1) How often should I get my dental cleaning?
(A) It depends on your home care. Flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day are a big part of your home care. Most people need their dental cleaning every 4 to 6 months.
2) What is a Root Canal?
(A) A root canal is removing the "infected" or " dead" nerve tissue from the inside of the tooth, and then filling the vacant space where the nerve existed.
3) Why do I need Fluoride?
(A) Fluoride provides you with an ability to defend your teeth from possible decay. Fluoride penetrates into the tubules (microscopic holes) on the surface of your teeth. Fluoride provides a barrier against bacteria and foods that can break down the surface of teeth.
4) Why do children need to have sealants on their teeth?
(A) A Sealant is a plastic coating that is applied into the groves and pits on the chewing surface of the tooth. This serves as a protective barrier against cavities that surface of the tooth.
5) Can whitening my teeth damage them?
(A) No, not with proper supervision and instruction. There are many different ways to whiten teeth with different degrees of success.
6) How could I have a cavity if it doesn't hurt?
(A) The majority of cavities aren't sensitive or painful until they get really deep, and then there might be enough tooth structure decayed that the possibility of a root canal and/or crown may be necessary to restore the tooth.
7) What is a Crown?
(A) A Crown is a custom restoration fabricated by the dental lab that covers the remaining tooth structure and filling material in a tooth to make it strong again and protect it from breaking.
8) Why would I need a crown?
(A) A crown is needed when you have too much "filling material" for the remaining tooth structure to support, or not enough tooth structure remaining after a tooth breaks, then a crown restores the tooth back strength. Also, teeth that have been root canalled, or ones that have multiple cracks need crown to prevent breakage.
9) Why would I need Scaling & Root Planning?
(A) Scaling and root planning is done when the gums are not healthy. There may be an increase in the gum inflammation around your teeth. Examination of the gum pockets reading of 4 mm or even 3mm with abnormal bleeding would be a reason for the procedure to be done. Possible tooth mobility and heavy tartar build up under the gums is another reason this procedure would be done. Scaling and Root Planning is done to get your gums healthy and to save your teeth. Unhealthy gums can lead to bone loss, tooth loss and many overall health problems, even heart disease.
10) What happens if I choose not to or can't save my tooth?
(A) If you can not save your tooth and choose to have it taken out, if it is not replaced, it can cause movement with other teeth next to it or opposing it, which can result in a change in your jaw position, which may cause other problems.
11) What can be done if I clench or grind my teeth?
(A) A custom made "Night Guard" or NTI Deprogramming Device can be made to protect your teeth and jaw from future wear, cracked teeth, fractures or discomfort. Many patients that clench or grind are unaware that they do it, just like people who can't hear themselves snore.
12) What if I don't get an abscessed tooth treated?
(A) If it doesn't hurt now, it will be a matter of time before it does, and it's never at a convenient time. The threat of severe pain and infection exists, as well as the spread of infection elsewhere, which can be life threatening.
13) What can be done for my loose dentures?
(A) Depending on the condition of the dentures, they can be "relined" to adapt to the shape of your mouth today. Implants can be placed in bone to support the denture, and/or new dentures may need to be made.
14) What if I can't afford to get my teeth repaired?
(A) You can't afford not to, because teeth are a part of your body, and your overall health could depend on it. If nothing is done then they will gradually get worse until they break and/or start hurting, then a root canal and crown, or an extraction will be needed.
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