FAQ

It is important to visit the dentist regularly, or every six months, not just when you have a noticeable problem with your smile. You make think cutting out dental visits will save money, but not visiting the dentist for preventive care will actually cost you more money in the future when you have to pay for treatments to repair and restore damaged teeth. Regular oral care can fix problems in the early stages or even prevent problems from developing in the first place.

When you brush your teeth, you are only cleaning the visible surfaces of your teeth, leaving plaque between your teeth and below the gumline. Flossing helps clean these hard-to-reach places, removing any harmful bacteria and keeping your smile healthy.

You should brush your teeth with an ADA-approved soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste twice a day with one of these times before you go to bed. You should floss at least once a day.

Dental X-rays are very safe. Advances in dentistry and digital imaging have made them faster and safer. You are also exposed to a minimal amount of radiation — less than what you get from the sun in your daily life. Federal law also requires X-Ray machines to be checked for safety and accuracy every two years.

If you are scared to visit the dentist, please talk to our team. We understand your fear and will do whatever we can to help you feel comfortable and safe. There are many different things we can provide to reduce your anxiety including numbing medications, sedation dentistry, laser dentistry, deep breathing techniques, etc. Please let us know if there is something else we can do to help you make it through your appointment.

Children should visit the dentist for the first time six months after receiving their first tooth or when they turn one per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). At this appointment, our team will help your child grow familiar with the dental office and comfortable with the dental chair. It is also important to bring your child in because we can make sure their smile is growing and developing correctly.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects your gums and other supporting structures. Bacteria infects your gums and, if not treated, gradually progresses until your gums and bone structure is destroyed. The milder stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and the more severe form is called periodontitis.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Pain in your mouth
• Bleeding when brushing, flossing or eating hard foods
• Receding or separating gums
• Loose teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in bite alignment
• Changes in the fit of dentures or other appliances

There are many causes for halitosis (bad breath) including,

• Morning time
• Poor oral hygiene
• Cavities
• Periodontal disease
• Ill-fitting appliances
• Dry mouth
• Tobacco products
• Certain medical conditions or illnesses
• Dehydration, hunger or skipping meals
• Certain foods

You can prevent bad breath if you practice good oral hygiene habits, visit our office regularly, stay hydrated, use mouthwash and avoid tobacco products. If none of these help your halitosis, we suggest visiting a physician to see if you may have a medical condition causing your bad breath.

If infection or decay reaches the inside of a tooth, a root canal treatment is performed to remove diseased tissue and save the tooth. During this procedure, our dentists will remove the infected tooth pulp, sterilize the tooth canals then fill them with medicated material. The tooth will be sealed to prevent reinfection. Root canal therapy has a reputation of being painful, but with modern techniques and technology, this treatment can be performed with little to no discomfort.

The Invisalign system uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth. There are no brackets or wires like traditional braces.

Our team will start by digital mapping out your smile and determining what tooth movements are needed to straighten your teeth and smile. You are then provided with custom-designed clear aligners. These will gradually move your teeth into the desired positions. You will switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks as your treatment progresses.

You may choose Invisalign aligners because they are:

• Nearly invisible when worn
• Removable, allowing you to brush, floss and eat normally
• Require no metal brackets or wires
• Custom-made, comfortable and will not irritate your mouth

Everyone can be a candidate for Invisalign therapy. It is most popular among teenagers and adults, as it is both discreet and effective.

Before you start treatment, you will have an initial consultation with our dentists. During this visit, your smile will be evaluated and if it is determined that Invisalign is a good option for you, we will digitally map your smile and have your aligners created. You will need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day and switch to a new set every one to two weeks. You will visit our office periodically so we can make sure everything is going as expected.

Treatment cost will depend on the complexity of your case and how many aligners you will need throughout your treatment, but cost can be comparable to traditional braces. Many dental insurance providers cover Invisalign aligners, and our office also provides several financial options to help you with the cost of your treatment.

Invisalign treatment is completely painless. While you may feel some slight discomfort the first few days, this will fade after your mouth gets used to the aligners.

Our dentists recommends using the Invisalign cleaning system to take care of your aligners, but there are several other ways to take care of them. You can brush them with a toothbrush and rinse them in lukewarm water. Make sure to avoid hot water as it can warp and ruin the plastic in the aligners. You should also take out your aligners to chew gum, eat or drink as these could also cause damage.

Contact our office as soon as possible If you lose or break an aligner. You may need to wear the previous set of aligners or your next set. We may also order a replacement set.

After completing treatment, you will need to wear a retainer to maintain your new smile and prevent regression. A retainer will help make your new smile permanent. You will be provided with instructions on how to wear and take care of your retainer.

A dental implant replaces the root and crown of a missing tooth. It consists of an implant post, which is made of a biocompatible material such as titanium, and a restoration, which can be a dental crown, dental bridge or denture. An implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it will act as a tooth root.

An implant-supported denture is anchored in your mouth with four, six or even eight dental implants, depending on your individual needs. A implant-supported denture will either “snap-on” to the implants or it may be permanently fixed.

The benefits of dental implants include:

• Restored ability to eat and speak normally
• Better long-term oral health and function
• Stimulation for your jawbone, keeping it healthy and your all your teeth stable

You will first come into our office for an initial consultation so our dentists can give you a thorough dental exam. We will also discuss your medical and dental history and make sure you have enough bone structure to support a dental implant. If you have week bone structure, you make need a grafting procedure before receiving implants.

With proper care and good oral habits, dental implants can last a lifetime. The restoration covering the implant post may become worn or break and need replaced in the future, but the implant itself should stay anchored in your mouth.

If you are missing a tooth, you are a candidate for a dental implant. But if you have any oral conditions, such as gum disease or decay, you will need treatment first. You may also need a bone graft if you do not have enough bone structure to support an implant.

Taking care of your implants is the same as taking care of your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss once a day and visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings and exams.

Every patient is different, and the number of appointments needed will depend on the number of implants being received, your oral and medical history, supporting bone tissue health and the techniques and materials used during treatment. Treatment length can span only a couple months or an entire year. You will be provided with an estimated timeline at your initial consultation.

The success of dental implants is largely dependent on your dental hygiene habits. If you take care of your smile and visit the dental office regularly, you have a better chance of success. The general success rate for dental implants is about 90-95%.

The cost of dental implants depends on the patient and the condition of their mouth, if they need any treatment before implant placement, the number of implants needed and what restoration they are receiving. At your initial consultation for implants, you will be provided with an estimated treatment cost. We recommend speaking with your insurance provider as they may help with the cost of your treatment.