FAQ
- What can I expect on my 1st visit?
- I get very nervous during dental appointments, do you put patients' to sleep?
- I brush every day, why do I need to get my teethed cleaned every six months?
- Why are x-rays necessary?
- What is a crown?
- What is a bridge?
- What is a veneer?
- What is periodontal disease?
- What is a root canal?
- Why should I try to save my tooth? Why not just extract it?
- Are silver fillings really bad for you?
- I've been told that I grind my teeth in my sleep, is this a problem?
- What is a sealant?
- Why should I have baby teeth cleaned or treated when they are just lost anyway?
- What does fluoride do?
- Sometimes when I brush the bristles are pink. What does this mean?
- How often should I replace my toothbrush? Which type of brush is better, firm or soft bristles?
- Why should I floss my teeth?
Answers:
- What can I expect on my 1st visit?
We believe it necessary to meet, discuss your dental history and goals, develop necessary x-ray and written records, assess your dental status, do a soft tissue and oral cancer screening, and review hygiene technique. Immediate areas of concern, plus long term planning are discussed. We seek insurance information to help guide the patient through this potentially complex process. Fees and co-payment estimates and payment options are reviewed before starting treatment.
- I get very nervous during dental appointments, do you put patients to sleep?
In our practice, we don't put patients to sleep. We do offer two types of mild sedation. Nitrous oxide, an inhaled gas, also known as laughing gas, relaxes the patient without the risks of deep sedation or general anesthesia. Many patients prefer this because there is less grogginess afterwards and there is no need for someone else to drive them home. We may also prescribe oral sedation (a pill) for the patient to take before the appointment. This process requires a prior consultation and a driver for the day of treatment. We offer personal music options on CD players to block out office sounds.
- I brush every day, so why do I need to get my teeth cleaned every six months?
We assess and establish a personal recare schedule. The six month schedule is a reasonable interval for several reasons. Every mouth is slightly different as plaque (deposits) collects on the teeth at different rates. Even if one brushes and flosses on a regular basis, areas are often missed or difficult to effectively clean. We often fine tune the patient's cleaning technique at the appointment. The hygienist uses instruments that can clean areas that the patient cannot reach. The doctor will monitor, and if necessary, address areas of concern before they become painful and costly to treat. Regular hygiene appointments are the best defense to prevent breakdown of the teeth's support structure, as treatment of the gums can become costly.
- Why are x-rays necessary?
Dental x-rays are an important part of a proper examination and diagnosis. There are conditions that require monitoring and are not visible to the naked eye. Teeth and bone have unique properties that are best seen on an x-ray. We only recommend x-rays when necessary for our patient's optimal health.
- What is a crown?
A crown is a custom made restoration to rebuild a tooth. It is necessary if the tooth has received endodontic (root canal) therapy, suffered a trauma that has created cracks or fracture, or had a failure of a large filling. A crown is the preferred treatment to salvage the teeth to maintain the proper function of one's mouth. Also called a "cap", it is made of gold, porcelain with a metal base, or a synthetic resin.
- What is a bridge?
A fixed or cemented bridge is a custom made prosthesis to replace one or more teeth. Just like a bridge on a road that spans from area of land to another area of land, a dental fixed bridge goes from tooth to tooth over a space where a tooth was lost. A bridge involves crowning the teeth next to the space to support the replacement tooth. This prosthesis will be permanently cemented. This process is usually more stable and cosmetically pleasing than a removable bridge (partial denture). A partial denture is removable to clean and is kept out when one sleeps.
- What is a veneer?
A veneer is a very thin, custom made, covering on the cheek or lip side of the tooth. It is made of porcelain and is bonded to the tooth. A veneer is commonly used for cosmetic purposes, but is ideal for repair of chipped, worn, or discolored teeth. They are also used to close spaces between teeth or make a crooked tooth appear to be in alignment with its neighbors.
- What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic infection that affects the bone and soft tissue that support the teeth. Gingivitis, inflamed gum tissue, is the first phase of the process. Gingivitis is reversible, but periodontal disease is not and requires more complex treatment. The first step would be scaling and root planning of the teeth. The patient is numbed with a local anesthetic to enable the hygienist to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline that is contributing to the disease. The planning, or smoothing, of the root surface allows tissue healing. Other possible procedures involve medicines, rinses, bite analysis, repair of teeth and a removable bite guard. Although not reversible, our goal is to halt the disease's progression and to stabilize the tissue's health. More frequent cleaning appointments and a periodontal re-evaluation are necessary. A patient may be seen every 3-4 months. Studies have shown a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. The infection can also raise blood sugar for diabetics. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and is present in most adult mouths.
