Welcoming New Patients

Dr. Nelly Braun

Meet The Doctor

Dr. Nelly Braun earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto, where she graduated with Honours. She then went on to pursue a general practice residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey, USA. Upon completing her residency, Dr. Braun worked in private practice in the USA and Canada. She is a member of the Ontario/Canadian Dental Association and York Regional Dental Society.

Dr. Braun enjoys all aspects of dentistry, but takes a particular interest in cosmetic and implant dentistry. She is also focusing her continuing education on the latest technologies in dentistry. When out of the office, Dr. Braun enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She loves hiking, gardening, biking, and reading.

New Patient Information

Patient Forms

We are pleased to provide our new patient forms online to help you save time at your first appointment. Please click on the link to print the form. A standard PDF reader is required (like Adobe PDF Reader).

Insurance

We work together with most major insurance companies to help you get reimbursed for dental services. Our office requests payment of fees at the time of service. We will be happy to help you fill out your dental insurance forms, and in most cases we can send your claims electronically so that you can get reimbursed within several days.

Instruction Sheets

We will be providing instruction sheets soon which help guide you through the most common questions after various procedures (coming soon).

New Patient Form

Cosmetic Dentistry

Today we have many options for restoring your teeth back to health. Healthy teeth appear white, have a natural shape and allow you to function properly for eating, talking and smiling. Whether your teeth need to be fixed due to a cavity, or if you are just looking to improve their appearance or color, we will review the options needed to make your teeth as natural and healthy as possible.

White Fillings
Sealants
Veneers
Crowns
Gap Closure
Bridge
Denture
Whitening

White Fillings or "Bonding"

In the past, the only practical option to fill cavities used to be amalgam silver-mercury or gold, neither of which matched the color of the natural tooth. Today when it comes time to replace these fillings, or when new fillings are needed, the majority of patients ask that their dentist uses a material that blends naturally with the tooth. White fillings "bond" to the tooth and form a tight seal. They can be used to repair cavities, chips, fissures, and to enhance the shape and color of teeth. White fillings come in a variety of different shades of "white" to match your natural teeth.

Before: Chipped tooth

After: Repaired with white filling

Sealants

The top of our molars often have many pits and fissures which could potentially trap food and form a cavity. These areas cannot be cleaned properly because a toothbrush is too large to fit in these very small grooves. As a result, we may even see staining occuring which could be a sign that a cavity is about to form. To help prevent cavities before they even start, or stop them from progressing, a conservative filling called a "sealant" can be used which seals the grooves in the tooth, preventing food from sticking and allowing you to better clean your tooth.

Before: Stained cavity pit

After: Repaired with white sealant

Veneers

A veneer is a thin laminate or coating that goes over one side of your tooth. It is used to reshape and recolor your teeth. Since the veneer is thin and applied only to the front visible portion of your tooth, your teeth typically require very minimal preparation or adjustment. This preserves as much of your natural tooth as possible for strength. "Direct" veneers are sculpted and applied directly on your teeth while you are in the dental chair using white filling material or "bonding". "Indirect" veneers are sculpted by a laboratory using porcelain which are then bonded to your teeth.

Before: Discoloration and uneven tooth shapes

After: Veneers to straighten and recolor the smile

Crowns

A crown (or "cap") is designed to cover your entire tooth. Unlike a veneer, which bonds only on one side of your tooth, a crown is stronger because it covers your whole tooth and can be used also on the back teeth. This allows for greater changes in the shape and color to be made. A crown requires more of your tooth to be prepared, and is made by a laboratory. The choice between a crown, veneer or white filling will depend on many factors which we will discuss with you.

Before: Uneven tooth shapes

After: Crowns used to redesign the smile

Diastemma ("Gap") Closure

Although a gap between your front teeth may be a normal healthy part of your character, there are several techniques available if you wish to close it. The most common method involves placing white filling material to the teeth on either side of the gap. Sometimes the gap may be too large to close this way and may require other dental treatment including orthodontics to move your teeth. As well, if you have noticed the gap increasing, it may be a sign of more serious conditions such as gum disease ("periodontitis") which needs to be assessed.

