Dentistry at Alton Towers
Dr. Youngwoo Joo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions For Your Scarborough Dentist

We know you have questions about your dental health, and we have the answers! We've gathered a few of the most common questions we hear from patients and provided answers here.

However, if you don't find the information you need here, don't hesitate to contact our team at (416) 366-8188. We're happy to provide the information you require.

General

We would love to be your dental home if you live in Scarborough or the surrounding area. Perhaps you’re wondering where our dental clinic is located; if so, keep reading to learn more about where to find Dentistry at Alton Towers.

Local Driving Directions

Our dental clinic is located at 240 Alton Towers Circle. Here are the driving directions to make it easy tofront entrance of dentistry at alton towers | dentist near me find us:

If you are driving from the South:

  • Travel north on Brimley Rd. until you reach Eagledance Dr.
  • Turn right on Eagledance Dr. until you reach Goldhawk Trail.
  • Turn left on Goldhawk Trail and follow it to Alton Towers Circle.
  • Our dental clinic will be on the right.

If you are driving from the north:

  • Travel south on McCowan Rd.
  • Turn right on Alton Towers Circle.
  • Our dental clinic will be on the left.

Landmarks You Won’t Want to Miss

Here are some local landmarks you’ll want to visit after your trip to our dental clinic:

  • Toronto Zoo
  • Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
  • Kidstown Water Park
  • Woodside Square Shopping Mall
  • Remington Parkview Gold and Country Club
  • Cineplex Odeon Morningside Cinemas

Are you looking for a Dental Clinic in Scarborough, ON?

If you need a dentist in Scarborough, consider the dental team at Dentistry at Alton Towers. Our experienced dental team can care for your family’s oral health needs, and we are conveniently located close to shopping and restaurants.

To arrange a visit, call (416) 366-8188.

CDCP Benefits

Yes, we do!

Dentistry at Alton Towers proudly accepts benefits from the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The program is designed to help eligible Canadians without private insurance coverage access high-quality, essential dental care without financial barriers. CDCP eligibility is based on household income and other factors to help low- to middle-income families.

How Does the CDCP Work?

The CDCP covers many preventive, restorative, and corrective services, including routine cleanings and exams, fillings, and extractions. By offering financial support, the CDCP helps patients maintain optimal oral health by preventing minor nuisances from becoming major issues.

At Dentistry at Alton Towers, patients can use their CDCP benefits for covered treatments, making visits stress-free and affordable. The clinic works closely with patients to ensure they understand their coverage and treatment options.

With CDCP benefits, maintaining a healthy smile is easier than ever. You don’t have to compromise on quality or delay care because of costs. Book an appointment at Dentistry at Alton Towers today and take advantage of the CDCP to keep your oral health in check. Your smile deserves the best; we’re here to make it happen!

A Scarborough Dentist Helping You Maximize Your CDCP Benefits

If you’re looking for a dentist in Scarborough, Ontario, to help you manage the CDCP application and ensure everyone in your family receives the essential care you need, contact Dr. Youngwoo Joo and the friendly and helpful Emery Village Dental team today!

Children's Dentistry

We love taking care of children at Dentistry at Alton Towers! We recommend they have their first dentalgroup of children hugging | childrens dentist scarborough appointment as soon as their first teeth arrive, or at least by age one. 

What Happens During My Child's First Dental Visit?

Sometimes, parents feel that bringing their child in at age one is too early. However, early dental visits allow us to build rapport with your little one, which helps them acclimate and have successful dental visits in the future. 

We'll spend time introducing them to the dental chair, and parents are welcome to stay in the room so they feel comfortable. During an exam, we'll also count their teeth, which allows us to begin monitoring their dental development. 

Your child should continue to visit their children's dentist in Scarborough, ON, every six months. These early visits are also an excellent time for parents to ask questions and raise concerns. 

As children get older, we'll incorporate teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and eventually x-rays into their preventive dental visits. 

With Your Family Every Step of the Way!

As your child gets older, we may recommend treatments like dental sealants to protect their teeth from cavities and mouth guards if they participate in sports. We'll also evaluate them for possible orthodontic treatment if needed. 

If it's time to schedule your child's next dental appointment, contact your Scarborough children's dentist at (416) 366-8188.  

 

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Our dentists use a few different materials to make dental crowdental crown on tooth | dental crown scaroboroughns in Scarborough. 

They may recommend a gold crown for a molar that takes the impact of your chewing force because it's the most durable material for that job. 

A ceramic porcelain crown is best for teeth you can see because we can customize it to match your teeth and blend beautifully with your smile. 

Porcelain fused to metal may provide more durability but might not be the right aesthetic choice. 

The Dental Crown Process

Completing a dental crown at Dentistry at Alton Towers is straightforward and should take two appointments. After determining that you need a crown, here's how the process works. 

