FAQ Sections

• Abscessed Teeth
• Cavities
• Dental Crowns
• Dentures
• Dry Mouth
• Gum Disease
• Handling Dental Emergencies
• Mouth Guards
• Root Canals
• Teeth Whitening
• Tooth Colored Fillings
• Payment Options
• Insurance

Abscessed Teeth
What is an abscessed tooth?
	An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. This infection may cause discomfort and often times swelling of the gum tissue near the infected tooth. The most common cause is excessive or rampant tooth decay which has reached the nerve. Other causes of tooth abscess are trauma to the tooth, gingivitis and gum disease.
What are symptoms of abscessed teeth?
	Individuals with an abscess may experience a toothache that is severe and continuous which results in a sharp or throbbing pain. Other symptoms may include: Pain from eating or chewing Hot or cold sensitivity Fever Bitter taste and bad breath Swollen glands in the neck General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling Redness, swelling (a bubble) on the gum tissue An open, draining sore on the gum tissue No pain, but other symptoms may still be present
What should I do if I am experiencing these symptoms?
	If you are experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, please contact our office. We will help you determine the best approach to treatment, based on your particular situation.
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Cavities
General cavity information
	Tooth decay causes cavities and destroys tooth structure. Tooth decay can expand and affect both the outer coating of the tooth (enamel) and the inner layer of the tooth (dentin). Tooth decay occurs when foods containing sugars and starches are left on the teeth. Bacteria live in the mouth and it causes these foods to turn into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form bacterial plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that sticks to teeth. The acids in plaque stick to teeth, dissolve the enamel and create holes called cavities.
How are cavities discovered?
	Cavities may be discovered during regular dental check-ups. The dentist checks the surface of teeth with an instrument. If the surface of the tooth feels soft and a dental instrument 'sticks' into a pit on the tooth, this may be a warning sign of a cavity. We may use the aid of a dental laser, called Diagnodent, which also detects weak spots on the enamel. Dental x-rays are an excellent tool that can show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience discomfort to sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits, darkness of color and/or holes in the teeth. If you suspect you may have a cavity, please contact our office immediately.
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Dental Crowns
What is a dental crown?
	A dental crown is custom created natural looking "cap" that is placed over a tooth covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Why would I need a Dental Crown?
	To protect a weak tooth, due to extensive dental decay To restore a broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left To hold a dental bridge and/or partial denture in place To enhance the cosmetic appearance of discolored or misshaped teeth To cover dental implants
How long do dental crowns last?
	The life span of a crown depends on the amount of "wear and tear" the crown is exposed to, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal mouth-related habits (avoid such habits as grinding or clenching teeth, chewing ice, biting your fingernails and using your teeth to open packages). Under normal circumstances dental crowns last 5 to 15 + years.
Any special care required for crowned teeth?
	A crowned tooth may not require special care, different from uncrowned natural teeth. Please remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the underlying tooth is protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing once a day-especially around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth and visiting the dentist for your recommended dental examinations and cleaning appointments. Often times, special fluoride solutions may be used at home and during dental visits to help strengthen natural teeth that support your crown.  If you are interested in learning more about dental crowns, please contact our office.
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Dentures
What are dentures?
	A denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth and covers surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures available are complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
Complete dentures
	Complete dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional denture is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. This type of denture is ready for placement in the mouth within a few weeks after the teeth have been removed. Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth have been removed. An advantage an immediate denture is the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. A disadvantage of immediate dentures, is they require more adjustments during the initial healing process.  Immediate dentures need more adjustments because bones and gums shrink during the initial healing period following tooth removal.  Both types of dentures offer advantages depending on the needs of the patient.  Please feel free to ask our office for additional information regarding immediate and conventional dentures.
Partial dentures
	A removable partial denture often consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base. This partial is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position.
Are there alternatives to dentures?
	Yes, dental implants may be used to support dentures or by themselves as an alternative to wearing a removable full or partial denture. The cost is usually greater, but implants more closely resemble the look and feel of natural teeth. Please contact our office if you are interested in additonal information about dentures, partial dentures or dental implants.
