Dr. Ami Barakat

Cosmetic, General and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Archive for January, 2011

Choosing the Right Dentist for Porcelain Veneers

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Ready to choose a cosmetic dentist but overwhelmed with so many choices? Evaluating the services, training and education of a cosmetic dentist will help you determine who is best qualified to suit your needs.

Training, Education and Technology

Your cosmetic dentist’s training is one of the most important factors. His or her educational background should go far beyond any minimums required to obtain a dental license. You see, every dentist must complete a graduate program at an accredited dental school, but not every dentist is passionate about cosmetic dentistry. In fact, many general dentists believe they have completed their training once graduation has taken place.

What should you ask about? Unusual cases faced during residency, advanced training in  cosmetic  and neuromuscular dentistry, number of patients treated using the same procedures recommended for you…these are just a few of the questions to help you evaluate your cosmetic dentist.

You may also wish to view the dentist’s Before & After Gallery, to learn more about the results you can expect to achieve.

Ask also about the types of technology being used. Some of today’s best cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry treatments include:

  • CEREC machine, for creating dental restorations in one office visit
  • Digital x-rays, offering panoramic views and less exposure to radiation
  • Soft tissue lasers for gum recontouring and periodontal treatments.
  • TENs machine and K7 technology for treating TMJ/TMD

Ottawa cosmetic dentist Dr. Ami Barakat offers general, cosmetic and neuromuscular dental treatments designed for your comfort and safety, as well as incredible results.

To learn more about Dr. Barakat or to schedule a consultation, please contact Dentistry @ Main, serving Stittsville, Ottawa, and Kanata in Ontario.


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Dental Hygiene and Porcelain Veneers

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Porcelain veneers are a great solution to dental imperfections. Many Hollywood stars and other public figures seen flashing brilliant smiles probably weren’t blessed with perfect teeth.  Those pearly whites are likely porcelain veneers, combined with other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin coverings for the visible surfaces of your front teeth.  Although porcelain veneers resist staining, and can hide flaws like chips and teeth misalignment, having veneers will not prevent tooth decay. This is a common misconception, and may prevent you from taking good care of your teeth. Even with porcelain veneers, brushing and flossing regularly is a must.  The spaces in between your teeth, behind your teeth and along your back teeth are your natural enamel that porcelain veneers won’t cover. These areas are susceptible to plaque development and tooth decay.

Don’t forget to visit your cosmetic dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning too.

Once porcelain veneers have been applied to your teeth, you will be pleasantly surprised about how natural and comfortable they feel. You should know that porcelain veneers are not indestructible, though. Protect your investment in your beautiful smile by avoiding hard foods and overly sticky foods. Rather than biting into a whole apple, slice the apple before eating. Avoid, or stop, bad habits, such as chewing your fingernails, biting the ends of pencils, or grinding your teeth. If night time teeth grinding is a problem, Dr. Barakat can discuss the value of a custom-fitted night guard.

Please contact our Ottawa general dentist today to learn more about caring for your teeth, at Dentistry @ Main, serving Ottawa, Stittsville, and Kanata, Ontario.

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Teeth Whitening and Porcelain Veneers

Friday, January 7th, 2011

Are your teeth discolored after years of smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages and wine, and eating berries or other tooth-staining foods?  If so, you may have discovered over-the-counter tooth whitening products won’t give you the dazzling white smile you dream of.

What can you do?

PolaOffice In-Office Whitening

In-office teeth whitening administrated by a dental professional offers excellent results. At Dentistry @ Main, Dr. Ami Barakat uses the PolaOffice + in-office teeth whitening system, a simple procedure that can be completed on your lunch hour.

The patented PolaOffice + gel combination brightens teeth surfaces for about fifteen minutes. Over a one-hour period, this process is repeated three times. The PolaOffice + system ensures whiter teeth…perhaps eight to twelve shades brighter than your pre-whitened teeth.

PolaDay At-Home Whitening

Many patients appreciate in-office teeth whitening because of the immediate results. However, some patients still prefer the at-home teeth whitening method. For these patients, Dr. Barakat offers PolaDay at-home whitening treatments which use a tray whitening system. Trays are created from impressions of your upper and lower teeth. A small amount of gel is added to the trays and worn for the prescribed amount of time. Dr. Barakat may recommend a higher or lower concentration of whitening gel to achieve your best results.

Which teeth whitening system is right for you? A thorough consultation with Dr. Ami Barakat is the only way to know.

Please contact Dentistry @ Main today to discuss your tooth whitening needs. We create whiter smiles for the communities of Stittsville, Ottawa, and Kanata, Ontario.

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