FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

DENTAL CLINIC

DOES THE CLINIC HOURS FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?

Your dental appointment should work around your schedule; taking off work or school for dental services shouldn't be the only option.  LifeSmiles Dental Corp is open when you need them, 6 days a week including early mornings and late evenings.

 

HOW FAR IS THE DENTAL CLINIC?

Does location really matter? Of course! The location can change your appointment from a one hour turn-over-time to a three hour trip. Especially if you have to consider buses, rush hour traffic, or if you're traveling with kids. LifeSmiles Dental has 6 convenient locations across Manitoba, with multiple clinics in Winnipeg. 

 

HAVE YOU CHECKED THEIR REVIEWS?

Always, always, always check a dentists online reviews! Reviews are a reliable source and will provide intel on how the clinic is operated. Google My Business, Facebook Reviews, and Yelp are great sources. 

 

DO THEY PRACTICE PAIN-FREE DENTISTRY?

LifeSmiles Dental Corp offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation to manage your pain and stress levels or you can go the traditional route of local anesthetic and still feel no pain. When you visit our clinic, please mention if you suffer from anxiety or are generally nervous about dental procedures. We will come up with the best plan of action, to make you feel the most comfortable. 

 

HOW DOES THE DENTAL CLINIC HANDLE INSURANCE?

Financial surprises aren't fun; a dentist or administrator being vague about fees or the insurance process is a reg flag. Don't continue with services until you know the full breakdown of costs. 

​

Before we start a procedure at Lifesmiles Dental, we will provide a cost-estimate of service(s) so you have idea of the approximate total for the treatment. LifeSmiles is happy to contact your insurance provider on your behalf once we have a treatment plan to see what your coverage is. This way we can submit your claim to your insurance company immediately.

​

Sometimes, if this information isn't readily available, you'll have the choice of either delaying treatment until we have 100% of the information or beginning treatment right away on a pay-as-you-go basis.​

 

In order to make this decision easier, a LifeSmiles Treatment Coordinator will be happy to go over your insurance coverage and give you a better idea the best payment approach. Please contact us for more information.

 

WHAT IF YOUR INSURANCE DOESN’T COVER THE DENTAL WORK YOU NEED?

Dentists should have alternate financing options. LifeSmiles has several different interest-free payment plans to make it easier for you to get your dental work done when you need it.

 

DOES THE DETNAL CLINIC HAVE AMPLE FREE PARKING?

Parking shouldn't be an additional cost. LifeSmiles Dental offers free parking at our various locations. Most of our locations are near major bus routes as well. 

 

DO THEY EXPLAIN YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HOW IT WORKS TO YOU, OR DO YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEM?

LifeSmiles has a dedicated treatment coordinator to help you understand your insurance, including what it covers and how it works.

 

CAN THEIR DENTISTS FIT EMERGENCY PATIENTS IN IF YOU CHIP A TOOTH, LOSE A FILLING, HAVE SEVERE PAIN, ETC.?

If a clinic only has 1 or 2 dentists, they will have trouble fitting in a real dental emergency or urgent care service. LifeSmiles has 5 dentists on staff and can usually handle your situation that same day. 

 

DO YOU HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO GET MUCH OF YOUR DENTAL WORK DONE?

Image this: you find a dentist nearby and half way into your treatment plan, you find out most of the dental services are outsourced. Bummer, right? Always ask the clinic what services they provides in-house and what they outsource.

 

LifeSmiles Dental has a full team of dentists; each provide their own expertise. This allows us to perform almost all oral health procedures on-site. Together, we bring over 50 years of experience in dental care.

 

DO THE DENTIST'S SUPPORT STAFF SHOW SINCERE CARE FOR YOUR COMFORT AND WELLBEING?

During dental appointments you will spend time with support staff; their skills and attitude can greatly affect your experience. Make sure you feel cared for by all staff members. 

 

At LifeSmiles, our support staff will make your visit as comfortable as possible.

 

ASK ABOUT THEIR TECHNOLOGY

Dental equipment and technology is always evolving, don't be shy to ask how advanced their clinic is.

 

For example, LifeSmile's newly installed digital X-ray reduces radiation! We are one of the first offices in South Winnipeg to offer this service. We even offer state-of-the-art sterilization practices and laser whitening dentistry. These perks aren't available at every clinic, so it's always best to double check. 

