Patient Information - FAQ's
Here are Our Answers to the Questions Patients Frequently Ask Us
Is there a convenient way for me to get all of my questions answered?
Yes, please call us and we will set up a 15 minute confidential consultation with one of our doctors.
Cosmetic Dentistry
What is a Prosthodontist?
A Prosthodontist is a specialist with advanced training in cosmetic, restorative, implant dentistry and TMD dysfunction.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
It can be simply repairing a cracked, chipped or broken tooth with a tooth colored filling to restore shape and contours. It can also be the replacement of silver fillings with tooth colored materials as well as a reconstructing an entirely new smile. It could also consist of nothing more than reshaping your existing teeth to create more favorable contours.
Will there be metal inside my crowns?
No. There is now a material called Zirconium which is as strong as metal and tooth colored. One of the advantages of the crowns is that you will never see black lines under the gums ever again.
What is a veneer (laminate)?
It is a thin shell of porcelain which is bonded to your tooth to correct color, shape and size. Porcelain is a wonderful material because it resembles the enamel of teeth in color, shading and translucency making for real looking restorations. It never changes color and will be the same in ten years.
What is a porcelain onlay?
It is a technique for restoring a tooth with a more conservative design with reservation of as much natural tooth structure as possible. It is bonded to the tooth. It is very strong and great looking.
What can I do to look and feel better if I wear dentures?
Some people can replace their dentures with permanent teeth using implants. Sometimes you can use a few implants with snaps so that your denture will be rigid and solid with no movement. Sometimes all you need to do is make a new, better set of dentures. Dentures should be refitted or remade every three to five years.
What can I do if I have TMD pain?
It usually requires the wearing of one or more retainer type appliances to reposition the jaw to a more favorable position. When the pain is gone the bite needs to be corrected to the new jaw position.
Who can have tooth whitening?
Just about everyone. Different peoples' teeth respond differently, some get lighter than others. You can start to lighten your teeth in the office and continue with trays at home. What you need to be concerned with is the presence of existing fillings and crowns. They will not lighten and may have to be replaced. That is why you should have an examination before whitening.
Why can’t I use over the counter whitening agents?
The results are unpredictable and you could be the one who will have problems with unsupervised treatment. The dentist also uses stronger agents and applies them in special ways to reduce tooth and gum sensitivity. If you have existing fillings and crowns you will end up with a spotty result.
What if I haven’t been to the dentist because I am afraid?
Today’s technology allows me treat the apprehensive patient in many different ways. I can do drill-less fillings with an air abrasion machine. I use nitrous oxide to reduce anxiety and to make you comfortable or I can give you oral medication to totally relax you.
Implant Dentistry
What is a Prosthodontist?
A Prosthodontist is a specialist with advanced training in cosmetic, restorative, implant dentistry and TMD dysfunction.
What is a dental implant?
It is the substitute for a missing tooth’s root. It can be used as a replacement for a single tooth, in a fixed bridge or to support a complete denture.
Why should I use a dental implant?
It allows you to replace missing teeth without involving your existing teeth. They allow you to keep your teeth separate and not connected together.
Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?
Dental implants require an adequate amount of bone to support them. If you don’t have available bone there are techniques today where we can regenerate (grow) new bone.
Where do you get the bone for grafting?
There are 3 main sources for bone for grafting. It can be obtained from another location in your mouth, from a bone bank or we can use synthetic bone. Real bone gives a faster and better result.
Is the placement of a dental implant difficult?
No. It is usually done in the office with local anesthesia (just like getting a filling) and is a highly predictable successful procedure. The success rate for dental implant placement is 96-98%.
How do I care for my dental implant?
It is treated just like a tooth. You have to brush, floss and go to the dentist for regularly scheduled hygiene appointments.
How long before I get my tooth?
The time usually varies in different parts of the mouth. There are also techniques today where we can place a temporary tooth the same day on the implant immediately. There are also advanced cases where we can place the final permanent teeth at the same time the implants are placed. There are many options.
What if I haven’t been to the dentist because I am afraid?
Today’s technology allows me treat the apprehensive patient in many different ways. I can do drill-less fillings with an air abrasion machine. I use nitrous oxide to reduce anxiety and to make you comfortable or I can give you oral medication to totally relax you.
