
Asked Questions
Answers, Before
You Even Ask.
From booking your first visit to understanding your insurance coverage — everything patients ask us most, all in one place.
New Patients
& Booking.
Everything you need to know before your first visit with us.
Yes — we are actively welcoming new patients at our Marpole (Vancouver) clinic. You can book online or call us at (604) 261-8164.
No referral is needed. Simply book online or give us a call and our team will get you scheduled as soon as possible.
Please bring your health card, dental insurance card, a list of current medications, and any recent X-rays from a previous dentist. Completed patient forms are also very helpful.
A new patient appointment typically takes 60–90 minutes. This includes your comprehensive exam, X-rays, and a full discussion with your dentist.
We love treating families. We can often schedule family appointments back-to-back. Just let us know when booking and we will do our best to accommodate everyone together.
You are not alone — dental anxiety is very common, and our team is trained to help you feel safe and at ease. Let us know when booking and we will take extra care to go at your pace.
General Dentistry
& Checkups.
The fundamentals of exams, cleanings, and preventive care.
We recommend a checkup and professional cleaning every six months for most adults and children. Patients with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or certain medical conditions may benefit from more frequent visits — typically every three to four months.
A comprehensive exam includes a full visual inspection of teeth, gums, and bite; low-radiation digital X-rays; a gum pocket depth assessment; and an oral cancer screening of soft tissues. We review all findings in plain language and provide a personalized care plan.
Yes — we provide age-appropriate dental care for children from their first tooth. Our team creates a positive, welcoming environment that builds healthy dental habits from an early age. We recommend children’s first visit by age one or when their first tooth appears.
Yes — every comprehensive exam includes a thorough oral cancer screening. Our doctors examine your lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, and throat for early warning signs. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
A routine cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is used when gum disease is present — it removes deposits from deeper below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to promote healing.
Most patients find routine cleanings comfortable. If you have sensitive gums or significant buildup, you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort. For deep cleanings, we use local anaesthetic to keep you completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
Emergency
Dentistry.
What to do when a dental problem simply cannot wait.
Any condition causing severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or risk to a tooth’s survival is a dental emergency. This includes toothaches, knocked-out teeth, abscesses, chipped or broken teeth, and jaw injuries. When in doubt, call us — we’d rather assess a non-emergency than have you wait on a true one.
We reserve same-day emergency slots at our Marpole clinic. Call (604) 261-8164 as early as possible. In most cases, we can see you within a few hours of your call.
Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with water, and place it back in the socket if possible. If not, keep it moist in milk or between your cheek and gum. Call us immediately — reimplantation is most successful within 30–60 minutes of the injury.
Yes — a dental abscess is an infection that can spread to the jaw, neck, and even the brain if left untreated. Signs include throbbing pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. Seek care the same day.
We administer local anaesthesia before any procedure to ensure you’re comfortable throughout. For highly anxious patients, nitrous oxide sedation is also available. Our goal is to relieve your pain, not add to it.
Cosmetic &
Restorative Care.
Crowns, root canals, whitening, veneers, and Invisalign.
We offer professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and clear aligner treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Pisanu or Dr. Kooner will recommend the combination of treatments that best achieves your smile goals.
Professional whitening lasts 1–3 years depending on lifestyle habits. Dental bonding typically lasts 5–10 years. Porcelain veneers can last 10–20 years with proper care. Regular professional cleanings extend the life of all cosmetic work.
A crown is recommended when a tooth is cracked, severely decayed, weakened after a root canal, or broken in a way that a filling cannot fully restore. Crowns are also used to anchor a dental bridge or to protect a tooth at high risk of fracture.
Root canal therapy is performed under local anaesthetic and should be no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Most patients are surprised by how painless the procedure is. The pain you feel before treatment — from the infected nerve — is typically far worse than the procedure itself.
Common signs include persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth, darkening of the tooth, and a persistent pimple on the gum. A dental X-ray is often needed to confirm infection at the root.
Invisalign treats a wide range of orthodontic issues including crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. A consultation at our clinic will confirm whether Invisalign is the right fit for your case. Most teens and adults qualify.
Treatment time varies by case complexity. Mild cases can be completed in as few as 6 months, while more complex alignment issues may take up to 18 months. Dr. Pisanu or Dr. Kooner will give you an accurate timeline during your consultation.
Insurance
& Payment.
Direct billing, the CDCP, and flexible financing options.
We accept all major Canadian dental insurance plans, as well as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). If you’re unsure whether we accept your plan, call us at (604) 261-8164 and we’ll verify it for you.
Direct billing means we submit your insurance claim directly to your insurance provider — you don’t have to fill out any forms or pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. You only pay your portion (the co-pay or deductible) at the time of your visit.
The CDCP is a federal government program providing dental coverage to eligible Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance and meet income thresholds. We are a participating provider and can bill CDCP directly. Contact Service Canada or check your eligibility at canada.ca/dental.
No insurance? No problem. We offer transparent pricing, flexible payment plans, and can discuss financing options — including Dentalcard and PayBright — to help make your care affordable. Ask our front desk team for details.
Yes. We work with financing partners to offer flexible payment plans that spread the cost of treatment over time. Ask our team about the options available at your visit.
We're Just a Call
Away.
Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is happy to help — reach out and we'll get you an answer right away.