  • The first appointment — Our dentists get your tooth ready for its new crown by taking impressions and making a temporary crown for you to wear. 
  • A dental lab prepares the crown — It takes two to three weeks for our dental lab to make your new restoration. 
  • Permanent placement — Once your crown is ready, you'll return to Dentistry at Alton Towers to have it permanently placed. 

Reach out for More Information

If you have questions about your treatment or the type of crown recommended, you can contact your dentist in Scarborough at (416) 366-8188. 

Dental Implants

When you are missing one or more teeth, it significantly impacts your quality of life. It makes chewing and eating difficult and feeling confident about smiling and talking challenging.  

Losing one or multiple teeth also impacts your dental health. The loss of a tooth also means root loss. When your jawbone no longer has a tooth root to support, it begins to deteriorate. This can impact neighbouring teeth and eventually change the appearance of your face.

The good news is that your Dentistry at Alton Towers team offers several reliable options for tooth replacement in Scarborough. 

Dental Bridges Offer a Non-Surgical Option

A dental bridge can comfortably replace one or more adjacent teeth by anchoring two dental crowns on each end to healthy teeth. Custom prosthetic teeth lie in between, filling in the gap left by tooth loss. 

Full or Partial Dentures Replace Multiple Missing Teeth

A full or complete denture restores an entire arch of missing teeth, while a partial denture replaces multiple lost teeth while still allowing you to retain your healthy teeth. 

The Gold Standard in Tooth Replacement: Dental Implants in Scarborough

Dental implants restore both the tooth and its root, making them the closest option to a natural tooth. We can also use tooth implants to support appliances like a bridge or denture so that you can replace multiple missing teeth.  

Contact your dentist in Scarborough, ON, at (416) 366-8188 to book an evaluation. 

Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement. We place a biocompatible implant into your jaw to act as your tooth’s root. Once it heals, we will add an abutment to connect the implant to the restoration.

The final step in the implant process involves adding a dental restoration, either a dental crown for a single implant or a bridge or denture if you are missing multiple teeth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

One of the benefits of dental implants is their longevity. On average, dental implants last between ten anddental implants bridge in jaw | dental implants scarborough on 30 years. So, depending on how old you are when you get dental implants, they could last for the rest of your life.

For some, the dental crown, bridge or denture may need to be replaced, but the implant will last much longer.

Are Dental Implants in Scarborough Painful?

One of the biggest concerns about dental implants is whether they will be painful. The dental implant procedure is surgical, but your mouth will be completely numb while the implants are placed into your jaw. However, after the numbness wears off, it’s normal to feel some discomfort.

Depending on how many dental implants are placed into your jaw, your dentist in Scarborough will recommend either prescription or over-the-counter pain medication to manage the discomfort.

Questions about Tooth Replacement in Scarborough, ON?

We will happily assist you if you want to speak with a dental team member about replacing your missing teeth with dental implants! At Dentistry at Alton Towers, we want you to love your smile. Call our dental clinic at (416) 366-8188.

Emergency Dental Care

Yes! Even if this is your first visit to Dentistry at Alton Towers, we encourage you to contact us immediately if you have a dental emergency in Scarborough.  

We make every effort to see emergency patients right away, and our convenient morning, evening, and Saturday appointments allow us to do so. We also offer same-day treatment whenever possible. 

Tooth Emergencies We Handle

At Dentistry at Alton Towers, we are well-equipped to help you through most tooth emergencies. Some of the conditions we handle are:

  • Broken or lost dental restorations
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Chipped or broken teeth
  • Toothaches, abscesses, or dental pain
  • Facial swelling

Contact our team over the phone so we can assess your situation and determine if you need immediate attention. 

Emergency Dental Treatment in Scarborough

Some of the treatments our dentists may recommend to restore your smile are:

  • Tooth-coloured fillings
  • Composite bonding
  • Porcelain crowns or veneers
  • Root canal treatment
  • Tooth extraction
  • Dental implants

Our dentists will review your treatment options so you can make the best decisions for your smile. 

Contact Dentistry at Alton Towers

Don't wait to contact our team at (416) 366-8188 if you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency. We are here to help! 

General Dentistry

Preventive teeth cleanings and exams are among the best ways to protect your smile and dental health. Healthy patients should visit their dentist in Scarborough every six months for teeth cleanings and exams.

Our dentists will customize a hygiene schedule for patients managing gum disease who may need additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to maintain their smiles.  

We Can Identify Problems Early On

It's much easier to treat common dental concerns like tooth decay and gum disease before they become more significant problems.

