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Most people wish they could change at least one thing about their smile, whether that be the color of their teeth, the alignment of their teeth, their overbite, or the size of their gums. For some people, these things greatly impact their confidence and self-esteem, while others might think of them as a minor inconvenience. Whatever the case may be, there are many options available to improve the appearance of your smile.

At Trillium Dental, we offer a combination of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments to help patients get their dream smile. And the best part is, it’s all customizable! Learn more about our smile makeovers below, and contact us today to book an appointment at one of our eight dental clinics across Ottawa.

COSMETIC DENTAL TREATMENTS

When patients come to us for a smile makeover, they are usually interested in two or more cosmetic dental treatments. For example, it is very common for patients to want straighter, whiter teeth, so our dentists perform both types of treatment in one appointment. In this case, we’ll get you fitted for Invisalign® trays, or “clear braces,” in addition to providing a professional teeth whitening treatment. We also offer take-home teeth whitening kits, so we can provide those for patients who prefer to whiten their teeth from the comfort of their own bed or couch. Here are a few of the other cosmetic dental treatments we are able to offer as part of our smile makeovers:

• Porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are a great option for patients who want to improve both the color and shape of their teeth. These wafer-thin tooth veneers can be placed on top of the natural teeth to create a more desirable look. They cover up tooth stains, cracks, and chips, and they can be customized to your ideal tooth shape.
• Inlays/onlays. Inlays and onlays are often used as a more aesthetic alternative to traditional metal tooth fillings. These white fillings are made out of porcelain that matches the color of your surrounding natural teeth, so they integrate well while providing strong and durable reinforcement.
• Dental bonding. Dental bonds are a versatile cosmetic dental treatment that can be used to cover up tooth stains, fill cavities, and reduce gaps between the teeth. Dental bonding allows cosmetic dentists to integrate other treatments, like dental veneers, inlays, and onlays with the natural teeth seamlessly.
• Gum contouring. Many people have what is commonly referred to as a “gummy smile,” which is when your gums rest lower on your teeth and make them appear shorter. Our 24-hour emergency dentists can sculpt your gums to reveal more of your teeth while evening out your gumline. This cosmetic dental treatment is non-invasive with very little swelling and bleeding. In fact, there is hardly any downtime required after a gum contouring procedure.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

RESTORATIVE DENTAL TREATMENTS

In many of our smile makeovers, one or more restorative dental treatments are combined with cosmetic treatments to create a perfect smile. Sometimes, patients come to us with a tooth that has been knocked out due to an injury or tooth decay. When a tooth cannot be fixed with a cavity filling, dental bond, or any other minor restoration, often a tooth replacement is required. Here are the restorative dental treatments we can include in our smile makeovers:

• Root canals. Root canal procedures are performed when a patient has a tooth that is infected, which results in persistent toothaches, tooth sensitivity, tooth discoloration, and even missing teeth in extreme cases. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might need to have a root canal incorporated into your smile makeover so that the infected tooth can be fully restored.
• Dental crowns. Once the root canal is complete and the infected “pulp” of the tooth has been removed, your dentist will “cap” the tooth with a white dental crown. This technique is both restorative and cosmetic, as it protects the brittle tooth from becoming damaged while providing a beautiful porcelain covering that looks perfectly natural.
• Dental bridges. If a patient has a missing tooth or a severely damaged tooth that cannot be restored, a dental bridge may be necessary. A dental bridge refers to a partial denture with one or more dental implants that are permanently screwed into the underlying jawbone. These implants look and function like real teeth, restoring functionality and aesthetics to your smile.

BOOK A SMILE MAKEOVER AT ONE OF OUR DENTAL CLINICS IN OTTAWA

Now that you know a little more about our smile makeovers, we invite you to reflect on your smile. If you could change anything about your mouth, what would it be? Would you have perfectly straight teeth? Would your teeth be free of coffee stains and tooth cracks? Would you fill in that missing tooth that got knocked out during a soccer game? Whatever the case, our dentists are here to give you the beautiful smile you deserve. Contact us today for more information, or book an appointment at one of our dental offices in Ottawa.

