FAQs for Imagine Dental Group
Finding clear information about dental care can make it easier to understand your options and prepare for your next visit. Our caring dental team is here to answer common questions about choosing a dentist, new patient appointments, dental insurance, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
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Choosing a Dentist
New patients, family care and the services we offer.
Yes, we welcome new patients and provide a range of dental services for individuals and families. You can book your appointment online, call our dentist in South Vancouver at (236) 326-7258, or email our office to schedule. Patients can also walk in and speak with our team. We’re happy to help you find an appointment that works for you and answer any questions you may have before your visit.
When choosing a dentist, consider the services offered, the dentist’s experience, appointment availability, location, approach to patient care, and whether the office can meet your family’s long-term dental needs.
As a clinic, we value building trust, transparency, clear communication, and long-term relationships with our patients. We believe in getting to know each patient and their individual needs so we can provide personalized care, clearly explain your treatment options, and support your oral health at every stage of life.
Yes. Our dental team provides care for patients of all ages, from 0 to 100+ years old. We make it convenient for families to receive their dental care in one office, while providing care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
It’s a good idea to bring your child for their first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits help your child feel more at ease at our dental clinic in South Vancouver and give our team a chance to make sure their teeth and gums are developing properly.
During the visit, we can also discuss ways to care for your baby’s teeth at home and answer any questions you may have about your child’s oral health and development.
Our dental office provides a wide range of general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. Depending on your needs, our services may include dental exams and cleanings, fillings, crowns, veneers, dental bridges, root canals, Invisalign®, dental implants, extractions, teeth whitening, and more.
Our goal is to provide effective care in one place whenever possible, so we can minimize the need for referrals to specialists. We understand that specialist referrals can sometimes be expensive and difficult to coordinate, and we want to make your dental care as convenient and accessible as possible while providing the care you deserve.
New Patient FAQs
What to expect and what to bring to your first visit.
At your first appointment, we’ll typically review your dental and medical history, examine your teeth and gums, and take any necessary X-rays or diagnostic imaging. Our dentist will discuss your oral health, answer any questions you may have, and recommend treatment based on your individual needs.
Please bring your identification, dental insurance information if applicable, a list of your current medications, and any relevant dental records or information from your previous dentist. If you’re transferring from another dental office, our team can help you with the records process.
That’s completely okay! You don’t need to feel embarrassed about how long it has been. Whether it’s been a few months, several years, or you’re visiting a dentist for the first time, you’re always welcome here. We understand that life can get busy, and there are many reasons why someone may not have been able to visit the dentist regularly. There’s no need to worry about being judged. We’re here to support you, not judge you.
We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, assess your current oral health, answer any questions you may have, and help you understand your options. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels manageable for you.
Cost & Insurance FAQs
Fees, dental insurance, direct billing and the CDCP.
The cost of a dental examination and cleaning can vary depending on the type of appointment, the examination required, and the amount of cleaning needed. As a general estimate, a dental exam and cleaning may range from approximately $544.70 to $605.20*.
We follow the BCDA Suggested Fee Guide as a reference for our fees. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual needs and whether additional services, such as X-rays or fluoride treatment, are recommended. Our team will always discuss the recommended services and associated fees with you before proceeding with treatment.
*Terms & conditions apply.
We work with patients who have dental insurance and can provide information about your treatment costs and insurance-related questions. Coverage varies by individual insurance plan, so patients are responsible for understanding their specific benefits.
If your dental plan allows direct billing, our team can assist with submitting eligible claims. Insurance coverage and reimbursement depend on your individual plan.
Not necessarily. Dental insurance plans often have their own annual maximums, deductibles, frequency limitations, exclusions, and coverage percentages. Even if a treatment is recommended by our dentist, it does not necessarily mean your insurance plan will cover the full cost.
Yes. We always want you to understand your treatment and the associated costs before moving forward. Whenever possible, our team will discuss the recommended treatment, estimated fees, and your expected portion before treatment begins.
If you have dental insurance, we will also do our best to determine your insurance portion and your estimated out-of-pocket portion whenever possible. Please keep in mind that insurance coverage can vary depending on your individual plan, and the information available to us may not always reflect the final amount your insurance provider pays.
If you are covered under a government dental program such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), we recommend making sure you have filed your taxes and renewed or confirmed your eligibility when required, including completing any annual renewal requirements. We can help you understand your coverage and estimated costs as much as we can before your appointment.
No. The CDCP covers a range of eligible dental services, but not every treatment or procedure is covered. Some services may also require preauthorization before treatment. Coverage is based on the CDCP's current rules, limitations, and established fees.
You may. Depending on your adjusted family net income, the Canadian Dental Care Plan's (CDCP) established fees, and the services you receive, you may have a co-payment or additional amount to pay.
We follow the BCDA Provincial Suggested Fee Guide as a reference for our fees. Since the CDCP has its own established fees, there may be a difference between the CDCP-covered amount and our fees, which may result in an additional cost to you.
Whenever possible, our team will review your coverage and discuss your estimated portion with you before treatment begins, so you can have a better understanding of the costs involved. Have questions? Contact our team at (236) 326-7258.
Dental Anxiety
Feeling nervous? Here is how we help you feel at ease.
You're not alone. Many patients feel nervous or anxious about dental appointments, and we’re here to help you feel as calm and worry-free as possible. Let our team know about your concerns when booking your appointment or when you arrive. We can take the time to explain what we’re doing, answer your questions, and adjust the pace of your appointment when possible.
