Dentist near Cliffside, Scarborough

Cliffside and Dental Care For You

Cliffside stretches along the Scarborough Bluffs between Kennedy Road and Brimley Road, from the lakeshore up to St. Clair Avenue East. Much of it was built as a suburban subdivision in the early 1950s, and many of those post-war bungalows and two-storey homes are now home to the second or third family to live there. Its parks include Scarborough Crescent Park, Scarborough Heights Park, Midland Ravine and the eastern part of Bluffer’s Park.

Our office is just west of Cliffside on Danforth Avenue near Warden, in Unit 107 of the building known locally as Terrace on Danforth. It is about 3 km from central Cliffside, with parking behind the building and step-free access.

How Cliffside patients get here

• By TTC: the 20 Cliffside bus links Cliffside with Main Street and Kennedy stations and runs close to the office. Use the TTC trip planner for current times from your stop.
• By car: about 3 km, usually a few minutes outside rush hour. Park behind the building.
• From Scarborough GO: the GO station on St. Clair Avenue East is about 3 km from the office, a short drive or bus connection.

Care Cliffside residents book most

Cliffside has many long-time homeowners as well as young families who have moved in more recently. The visits we see most often from this side of Scarborough are:

• Dentures and partials, new or replacing old ones that no longer fit, plus relines and repairs. Our dental care for seniors page explains how we plan longer visits.
• Replacing missing teeth with implants or bridges, with CBCT 3D imaging used to plan implant cases.
• Gum care for bleeding or receding gums, including non-surgical periodontal treatment.
• Family check-ups and cleanings. See dental cleanings and check-ups.
• Children’s visits, with sealants and fluoride. See children’s dentistry.
• Emergency care for pain, swelling or a broken tooth. See emergency dentist.

Our full general-dentistry range

• Exams, cleanings, oral cancer screening and digital X-rays
• Tooth-coloured fillings, inlays and onlays
• Root canal therapy and retreatment
• Extractions, including wisdom teeth
• Invisalign and braces
• Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening
• Night guards and TMJ care
• Calm visits for nervous patients

Choosing how to replace a missing tooth

This is one of the most common conversations we have with Cliffside patients. There are three main options, and each suits different situations:

1. A dental implant replaces the root of the tooth with a small post placed in the jawbone, topped with a crown. It does not rely on neighbouring teeth. It needs enough healthy bone and a few months of healing. We use CBCT 3D imaging to check bone volume and plan placement.
2. A fixed bridge uses crowns on the teeth either side of the gap to hold a replacement tooth. It is completed in fewer visits but involves shaping the neighbouring teeth.
3. A partial or full denture is removable and can replace several teeth at once. Modern dentures can be comfortable and natural looking, and they can sometimes be made more stable with implants.

Your health, the condition of nearby teeth and your own preferences all matter. At a consultation we explain the trade-offs and give you a written estimate for each option you want to consider.

Coverage and CDCP

We bill insurers directly and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which many Cliffside seniors now use. Coverage depends on the plan and the treatment, so we explain what applies before any work starts. See our CDCP dentist and insurance and billing pages.

Helpful guides

• Aging and dental health
• Heart conditions, medications and dental care
• Bleeding gums: what they mean
• What type of dental exam do you need?
• Veneers explained

Looking after dentures at home

Many of our Cliffside patients wear full or partial dentures. Good daily care keeps them comfortable and protects the gums underneath:

1. Clean dentures every day with a soft brush and a denture cleaner or mild soap. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive and scratches the surface.
2. Clean over a sink of water or a folded towel, so a slip does not crack them.
3. Take them out at night and keep them in water or a soaking solution. Never use hot or boiling water, which can warp the fit.
4. Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth with a soft brush. Partial denture wearers need to clean carefully around the clasps.
5. Watch for sore spots. A denture that rubs should be adjusted rather than put up with. Sores that do not heal within two weeks need to be checked.

Even with no natural teeth, a yearly visit matters. We check the fit, the health of the gums and the soft tissues of the mouth, including an oral cancer screening.

Signs your denture needs attention

• It moves when you talk or chew, or you rely on more and more adhesive
• Food gets trapped underneath
• Your face looks more sunken around the mouth than it used to
• Cracks, chips or a missing tooth on the denture

Visiting with a walker, wheelchair or caregiver

Cliffside has many long-time residents, and some now come to appointments with a walker, a wheelchair or a family member. The office is wheelchair accessible, with parking behind the building, and the 20 Cliffside bus runs within about 400 m of the office if you travel by TTC.

A few things help the visit go smoothly:

• Tell us about mobility needs when you book, so we can plan the chair transfer or allow extra time.
• Bring a current medication list, especially blood thinners, heart medications or anything for bone density.
• Caregivers are welcome in the room if the patient wants them there, and can help us understand daily routines at home.
• Bring dentures or partials in their case, even if they are not worn every day, so we can check the fit.

Shorter appointments earlier in the day suit some older patients better than one long visit, and we are happy to split treatment that way. Our page on dental care for seniors covers dry mouth, gum health and denture care in more detail, and the guide on aging and dental health explains what changes in the mouth over time.

Nearby neighbourhoods

See also Birch Cliff, Kennedy Park, Clairlea and Birchmount and Danforth and Warden.