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Here in Ottawa, there are many cosmetic dentists to choose from if you’re looking to get your teeth whitened, have a chipped tooth covered up, or invest in a total smile makeover. However, not all cosmetic dental practices are the same, and some offer better services than others. That being said, here’s what to look for in a cosmetic dentist:

EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS

The first things to consider when looking for a cosmetic dentist are their experience and credentials. The best cosmetic dentists have years, if not decades, of experience performing a range of cosmetic dentistry services in an established dental practice. They’ll have obtained a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) at a reputable dental school, such as McGill University or the University of Western Ontario. Before you choose just any cosmetic dentist, read up on their background to find out how long they’ve been practicing and what their main focus is.

A RANGE OF DENTAL SERVICES

In addition to a quality education and years of experience, reputable cosmetic dentists will also offer a range of cosmetic dentistry services using industry-leading tools and technology. At Trillium Dental, we do everything from Zoom! whitening and porcelain veneers to dental bonding, gum contouring, ceramic inlays and onlays, and more. We even offer complete smile makeovers for patients who want to change multiple things about the appearance of their mouth, such as reducing a “gummy smile” and whitening teeth in one appointment.

GOOD REVIEWS

If you’re torn between two or more cosmetic dentists, take a look at their reviews online or call and ask for referrals. At the end of the day, what really matters is the quality of service you receive, and you want a cosmetic dentist that has your best interests in mind. Look for a dentist that has a track record of happy patients who appreciate the care that goes into their dental work. Anyone else just isn’t worth it!

SCHEDULE A COSMETIC DENTISTRY TREATMENT WITH TRILLIUM DENTAL

At Trillium Dental, our family dentists pride themselves on providing quality dental care for all of our patients. We use the latest tools and technology for every dental treatment, and we are always educating ourselves to stay on top of best practices. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist you can trust, contact Trillium Dental today or book an appointment with us online!

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These days, there are thousands of different teeth whitening kits and treatments to choose from, making it hard to determine how to safely and effectively whiten your teeth at home. For example, there are natural teeth whitening treatments that involve baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, there are over-the-counter teeth whitening products, like Crest Teeth Whitening Strips, and there are do-it-yourself (DIY) teeth whitening kits that utilize teeth whitening gel and a blue light. Some methods work better than others, and often, it’s worth it to schedule a professional teeth whitening treatment with your dentist. However, at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we offer both in-clinic and take-home teeth whitening kits, so here are a few tips and tricks for teeth whitening at home.

RESEARCH THE BEST TEETH WHITENING PRODUCTS

The first step in ensuring that you get the best teeth whitening product available is by doing a little research. Look up dentist-approved teeth whitening kits online, or give your family dentist a call to see what method they recommend. More often than not, your local dental clinic will have some form of take-home teeth whitening kit for you to try, so you can drop by anytime or pick one up at your next dental exam. If you’re planning on ordering a teeth whitening kit online, be sure to also check out customer reviews and read the safety label before making your purchase.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

SET ASIDE ENOUGH TIME

One of the biggest mistakes people make when doing teeth whitening at home is that they don’t allocate enough time to get it done. In most cases, teeth whitening gel should sit on your teeth for an hour, and many teeth whitening products say to repeat this process every day for a week or more until you’ve reached the desired results. So, if you’re getting ready for a wedding, graduation, or some other special event, don’t leave your teeth whitening until the last minute. If the instructions say to do a series of one-hour increments, start the week prior to your event so you learn how to whiten teeth safely and know what to expect.

BE GENTLE WITH YOUR GUMS

It is not uncommon for people to experience some gum irritation and tooth sensitivity when they do teeth whitening at home — after all, you’re not a dental professional with years of experience whitening patients’ teeth. So, take your time, read the instructions, and only apply the teeth whitening gel to the surface of your teeth, making sure not to get it all over your gums. If your teeth or gums become sensitive during the treatment, gently remove the gel completely and try again later. The good news is that even when it is removed, most teeth whitening gels will continue to lighten your teeth for up to an hour, so even if you only fit in a half hour of whitening, you may see some results.

