Embarrassed about your teeth and want to naturally smile just like everyone else? Then Downtown Dental is just what you’re looking for.

Our dentists have been fixing smiles in Vancouver for over 20 years now, and have specialized training in teeth whitening, bonding, crowns, veneers, dental implants, and other procedures.

More importantly, our patients love the work we do. From notable celebrities and “regular” patients, we have received plenty of positive testimonials about from satisfied clients from around the world.

Our cosmetic dental work has been given extensive coverage in various media including CBC, BC TV, Global TV, City TV, Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Courier, and Victoria Times.

In the field of dentistry, dental bonding pertains to using dental adhesives and a high intensity curing light to firmly stick dental materials to your teeth.Dental bonding can take the form of direct composite bonding or adhesive bonding of a restoration such as a porcelain veneer or a bridge among others. You may not have paid much attention to it during your previous dental visits, but surely, in one way or another you yourself have already received some kind of dental bonding procedure before

Direct Composite Bonding

Dentists repair various tooth damages such as cracks, gaps and cavities using tooth-colored composite materials, which they affix in or on the teeth where necessary.

Direct composite bonding usually require accurate placement of the material onto the tooth, and the procedure can generally be accomplished in a single dental visit. Other similar but more complicated treatments may need additional sessions, but more often than not, temporary fixes and/or long waits are not necessary for laboratory restorations.

A process called direct composite veneers (or generally “bonding” as referred to by most people) which uses the same restorative material may also be employed by your dentist to correct or improve visible parts of the teeth that may be affecting your smile. Composite bonding is usually the best and most affordable option to treat chips, gaps, stains and other damages on the teeth.

Even though direct composite veneers are very easy to prepare—requiring no taking of impressions using molds or using temporaries—your dentist’s artistic skill and accuracy will spell how well your direct composite veneers are fabricated. Some dentists can also be more resourceful and particular, and may choose to use impressions and teeth models to guide them when putting the composite in place for a more precise outcome.

Adhesive Bonding

Adhesive bonding is usually used to create a more aesthetically and visually appealing outcome. The process involves using an etchant, a bonding agent, a dental adhesive and a high intensity curing light to affix a restoration to a tooth. than refers to attaching a restoration to a tooth using an etchant, a bonding agent, an adhesive and a high intensity curing light. This procedure is often used in bridges, porcelain veneers and inlays and onlays.

Dr. Michael Drance

It’s been 27 years since Dr. Drance first started working as a dentist in downtown Vancouver. He volunteered his services for four years in the Cook Islands and the Bahamas, and founded Downtown Dental with an emphasis on cosmetic and laser dentistry at the turn of the millenium.

Dr. Mario Esposito

Dr. Mario Esposito graduated in 1989 from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. Shortly after graduating, he entered the Faculty of Dentistry and graduated in 1993 and has been practicing general dentistry ever since then. He has taken post graduate courses in Endodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Dr. Amin Shivji

Born in Africa and been in Vancouver since 1973, Dr. Shivji graduated with Dr. Esposito from UBC in 1989 and the Faculty of Dentistry in 1993. During the last four years, Dr. Shivji has been focused exclusively on the practice of cosmetic dentistry.

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Why delay getting the smile that you always dreamed of having?

Book an appointment with us today!

From “regular” folks to celebrities like Dagmar Midcap and Wesley Snipes, Downtown Dental has made hundreds of smiles look more beautiful. See what they have to say about our work.

“Thank you for your kind dental treatment for myself and my wife during our recent film shoot in Vancouver.” Wesley Snipes (actor)

“Thank you for keeping my smile in great shape for the camera!” Dagmar Midcap (TV and movie actress, newscaster and television host)

“Thanks for helping my wife Ardena while we were in Vancouver. She took your advice, and she loves her new smile.” Vijay Singh (World Golf Hall Of Famer)

“Thank you for giving me my winning smile!” Serene Aandahl Miss Universe Canada 2007 National Delegate Vancouver, British Columbia

“Thanks, the camera loves my smile!” Joely Collins (TV/movie actress and singer, daughter of Phil Collins)

“Thanks, I was able to compete with confidence thanks to my beautiful, winning smile!” Jane Gingera Miss Universe Vancouver Miss Universe Canada Top 10 Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada

Hi everyone,

Here are some pics of me actually smiling. LOL. I have always smiled with my mouth closed. It is nice to not be embarassed of my teeth! Thank you so much for all your kind care and attention. You sure have changed my life. I love my new teeth!

