Frequently Asked Questions
What causes bad breath?
While bad breath might be a symptom of some stomach or other disorders, it often 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 infected 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 infection and/or dental decay are diagnosed, it can be treated readily. Elimination of infection reduces the embarrassment of bad breath.
Patients with bad breath need a complete dental evaluation. If gum infection and/or dental decay are diagnosed, it can be treated readily. Elimination of infection reduces the embarrassment of bad breath.
What are porcelain veneers?
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 stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain.
Veneers are custom-fitted and bonded 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.
Veneers are custom-fitted and bonded 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.
Why do I need a crown instead of a bigger filling?
Teeth are often restored using silver or composite 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. NOTE: Once a crown becomes necessary, the sooner it is done, the less chance that the tooth will need a root canal.
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. NOTE: Once a crown becomes necessary, the sooner it is done, the less chance that the tooth will need a root canal.
What do I do if my tooth is loose or knocked out?
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.
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.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.
Advanced periodontal disease destroys 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. 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.
Advanced periodontal disease destroys 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. 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.
What are dental implants?
Missing a tooth can ruin your smile, self confidence, and ability to chew. Implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth. Implants (unlike bridges or partials) help you get off the slippery slope towards dentures by preserving bone and adding strength at the same time they replace the missing teeth. Dental implants are the closest thing to having your own beautiful tooth back.
A sterile titanium post similar to the size of the root of the missing tooth is placed in the space. After about 3 months of healing, a crown is attached to the implant- giving the most natural and most esthetic replacement possible.
A sterile titanium post similar to the size of the root of the missing tooth is placed in the space. After about 3 months of healing, a crown is attached to the implant- giving the most natural and most esthetic replacement possible.
What should I do if I lose a tooth?
When a tooth is missing, the resulting gap will allow nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their normal position, and the teeth above the gap will move downward. 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 or a dental implant. Both of these treatments offer a good functional and cosmetic result.
Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other teeth in their normal position. This can be done by means of a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Both of these treatments offer a good functional and cosmetic result.
What is tooth decay?
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.