The Complete Invisalign Process

No matter what your age, you’re never too old to consider getting braces. If you don’t have the straight smile you want you can easily have it just by opting for orthodontic treatment. With all the wonderful advancements to orthodontics over the years, we are now happy to offer discreet ways to straighten your teeth without anyone else noticing. One example is Invisalign, a clear set of removable aligners that slowly reposition your teeth to get the smile you’ve always wanted. If you are weighing the pros and cons of getting Invisalign in North York, ON then find out what this treatment will entail.  Step 1: Dental Consultation You will need to have a thorough exam and consultation with Kaydental before you can get Invisalign. After all, we want to make sure that your treatment goals can be achieved through this specific type of orthodontic treatment. Not all alignment and dental issues can be corrected with Invisalign. We will run X-rays and determine whether Invisalign is right for you. Then we will map out your treatment plan and take impressions of your teeth to send to the Invisalign lab.  Step 2: Invisalign Fitting Once the lab is finished custom-designing your aligners, they will send your entire treatment packet to us at Kaydental. Then you will come into the office to have your first set of aligners placed on your teeth and to check the fit.  Step 3: Aligners You will wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours out of the day and each aligner is worn for about two weeks. You can remove your Invisalign aligners; however, you only want to do this when you eat and when you brush and floss. The longer you leave your aligners off the longer your treatment will be.  Step 4: Regular Dental Visits You will continue to see your North York, ON dentist very four to six weeks to make sure that your treatment is progressing as it should and that everything looks healthy.  Step 5: Retainers With every new aligner that you put on you will start to notice a gradual difference in the position of your teeth. Most Invisalign treatment takes about a year; however, this fluctuates depending on the severity of your case. Once your treatment process is up, you can remove your Invisalign aligners and start wearing a retainer to help maintain your new smile (your North York, ON dentist will give you specific instructions for wearing your retainers after treatment).  Call Kaydental Today! Interested in getting Invisalign? Then call Kaydental, your North York, ON dentist, today to schedule an orthodontic consultation. By conducting a thorough exam we can easily determine whether Invisalign is right for you. Call us to book your next visit with us.

How Tobacco Use Can Screw Up Your Smile

Who wouldn't want the brightest and healthiest smile possible? The obvious answer is "Nobody." Yet, many people subject their teeth, gums, tongue and other parts of their mouths to the hazards of tobacco use. Whether smoking cigarettes or chewing it, tobacco use can really damage your smile. What cigarette smoke does to the mouth  The list of the adverse effects of cigarette smoking is long. Most are well-known but bear repeating. An experienced dentist will often detect the following problems when looking into the oral cavity of a smoker: Staining. Smokers have a generalized discoloration of their teeth with dark brown stains particularly noticeable on the front teeth where cigarettes are held. If someone stops smoking, this may be reversed with dental cleaning, whitening and diligent at-home hygiene. Halitosis (bad breath). Increased build-up of plaque and tartar. Everyone deals with plaque and tartar, but this increases for people who smoke cigarettes. The Canadian Dental Association has stated that this build-up leads to more cavities and gum disease. Tooth loss can soon follow. Tooth sensitivity. Teeth become sensitive to both hot and cold beverages and food as gums recede and roots become exposed. Oral cancer. Cancer can disfigure and even kill the person who is diagnosed with cancerous lesions in her/his mouth. Congenital defects. If a woman smokes while pregnant, research shows an increased risk of cleft lip and palate for her baby. What chewing tobacco does to the mouth  Even chewing tobacco can ruin a user's smile. The most obvious problem is extensive staining of tooth enamel and uneven wearing down of the teeth. In addition, many people do not realize that tobacco has a high sugar content, and therefore contributes to tooth decay. Lastly, oral cancers have been directly linked to chewing tobacco. Leukoplakia, a precancerous oral lesion, is also caused by long-term use of chewing of tobacco. The American Cancer Society says that 3 out of 4 users of tobacco have leukoplakia.  What to do about tobacco and your oral health  The simple answer is to stop abusing tobacco products in every form. Of course, many individuals would love to shake their cigarette or tobacco chewing habit but the nicotine in tobacco is incredibly addicting. Physicians and dentists alike recommend one-on-one tobacco cessation treatment and group support during the process of quitting as the best way to succeed.  Kaydental offers a wide range of dental services.  Drs. Stephen M. Kay and Melvyn A. Kay of Kay Dental in the North York and Toronto, Ontario area want to help you reach the goal of an attractive and healthy smile. They will examine your teeth and gums, discuss the concerns you have about your dental and overall health and formulate a plan of care and treatment for the best teeth and gums possible, including recommendations and support to help you quit your use of tobacco.

Nightguards for Bruxism | Protect Your Teeth From Wear

You probably do a lot of things while you’re sleeping that you’re not aware of, such as talking in your sleep and snoring—some people have even been known to send text messages! One common problem that often happens while sleeping is called bruxism. It’s an issue that can cause a wide variety of dental problems, but luckily it’s one that is easily resolved by a dentist. Learn more about bruxism and the treatments available at Kaydental, a popular dental office in North York, ON. What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the habit of grinding the teeth back and forth or clenching them so tightly that it affects your bite, jaw or the condition of your tooth enamel. Many people don’t realize they have this problem until they start to have dental problems or notice unexplained headaches when they wake up. This is another reason why it’s so important to get a dental checkup regularly because your North York, ON, dentist will recognize the effects of bruxism early on—before it causes major damage to your teeth. Benefits of Nightguards Severe bruxism is an issue that can usually be resolved with a night guard. This is a plastic device that you put in your mouth before you go to sleep. It keeps your teeth separate while sleeping so that you can’t grind or clench them together. Over time, you may lose the urge to grind your teeth because they’re being trained to rest in a healthy position while you’re asleep. Getting a Custom Nightguard A nightguard is made of a durable plastic material that is hard, yet malleable. It’s designed to fit comfortably over your upper or lower row of teeth and looks similar to a plastic retainer. The dentist takes a dental mold of your teeth so that the nightguard can be properly shaped for your mouth. It may be slightly modified by the dentist to ensure a good fit. Protection for Your Teeth If you struggle with bruxism, relief is available in the form of a custom nightguard from your North York, ON, dentist. Call Kaydental at (416) 223-2151 today to request an appointment to discuss your problem with tooth grinding or clenching.