For example, when our dentists spot tooth decay, they can likely treat it with a small, less invasive filling. If the decay progresses into your tooth because it's not diagnosed or treated, it can then reach the nerve or pulp of the tooth, where it will cause a painful infection that requires root canal treatment. 

Being proactive about your dental health by visiting your dentist consistently every six months can save you time in the dental chair, stress, and strain on your budget with costly dental treatments. 

Let Us Help You Protect Your Smile!

Contact your Scarborough dentist at (416) 366-8188 or request an appointment online if it's time for your next teeth cleaning and checkup. 

Orthodontic Treatment

At Dentistry at Alton Towers, we offer traditional braces and clear aligners with Invisalign. We're excited to bring our patients comprehensive orthodontic treatment, making it easy for families to complete all of their dental care in one convenient location. 

How Do Clear Aligners in Scarborough Work?

Instead of relying on brackets and wires to move teeth, Invisalign uses clear aligners. The smooth, clear aligners fit snugly against your teeth, creating gradual movement over time. You'll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks and for 22 hours per day before changing to the next set in the series. 

Most of our patients finish their treatment in 10 to 18 months, depending on their individual needs. 

What Are the Advantages of Clear Aligners with Invisalign?

Patients love the fact that they can remove the aligners easily for meals, brushing, and flossing, so they don't have to change their diet or home care routine. 

Clear aligners are also more comfortable to wear because they're smooth and don't have the pokey brackets and wires that braces do. 

Probably the feature that patients love most, however, is the discretion of clear aligners. Since they're virtually invisible, no one will ever notice you're straightening your teeth!

Contact your team at Dentistry at Alton Towers at (416) 366-8188 for more information about Invisalign in Scarborough. 

Tooth loss during treatment with clear aligners is extremely rare and usually due to pre-existing conditions, as opposed to Invisalign itself. The movement of your teeth that Invisalign promotes is very gradual and typically wouldn't cause tooth loss. 

Our dentists perform a thorough evaluation prior to starting treatment with Invisalign to ensure you're in good health and that Invisalign is the right treatment for your smile. If they feel you're not in good general health to support treatment with Invisalign, they'll let you know and suggest other more suitable treatment options. 

How Does Invisalign Work?

Instead of using brackets and wires attached to your teeth for movement, Invisalign's clear aligners gradually move teeth into proper alignment with gentle pressure. 

Patients wear the aligners for 22 hours per day, changing them every two weeks for new movements. Consistently wearing the aligners is the key to successful treatment with Invisalign; however, the aligners are removable and can be removed for meals, brushing, flossing, and any other needs that may arise. 

If you have questions or concerns about treatment with Invisalign in Scarborough, contact your team at Dentistry at Alton Towers at (416) 366-8188 for more information. We're happy to answer your questions! 

Root Canal Treatment

The answer is no! A tooth infection actually causes the pain that you feel when you need root canalwoman in pain | root canals scarborough on treatment. 

Root canal treatment eliminates the infection, preserves your natural tooth structure, and alleviates pain. 

What to Expect during Root Canal Treatment in Scarborough

Root canals don't have to be stressful when you know exactly what to expect. 

  1. X-rays and initial diagnosis
  2. Numbing with a local anesthetic
  3. Removing the infected tissue from your tooth
  4. Sealing the tooth with a temporary filling
  5. Healing time
  6. Rebuild the tooth with a dental crown

Our dentists in Scarborough use anesthetic to immediately relieve pain. We also offer dental sedation options for patients who feel anxious or fearful about their treatment. 

Modern dentistry also makes root canals more comfortable with flexible, electric rotary endodontic tools that can more easily access the inner canals of teeth. 

Don't Delay Root Canal Treatment

If you or a loved one is feeling pain or discomfort from a tooth infection, it's essential to address it right away to bring you relief and save your tooth from further damage. A tooth infection that goes untreated could result in tooth loss without prompt treatment. 

If you or a loved one needs prompt dental care, contact your team at Dentistry at Alton Towers at (416) 366-8188.  

Root canal treatment has suffered from a bad reputation because people often associate it with pain. However, in setting the record straight, you should know that the pain you feel if you need root canal treatment isn't caused by the procedure but is actually an infection in your tooth.  

A root canal removes the infected tissue from your tooth and preserves its natural structure, saving you from tooth loss, which is always our goal. Root canals also immediately eliminate discomfort since we numb your tooth for the procedure. 

What Happens During Root Canal Treatment in Scarborough?

When you come in for root canal treatment, our dentists will use an anesthetic to numb the area, alleviating your immediate pain and ensuring that you don't feel anything during your procedure. 

Next, they'll carefully remove the infected tissue from inside your tooth. When they've ensured the tooth is free of infected tissue, they'll seal it temporarily with a filling, giving it time to stabilize and heal. 

