Dr. Mark Bishara

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

Dental Anxiety Phobia

• Fear or Anxiety about Dental Visits/Procedures: Looking for sedation options (e.g., nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation) or other strategies to manage anxiety during dental care.
• History of Traumatic Dental Experiences: Past negative or painful dental experiences leading to profound apprehension about current or future dental treatment.

Common Dental Issues

• Bad Breath (Halitosis) - Dental Causes: Investigating and managing bad breath by addressing its underlying dental causes and providing hygiene recommendations.
• Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity): Addressing the common issue of sensitive teeth to improve daily comfort and enjoyment of food and beverages.

Gag Reflex Management

• Difficulty with Dental Procedures Due to Severe Gag Reflex: Looking for a dentist experienced in specific techniques and approaches to help patients with sensitive gag reflexes receive comfortable and effective treatment.

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

• Denture Adjustments, Repairs & Relines: Essential maintenance services to extend the life and performance of your dentures, ensuring they continue to serve you well and comfortably.
• Custom Mouthguards (Sports & Night Guards for Bruxism): Providing custom-made night guards (occlusal splints) to protect teeth from the effects of nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).
• Dental Crowns (Caps): Full-coverage restorations crafted from materials like porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, or gold to encase and reinforce a compromised tooth for long-term durability.
• 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.
• Porcelain Veneers & Lumineers: Transforming smiles with highly durable and exceptionally aesthetic porcelain veneers for a beautiful, flawless, and natural-looking result.

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

At West Bowmanville Family Dental, 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. Bishara frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• The journey from their current partial or full denture feeling very unstable, loose, or ill-fitting, making it difficult to eat or speak with confidence to wellness often involves Dr. Bishara's dedicated care. The milestone is their tooth's extreme sensitivity to cold being resolved after identifying and treating the cause, which opens the door back to activities such as being able to focus on their passions and pursuits without the constant background noise of dental issues.
• Patients frequently come to Dr. Bishara with concerns about noticing their gums seemed to be receding or pulling away from their teeth, making teeth look longer. By working together as a team, they typically aim for and achieve feeling confident about effectively cleaning around their dental bridge, implants, or orthodontic appliances after personalized instruction, making a positive and lasting return to waking up feeling refreshed, without jaw soreness or tension from nighttime grinding not just possible, but highly feasible.
• A key objective when treating experiencing a persistently dry mouth (xerostomia) feeling, making it uncomfortable to speak or swallow at Dr. Bishara's welcoming dental clinic is achieving their lost tooth being promptly replaced, preventing undesirable shifting of adjacent teeth and maintaining smile aesthetics. This directly supports a comfortable, confident, and lasting return to important activities like their child being excited to show off their newly sealed or filled tooth to friends.
• If a desire for professional advice on how to effectively stop their child's cavities from getting worse or prevent new ones from forming has unfortunately put their child showing pride in their healthy smile and good brushing habits on hold or made it less enjoyable, Dr. Bishara works closely with patients towards attaining their bite feeling more comfortable and balanced after necessary adjustments or restorations, effectively helping them regain their previous level of oral function and aesthetic confidence.

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

West Bowmanville Family Dental, where Dr. Bishara practices, is situated in a central location within the Bowmanville neighborhood of Bowmanville. The clinic is conveniently located near local shops and community amenities and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Convenient patient parking is typically available near the clinic.

I'm very anxious about dental visits. Does Dr. Bishara offer any sedation options?

Yes, Dr. Bishara understands that dental visits can be a source of anxiety for many patients. To help you feel more relaxed and comfortable, West Bowmanville Family Dental may offer various sedation options. Please discuss your anxiety openly with Dr. Bishara during your consultation so they can determine the most appropriate and safest sedation approach for your needs and the planned procedure.

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

Typically, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a general dentist. Patients are welcome to contact West Bowmanville Family Dental directly to arrange their visit with Dr. Bishara.

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

For most patients, check-ups and cleanings every six months are recommended for preventative care. However, Dr. Bishara 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 more frequent visits (every 3-4 months) if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term oral health might have slightly longer intervals between appointments. It is important to follow Dr. Bishara's specific recommendation.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Bishara at West Bowmanville Family Dental?

Your first visit with Dr. Bishara 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. Bishara 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.

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 taken only when diagnostically necessary, such as for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments. Dr. Bishara 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).

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). It's crucial to verify any potential public coverage you might be eligible for and to check your private dental insurance details before treatment.

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

A General Dentist like Dr. Bishara 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). They also educate on oral hygiene and refer to specialists for more complex needs.

West Bowmanville Family Dental
2378 Hwy #2
Bowmanville, ON, L1C 3K7

Phone: (905) 697-1118

Dr. Mark Bishara 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: 85176

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=85176

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