At Bloor Dental Clinic  – your Toronto dentists – we practice what we preach. Proof positive of our commitment to optimal preventive oral health care is our wonderful registered dental hygienists. Their goal is to help you to achieve and maintain the optimal oral health that supports a beautiful smile, through diagnostic assessment, prevention, and education.

Here’s how your hygienist develops a personalized dental hygiene plan of care based on your unique needs:

Assessment 

• Reviewing or updating your medical and dental history
• Examining your teeth for decay, visually and with x-rays as needed
• Examining your gum tissue and recording baseline results for your future care needs
• Assessing your biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns
• Evaluating your dental readiness for procedures including cosmetic smile enhancements
• Reassessing your overall treatment.

Prevention

• Screening for oral cancer with clinical measurements, radiographs, and other assessment methods
• Applying fluoride and pit and fissure sealants as indicated by your needs
• Cleaning and scaling teeth to remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains.

Education 

• Instruction about brushing and flossing
• Counseling about diet and its relationship to oral health
• Explaining dental treatments, orthodontics, periodontal therapy, and cosmetic procedures using a range of visual aids.

At Bloor Dental Clinic, your hygienist and Toronto dentists, along with our caring and supportive team, are always happy to answer any questions you have about your personalized care plan, which is imperative to your oral health. After all, proper home care including brushing, flossing, and healthy eating are a crucial part of preventive dentistry! And if there is every anything you don’t like about your smile, we’re here to help you find solutions that leave you grinning.

Yours in continuing dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic, general family dentists in The Annex

Tooth decay, gum disease, or even trauma can wreak havoc on your teeth – and for some people, this damage means extensive tooth loss – and dentures.

Designed to replace some or all of your teeth, dentures are a versatile tooth restoration option that has been popular for hundreds of years – and it seems that every decade they get a little more modern and natural-looking – today when you look at someone wearing dentures, you may not even be able to tell! If they are fitted properly, dentures look almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. They can restore a natural, more youthful appearance and your ability to eat and speak. They can even help to plump out facial wrinkles. Dentures are a great treatment option for many people.

At Bloor Dental Clinic, we’ve had patients ask us after getting full upper and lower dentures why they need to continue visiting every year for checkups. After all, dentures are immune to tooth decay, and with no gum tissue hugging your natural teeth, you don’t have to worry about gum disease. Unless they break or wear out, many people think that dental care isn’t important once you start wearing a full set of dentures.

Regular Dental Care With Dentures

As your dentist in Toronto, we always recommend annual checkups to ensure that your oral health and special home care routines are giving you the best advantages. Because natural tooth roots stimulate your jaw bones, when you wear dentures your jawbones will recede over time. Your yearly checkups allow us to stay on top of these changes, so you don’t have to deal with loose dentures as you also lose jawbone. This can cause your dentures to feel slip, click, and look unnatural. We can fix this with a denture reline – that’s resurfacing the tissue part of the denture that sits against your gums.

But, if it’s been five years or more since your last fitting, though, consider that a denture update can overcome many smile-stopping problems…

• Replace loose, wobbling dentures that interfere with your ability to speak, eat, and socialize. Ill-fitting dentures can cause poor digestion and dietary problems as well as irritated and soft gums that can lead to infections.
• Restore surfaces damaged by wear and tear, clenching, and grinding that leaves your smile looking worn down – and you looking worn out. Bite issues can create headaches, and neck and jaw joint pain.
• Rejuvenate your smile by eliminating unsightly yellowing and stains from aging denture materials.
• Rebuild lost volume and support in your lip and mid-facial areas to diminish lines, telltale sagging, and a sunken “toothless” appearance due to premature bone loss.

To learn more about dentures, call us or use the easy-to-use request an appointment form on our contact page to request a no-obligation consultation.

Would you like to look younger, speak more clearly, and enjoy a wider selection of foods? Have you been wearing the same dentures for more than 10 years? Would you like to avoid the bone loss that is inevitable with the loss of even one tooth? Then dental implants from our dentists in The Annex at Bloor Dental Clinic – permanent artificial teeth that are anchored in your jaw – may be right for you.

Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They can improve your appearance, comfort, and self-confidence. Dentists have been working with them for more than forty years. They’ve become so popular that hundreds of thousands are placed every year in Canada alone!

If you feel self-conscious about your teeth and mouth, consider that dental implants can replace the form and function of missing teeth, whether it’s only one tooth or two ... or even if it’s to replace teeth in an entire jaw. Implants can also be used to anchor dentures to prevent soreness and clicking, or as replacements for partial dentures and bridgework.

Dental implants have proven themselves time and time again since the first titanium dental implant was first placed in a human volunteer in 1965. In the beginning, many people associated them with space-age technology and considered them out of reach for ordinary people. Today, a dental implant can be used to immediately replace a tooth lost by a young athlete, for example. This is without a doubt the best way to minimize bone loss, the shifting of teeth, and the emotional trauma associated with an altered appearance. Dental implants look natural, can help maintain a more youthful appearance, and they are so versatile that they can be used in combination with other restorative techniques – at any age!

Here are some of the ways that dentistry can improve your smile using dental implants.

• Individual implants can replace one or more missing teeth. Because it’s created just for you, we can match your natural tooth enamel, tooth size, and shape, while cosmetically enhancing your smile.
• If you are missing more than one adjacent teeth, implants can be used in combination with a bridge. Both restorations are so natural looking, they’re virtually undetectable.
• Implants can be used to secure specially modified dentures to improve your appearance and your ability to eat and speak with comfort.

One of today’s many dental implant options could provide the dental solution you’re looking for! for your dental implant consultation today! We can help you to decide if implants are right for you by reviewing your medical history, examining your oral tissues, and by taking impressions and radiographs. If your dental evaluation shows that you are a good candidate for the implant procedure, you may look forward to smiling with comfort and confidence again.

The Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America highlights the importance of oral health and its impact on overall health. The mouth-body connection is one that can’t be denied.

In this blog, we’ll tell you what we know thanks to scientific evidence. You may learn some facts that surprise you!

If you have poor oral health, it may lead to …

• Cardiovascular disease. Inflammation and infections in the mouth have been tied to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.
• Low birth weight. Periodontitis (inflammation of the gums and supporting structures) can result in premature birth and low birth weight. Ask us about periodontics in The Annex if you need gum treatment.
• Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart is brought on when bacteria or germs from another part of your body – such as your mouth – travel through the body and latch on to damaged parts of your heart.

And if you have any of the following health conditions, your oral health may suffer …

• HIV/AIDS. Painful lesions in the mouth are a common problem for people who have either of these conditions.
• Diabetes. Since diabetes compromises your body’s ability to ward off infection, the gums are more prone to developing gum disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, a person’s oral hygiene routine often suffers. Therefore, regular mouth checks by your dentist are important. Eventually, assistance is necessary to brush and floss properly.
• Osteoporosis. Research reveals it may be a cause of jawbone loss.

What can you do to avoid some of the oral health conditions mentioned in this blog?

First, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss once a day. You should also …

• schedule regular appointments with your dentist in The Annex
• avoid smoking or using chewing tobacco
• replace your toothbrush bristles once the bristles are frayed.

Because your mouth is easy for us to access and look at, it provides us an invaluable window to your general health status.

So … be sure to see us regularly so we can ensure you have not only excellent dental health, but with it, a good start towards overall health excellence. Book your next appointment by contacting us today!

Yours in excellent dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic, general family dentists in The Annex

Once only for the stars in Hollywood, cosmetic dentistry* is now an attainable dream for all.

At Bloor Dental Clinic, we can fix many smile concerns with proven techniques designed to restore the beauty and function of your smile.

All of our cosmetic dental treatments start with a smile analysis. It’s actually something you already do every time you look in the mirror or check out a selfie. If there’s anything about your smile that you’re not 100% happy with, you’ll notice it, especially if you’re like half of all North Americans … unhappy with at least one aspect of your smile.

For every unique smile – including yours – we have many ways that make the incredible difference between hiding a smile and using it with confidence. Let’s talk about what we could do for you … let’s get you smiling!

