Cosmetic
Dentistry
Toronto

Dental bonding is the process of correcting chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth through the application of tooth-coloured resin. Bonding is also useful for filling in small gaps between teeth without the need for braces or aligners.

During this gentle non-invasive procedure, the patient’s tooth is lightly etched and coated with a conditioning liquid to facilitate optimal bonding. Then, the resin bonding material is applied (in putty form) to the surface of the tooth and molded into the desired shape. Finally, the resin is hardened with a UV light and final touch-ups are completed, as necessary.

Porcelain veneers are tooth-coloured “shells” that can be placed over natural teeth to dramatically improve their appearance. Porcelain veneers can lengthen teeth, improve their shape, close gaps between teeth, fill in chipped or worn teeth, and cover severe stains. Veneers are also highly stain resistant; unlike natural enamel, they aren’t susceptible to discolouration as a result of smoking or coffee and tea consumption.

Veneers cover a much larger portion of the tooth than bonding, so they’re a good choice for patients who have heavily stained or very misshapen teeth. Veneers are also more permanent than bonding, with an average lifespan of ten years.

Inlays and onlays serve both a cosmetic and a restorative function. During an inlay or onlay, a durable material, such as gold, porcelain, or composite resin, is placed over the surface of the back molars. Inlays cover the area between the cusps of the teeth, whereas onlays are placed over one or more cusps, providing greater coverage. These treatments are used when a significant portion of the tooth’s biting surface has been damaged by decay, injury, or the presence of large silver-mercury fillings. Inlays and onlays improve the appearance of the affected tooth while also making it up to 75% stronger.

Not all cases of tooth staining require significant interventions like bonding or veneers. In many cases, a professional teeth whitening procedure is all that’s needed to restore the bright white colour of a patient’s teeth.

Teeth whitening is a safe, gentle process wherein a dentist applies hydrogen peroxide (a naturally-occurring, eco-friendly compound) directly onto the teeth, lightening them in under an hour. Alternatively, the patient may be provided with fitted dental trays to use for at-home whitening. The peroxide reacts with the molecules that cause stains, painlessly lifting and dissolving them. During professional teeth whitening, the effects of aging, smoking, and coffee consumption melt away, revealing a beautifully clear smile.

We know that brighter teeth are something that we would all like and all of our patients deserve it! That is why we offer our whitening systems at a low rate so that everyone can have an opportunity to have a brighter smile, even on a tight budget!
Opalescence Teeth Whitening is our system of choice here at Campus Dental, due to their low incidence of sensitivity both during and post-treatment.

We are aware that many products, including the products we use in-office, are available online. We do not recommend the use of these products without the recommendation and supervision of your dental professional. Many of these products can cause burning of the gum and soft tissues, in some cases, it can be severe.

Take-Home System – Opalescence Go is the take-home system we recommend. It offers an easy-to-use tray system with no impressions required. You can use it right out of the box. It uses a 15% Hydrogen Peroxide gel that requires the tray to be worn for 20 min/day, anywhere from 5-10 days.

Opalescence Teeth Whitening

In-Office System
Opalescence Boost is a 40% Hydrogen Peroxide gel that is applied in-office by one of our trained dental professionals. Two to three 20-minute sessions are required for application for best results.

Dental bonding has the advantage of being more convenient than veneers (which typically require multiple appointments to complete). They also leave more of the patient’s tooth enamel intact.

However, it’s important for patients to be aware that dental bonding is less permanent than veneers. While veneers typically last for ten years or more without staining or cracking, bonded teeth last about five years (on average) before the bonded material needs to be replaced.

Many patients choose dental bonding because the procedure is quick, painless, and capable of dramatically improving the appearance of stained or damaged teeth. During dental bonding, Dr. Trotti will lightly “etch” the surface of your tooth, then apply a bonding liquid. These steps are necessary to ensure the resin composite material forms a strong bond to the tooth. A plastic resin putty is then applied to the tooth, molded into the desired shape, and hardened (or “set”) with a UV lamp. Finally, the bonded tooth is shaped, smoothed, and polished to perfection.

