Composite. Onlay. Margin. Dental vocabulary can make a straightforward recommendation sound baffling. Here is a plain guide to the words you may hear, and how to ask about them.
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A tooth-coloured restoration is any repair made with a material chosen to relate to the enamel around it. That broad phrase covers a small resin filling and also a full ceramic crown, which explains why the conversation can get confusing. People living in Meadows West, in Winnipeg, can have any of these terms explained at our clinic on McPhillips Street.
Most of the terminology falls into two groups. Some words describe what the repair is made of or how it gets made. Others describe parts of the tooth and how it is working. Knowing which group a word belongs to will often make the sentence around it clearer.
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No one needs a dental background to follow what is being suggested for their own tooth.
If a word goes past you in the chair or on a note, it is fine to ask what it means.
A definition is more useful when someone shows you how it applies in your mouth.
These short definitions are general. Your dentist can tell you which of them apply to your tooth, and which ones do not.
These words say what the restoration is and whether it is formed on the tooth or away from it.
These words explain what your dentist is checking when a restoration is planned or reviewed.
A word appearing on your note does not by itself mean something is wrong. Ask what it says about your tooth specifically.
An appointment does not have to be a one-way explanation. Here is how a visit may go when you have asked for things in everyday language.
Request your visitIf a note or estimate is what brought you here, bring it along and point to the lines that confused you.
Your dentist examines the area and reviews any appropriate images, using familiar words as far as possible.
Each suggested design is described in terms of what it would do for your tooth and why.
When you understand the recommendation and agree with it, treatment can be arranged with the clinic.
Terms are easy to forget once you are in the chair. A few notes on your phone can save you from wondering about them on your way home.
Is there pain or swelling involved? Skip the homework for now and phone the clinic instead of using the form.
A consultation room desk, and seats by the waiting room window.
Plenty of people nod along, then look things up later because they did not want to slow anyone down. You can ask at the time instead, and ask again if the first explanation did not land.
Seeing the margin or the cusp being discussed can do more than a long description.
Summing up in your own words is a quick way of finding out whether you have it right.
If the terms on an estimate puzzle you, the clinic is the place to ask about them.
Words you may hear later
Your restoration will come up again at later examinations. Three terms are especially useful here, because they describe the choices you may eventually face.
This means checking a stable, working restoration at later visits, without treating it for the moment.
This describes fixing a small defect while the sound part of the restoration stays where it is.
Wider failure, recurring decay, a fracture or poor support might mean starting over with the same or another design.
Puzzled by something you read after your visit? A call to the clinic can clear it up.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Meadows West residents have this assessment at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. Use the directions link for the map.
You can ring (204) 338-3003 or send the form below. Your request is confirmed afterward by the clinic, so the form alone does not hold a time.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
Helpful details about tooth-colored restorations in Meadows West.
Ask our teamIt is a tooth-coloured resin that is bonded to the prepared tooth, built up in layers, then shaped and polished. You may also hear it called a white filling.
The phrase can refer to several findings, such as new decay at the edge, a fracture or poor support. Ask what was seen in your case, because the word alone tells you little.
No. A margin is the border between a restoration and the natural tooth, wherever on the tooth that border happens to be. Keeping it smooth and cleanable matters.
Direct generally means the material is placed and shaped in your mouth. Custom means it is made outside the mouth from a scan or impression, and fitted afterward.
Certainly. Understanding the reason for a suggestion, its material and the alternatives is a reasonable thing to want, and there is no need to feel you are holding things up.
Calling (204) 338-3003 is the simplest way to start. Your dentist can then go through the details in person at our McPhillips Street clinic in Winnipeg.
Several words above have their own full pages. Browse them if you would like more background before you talk to your dentist.
Learn when custom inlays or onlays may repair a damaged back tooth in Winnipeg while preserving more natural structure than a full dental crown.
Explore serviceLearn how custom dental crowns in Winnipeg protect cracked, worn or root canal-treated teeth while restoring comfortable function, shape and appearance.
Explore serviceRestore cavities, chips and worn areas with tooth-coloured dental fillings in Winnipeg. Learn when repair is needed and what happens during treatment.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
Ask in everyday words
Living in Meadows West and puzzled by a treatment note? Bring it to our McPhillips Street clinic, and we’ll get back to you to arrange the details.
Patient testimonials
Winnipeg North Dental
“Excellent experience at Winnipeg North Dental. Recommended by my friend Gagandeep. The whole staff is professional and attentive. Special thanks to my friend there. Highly recommend!”
Winnipeg North Dental
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Winnipeg North Dental
“I really enjoyed the treatment at this clinic. I had my teeth treated by Dr. Sukhpreet. Everything went great. Thank you so much for your professionalism!”
Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr harpreet and Dr. Sidhu both were very nice during the job , full professional, very knowledgeable and Dr Harpreet was really polite during all time .”
Winnipeg North Dental
“I had a great experience at Dental North in Winnipeg for a teeth cleaning. The staff was friendly and professional, and the hygienist was gentle yet thorough. I left with my teeth feeling amazing and will definitely be returning!”
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Winnipeg North Dental
“I did called them in 2020 October they were not opened at that time. I give them my number, email and name so that when they open they can give me call to book appointment. They might have forgot that. I had a first appointment for dental in Canada. It went really good. They explained every single bit what they gonna do, What is best for me, Doctor was really nice. It was completely satisfying experience. Didnt smell like a clinic. I mean like any walk in doctor clinic. Even they helped me to understand my dental benefits to use them in best possible way. I would definitely recommend to others.”
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Winnipeg North Dental
“I had a great experience at this place, dr Sidhu and all the team was great.”
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Winnipeg North Dental
“My recent visit at the Winnipeg North Dental was excellent. The staff was friendly, the cleaning was thorough yet gentle, and the dentist took the time to explain everything clearly. I highly recommend them! Dr Sidhu is awesome:)”
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Winnipeg North Dental
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Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr. Sidhu is so kind and caring. Her gentle approach makes going to the dentist a pleasure especially for a child. My daughter and I are so happy we found Winnipeg North Dental. The staff are great too! Highly recommend.”
Winnipeg North Dental
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“Dr. Sidhu exhibits a high level of professionalism and offers exceptional accommodation. She is an outstanding physician who consistently provides assistance with any dental pain or issues that I have encountered. I am grateful for her expertise and support.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr Sidhu is very friendly and kind she takes care of her patients very well. I have my first visit yesterday and she listen and understand my problems and have done a good examination. Also suggested me many things which can improve my teeth situation. The staff is also very good and helpful. I will be visiting there again for sure.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“I had wonderful experience at this place. Thanks to the whole team.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“I have always found Dr. Sidhu to be very patient and comforting as well as gentle and makes for a totally painless visit, when ever I have dental issues. She is a very up beat and positive person which makes for great dental work experience every time.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“I had a wonderful experience! Dr Sidhu and her team are always so friendly. It was also my 1 year old daughters first check up and Dr. Sidhu was so kind and patient with her. I highly recommend Winnipeg North Dental. Kind, passionate, professional and very well managed. So happy I found such a great dentist!”
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“Recently, i had received two treatments and feeling very good and would like to thank the doctor for explaining in details about the problem and procedure . I would like to thank the staff and doctor for their professionalism for providing the kind service.Thank you.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“My experience here was amazing. Dr. Jiwan Sidhu is very nice and kind! She's overall a great dentist and I recommend others to come here!”
Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr. Sidhu and her Winnipeg North Dental Team are AWESOME!!! They always make their client feel comfortable and explains everything that need to be done in every visit. I also like that she is very caring, always connect with us after our visit to ensure that all is well with our teeth. Very highly recommended.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr Sukhpreet has great and professional knowledge . God bless”
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“Dr. Sidhu is an amazing doctor who makes her patients feel comfortable and guides through the process. Me and my family had a great experience. I love the way she shares all details about dental health. Thank you”
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Winnipeg North Dental
“I can't wait to get in the chair with Dr. Sidhu looking down on me with that super powerful freezy needle. Oh yeah, nicest dentist I've ever been to in all of my 79 years. She makes pain fun!”
Winnipeg North Dental
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Winnipeg North Dental
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Winnipeg North Dental
“Knowledgeable staff and easy to get appointments! Thanks”
Winnipeg North Dental
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Winnipeg North Dental
“Dr. Sidhu and her staff are amazing! They don't rush, ask questions, and take the time to answer. I was impressed that Dr. Sidhu spent more than 10 minutes doing my check-up; the last dentist I went to spent 2 minutes and didn't even ask my name! I will definitely be going back.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“I’ve been seeing Dr.Sidhu at Winnipeg North Dental since it opened! Always a 10/10 experience there! She and all her staff exceed my expectations every time! Extremely friendly and will go the extra mile for you to ensure you receive the best dental care possible!”
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Winnipeg North Dental
“Wonderful experience with Winnipeg North Dental Clinic. Dr. Sidhu was a wonderful dentist, and the staff was always helpful and kind. They ensured I had a smooth process and follow-up. I am so glad I chose Winnipeg North Dental clinic and would highly recommend to anyone.”
Winnipeg North Dental
“Had a cleaning that was great! All staff are awesome also had a filling done with Dr Sidhu her bed side manner and pt care is top notch! When she did the freezing needle I could not feel any pain! Absolutely none! If you have any fear of dentists Dr. Sidhu is for you!!”
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