Patient education · 50 articles
Clear, dentist-reviewed answers to the questions patients ask most — from implants and Invisalign to cosmetic care, prevention and emergencies. Every article is reviewed by Dr. Neda Kadivar, D.D.S. at our Markham clinic.
Featured article
Dental ImplantsThinking about dental implants in Markham? This guide covers every stage — from your first consultation and bone assessment to the final crown — along with transparent cost ranges and what Ontario insurance plans typically cover.
10 articles
Thinking about dental implants in Markham? This guide covers every stage — from your first consultation and bone assessment to the final crown — along with transparent cost ranges and what Ontario insurance plans typically cover.
Implants and dentures both replace missing teeth, but they differ in comfort, cost, longevity and how they affect your jawbone. This guide walks through every comparison point so you can make a confident decision.
With proper care, the titanium implant post is designed to last a lifetime. This article explains what clinical evidence says about long-term survival rates, what factors most influence longevity, and what you can do to protect your investment.
Coverage for dental implants in Ontario varies widely by plan. This guide explains what private insurance typically pays, how the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan may help, and what financing options are available when coverage falls short.
All-on-4 dental implants replace an entire arch of missing or failing teeth with a fixed, non-removable prosthesis supported by just four strategically angled implant posts. This guide covers how it works, candidacy, cost and recovery.
Recovery from dental implant surgery is usually milder than patients expect. This guide walks through the week-by-week timeline, explains what is normal versus concerning, covers diet and pain management, and gives you the best practices for protecting your implant during healing.
Bridges and implants both replace a single missing tooth, but they differ fundamentally in how they work and how long they last. A bridge lasts 10–15 years; an implant is designed for a lifetime. Here is the full comparison.
A missing tooth might feel like an aesthetic problem — especially if it is not visible — but the consequences of leaving it untreated start immediately and compound over time. Bone loss, shifting teeth and bite collapse are all preventable if you act early.
Bone grafting rebuilds lost jawbone to create a stable foundation for a dental implant. This guide explains why it is needed, the types of graft material available, what recovery looks like, and what the timeline is before implant placement can proceed.
Same-day implants — also called immediate-load implants — allow qualifying patients to walk out of surgery with a functioning tooth the same day the implant post is placed. This article explains who qualifies, how the procedure works and what limitations apply during healing.
10 articles
Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually straighten teeth without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. This guide covers everything Markham patients need to know: cost, timeline, the step-by-step process and what to expect daily.
Invisalign and traditional braces both straighten teeth effectively, but they differ in aesthetics, comfort, compliance demands, cost and which cases each handles best. This side-by-side comparison helps you choose with confidence.
There is no upper age limit for Invisalign — adults in their 40s, 60s and even 70s successfully complete orthodontic treatment every day. This article explains why adult orthodontics has surged in popularity, what differences adults should expect compared to teens, and the clinical factors that determine candidacy.
Invisalign trays that are not cleaned properly turn cloudy, develop odour and harbour bacteria. This guide covers the daily cleaning routine, what products to avoid, how to handle trays safely and what to do if a tray is lost or damaged.
Invisalign Teen is designed specifically for adolescent patients, with compliance indicators, replacement aligners for lost trays and compensation for still-erupting teeth. This parent's guide covers everything you need to know before deciding.
Orthodontic problems are not always obvious. Some — like crowded teeth or a gap — are visible in the mirror. Others, like a misaligned bite or jaw joint strain, present as symptoms you might not connect to your teeth at all. This guide identifies the signs that warrant an orthodontic evaluation.
Night guards and Invisalign aligners look nearly identical to the untrained eye, which leads many patients to wonder if one can substitute for the other. They cannot — they are designed for fundamentally different purposes and using one as the other causes damage.
The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the body, and when it is under chronic strain — often from a misaligned bite or bruxism — the symptoms can include jaw pain, clicking, headaches and neck tension. This article explains the connection and what treatment can help.
Most Ontario dental plans include an orthodontic benefit that significantly reduces Invisalign costs — but understanding what you will actually pay out-of-pocket requires knowing exactly how your plan works. This guide breaks it down clearly.
Teeth moved during Invisalign treatment will relapse — shift back toward their original positions — if retainers are not worn consistently after treatment. This guide explains the retention options, the wear schedule, and how to protect your investment for life.
50 articles
Not sure if your tooth needs a root canal? Learn the common warning signs, what they mean, and when to see a dentist in Markham. A clear, patient-friendly guide.
Tooth pain when biting or chewing has several causes — from a high filling to a cracked tooth or pulp problem. Here is how to tell them apart and when to see a dentist.
A quick zing from cold is normal; sensitivity that lingers for minutes may not be. Learn how dentists tell everyday sensitivity from a pulp problem — and what to do.
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection that needs prompt care. Learn the symptoms, the red flags that mean seek help now, and how it's treated.
Can a tooth infection heal without treatment? The honest answer, why the pain sometimes fades anyway, and what really clears an infected tooth.
A recurring pimple or boil on the gum is often a drainage point for a tooth infection. Learn what a dental fistula is, why it comes and goes, and what to do.
Wondering how a dentist confirms you need a root canal? Learn the tests and X-rays used to check the pulp — cold tests, tapping, and imaging — explained simply.
Not every cracked tooth needs a root canal. Learn the types of cracks, how depth decides treatment — filling, crown, root canal or extraction — and when to act.
A single tooth going grey, brown or dark often means the pulp inside has died — frequently after an old injury. Here's what discolouration means and what to do.