DON’T OVERDO IT

If there’s one final piece of advice to leave you with, it’s to not overdo it when whitening your teeth at home. Follow the instructions carefully, and you’ll likely see results without having to do anything extra. Often, people think that the longer they leave the teeth whitening gel on their pearly whites, the whiter their teeth will get. This is true, but leaving the gel on too long is not good for your teeth, and it can result in heightened gum and tooth sensitivity. It is also worth noting that many dentists and doctors recommend that pregnant or nursing women do not use teeth whitening treatments, as is the case for people with dental problems, porcelain veneers, or any other kind of cosmetic dental work. Teeth whitening gel does not lighten dental crowns or composite bonding, so these may need to be replaced to match the color of your newly whitened teeth.

BOOK A TEETH WHITENING APPOINTMENT AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

If you’re looking for the best teeth whitening treatments in Ottawa, you’ve come to the right place! At Trillium Dental, we offer in-clinic teeth whitening treatments that’ll leave you with a beautiful white smile in an hour. In fact, patients’ teeth are up to nine shades whiter after just one teeth whitening appointment with us! Call us today to schedule your next teeth whitening treatment and experience the difference of professional cosmetic dentistry services like Zoom!® whitening.

Of course, we realize that some patients would rather whiten their teeth from the comfort of their own home, which is why we also offer take-home teeth whitening kits that are safe, effective, and approved by our sedation dentist. Plus, they’re affordable and easy to use! Contact us to learn more, or visit Trillium Dental in Kanata, Downtown Ottawa, Orleans, Alta Vista, Stittsville, Stittsville West, or the Bayshore or Westgate Mall to pick up a teeth whitening kit today!

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Porcelain veneers are frequently used in the world of cosmetic dentistry, as they offer a quick, painless, and affordable solution to many aesthetic dental concerns. At Trillium Dental, we are pleased to offer porcelain veneers at each of our eight dental clinics in Ottawa, including Alta Vista, Downtown Ottawa, Stittsville, and the Bayshore and Westgate Malls. From our team of family dentists and dental hygienists, here’s what you need to know about porcelain veneers!

TOOTH APPEARANCE

Though this may seem obvious, the main benefit of porcelain veneers is that they can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth. So, what are veneers, exactly? Dental veneers are very thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the teeth in order to cover up cosmetic imperfections, such as cracked or chipped teeth, yellow teeth, or teeth that are not shaped to your satisfaction. These tooth cover-ups are also incredibly discreet, given most dental offices offer a variety of different shades of white veneers, so you can choose the one that best matches your ideal tooth color. The end result is a beautiful, white smile in no time!

CUSTOMIZABLE

Another great thing about dental veneers is that they can be customized for each individual dental patient. As previously mentioned, our dentists will work with you to determine which shade of white you’d like your new teeth to be, as well as which imperfections you want to cover up. Got a chipped tooth that drives you crazy? Porcelain veneers can smooth it over, leaving the tooth looking good as new. Tired of having stained teeth from tobacco, cola, medications, or drinking coffee every morning? Porcelain veneers offer an effortless alternative to at-home teeth whitening kits, and they are sometimes even cheaper than using professional teeth whitening gel at your local dental clinic, depending on your dental insurance coverage.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

STRONG & DURABLE

Despite being extremely thin, porcelain veneers are strong and long-lasting — that is, unless you take a baseball bat to the face, trip and fall on the sidewalk, or bite into something hard, like a jawbreaker candy. Because of this, you won’t have to walk on eggshells with your newly covered teeth, but do keep in mind that they can break if enough force is applied or if you grind your teeth at night. Fortunately, if one of your porcelain veneers does chip or break, this is easy for our family dentists to touch up when you visit us in Ottawa.

CONFIDENCE & SELF-ESTEEM

There’s nothing better than being able to smile from ear to ear without hesitation, and porcelain veneers can help you regain confidence in your smile if you’ve been holding back due to insecurities. Whether you’ve been battling with yellow teeth and have tried all the teeth whitening strips at the drugstore or you’ve got a tooth crack that’s driving you nuts, porcelain veneers offer the perfect cosmetic dentistry solution to get your confidence back up. If you’re interested in learning more about dental veneers or any of our other cosmetic dentistry options, such as white fillings, dental crowns, or complete smile makeovers, contact us today or book an appointment online at Trillium Dental in Ottawa!

