FAQs

Do you think your teeth are too yellow?
How can I get the yellow out of my teeth?
How long does bleaching last?
I smoked for years -- can my teeth be whiter?
My old fillings in the front have turned dark. Can they be bleached?
What is Bonding?
My tooth is sensitive to air. How come?
Why is is important to fill decayed teeth, even baby teeth?
Do you accept my dental insurance plan?
What can I anticipate happening during my initial visit?
Why do I have to have x-rays? Won't it cause cancer?
At what age should children first see a dentist?
How does fluoride work?
How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
I recently noticed a white patch in my mouth that won’t seem to go away. Should I be concerned?
My son chews tobacco -- will it cause cancer?
What are Sealants?
Which teeth can have Sealants?
Why do I need X-rays?
My gums have shrunk making my teeth look larger, what can be done?
What are the signs of Gum Disease?
What is Gum Disease?
What is Plaque?
What is the difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Will my insurance cover periodontal treatment?


Do you think your teeth are too yellow?
Cosmetic bleaching is a simple, safe, and easy way to brighten up your smile. It usually takes only a few weeks to dramatically whiten your smile.

How can I get the yellow out of my teeth?
The first step is to get a cleaning using a "prophy jet" with a baking soda spray and tooth polishing as the last step. This will help your dentist evaluate the type and amount of real discoloration present in your teeth. Then, a two-step in-office bleaching technique using heat/lamp or the new laser approach is combined with the usual "matrix home bleach" for the safest, quickest way to whiter teeth. Subsequent follow-up is recommended to maintain your new tooth color.

How long does bleaching last?
Each person is different. It depends on many factors including your diet, the original color of your teeth, and each person's ability just to absorb the bleaching products.

I smoked for years -- can my teeth be whiter?
Yes. External bleaching may or may not help. If not, the teeth can be covered with a light composite resin bonding or beautiful "stick on" porcelain laminates. However, continued heavy smoking will unfortunately shorten the longevity of any treatment result.

My old fillings in the front have turned dark. Can they be bleached?
Bonding and composite resin fillings do not bleach. Usually, polishing may help but if not, you can have the surface of the fittings redone. Otherwise, it's time to replace with newer bonding or porcelain laminates for longer lasting results. Remember, only replace these fillings after bleaching in order to match the new improved color of your own natural tooth.

What is Bonding?
Advances in dental materials have given us a new approach to broken, strained, or discolored front teeth. In a relatively simple procedure, a composite resin or porcelain material is added directly to the roughened enamel surface of the tooth. Often no anesthetic is required. Bonding can be used to close gaps or spaces between teeth or to make crowded teeth appear straight. Cosmetic dentistry can have an impact on a person's smile that is like magic.

My tooth is sensitive to air. How come?
· A sensitive root. As we get older, more of the root of a tooth can become exposed, and this exposed root can be susceptible to dehydration or touch. This tooth may need either a filling or a protective coating to prevent undue irritation of the tooth
· Sensitivity to air can also be aggravated by any other irritation to the tooth -- a deep filling, decay, or recent dental treatment.
· If part of a tooth has broken off, or part of a filling is missing, the tooth can also be sensitive to air.


Why is is important to fill decayed teeth, even baby teeth?
For children, untreated decay can result in chronic pain and early tooth loss. These sequelae can lead to failure to thrive, inability to concentrate at or absence from school, reduced self-esteem, and psychosocial problems. Primary teeth should be retained until their permanent successor teeth emerge. Permanent teeth should be retained for life, if properly cared for. Decayed teeth should be repaired promptly so that fillings may be kept small and as much natural tooth structure as possible conserved. Typically, fillings have to be replaced several times during life; each time, additional tooth structure has to be removed, weakening the tooth. Of course, preventing the initial cavity is preferable to restoring the tooth after disease has occurred. Prevention is best accomplished with fluoride and dental sealants.


Do you accept my dental insurance plan?
Our practice accepts a wide variety of dental insurance plans. To determine if your plan is one of these, simply call our office and we'll be happy to research it for you. We're well-versed in the latest coverage trends, and are more than happy to discuss the particulars of your plan with you prior to any treatments you may undergo.