Tell our dental team about anything that makes you uncomfortable. Discussing your concerns beforehand allows us to adjust the pace of your appointment, explain procedures clearly, and help you feel more at ease.
Common Dental Treatment FAQs
Fillings, root canals, crowns, wisdom teeth, implants and Invisalign®.
We may recommend dental fillings in South Vancouver if you have a cavity or a tooth that has been damaged. We’ll examine the tooth and may take X-rays and photos to determine the extent of the damage and the ideal treatment option for you.
We believe in being transparent and helping you understand your dental health. Whenever possible, we’ll use photos and X-rays to show you what we see and explain why a filling may be recommended. During your filling appointment, we may also take photos of the cavity before treatment and show you before-and-after photos so you can see what was treated and understand the work that was completed.
We typically use a local anaesthetic to numb the area before placing a filling. You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but you should not feel significant pain.
It’s possible to experience some sensitivity after getting a filling, but this is extremely rare in our clinic. If you do experience any ongoing or unusual sensitivity after your filling, please let us know so our team can assess it and help determine the best next step.
We may recommend a root canal when the inside of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a crack, trauma, or other damage. Root canal treatment can help remove the infection and preserve your natural tooth.
With trusted techniques and local anaesthesia, most patients do not experience pain during a root canal. We’ll make sure the area is properly numbed before treatment and will do our best to ensure you do not experience discomfort throughout the procedure.
We may recommend dental crowns in South Vancouver when a tooth is significantly damaged, weakened, cracked, or has had a large filling or root canal treatment. A crown can help restore the tooth’s shape, strength, and function.
Our crowns typically last for many years and can often last for decades with proper care. However, it’s often the natural tooth underneath the crown that can eventually develop problems, such as cavities, infection, or fractures, rather than the crown itself.
The lifespan of a crown can vary depending on factors such as oral hygiene, biting forces, diet, and the condition of the tooth underneath. We recommend regular dental visits and good oral hygiene to help maintain both your crown and the natural tooth underneath.
Wisdom teeth are often best evaluated for removal during the late teenage years and early twenties, typically around ages 16–25. Even when they are not currently causing pain or other symptoms, we may recommend removing them based on their position, angle, and how they are impacted.
Removing wisdom teeth at a younger age can sometimes help prevent future problems, such as infection, decay, gum problems, damage to neighbouring teeth, or other complications. It may also be easier to remove them at a younger age than later in life. Our team will assess the position and development of your wisdom teeth and discuss whether removal is recommended based on your individual situation.
Not necessarily. We will assess your wisdom teeth, including their position, angle, development, and overall condition, to determine whether removal is recommended. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, properly positioned, and not causing any problems, we may recommend monitoring them instead.
Even if they are not currently causing symptoms, we may recommend removal if their position or development could increase the risk of future problems. We’ll discuss our recommendations with you and explain why removal or monitoring may be appropriate for your individual situation.
Some swelling, soreness, bruising, and discomfort are normal after wisdom tooth removal. We’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help support a smooth recovery and let you know what to expect during the healing process.
When appropriate, we also use Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) as part of our wisdom tooth removal process. PRF uses components from your own blood to support healing and may help minimize post-operative discomfort and complications. Our team will assess your individual situation and discuss whether PRF is recommended for you.
Dental implants in South Vancouver are designed to effectively replace the root of a missing tooth. We place the implant into the jawbone, where it can support a dental crown, bridge, or denture.
Many people with missing teeth may be candidates for dental implants. We’ll assess your oral health, jawbone, gums, medical history, and other factors to determine whether dental implants are appropriate for you.
The timeline varies depending on your individual situation. Some patients may require additional procedures, such as bone grafting, before an implant can be placed. After an examination, we can provide you with a more personalized timeline based on your treatment needs.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually move your teeth into their desired positions. We’ll assess your teeth and bite to determine whether Invisalign is a suitable treatment option for you.
Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your case and your treatment goals. After assessing your teeth and bite, we can provide you with an estimated treatment timeline.
Yes. Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out when eating and drinking. We’ll provide you with instructions on how to wear and care for your aligners to help you get the best results from your treatment.
Emergency Dental FAQs
Toothaches, chipped teeth and same-day appointments.
Yes, we do our best to accommodate dental emergencies and offer same-day appointments whenever possible. If you’re experiencing a dental problem that requires urgent attention, please contact our office as soon as possible at (236) 326-7258. Our team will assess your situation, answer any questions you may have, and help determine the best next step.
If you’re experiencing a severe or persistent toothache, please contact our emergency dentist in South Vancouver as soon as possible so we can assess the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment. We’ll do our best to help relieve your discomfort and determine the best next step for your dental health.
Please contact our office as soon as possible so we can assess the tooth and recommend the appropriate treatment. If you have the broken piece of tooth, keep it and bring it with you to your appointment.
Location & Convenience
Finding our South Vancouver office and parking nearby.
We are located in South Vancouver on Main Street, near Langara College and just a few seconds' walk from the Main Street and East 49th Avenue bus stop, making our office convenient for patients.
Yes, there are convenient parking options available around our office. Patients can find street parking and nearby public parking within walking distance of the clinic.
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The Next Step?
Whether you’re looking for routine preventive care, help with a dental concern, clear aligners, or dental implants, our general dentist in South Vancouver is here to support your oral health at every stage of life. Ready to take the next step? Connect with our team to ask a question, discuss your dental needs, or book an appointment that works for you.