Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin ceramic shells bonded to the front surface of your teeth to correct shape, colour, or size. They're a popular choice for patients who want a natural-looking, long-lasting cosmetic result without more invasive treatment.

The process starts with a consultation where your dentist evaluates your teeth, discusses your goals, and reviews whether veneers are the right fit. Digital imaging can give you a preview of your expected results before any work begins.

At your preparation appointment, a small amount of enamel is gently removed to ensure the veneers sit flush with surrounding teeth. Impressions are taken and temporary veneers are placed while your custom porcelain shells are crafted.

At your final visit, the temporaries are removed, fit and colour are confirmed, and the permanent veneers are bonded in place. With proper care, quality veneers can last 10–15 years or more. Avoiding habits like biting fingernails or chewing ice will extend their lifespan significantly.

Professional dental cleanings do more than polish your teeth. During a hygiene appointment, your dental team removes calculus (hardened plaque) that regular brushing and flossing simply cannot reach. Left untreated, calculus is a leading cause of gum disease.

Beyond the cleaning itself, your dentist performs a thorough exam that checks for early-stage cavities, gum recession, bite concerns, and oral cancer signs. Early detection makes every one of these conditions easier to manage.

For patients with a history of gum disease, more frequent visits — every three to four months — may be recommended to keep inflammation under control. Your dentist will advise the right interval based on your specific needs.

Think of your biannual appointment the same way you would an oil change: routine maintenance that prevents far more expensive repairs down the road. At Elevation Dental, we never rush visits — your appointment is time well spent on your long-term health.

A dental bridge relies on adjacent teeth for support, requiring those teeth to be shaped down to anchor the bridge. It's a faster solution and can work well when neighboring teeth already need crowns. However, you lose the natural tooth structure on either side.

A dental implant, by contrast, is a titanium post placed directly in the jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root. The crown placed on top looks and functions exactly like a natural tooth — and no surrounding teeth are affected.

Implants also protect your jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the bone in that area begins to deteriorate over time. An implant stimulates the bone just like a natural root does, preventing that bone loss and maintaining your facial structure.

The main trade-offs are time and cost. Implants require several months for osseointegration (the process of the implant fusing with bone), while bridges can be placed much faster. However, implants generally last decades — often a lifetime — making them the more cost-effective solution long term for many patients.

Our team at Elevation Dental will walk you through all options at your consultation and help you decide what's best for your health, budget, and goals.

The CEREC system uses a digital scanner to capture precise 3D images of your prepared tooth. From those images, the crown is designed using CAD/CAM software — right there in the office — and then milled from a solid block of ceramic in about 15–20 minutes.

The result is a crown that fits precisely, matches the shade of your surrounding teeth, and requires no temporary restoration. You leave with your permanent crown the same day.

Same-day crowns are ideal for patients with busy schedules who want to minimize dental appointments. They also eliminate the discomfort and risk of temporary crowns shifting or falling off between visits.

The ceramic material used is strong and long-lasting, designed to withstand normal chewing forces. With proper care — brushing, flossing, and regular checkups — a CEREC crown can last many years. If you've been putting off a crown because you don't want two long appointments, same-day CEREC may be exactly the solution you've been looking for.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a child's first dental visit occur within six months of their first tooth appearing, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first. While this may seem early, these visits are less about treatment and more about assessment and education.

Your child's first appointment typically includes a gentle exam to check tooth development, assess gum health, and identify any early concerns. Your dentist will also talk through brushing techniques, diet, and habits like pacifier use or thumb-sucking that may affect dental development.

Starting early also builds a positive relationship between your child and their dental team. Children who visit the dentist regularly from a young age tend to have far less anxiety about dental care as they get older. Our team at Elevation Dental is experienced in making little ones feel safe, heard, and at ease.

School-age children benefit from sealants — thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth — which can dramatically reduce cavity risk. Ask us whether sealants are right for your child at their next visit.

Gum disease (periodontal disease) begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. At this stage, gums may appear red, slightly swollen, or bleed when you brush or floss. Many patients dismiss this as normal — but it's your mouth's signal that attention is needed.

Left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, where bacteria reach below the gumline and begin damaging the bone and connective tissue that support your teeth. This stage is not reversible, though it can be managed effectively with treatment.

Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, certain medications, hormonal changes, and a family history of gum disease. Even patients with excellent oral hygiene can develop gum disease if they have genetic susceptibility.

Early warning signs include: bleeding when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, gums that appear to be pulling away from teeth, and teeth that feel loose. If you notice any of these, book an appointment promptly. Professional cleaning and improved home care can reverse gingivitis entirely when caught early.

The key difference is the concentration of the active whitening agent — typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Over-the-counter products are limited by regulation to lower concentrations, which means slower, subtler results. Professional treatments use higher-grade solutions supervised by your dental team, achieving significantly whiter results in a fraction of the time.

At Elevation Dental, we offer take-home whitening kits with custom-fitted trays made from impressions of your teeth. Custom trays ensure even contact with all tooth surfaces, eliminating the patchy results common with generic strips. Most patients see noticeable whitening within one to two weeks of consistent use.

It's worth noting that whitening does not affect crowns, veneers, or bonding. If you have existing restorations in visible areas, speak with your dentist before whitening to ensure a consistent final result.

Sensitivity is a common side effect of whitening, particularly for patients with naturally sensitive teeth. Our take-home kits allow you to control the pace of treatment, reducing discomfort while still achieving excellent results.

Ideal implant candidates are adults with good general health, healthy gums, and sufficient bone density in the jaw to support the implant post. A thorough consultation and digital imaging help your dental team assess your suitability.

Bone density is one of the most important factors. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone begins to shrink over time. If too much bone has been lost, a bone graft may be needed before implant placement. This adds time to the process but is a well-established procedure with a high success rate.

Certain conditions can affect candidacy, including uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, autoimmune disorders, and some medications. These don't necessarily disqualify you — but they require careful evaluation and management. For example, smokers have a higher risk of implant failure due to reduced blood flow and impaired healing.

Age is not typically a barrier; implants are placed in patients of all ages once jaw development is complete. If you've been missing teeth for years, it's not too late to explore implants. Our team will provide an honest, thorough assessment and outline all your options, including alternatives if implants aren't the right fit right now.

Studies suggest that up to 36% of adults experience some degree of dental anxiety, with about 12% experiencing extreme fear that leads them to avoid dental care entirely. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and there are real solutions that can help.

Communication is the first step. Before any appointment, tell your dental team what makes you anxious. Whether it's the sounds, the sensation, or a past negative experience, knowing your triggers allows us to adapt your care accordingly. We'll always explain what we're doing before we do it.

For patients who need more support, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a safe, well-tolerated option that induces a relaxed, euphoric feeling without putting you to sleep. Its effects wear off quickly — most patients can drive home afterward. Oral sedation is also available for patients with more significant anxiety or complex procedures.

We also prioritize pacing. You're never rushed at Elevation Dental. If you need to take a break mid-appointment, just raise your hand. Small accommodations — like bringing headphones, having a blanket, or choosing a particular chair position — can also make a meaningful difference. Our goal is for every patient to leave feeling cared for, not just treated.