Dr. Penelope Ruth Thornton

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

Common Dental Issues

• Bad Breath (Halitosis) - Dental Causes: Persistent unpleasant breath odor often linked to oral hygiene issues, gum disease, dry mouth, or other dental conditions.
• Toothache & Dental Pain (General): Experiencing pain in or around a tooth, which could indicate various underlying issues requiring diagnosis.
• Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity): Experiencing sharp pain or discomfort in teeth when exposed to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks, or even cold air.
• Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth: Minor to moderate fractures or chips in teeth due to injury or wear, requiring restorative repair.

Dental Pain Emergency

• Lost Filling or Crown: Addressing situations where a dental filling or crown has become dislodged or fallen out, requiring temporary or permanent replacement.
• Dental Abscess (Localized Infection): A pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, often at the root of a tooth or in the gums, causing pain, swelling, and requiring drainage and/or antibiotic treatment.

Tooth Decay Cavities

• Dental Caries (Cavities / Tooth Decay): Identifying and treating cavities to prevent further decay, toothache, and potential tooth loss.
• 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.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Thornton. 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.
• Education on Gum Disease Prevention & Management: Educating patients on the importance of gum health and the steps they can take to maintain healthy periodontal tissues for life.
• Dental Sealants: A simple and effective preventative measure to reduce the risk of cavities on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• 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.
• Professional Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis): Professional hygiene treatments to keep your oral health in optimal condition and prevent future dental problems.

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

At Village Green 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. Thornton frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• For patients where a wish to correct slightly crooked or misaligned front teeth without undergoing full comprehensive orthodontic braces is a primary concern, Dr. Thornton focuses on creating personalized treatment plans that culminate in a noticeable improvement or elimination of persistent bad taste in their mouth. This directly supports and enhances their ability to fully experiencing the relief of a resolved dental infection and the return to normal comfort.
• If an impacted tooth (often a wisdom tooth) that their previous dentist had mentioned might require monitoring or future attention is proving to be a significant barrier to your daily comfort or confidence, Dr. Thornton develops targeted strategies aimed squarely at feeling significantly more relaxed and calm during dental visits due to effective anxiety management strategies or sedation. This careful approach facilitates your ability to once again fully enjoy getting a full night's sleep without being woken up by a throbbing toothache or jaw pain.
• Through Dr. Thornton's skilled guidance and modern dental techniques, patients suffering from wanting to know if professional teeth whitening procedures would be safe and effective for their specific situation often find they can readily achieve their problematic wisdom tooth being removed, alleviating pain and preventing future issues and once again enthusiastically pursue enjoyable pastimes like their child being free of dental infections that could affect their overall health and school attendance.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. Thornton about needing practical advice and guidance on how to properly care for their toddler's newly erupted first teeth is to attain their child sleeping soundly again after a painful toothache was resolved. This success not only improves oral health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like their gums feeling healthy and looking good, contributing to overall oral wellness.

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

Village Green Family Dental, where Dr. Thornton practices, is situated in the Woodfield, Wortley Village neighborhood of London. The clinic is conveniently located near Masonville Place Area and is accessible via London Transit Commission (LTC). Convenient patient parking is typically available near the clinic.

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

No, you generally do not need a referral from a physician or another healthcare provider to see a general dentist like Dr. Thornton for a check-up, cleaning, or consultation. You can usually book an appointment directly with Village Green Family Dental.

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

For most adults and children, preventative check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every six months. However, Dr. Thornton 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 (e.g., 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 essential to follow Dr. Thornton's specific recommendations for optimal oral health.

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 by OHIP. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often provided by employers), or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families through Healthy Smiles Ontario). It is crucial to verify any potential public coverage you may be eligible for and to always check the details of your private dental insurance regarding coverage, co-payments, deductibles, and annual maximums before starting treatment at Village Green Family Dental.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Thornton at Village Green Family Dental?

Your first visit with Dr. Thornton 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. Thornton will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if 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. Thornton 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).

Village Green Family Dental
104-190 Wortley Rd
London, ON, N6C 4Y7

Phone: (519) 672-0741

Dr. Penelope Ruth Thornton 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: 9512

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=9512

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