Home

FAQs

More FAQs

Customer Services

Image Gallery

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Information about:
Dental Basics • Children's Care • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants • Periodontal Diseases • Scaling and Root Planing • Tooth Repair • Tooth Replacement

What is tartar?
Tartar (or calculus) is yellow or brown crusty, mineralized plaque. It can contribute to gum disease and can be removed only by a dental professional.

I've never had a cavity. So why do I need regular checkups? 
Dentists check for more than decay during exams. They look for early signs of gum disease, oral cancer and other problems.

Are x-rays necessary? 
X-rays reveal problems that dentists can't see with the naked eye, such as decay between teeth or damage to the bone caused by gum disease. Early detection of these and other problems can prevent extensive damage and avoid expensive treatments. Your dentist will decide how often you need x-rays and will protect you with leaded aprons that help reduce the radiation to which you're exposed to negligible amounts. If you're pregnant or think you may be, tell your dentist or hygienist. X-rays can possibly be delayed until after the baby is born.

What should I do if I chip a tooth or one is knocked out?
If a tooth is chipped, clean the injured tooth with warm water. See your dentist as soon as possible and take any broken pieces; he or she may be able to bond them back onto the tooth. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (or top), not the more delicate root, and rinse it off. Then place the tooth in milk, or wrap it in a damp cloth. If you get to the dentist within a half-hour, there's a 90 percent chance that the tooth can be replanted.

Will my mouth change as I get older?
Your oral tissues do change as you age. Some common problems:
Dry mouth. Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers and diuretics can cause dry mouth, which increases your risk of cavities because it reduces the saliva that washes away bacteria. Your dentist may suggest such treatments as artificial saliva or sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva.
Root caries. Your gums often recede as you age, exposing the root and making root caries (or root decay) more likely. Root caries also can make teeth more sensitive. Your dentist may prescribe fluoride therapy and tell you to avoid sugary foods and drinks.
Darkening teeth. This is a natural process as you age. Ask your dentist about bleaching, which may be able to lighten teeth.

My child just got braces. Is it too late for me?
Your teeth may take longer to move than your child's, but orthodontic treatment can be just as effective. In fact, more than one out of four patients receiving orthodontic treatment is an adult. And today, braces are smaller, more comfortable and less noticeable.

Will thumbsucking or using a pacifier hurt my child's teeth?

Sucking is a natural behavior for babies. Many infants begin sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers within three months of birth, and thumbsucking may continue through the toddler years. Neither habit generally poses a dental problem if it is discontinued before the child's first permanent teeth appear.

Is swallowing toothpaste harmful to children?
Occasionally, swallowing small amounts of toothpaste usually poses no problem, but it depends on the amount of fluoride your child gets. Ask your dentist whether your child is getting enough or too much fluoride. Too much can cause nausea and fluorosis, a discoloration of the teeth. Be aware that fluoride can be found in fruit juices and sodas as well as in drinking water.

Are mouthguards necessary only for contact sports?
No. Dental injuries are one of the most common dental problems seen in patients under age I8. Many could be prevented if children wore mouthguards during all recreational or sporting activities that pose a risk of dental injury. These include: bike-riding, skateboarding and rollerblading as well as football and hockey. Mouthguards are available at sporting-goods stores, or your dentist can provide you with a custom-made guard.

How can I convince my son to stop chewing tobacco?
Appeal to his sense of vanity. Explain that chewing tobacco causes bad breath, stained teeth, receding gums and sores in the mouth. It can even lead to oral cancer. Also ask your dentist or hygienist to explain the dangers. Having an unrelated professional discuss the medical facts (and even show pictures of the damage it can do) can sometimes convince the young chewer to quit.

How will I know whether my child needs braces?
Many dentists can detect malocclusion (a bad bite) in children as young as age 2 or 3. If a problem is identified, your general dentist may refer you to an orthodontist (a specialist who straightens teeth and corrects jaw problems). Depending on the malocclusion, the orthodontist will then decide whether to treat the condition immediately or wait until later.

What should I do if my child chips or knocks out a tooth?
If a tooth is chipped, rinse the damaged tooth with warm water and see your dentist as soon as possible. If you find the chipped piece, take it with you. He or she may be able to bond the piece back onto the tooth. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up carefully by the crown (or top), not by the delicate roots. Gently rinse it off, and place it in milk or wrap it in a damp cloth. If you get to your dentist within 30 minutes, there's a 90 percent chance that the tooth can be replanted. If a primary tooth is knocked out, your dentist may insert a space maintainer to hold the space open for the permanent tooth.

How do veneers and bonding differ?
Veneers are often used on more severe problems, and although they're generally more expensive, they're also more durable and resistant to chipping and staining. Your dentist will discuss with you which procedure is most appropriate.

Be careful about what you eat for 24 hours after your teeth have been bonded or veneered. You don't have to eat just soft foods, but you may want to avoid tough, chewy foods.
Don't pick at the new bonding even though it may feel unusual at first. You could damage the cement seal and shorten the life of the material. If you feel a rough edge with your tongue, see your dentist.
A mild, temporary sensitivity isn't uncommon after cosmetic procedures. If it persists for more than a few weeks, though, see your dentist.