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Dry Mouth
What can I do to manage Dry Mouth?
	Drink water frequently to keep your mouth moist and loosen mucus. Carry water with you to sip throughout the day and keep water by your bed at night. Eat sugar-free hard candies, ice chips, or sugar-free popsicles. Chew sugarless gum. These actions help stimulate saliva flow. Moisten foods with broths, soups, sauces, gravy, creams, and butter or margarine. Eat soft, moist foods that are cool or at room temperature. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide. These ingredients will further dry out your mouth.  Avoid salty foods, dry foods and foods and beverages with high sugar content. Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol increases water loss by triggering frequent urination. Alcohol, as well as caffeine, also dries out the mouth. Also avoid acidic beverages, such as any fruit juices and tomato juice. Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home, especially at night. Quit smoking. Minimize your intake of spicy or salty foods as these may cause pain in a dry mouth. Use a moisturizer on your lips to minimize irritation. Contact your physician and discuss your condition. There are certain medications and medical treatments that cause dry mouth. Contact our office and we will evaluate your condition. There are specialized dental mouth rinses that can ease the discomfort of dry mouth symptoms.
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Gum Disease
What is gum disease?
	Gum disease is a serious infection of the gum and bone surrounding the teeth. As the disease progresses the bone that holds teeth in place is eroded away. Eventually this can lead to tooth loss, if the gum disease is not treated. Studies are showing a strong relationship to dental infections and other infections in the body. We are learning that we must have good oral health in order to have good overall health. Gum disease is treated in a variety of ways depending on the stage, how you have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. Treatments range from nonsurgical therapies that control bacterial growth to surgery to restore supportive tissues.
Non-surgical treatments for gum disease
	Professional dental cleaning. During a typical checkup your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar (tartar is plaque that builds up and hardens on the tooth surface and can only be removed with professional cleaning) above and below the gum line of all your teeth. If you have signs of gum disease, we may recommend professional dental cleanings more than twice-a-year. Scaling and root planing. This is a deep-cleaning, nonsurgical procedure, done under a local anesthetic, whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed. This treatment is often performed over two to four appointments. It is important to maintain frequent periodontal maintenance appointments (follow-up appointments, usually every 3 to 4 months) with your dentist and hygienist after root planing has been completed. Gum disease can not be cured, the progression can only be halted in certain cases.
Surgical treatments for gum disease
	In more advanced stages of gum disease additional surgical treatment may be indicated in order to stop the progression of gum disease, the ultimate goal is to save natural teeth. Sometimes this can be accomplished and other times, in more advanced stages teeth can not be saved. Your dentist may work with you and a specialist called a Periodontist to determine the best treatment for you.
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Handling Dental Emergencies
General emergency info
	Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. If you feel you are in need of urgent assistance please contact your dentist and/or visit your closest emergency care facility. Here's a quick summary of what you may consider for dental problems. Toothaches. Thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible. Chipped or broken teeth. Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible. Knocked-out tooth. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the proper direction in the mouth. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. In all cases, see your dentist or visit your nearest emergency facility as quickly as possible. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour or less of being knocked out. Partially dislodged tooth. See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. If you are not allergic, take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) if needed. Objects caught between teeth. First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the object. These instruments can cut  gum tissue &/or scratch tooth surface. Lost filling. As a temporary measure, an over-the-counter dental cement may be purchaseed at your local pharmacy. See your dentist as soon as possible. Lost crown. If a crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown to your appointment. If you can't get to the dentist right away and the tooth is causing discomfort, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store). If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, you may coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental wax, dental cement, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Please do not use super glue! Abscess. Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated. Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, see your dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum that usually is painful. In the meantime, to ease the discomfort, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day. Soft-tissue injuries. Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums and lips, can result in serious bleeding. To control bleeding, you may try the following:  Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution. Use a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold in place for 15 to 20 minutes. To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bleeding doesn't stop and/or you are need of professional assistance please, see your dentist right away or go to a local emergency care facility. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated. Do not allow bleeding to continue without professional care, seek immediate medical attention from your dentist or emergency care facility.
