Frequently Asked Questions

At Haas Dental Centre we are pleased to answer your questions and address you oral health concerns. Here are some questions we are asked frequently. If you would like to ask us a question that is not addressed on this page please feel free to contact us.

A question we would like to answer right off the bat as we feel it is relevant and extremely important is:


How Should You Choose a Dentist?
General cosmetic dentistry combines both technology and art to create a smile that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. When you make the decision to undergo one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, it is very important that you select a dentist who has specialized training and years of experience in your procedure of choice. You will want to be fully comfortable that your general cosmetic dentist of choice is both well-respected and trusted in the dental community as well as with past clients.

One of the first ways to start your research is by asking friends, family or your general dentist for their recommendations. Once you have gathered a list of potential dentists, visit their websites to learn more about their practice, training, and experience. Toronto general cosmetic dentist Dr. Dan Haas provides a great deal of information on this website to give clients a starting point when researching the different procedures available.

Website research should only be used as an initial source in this decision-making process.
The more important step is an actual face-to-face consultation with the general cosmetic dentist and his team. This is where clients can ask questions and get a feel for the type of care they will receive from the practice.

Questions to Ask a Cosmetic Dentist
Do not be afraid to ask hard, probing questions about the dentist's experience and ability to effectively perform the procedures you are considering.

Some questions may include:

What are the dentist's credentials?
How many years has the dentist been practicing?
Is cosmetic dentistry the focus of the practice?
What is the full array of services offered?
Can the dentist offer a variety of solutions to meet your dental needs?
What types of technology does the dentist use in different procedures?
Does the dentist offer before and after photos of past clients?
What types of techniques do the dentist and his team use to help clients relax?
What dental laboratory do they use to create dental restorations?
What are the costs associated with the procedures you are considering?
Does the office offer financing options?
How does the dentist handle dental emergencies?
Does the dentist offer follow-up care?


In cases where several dentists meet all of the technical requirements, the ultimate decision of which general cosmetic dentist to select comes down to an emotional connection. Feeling comfortable with the atmosphere of the office and the friendliness of the staff can make all the difference.

If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure, please contact our office to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Dan Haas. We are happy to introduce you to our practice, answer all of your questions and determine if you are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry.


Cosmetic and Restorative Dental Questions and Oral Health Topics:


Q: Why is cosmetic dentistry so popular?
A: Your smile is typically one of the first things other people notice about your face. People who feel comfortable smiling with confidence may project a happier, friendlier image to others. When individuals suffer from a visible dental issue such as discoloured, chipped, broken or misaligned teeth, they may avoid smiling or interacting in social situations. General cosmetic dentistry procedures can quickly and safely correct these and other problems. Many of our clients report that their enhanced smiles increase their self-confidence and allow them to take control of their personal and professional lives.

Q: Why have my teeth become discoloured over the years?
A: There are many reasons why teeth become discoloured or stained over a person's lifetime. Some of those reasons include: - Trauma or injury to the teeth
- The wear down of tooth enamel, causing the yellow-tinted dentin layer to become exposed
- Consuming staining substances, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, wine or blueberries
- Taking certain medications, such as tetracycline taken as a child
- The overabundance of fluoride use, also called fluorosis

Dr. Dan Haas offers professional in-office or at-home tooth whitening techniques to reverse tooth discolouration and provide clients with a dazzling, white smile worthy of the red carpet. Porcelain veneers are also effectively used to mask tooth discolourations.

Q: What cosmetic dentistry procedures can correct a missing tooth?
A: There are several different cosmetic dentistry procedures to correct a missing tooth:

Dental implants
Dental bridges
Removable appliances, such as dentures


Each procedure has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and it is important that the dentist and client weigh all of the options before deciding on the appropriate course of action.

Q: What cosmetic dentistry procedures can correct a chipped or broken tooth?
A: Porcelain veneers and dental bonding are two very popular ways to correct teeth that are chipped, cracked or broken. For porcelain veneers, a small amount of tooth enamel is removed from the problem tooth and a custom-made thin shell of porcelain is applied to the tooth. In dental bonding, the surface of the problem tooth is roughened to accept a covering of composite resin that is shaped and molded to look like the client's natural tooth.

In each process, the material used on the tooth is created to match the colour of the existing teeth for seamless integration. The result is a natural-looking smile.

These two processes can also correct teeth that are Narrow, Short, Misaligned, Discoloured or Oddly shaped.

Q: Is there a way to replace my ugly silver fillings?
A: Yes. Porcelain fillings have become the preferred method for filling cavities. As opposed to the old silver mercury amalgam fillings, which are unsightly, porcelain fillings are safe, durable and blend naturally with the tooth. Existing silver fillings can also be replaced with the porcelain material to allow clients to laugh heartily without embarrassment.

Q: Does sugar cause cavities?
A: Plaque forms on your teeth daily. When sugar combines with the bacteria in plaque it produces acids that damage the enamel on your teeth. Although decreasing sugar intake will help, it is impossible to avoid sugar completely as it is naturally found in many of our foods, including fruits and vegetables. In order to maintain healthy teeth and gums you must brush and floss daily using good techniques to ensure the best results.

Q: There are so many different toothbrushes. Which one should I buy?
A: The brand of the toothbrush is less important than the type of brush, and how often you brush your teeth. We recommend that you have a soft-bristle brush. This type of brush will effectively remove plaque and a soft brush will not damage your gums. We also recommend that you brush at least twice a day. The condition of your brush is also important, as when the bristles begin to bend over it is time to start using a new brush. When the bristles on your toothbrush are bent over they lose their ability to remove food and plaque. It is the tip of the bristles that clean your teeth the best.

Q: How does fluoride help my teeth?
A: Tooth enamel is hard but also has microscopic pores. Sugar combines with the bacteria in plaque, which forms on your teeth daily, to produce acids that seep into the enamel's pores. This causes the enamel to demineralize and become weak, contributing to the formation of cavities. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the natural remineralization process. This keeps your teeth strong and healthy. Fluoride also fights cavities by reducing the amount of acids that are produced by plaque.

Q: Why do my teeth feel sensitive?
A: Tooth sensitivity is often experienced when the surface of the tooth has been worn down. One of the most common reasons for adults is that the roots of the teeth are exposed because the gums are receding. This allows the effects of heat and cold to penetrate to the pulp where the nerves are located. The problem gets worse as you tend not to brush your teeth properly if they cause you pain. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity, let us know so we can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment to take care of your discomfort.

Q: Is there anything I should do before my appointment?
A: There are a few things that you should keep us informed about in order to ensure that we are most effective when treating you. Please keep us informed about:
  • Whether your teeth or gums are more sensitive to heat, cold or sweets.
  • Any changes in your gums, such as changes in colour, tenderness or bleeding when you brush or floss.
  • Whether your floss catches on rough edges of teeth that causes the floss to tear.
  • Any changes in the skin on the inside of your mouth, such as changes in colour.
  • If you clench or grind your teeth, or if your neck and jaw muscles are tense or sore.
  • Whether you have any allergies.
  • If you are pregnant.
  • Whether you are taking any medication.
  • If your medicine has changed since your last check-up.
  • Any health problems or medical condition that you are being treated for.
  • Any other changes in your general health.
Q: Does Dr. Haas take X-rays?
A: X-rays help us see problems in the early stages of development; this helps us treat problems long before they become serious. If we catch a cavity early, we may be able to treat it without even having to fill or restore the tooth. If decay is not detected soon enough, you may not know you have a problem until it is causing you some pain or discomfort. Major tooth restoration may be needed to repair a tooth if the decay has advanced enough. X-rays reveal:
  • Cavities between teeth, under the gums and around old fillings.
  • Bone loss due to periodontal disease.
  • Problems below the gums, such as long or crooked tooth roots.
Q: Are Dental X-rays safe?
A: You are already exposed to low levels of radiation from the environment on a daily basis. This is caused by natural sources of radioactive substances: in the earth, from the sun and from naturally occurring radiation in our bodies. This is commonly referred to as background radiation. The amount of radiation you receive during a single X-ray is equivalent to a few days of background radiation. In addition to the low levels of radiation used, we target the X-ray machine only at those areas we need to review in order to ensure that you have healthy teeth.

For your added safety and comfort, Haas Dental Centre uses Digital X-rays, increasing the quality of dental X-rays while lowering you exposure to X-ray radiation.

We also cover your body with a lead apron, providing you with additional protection.

Q: How common is gum disease?
A: It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a serious problem. The end result is bone loss and the loss of teeth. Even though you may brush and floss regularly, regular visits to the dentist will help detect gum disease in the early stages.

Q: What if I am already in the early stages of gum disease?
A: If you already have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is:
  • Regular cleaning in our practice.
  • Brushing twice a day.
  • Flossing once a day.
Q: Why do I have bad breath?
A: Many people suffer from bad breath; in fact, 40% of the population has problems with bad breath at some time in their lives. Some reasons for bad breath may be:
  • Poor dental hygiene.
  • Eating certain foods, such as garlic or onions.
  • Smoking.
  • Chewing Tobacco.
  • Diseases, such as cancer or diabetes.
  • Dry mouth (often called morning breath).
You can help reduce the incidence of bad breath by brushing and flossing each day to remove plaque. By avoiding certain foods you can also eliminate a lot of bad breath problems. If you wear a denture or removable partial denture, it is important to clean it thoroughly everyday and remove it at night so your mouth tissues can restore themselves daily. If a bad breath problem persists then let us know and we will try to discover what the problem is and recommend a treatment.


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