Toronto, ON M8X IC4
416-231-0550
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, and we have answers. Please click on a topic below to see the most common questions we’re asked – and the answers. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Call us! We’re happy to help.
Our Dental Team
How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
Dr. Joe Bulger and his team members frequently attend continuing education seminars on all aspects of dentistry. In addition, Dr. Joe is a voracious reader who spends many hours keeping up with the latest technologies and treatments featured in professional dental journals.
How can I ask the doctor a question directly?
If you have a question about a dental procedure, product, or technique, please check out the Patient Library section of the Website. If you have additional questions, or would like more information, please call our office.
Office Policies and Information
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We will be happy to help you fill out and electronically submit all necessary insurance claim forms. However, we ask that you pay for your dental care up front. Reimbursement form your insurance provider will come directly to you.
What happens if I have to cancel an appointment?
We understand that schedules change, so we will not charge you for an appointment as long as you cancel two days ahead of time. This allows us adequate time to contact patients who are waiting for an appointment. We can fill your time slot, and another patient will benefit. If you give us less than two days notice of you cancellation, we may charge you a fee because filling your time slot may not be possible.
What payment options do you provide?
We accept cash, check, and credit cards. If you’d like to prepay for your care, we offer a discount on your total bill.
What makes you different from any other dental practice I can visit?
Our patients notice the difference in our practice and our culture from the moment they walk into our office. There’s nothing sterile about our facility. It’s warm and inviting, and our whole team is personable, friendly, and focused exclusively on the patient. We invite you to visit us and experience the difference for yourself.
Emergency Care
What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
You can call the regular office number, 416-231-0550, for directions on how to reach us in an emergency. We will return your call as quickly as possible.
My child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been entirely knocked out. What should I do?
A displaced tooth can be pushed back into position. If your tooth has been completely knocked out, it should be reattached by implantation as soon as possible.
Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue. Instead, rinse it carefully in running water. Gently reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place. If this isn't possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or cool water, or even inside the mouth between the cheek and gum.
Call right away, and visit our office within the first 30 minutes of the tooth’s displacement to increase the likelihood that the tooth will reattach successfully.
Restorative Dentistry
I don’t like drills. Are there any other options?
Yes. Dr. Joe often uses air abrasion, a techniques that employs a blast of tiny, high-speed aluminum oxide particles to remove decay in a cavity. The particles hit the tooth under high pressure, bounce off at high speed, and blast away any decay. Air abrasion has many benefits: it’s quiet, quick, comfortable, and keeps more of the tooth structure intact.
I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
Carefully wrap any piece(s), place them into a protective container, and call our office right away to schedule an appointment. Dr. Joe will reapply the crown as soon as possible. Don’t try to put it back into place yourself.
General Dental Care
How do I know when I need a checkup?
We encourage you to make your next appointment before you leave our office. Then, shortly before your appointment, we’ll send you a postcard and call to remind you of your appointment time.
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
We generally prefer to see children when they’re between two-and-a-half and three years old. Children are typically curious and cooperative at this age, providing a window of opportunity to create a positive relationship with a dentist. We believe a child's first visit should be fun, with no pressure and no anxiety. Children should look forward to their future dental visits.
Your child can become familiar with our office and see that it’s a friendly, fun and safe place by accompanying you or a sibling to a scheduled visit. Just let us know how you’d like to handle your child’s first visit, so we can be prepared.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
Bleeding gums can indicate periodontal or gum disease, an infection that can lead to tooth loss. Research has also linked gum disease to serious health problems, such as strokes and cardiovascular disease. If your gums bleed, call us for an appointment immediately.
I brush every day, but my breath is just not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
When patients suffer from bad breath, we suggest daily flossing and tongue cleaning in addition to brushing twice each day. Drinking plenty of water, eating nutritious foods, and minimizing tobacco and alcohol use may also help.
If you’re worried about bad breath, we can help by tracking down the source of your problem and suggesting specific ways of dealing with it. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.
Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
Flossing is important for several reasons. It does some of the work that your toothbrush can’t, loosening food particles in tight spaces, getting rid of plaque buildup, and stimulating your gum tissues. It’s also a good way to prevent gum disease and maintain fresh breath.
My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. Is there anything you can do to help?
Snoreguards, dental appliances that can prevent snoring, may be a solution.
During sleep, the throat relaxes, allowing anatomical structures to collapse and obstruct clear airflow. The snoreguard is a custom-fitted appliance that gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.
If you’re tired of not getting a good night’s sleep, call us. We’ll be glad to explain more about snoreguards to you or your spouse.
I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
If you find a visit to the dental office stressful, nitrous oxide may be help. Nitrous oxide is a gas that you inhale through a nose mask. It has an intoxicating effect similar to a few glasses of wine, so you can relax during treatment.
Nitrous oxide is safe and has few after effects. You can even drive after your appointment. The sedation lasts as long as the appointment and can be stopped at any time. Children can also benefit from nitrous oxide. Whatever your anxiety level, nitrous oxide can make your visit relaxed and stress free.
For a stronger option, oral sedation can relax patients more deeply, and it works especially well for longer dental treatments. Simply take a pill before you come to our office (be sure to have someone available to drive you to and from your appointment). During treatment, you will feel extremely drowsy state, and your dental work will be completed before you know it!
Please let us know if you’re fearful or anxious. We want to help.
What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Sterilization and infection control are imperative for great patient care. We have a state-of-the-art sterilization center with steam and chemical sterilization on each floor at Royal York Dental.
We also use disposable articles whenever possible, and we wear gloves and masks to minimize any risk of transmitting infection disease. We disinfect all surfaces, including counter tops, dental chairs, light handles, and cuspidors (chairside sinks) with a chemical solution designed to eliminate potentially infectious bacteria, spores, and viruses.
We’ll be glad to talk with you about our safety precautions. Please feel free to ask us if you have a concern.
Cosmetic Dentistry and Smile Makeovers
Can you show me what my smile can look like before I agree to treatment?
Yes. We’ll first talk to you about what changes you’d like to see in your smile, give you a comprehensive oral exam, and take digital images of your face and smile. Then, using computer imaging, we can electronically redesign your smile to show you how our recommendations will transform your image.
How can I safely whiten my teeth at home?
We recommend take-home whitening trays. During your visit to our office, we’ll custom-fit a comfortable trays for your mouth. Simply fill the trays with gel (flavored gel is available) and wear it while you sleep. When you wake the work is done.
The procedure takes about three weeks to complete. At the end, you’ll have a significantly whiter, brighter smile.
I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What do you recommend?
There are several ways that Dr. Joe can transform your smile’s appearance. The best choice for you may depend on several factors. We may recommend veneers, bonding, or other procedures. Please call our office for an appointment; we’d be delighted to discuss your options. We love helping people get the smile they deserve!
Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays, and partials… Where can I learn more about these procedures?
We have information about all of these procedures in our Patient Library. Our staff happily answers questions, so you can call us or bring up your questions during your dental visit.
What can a smile makeover do for me?
Smile makeovers can transform your smile, make you look younger, and increase your self image. Many patients have told us that their new smiles have literally changed their lives, making them more confident in their personal, social, and business lives.
Choosing a new smile is a very individual process, so the smile design process is important. We will assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and then begin a process that will take your smile from so-so to spectacular. We’ll take impressions of your teeth to study, and we may make a diagnostic model of your teeth to show you our suggested improvements.
The next stage of smile design is called smile analysis. We will analyze the various components of your smile—face, lips, teeth and gums—to determine the optimal enhancements for you. We may suggest veneers, whitening, crown and bridgework, or many other techniques to meet your goals.
Computer imaging allows you to see digitally enhanced images of your future smile before you agree to the makeover. The smile design process allows us to work with you as a team in the design of your new smile. We want to make your dream smile a reality!