensuring treatment happens when it will be most effective.

If we identify issues that may benefit from early intervention, we’ll explain clearly why treatment is recommended and what it involves. Early treatment might include simple appliances designed to help guide jaw growth, create space for permanent teeth, or address specific bite problems.

Many children who have early intervention still need braces later, but early treatment may help make the later orthodontic work simpler and shorter. We’ll discuss realistic expectations, treatment options, costs, and timing so you can make informed decisions about your child’s care.

Most children won’t need orthodontic treatment at age 7 to 9, but early assessment allows us to identify problems that may benefit from early intervention. Some bite issues, jaw growth problems, or severe crowding may be easier to address while children are still growing.

Early assessment doesn’t mean early treatment. Often, we simply monitor development and recommend treatment later when more permanent teeth have emerged. However, identifying concerns early allows us to plan ahead and choose the best timing for any necessary treatment.

Children need parent supervision and help with brushing until around age 10, as they don’t develop the dexterity for thorough brushing on their own earlier. Brush together twice daily using fluoride toothpaste, and help them floss once daily.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals, and encourage drinking water instead of juice or soft drink. Make dental care positive and routine rather than something to dread. Regular dental visits, good home care, and healthy eating habits work together to help keep your child’s teeth healthy.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,095 in benefits over two calendar years for eligible children aged 2 to 17. Covered services include check-ups, cleaning, x-rays, fluoride treatment, fissure sealants, fillings, and extractions.

We bulk bill for eligible children under the CDBS, which means no out-of-pocket costs for covered preventive and basic dental services. We’ll check your child’s eligibility and help you access these benefits to make regular preventive care affordable.

Preventive care should begin around your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. These early visits establish familiarity with dental care, allow us to check development, and provide guidance on caring for baby teeth.

Starting preventive care early helps children become comfortable with dental visits before problems develop. We can apply fluoride, discuss teething and oral hygiene for babies, and monitor how teeth are coming through. Early intervention sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.