FAQ's
Answers to all your cosmetic dentristy and general dental questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cosmetic dentistry right for me? Do I need dental implants? I am nervous at the dentist. Ask Dr. Vaida your questions!
My child lost a tooth too early. What happens then?
Can I get a "mouthguard" at Altitude Dental if I play sports?
Why does Coquitlam’s Altitude Dental Clinic Use Composite Fillings?
What are Composite Dental Fillings? Composite fillings are created using a combination of plastic and very fine glass particles. Altitude Dental in Coquitlam uses composite resin fillings in our family dental care practice. The mixture used to create the composite…
Are dental X-rays safe for me, and why does Altitude Dental take them?
What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?
How do fillings fix a cavity?
A cavity is like a little hole in your tooth. When we put in a filling, we clean out that hole and then fill it with a special material. This makes your tooth strong again and stops the cavity from getting bigger.
Can Altitude Dental treat bad breath?
What is Conscious Oral Sedation?
Dr. Vaida, of Altitude Dental in Coquitlam, is an oral sedation dentist as part of his practice. If you struggle with anxiety or phobias to avoid the dentist, or if you experience pain or discomfort when the dentist works on your teeth, then oral sedation dentistry…
What is Mercury-Free Dentistry?
Mercury-free dentistry is when a dental clinic has chosen to take precautionary steps to eliminate the use of mercury in its practice. Health and environmental issues, and advances in technology, have given us the information and the ability to remove the use of…
What is an Onlay or Inlay?
Coquitlam’s Altitude Dental specializes in Tooth Restoration A dental onlay or inlay looks like a filling but it is created in a laboratory. At Altitude Dental in Coquitlam, we work on tooth restoration that best fits your specific needs. An only or inlay is used for…
Are you looking for a dentist for your children?
Oral health for kids is important and it is also important to start from an early age. Dr. Vaida of Coquitlam’s Altitude Dental specializes in working with children and families. Whether you are looking for a baby dentist or a dentist for children, starting your…
What does Root Canal Surgery or Therapy involve?
Root canal surgery is required when we need to repair the damaged nerve of a tooth by removing nerves from the inner core of the tooth (the pulp chamber) and refilling the tooth to prevent bacteria from re-infecting the tooth. Altitude Dental has experience with root…
What's the best way to brush my teeth?
Can my diet affect my teeth?
Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss my teeth?
Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gum disease. It occurs most often when you aren’t removing the plaque on your teeth often enough, by not brushing and flossing regularly. If you are brushing and flossing daily and you still notice that your gums are…
What should I do if my crown or bridge comes off?
Occasionally a crown or a bridge will come off. There a few common causes why this happens. Decay that has gone under the gum line and then has worked its way up inside the crown or the bridge, removing the solid tooth structure that held the restoration on. The…
Cosmetic Dentistry: What is the best teeth whitening process for your teeth?
Teeth whitening is a common procedure – there are many different processes to use for whitening your teeth. Make sure to ask a dentist if your teeth (especially if you have crowns, fillings, implants, some veneers, etc.) are good candidates for teeth whitening –…
How long do fillings last?
The life of a filling depends upon your at home oral health routine and your oral habits. If you are a clencher or a grinder, you can easily damage a filling from the amount of force being placed repeatedly on the tooth. (By the way, many people don’t recognize that…
How can parents help prevent tooth decay in their children’s mouth?
Oral health for kids is important and it is also important to start from an early age. Dr. Vaida of Coquitlam’s Altitude Dental specializes in working with children and families. Whether you are looking for a baby dentist or a dentist for children, starting your…
At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six-months-old and no later than one-year-old. A good indicator is when you start to see your child’s first teeth coming in. All of this however, depends on your child. Some…
My gums are bleeding when I brush or floss my teeth
Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gum disease. It occurs most often when you aren’t removing the plaque on your teeth often enough, by not brushing and flossing regularly. If you are brushing and flossing daily and you still notice that your gums are…
How safe are dental X-rays?
The advancement in technology and the introduction of digital x-rays have decreased the amount of x-ray exposure in dentistry. Our modern digital x-ray systems allow us to minimize the amount of radiation as well as increase the ability for our patients to see their…
I am very nervous about getting my treatment done. What can you do to help?
Dr. Daniel Vaida is an experienced oral sedation dentist and oral conscious sedation can be used for nearly any procedure that makes a person feel anxious and nervous. Oral conscious sedation is primarily used for procedures such as a root canal, extractions or…
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Getting a tooth knocked out can happen in an accident or sports injury – or in some other way. If a permanent tooth is knocked out then there is a small window of opportunity to save the tooth. Placing a tooth back in the socket within the first 30 minutes gives it…
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease is commonly known as gum disease. 75% of adults will have a form of periodontal disease during their lifetime. Periodontal disease has different stages from mild (gingivitis) to severe (periodontitis). Periodontal disease has been linked to serious…
What is Plaque and Calculus?
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth. It develops when food debris and saliva mix with the bacteria in your mouth. Plaque is always present in the mouth. Regular brushing and flossing keeps plaque at a minimum. When left too long on the teeth, plaque…
Why do I need to have oral health services, such as dental exams and hygiene cleanings?
Brushing, flossing and the use of mouth rinse at home helps to maintain your dental health but it doesn’t take the place of the more in-depth cleaning that we are able to perform during your hygiene visits. At home you are able to maintain the removal of soft plaque…
What is a Digital Radiograph or Dental X-Ray?
A digital radiograph or dental x-ray system uses a sensor to digitally transfer your teeth image to a computer. The advantage is the immediate transfer and accessibility of images by Altitude Dental. This allows us to use those images immediately in planning your…
What happens at a dental hygiene appointment?
Scaling and Root Planing The first step is scaling and root planing. Your dental hygiene appointment is most often spent on scaling and root planing. Your dental hygienist will manually remove any soft (plaque) or hard (calculus) buildup that has accumulated above…
Why is Oral Health Important for Overall Health?
Your teeth need to last your lifetime: they work hard each and every day – they need to be strong and healthy and look good. Ensuring that your mouth, gums and teeth are healthy and well maintained, helps you to ensure the overall health of your body. In fact, your…