What can I anticipate happening during my initial visit?
During your first visit, our goal is to get to know you, clearly understand your dental health condition, and determine the best plan for any required treatments. So we'll spend time asking you questions and listening carefully to your answers. We'll also do a detailed charting of the health status of your teeth, gums, and related structures, and take any necessary x-rays.

Why do I have to have x-rays? Won't it cause cancer?
X-rays show a variety of things not seen by a visual exam including bone loss, tooth decay, impacted teeth, some tumors and cysts. Most dental x-ray machines today are low dosage. For the very concerned patient, a new technology called radiovisiography uses the lowest amount of radiation. For instance, an entire set of complete x-rays is equal to one conventional x-ray using 90% less radiation.

At what age should children first see a dentist?
We're convinced that good dental health begins early. In fact, it's not too early to bring your child in for their first dental visit after their primary teeth have erupted, or generally around their third birthday. This provides us with an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems; it also gives your child a positive, non-threatening dental office experience.

How does fluoride work?
Tooth decay is an infectious and transmissible bacterial disease. When a person eats sugar, or other refined carbohydrates, some oral bacteria produce acid that removes minerals from the surface of the tooth (demineralization). If the demineralization process continues for a period of time, a cavity is formed. If fluoride is available, the demineralization process can be reversed thereby preventing the formation of a cavity. In addition, fluoride reduces the ability of the oral bacteria to produce acid.

How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
Each person is different...twice a year is based on most insurance coverage, but most patients need to have a professional dental cleaning every 3 to 4 months. Decay and gum disease is caused by bacteria in a colony that takes about 8-10 weeks to become destructive or must be removed or broken up within this base period.

I recently noticed a white patch in my mouth that won’t seem to go away. Should I be concerned?
Any mouth sore that persists for more than a week should be examined by your dentist. Leukoplakia is a thick, whitish-color patch that forms on the cheeks, gums or tongue and is caused by excess cell growth. It is common among tobacco users and can also result from irritations such as ill-filling dentures or a habit of chewing on one's cheek. The danger of leukoplakia is that it can progress to cancer. Your dentist may want to take a biopsy if the leukoplakia appears to be threatening.

My son chews tobacco -- will it cause cancer?
It sure can! Even worse than cigarettes because of the concentration of tobacco. Chewing tobacco is an absolute cancer producer.

What are Sealants?
Sealants are, without a doubt, the finest, preventive service that we can provide our patients. In this process, the grooves in the teeth are sealed with a thin but hard plastic resin coating that effectively eliminates the potential for tooth decay. With no pain, no shots, no drilling, sealants are radically improving the health of our children and adult patients. That's great!

Which teeth can have Sealants?
Cavity Prevention At Any Age
Primary molars
Pre-Teens molars
Teens bicuspids and molars
Adults bicuspids and molars

Why do I need X-rays?
Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide your dentist with an important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement, and the overall composition of your facial bones.
X-rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses, and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays also can show the exact location of impacted and unerupted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through a visual examination.


My gums have shrunk making my teeth look larger, what can be done?
Sometimes a gum graft can be done to cover sensitive roots and stop the downward progression of your gums. New techniques with little discomfort and great results are available. You may also need bonding, or other restorative treatment as part of the treatment plan.

What are the signs of Gum Disease?
If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see your dentist immediately:
· gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
· red, swollen or tender gums
· gums that have pulled away from the teeth
· bad breath that doesn't go away
· pus between your teeth and gums
· loose teeth
· a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
· a change in the fit of partial dentures

What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, however, you may not know you have it.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.


What is Plaque?
Plaque is a bacteria-laden white substance, which forms on the teeth and contributes to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Effective flossing will help remove plaque missed by brushing before it contributes to these harmful effects.

What is the difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums can become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.

In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

Will my insurance cover periodontal treatment?
Dental insurance is intended to cover some, but not all of the cost of your dental care. Most plans include coinsurance provisions, a deductible, and certain other expenses which must be paid by the patient at the time of services. Reimbursement amounts are not, and never have been, a guideline for quality care.