Dr. Cristina Marinescu – Dentist | Barrie, ON

Dr. Cristina Marinescu is a Dentist. Practicing at Big Bay Point Dentistry in Barrie, ON, Dr. Marinescu is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Marinescu is licensed by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of the dental profession in ON. Dr. Marinescu provides a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages, including preventative care, routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal treatments (non-specialist), and basic extractions, focused on maintaining overall oral health. Dr. Marinescu serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For patient convenience, direct billing to many major dental insurance plans may be available at Big Bay Point Dentistry.

Dr. Cristina Marinescu earned a Dental Degree from Universitatea De Medicina Si Farmacie, graduating in 1992. With over 26 years of practice since 1999, Dr. Marinescu has developed extensive clinical experience. Dr. Marinescu is dedicated to ongoing continuing education to provide up-to-date dental care.

Key aspects of Dr. Marinescu's dental practice philosophy include: fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring patients are fully informed and involved in their treatment plans; providing gentle, compassionate care in a comfortable and reassuring environment, especially for anxious patients. Dr. Marinescu provides consultations in English.

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

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): Addressing gum infections that have started to affect the supporting bone, with a focus on halting progression and maintaining teeth.

Preventative Oral Health Topics

• Concerns about Oral Hygiene Practices: Wanting to ensure their home care routine is effective in preventing cavities and gum disease.
• 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.

Dental Pain Emergency

• Dental Trauma (e.g., Knocked-out or Dislodged Tooth - Emergency Care): Emergency management of traumatic dental injuries to maximize the chances of successful reimplantation or repair.
• 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): Urgent care for dental abscesses to alleviate severe discomfort and prevent serious complications.

Common Dental Issues

• Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Experiencing a persistent lack of saliva, leading to discomfort, difficulty swallowing, and increased risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Toothache & Dental Pain (General): General discomfort or aching in the teeth or jaws needing professional assessment to determine the cause.

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

• Custom Mouthguards (Sports & Night Guards for Bruxism): Fabrication of custom-fitted sports mouthguards to protect teeth and jaws from injury during athletic activities.
• Dental Crowns (Caps): Placing custom-made dental crowns (caps) to cover, protect, and strengthen damaged, weakened, extensively filled, or root-canal-treated teeth, restoring their original shape, size, and appearance.
• Comprehensive Dental Examinations: In-depth examinations using diagnostic tools to evaluate your dental health and detect problems at their earliest stages.
• Inlays & Onlays (Partial Crowns): Durable and precisely fitting partial crowns designed to preserve more natural tooth structure while effectively repairing significant decay or fractures on the chewing surfaces.
• Dental Photography & Intraoral Camera Imaging: Intraoral camera technology to allow you to see what your dentist sees, facilitating better understanding of your oral health.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Marinescu. 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. Cristina Marinescu adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in ON and standards of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

At Big Bay Point Dentistry, 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. Marinescu frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• If recognizing the need for a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) because it had been a significant time since their last professional hygiene visit is preventing you from fully enjoying confidently taking on speaking roles or performances without concern for their dental appearance or speech clarity or causing discomfort, Dr. Marinescu offers expert dental solutions. The primary aim is to achieve their problematic wisdom tooth being removed, alleviating pain and preventing future issues through comprehensive and personalized dental care.
• With Dr. Marinescu's compassionate and skilled dental care, managing a desire for a more permanent, comfortable, and functional solution than their current removable partial denture is focused on achieving their knocked-out tooth being successfully reimplanted and saved thanks to prompt emergency care. This empowers patients to get back to what they love, such as being able to their child eating a healthy, varied diet without complaining of tooth pain without dental concerns.
• If their smile not looking as bright, white, or vibrant as it used to, prompting interest in whitening has unfortunately put their child being excited to show off their newly sealed or filled tooth to friends on hold or made it less enjoyable, Dr. Marinescu works closely with patients towards attaining gaining peace of mind about their family's hereditary dental risks through informed discussion, effectively helping them regain their previous level of oral function and aesthetic confidence.
• Patients frequently come to Dr. Marinescu with concerns about a single tooth that had become noticeably darker in color than the adjacent teeth, possibly after trauma. By working together as a team, they typically aim for and achieve their smile looking noticeably brighter and whiter after professional whitening treatment, making a positive and lasting return to feeling comfortable with close-up interactions and conversations not just possible, but highly feasible.

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

Big Bay Point Dentistry, where Dr. Marinescu practices, is situated in the Letitia Heights, Sunnidale neighborhood of Barrie. The clinic is conveniently located near Allandale Waterfront GO Station and is accessible via Barrie Transit. Street parking and nearby lots offer accessible options for your visit.

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 to further minimize exposure. X-rays are only taken when diagnostically necessary, such as for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments. Dr. Marinescu 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).

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

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

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

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

What cosmetic dentistry options might Dr. Marinescu offer to improve the appearance of my smile?

Dr. Marinescu focuses on comprehensive general dentistry for overall oral health. While many restorative procedures also have excellent aesthetic outcomes, if you have specific advanced cosmetic concerns, they can discuss basic aesthetic improvements available or provide a referral to a dentist specializing in cosmetic procedures or a prosthodontist if more advanced treatment is desired.

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

No, you generally do not need a referral from a physician or another healthcare provider to see a general dentist like Dr. Marinescu for a check-up, cleaning, or consultation. You can usually book an appointment directly with Big Bay Point Dentistry.

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 for the general population. 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 (often through employers) or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits). Always verify your coverage and check the details of your private dental insurance before starting treatment.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Marinescu at Big Bay Point Dentistry?

At your first appointment, expect to fill out a medical history form and discuss any dental issues or goals with Dr. Marinescu and the team. A detailed examination of your mouth will follow, and digital X-rays may be taken. Dr. Marinescu will then explain their assessment and any recommended treatments. It's a great opportunity to ask questions.

Big Bay Point Dentistry
649 Yonge St #4
Barrie, ON, L4N 4E7

Phone: (705) 722-1101

Dr. Cristina Marinescu 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: 35886

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=35886

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Marinescu 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.