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Questions & Answers
Dentistry and Dental Services:
Cost, Payment Options, Dental Insurance:
Booking an Appointment
During the Appointment:
About the Office:
Dentistry and Dental
Services:
What is
a prosthodontist? How are you different from other types of
dentists?
Prosthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that involves
both restoring natural teeth and inserting natural-looking
artificial teeth where appropriate. Common prosthodontic services
include the placement of bridges, crowns, caps, porcelain
veneers and implant-supported bridgework.
Prosthodontists must complete an additional three years of
studies and clinical work on top of the four years of schooling
required for general dentistry. There are only 180 prosthodontists
in all of Canada.
My plastic surgeon
told me I should see a prosthodontist before I have any surgery
done on my face. Why?
Prosthodontic treatments, such as mouth reconstruction, dentures
and implants, can dramatically improve the shape and musculature
of your face. Patients sometimes find they no longer require
facial plastic surgery after they have received prosthodontic
treatment. Even if plastic surgery is still something you
eventually wish to pursue, it is better to have the dental
work done first to provide the best starting point for the
plastic surgeon.
What do you
think of those tooth whitening products you can buy at the
drug store? Do they work?
You should always consult with a dentist before using an off-the-shelf
whitening product of any kind. These products can be helpful
in certain cases but they can also cause harm to your teeth
if not used properly or if over-used. For example, people
with crooked teeth, crowded teeth, large tooth-colored fillings,
teeth with uneven color or teeth with thin enamel are not
good candidates for these products.
At Forest Hill Prosthodontists, we offer a variety of whitening
treatments (both customized services and off-the-shelf products)
and we would be happy to recommend one, if appropriate, after
a consultation with you. Ask about our one-appointment whitening
service using technology from BriteSmile.
Cost, Payment Options, Dental Insurance:
How much does
it cost for a prosthodontic treatment?
The short answer, of course, is that it depends. Prices can
vary dramatically depending on the type and scope of dental
treatment required. As a general rule of thumb, however, you
can plan to pay $60 for the initial assessment and between
$160 and $300 for the treatment planning, photos, x-rays and
record taking. After that, we sit down and present you with
a written copy of the proposed treatment plan and all associated
costs. You will always be made aware of costs before treatment
begins.
Do you offer any
payment plans? What forms of payment do you accept?
Two weeks prior to the first treatment, we ask for a deposit
on the total estimated amount. This deposit will vary from
10% to 50% of the total amount, depending on the treatment.
The remainder is then billed at various points during the
treatment, depending on the length of the treatment.
We accept payment by cash, Interac, personal cheque, Visa,
Mastercard and American Express. Another option is described
in our link to Benecaid.
Does OHIP cover prosthodontic
treatments?
No, OHIP does not cover any portion of prosthodontic or dental
treatments.
Does my health
insurance cover prosthodontic treatments?
If you have dental insurance, we submit a proposal called
a predetermination to your insurance carrier. They will then
report their payment contribution to you.
For more information about purchasing additional health insurance,
please visit Benecaid.
Booking an Appointment:
How long does
it take to get an appointment?
We are generally able to see new patients within 3 - 6 weeks.
What if I have
an emergency?
Our patients' dental health is our top priority. During regular
office hours, we will accommodate our patients' emergency
situations as quickly as possible. Should your emergency arise
outside of regular office hours, we have an answering service
that is available around the clock every day of the year.
One of our dentists will be paged and will respond personally
to your situation. Late night calls will be answered the next
morning.
Can I request
a specific dentist?
Yes, you can request to see a specific dentist in our office.
Otherwise, we will book you with the dentist who has the next
available opening.
I don't live in
Ontario. Can you still treat me?
Yes. Our reputation for excellent dental treatment attracts
patients from across Canada, the United States and even the
world. No matter where you live, we would be happy to discuss
a treatment plan with you.
Do you treat
children?
No, prosthodontic treatments are not suitable for children
and adolescents whose teeth and bone structure are still growing.
If you feel your child requires special dental care, we can
provide a recommendation to a different type of dental professional.
During the Appointment:
Do the treatments
hurt? Will I be in a lot of pain?
Everyone's pain threshold is different, but generally speaking,
prosthodontic treatment is easily managed. We administer local
anesthetic or mild sedatives when appropriate and most patients
find this is more than adequate.
Everyone on our staff collaborates to create as warm and
comfortable an environment as possible for you during your
treatment. We have found that even something as simple as
a staff member holding your hand during a procedure can make
a big difference in your experience [Read
our testimonials]. You are also welcome to bring portable
music players to help ease your mind while work is being done.
About the Office:
What are your office
hours?
Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm,
Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The phones are answered
from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Where can I find parking near your office?
You will find a list of convenient parking locations on the
Contact Us page.
I'm in a wheelchair.
Is your office wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our office is fully wheelchair accessible.
Do you offer
service in any languages besides English?
Our staff members speak a variety of languages in addition
to English including Italian, Russian, and Hebrew.
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