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If you’re like most people, you’d love to have perfectly white teeth without having to do anything to maintain the beautiful shine of your pearly whites, but for many people, this is simply not a reality. There are many factors that play into the color of your teeth and their overall appearance, including your oral hygiene habits, quality of dental care, and, you guessed it: your diet.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments and take-home teeth whitening kits for patients who wish to improve the color of their teeth, and our Zoom! whitening procedure has proven to whiten teeth up to nine shades in an hour-long session at our family dental clinic. However, if you’re wondering how to whiten teeth without using teeth whitening gel or DIY teeth whitening techniques, avoid smoking cigarettes and limit your consumption of these five foods:

COFFEE & BLACK TEA

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but coffee and black tea consumption is one of the leading causes of stained teeth among adults — particularly college students and working adults. This is because the dark color and acidity of coffee and dark tea can cause the teeth to absorb some of it, resulting in tooth discoloration and unsightly yellow teeth stains over time. The more coffee, chai tea, and English breakfast tea you drink, the more susceptible you are to experiencing some level of tooth discoloration, so if you’re wondering how to keep your teeth white without giving up these delicious drinks, consider using a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth.

RED & WHITE WINE

Again, we hate to be the one to break it to you, but wine is another culprit of yellowing teeth. Like coffee and black tea, red wine is high in sugar and acid content, in addition to being a dark beverage, which creates the perfect environment for tooth staining. Though white wine is light in color, its sugar and acidic properties still put you at risk of staining your teeth. This is because the acid in grapes, oranges, and many other citrus fruits latches onto your teeth and begins to eat away at the tooth enamel if it is not removed via brushing and flossing. Drinking wine through a straw, no matter how “dorky” it may be, is the best way for winos to avoid staining their teeth, and luckily, there are many different wine straws available online!

CITRUS FRUITS & DARK BERRIES

The same logic applies to citrus fruits and dark berries. Though these delicious treats contain high levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy, balanced diet, they are not the best for your teeth. This goes back to the high sugar and acid content in wine and citrus fruits, which love to hang out on the tooth surface, causing tooth yellowing, stains, and uneven tooth discoloration. Our dentists certainly aren’t here to tell you to cut fruit and veggies out of your diet, so if there’s one tooth-staining food category that you should be sure to include, it’s colorful fruit and veggies!

TOMATOES & PASTA SAUCE

Tomatoes are another healthy food that are not so great for your teeth, as the dark red color and acid in these tasty veggies (or fruits?) take a particular liking to your tooth enamel. Plus, tomatoes are a popular ingredient that is found in a wide variety of cuisines, from Italian food, like ravioli and spaghetti, to popular Mexican dishes and American condiments like ketchup. This makes it harder to avoid including tomatoes in your diet, so if you’re really concerned about tomatoes staining your teeth, cut down on this veggie when you can and be sure to brush your teeth after eating a dish that includes tomatoes or pasta sauce.

CANDY & SODA

As if you needed another reason to eliminate candy, soda, and sugary sports drinks from your diet, consider the negative effect they have on your teeth. Dark colas are particularly notorious for contributing to tooth discoloration, given that the dark color, when combined with the chemicals and added sugar, can cause your teeth to yellow with time. Because of these unnatural chemicals and excessive amounts of sugar, soda and candy are some of the worst things you can put in your body, period. So, if you’re looking for a natural teeth whitening method, do your body a favor and cut soda out of your diet, as well as other detrimental chemicals like those found in candy, processed foods, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

SCHEDULE A PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING TREATMENT AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

While our dentists highly recommend cutting down artificial sugar consumption (i.e. soda and candy) for better oral health, there is another way to improve the color of your teeth without cutting down on colorful fruits and veggies. Contact us today to discuss what professional teeth whitening costs here at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, and feel free to reach out to us for recommendations about the best teeth whitening products to use if you wish to do your own teeth whitening at home.