- What is a root canal?
Root canal therapy is a process by which a general or specialty dentist cleans out the inside of a tooth. This is done because the nerve tissue inside has become inflamed and often infected. This process is called endodontic therapy. The central nerve chamber and canals (in the roots) are cleaned, shaped, and then filled with a biologically compatible material. This process may require one or more appointments. It is strongly recommended that a crown be placed on a tooth that has been treated. The tooth is fragile when the nerve has been removed, and is vulnerable to fracturing.
- Why should I try to save my tooth? Why not just extract it?
The loss of a tooth alters several systems. Your teeth are very efficient in braking down food for digestion, instrumental in maintaining the shape of the face, and part of proper speech. Once a tooth is extracted, the opposing and neighboring teeth may shift. Other teeth may follow, changing ones' bite. Decay and periodontal disease can arise due to these changes as areas may become difficult to properly clean.
- Are silver fillings really bad for you?
This question has been a source of controversy for many years. Silver, or amalgam, fillings are composed of different metals. Mercury is one of them, but it is bonded to the other materials. In the U.S., the National Institute for Health, the American Dental Association (A.D.A.) and the U.N.C. Dental School have no problem with this material. Researchers have found ways to improve the bonding over time. However, doctors, organizations, and even countries have pledged not to offer these restorations. The stated risk is in the "vaporization" of the mercury, meaning breathing residues into the lung and then the bloodstream. The A.D.A. maintains that the amount of mercury that vaporizes in amalgam is trivial and less significant than exposure in food and water. There are alternative materials to use, but each may have its own challenges, depending on the situation.
- I've been told that I grind my teeth in my sleep; is this a problem?
The answer is yes. The extent of the problem can vary from minimal to a lot. Grinding or clenching one's teeth while asleep is surprisingly common. This process can cause face pain and arthritis in the jaw joints. Dentally significant trauma can occur to the teeth and support tissue (bone and gums). Tooth sensitivity, cavities, and nerve problems may develop. A dentist can fabricate a guard to be worn at night to serve as a cushion to reduce the bite forces.
- What is a sealant?
A sealant is a thin plastic coating that is "painted" on a tooth and cured (bonded) with a light source. Back teeth have many pits and grooves that are difficult to clean and are susceptible to decay, but still require the area to be cleaned to be completely effective.
- Why should I have baby teeth cleaned or treated when they are just lost anyway?
Baby teeth are important part of a child's oral health. Though the teeth are often lost by age 13 they serve to maintain space for permanent teeth. Premature loss of these teeth can lead to misalignment of permanent teeth. A child's mouth is vulnerable to problems similar to an adult's mouth. Early positive dental habits are a foundation for continued wellness.
- What does fluoride do?
Fluoride is a form of the element Fluorine. Fluoride can inhibit or even reverse tooth decay at some sites. Toothpaste, mouthwash, and pill supplements are vehicles to build-up the fluoride in one's teeth. Fluoride has been added to water for 60 years, and is dispensed in a tray placed on the teeth at the doctor's office. It bonds to the outer layer of the tooth surface (enamel).
- Sometimes when I brush, the bristles are pink. What does this mean?
Pink bristles on the toothbrush means there is bleeding of the gums, cheeks, or lips. This could be a sign of trauma or irritation if in one small area. This may also be a sign of a more widespread problem. If this persists more than a day or two, it is proper to consult with a dentist soon.
- How often should I replace my toothbrush? Which type of brush is better, firm or soft bristles?
It is believed that a new brush every three months would work best. This is due to the wear on the bristles and the potential for one's own bacteria to collect inside the bristle rows. If you have been ill with a cold or flu, it is reasonable to change brushes when well. We dispense a new soft bristled brush and floss at cleaning appointments. Soft bristled brushes are effective and soft on the tissue.
- Why should I floss my teeth?
Flossing helps to clean under the gum line and between teeth. Food debris collects here and fosters growth of oral bacteria. This leads to gingivitis and decay. Toothbrushes are limited in their effectiveness as an all-in-one tool. It is better to think of brushing as the polishing phase, after the flossing. Proper flossing stimulate the gum to resist negative changes.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Phone: 919-834-1432
Fax: 919-834-3297
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