​

VENEERS

WHAT ARE VENEERS?

Veneers are a shell or layer of tooth-coloured material that is placed over the facial surfaces of your teeth. They are used to correct the appearance of worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, tooth discolouration, and chips and cracks.

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VENEERS?

Veneers are durable, provide protection for the surface of the teeth, and improve the appearance of your smile.

 

WHY CHOOSE A DENTAL CROWN?

Crowns offer an ideal way to rebuild teeth that are broken or weakened by decay. The crown fits over the remaining part of the tooth, strengthening it and providing the shape and contour of a natural tooth.

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?

Having questions about a dental procedure is completely normal. At LifeSmiles Dental we believe in transparency and education, so we've compiled a list of the most common questions about oral health.

 

If your question isn't answered from our FAQ's, don't hesitate to contact one of our clinics. We're always happy to help! 

 

IMPLANTS

DO IMPLANTS REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL CARE OR MAINTENANCE?

Implants do not require any special care beyond what is recommended for natural teeth. If you brush and floss regularly and return for regular checkups your implants should provide many years of service.

 

HOW LONG WILL MY DENTAL IMPLANTS LAST?

Just as natural teeth require proper care and hygiene to remain healthy, the life span of dental implants also depends upon the quality of care they receive at home and at the dental office. With oral hygiene and a competent dental practitioner, your new implants could last for the rest of your life.

 

WILL MY DENTAL INSURANCE PAY FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?

While some dental insurance plans provide complete coverage for dental implant procedures, others pay nothing, and some pay only a portion of the cost. Please check with your insurance provider to see if dental implants are covered by your plan.

​

KIDS DENTAL

ARE BABY TEETH REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, not only allow a child to speak clearly and chew naturally, they also create a path for the permanent teeth to erupt when the time comes. So yes, baby teeth are very important.

 

CAN PACIFIERS AND THUMB SUCKING HARM MY CHILD’S TEETH?

Thumb sucking and pacifiers become problematic only if the practice goes on for an extended period of time. Most children grow out of these behaviours on their own, but if your child is still sucking their thumb after the age of 3 you might want to ask your dentist to recommend a mouth appliance.

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD HAS A TOOTHACHE?

Anyone who is suffering from a toothache should see a dentist as soon as possible. If your child is experiencing pain after office hours or at night you can rinse the affected area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face. Administer acetaminophen for pain and consult a dentist as soon as you can.

 

ORAL HYGIENE 

WHAT IS GOOD ORAL HYGIENE?

Proper oral hygiene consists of daily brushing and flossing of the teeth and cleaning the gums and tongue, combined with annual checkups performed by your dentist.

​

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOOD ORAL HYGIENE?

Practicing good oral hygiene not only helps you to avoid tooth decay, bleeding gums and oral infections but also can provide general health benefits. Especially for those who have risk factors, such as diabetes or heart problems.

 

CAN DIET AFFECT MY TEETH?

Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, and choose foods such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables instead.

​

SEDATION DENTISTRY 

WHAT IS SEDATION DENTISTRY?

Sedation dentistry uses a combination of techniques to relax the patient, providing safety and comfort while dental procedures are performed. Pain and discomfort are minimized or nonexistent and many patients will fall asleep or retain no memory of the procedure.

 

IS SEDATION DENTISTRY SAFE?

Before starting any treatment we will review your medical history and we will monitor you closely while you are under sedation.

 

DOES SEDATION DENTISTRY HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Most patients experience dry mouth while under sedation, and a few develop hiccups, but even if you exhibit these effects, you will not remember them.

​

COSMETIC DENTISTRY 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

A beautiful smile is a wonderful asset. It’s hard to feel confident when your smile is unattractive. Cosmetic dentistry can give you a smile that not only looks great but is healthy and functions better. Change your smile and change your life.

 

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF COSMETIC DENTAL PROCEDURES?

Cosmetic dentistry is an umbrella term for a variety of dental procedures, including teeth whitening and straightening, teeth replacement, veneers and laminates.

 

IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY EXPENSIVE?

Like everything else, the cost of cosmetic dentistry depends on the products and services you want or need. Some insurances even offer coverage. Talk to your dentist to decide on treatments and payment options that are right for you.