Dr. Ami Barakat

Cosmetic, General and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Archive for December, 2011

How to Get a Celebrity Smile

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Years ago, perfect smiles were only attainable by the rich and famous. If you had a large enough bank account, you can afford to have a beautiful celebrity smile. But today, advances in cosmetic dentistry technology have made a beautiful smile within your reach. There are many affordable smile makeover treatments which can help transform your smile into one befitting an A-list celebrity.

At Dentistry at Main, we offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services to achieve all of your aesthetic goals. Kanata dentist Dr. Ami Barakat will customize your treatment to address your unique needs. Depending on your goals, the Dr. Barakat may recommend a combination of the following procedures to help you achieve the celebrity smile of your dreams:

Tooth whitening – Dr. Barakat uses the PolaOffice + in-office teeth whitening system, which can brighten your teeth up to 12 shades in one office visit. If you prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, ask Dr. Barakat about the Pola Day at-home whitening system.
Porcelain veneers – Porcelain veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic dentistry treatments, and Dr. Barakat often recommends it as part of a smile makeover. Thin porcelain shells will be bonded to the front surface of your teeth to cover up any cosmetic imperfections, leaving you with a beautiful celebrity smile.
Dental bonding – Dental bonding can be applied to your teeth to help repair chips or cracks, and it is an effective method to fill in gaps between teeth.
Invisalign – Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. You’ll wear each aligner for about two weeks before moving on to the next one. Because your aligners are invisible, no one will even know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

You can easily flash your new celebrity smile with confidence after just a few short visits to our Kanata cosmetic dentistry office. At your initial consultation, Dr. Barakat will discuss these options with you in great detail before recommending the treatment course that will most effectively achieve your goals.

Please contact Dentistry at Main today to schedule your initial consultation. We serve patients in Kanata, Ottawa, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Dental Myths

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

With so many websites offering advice on the proper way to care for your teeth, distinguishing fact from myth can become a difficult task. Below are some of the most popular dental myths, along with the truth about them.

Myth: Brushing my teeth several times a day harms the tooth enamel.

Truth: This is partially true, but not a reason to refrain from brushing your teeth. While brushing twice a day will generally be sufficient, you will still experience oral hygiene benefits by brushing more frequently, such as after every meal. Make sure you use a soft toothbrush to prevent damaging your tooth enamel.

Myth: I shouldn’t brush my teeth if my gums are bleeding.

Truth: Bleeding gums are a sign that you may be developing gum disease. It is important to visit Kanata dentist Dr. Ami Barakat as soon as possible to receive treatment before your gum disease gets more serious. However, you should still continue brushing your teeth until you can see Dr. Barakat. Just make sure you use a soft or extra soft toothbrush.

Myth: I do not need to see the dentist if there is no visible problem with my teeth or if I do not have any pain in my mouth.

Truth: It is important to visit Dr. Barakat twice a year for your regularly scheduled teeth cleanings. It is common for Dr. Barakat to detect oral health problems such as cavities, infections, or gum disease at these cleanings. By coming twice a year, you ensure that these problems are treated in their early stages.

Myth: After a cavity is treated, the tooth will never decay again.

Truth: This is the goal, but it cannot be guaranteed. In order to ensure that your repaired tooth does not decay again, you will need to properly care for your tooth by brushing and flossing daily, and visiting Dr. Barakat for your regularly scheduled teeth cleanings.

Myth: It is better to treat a decaying tooth than to remove it.

Truth: The decision about whether to treat or remove a decaying tooth can only be made by an experienced dentist. Dr. Barakat will examine the condition of your tooth, and if he feels it can be restored, he will recommend the ideal dental treatment to correct the problem. However, there are some instances where it may be in your best interest to have the tooth extracted. If this is the case, Dr. Barakat will advise you accordingly.

Please contact Dentistry at Main to schedule your initial dental evaluation. We serve patients in Kanata, Ottawa, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Fixing Gaps in Teeth

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Gaps in your teeth can mar an otherwise beautiful smile. If you find that you are often embarrassed to smile due to unsightly gaps, you are not alone. At Dentistry at Main, we help many patients who wish to fix gaps in their teeth.

Our Kanata dentists offer several cosmetic dentistry solutions that can help you eliminate gaps in your teeth:

Dental bonding is an effective method to repair a gap in your teeth. Dr. Barakat will apply a composite material to your tooth to reshape it. A special light will then be used to bond the material to your teeth. With dental bonding, Dr. Barakat can eliminate the gaps to your teeth in just one short visit to our Kanata dental office.

Porcelain veneers can also be used get rid of the gaps in your teeth. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain which get bonded to the front surface of your teeth to cover up any cosmetic issues you may have. In just two office visits, Dr. Barakat can complete your porcelain veneers treatment, eliminating the gap in your smile once and for all.

If you have the patience to undergo orthodontic treatment, Dr. Barakat may recommend Invisalign as the ideal solution to fix the gaps in your teeth. Invisalign uses a set of clear retainers which will gradually move your teeth to their desired position. You will wear each aligner for approximately two weeks before moving to the next one in the set. Invisalign offers several benefits compared to traditional orthodontics:

Clear aligners will not be noticed by others
Aligners are removable, promoting better oral hygiene and allowing you to eat your favorite foods
Custom-made aligners will not irritate your teeth and gums like traditional braces

At your initial consultation, Dr. Barakat will discuss all of these options with you in detail and recommend the ideal cosmetic dentistry solution to address your needs.

Please contact Dentistry at Main today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Barakat serves patients in Kanata, Ottawa, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Correcting Bad Dental Work

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Quality dental work offers you many benefits. It can improve your oral health, restore function to your bite, and boost your confidence in your smile. But when you receive bad dental work, it often has the opposite effect. You may experience pain, the functionality of your bite may suffer, and you may feel embarrassed by the appearance of your smile.

At Dentistry at Main, our Kanata dentists have the skills and experience to get your dental work right the first time, and we can fix poor dental work that’s already been done.

The best way to avoid receiving bad dental work is to choose a cosmetic dentist who has the skills and experience to deliver the exceptional results you deserve. When researching potential dentists, make sure to evaluate their training and qualifications, view before and after photos of actual patient results, and ask for the names of a few patients who can serve as referrals. You should also make sure your dentist uses the most advanced technology available.

Unfortunately, if you have already received bad dental work, this advice may be too little, too late. However, you still have options. Our Kanata dentists have extensive experience performing a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry procedures, and we can help you correct any problems caused by a poorly performed procedure.

At your initial consultation, Dr. Ami Barakat will evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums before recommending the ideal general or cosmetic dentistry treatments necessary to correct the bad dental work you received.