Told you need a root canal but your tooth doesn't hurt? Here's why a pulp can die painlessly, why X-rays catch it, and why treating it early is worth it.
Should you save a tooth with a root canal or have it pulled? A balanced look at the trade-offs — cost, comfort, longevity and what happens to the gap.
Save your natural tooth with a root canal, or replace it with an implant? Compare longevity, cost over time, procedure and trade-offs to decide with your dentist.
Putting off a root canal has real consequences — from abscess and bone loss to losing the tooth. Here's how an untreated infected tooth tends to progress.
Looking for options besides a root canal? Here's an honest survey of the real alternatives — and their limitations — so you can weigh them with your dentist.
Antibiotics can calm a tooth infection but can't cure one inside the tooth. Learn why a root canal (or extraction) is still needed, and antibiotics' real role.
If a cavity is deep, can the dentist protect the nerve instead of doing a root canal? Learn what pulp capping and vital pulp therapy are, and when they work.
Should you save a tooth with a root canal or pull it and get a bridge? Compare what each involves, the effect on neighbouring teeth, and long-term trade-offs.
Root canal costs vary by tooth and complexity. Learn what goes into an estimate in Ontario, why prices differ, and how to get a clear written quote.
Molar root canals usually cost more than front teeth. The reason is anatomy — more canals, harder access and more time. Here's how tooth type affects the fee.
Yes — the CDCP covers root canal treatment for eligible patients, with some conditions. Learn what's covered, the retreatment preauthorization rule, and co-payments.
Confused by your root canal estimate or predetermination? Learn what the codes, fees and coverage lines mean so you know what you'll actually pay.
Most private dental plans cover part of a root canal — but the crown afterward is often covered differently. Learn how basic vs major services and limits work.
A root canal is often only half the cost — the crown that protects the tooth is separate. Learn how to budget for the full restoration and its sequence.
A clear, step-by-step walkthrough of a root canal — from freezing and access to cleaning, sealing and the crown afterward — so you know exactly what to expect.
The "root canals are painful" reputation is outdated. Learn what a root canal actually feels like with modern anaesthetic, and why it usually relieves pain.
A simple checklist for the days and hours before your root canal — eating, medications to ask about, questions to bring, and planning the rest of your day.
How much chair time and how many visits should you plan for a root canal? Timing varies by tooth — front teeth are quicker, molars take longer. Here's a guide.
Why are some root canals done in one appointment and others in two? Learn what determines it — infection level, anatomy and symptoms — and why neither is "better."
Nervous about a root canal? Learn about the comfort and sedation options that exist in dentistry — from local anaesthetic to relaxation techniques — in plain terms.
General dentists perform many root canals; some cases are referred to an endodontist. Learn the difference, and when a specialist referral makes sense.
What to expect and do in the first day or two after a root canal — numbness, mild soreness, eating, and the signs that mean you should call your dentist.
What (and when) to eat after a root canal — wait for the numbness to fade, choose soft foods, protect a temporary filling, and know which foods to avoid.
Mild soreness after a root canal is normal for a few days. Practical, general ways to stay comfortable — and the signs that mean you should call your dentist.
How to brush, floss and protect a root-canal-treated tooth — during healing and for the long term — so it stays healthy and lasts as long as possible.
Can you work, drive and exercise after a root canal? For most people, yes — usually the same day. Here's what to expect and the few things worth easing off.
Mild soreness after a root canal usually settles within a few days to a week. Learn the normal timeline and the signs that mean you should call your dentist.
Why you get a temporary filling after a root canal, how to care for it, how long it lasts, and what to do if it falls out before your permanent restoration.
Not every root-canal tooth needs a crown — but most back teeth do. Learn when a crown is recommended, when a filling is enough, and why it matters.
After a root canal, the tooth needs restoring. Compare the options — filling, onlay, post and core, and crown — and how dentists choose the right one.
Putting off the crown after a root canal risks fracture, leakage and reinfection — sometimes losing the tooth. Learn why the timing of the crown matters.
Most root canals succeed, but some fail months or years later. Learn the signs of reinfection, why failure happens, and what can be done to save the tooth.
If a treated tooth becomes reinfected, retreatment can often save it. Learn what redoing a root canal involves, when it's recommended, and the CDCP preauth rule.
An apicoectomy is minor surgery on the tip of a tooth's root, used when a standard root canal or retreatment can't resolve infection. Here's how it works.
New swelling or pain weeks or months after a root canal isn't part of normal recovery. Learn what it can mean, what to do, and when it's urgent.
Yes — a treated tooth can still decay or crack, even without a live nerve. Learn why, why you might not feel it, and how to protect your treated tooth.
Root canals can generally be done safely during pregnancy, and treating an infection is important. Learn about timing, X-ray precautions, and what to tell your dentist.
Nervous about a root canal? Practical, proven strategies to manage dental anxiety — from communicating with your dentist to breathing techniques and small steps.
A front-tooth root canal differs from a molar — usually one canal, quicker treatment, and appearance matters more. Here's what to expect for anterior teeth.
A blow to a tooth can damage the pulp and lead to a root canal — sometimes right away, sometimes years later. Learn the urgent steps and what to expect.
A well-restored root-canal tooth can last many years — often a lifetime. Learn what influences longevity and how to help your treated tooth go the distance.
Dr. Neda Kadivar and the team at Smile Dental Arts Centre in Markham are here to help.
