Services
WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
Orthodontic services can help you achieve a straighter smile. We offer Invisalign, which is a solution that gradually shifts the placement of your teeth to a preferred position. Using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign treatment can straighten your teeth. What’s the best part? Your lifestyle isn’t interrupted, meaning you can still enjoy the activities you love and the foods you enjoy. It is also easier to brush and floss, for better oral health, than metal braces.
Am I a candidate for Invisalign?
We recommend Invisalign for teens and adults that are looking for an alternative to traditional braces. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign is to visit Shawky Dentistry for a complimentary consultation. We would be happy to help you determine the best options for your smile.
What should I expect when I get Invisalign?
If you decide to pursue Invisalign treatment, Dr. Shawky will then take impressions of your teeth. These impressions will be used to create a customized and personalized treatment plan. Depending on your desired goals, treatment length could vary. You will wear your clear aligners for 23 hours a day for best results, and change your aligners every 2 weeks to a new set. When you start wearing each new set of aligners, you may feel a little extra pressure or discomfort for the first few days, which is totally normal. You will be required to take your aligners out to eat and drink, then brush your teeth before putting them back in. Rinse your aligners every night and brush them gently with your toothbrush to keep them fresh and clean.
DO YOU NEED A SPORTSGUARD?
Using a quality mouthguard during sports is an important part of protecting your teeth from injury, but sportsguards are not just for athletes who play contact sports. Even participants in recreational activities such as biking, skateboarding, or gymnastics are at risk for mouth injuries and should seriously consider protection. In addition to sports-related injuries, teeth can also be damaged by grinding, which is common during sports participation. The team at Shawky Dentistry is serious about protecting your teeth. We offer custom-fitted mouthguards for participants in all types of sports and recreational activities. Because every mouth is different, we’ll work with you to identify the right protection device.
WHAT IS NIGHTGUARD?
A nightguard is a retainer-like plastic appliance that can be worn on either the top or the bottom row of teeth. It protects the teeth from the pressure of clenching and grinding by providing a cushion between the upper and lower teeth. A nightguard can be a simple, affordable solution for protecting your teeth and jaws from the damaging effects of nighttime clenching and grinding by helping to relax the muscles in the jaw. Once we determine that you’re a good candidate for a nightguard, we will create one that’s custom-made for your mouth, and you can rest soundly again.
Do I need a nightguard?
There are many reasons why wearing a nightguard could be right for you. A few examples include:
- Nighttime wear to prevent damage from teeth grinding and bruxism
- To serve as a barrier between the lips and oral appliances, such as metal braces
- To protect bridgework or implant
What should I expect when my dentist fits me for a nightguard?
Your first visit will consist of taking an impression of your teeth that will be used as a mold for your nightguard. At your follow up appointment we will fit your nightguard before you take it home.
Should I follow any special instructions?
Before you leave you will receive instructions for how and when to wear it, and how to care for your nightguard.
WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?
Dental sealants are clear or tooth coloured resin materials that are applied to the permanent molars in order to prevent cavities.
How is dental sealant applied to the teeth?
Dental sealant is applied to the chewing surface of the teeth and bonded in place to seal all the grooves which may be potential problem areas for decay. This is done during a regular scheduled office visit, without anaesthesia and is completely painless.
How long will a dental sealant last?
Dental sealants will last several years if proper care is taken. If necessary, the dental sealant can be re-applied.
How will I know if my child needs dental sealant?
During your child’s regular check up, our skilled team will assess your child’s dental health and advise whether dental sealant is recommended to prevent decay.
Does my child still need fluoride if he/she has dental sealants?
THE BENEFITS OF ROUTINE PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING
Your oral health depends on two factors: your willingness to brush and floss regularly and your commitment to seeing your dentist every six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning. You may wonder why you need to visit the dental professional so often if you are taking great care of your teeth and gums on your own, but even the most diligent patients can miss hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and leave themselves vulnerable to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Your six-month oral exam will ensure that your dentist spots any problems early in their development, but professional teeth cleaning may prevent those oral health issues, the most devastating of which is periodontal disease, all together.
Professional Teeth Cleaning to Prevent Periodontal Disease
Most commonly referred to as “gum disease,” periodontal disease begins with plaque, the sticky biofilm that continually forms in your mouth. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once daily can help you remove plaque before it causes any problems. However, many patients have trouble removing every bit of this sticky substance, especially along the gumline and between teeth that are crooked or crowded. If plaque is not removed within about 48 hours after it forms, it begins to calcify into tartar, a hard substance that cannot be removed with brushing or flossing. However, your dental hygienist can remove these stubborn deposits with a special instrument. Having tartar removed can help prevent gum disease and keep the earliest stages of the condition (gingivitis) from progressing to the more advanced and irreversible stages (periodontitis).
