Encore Dental Clinic

Encore Dental has been placing dental implants since 1996, and Dr. John Kim (DDS, FICOI) — whose Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists reflects advanced international training — leads all implant surgical procedures at the Port Coquitlam clinic. Each case begins with a thorough diagnostic workup that includes digital X-rays and 3D cone beam imaging, giving Dr. Kim a precise picture of bone volume, density, and nerve anatomy before a single incision is made. A titanium implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it integrates over a healing period of several months, after which a custom porcelain crown is attached to complete the restoration. The result is a permanent replacement tooth that looks, functions, and feels like a natural tooth while also stimulating the jawbone to prevent the bone loss that typically follows tooth extraction. Encore Dental offers both single-tooth implants and full-arch restorations, with individualized treatment timelines based on bone quality and healing response. Oral sedation is available under Dr. Kim's supervision for patients who experience significant dental anxiety, and the treatment rooms' TVs and headphones provide added comfort during longer appointments. Patients who book implant consultations during the clinic's extended Tuesday evening or Saturday morning hours find the process far more manageable around a busy schedule.

Encore Dental is an Invisalign-trained provider, and Dr. Denise Lu leads all clear aligner consultations and treatment at the Port Coquitlam clinic. Treatment begins with a full assessment of the teeth and bite, including digital impressions taken with the clinic's 3D scanner — no uncomfortable putty trays required. The scan data is used to design a customized series of BPA-free aligners, and Dr. Lu walks each patient through a digital simulation showing how their teeth are expected to move over the course of treatment before they commit to a single tray. Patients wear each set of aligners for approximately two weeks before progressing to the next in the series, attending periodic in-office check-ins at Encore Dental so Dr. Lu can monitor progress and make any necessary refinements along the way. Invisalign is suitable for a wide range of cases in teens and adults, from mild crowding and spacing to more moderate bite corrections, and the aligners can be removed for eating and cleaning, making them easy to incorporate into daily life. Upon completing treatment, custom retainers are provided to maintain results, and the clinic's flexible schedule — including Saturday morning and Tuesday evening appointments — means check-in visits are rarely difficult to fit in.

Encore Dental provides fixed dental bridges as a proven solution for replacing one or more missing teeth, using the healthy natural teeth on either side of the gap as anchor abutments. The custom-fabricated pontic — the artificial tooth in the middle — is shaped and colour-matched to blend naturally with the surrounding smile, restoring aesthetics while also redistributing bite force evenly across the arch. For patients who are not candidates for dental implants or who prefer a fixed restoration over a removable partial denture, a bridge is a reliable long-term option that the team at Encore Dental has been placing for decades. Treatment spans two appointments: at the first, the abutment teeth are prepared, a precise impression or digital scan is taken, and a temporary bridge is fitted to maintain function and appearance. The permanent bridge is bonded at the second visit, with the bite carefully adjusted for full comfort. Dr. John Kim and Dr. Denise Lu both have extensive experience with bridge cases and use the clinic's 3D scanner to support precise fit verification. Patients who keep up with their regular cleanings and exams at Encore Dental will find that a well-placed bridge can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper maintenance.

Custom dental crowns at Encore Dental are crafted from high-quality tooth-coloured porcelain and are used to restore teeth that have been significantly damaged by decay, fracture, large old fillings, or root canal therapy. The process begins with a consultation where the treating dentist — Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, or Dr. John Kim — reviews digital X-rays and, where applicable, a 3D scan of the tooth to determine the best approach. At the first appointment the tooth is shaped, an impression or digital scan is taken, and a well-fitted temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent restoration is fabricated at the dental laboratory. The permanent crown is seated and permanently bonded at a second appointment, typically two to three weeks later, with final adjustments made to ensure the bite feels completely natural. A well-made crown placed at Encore Dental is designed to last 15 to 20 years or more with proper home care and regular checkups, and patients are encouraged to maintain their usual recall schedule to monitor the crown margin over time. The clinic's TVs and headphones in every treatment room make the crown preparation appointment — which can run 60 to 90 minutes — noticeably more comfortable, and the extended Tuesday evening hours provide a convenient slot for patients who work during the day.