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments. That’s because very quickly, your smile can go from drab to dynamic. Teeth whitening can lighten your teeth up to 8 shades and, depending on how well you maintain your smile and avoid teeth staining foods, drinks, and some lifestyle choices, can last for months. Touch ups are easy and fast.

Tooth-Coloured Fillings

Do you feel completely comfortable laughing out loud? Are you lacking smile confidence because you don’t like the look of those silver-colored fillings? Talk to us about it. We will check the longevity of them (they don’t last forever), and when they’re ready for an update, let’s upgrade! Beautiful white-colored fillings that match your teeth can make a real transformation!

Tooth-Coloured Bonding

Using the same tooth-coloured bonding material that we use to fill cavities, we can hide minor smile flaws in in just one appointment! Whether you have a chip, crack, dark staining, teeth that are slightly crooked, or teeth that have small gaps between them, bonding may be the solution that will make you smile more.

Porcelain Veneers

A more permanent solution to aesthetic smile concerns, porcelain veneers cover a variety of smile flaws like chips, cracks, minor misalignments, or severe and stubborn stains. A thin custom-made tooth-shaped shell is placed onto your prepared tooth, completely hiding what’s underneath. The porcelain is strong and effectively resists staining.

All-Porcelain Crowns

Crowns are used to support a tooth that has been damaged or compromised either by decay, injury, or root canal therapy. But because of their translucent properties, light reflects just like a natural enamel to give us beautiful esthetic results, so many people are requesting them to enhance their smiles cosmetically. In addition to a tooth that is “just like new,” you’ll enjoy restored function or even a more esthetically pleasing smile.

Now, go look in the mirror. Do you want to improve your personal smile analysis? We can help you love your smile! Contact us today.

Yours in excellent dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic, general family dentists in The Annex

* In Canada, Cosmetic Dentist and Cosmetic Dentistry are not designated dental specialties. This is a term that is commonly used to describe a range of dental treatments that are cosmetic in nature.

What Is Sleep Apnea & How Can a Dentist in The Annex Help?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that results in the momentary cessation of breathing throughout the night. These involuntary pauses in breathing might seem like a small thing, but for some people, they occur up to sixty or more times per hour for a duration of up to 30 seconds each time… That’s almost FOUR hours of no breathing in an 8-hour time span! As a dentist in The Annex, at Bloor Dental Clinic we are dedicated to helping you avoid the perils that come with sleep apnea – with snoring appliances.

While you may not be aware of it, breathing cessation will wake you up suddenly with a gasp for air as your body responds to a lack of oxygen – it is heralded by heavy (and sometimes very loud!) snoring. When this happens several times a night, getting a restful, restorative sleep is impossible for you and your partner. You’re nowhere near being prepared for the day ahead.

If you’re thinking it’s just a bit of snoring, you need to know these facts:

• Sleep apnea contributes to an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, weight gain, memory problems, or premature death.
• The Centers For Disease Control reports that up to 83,000 crashes a year are caused by drowsy driving.
• Risk factors include obesity, age, menopause, craniofacial abnormalities, smoking, alcohol use, and family history.
• Often a sleep partner identifies sleep apnea in a loved one, but what if you live alone? Here’s a checklist that will help you determine if you should be checked for sleep apnea.

Do you experience...

• disturbed sleep
• morning headaches
• waking with a sore or dry throat
• difficulty concentrating
• depression or irritability
• learning and memory difficulties
• sleepiness while at work, on the phone, or while driving.

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, a sleep study can be prescribed by your primary care physician. If you are diagnosed, you may be prescribed a CPAP machine – you’ve likely seen photos of its mask and air hose. But some people simply can’t tolerate it. Because of that, we want you to know about another choice – a custom-fitted dental appliance.

Sleep apnea is probably not something you’d think to go to your dentist about – let alone search online for a dentist in The Annex who can help treat it. But if you have, we’re glad you found us, because at Bloor Dental Clinic,  we’re trained in the science of treating sleep apnea with a small comfortable custom-fitted dental appliance that you wear at night.