When the tooth is fully healed, you'll return to Dentistry at Alton Towers to have our dentists strengthen and rebuild it with a permanent crown or filling. 

Don't hesitate to contact our team at (416) 366-8188 if you think you may need a root canal in Scarborough. 

 

TMJ Treatment

BOTOX® is made from the toxin found in the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is not harmful when delivered in small doses. Because BOTOX relaxes and "freezes" facial muscles, we can also use it to treat some jaw joint (TMJ) issues, such as:

  • Frequent headaches
  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Clenching or grinding (bruxism)
  • Jaw clicking, popping, or locking

Understanding Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

Your jaw is one of the most complex joint systems in your body. When it doesn't function properly, it can result in a host of uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact your quality of life. This results in a painful condition known as TMD. 

BOTOX is one treatment our dentists can use to help manage the discomfort caused by TMD. The effects of BOTOX injections last for four to six months and can provide substantial relief for patients suffering from TMD.

We're thrilled to offer BOTOX treatments in Scarborough to patients suffering from TMD. Our dentists are trained in providing BOTOX injections and are highly skilled at delivering comfortable injections because of their expertise in dental anesthetic delivery. 

If you'd like to learn more about how BOTOX in Scarborough can help you, contact Dentistry at Alton Towers at (416) 366-8188. 

 

Most patients begin feeling relief from BOTOX® injections for their temporomandibular disorder (TMD) within a few days or weeks. The effects of BOTOX typically last around three to four months before you'll need to renew your injections. 

BOTOX has helped many patients who suffer from TMD find relief from some of their painful symptoms, like jaw discomfort and frequent headaches.

What Is TMD?

TMD occurs when your jaw joints (TMJ) aren't functioning correctly. TMD can cause several symptoms, such as:

  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Jaw locking closed or open
  • Popping or clicking of the jaw joint upon opening or closing
  • Frequent headaches
  • Tooth clenching or grinding (bruxism)
  • Jaw pain or tenderness during chewing

Many patients who suffer from TMD experience multiple symptoms, which significantly impact their quality of life. 

Other Treatment Options for TMD

While BOTOX provides relief for many patients with TMD, depending on the cause of your TMD, our dentists may also suggest these other treatment options:

  • Orthodontic treatment to address bite misalignment
  • A night guard to protect against bruxism during sleep
  • Stress management techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or massage
  • Physical therapy exercises can help relieve TMJ pain

Contact Your Scarborough Dentist

At Dentistry at Alton Towers, we offer treatment solutions for TMD, including BOTOX injections and comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Contact our team at (416) 366-8188 for more information. 

Tooth Extraction

If your wisdom tooth is pressing on a nerve, you’ll likely experience intense, throbbing pain in the affected area. This pain may radiate to nearby teeth, your jaw, or even your ear—all of which can make it difficult to chew, speak, or open your mouth comfortably.

In some cases, you may also feel numbness or tingling in your lower lip, chin, or tongue. This can indicate nerve involvement and should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.

Other signs that a wisdom tooth may be affecting a nerve include:

  • Persistent pain that worsens over time
  • Swelling or inflammation around the wisdom tooth
  • Difficulty moving your jaw or opening your mouth fully
  • Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure

Because wisdom teeth are close to the inferior alveolar nerve, impacted or poorly positioned teeth can sometimes compress or irritate it. If left untreated, this can lead to long-term nerve damage.

Call Us for Gentle Tooth Extractions in Scarborough

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please don’t ignore them! A dental evaluation, including x-rays, can determine whether your wisdom tooth is pressing on a nerve. Schedule a consultation with your Scarborough dentist to discuss the best course of action for relief and treatment.

After oral surgery, it is important to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest while your mouth is healing. Eating the right foods is also essential to ensure you don't irritate the extraction site.

Sticking to soft foods consumed at room temperature is ideal for healing after tooth extraction in Scarborough. Here are some ideas:

  • Applesauce
  • Oatmeal
  • Ice cream or smoothies
  • Yogurt
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Soup

Avoid spicy foods for the first 72 hours after surgery, as the spices could irritate your extraction site.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Some other things to remember after tooth extraction are that you should avoid exercise or vigorousolder man holding jaw | tooth extraction scarborough on activity for the first 72 hours after surgery, as well as smoking cigarettes or drinking through a straw.

The act of sucking through a straw could dislodge your blood clot, which can result in developing a painful condition called dry socket that prolongs the healing process. 

It's normal for light bleeding to occur for the first couple of days after surgery, but if it's excessive, please get in touch with your dentist in Scarborough right away. 

We Invite You To Reach Out

Your team at Dentistry at Alton Towers is here to support you before, during, and after your tooth extraction. Please contact us at (416) 366-8188 if you have questions or concerns about your recovery.

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