Dental sealants are one of the most effective and underutilized preventive tools available, and the team at Encore Dental has been recommending them to families in Port Coquitlam for nearly three decades. The procedure involves painting a thin, tooth-coloured resin coating into the deep pits and fissures of the back molars and premolars — the areas where toothbrush bristles simply cannot reach — to create a smooth, bacteria-resistant surface. No needles, no drilling, and no discomfort: the entire process for all applicable teeth takes only a few minutes and can be completed during a routine cleaning appointment. Sealants are most commonly applied to children's and teenagers' newly erupted permanent molars, which are at the highest risk of developing cavities in the years immediately after eruption. Adults with deep grooves or a history of pit-and-fissure decay can also benefit, and the team at Encore Dental assesses candidacy as part of each routine exam. A well-applied sealant can provide up to 10 years of protection and is a cost-effective investment compared to the expense of filling a cavity in the same tooth later on. Encore Dental's Saturday hours make it especially convenient for parents to bring school-age children in for sealant application without pulling them out of class.

Encore Dental exclusively uses tooth-coloured composite resin fillings rather than traditional metal amalgam, a choice the clinic made based on both aesthetics and the structural advantages of modern bonding technology. Composite material is matched precisely to the patient's existing tooth shade and bonds directly to the tooth surface, which means less healthy enamel needs to be removed during cavity preparation compared to older amalgam techniques. The procedure is completed in a single appointment: the area is comfortably numbed, decay is carefully removed and the cavity disinfected, the composite is applied in thin layers and cured with a light, then shaped and polished to a natural finish. For patients who need a filling but dread the dentist's chair, Encore Dental's treatment rooms are equipped with TVs and headphones, and the team — including Dr. Jiya Jung, who is known for her exceptionally gentle technique — takes time to ensure every patient feels informed and at ease before starting. The clinic's extended Tuesday hours until 7:00 pm and Saturday availability mean most patients can schedule restorative work without taking time off. Composite fillings placed at Encore Dental are durable, mercury-free, and aesthetically seamless, and with proper home care they can last many years before replacement is needed.

Root canal therapy at Encore Dental is performed with a calm, step-by-step approach designed to relieve pain rather than cause it — a distinction the team works hard to communicate to patients who arrive anxious about the procedure. Thorough local anaesthesia is administered before any instruments are used, and the dentist waits until the patient confirms they are completely comfortable before beginning. The infected or inflamed pulp tissue is removed using specialized rotary instruments and disinfecting irrigants, the canals are shaped and sealed with biocompatible gutta-percha, and a temporary filling is placed while the tooth heals. A protective crown is typically recommended at a follow-up appointment to restore full strength and function to the treated tooth, since teeth that have undergone root canal therapy can become more brittle over time without a crown covering them. Dr. John Kim, who leads more complex surgical and restorative cases at Encore Dental, oversees root canal procedures alongside the rest of the team, and oral sedation is available for patients whose anxiety goes beyond what local anaesthetic alone can address. The TVs and headphones in every treatment room at the clinic provide an additional layer of comfort during what is often a longer appointment, and the team follows up with patients after treatment to make sure recovery is progressing smoothly.

Encore Dental offers both porcelain and composite veneers as a minimally invasive way to dramatically improve the appearance of teeth that are discoloured, chipped, worn, gapped, or slightly out of alignment. The process begins with a detailed cosmetic consultation where the treating dentist — typically Dr. Denise Lu or Dr. Jiya Jung — reviews the patient's aesthetic goals alongside facial proportions, existing tooth colour, and overall oral health to design a result that looks natural rather than overdone. For porcelain veneers, only a very thin layer of enamel is removed from the front surface of the tooth before a precise impression is sent to the dental laboratory; a temporary veneer protects the tooth in the meantime. The permanent veneers are bonded at a second appointment, with the shade and fit verified before final cementation and any last adjustments to ensure the bite is perfectly comfortable. High-grade porcelain is non-porous and highly stain-resistant, maintaining its appearance far longer than composite alternatives, though composite veneers remain an option for patients looking for a less invasive or more budget-conscious route. Encore Dental's 3D scanner supports the impression process for complex veneer cases, and patients can review digital previews of anticipated results before treatment begins. The clinic's Saturday hours and extended Tuesday evenings make scheduling the two-appointment veneer process convenient for patients who work full time.