How Teeth Cleaning Is Performed
For patients with healthy teeth and gums, and even in those who have the earliest signs of gingivitis, a teeth cleaning usually involves three simple steps:
- Scaling: This procedure is carried out with a tool called a scaler. In cases where there are only a few small spots of hard calculus, your hygienist may use a manual scaler to remove tartar deposits from the teeth by gently scraping them. Tartar can also be removed with an ultrasonic scaler, which is an electronic device that uses a gentle vibration and a steady stream of water to break up larger pieces of tartar and wash away the particles.
- Polishing: This step involves using a handheld tool with a spinning rubber head that polishes all tooth surfaces using a slightly abrasive paste. Polishing helps remove minor stains on the enamel and gives teeth a smooth surface that is less likely to attract plaque and oral bacteria.
- Fluoride: In most cases, your dentist and/or dental hygienist will recommend a fluoride treatment after each cleaning. Applied as a rinse, gel, foam or a varnish, fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel, which is the outermost layer of the teeth, helping it resist the acid attack that can lead to tooth decay.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a progressive condition with three stages:
- Gingivitis: Plaque contains numerous strains of bacteria, many of which can irritate the gums and cause them to swell and bleed. This is the first stage of gum disease and is completely reversible. A thorough professional cleaning coupled with vigilant cleaning techniques at home, which your dental hygienist will demonstrate for you, will usually restore your gum tissues to optimal health.
- Periodontitis: This stage of gum disease occurs when tartar along the gumline breaks the attachment of the gums to the teeth, causing bone loss and periodontal pockets. These openings between the gums and teeth trap food particles and bacteria that damage the structures holding the teeth in place. A therapeutic (deep) cleaning by your hygienist or dentist, which involves removing bacteria from the periodontal and root surfaces so that the gums can reattach to them, can help prevent more damage. Antibiotic therapy and antimicrobial rinses are also used in some cases to help control the infection.
- Advanced Periodontitis: In this third stage of periodontal disease, the gums, periodontal ligaments and bone sustain so much damage that the teeth may begin to loosen. In the advanced stages, your hygienist cannot help you. You need more aggressive treatments from a Periodontist, such as laser surgery and bone or gum tissue grafts to help prevent tooth loss.
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
Is a tooth extraction right for me?
If one or more of your teeth are missing, there are a number of ways to replace them. An alternative to bridges, partials or complete dentures may be dental implants. Implants are used to replace missing roots and support artificial replacement teeth. They are comfortable, look and feel like natural teeth. A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium metal. It is inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of the natural tooth. An artificial replacement tooth is attached to the implant. The implant acts as an anchor to hold the replacement tooth in place.
Who does this procedure?
If you are having an implant, Dr. Shawky will refer you to see Dr. Huynh, in our office, who is very experienced in placing implants and oral surgery.
Who can get dental implants?
If you are in good general health, have healthy gums and have enough bone in the jaw to hold an implant, dental implants might be right for you. If your jawbone has shrunk or if it has not developed normally, you may be able to have a bone graft to build up the bone. A bone graft is a way of adding new bone to your jawbone.
How long does the procedure take?
After the implant is placed in your jawbone, you will wait three months for the site to heal and allow the implant to integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is complete, we will place a final crown on the missing area to complete your smile.
WISDOM TEETH + GENERAL EXTRACTIONS
Is a tooth extraction right for me?
If you have a tooth that is damaged or infected, and a general procedure such as a root canal isn’t the best option, a tooth extraction may be right for you. If you are experiencing discomfort with your wisdom teeth, it may be time to have them extracted. An examination with Dr. Shawky and an xray will determine the best option for your oral health.
What should I expect when I have my tooth extracted?
Before pulling the tooth, your dentist will give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. During the extraction process it is common to feel a lot of pressure. Once the tooth has been pulled, a blood clot usually forms in the socket. The dentist will pack a gauze pad into the socket and have you bite down on it to help stop the bleeding. Sometimes the dentist will place a few stitches — usually self-dissolving — to close the gum edges over the extraction site.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
The extraction site will need time to heal; recovery typically takes a few days. You will be prescribed pain killers and/or antibiotics at your appointment. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Bite firmly, but gently on the gauze pad placed to reduce bleeding and allow a clot to form in the tooth socket. You will be given extra gauze for home, so you can change gauze pads as needed. We recommend you start initially with soft, easily digested food such as soup. Relax for at least 24 hours after the extraction and limit activity for the next 72 hours. Do not drink from a straw for the first 24 hours and do not smoke, which can inhibit healing.
WHITEN YOUR SMILE WITH SPA DENT NATURALS!
