At your consultation, we will discuss which tooth replacement options you are a good candidate for based on your specific situation. They can include dental Implants, dental bridges, parital dentures, and both traditional and implant retained dentures.
On your first visit, we will take a set of xrays, and possibly photos and scans to gather information. Then there will be a complete dental exam, a periodontal screening, an airway assessment, and an oral cancer exam. We will then do a review of findings with you, and based on what we see, make any necessary recommendations for your oral and overall health.
How long a filling takes is determined by how big the cavity is. Most fillings can be done in about an hour.
Whenever we restore teeth, we try to make sure that we preserve your natural bite.
Dental restorations can last many years with proper care and routine dental hygiene visits. The reason most bridges fail is the patient either gets a cavity on a tooth supporting a bridge, or loses bone around the teeth supporting a bridge due to gum disease. The best insurance policy you have for long lasting dental restoratins of any kind is to have a professional dental hygiene visit every 3 months to remover tartar and plaque, have a professional strength fluoride treatment at each visit to prevent cavities, especially on the roots of the teeth supporting the bridge, and follow the home care instructions that we give you on a daily basis.
Yes, bonding is one of the many types of restorations that can be placed on front teeth. We usually schedule a cosmetic consultation with the patient and the doctor. This allows you to decide together which type of restoration is best for your particular situation.
Yes, you can professionally whiten your teeth. Our office offers professional teeth whitening options, as well as porcelain veneers to cover very stained teeth.
Teeth can be sensitive after any dental procedure. It is usually manageable with whatever you would normally take for a headache. For most procedures, the sensitivity goes away in a few days. Sometimes we also recommend a sensitive teeth toothpaste or a prescription fluoride toothpaste to help alleviate sensitivity.
We recommend that patients avoid strenous activity for at least 24 - 48 hours following tooth extractions. If you have had sedation for your extractions, we may recommend that you take a nap when you get home.
Dental sealants flow into the deep grooves in back teeth and seal them up. They protect the most vulerable part of the tooth from cavities. We recommend sealants on both adults and children who have deep pits or grooves in their permanent back teeth because these areas are usually narrower than the bristle of a toothbrush, and therefore, very prone to tooth decay.
Periodontal Disease or Gum Disease is actually an active bacterial infection. It is also linked to heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, respiratory tract infections, pre-term deliveries and miscarriages, and even some cancers. It is NEVER a good idea to walk around with an active bacterial infection. In addition to all of these health risks, Periodontal disease causes very bad breath, bone loss, and tooth loss. We recommend early intervention to treat periodontal disease. Treated early, you can stop this infeciton in it's tracks, and avoid the need for gum surgery down the road.
