FAQ

In case of a true dental emergency, please call our office at 905-709-3177. We will direct you to an emergency line that will help you resolve the emergency.

Our entire practice team is well trained in state-of-the-art sterilization techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent passing germs, and includes a specialized hospital grade sterilization centre that utilizes Meile instrument processing technology to make sure every single instrument used on our patients is fully sterilized.  Our equipment is monitored daily utilizing industry standard spore testing that ensures every sterilization load is properly processed.  Whenever possible we use single use disposile products that are environmentally friendly while at the same time the single use ensures no cross contamination.

Carefully selected digital radiography (x-ray) equipment is available that ensures the absolute lowest patient exposures.   As well we only support the use of the most biocompatible materials available today including myMetal-Free solutions that minimize patient exposure to metals.

We understand many people have qualms about coming to the dentist. So, we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere. For entertainment and distraction, we have special High Definition TV’s and live streaming satellite radio music available in all rooms as well as massaging dental chairs and paraffin hand-wax treatments and so you can keep your mind on more pleasant things. WE also offer myRelax services which include a selection of sedation techniques that can either relax or have you completely asleep during your treatment with us.

Digital Smile Design (DSD) is a protocol that utilizes dental photography and advanced smile design techniques to give you the smile you always desired.   Each person has a unique “perfect” smile; one that is proportional and flattering to your face to face and one that exhibits your personality.  With the DSD protocol we are able to provide you with a prototype of your smile before ever touching a tooth.  You can preview your smile digitally and in your mouth and with the end in mind we can achieve amazing results. To learn more about mySmile solutions click here.

Snoring is tough on any relationship! And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis. In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for short periods during the night, a condition called sleep apnea. During sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing the tongue to collapse against the airway and obstruct clear airflow. In the latter situation, we utilize mySleep solutions and help fabricate and fit a special appliance called a snoring appliance which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.

Our fees will be discussed as a part of your treatment plan. Payment can be made by cash, certified check and most major credit cards. Dentoplan financing is another option you may wish to explore.

As a courtesy to our patients with insurance, we will file your claims. We are happy to assist you in understanding the coverage before beginning treatment.  We will be happy to assist if you have any questions.

Generally speaking, if a person is well enough to undergo the treatment necessary for fixed bridgework or routine tooth extractions, the same person can undergo dental implant procedures.  Also, patients may have general health conditions that would contraindicate implant procedures, although this is unusual.  The best form of implant for you is determined after a thorough examination and discussion with Dr. Hagi.  The amount and location of available bone and general health are usually the major determinant as to whether you are a good implant candidate.

When people hear the word “rejection” in connection with implants, they are usually describing conditions that can occur where there has been surgery that involves transplanting a vital organ such as a heart.  However, dental implants fall into an entirely different category due to the fact that tissue matching, blood typing, etc., is not a factor as in the other procedures mentioned.  Obviously, there are some dental implants that have not been successful.  However, success has more to do with general health, the patient’s commitment to proper hygiene and preventive maintenance as well as following instructions when it comes to the healing period of the implants.   Another factor in success involves regular follow-up care, just like other dental treatment.  Both soft tissue health and the way the replacement teeth function and bite together must be evaluated periodically to ensure long term success of the dental implant.

How long do teeth last?  They should last a lifetime.  However, we all can sight examples where teeth have not served for a person’s lifetime.  We know that dental problems mostly stem from improper home care or lack of treatment when needed.  The same holds true for implants.  With proper care and routine dental check-ups they should last long time.  No one can give guarantees because the health of a person is dependent upon many factors which are out of the control of one’s dentist, e.g., proper nutritional needs being met, proper hygiene, genetics, disease processes which might occur.  So, the answer to this question really is that no one knows how long each individual implant will last… one’s success can be influenced by the way you live and the quality of practitioner that you have chosen to do your implants… these things can tip the scales in your favor.

Presume that dental implants are natural teeth and treat them that way.  Return for regular check-ups.  Brush and floss.  Realize also, that caring for the gums is the best way to care for one’s teeth.  More teeth are lost as a result of gum disease than any other single cause.

Implant placement usually does not result in much post-operative discomfort -usually the patient takes Tylenol or Advil for about 1-3 days.  Anesthesia during the surgery should make the placement procedure pain-free.  We are conservative with anesthetic agents and our philosophy is to utilize the least amount of medication for the patient to comfortably tolerate the procedures. Depending on the complexity and number of implants being placed, the procedure can take between 30 minutes to 2-4 hours.

Absolutely not!  Dental implants have a long history of use and success.  Implants are the most thoroughly researched procedure in the history of dentistry and, while no procedure is 100% successful, the current technology has resulted in very high success rates in the hands of well-trained and experienced clinicians.  Dr. Hagi is trained in all aspects of implant dentistry and teaches as well as serves as a mentor to other doctors.  He is also one of the first users in Canada of a Ceramic Dental implant called CeraRoot.  Dental implants have come a long way since the 1970’s we are now able to secure teeth in most situations and provide our patients beautiful, natural, lasting smiles.