Encore Dental uses fully digital radiography throughout the clinic, which produces a fraction of the radiation of traditional film X-rays while delivering sharper, instantly viewable images. The dentist can pull up X-rays on the operatory screen within seconds and walk the patient through exactly what they are looking at — a practice the team has refined over nearly three decades of care in Port Coquitlam. Hidden inter-proximal cavities, early bone loss, root abnormalities, and impacted teeth all become visible with digital radiographs in ways that even thorough clinical examination cannot achieve on its own. X-rays at Encore Dental are ordered on a case-by-case basis guided by each patient's oral health history and current risk level, rather than taken automatically at every visit. New patients typically receive a full-mouth series or panoramic image to establish a diagnostic baseline, while established patients may only need bitewing X-rays at their recall appointments. Dr. John Kim also uses cone beam CT imaging for implant surgery planning, giving the team a precise three-dimensional picture of bone density and anatomy before any surgical procedure begins.

Professional cleanings at Encore Dental go well beyond a quick polish — the experienced hygiene team performs thorough scaling to remove tartar from above and below the gumline, root planing where needed, interdental flossing, and fluoride application, all paired with a gum health assessment at every visit. Patients are also walked through their home care technique and given personalized recommendations for toothbrushes, floss, or rinses based on their specific oral health needs. The relaxed pace of appointments, combined with TVs and headphones available in every treatment room, makes even longer hygiene visits noticeably more comfortable. For most patients, cleanings are scheduled every six months and can be booked to coincide with a routine exam in a single visit, which is convenient for busy Port Coquitlam families. Those with a history of periodontal disease or stubborn tartar buildup are placed on a more frequent maintenance schedule — typically every three to four months — to stay ahead of gum inflammation. Encore Dental's team, including Dr. Denise Lu and Dr. Jiya Jung, emphasizes the connection between clean, healthy gums and overall systemic wellness, from cardiovascular health to blood sugar management, making each cleaning appointment part of a bigger picture of long-term health.

Encore Dental has been delivering comprehensive dental exams to Port Coquitlam families since 1996, and that long history means the team genuinely knows their patients rather than meeting them fresh at every visit. Each exam covers a thorough visual inspection of teeth, gums, and oral soft tissues; a bite and alignment assessment; oral cancer screening; and a review of medical history that can affect oral health. Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, and Dr. John Kim each bring their own clinical strengths to the exam process, and findings are reviewed chairside using the clinic's digital imaging and 3D scanner so patients can see exactly what the dentist sees. Exam frequency is tailored to each patient's risk profile rather than applied as a blanket rule — most healthy adults and children are scheduled every six months, while those with active gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or complex restorative work may be seen more often. The clinic's extended Tuesday hours until 7:00 pm and Saturday morning availability mean working adults and school-age children rarely have to sacrifice a weekday to stay current with their exams. Early detection is central to the Encore Dental philosophy: catching a small issue at a routine exam is almost always simpler and less costly than treating a problem that has been allowed to progress.

Preventive dentistry is the backbone of what Encore Dental has offered Port Coquitlam patients since opening its doors in 1996, and it remains the area where the team invests the most energy. Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, and Dr. John Kim all share a strong belief that the best dental treatment is the kind you never need — which means thorough exams, timely cleanings, targeted sealants, and patient education are treated as just as important as any restorative procedure. The clinic's 3D scanner and digital X-ray technology allow the team to catch developing problems at their earliest, least invasive stage. Beyond cleanings and exams, Encore Dental's preventive program includes dental sealants for children and teens, custom-fitted mouth guards for grinders and athletes, fluoride treatments, and detailed home care coaching tailored to each patient's habits and lifestyle. Extended Tuesday evening hours until 7:00 pm and Saturday morning appointments make it easy for working adults and school-age children to keep their preventive visits on track without disrupting their week. Patients who stay current with their preventive care at Encore Dental consistently need less restorative work over time — a pattern the clinic team has seen play out across multiple generations of Port Coquitlam families.