A custom-fitted dental appliance to prevent episodes of sleep apnea is…

• convenient – after your diagnosis at a sleep clinic, we fabricate it for you and ensure its adjusted perfectly to your mouth and jaw
• comfortable – small, light, and unobtrusive … so you’ll actually wear it!
• portable – fits in your pocket
• silent – no humming machine or blowing air
• non-surgical – there’s no downtime.

Not everyone is a candidate for the sleep apnea appliance, but most are. Give us a call and let’s investigate. We’ll work with you and your healthcare team to keep you happy and healthy – and sleeping soundly through the night.

Offering a wide range of dental services for your family, including dental crowns & bridges, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, and dentures, our goal is to get – and keep – you healthy, with a beautiful smile. If you’re looking for a new family dentist in Scarborough, we’d love to meet you and give you even more reasons to smile.

Yours in excellent dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic, your general family dentists in The Annex

Have you ever heard someone mention dental inlays and onlays? If not, that’s OK! Many people are unfamiliar with this restorative treatment … until they visit us at Bloor Dental Clinic, your dentists in Toronto (The Annex).

Some background…

Gold inlays were primarily used to restore tooth structure affected by decay. Nowadays, they are used the same way but are available in undetectable tooth-colored materials, including ceramic/porcelain and synthetic resins. It’s an option when your cavity is too big for just a filling … or you’d like to replace an old amalgam filling.

An onlay, also known as a partial crown, is used to fix a tooth with significant damage to its cusp (the tip). As your dentists in  Toronto (The Annex), we will place a temporary onlay, which will stay in your mouth until your permanent onlay arrives at our practice from the trusted lab that does our restorative work. You will then need to come in for a second visit to have it properly fitted and bonded to your tooth.

An inlays or onlay may be the right solution for…

• heavily decayed teeth
• fractured fillings
• fractured or broken teeth
• cosmetic enhancement.

Both restorative treatments are used on molars (your back teeth) or premolars (teeth beside the molars). As your dentist in Toronto (The Annex), we can colour-match inlays and onlays to look just like the rest of your natural teeth! You can smile away – as many times as you like – and you guessed it … no one will be able to tell you have had a restoration placed on your tooth!

Interested in learning more?

Bloor Dental Clinic is just a phone call away. We’d love to book you in for a consultation to help determine if inlays or onlays are right for your smile! Preserving and protecting your teeth and overall oral health is something we take great pride in.

Yours in excellent dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic in the Annex
Dr. Peter Aldor
Dr. Bernard Balinsky

Your smile makes a statement – it speaks volumes without a single word being uttered. But if you’re unhappy with your teeth, you aren’t putting your best smile forward. One of the techniques we use as a dentist in Toronto (in the Annex) that repairs smiles with excellent results is dental bonding. It can beautifully transform imperfections and damage, helping you smile with greater confidence!

How Does Bonding Work?

When providing this treatment at Bloor Dental Clinic, we attach a tooth-colored resin (plastic) material to the affected tooth. We sculpt and mold the material – like an artist – so that your tooth looks and feels natural and whole again. Then a strong light cures the resin in place. It’s often an excellent alternative to amalgam restorations.

Bonding can…

• repair decayed teeth and replace silver-colored fillings with attractive white ones
• strengthen and cover worn enamel, hide chips, and fill in cracks
• cover stained or misshapen teeth and close gaps.

Dental bonding is also…

Cost-effective. It’s less expensive than veneers. If you need it done to fill a small cavity or for structural reasons, your dental insurance will cover the treatment.

Non-invasive. With our techniques and technology, we’ll be able to help you relax while we enhance your smile.

Fast. Most treatments can be completed within an hour … so you don’t have to spend an entire day in the dental chair.

Long-lasting. By properly looking after your smile at home, your bonding treatment can remain effective for as long as 10 years.

Is Bonding Right For You?

Once we get to know you and your smile better, together we can decide on which treatment option will get you the results you desire. If dental bonding is right for you, we’ll give you maintenance tips to ensure your bonding treatment lasts as long as possible.

As your dentists in Toronto (in the Annex), we look forward to talking to you about what you envision for your smile. The possibilities are endless. Call now!

Yours in excellent dental health,
Bloor Dental Clinic in the Annex
Dr. Peter Aldor
Dr. Bernard Balinsky