Before: Space between the front teeth

After: Space filled using "bonding" white filling technique

Bridge

When one or more teeth are missing, the spaces can be filled with artificial teeth which attach to your surrounding healthy teeth. If you have strong teeth on either side of the space, they can be used to support the artificial replacement teeth. A bridge is a one-piece restoration that is designed to stay in the mouth permanently, and look and feel like your natural teeth.

Before: Missing a front tooth

After: Space is filled by a bridge

Removable Denture

When several teeth are missing, a removable partial denture may be recommended. Sometimes a bridge (which stays in permanently) is not possible because the teeth beside the space are not strong, or too many teeth are missing. In this case, a partial denture can be used to replace your missing teeth. Partial dentures are held in the mouth by your remaining teeth and gums which are used as support to stabilize them. They are designed to be removed for cleaning after meals, and at night. Only a minimal amount of adjustment if needed on your existing teeth to prepare them for a partial denture.

Before: Missing many teeth in the upper jaw

After: Partial denture used to replace missing teeth

Tooth Whitening

Just like our skin color, teeth can come in many different shades. Over time our teeth may yellow and give an unnatural appearance which is unesthetic. Certain foods such as red wine, tea and coffee have a greater chance of darkening your teeth. The discoloration occurs partly due to surface staining, but also due to internal color changes. Even with good dental hygiene to remove the surface stain, the inside of your tooth may still be yellow. Tooth whitening uses a custom-formed tray that delivers a specially-formulated whitening solution to contact the surface of your teeth evenly and protect your gums. It is important that we check to see if you are a good candidate for tooth whitening first, because fillings and crowns will not change color the same as your natural teeth and may need to be changed after your teeth are whitened.

Custom whitening tray

Whitening before and after

Children's Dentistry

We are pleased to treat children in our office and provide them with a comfortable experience. Promoting dental health and prevention early provides your child the foundation to keeping a life-long healthy smile. We recommend that you bring your child to the dentist as soon as their teeth begin to appear. Although they may only be "baby teeth", these teeth are critical for your child's health, nutrition and social development. We can advise you on the best feeding practices and brushing techniques to help prevent tooth decay in the first place, to ensure your child always has a beautiful smile!

It is important for us to begin seeing your child regularly before any problems occur. This way, your child can develop good experiences and happy memories of their visits to the dentist. Regular visits will introduce your child to dental cleanings and polishing, and also allow us to find problems early or prevent them altogether. If we do find any concerns, your child will already be used to the dentist and have an easier time with treatment.

Our office also features a children's play area with various books and an X-Box 360 console with child-friendly games. Our spacious patient washroom is equiped with a baby change station. We also have televisions in each of our treatment rooms with children's shows available on-demand to keep them entertained during their visit.

Orthodontics

"Crooked teeth" or "spaced teeth" may not be only a cosmetic issue. Misaligned or shifted teeth can also contribute to dental health problems because of unbalanced chewing forces and difficulty you may have with cleaning your teeth properly. This can lead to gum disease over time, bone loss and cavities. It can also result in jaw muscle strain, uneven tooth wear and loose teeth. Fortunately, orthodontic therapy can help. We will be happy to discuss options with you regarding straightening and aligning your teeth.

Whether it is for a child or adult, there are many methods available for helping the alignment of the teeth to improve their long-term health and appearance. If your child is starting to get their adult teeth (usually starting from age 6) it is important that we assess any possible issues early, since some orthodontic therapy can be performed best while the adult teeth are coming in. In other cases, orthodontic therapy may not be started until most of the adult teeth have come in (usually age 11-13).

More and more adults are now also having orthodontic therapy, either with traditional "braces" or with more cosmetic approaches such as Invisalign. Whether you are just thinking about it or looking to finally give yourself that beautiful smile you deserve, talk to us about all the options!

Before

After

Implants

The invention of dental implants has revolutionized modern dentistry. Dental implants allow us to replace your missing teeth in a natural way that most closely resembles real teeth. Implants anchor directly to your jaw and provide a strong life-long tooth replacement. Implants avoid the need to damage other healhy teeth or to join them together, protecting your other teeth and making it easier to keep them clean.