We also offer take-home teeth whitening kits at our Ottawa dental clinic, so feel free to stop by at any time to pick one up and get information about our other cosmetic dentistry treatments. We look forward to meeting you and helping you get that perfect, white smile you’ve been dreaming of!

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If you love coffee, red wine, berries, Coke, and other dark foods and drinks, odds are, your teeth will start to show it over time. It’s unfortunate that some of our favorite foods can stain our teeth and turn them yellow, even if we brush and floss religiously. However, the good news is that there’s an easy fix: teeth whitening services and take-home teeth whitening kits. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we offer many different cosmetic dentistry services to help patients regain confidence in their smile, from Invisalign® and porcelain veneers to professional-grade teeth whitening gel.

Teeth whitening treatments and techniques have come a long way in the last few decades, and dental clinics now have access to the best teeth whitening technology available today. At Trillium Dental, we use Zoom!® whitening gel and specialized teeth whitening lights, which can bleach your teeth up to nine shades whiter in an hour (three 15-minute sessions). We also understand that bleaching your teeth from the comfort of your couch is more appealing to some patients, which is why we offer take-home teeth whitening kits for those who would rather do it themselves. That being said, here is a quick and easy guide for whitening your teeth at home!

STEP #1: GET A TEETH WHITENING KIT

These days, you can find teeth whitening kits nearly anywhere — but before you order that cheap teeth whitening kit online or try some kind of DIY teeth whitening method, make sure to do your research so you know what to expect. The internet is full of knock-off teeth whitening kits that aren’t very effective and are difficult to use by yourself, so if you’re looking to dramatically improve the look of your smile, it’s best to pick up a teeth whitening kit at your local dental clinic. At Trillium Dental, we are happy to provide you with a teeth bleaching kit so you can do the teeth whitening at home, so give us a call or stop by our Ottawa dental clinic if you’d like to try it for yourself!

STEP #2: FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS (AND DON’T GET GEL ON YOUR GUMS)

The most important thing to remember when whitening your teeth at home is that you are dealing with chemicals that should not be consumed or come into contact with your gums, which is why these kits require that you only squeeze a small amount of gel into the teeth whitening trays. Often, people will neglect to follow the instructions in their teeth whitening kit and put too much gel in the trays. This can cause you to accidentally get teeth whitening gel on your gums if you’re not careful, which can sting a little and cause irritation. That’s why many patients opt to spend a little extra on professional teeth whitening treatment — our dentists have the skills and experience necessary to do it right and produce great results without harming you.

When you’re bleaching your teeth at home with teeth whitening gel, make sure to only leave it on your teeth for as long as instructed, as your teeth can become sensitive if you leave it on too long. This can easily make the experience unpleasant. If you’ve invested in one of the best teeth whitening products available online or at your local emergency dentist’s office, you shouldn’t have to leave the teeth whitening gel on any longer than it says to in the instructions. Many of the best teeth whitening kits will also come with an LED light that you can shine on the gel to enhance its effectiveness, so take this into account when you’re tempted to leave the teeth whitening gel on longer than instructed.

STEP #3: COMPLETELY REMOVE THE TEETH WHITENING GEL

Once your time is up (usually one hour), take the teeth whitening tray out of your mouth and gently remove the gel. You can do this with a cloth, tissue, or whatever else came in the teeth whitening kit, but no matter how you do it, just make sure to get as much off as possible so you don’t consume any and get an upset stomach. Most teeth whitening bleach will continue to whiten your teeth for a while after it has been removed, which is another reason why you shouldn’t leave it on longer than the instructions recommend. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after use so you get as much teeth whitening gel out of your mouth as possible, and don’t forget to wash the trays so they are ready to go next time you decide to whiten your teeth at home.

PICK UP A TEETH WHITENING KIT AT OUR OTTAWA DENTAL CLINIC

Ready to try whitening your teeth at home? Drop by Trillium Dental in Ottawa today to pick up one of our take-home teeth whitening kits! We look forward to seeing you.

