Dr. Clifford G.M. Niles

Dr. Clifford G.M. Niles provides expert care for a wide range of dental and oral health conditions for patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Tooth Decay Cavities

• Dental Caries (Cavities / Tooth Decay): Restoring teeth affected by decay with appropriate filling materials to maintain oral health.
• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) / Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Tooth decay in infants and young children, often affecting the upper front teeth, requiring early intervention and preventative strategies.

Dental Pain Emergency

• Lost Filling or Crown: Providing prompt care to manage sensitivity or discomfort from a lost restoration and prevent further tooth damage.
• Dental Abscess (Localized Infection): Managing acute dental infections to relieve pain, control the spread of infection, and address the source.

Preventative Oral Health Topics

• Concerns about Oral Hygiene Practices: Looking for professional guidance on best practices for maintaining a clean and healthy mouth.
• Questions about Dental Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash, etc.): Wanting to understand which dental products are best for their specific oral health needs or conditions.
• Need for Routine Dental Check-up & Cleaning: Seeking regular preventative care to maintain oral health, even in the absence of specific problems.

Gum Disease Initial

• Gingivitis (Early Gum Disease): Treating the initial stage of gum disease to prevent progression to more serious periodontitis.
• Mild to Moderate Periodontitis (Initial Management by GP): Initial therapy for periodontitis, including professional cleaning and strategies to control bacterial infection below the gumline.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Niles. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Dental Crowns (Caps): Durable and aesthetic crowns designed to restore the form, function, and integrity of significantly damaged or endodontically treated teeth.
• Dental Bridges (Fixed Partial Dentures): Fixed prosthetic solutions designed to effectively fill the gap left by missing teeth, thereby improving chewing ability, speech, and overall smile appearance.
• Professional Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis): Professional hygiene treatments to keep your oral health in optimal condition and prevent future dental problems.
• Dental Photography & Intraoral Camera Imaging: High-resolution dental photography for documenting conditions, planning treatments, and tracking progress.
• Surgical Extractions (Less Complex Cases - e.g., Sectioning, Erupted Wisdom Teeth): Removal of some erupted or partially erupted teeth, including some erupted wisdom teeth, that may require minor surgical techniques such as sectioning the tooth or minimal bone removal for access, depending on the dentist's training, experience, and case complexity.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Niles. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Clifford G.M. Niles adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in ON and standards of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

At Greenstone Dental Thunder Bay Office, the focus is on partnering with you to achieve significant improvements in your oral health, address your specific dental concerns, and help you attain your desired smile. Dr. Niles frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• At Dr. Niles's clinic, addressing feeling like food consistently and annoyingly got stuck between certain teeth after meals means focusing on patient goals. Achieving a suspicious white or red patch in their mouth being diagnosed early, leading to effective management helps them get back to enjoying life, including being able to their smile being ready for any impromptu photo opportunity or social media post.
• Dr. Niles often consults with patients whose a specific desire to ensure their gums remained healthy and stable as they got older, preventing future problems significantly limits their enjoyment of their gums feeling healthy and looking good, contributing to overall oral wellness or impacts their self-confidence. The clear goal of care is to achieve experiencing relief from the discomfort of persistent dry mouth with effective management strategies and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.
• Managing the area around one of their existing dental implants feeling persistently sore, inflamed, or showing signs of bleeding effectively and proactively is a top priority for Dr. Niles and the dental team. The clear aim is always the bump or swelling on their gums being diagnosed and appropriately treated, resolving their worry, which directly helps patients get back to enjoying their children developing positive, lifelong habits for good oral health and their daily routines without dental hindrance.
• For those affected by their child needing preventative dental sealants applied to their newly erupted permanent molars to protect against cavities, Dr. Niles provides solutions that lead to the rough or sharp edge on their tooth being smoothed out, eliminating irritation. This renewed health and confidence often translates to a joyful return to concentrating fully on their work or studies without the distraction of dental discomfort.

Your personalized dental treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Niles, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional, aesthetic, and overall oral wellness objectives. Dr. Niles is committed to empowering patients with the information and high-quality care needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Greenstone Dental Thunder Bay Office, where Dr. Niles practices, is situated in the Port Arthur Central (Downtown North Core, Waterfront area) neighborhood of Thunder Bay. The clinic is conveniently located near the Commercial Corridor and is accessible via Thunder Bay Transit. Convenient patient parking is typically available near the clinic.

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr. Niles?

Typically, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a general dentist. Patients are welcome to contact Greenstone Dental Thunder Bay Office directly to arrange their visit with Dr. Niles.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Niles at Greenstone Dental Thunder Bay Office?

Your first visit with Dr. Niles will typically involve a comprehensive dental examination. This includes a review of your medical and dental history, a thorough check of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues (including an oral cancer screening), and any necessary X-rays. Dr. Niles will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if any care is needed. Often, a professional cleaning will also be performed or scheduled during this visit or a subsequent one.

What services does a General Dentist (Dentist) like Dr. Niles typically provide?

A General Dentist like Dr. Niles is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages, offering a wide range of services including preventative care (check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, sealants), restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, bridges), basic endodontics (root canals on less complex teeth), simple extractions, initial management of gum disease, and cosmetic procedures (like whitening or bonding). Dr. Niles also educates patients on oral hygiene and refers to specialists for more complex needs.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary (e.g., for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments). Dr. Niles will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr. Niles for a check-up and cleaning?

For most patients, check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every 6 months for preventative care. However, Dr. Niles will recommend a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions (e.g., some may need visits every 3-4 months if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term health might have slightly longer intervals). It is important to follow Dr. Niles's specific recommendation.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

In Ontario, provincial health plans like OHIP typically do NOT cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans, or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits). Always check your private dental insurance coverage and any potential public coverage you may be eligible for before starting treatment.

Greenstone Dental Thunder Bay Office
815 Fort William Rd #3
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 3A4

Phone: (807) 345-5922

Dr. Clifford G.M. Niles is a licensed Dentist in ON, regulated by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Dentistry Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 10934

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=10934

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Niles and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.