Single Tooth
Multiple Teeth
Mini-Implants
Dentures
Immediate Implants

Single Tooth Implants

In the past, replacing a single missing tooth involved bonding a fake tooth to the teeth on either side of the space (a bridge). This would cause damage to otherwise healthy adjacent teeth, and also connect them together, making it more difficult to clean. The bone above the bridge would continue to shrink, leaving a space under the bridge. Over time, the teeth holding the bridge could get cavities and the entire bridge would need to be replaced or involve more teeth. Using implants, we can create a strong self-supporting tooth that anchors directly to your jaw (without affecting the adjacent teeth) helping to preserve the bone for a life-long smile.

Before: Missing tooth

After: Implant restoration

Multiple Implants

Whether you are missing one tooth or many, implants can be used to replace them. Several implants can be placed next to each other to replace several individual teeth, or to help support an implant-bridge. The result is a strong life-long replacement that is anchored directly to your jaw, which should provide you with comfort in chewing and the confidence of knowing you have a secure and esthetic smile.

Before: Missing several teeth

After: Implants bridge

Mini-Implants

Implants come in various sizes, including "mini" options for situations where there are narrow spaces that need tooth replacements. Mini-implants may be used when adult teeth never developed (e.g. upper front teeth) or when the bone has thinned and is narrow due to missing teeth for many years (e.g. full denture wearers). Just like regular-sized implants, mini-implants provide a strong replacement that is the closest to your natural tooth in structure, function and esthetics.

Before: Missing narrow tooth

After: Mini-implant restores the smile

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implants have been so successful at transforming the quality of life for denture wearers that it is becoming a "standard of care" to recommend implants whenever a full denture is made. If you wear full dentures, implants can help you achieve a dramatic improvement in your function and comfort! Implants help anchor your denture securely and without the need for any denture adhesives. Your denture will also feel more comfortable when chewing, as the implants help support some of the biting forces which would otherwise squeeze on the gums. Implants in the upper jaw can be used to remove the palatal coverage of your full upper denture, improving speech and taste. Don't delay and miss out on this simple but amazingly effective implant option!

Before: Implant anchors

After: Denture attaches firmly to the implants

Immediate Implants

In some situations when you have broken a tooth which must be removed, it may be possible to place an implant at the same time as your tooth extraction (immediate implant placement). This has the benefit of speeding up the time (by an average of 3 months) needed for you to have your tooth replaced. Sometimes it is also possible to make a temporary tooth on your immediate implant (immediate provisionalization) which allows you to have your implant tooth restored right away.

Before: Broken front tooth

After: Implant placed when tooth removed

Gum Treatment

The gum (or gingiva) is tissue that normally creates a tight seal around your teeth to protect them from irritation. Without healthy gums, the bone foundation around your teeth can deterioriate and result in tooth loss. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that gum disease can have effects on the heart, pregnancy, diabetes and other major health issues. Inflamed gums (gingivitis) and bone around the teeth (periodontitis) may be indicated by bleeding, swollen, red and painful gums. Many times it may not be noticed at all until it is too late. That is why we offer the services of a periodontist (gum specialist) within our office to measure your gum health and offer options to treat various gum diseases and conditions. Healthy gums are important for both your dental health and for your overall health.

Esthetic Shaping
Recessions
Gum Thickness
Frenectomy
Lengthening
Open Cleaning

Esthetic Gum Shaping

The gum tissue forms a healthy protective seal around your teeth and jaws. Sometimes the gum tissue can be shaped irregularly, which can make it more difficult to keep your teeth clean and result in an unesthetic appearance. The gums may appear to cover too much of the teeth due to various factors, including hormones, medications, genetics and the way your teeth grew in. Fortunately, this excessive gum tissue can be removed using a technique known as "esthetic gingival recontouring" to reveal the full extent of your natural teeth, helping to restore your beautiful smile.

Before: Gums uneven and too low

After: Gums reshaped to enhance smile

Recession Grafting

Roots can sometimes be exposed due to gum recession, leading to sensitivity and poor appearance. The loss of gum can make the roots more prone to cavities, gum irritation, and can be more difficult to keep clean. This results in even more recession over time which progressively worsens. You may be at higher risk for recession due to genetics, improper tooth-brushing technique and the position of your teeth. A gingival recession grafting technique known as "connective-tissue grafting" uses your own gum tissue to thicken the gum and cover the recession, restoring the health of your gum and youthful appearance of your smile.