The dentists at Encore Dental are exceptionally well-positioned to administer Botox — their deep training in facial anatomy, nerve pathways, and muscle function means they approach every injection with a level of anatomical understanding that goes beyond basic aesthetics training. Cosmetic applications at the clinic include smoothing frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead lines; correcting a gummy smile; softening chin dimpling; and slimming an overly prominent jawline through masseter reduction. Each cosmetic consultation begins with a candid discussion of goals and realistic outcomes, and the treatment itself takes under 30 minutes in-office with no downtime required. On the therapeutic side, Botox has become a valued tool for managing TMJ disorder, chronic jaw tension, bruxism-related headaches, and facial pain at Encore Dental, often used alongside a custom night guard as part of a broader TMD treatment plan. Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, and Dr. John Kim all have training in therapeutic Botox application, and they tailor the dosing and injection sites to each patient's specific muscle activity and symptom pattern. Results typically emerge within 10 to 14 days and last three to six months per session, at which point patients can return for a maintenance appointment. The clinic's flexible scheduling — including Saturday morning and Tuesday evening hours — makes keeping up with Botox maintenance appointments straightforward for busy patients in the Port Coquitlam area.

Custom-fitted mouth guards at Encore Dental are fabricated from precise dental impressions taken directly in the clinic, producing a fit that is categorically more protective and comfortable than anything available off a pharmacy shelf. Night guards are designed for patients who grind or clench their teeth during sleep — a habit known as bruxism that can quietly wear down enamel, crack existing restorations, and strain the temporomandibular joint over time. Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, and Dr. John Kim each assess a patient's degree of grinding, bite force, and any existing tooth wear before selecting the appropriate guard material and thickness, and the finished guard is adjusted at a follow-up fitting to ensure a stable, comfortable bite. Sports guards are fabricated using the same impression process and are customized for the specific demands of each athlete's sport — allowing clear communication, comfortable breathing, and a secure fit that stays in place during contact. Unlike boil-and-bite alternatives, a custom sports guard from Encore Dental distributes impact forces evenly across the arch, significantly reducing the risk of tooth fractures, lip lacerations, and concussions. Both types of guards can be ordered with Saturday morning or Tuesday evening appointments, and the clinic recommends having guards checked and potentially replaced every one to two years as teeth and bite patterns can shift over time.

Temporomandibular disorder is one of the more complex conditions the team at Encore Dental manages, and the clinic takes a multi-modal approach rather than relying on any single solution. The treatment plan typically combines a thorough clinical assessment of jaw movement, bite, and muscle tension with a review of the patient's history of grinding, clenching, headaches, or clicking in the joint. From there, Dr. Denise Lu, Dr. Jiya Jung, or Dr. John Kim designs a personalized protocol that may include a custom night guard fabricated from precise dental impressions, therapeutic Botox injections to relax overworked masseter and temporalis muscles, and guidance on dietary modifications and jaw exercises. Therapeutic Botox has become an increasingly popular component of TMD management at Encore Dental — the injections take under 30 minutes in-office, results appear within two weeks, and relief from jaw pain, headaches, and morning soreness typically lasts three to six months per session. Custom night guards are adjusted at follow-up appointments to ensure they continue to fit correctly as the bite settles, giving patients a long-term protective solution rather than a one-time fix. The clinic's Saturday hours and extended Tuesday availability mean patients dealing with jaw pain don't have to wait weeks for a convenient appointment, and the TVs and headphones in every treatment room make even longer TMD assessment visits feel more relaxed.