Not all people are born with a perfect smile. In fact, very few are. The reality is that even if you have straight teeth as a child, you never know what the outcome will be when you lose your baby teeth and the permanent ones take their place. Some people experience crooked teeth and crowding, while others have an overbite, underbite, or gaps between their teeth. Whatever the case, it is not uncommon for people to feel self-conscious about their smile, and there are many dental solutions available for those that do.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY PROCEDURES WE OFFER

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we are proud to offer many different cosmetic dentistry procedures that can help you regain confidence in your smile. Here are some of the options we offer at our dental office:

• Teeth whitening — in-office Zoom!® teeth whitening procedures and take-home teeth whitening kits with a special teeth whitening gel and LED light
• Porcelain veneers — thin white shells that mimic real teeth and can be used to cover yellow teeth, cracks, gaps, and other problem areas
• Gum contouring — a surgical procedure involving the removal of excessive gum tissue with a laser for those who want to get rid of a gummy smile
• Inlays & onlays — white ceramic or composite dental crowns that blend in with real teeth when placed on top, in the center, or on the crest
• Bridges & crowns — used to cover, protect, and reinforce decayed teeth after root canal therapy or any other dental procedure that leaves the teeth brittle and weak
• Dental bonding — the process of adding inlays, onlays, white cavity fillings, porcelain veneers, or any other permanent material to the teeth for cosmetic purposes
• Complete smile makeovers — any combination of the above cosmetic dentistry procedures needed to perfect a patient’s smile

We regularly see patients who are self-conscious about the color, shape, or overall appearance of their teeth and gums, and are happy to provide any of the above services to those who qualify. We understand better than anyone how imperfect teeth can lead to a reluctance to smile, speak, laugh, or even participate in social situations, and we firmly believe that everyone deserves the right to a smile they can feel confident about.

The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile, whether that means whitening their coffee-stained teeth, filling awkward gaps, getting rid of excess gum tissue, or tending to any combination of dental issues. A person’s smile is one of the first things others notice, and these procedures have helped many of our patients feel comfortable and uninhibited in social settings. Sometimes all it takes is a dab of teeth whitening gel, a few porcelain veneers, or a little laser work on the gums to achieve a beautiful smile.

SCHEDULE A COSMETIC DENTISTRY PROCEDURE AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

If you are struggling with low self-esteem or a lack of confidence around other people due to the appearance of your teeth, consider a cosmetic dentistry procedure at Trillium Dental in Ottawa. Everyone deserves a perfect smile, and we would be happy to transform yours into one that you love to show off. Contact us today, or request an appointment online!

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Not many people know what cosmetic dentistry entails or what sets it apart from other specialties within the field of oral health care such as general dentistry, restorative dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry, and sedation dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is a major part of what we do here at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, and we are proud to have given many patients the beautiful smile they’ve been dreaming of for years.

From administering professional teeth-whitening treatments and contouring gums to providing dental crowns and bridges, we do it all. In this blog post, we will discuss all the different cosmetic dentistry services we offer, as well as what each one aims to accomplish. But first, let’s start with a basic definition of what cosmetic dentistry is and the benefits it has for those who are looking to improve their smile.

WHAT IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

Simply put, cosmetic dentistry is a specific kind of dentistry that aims to improve or nearly perfect the appearance of a person’s mouth, teeth, and smile. There are many ways of accomplishing this, and each one depends on the patient’s unique oral structure and own specific needs.

Say you have stained teeth, for example. The appropriate cosmetic procedure would be a professional teeth-whitening service, during which your dentist would safely and effectively apply teeth-whitening gel and an LED light to the stained surface. On the other hand, if you happen to chip or break a tooth or two, porcelain veneers can be applied to seamlessly even out the teeth so no one will ever know they were broken. Either way, cosmetic dentistry can restore your confidence and provide you with a stunning smile in no time!

Given that everyone has a different mouth structure and aesthetic, recent technology has made it possible for a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services and procedures to become available to the public. Here are some of the ones we offer.

TEETH WHITENING

Professional teeth-whitening services are one of the most common types of cosmetic dentistry. At Trillium Dental, we provide both in-office Zoom!® whitening treatments and take-home teeth-whitening kits. Upon visiting our dental clinic for a teeth-whitening treatment, one of our highly skilled dentists will apply Zoom! teeth whitening gel to your teeth in 15-minute increments, and shine a Zoom! light on your teeth to enhance its effectiveness. This safe, non-invasive teeth whitening service is completed in an hour and produces incredible results. If you prefer whitening your teeth in the comfort of your own home, you can also pick up a take-home teeth-whitening kit from our office at any time.