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou…

Eileen

Dear Downtown Dental,

I wanted to thank you so very much for the kind and friendly way you have dealt with me as a new patient. As you know I have had a great deal of dental work done over the years with a large number of practitioners. I can safely say, you are by far the best dentist I have been to see. The work you have done for me is great. It has improved my smile 100% and is very comfortable. A visit to the dentist is not usually a pleasant or eagerly anticipated occurrence, but you and your staff made me less apprehensive and reluctant. You are a very kind, a patient soul and for that I thank you.

Over the years I have constantly awoken with painful to severe headaches… I have even had CAT scans and an MRI to determine the cause with no success…after you made my NTI appliance I was totally amazed when I awoke the first morning to realize that I didn’t have a headache. However I wasn’t totally convinced yet. After the second night and having the pleasure of waking up with no headache I was flabbergasted that after so many years I had finally been cured. Why no one had found this out before I have no idea!

Thank you so very much, I am indebted to you for life.

Carolina Galvez

Downtown Dental & Staff,

I just wanted to write to let you know that I’ve never in my life had such a wonderful experience at the dentist like I did this morning. Actually, it’s strange to even say “wonderful experience” and “dentist” in the same sentence, hahaha! A brief and painless (painless is important!) 1 1/2 appointment for a root canal and a crown? Amazing… and I got to watch cartoons like I was a little kid again

Dr. Drance is brilliant – warm, funny and compassionate. All the staff at Downtown Dental are equally incredible and marvelous as well and they actually seem happy to be working there!! Thanks again to you, Doreen, for offering to stay till 5:30 yesterday so I could drop off my deposit… above and beyond what is required of you, especially since I am a new patient.

I am blown away by not only your level of customer service and friendliness with each patient but with the absolutely stunning work done by Dr. Drance. I will definitely be telling everyone I know to give you a call should they require a dentist. This appointment today has solidified my decision to become a life long patient of Dr. Drance and Downtown Dental.

Once again, thank you so very much for fixing my tooth and for changing my mind about a dentist appointment. Sad to say but I’m looking forward to my Dec 9th appointment now, hahaha!

Thank you so very much,

Erin Moor

Downtown Dental,

As you know I was not happy with the shape and colour of my teeth, and the previous dental veneers were not that attractive, but I was not aware that anything else could have been done.

I talked to several dentists before meeting you. I like your practical straightforward approach and being able to see how my smile could look ahead of time on the computer and wax models. As you can imagine I was a little apprehensive at the start of the extensive treatment. Once I started to see the results, I was immediately at ease and confident in your ability. When we were finished, I was absolutely thrilled with my new smile. I never imagined how white and straight they could be! I know I that I smile much more, and am proud rather than reluctant for people to see my teeth.

Thanks again, and if anyone wants to talk to me about the experience, please have them call.

see you soon.

John Cartwright

My name is Royle Smith.

Over the years I have had extensive dental work performed by several dentists. Prior to visiting Dr. Drance, I would rather have needles poked in my eyes than suffer the pain and discomfort that the previous dentists had inflicted upon me. Dr Drance capped ten of my teeth on the one occasion, and I never experienced one moment of pain or discomfort in any way shape or form, even from the initial needles given when freezing.

Dr. Drance has removed all the anxiety and stress from my dental needs. I would highly recommend Dr. Drance to anyone.

Royle Smith

Edmonton, Alberta

To Whom it may concern,

re “The Miracle of Mouth Guards”

… I started to wake each day with unbearable headaches down the side of my face and temples. It got so bad I went to the doctor, not realizing that the pain in my face was caused from grinding… When I went to see Dr. Drance, he fitted me with a new mouth guard that did not allow me to grind and clench. Within a matter of days, my headaches were gone and I was free of pain. Every night before bed I put in my mouth guard and to this day, have yet to receive one headache from grinding… I praise Dr. Drance for continually advising of the consequences and benefits.

Thank you.

Tania Forde

Dear Michael,

I am writing this short note to express my thanks for the excellent care I have recently received from you. As you know the work that you performed had been attempted unsuccessfully by two other dentists in the past few years. You ability to remedy a lifelong condition through the installation of inlays that prevent the accumulation of food and therefore discomfort has brought me a great deal of relief and peace of mind.