Teeth veneers are thin porcelain shells that form a cover or “cap” over the front of a tooth. Porcelain veneers are considered the “gold standard” in cosmetic dentistry for concealing (and preventing) severe tooth staining. Veneers are also an excellent way to lengthen teeth, fill in deep chips or cracks, close gaps between teeth, and improve the look of crooked or misshapen teeth.

When you decide to get porcelain veneers, your first appointment will involve planning the exact shape and colour of your tooth caps. Then, Dr. Trotti will take an impression of your teeth and file them down so they’re ready to be fitted with veneers.

While your porcelain veneers are being fabricated, you’ll wear a temporary set of composite veneers to protect your teeth and give you time to get used to your new smile. (If you notice anything you would like to change during this time, you can ask Dr. Trotti to make the necessary adjustments.) Finally, you’ll return to the office to have your permanent veneers placed.

Porcelain is one of the best materials for emulating natural teeth as, like tooth enamel, it’s slightly translucent. When porcelain veneers are sculpted and coloured by an experienced cosmetic dentist, they’re virtually indistinguishable from normal enamel, even under bright lights. This is why most dentists prefer porcelain for large restorations (like veneers) as opposed to white resin composite, which is opaque.

At Campus Dental, we also carefully customize each patient’s veneers to ensure they integrate harmoniously with the rest of his or her teeth.

Though many people think of porcelain as being fragile, the type of porcelain used in dentistry is actually extremely durable. With proper care, one set of veneers can easily last from ten to fifteen years. Dental porcelain is also highly resistant to staining. Even those who smoke tobacco can wear veneers for ten years or longer before they notice visible discolouration.

Though dental inlays and onlays used to be constructed from gold alloys, modern dentists prefer to use materials that match the patient’s natural teeth, such as porcelain or composite resin.

Dental inlays and onlays are similar in function, material, and appearance; however, onlays cover a larger portion of the tooth’s surface. Similar to a large filling, inlays are placed between the cusps (points) of the teeth. Onlays, on the other hand, can be thought of as a restoration that’s halfway between a filling and crown, as they typically cover one or more cusps of the tooth.

Like dental crowns, inlays and onlays are placed over the span of two appointments. During the first visit, an impression is taken of the patient’s teeth and sent to a lab, where the inlay or onlay will be fabricated. Then, the damaged or decayed part of the tooth is carefully removed and the resulting opening is protected with a sealant. Once the inlay or onlay is ready, the patient returns to our office so we can permanently bond it to his or her teeth. As a final touch, Dr. Trotti polishes and shapes the inlay or onlay to ensure it aligns perfectly with the patient’s bite.

Professional teeth whitening treatments can be performed in your dentist’s office, or your dentist can create special whitening kits for you to use at home. If you choose the latter option, you can expect your custom whitening trays to be ready for pick-up in one to two days. In-office treatments can be completed in under an hour during a single appointment.

During both in-office and at-home treatments, a safe, natural whitening solution (typically containing hydrogen peroxide) is applied to the teeth. During an in-office treatment, a protective barrier is placed over the lips and gums, then a strong whitening gel is applied to the teeth in 20-minute intervals. Sometimes, the dentist will use a laser to accelerate the whitening process.

During at-home whitening, patients must wear a custom-fitted tray (that resembles a mouthguard) for at least 40 minutes per day over the span of one to two weeks. This approach gives the whitening agent enough time to lift and dissolve even deep stains. Your dentist will give you instructions on how to use your take-home kit properly, so you reach your desired level of whiteness without risking tooth sensitivity.

Regardless of which teeth whitening method you use, we recommend having your results “touched up” periodically to prevent future discolouration. We’ll create a personalized touch-up plan that takes your age, diet, and lifestyle into account.

Many people mistakenly believe that teeth whitening is dangerous or harmful to teeth because over-the-counter whitening kits have been linked to severe complications, like burned or bleached gums. However, a whitening treatment that’s performed under the guidance of a dentist is completely safe. Your dentist will take steps to make sure your mouth and gums are completely protected during teeth whitening. Likewise, professional whitening treatments only contain ingredients that are proven not to harm the integrity of tooth enamel.

Some patients may experience mild tooth sensitivity after repeated or intensive whitening treatments, but this symptom typically resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks. No evidence has been found linking professional teeth whitening treatments to an increased risk of tooth damage or decay.