PORCELAIN VENEERS

As previously mentioned, dental veneers are used to cover up broken, chipped, cracked, or otherwise imperfect teeth. At Trillium Dental, we use extremely thin porcelain veneers that can be bonded to the teeth, giving our patients a stunning white smile that looks entirely real. In fact, no one will even notice that your teeth were flawed in any way because our porcelain veneers are strong, long-lasting, and very closely resemble real teeth.

INLAYS & ONLAYS

Another common cosmetic dentistry procedure we offer is the implementation of porcelain cavity fillings, as opposed to traditional metal fillings. No one wants to talk with dark, visible fillings, and we make it possible for no one to ever know. There is no better way to hide the fact that you’ve had cavities than with white fillings that look like part of your real teeth!

SMILE MAKEOVERS

For those who want the full package, we also provide total smile makeovers, complete with any combination of teeth-whitening treatments, porcelain veneers, Invisalign®, dental bridges and crowns, and more. This option is fully customisable and is contingent on each patient’s individual needs.

DENTAL BONDING

Dental bonding refers to the administration of any material to your teeth that is meant to stay. This could mean porcelain veneers, white cavity fillings, or any other kind of permanent or semi-permanent cosmetic dentistry service.

GUM CONTOURING

Some people have gums that, in their opinion, extend too low or rest too high up on their teeth. This can cause them to feel self-conscious and result in them hiding their smile — until they seek a professional gum contouring procedure, that is. For those who have a “gummy smile,” we can even out and remove parts of the gums with a dental laser that is made for these kinds of small, non-invasive procedures. We can also perform gum grafting to add a little more tissue to overly exposed teeth that hardly have any gums.

DENTAL BRIDGES & CROWNS

Last but not least, we also offer dental bridges and crowns for patients with brittle or decayed teeth. During this procedure, we place a temporary crown on the affected teeth to reinforce and protect them while permanent dental crowns are being made. Once we have crafted them from an impression, you will be sent home with better functioning teeth and a better looking smile.

If you are thinking about pursuing a cosmetic dentistry treatment or procedure, request an appointment today! Cosmetic dentistry is one of the most fun parts of our job, and we love helping our patients achieve their best smile.

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KANATA AND OTTAWA, ONTARIO – There are many different types of cancer, and the Canadian Cancer Society reports 29 percent of all Canadian deaths in 2009 were due to cancer.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and in an effort to raise awareness about this disease our Ottawa family dentistry team encourages you to pay attention to any changes in your mouth, gums, lips and cheeks.

Our team provides general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Kanata. We can help restore missing teeth with dental implants, we thoroughly clean your teeth and gums at every regular appointment and we carefully screen each patient for oral cancer.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, in 2003 about 3,100 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer and the disease claimed 1,090 Canadian lives. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer is 63 percent, according to Health Canada. This means that 63 percent of patients diagnosed with oral cancer are still alive five years after their diagnosis. We don’t want you to be next. You are an important part of your oral health, and keeping a close watch over your lips, gums, teeth, cheeks and tongue may even save your life.

Learn the Most Common Oral Cancer Symptoms

If you know the common symptoms of oral cancer you can better protect yourself. When you go through your daily oral hygiene routine, check for the following warning signs: Use your finger to trace your lips, gums and cheeks to check for any swelled lumps. Sores are often signs that something is wrong in your mouth, especially those that last longer than two weeks. Note the color of the sores as well; are they white, red or a combination of the two colors?

You may also notice ear pain, numbness, tenderness in your face or mouth, frequent oral bleeding, a prolonged sore throat, trouble chewing or swallowing food, changes in the way foods taste, trouble talking or moving your jaw or even extreme weight loss. Has your bite changed? Do you notice a difference in the way your teeth fit together? All of these symptoms could be warning signs of oral cancer. Bring any of these symptoms up to your dentist at your next appointment.