Ken Losch

Phoenix, Arizona

Dear Downtown Dental,

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the wonderful work you did on my teeth. I still can’t believe the difference you made in my smile with those beautiful crowns and veneers. The other dentists I went to see all suggested the same thing, namely painful and time-consuming surgery to even out my gum line. None of them had the common sense or professional knowledge that it wasn’t my gum line, it was my smile line.

I’m so thankful that I decided to try one last dentist and found your office. I can’t thank you enough for the change you have made in my appearance and the extra confidence this has given me in my professional life. I have recommended you to my friends and clients… If anyone wants to call me, they are welcome to do so.

Gratefully,

Eleanora Corvin

Dear Michael,

I wanted to let you know that my front crowns are still in great shape. I think that it must have been about 10 years since you did them. I am still amazed at the difference it has made in my smile, which is very important working in the fashion industry. I can’t believe that my other dentists never suggested crowns could make such a change, so I wanted to thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Sincerely,

Ted Kakino

Dear Friends,

Just wanted to say thank you for all your great work, you have changed the way I feel about the dentist and even hygienists. The improvement upon my daily life is a great, also in my health and appearance, just to name a few. It has been expensive, but worth every penny… You are all a credit to dentistry… Thank you from Emma and myself.

Sincerely,

Shane Hunter

Dear Downtown Dental,

I have to tell you that I am still receiving many compliments on my smile. The veneers that you put in eight years ago still look fabulous. I am so pleased that you told me it was possible to improve the appearance of my teeth so easily.

Thanks again for the gentle treatment and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Gail Kinkaid

Dear Downtown Dental,

Thank you for coming to my rescue. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness and the kindness of your staff.

Thanks again,

Bonnie Fein

San Diego California

Dear Dr Drance, Danja and Trudy,

The three of you are my new standard for professional services… the crowning touch of being a lucky patient at this office is that, not only is the entire staff extraordinarily personable, they are without a doubt the most skilled dental staff I have ever encountered. Thank you for being so caring, skilled, and just plain fabulous. I consider myself very, very fortunate to have found you. John says ditto to everything I have said.

Kindest regards,

Beth and John Mac Dougall

Bellevue Washington

Dear Dr Drance,

I’ve had problems with migraines for as long as I can remember, but they weren’t diagnosed until I was about 25 years old. I tried a lot of different medications to alleviate the pain associated with them, as well as ways to possibly prevent them, like abstaining from certain foods, etc. Whatever I did, I ended up having migraines at least once a week, usually lasting a day, and overnight into the next day. The frequency seemed to get worse as I got older, and I started getting them up to 3 times a week. The only thing I could do for myself at those times is lay down in a dark, quiet room, and hope for them to go away. Getting work done was next to impossible, as was concentrating on anything.

I was doing some research on the Internet, looking for recent migraine information, when I came across a few pages about the NTI. I read through them, and tried the “pencil test” as described on a few of the pages, and realized that the clenching problem described was exactly what I was experiencing. I had tried night guards previously, but ended up in more pain from clenching even more than I did without. Doing a little more searching, I found that Dr. Drance handled NTI devices in the lower mainland. After an initial consultation, I decided that the NTI sounded like a great idea. If it worked, it would be money well spent, and if it didn’t, it wasn’t like I hadn’t spent much more money over the years trying to eliminate my headaches. We took the impressions right in the office, and it was ready the same day. A little adjustment and grinding of the device after the molding and I was good to go.

I found it a little uncomfortable for the first three or four nights, but as my jaw muscles began to relax, I found it less and less intrusive. After about a week I didn’t even notice it. And my migraines went away. Keeping track in the last year, I have had about three migraines with a duration of 2 days each, compared to my previous 2 or 3 migraines a day pattern. As you can imagine, my sleep is better, my productivity is better, and I just feel a lot better overall. Another bonus is that as my jaw muscles continued to relax, my jaws realigned into a natural position, one that I would more naturally have if I hadn’t been clenching all those years. My teeth look nice, and far more aligned than they used to. I feel like I paid for a little orthodontics on top of all of this.

I’d recommend this product to anyone who has migraines brought on by teeth clenching. It’s been a wonder for me, and I’m very thankful to Dr. Drance for carrying these in the Lower Mainland.

Jack Webb