Additional Dental Services in Hamilton
Zoom in-office and take-home teeth whitening, sleep-apnea appliances, mouthguards, night guards, and TMJ care.
Beyond our core services, we offer a range of supportive treatments. This page covers our whitening options (Zoom in-office and custom take-home trays), sleep-apnea appliances, athletic mouthguards, night guards for grinding, TMJ care, and oral cancer screening.
- Zoom In-Office Whitening
- Take-Home Whitening Trays
- Sleep Apnea Appliances
- Anti-Snoring Appliances
- Athletic Mouthguards
- Night Guards (Bruxism)
- TMJ Care
- Oral Cancer Screening
Additional Services Offered
Zoom in-office whitening can lift your shade by 4 to 8 shades in a single 90-minute appointment. A professional-strength gel is activated by a special light over three or four short cycles. Perfect before a wedding, photoshoot, or any big event.
Custom take-home whitening trays use lower-concentration gel and let you whiten gradually at home over 1 to 2 weeks. You keep the trays for life, top up with new gel any time. Many patients use Zoom for the initial result and take-home trays for touch-ups.
Sleep-apnea appliances are custom oral appliances that hold the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep to keep the airway open. They are an alternative to CPAP for many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring, and a backup for CPAP intolerance.
We also make custom athletic mouthguards, night guards for bruxism, and treat TMJ concerns with bite assessments and conservative therapy.
What to expect
- Discussion of concerns. We listen to what's going on and ask the right questions.
- Targeted examination. Clinical exam, plus digital scans, X-rays, or impressions if useful.
- Diagnosis and your options. We discuss the diagnosis with you, walk through your options, and explain which treatment we recommend and why.
- Follow-up. We follow up to make sure the treatment we recommended worked well and that you're happy with the result.
TMJ assessment, our approach
Most jaw pain we see is muscular, not joint-related, and it responds well to conservative care. We start with a bite analysis, a stress and habit conversation (people clench at their desks during work, at the gym during heavy lifts, and while sleeping during stressful weeks), and a custom night guard if the wear pattern on your teeth suggests grinding. We avoid irreversible bite adjustment or aggressive appliances as a first step. They are not reversible if the diagnosis is wrong, and the diagnosis is wrong more often than you might expect. Patients who do not improve in six to eight weeks of conservative care get a referral to a physiotherapist with TMJ training, and a small minority go on to a TMJ specialist.
Sleep apnea oral appliances, when and how
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, an oral appliance that holds the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep can be as effective as CPAP and is far easier to live with for patients who cannot tolerate the mask. We do not diagnose sleep apnea ourselves. You need a sleep study (home or in-lab) and a referral or recommendation from your physician or sleep specialist before we make the appliance. Most plans cover oral appliances when prescribed for diagnosed apnea, and we provide direct insurance billing if applicable. We adjust the protrusion in small steps over the first two months and re-check with a follow-up sleep study at the six-month mark.
Whitening, the boring honest version
Professional whitening works on natural enamel. It does not work on crowns, veneers, or old fillings, which keep the colour they were the day they were placed. Most patients see four to eight shades of improvement after one Zoom session. If your front teeth have visible old fillings, plan to replace those after whitening so they match the new shade. We will tell you this at the consultation rather than after the bleaching is done. See our teeth whitening page for the full breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much whiter will my teeth get with Zoom in-office whitening?
Most patients see 4 to 8 shades of improvement after one Zoom session.
Zoom or take-home whitening, which is better?
Zoom is faster and more dramatic. Take-home trays are gradual and easier to control sensitivity. Many patients combine both.
Will whitening damage my teeth?
When done under dental supervision, professional whitening is safe and doesn't damage enamel. Mild temporary sensitivity is the most common side effect.
Can a dental appliance really help with sleep apnea?
For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea appliances or chronic snoring, yes. We work with your sleep physician on diagnosis and follow-up.
How long does a custom night guard last?
A well-made night guard typically lasts 3 to 5 years. We adjust the fit as needed.
Are mouthguards really necessary for sports?
Yes, for any contact or fast-paced sport. A custom mouthguard fits far better than a boil-and-bite version and protects against concussion as well as broken teeth.
What can I do about jaw pain?
We assess your bite, jaw joint, and habits, and start with conservative options like a night guard, posture changes, and physiotherapy.
Do you do oral cancer screenings?
Yes, every checkup includes one at no extra charge.