Before: Recession exposing sensitive root

After: Gum graft used to cover root

Gum Strengthening

Normally there is a wide belt of thick gum tissue just next to the margin of your teeth. This gum is designed to help protect your tooth from trauma during eating and brushing. In some cases, you may have thinner gum around some teeth. The thin gum can increase your risk of recession, irritation and pain, and could eventually lead to tooth loss. A technique known as "free gingival grafting" is designed to increase the thickness of your gum tissue and create a stronger gum border around your tooth, for long-lasting health.

Before: Thin gum with recession

After: Stronger thicker gum

Frenectomy

A "frenulum" is a small fold of tissue which secures or resticts the motion of another organ. Within the mouth, there is a frenulum (also called frenum) under your tongue, inside of your upper lip and inside your lower lip. Sometimes the frenulum is too short and does not allow enough movement for normal function. For example, when someone is "tongue tied" (or ankyloglossia) the frenum is so short that a person cannot move their tongue enough for normal function. As well, sometimes the frenum inside the upper and lower lips can be unesthetic or interfere with closing of spaces during orthodontics. A frenectomy is a simple procedure which removes this extra tissue.

Before: Space between the front teeth

After: Space filled using "bonding" white filling technique

Tooth Lengthening

When a tooth breaks or has a cavity close to (or under) the gum, it may not be possible to fix the problem immediately. This is because the gum tissue is in the way. Therefore, a separate procedure is needed first to remove tissue from around the top of the tooth (also called the "crown") in order to expose the cavity. This procedure, known as "crown-lengthening", takes away tissues from the area to expose more tooth structure so that a better filling or crown can be made.

Before: Tooth lengthened to expose decay under the gum

After: Lengthened tooth is restored

Open Flap Debridement

Regular professional dental hygiene (or "cleanings") are an important part of dental health prevention. When dental cleanings are performed (also called "scaling and root-planing") special instruments are used to clean above and under the gums to remove hard deposits known as calculus or tartar. However, sometimes the deposits are too deep to remove effectively. In this case, an "open" cleaning (or flap debridement) is used to better access areas under the gums.

Before: Red swollen gums due to deep deposits

After: Firm pink gums after open cleaning

Dental Hygiene

Regular professional dental hygiene visits are an important part of maintaining your beautiful and healthy smile. No matter how often or how well you brush and floss, there will be small bits of food left behind. Only a hygienist can reach and remove those deep remaining deposits known as "calculus" or "tartar" (hardened calcium and food deposits) from under your gums.

During your hygiene appointment, the hygienist will perform a cleaning (also known as "scaling and root-planing") and tooth polishing to remove debri, plaque and stain. The health of your gums will also be checked to determine the best preventive care maintenance plan. Bleeding or inflamed gums may indicate that you have gingivitis or periodontitis (bone loss around the teeth) and may require care by a gum specialist (periodontist).

Depending on the health of your gums and teeth, we may recommend that you have hygiene visits every 6 to 9 months, or more frequently at every 3 to 4 months. Most importantly, your regular daily home care together with routine dental hygiene visits is the key to prevention of gum disease and dental decay.

Emergency Treatment

We are pleased to help you in the case of a dental emergency. Whether you are experiencing dental pain, have broken a tooth or have a sore mouth, our office can see you for an assessment and emergency treatment. Although emergency drop-ins are welcome with no appointment necessary, please feel free to call us if possible to avoid having to wait. We can usually schedule an appointment within a short time frame (same day or next day) depending on the type of emergency, or provide advice over the phone to help you in the meantime.

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Welcome

We invite you to join us at our new dental home in Thornhill Woods. Our family practice is nestled in the heart of Vaughan, ready to provide a wide range of dental services to you and your family. Dr. Nelly Braun and her warm and friendly staff are delighted to offer personalized care in a beautifully designed and relaxing environment, helping to make your dental care experience as comfortable as possible.

Please explore our website and learn about our practice and some treatment options available. We welcome new patients and thank you for referring your friends and family. We are located in the Yogurty's plaza at the north east corner of Dufferin Street and Autumn Hill Blvd.

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