Dental FAQ — Common Questions Answered

Yes. Hamilton Care Dental Centre always welcomes new patients of every age. You can book online or Call (289) 755-2568 and we will usually offer an appointment within a few days. Same-day visits are often available for emergencies.

Call (289) 755-2568, email office@hamiltoncaredental.ca, or use the form on our Contact page. We'll confirm a time within 24 hours and send you a short new-patient form to complete before your visit.

Photo ID, your dental insurance card or CDCP member ID, a list of medications you take, and any recent X-rays from a previous dentist if you have them. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early to complete the new-patient form.

We're at 969 Upper Ottawa St, 11 A, Hamilton, ON L8T 4V9, on Hamilton Mountain near Upper Ottawa Street. Free parking on-site and easy access from Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, and Binbrook.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM by appointment only. Closed Sundays and statutory holidays. Call (289) 755-2568 for holiday-week schedules.

Yes, we accept CDCP and submit claims directly to Sun Life on your behalf. Bring your CDCP member ID to your appointment and we'll handle the paperwork.

Yes. We bill most Canadian private dental plans directly so you only pay your co-pay or deductible at the appointment. No paperwork or waiting for reimbursement.

We offer Beautifi financing including 0% options on qualifying treatments. Applications are quick and there's no penalty for early repayment. You can also combine insurance with financing for larger treatment plans.

Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and e-transfer. We also offer payment plans through Beautifi.

Yes. We provide a written estimate before any major work showing what insurance is expected to pay and what your portion would be. No surprises.

Yes. We hold appointment slots every day for emergencies including severe tooth pain, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost fillings, swelling, and infections. Call (289) 755-2568 right away and we'll aim to see you the same day.

Severe or persistent tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, swelling on the face or gums, a broken tooth with sharp edges, a lost filling or crown exposing nerve, or bleeding that won't stop. When in doubt, call us.

Rinse it gently (don't scrub), put it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk or your own saliva. Call us within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Yes. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation that helps you stay calm during treatment while remaining fully awake. Tell us when you book and we'll plan extra time and walk you through every step.

Yes. We see toddlers through teens. First visits focus on getting comfortable in the chair, counting teeth, and a gentle clean if your child is ready. We never rush kids.

Most adults should have a checkup and cleaning every six months. Patients with gum disease, braces, implants, or other concerns may need 3 to 4 month intervals. We'll recommend the right frequency for you.

A new-patient exam, cleaning, and X-rays typically falls in the $200 to $350 range. Recall cleanings are usually $150 to $250. CDCP and most private insurance cover preventive visits in full.

A single implant including the crown typically runs $4,000 to $6,000 in Ontario. We provide a written estimate after your consultation and offer Beautifi financing.

Most adult cases finish in 6 to 18 months. Simpler corrections can be done in as little as 3 months. We give you a digital preview before treatment starts so you can see exactly how your smile will move.

Yes. Most wisdom-tooth removals are done right in our office using local anesthetic with optional nitrous sedation. For complex cases we coordinate with our visiting anesthetist for IV sedation.

Yes. We routinely replace silver amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite for cosmetic reasons. Most plans cover this when there's a clinical reason to replace the filling.

Yes. We offer Zoom in-office whitening for fast, dramatic results in a single visit, and custom take-home trays for gradual brightening at your own pace. Many patients combine both.

Yes. Many families come together. Kids, parents, and grandparents. We can usually schedule cleanings for several family members back-to-back.

Yes. Several team members speak Arabic and other languages. Let us know what you prefer and we'll match you with a clinician you can talk comfortably with.

Yes, free parking is available right at our Upper Ottawa Street location.

Of course. Just Call (289) 755-2568 to book a new-patient visit. We can request your records and recent X-rays from your previous dentist, which saves time and avoids unnecessary new imaging.

Most root canal are completed in one to two appointments of 60 to 90 minutes each. Front teeth tend to be faster than molars. You feel only mild pressure during the procedure thanks to local anesthetic, and modern endodontic techniques mean most patients describe it as no worse than a routine filling.

Implant placement is done under local anesthetic, so you feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Most patients describe the recovery as easier than a tooth extraction, with mild soreness for two to four days that responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, dental implants commonly last 20 years or longer, often a lifetime. The titanium post fuses with your jawbone and is one of the most durable restorations in dentistry. The crown attached to it typically needs replacement every 10 to 15 years.

Yes. Most of our clear-aligner patients are adults. SureSmile® Aligners aligners straighten teeth discreetly over 6 to 18 months for most cases and are virtually invisible while you wear them. We provide a digital preview of your final result before treatment begins.

A custom night guard from your dentist is the most reliable solution. It's a thin, custom-fitted appliance you wear while sleeping that absorbs grinding forces and protects your teeth. We can also discuss bite assessment, stress reduction, and posture if grinding is severe.

Bleeding gums almost always mean gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. The good news: it's reversible with a professional cleaning plus better daily brushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is harder to reverse. Book a hygiene visit if you've been seeing blood for more than a week.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by age one at the latest. Early visits are short, friendly, and focused on getting your child comfortable with the dental chair. We never rush kids.

A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and surface tartar above the gum line. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gum line to remove tartar from the tooth roots, used when gum disease is present. Most patients only need regular cleanings.

With a composite (white) filling, you can usually eat as soon as you leave because the resin is fully hardened by the curing light. Wait until the numbness fully wears off (about 2 to 3 hours) to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Avoid very hot or hard foods for the first day if the tooth feels sensitive.

No. When done under dental supervision, professional whitening is safe and doesn't damage enamel. Temporary sensitivity for 24 to 48 hours is the most common side effect, and we provide desensitizing gel to manage it.

Yes, and preventive care is especially important during pregnancy. We follow Canadian guidelines: routine cleanings and urgent work are safe in any trimester, with the second trimester preferred for elective treatment. We avoid non-essential X-rays unless needed, and adjust positioning for your comfort.

Jaw clicking, popping, or pain is usually TMJ (temporomandibular joint) related. Common causes are night-time clenching, an uneven bite, or stress. We start with conservative care: a custom night guard, posture changes, and sometimes physiotherapy. Most patients improve significantly within a few weeks.

Same-day crowns are not part of our current service mix. We design crowns from a digital scan in our office and send the design to our dental lab, with a high-quality temporary crown protecting the tooth for about two weeks until the final crown is ready.

Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years on average. Composite (bonded) veneers last about 5 to 10 years and can be touched up more easily. The biggest factor in longevity is avoiding habits that stress the veneer: nail biting, chewing ice, or grinding without a night guard.

Tell us when you book. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation that helps you stay relaxed during the visit while remaining awake. We can also numb the gum with a topical gel before the local anesthetic injection so you barely feel the needle. Many patients with long-standing anxiety say they would have started coming sooner if they had known about these options.

It depends on what's bothering you. For surface staining, professional whitening (in-office Zoom or take-home trays) works in days. For chipped or worn edges, composite bonding finishes in one visit. For deeper discoloration, broken-down fillings, or shape issues, veneers or crowns are the longest-lasting option. A 30-minute cosmetic consultation is the best place to start.