Frequently Asked Dental Questions

No referral is generally required to request an appointment at Lifetime Dental. New patients can contact our Brantford dental office directly to schedule a visit.

If another dentist or healthcare provider has referred you or has relevant dental records or X-rays, those records may be helpful when planning your care.

Your first appointment gives our dental team an opportunity to learn about your dental and medical history, discuss your concerns and assess your oral health.

Depending on your needs, your visit may include an examination, appropriate X-rays and a discussion about recommended care or treatment options.

There is no single schedule that's right for everyone. How often you should visit depends on factors such as your oral health, gum health, cavity risk, dental history and individual needs.

Your dentist and dental hygienist can recommend an appropriate recall schedule after assessing your oral health.

How frequently you need a professional cleaning depends on your gum health, plaque and tartar buildup, oral-hygiene habits and individual risk factors.

Professional teeth cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar that may be difficult to completely remove at home. Our dental team can recommend a cleaning schedule based on your oral health.

Family and preventive dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health and identifying potential dental problems early.

Care may include examinations, professional cleanings, appropriate dental X-rays, fluoride treatments and oral-hygiene recommendations. Learn more about our family and preventive dental care options.

Professional whitening can improve many types of tooth discoloration, but results depend on the cause and type of staining. Existing crowns, fillings and other restorations do not whiten in the same way as natural tooth structure.

A dental assessment can help determine whether teeth whitening is appropriate for your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving aspects of the appearance of your teeth and smile. Depending on your needs, treatment may address concerns such as discoloration, uneven appearance, worn teeth or other aesthetic issues.

Your dentist can assess your oral health and discuss appropriate cosmetic dentistry options.

A crown may be recommended to restore or protect a significantly damaged or weakened tooth. A bridge may be considered when replacing one or more missing teeth.

The appropriate treatment depends on your individual situation. Learn more about dental crowns and bridges and when they may be recommended.

Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth or tooth structure to help restore oral health and function.

Treatment varies according to the problem being addressed. Visit our restorative dentistry page to learn more about available treatment options.

Dental implants are one option for replacing missing teeth. An implant is placed in the jawbone and can support a dental restoration used to replace the missing tooth.

Whether implants are appropriate depends on several individual factors. Learn more about dental implants and the assessment process.

Partial dentures replace some missing teeth while allowing remaining natural teeth to stay in place. Complete dentures are designed to replace all teeth within an upper or lower arch.

Your dentist can discuss which tooth-replacement option may be appropriate for you. Learn more about dentures.

Persistent tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling or tenderness can sometimes indicate a problem involving the inside of a tooth, although some conditions may have few noticeable symptoms.

A dental examination is necessary to determine the cause. Learn more about root canal treatment and how damaged or infected teeth may be treated.

No. Wisdom teeth do not automatically require removal.

A dentist may recommend monitoring or removal depending on factors such as their position, available space, symptoms and effects on surrounding teeth and tissues. Learn more about wisdom teeth removal.

Oral surgery may be considered for certain conditions involving teeth, bone, gums or other oral structures. The procedure recommended depends on the diagnosis and complexity of the condition.

Our dental team can assess your needs and determine whether treatment or referral is appropriate. Learn more about oral surgery.

Soft-tissue dental care involves conditions and treatments affecting the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth.

Because soft-tissue concerns can have different causes, an examination is important before treatment is recommended. Learn more about our soft-tissue dental services.

Braces are used to gradually move teeth and address certain alignment and bite concerns. Whether braces are appropriate depends on the patient's teeth, bite and treatment needs.
Lifetime Dental can assess your dental needs and discuss available braces treatment options or whether specialist involvement is appropriate.

Invisalign uses a series of removable clear aligners designed to gradually move teeth according to an individualized treatment plan.

Clear aligners are not appropriate for every orthodontic condition. An assessment is needed to determine whether Invisalign may be suitable for you.

Clear aligners generally need to be worn consistently according to the schedule prescribed by your dental provider. Treatment instructions can differ depending on the patient's individual plan.

Follow the wear and care instructions provided by your dental team rather than changing your schedule independently.

Patients are generally instructed to remove clear aligners when eating and to follow their dental provider's instructions regarding beverages.

Following the recommended wear, cleaning and oral-hygiene routine can help protect both your teeth and aligners during treatment.

A sports mouthguard is designed to help protect the teeth and mouth during sports or other activities where dental injury may occur.

A night guard serves a different purpose and may be recommended for some patients who grind or clench their teeth. Learn more about sports and bruxism guards and which type may be appropriate for your needs.

Sedation dentistry may help selected patients feel more comfortable during certain dental procedures.

Whether sedation is appropriate depends on factors such as your health history, medications, anxiety level and planned treatment. Learn more about sedation dentistry and discuss your concerns with our dental team before treatment.

Injectable treatments may be used for certain therapeutic or aesthetic purposes depending on the patient's needs, the product being used and the provider's clinical assessment.

An individualized consultation is important to determine whether [injectable treatments] are appropriate for you.

Dental insurance plans differ in what they cover, their annual limits, deductibles and reimbursement policies.

Our team can assist with insurance-related information and claims, but patients should confirm the specific details of their coverage directly with their insurance provider.

Lifetime Dental welcomes patients using the Canadian Dental Care Plan where applicable.

Eligibility, covered services, co-payments and authorization requirements can vary. Contact our team if you have questions about using CDCP benefits for your dental care.

Dental costs depend on the treatment required and the complexity of your individual needs.

After an examination, our dental team can explain recommended treatment, applicable fees and available options before you proceed.

Contact a dental professional promptly for problems such as significant tooth pain, swelling, a broken or knocked-out tooth, dental trauma, uncontrolled oral bleeding or signs of infection.

Severe swelling that interferes with breathing or swallowing, significant facial trauma or another potentially life-threatening condition requires immediate emergency medical attention.