Frequently Asked Questions

What is tooth decay?

How does sedation dentistry work and is it safe?

What causes bad breath?

Is there an easy way of repairing my chipped tooth?

Is tooth bleaching safe?

What are porcelain veneers?

Why do I need a crown instead of a bigger filling?

Do I need to replace my silver amalgam fillings?

What do I do if my tooth is loose or knocked out?

How do I manage dry mouth?

What is periodontal disease?

What is a fixed bridge?

What are dental implants?

 

Q: What is tooth decay?
A: Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in dental plaque damages the enamel of your teeth, leaving a hole or cavity. Any part of a tooth can decay, from the roots below the gum line to the chewing surface. If plaque bacteria reach and damage the pulp, the tooth will likely die, because the pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that supply the tooth. Tooth decay can occur due to a number of issues, including poor brushing and flossing habits, diets rich in sugar, the presence of risk factors such as smoking and lack of fluoride in the water supply.
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Q: How does sedation dentistry work and is it safe?
A: You are given a small pill to take an hour prior to your dental appointment. Your companion will accompany you to the office. When you arrive in our office and are comfortable, our experienced clinical team will take care of your dental needs. When your treatment is completed, your companion will return you home to finish your comfortable, relaxing day.

Sedation dentistry is very safe. Complex dental treatments that often require six to eight appointments can be done in as little as one all while you are in a deeply relaxed state. You may sleep for up to five to six hours after taking the pill. The time you are asleep will vary depending on your needed treatment.

People who have difficulty getting numb will find that sedation dentistry eliminates this problem. Sleep dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits. If you hate needles, have an extreme fear of dentists, experience bad gag reflex or have complex dental problems, then sedation dentistry may be your best solution.
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Q: What causes bad breath?
A: While bad breath might be a symptom of some other disorder, it most likely stems from dental decay and periodontitis. Periodontitis is a disease affecting gums and bone that support the teeth, and it results from inadequate tooth brushing and flossing. In this disease, the irritated gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets fill with bacteria which give off a foul odor.

Patients with bad breath need a complete dental evaluation. If gum disease and/or dental decay are diagnosed, it can be treated readily. The patient will no longer have an infection in his or her mouth, and he or she will no longer have the embarrassment of bad breath.
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Q: Is there an easy way of repairing my chipped tooth?
A: Cosmetic bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or injuries, including:

• Gaps in teeth
• Spots or stains
• Chipped teeth

Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth without requiring removal of any tooth structure. This technique bonds a composite material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing, to an existing tooth. This procedure usually doesn't require the use of an anesthetic; is relatively quick to apply; gives an immediate result and is less expensive than veneers.
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Q: Is tooth bleaching safe?
A: Bleaching is a safe, effective and relatively easy means of producing a whiter smile. We offer several options for whitening your teeth.

• In-office bleaching- A bleaching solution is applied to your teeth and is activated by heat and light. This in-office procedure typically lasts 30 minutes to one hour and significantly whitens teeth after only one visit. Although stubborn stains may require another visit, results generally last for years and can be maximized with regular dental hygiene.
• At-home bleaching- During a visit to your dentist, you will be given a whitening gel and fitted with a custom-made whitening tray. Once you return home, you apply the gel to the tray and wear it for two to three hours per day for two or three weeks.

Even with today's advanced whitening techniques, not everyone's teeth will whiten with the same results. During the visit with your dentist, your situation will be carefully evaluated and you will be advised accordingly.
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Q: What are porcelain veneers?
A: Porcelain veneers are often used for the same reasons as bonding; to lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked or malformed teeth. You can change the shape, color and length of your teeth using veneers. They are thin, durable shells designed to cover the front of the tooth. They are typically made of porcelain and are extremely durable, stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain.

Veneers are custom-fitted to your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and bonding the veneer to your teeth using a safe, high tech polymer resin. You can expect veneers to stay bright and strong for many years by performing good oral hygiene.
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Q: Why do I need a crown instead of a bigger filling?
A: Teeth are often restored using silver or composite plastic fillings. However, when too much of a tooth's structure is removed to support a filling, a crown or "cap" may be needed. A crown may be needed to:

• Restore a tooth when it is unable to support a large filling
• Attach bridges
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore fractured teeth
• Cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
• Cover dental implants

A crown essentially covers a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size. This permanent covering fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. Fitting a crown generally requires at least two visits to the dentist's office.
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Q: Do I need to replace my silver amalgam fillings?
A: It has been shown that there is no medical risk associated with silver amalgam dental fillings. As long as the filling is in good condition and you are not having any pain or sensitivity associated with the teeth that have silver fillings in them, there is no need to immediately replace them.

When your silver fillings begin to break down and need to be replaced we will often replace them with the newer composite (white/tooth colored) materials. Recent innovations now allow us to replace old silver fillings with composite or porcelain fillings that are as strong as the silver amalgam fillings and more natural looking.

Silver amalgam fillings require more tooth structure to be removed and the retention for the filling is actually due to the shape of the preparation the dentist makes in the tooth; while the white composite fillings actually bond to the tooth structure requiring the dentist to remove less of your tooth structure for the preparation of a new filling. For this reason white composite fillings are often now the first choice when restoring a tooth that has never had a filling before.

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Q: What do I do if my tooth is loose or knocked out?
A: Know the proper first aid for saving a loose or dislocated tooth. If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it. If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person hold it there, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation. If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible.

Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it. If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.

Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.

Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction is not the end of the matter. When a tooth is missing, the resulting gap will allow nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their normal position, and the teeth above or below the gap will move downward or upwards respectively. Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the changed positions of these teeth can lead to severe bite problems causing jaw pain and headaches.

Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other teeth in their normal position. This can be done by means of a fixed bridge, a dental implant or a removable partial (usually done to replace several teeth missing in the upper or lower arch). All of these treatments offer good functional and cosmetic results, however the fixed bridge and dental implant will offer better cosmetic results.
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Q: How do I manage dry mouth?
A: More seniors today have retained their own teeth, avoiding the trauma of removable dentures. Many are on medications creating dryness of the mouth as a side effect. Without the natural benefit of saliva to decrease bacterial action, we see an increase of cavities on the root surfaces of these patients. Anyone on a medication causing a dry mouth effect should be encouraged to see their dentist for regular dental cleanings and topical fluoride rinses.

There are also some over the counter products (not requiring a prescription) that are made to help dry mouth, and some patients have found these to be useful. Ask the doctor or the hygienist for more detailed information on these products.

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Q: What is periodontal disease?
A: Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It can be divided into several categories. The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.

The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively. These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss. The treatment is more involved at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery. Periodontal disease can go on for years without pain and without detection unless specific examination procedures are performed. Visual oral examination by itself (even by a dentist) will not reliably detect periodontal disease until it has reached an advanced stage.

Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement of pockets (the crevice between the tooth and gum) with a periodontal probe, and radiographs (x-rays) of the bone supporting the teeth are needed to determine the full extent of the disease and damage it has caused. Effective prevention and treatment is available, but the damage caused as the disease progresses is irreversible. Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement.

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Q: What is a fixed bridge?
A: A fixed bridge usually is made to replace a single tooth or possibly two missing adjacent teeth. The teeth on each side of the space will be prepped for a crown ("cap") and an impression will be taken. A lab will fabricate the bridge and place false teeth between the adjacent teeth of the missing teeth. The bridge will be a solid metal or metal with a porcelain covering (esthetically pleasing and natural looking) that will be permanently cemented into place restoring those teeth that were missing improving the function and the esthetics of your overall smile.
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Q: What are dental implants?
A: A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
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