Frequently Asked Questions

At Rideau Town Dental Care, we believe that education and communication are the keys to a 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:

1. Are you accepting new patients?

   Yes. Rideau Town Dental Care continues to grow and continues to accept new patients. If you are considering a new dentist for you and your family, we invite you to stop by to meet our team and take a tour of our office or to schedule an appointment.

2. Why is it important that I visit my dentist every 6 months?

   We recommend that patients visit our office at least twice yearly to ensure optimal oral and general health and to help avoid serious and costly future problems. In addition to cleaning and polishing all the visible and hidden surfaces of your teeth, we also check for many potential problems. Tooth decay, oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease are just a few examples of problems that can have serious consequences if left undetected. In certain cases, we may even recommend 3 or 4 visits per year in order to prevent and minimize periodontal and systemic diseases.

   Maintaining a regular appointment schedule with your dentist isn't just good for your teeth, it's an important part of your overall health.

3. What is periodontal disease?

   Periodontal disease is an infectious and inflammatory disease which destroys the periodontal tissue. These tissues consist of the gums and the bone that support the teeth. It is a gum and bone disease. Periodontal disease affects 3 out of 4 adults. It is caused by a growing colony of living bacteria called "plaque". The greatest cause of adult tooth loss is periodontal disease.

   If detected in the early stages, periodontal disease can be treated and controlled.

4. Am I a Candidate For Implants?

   Generally, candidates for dental implants should be in good health, have healthy gums, good oral habits for aftercare and a healthy jawbone to support the implants. Dental implants can adversely be affected by some chronic diseases, existing dental problems, diabetes, bone disorders, smoking and alcohol. Your dentist can evaluate your situation to determine if dental implants are the best option for you.

5. 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.

   One of our skilled dentists will ensure that the shade is matched and the crown is shaped precisely for a very natural, indistinguishable appearance that it also functional.

6. Did you know that there is a new way to straighten your teeth without braces?

   Until recently, orthodontic treatment was focused mainly on teenagers and the preferred method was metal "train track" braces. Thanks to Invisalign, orthodontic treatment has become easier, more comfortable and accepted by more and more adults seeking a straighter smile.

   Here's how it works! Upon an initial consultation, we decide if Invisalign is right for you. We then formulate a treatment plan, make an impression of your teeth and submit it to Invasilign. Using the latest 3-D computer technology, Invisalign translates our instructions into a series of medical grade plastic aligners. Each one of these plastic aligners is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit snuggly over teeth and gently move them through every stage of your treatment plan.

   With no more metal braces and usually a shorter treatment time, Invisalign truly is something to smile about.

7. How Effective Are Current Dental Sterilization Procedures?

   In this era of concern over infectious diseases, patients can rest assured that the sterilization methods used in dental offices are thorough and comprehensive.

   Staff members are fully trained in safety and sterilization protocols. Between visits, all surfaces in the treatment room are cleaned and decontaminated. Equipment that cannot be re-used - like tips for certain tools, air/water syringe tips, and needles - is disposed of properly.

   Dental professionals use the latest technologies to clean and sterilize re-usable equipment. Instrument washers (which resemble dishwashers) use hot water and detergent to clean instruments. Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves, undetectable by humans, to form oscillating bubbles that work along with specialized detergents to remove debris from instruments.

   To sterilize instruments after cleaning, dental offices use a steam autoclave. The autoclave's high heat kills microorganisms. The autoclave includes specialized packaging for each instrument. When the sterilization procedure is complete, the packages are sealed and are not opened again until needed in the treatment room, and then only by a gloved hand.