Refrain from smoking in between bleaching appointments.

How should I care for my bonded or veneered teeth?
Brush and floss as normal, but avoid biting down on hard objects (such as your fingernails) or using your teeth as tools. Bonding and veneers aren't as strong as your natural enamel and may chip or fracture more easily.

Will my newly bleached, bonded or veneered teeth stain?
Any teeth, even cosmetically treated ones, can be stained by tobacco and certain foods and drinks. Veneers, though, are more resistant to stain than bonded or bleached teeth. To avoid stains, shun tobacco products, coffee, tea, red wine, and heavily colored foods. (Colored toothpaste's aren't a problem.)

Will bleaching work on all stains?
No. Discoloration caused by some filling materials and dark internal stains, such as those caused by injuries or antibiotics like tetracycline, are very difficult to bleach. In those cases, your dentist may recommend other cosmetic procedures, such as veneers.

How do porcelain veneers differ from porcelain crowns?
With veneers, more of the healthy tooth structure can be preserved since dentists don't have to remove as much of the tooth as they do when placing a crown. Your dentist will suggest the most appropriate procedure for you.

What other cosmetic procedures are there?
 Other procedures include microabrasion (removal of small layers of enamel to eliminate spots) and contouring (filing misshapen teeth). Ask your dentist about these and other treatments.

Implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically placed beneath your gums. After placement, the implants fuse to the bone of your jaw and act as artificial tooth roots. Replacement teeth singularly or grouped on a bridge or denture are then mounted to the implant.

What are the benefits of implants?
One key advantage of implants is that they fuse to the jawbone, offering stable support to artificial teeth. Dentures, bridges or individual teeth mounted to the implants won't slip or shift in your mouth, an especially important benefit when eating and speaking.

This secure fit also helps replacement teeth feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.

Some people may find the stability of implant supported dentures to be more comfortable than removable dentures.

Can anyone have implants?
Candidates need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant and they must commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.

Because implant placement involves more than one oral surgery, candidates must be in overall good health.

Certain chronic diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis or chronic sinus problems may interfere with proper healing and could prevent the bone from attaching to the implant. Long-term medication use and certain behaviors, like smoking, also may affect the stability of the implant over time.

What are implants made of?
The implant itself is made of metal, usually titanium as it has proven to be very compatible with bone and other tissues. The surfaces of some implants are treated with a substance that helps them adhere to the bone.

Just like conventional crowns, bridges or dentures, the replacement teeth mounted on the implants are made of porcelain, porcelain and metal, or polymer resin.

Are there different types of implants?
With proper patient selection, the ADA considers the following kinds of implants safe: endosteal and subperiosteal.

Like tooth roots, endosteal implants extend into the jawbone. A sufficient amount of bone is required to support this type of implant.

After placement, the gum tissue may be stitched over the implant for a period from three to six months. During this time the bone attaches to the implant in a process called osteointegration. A second surgery would be needed to attach a post to the implant. Artificial teeth then can be attached to the posts individually or grouped on a bridge or denture.

A subperiosteal implant can be used if there is not enough bone present to support an endosteal implant. The subperiosteal implant is a metal frame that fits on the jawbone beneath the gums. As the gums heal, the implant becomes fixed to the jaw. Posts, which are attached to the frame, protrude through the gums. As with the endosteal implant, artificial teeth are then mounted to the posts.

Is there any way to build up the bone in my jaw to support implants?
Some studies suggest that implant placement can be successful in augmented bone. Bone substitutes, either synthetic or natural, can be placed under the gums. Over a period of about six to twelve weeks, these materials can stimulate new bone growth.

Would I need to see a specialist to have implants placed?
Implant placement is not one of the dental specialties recognized by the ADA.

Implants can be placed by general dentists or specialists like oral and maxillofacial surgeons, prosthodontists or periodontists. Any dentist who places implants, however, should have special training in the procedure.

When seeking a dentist qualified to place implants, you should ask:

-how much training the dentist has in this procedure;
-how many implant patients he or she has treated;
-how long the dentist has been working with implants.

What else should I know about implants?
As with any medical or dental procedure, implant placement is not always successful. You and your dentist should discuss complications related to healing factors that could influence long-term retention of the implant.

Placing the implant and allowing the bone to fuse with the implant will take some time. The entire procedure can take place over a few months and usually involves more than one surgical appointment. Your dentist may be able to make a temporary bridge or denture that you can use during this healing period. Placement and adjustment of the artificial teeth also may require more than one fitting.

Implant placement also can be costly, and some insurance carriers do not cover this procedure. When considering implants, you should check with your insurer to determine how much of the cost will be covered under your plan.

How can I tell if implants are the right choice for me?
Talk to your dentist. He or she is familiar with your oral health and history, and will help you determine whether dental implants are an option for you.

As part of a thorough evaluation, your dentist will check the condition of your mouth, the supporting bone in your jaws and the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. The dentist may gather additional information by taking dental X-rays or making models of your teeth. This information will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

top

top

top

top

top

top

top

top