Spa Dent is a professional teeth whitening system that offers visible results in just 20 minutes, with no sensitivity. Now you can whiten your teeth by 2-8 shades in our office or at home.
Teeth whitening procedures are used to brighten the appearance of your smile. Teeth whitening procedures have become some of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments among patients. Professional teeth whitening services can be performed in our office or prescribed for take-home use. In comparison to over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments, professional whitening uses stronger whitening agents that deliver faster and more effective results.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
You may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening if you are experiencing discoloration, but otherwise have healthy teeth and healthy gums. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out if tooth whitening could be right for you. Some patients, such as those who are pregnant, may not be candidates for professional whitening.
What should I expect when I get my teeth whitened?
It is good to always having a cleaning and polishing completed prior to a professional teeth whitening. At the start of the whitening procedure we will apply a membrane to protect your gums before applying a whitening agent to the surface of your teeth. The product will be activated and left on the teeth for several minutes before being washed off with water. Your results will vary according to the natural shade of your teeth and degree of discoloration, but it is normal for patients to experience a lightening of several shades in a single visit.
What type of post-treatment care is required after having my teeth whitened?
You will be instructed to avoid consuming highly pigmented food and beverages for at least 24 hours to prevent the teeth from becoming stained again. Examples include tea, coffee, wine, berries, tomato sauces, etc. Depending on your results and long-term teeth whitening goals, you may also be sent home with home whitening kit for later use.
WHAT ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS?
Dental veneers are used to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one or more teeth. Veneers are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that are customized for a desirable colour and shape. They are bonded to the surface of the teeth to reshape broken, misshapen or irregular teeth, as well as provide a solution for discolored teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments.
Am I a candidate for dental veneers?
Dental veneers may be right for you if you are looking for an alternative to crowns and caps. Veneers can help you if you have gaps between your teeth or teeth that are broken, chipped, irregularly shaped or misaligned.
What should I expect when I get my dental veneers?
Before dental veneers can be placed on the teeth, the surface of the teeth must be prepared for bonding. After administering a local anesthetic, your dentist will buff away approximately half a millimeter from the surface of the teeth. You’ll then bite into a mold that will be used to form your veneers in a dental lab. When the veneers are ready, you’ll be asked to return to have them fitted, bonded and adjusted for shape and colour.
Will I need to follow any post-treatment care instructions?
There is no special care required for dental veneers, and normal brushing and flossing can be resumed immediately. Because veneers are usually placed over the course of two appointments, it is normal to experience some sensitivity between the first and second visit when the teeth have been reduced in preparation for bonding.
WHAT IS NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION?
The use of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, in dentistry has revolutionized the way patients view dental visits. Patients who once were afraid or anxious about even the most routine dental procedures, now visit the dentist with confidence. Sedation is typically administered to healthy individuals who need help relaxing or managing treatment anxiety. Reasons for needing sedation may include lengthy procedure times, dental phobias, or fear caused by negative experiences in the past.
Should I choose sedation dentistry?
Only you and your dentist can determine if sedation is right for you. Because sedation covers a spectrum of treatments, you will need to consult with your dentist to discuss whether light, moderate or deep sedation best meets your needs. Your eligibility for sedation will depend on your age, health, and any other medications you may be taking.
What should I expect if I am sedated for my dental procedure?
When nitrous oxide is administered for a dental procedure, you will be instructed to inhale the gas at the beginning of your appointment. Since it does not relieve pain, an anesthetic is also administered. Additional nitrous can be administered throughout your procedure to keep you in a state of euphoria. At the conclusion of your treatment, you’ll be given oxygen to help ‘snap’ you out of your sedated state.
Are there any precautions I need to take after being sedated?
Upon having nitrous oxide sedation, you should be able to return to driving and regular daily activities.
WHAT ARE WHITE COMPOSITE FILLINGS?
Composite fillings, also known as tooth-coloured fillings, are dental restorations designed to be undetectable and natural in appearance. They blend well with the teeth and appear more natural than amalgam (silver) fillings, which are darker and more easily seen by other people. Composite fillings are made of ceramic and plastic compounds that chemically bond to the teeth. They can be used to fill in decayed areas of the teeth, as well as to help repair chipped or broken teeth. Most dentists use composite restorations to treat the teeth closest to the front of the mouth, as they are more noticeable when patients smile. However, advancements in dental technology and the composition of composite fillings have made it possible for dentists to also use tooth-coloured fillings on molars, which receive more wear than other teeth.
What is a cavity? Dental Fillings in Newmarket
Cavities are what you get from tooth decay — damage to the tooth. Tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (called enamel) and the inner layer (called dentin).
What causes tooth decay?
When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, cake, or candy stay on your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities.
Am I a candidate for tooth-coloured fillings?
