Patient Resources FAQ

Sensitivity in your teeth is often the result of your gums having receded. Because of this, the dentin underneath the gum line is exposed, which allows food or liquids to more easily access the sensitive nerves. There are several toothpastes, gels and procedures that can help combat sensitive teeth. Contact us if you have questions about sensitive teeth.

Having good oral hygiene practices at home are key to having great teeth and gums. Regular brushing and flossing are the easiest ways to care for your oral health. Doing both of these things every day will help reduce the chances of developing gingivitis, or having tooth decay as you get older.

Gingivitis develops as bacteria enter the gums. As a result, gums can become irritated, inflamed and at times bleed as well. Preventing gingivitis from getting worse is as easy having regular visits to the dentist. While here, our team members will show you the correct techniques you should use when flossing and an Oral Hygiene protocol for Home Care that will help avoid Periodontal Disease.

Periodontal starts out with little to no symptoms. Gums that have been infiltrated by bacteria can develop gingivitis. The gums become irritated, inflamed and at times bleed as well. If overlooked and untreated, the problems become worse.

• Foul Breath
• Receding Gums
• Gum Sensitivity to Acidic Foods
• Abscesses
• Tooth Pain
• Tooth Loss

Periodontal disease should be addressed immediately. The condition can be mitigated with periodontal cleanings, root planing & scaling, laser therapy and local antibiotics. Severe cases, however, will require periodontal surgery.

Silver fillings more commonly referred to as Amalgam have existed for decades. Produced from a metal alloy, it was the top option for fillings. The metal would contract or expand when the mouth was hot or cold. This filling would help prevent bacteria from enter the tooth ensuring it stayed strong and healthy.

White fillings are made of glass polymers or plastic. The advantage of white fillings is that the material used has a more natural look and feel to it. It is made with a resin that tightly fits into a tooth that will prevent tooth decay from happening. The material is then made to match the color of your existing tooth.

Today there are many options that can give you the smile you want. Some of them are:

• Tooth Whitening
• Bonding
• Porcelain Veneers
• Porcelain Crowns

You can choose to have any one of these procedures or several to enhance your look. You can discuss with your dentist the plan that is best for you.

Tooth whitening is an affordable and harmless procedure that will give you a bright fresh smile. Over time, whitening products have added fluoride to help diminish the risk of teeth or gums becoming sensitive.

Your dentist should be monitoring the whitening process after you have had a thorough exam and cleaning.

If cared for and maintained properly, teeth whitening can last for several years. Drinks like tea, wine, coffee and soda can curtail the effectiveness of teeth whitening. A good rule of thumb is to think that if it could discolor a white shirt, it will discolor your smile!

Bonding is an affordable procedure meant to fill gaps in front teeth and to lighten a tooth’s color. The results are apparent right away. You’ll have a wonderful smile in a very short period of time. Like tooth whitening, bonding can be altered by certain drinks constantly being consumed.

Porcelain veneers are fine pieces of porcelain that are placed on top of your natural teeth. This procedure can be completed in as little as two visits. Veneers can alter the shape, color and size of a patient’s teeth. Veneers can also repair chipped teeth, crooked teeth or teeth darkened by age or medications. It is commonplace for patients to ask for porcelain veneers to have an aesthetic that is more pleasing, or that makes them look and feel younger.

Crowns are a permanent corrective procedure that covers your whole tooth. It can alter the shape, color and size of a patient’s teeth in as little as two appointments.

A dental implant is a manufactured substitution for a missing tooth or tooth root. The implant is made of titanium and is screwed underneath the gum line straight in to the lower or upper jaw bone. Most of the time there is marginal pain involved with this procedure. After several months, the bone and the dental implant fuse together. This makes a base for a new tooth to be fitted to the dental implant.

The progress that has been made in the world of dentistry has made just about anyone eligible for dental implants. Some patients who experience chronic illnesses or that have sever osteoporosis or heart disease may not be eligible however.

Typically a dental implant procedure will take between three and four visits. In your initial visit you will have an impression made, have x-rays taken and get a temporary prosthesis to cover the implant.

The next visit will be to actually place the implant. The area will be numbed using a local anesthetic. At their discretion, a dentist may recommend an additional sedative. A small incision will be made for the implant to be placed directly in to the jaw bone. The incision site will then be sutured. The entire procedure should be able to be completed with little to no discomfort.

You next visit will be 90 days later to start making the porcelain crown that will be placed over the implant.

The cost of a dental implant will differ from one dentist to the next. Contact us today to begin discussing your options for dental implants and any fees that are involved.

As long as it is proper cared for and maintained, a dental implant can last nearly thirty years or even a whole lifetime.

Feel free to reach out to us so that we can tell you about the choices we have available to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted!