Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we are currently welcoming new patients of all ages to our practice. Contact us today to book your first appointment!

We love new patients! Please call us at 416-538-5800 to schedule a new patient exam and cleaning, or book an appointment online.

We are on the southwest corner of Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue. For more detailed directions and a map, see our Contact page.

Ossington Station on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) is the closest TTC subway station. From there, you can take the 63 Ossington bus southbound to Queen Street West.

Alternatively, you can take Line 1 (Yonge-University) to Osgoode Station. From there, you can take the 501 Queen streetcar westbound to Ossington Avenue.

See the map on our Contact page for more detailed directions.

The 501 Queen streetcar goes right past our front door. Get off at Ossington Avenue.

Or you can take the 63 Ossington bus and get off at the Ossington at Queen stop.

Directions and a map are on our Contact page.

Yes, we have another dental office located in Roncesvalles. For more about the Roncesvalles Dental Centre, click here to visit the website.

Yes. There is on-street metered parking along Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue.

Yes, we are an assignment office which means that the office will submit most insurance claims electronically to the insurance company and payment for dental services is sent directly to The Dentistry Place. A dental insurance plan is a contract between the policy holder and the insurance company; however, we try to assist patients when possible with navigating their insurance plans.

The Dentistry Place sends most claims electronically to the insurance company on behalf of our patients.

We follow the suggested fee schedule outlined in the Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide.

A schedule for teeth cleaning and dental health maintenance should be established after a complete dental examination, including radiographs. Most people should have their teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist every 6 months. However, some people may need more frequent visits to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

The Dentistry Place uses only digital radiographs which emit approximately one-tenth the radiation as conventional radiographs.

Dental check-up radiographs or bitewing x-rays are taken approximately once a year.  Every patient is unique so the dentist will establish the frequency of radiographs based on the specific needs of the individual patient.

Dental radiographs allow the dentist to see what is happening inside the teeth and under the gum tissues. The x-rays allow us to examine for cavities, periodontal disease, bone loss, infections, tooth formation and growth as well as normal tooth eruption patterns.

It is recommended to brush a minimum of two times per day.

Flossing is recommended to remove plaque from between the teeth, a space that is not reached by tooth brushing alone. Plaque between teeth causes cavities and contributes to gingivitis and gum disease.

It is recommended that children have a dental exam approximately six months after the eruption of their first tooth.

The first dental visit will be fun! It will familiarize the child to the dental setting; and an exam and polish will be completed if possible. Oral hygiene and diet instructions will be discussed. Also, it is a great time to ask any questions you may have about your child and their teeth.

Children should brush their teeth 2 times per day: once in the morning (preferably after breakfast) and again before bed.

Children under 3 years of age can start with training toothpaste without fluoride. Starting around 3 years old, the age that a child can rinse and spit effectively, a toothpaste with fluoride should be introduced and used regularly.

Toothpaste with fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth, thus decreasing the likeliness of bacteria that can cause tooth decay to attack the teeth.

Yes! Kids need to floss just as much as an adult: everyday, once a day at minimum.

Yes! Children usually need assistance with brushing until approximately 8 years old.

Sealants are a protective coating placed onto the grooves of permanent teeth to prevent cavities from starting. Usually they are placed after complete eruption of the permanent molars.

Yes. Dental decay can occur as soon as children have teeth. Dental decay progresses faster in children, so it is recommended x-rays occur on a regular basis as prescribed by the dentist.

Children usually lose their first lower front incisor between the ages of 4.5-7 years old. The 6 year-old molars usually erupt around the same time as the loss of the first baby tooth.

Kids can see an orthodontist as early as 7-8 years old for assessment. The dentist will recommend a good time for a consultation with an orthodontist.

Our other location, Roncesvalles Dental Center, has an orthodontist available: Dr. Maryam Fathimani.

A comprehensive oral exam is needed to evaluate and diagnose all conditions of the dentition and surrounding oral cavity. A new patient exam includes bitewing x-rays and a panoramic radiograph in addition to photographs. At the end of the exam the dentist will discuss all the findings and show the patient the x-rays and photos. Also, the patient is encouraged to ask questions and discuss any concerns.

A filling is a procedure where decay is removed from the tooth and a restoration or filling is placed to restore and replace the missing tooth structure. The filling is contoured to ensure proper function and esthetics of the tooth for integration into the existing dentition. The dentist will utilize the appropriate and indicated local anesthetic to ensure comfort during the procedure.

The Dentistry Place uses a composite resin material that is white or “tooth-coloured” in appearance.

A root canal is a treatment needed to remove diseased or injured nerve tissue from a tooth. There are several indications for this procedure including severe tooth decay, deep fillings, a cracked tooth or trauma to a tooth. At The Dentistry Place, the dentist will completely anesthetize the affected tooth and surrounding tissues to ensure comfort during the procedure.

A crown is a complete covering of a tooth in order to protect the tooth after major treatment such as large fillings and root canals. A crown also serves to protect the tooth from further fracture if a tooth has cracked.

Tooth whitening is a process where the tooth structure is lightened in color by placing solution onto the tooth. Most stains and discoloration can be removed with whitening, however a dentist should complete an examination to evaluate the teeth prior to starting a whitening regime. Whitening can be completed in-office or at home using custom fabricated trays or pre-filled trays.

Moderation is key: occasional whitening of teeth is not usually problematic; however, if used too frequently the enamel or the root structure of the teeth can be damaged. Your dentist will suggest an appropriate whitening schedule.

A night guard is a custom made, thin, acrylic appliance that when worn protects the teeth from the damage of grinding or clenching. It can also help ease symptoms of headaches associated with teeth grinding and clenching.

It is recommended that participants in certain sports, especially contact sports, should wear a mouth guard. The mouth guard can minimize the risk of fractured teeth, cut lips and damage to your mouth. A mouth guard can also reduce the occurrence of concussions when worn as directed.

An implant is a titanium post, similar to the root of a tooth that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant then supports a crown which replaces a single tooth or a bridge or denture which replaces several teeth.