If you have a cavity, broken tooth, or a deteriorated filling, you may be a candidate for a tooth-coloured filling. Schedule a dental consultation to find out if composites are right for you.
What should I expect if my dentist decides a composite filling is right for me?
During your visit, your gums and teeth will be anesthetized with a local anesthetic near the site of the filling. Once the area is numb, the decayed or damaged portion of your teeth will be removed to make room for the new tooth-coloured filling. A resin will be placed over the area and cured with a hand-held light for less than a minute. The new filling will then be shaped and polished before the procedure is complete.
What type of post-treatment care is required after getting a composite filling?
Composite fillings are light cured and you should be able to return to normal activity and oral care immediately after your visit. It’s normal for treated teeth to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following treatment, but sensitivity that persists beyond a week should be reported to your dentist.
WHAT IS ROOT CANAL THERAPY?
Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. When it becomes infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated. Root canals remove the damaged parts of the tooth and infected root. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed to help prevent further infection within the tooth. The organic portion of the tooth that remains may be restored using a crown that provides a natural appearance and normal tooth function. Many patients associate root canals with pain and discomfort, but local anesthetics and advancements in modern dentistry have made root canals highly tolerable procedures, that are often no less comfortable than getting a standard filling. A crown will be placed on top of the tooth to protect the tooth, restoring it back to its full function.
Am I a candidate for a root canal?
You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the healthy and diseased portions of your tooth.
What should I expect during my root canal treatment?
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
What type of post-treatment care is required after a root canal?
It is normal for teeth to become inflamed after a root canal, potentially causing sensitivity for the first several days following treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration is complete.
WHAT IS A BRIDGE?
A porcelain bridge is an effective and permanent way to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge consists of at least two crowns (called “retainer crowns”), one on each side of the empty space, connected by a pontic, which replaces the missing tooth. A bridge takes two visits to complete. The first involves preparation of the teeth that will serve as supports for the bridge. They are each reduced in size to make room for the retainer crowns, an impression is taken so the laboratory can fabricate a bridge, and a temporary bridge is placed until the final bridge is ready. The lab fabricates your bridge to look and feel like natural teeth and blend seamlessly with your dentition. At the second visit, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge is cemented in place.
Is a bridge right for me?
If your tooth is missing, but its former position is surrounded by other tooth structures, a bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from a dental bridge.
What should I expect when I have my bridge placed?
If you are a candidate for a bridge, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the bridge. If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its colour will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your bridge, you may be fitted with temporary crowns until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
Your teeth will need time to heal following the bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
WHAT IS A CROWN?
To fix a tooth with substantial decay may require greater strength than that provided by a regular filling. In such cases, a porcelain crown might be the best restoration choice. Crowns are also effective treatments for cracked or fractured teeth, and are required after completion of root canals on back teeth. A crown takes two visits to complete. The first involves preparation of the tooth to make room for the crown, an impression of the prepared tooth so the laboratory can fabricate the crown, and a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the final crown is ready. The lab crafts your crown to look and feel like a natural tooth and blend seamlessly with your dentition. At the second visit, this temporary crown is replaced with the permanent crown.
Is a crown right for me?
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from a dental crown.
What should I expect when I have my crown placed?
If you are a candidate for a crown, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the crown. If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its colour will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your crown, you may be fitted with a temporary crown until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your crown, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Crowns
What is a crown? To fix a tooth with substantial decay may require greater strength than… Read More
Bridges
What is a bridge? A porcelain bridge is an effective and permanent way to replace missing… Read More
Root Canals
What is root canal therapy? Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve… Read More
White Fillings
What are white composite fillings? Composite fillings, also known as tooth-coloured fillings, are dental… Read More
Sedation
What is nitrous oxide sedation? The use of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, in… Read More
COSMETIC SERVICES
Veneers
What are porcelain veneers? Dental veneers are used to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one or… Read More
Teeth Whitening
Whiten your smile with spa dent naturals! Spa Dent is a professional teeth whitening system that… Read More
ORAL SURGERY
Extractions
Wisdom teeth + General extractions Is a tooth extraction right for me? If you have a… Read More
Implants
What is a dental implant? Is a tooth extraction right for me? If one or more… Read More
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
Oral Hygiene
The benefits of routine professional teeth cleaning Your oral health depends on two factors: your willingness… Read More
Sealants
What are dental Sealants? Dental sealants are clear or tooth coloured resin materials that are applied… Read More
Nightguards
What is Nightguard? A nightguard is a retainer-like plastic appliance that can be worn on either… Read More
Sportsguard
Do you need a Sportsguard? Using a quality mouthguard during sports is an important part of… Read More
ORTHODONTICS
Invisalign
What is Invisalign? Orthodontic services can help you achieve a straighter smile. We offer Invisalign, which… Read More