Identify Your Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Tobacco use greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer. If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, consider how much healthier you’ll be if you quit. Quitting tobacco will improve your dental health, your skin, your heart health, your lungs and your circulation. You are also approximately six times more likely to develop oral cancer if you drink alcohol to excess.

Too much sun can increase your chances of developing oral cancer. Protect your lips with an SPF fortified lip balm or by wearing a hat that blocks sunlight from your face. If you’ve had oral cancer in the past, or if someone in your family has had oral cancer, you have a higher risk of developing the disease. The presence of HPV has also been linked to increased oral cancer risk.

You can develop oral cancer at any age, though your risk increases dramatically after you hit 45. Your diet may also contribute to developing oral cancer, so be sure to eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits to help prevent cancerous cell growth. Men also get oral cancer more frequently than women.

Understand Prevention and the Importance of Routine Dental Care

There are ways for you to thwart the onset of oral cancer. Limit your consumption of alcohol and protect your face and lips in sunlight. Quit tobacco and eat a balanced diet. Learn the common symptoms of oral cancer and be aware of any changes to your oral health.

You have a better chance of surviving oral cancer the earlier you receive a diagnosis. Dentists are often very important in diagnosing oral cancers in patients, which is one reason why routine dental care is so essential to your total body health. You should visit the dentist at least twice a year to make sure he has adequate time to diagnose oral cancer. If you are at higher risk, your Ottawa dentist may want to see you more often than twice a year. Regular screenings ensure that we catch any cancer faster, which gives you more time for treatment and increases your chances of survival.

KANATA, ONTARIO- Nail biting is a common societal pet peeve, but your teeth are fed up with the habit, too. The frequent practice of nail-biting can inflict serious health and aesthetic issues on teeth and gums, not to mention fingernail mutilation. Dr. Bartos and Dr. Northcott from Orleans family dentistry practice Trillium Dental explain five reasons why it’s best to kick the nail-biting habit for good.

1. Nail biting can damage dental work and promote teeth movement. Your fingertip may appear to be harmless, but constant gnawing has been shown to shift teeth, cause gaps (known medically as Diastemas) and trigger root reabsorption. The curious phenomenon of root reabsorption occurs when a part of the tooth’s root becomes absorbed by the bone securing it. In short, refrain from nail-biting if you’d like to avoid another round of braces.

2. Nail biting can crack and chip teeth. Few things are more painful than a pulsating toothache, but that’s exactly what might happen if your teeth incur a fracture from biting a tough fingernail. Front teeth usually bear the nail biting brunt, but they aren’t engineered to withstand the constant chewing like molars. Because of this, noticeable chips and painful cracks commonly occur.

3. Nail biting puts gum tissue at risk. The mouth and hands are easily the most germ-concentrated areas of the body. When these are combined, it can make for a few nasty consequences, including gum infections. Sharp edges from chipped or pointy fingernails can slash gums, providing a gateway for an army of potentially dangerous bacteria. Be good to your gums – keep fingernails out of the mouth.

4. Nail biting can spike dental bills. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that nail biters pay $4,000 more in dental repairs than patients who don’t bite their nails. Enough said!

5. Nail biting can cause bad breath. Our hands are covered with germs, and nail biting ushers those germs inside the mouth. The assortment of oral bacteria, germs and residue from finger foods combine to brew an unpleasant taste. To ensure your breath stays fresh, brush the teeth and tongue twice daily, use an antibacterial mouthwash regularly and stop biting those nails.

Kicking any habit is tricky, but with a few simple tips and good old-fashioned determination, everyone can achieve their goals. For the ladies, try keeping finger nails polished and pretty. This will help by giving you a stylish reason to cease the destructive biting. Guys can pick up bitter tasting nail care products formulated for this purpose at many drug stores. If it’s the chewing sensation you crave, opt for a sugarless gum and keep it handy for when those urges set in.

Patients who have experienced damage to their teeth or gums as a result of habitual nail biting can rely on Kanata dentists Dr. Bartos and Dr. Northcott, who administer a range of general and cosmetic services at Trillium Dental’s five area locations. Popular services include Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, dental implants and porcelain veneers. Cracks and chips can also be corrected quickly and comfortably.