The procedure can involve a significant investment, with surgical fees ranging from $1,800 for a single tooth replacement to $25,000 and up for replacement of a complete arch of missing teeth.  However, the cost of non-treatment can be considerably more expensive.  Continual bone loss occurs from the wearing of full dentures (plates) and partials.  This progressive loss of bone can eventually cause nerve exposure, jaw fracture and a complete inability to function with regular dentures.  Correction at this point may be very expensive and can involve extensive bone grafts, which may require hospitalization and an extended recovery period. Placing implants before the bone loss becomes severe not only saves money in the long run, but also slows the bone loss process, increasing the likelihood of long term success.

With advanced technology and new science we have procedures today that allow us not only to place implants the same time as the teeth are extracted but we can also place teeth on these implants the same day.  myNewTeeth full arch procedures enable us through careful planning to perform tooth extraction, implant placement and provisional bridge in a single visit.  This mean you walk in with your old teeth or denture and walk out with a comfortable, confident non-removable smile that you can use to eat with, with a procedure that can take as little as 2-3hrs.  To find out more click myNewTeeth.

Most likely an implant could work very well in this situation.  Filing down teeth weakens them and makes them more susceptible to decay, gum problems and possible root canals.  Sometimes a bridge is still the best alternative, but an implant can often be a better option.  An implant will be easier to clean and floss, won’t require attachment to or damage other teeth and is as close as we can come to naturally giving you back your missing tooth.

Your situation is very common.  First of all we will do everything possible to help you keep your remaining natural teeth as long as their supporting structures are within an acceptable range.  Supporting structures means the gum and bone tissues immediately surrounding the tooth.  A thorough evaluation must be made to determine if a tooth is healthy enough to keep or not. We do not want remaining unhealthy teeth to compromise the success of any new treatment performed whether it be dental implants or other treatment.  We must then decide what is best for your specific needs in order to restore your missing back teeth.  If you have had problems with removable partials, then dental implants used to anchor new replacement teeth may be the best answer for you.

A common complaint is having to constantly add adhesives to secure dentures, especially after drinking a cup of coffee or eating a meal.  This can really be a nuisance when eating out at a restaurant and having to excuse yourself from the table to go to the rest room because your dentures won’t stay in.  Laughing, sneezing and coughing can also cause trouble for people who depend on adhesives to hold their teeth in place.  It may be funny to see another person having a denture fall out, but it is not funny to the person who has to deal with these embarrassing situations on a daily basis.  Denture wearers with problems such as these are not alone.  With myNewTeeth same day dental implant solutions we are able to give you an attached set of teeth in as little as 2-3hr.  This set will not move and is a new set of teeth you will no longer need adhesive for.

Absolutely.  Your situation is a common one.  The full lower denture is the most unstable prosthesis fabricated in dental practice.  During chewing, the average lower denture moves five times more than an upper denture.  The person with advanced bone loss has additional problems of poor muscle coordination, speech difficulties, and inability to keep the denture in place, all of which adversely influence a normal lifestyle.  Dental implants can be the solution to all of these problems.  Even in cases where a lot of bone loss has occurred there still is a good chance something can be done.  In most cases, a thorough oral exam and a panoramic x-ray of ct-scan is all that is needed to determine if you are a good candidate for implants.

It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth that is being replaced.  The number of implants necessary to provide support depends on the type of implants used.  For example in this case, if you’re a good candidate for implants, we may be able to restore your upper and lower teeth with as little as 4 implants per jaw.  By strategically placing these implants using our myNewTeeth solutions we are able to completely rid you of your dentures in a single surgical visit lasting 4-5hrs.  You can walk away with a set of non removable attached teeth.

A thorough oral exam and panoramic x-ray is all that is necessary in most cases, to determine which implant can be used and how many must be used.

It is possible to replace an entire arch of teeth with non-removable teeth supported by dental implants.  Each individual presents a different combination of factors and these factors will determine which type of implant will be best suited for them.  The end result is the elimination of the denture as we now know it.  The ability to function socially and eat properly is the driving force behind the development of dental implants.  These procedures will provide you with stable teeth, in many cases, for the first time in years.  Implants are a viable and functional way to help improve one’s quality of life and health.

Probably yes.  Upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth and go back to the soft palate to get support and “seal” so they will stay in place.  Unfortunately, this results in covering up the palate and many taste buds.  By using implants to anchor or support an upper prosthesis (either removable or nor-removable replacement teeth), the roof of the mouth can be left uncovered so one won’t gag, and can feel the texture, temperature, and taste of foods and beverages much better.