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Mouth Guards
What is a Mouth Guard?
	Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from impact and teeth grinding while participating in sporting events.
Types of Mouth Guards:
	Pre-made store purchased mouth guards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at many sporting good and department stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky and make breathing and talking difficult and they provide little or no protection. Dentists typically do not recommend their use. Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the materials used and customization involved it provides the most comfort and best fit and protection. Please contact our office if you are interested in a custom fitted mouth guard. Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth, as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech. Mouth guards can be used by anyone – both children and adults – who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in non-contact sports (for example, gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example, skateboarding, mountain biking, horseback riding) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.
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Root Canals
General root canal information
	Contrary to popular belief, root canal treatment can be performed with no or minimal discomfort. A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is severly decayed &/or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed with a plastic material. A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has erupted. Its function is sensory and will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth. An important point to recgonize that after root canal therapy has been completed, it is often necessary to protect the tooth with a restoration that increases strength.  An example includes a custom made post to support the tooth and dental crown to strengthen and protect the remaining natural tooth surface. We will advise you on the best option to maintain your natural tooth after root canal treatment is complete. If you have any questions regarding root canals, please contact our office.
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Teeth Whitening
General tooth whitening information
	Tooth whitening is incredibly popular today. It is an affordable and quick technique that often times dramatically enhances a person's smile. Many teeth whitening systems are available on the market, these include whitening toothpastes, over-the counter gels, strips and trays, and whitening agents obtained from a dentist. In general, individuals who are good candidates for tooth whitening will obtain the best results from the whitening products obtained from a dental professional. Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy gums, minimal crowns/bridges, posterior fillings or minimally restored teeth, no dental recession or sensitivity. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best to tooth whitening. Individuals who have dark brown or gray tones to their teeth may be a better candidate for other cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns. It is very important to ask dentist if you are a good candidate for tooth whitening. If you are interested in learning more about tooth whitening please contact our office.
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Tooth Colored Fillings
General tooth colored filling information
	Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored filling material is applied and hardened with a special light, which "bonds" to the tooth to restore or enhance a person's smile. Tooth colored fillings look much like natural tooth structure.
Why would I need tooth-colored fillings?
	To repair decayed teeth To repair chipped or cracked teeth To improve the appearance of discolored teeth To close spaces between teeth To make teeth look longer To change the shape of teeth As a cosmetic alternative to silver colored fillings To protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede
What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental bonding?
	Advantages: Bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike porcelain veneers and crowns, which are lab designed tooth coverings, bonding usually can be completed in one office visit. Also with smaller restorations, dental anesthesia may not be required. The cost of dental bonding is lower than porcelain veneers and crowns, but the lifespan and durability of bonding can be less. Disadvantages: Although the material used in dental bonding is often stain resistant, it does not resist stains as well as porcelain veneers and crowns. Another disadvantage is that the bonding materials do not last as long nor are as strong as, porcelain crowns and veneers. Additionally, bonding materials can chip and break off the tooth. Because of some of the limitations of bonding, some dentists view bonding as best suited for small cosmetic changes, for temporary correction of cosmetic defects, and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure (for example, front teeth). Please contact our office if you are curious if you are a candidate for cosmetic enhancement and/or tooth colored fillings.
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Payment Options
Can I make monthly payments?
	Dental care is an investment and we realize that most families live within a budget. There are times in which extended payment plans are helpful. Please contact our administrative team and we can review the various payment options that are available for our patients. We have extended payment options available; we also take credit and debit card payments for the convenience of our patients.
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Insurance
Do you take my Dental Insurance?
	The short answer is yes, in most cases. We are not a participating provider for specific insurance companies; therefore we are open to see all patients regardless of insurance benefits. Many patients have been lead to believe that they must see a dentist who appears in their preferred list, yet in many cases they are free to choose a provider with minimal restrictions. Insurance benefits may vary from provider to provider, though it has been our experience that these amounts are minimal in most cases. Insurance can be confusing and we are happy to assist you in determining the route that is best for your family. Please feel free to contact our office and our administrative team will work to answer any questions you may have. Our office phone number is 765-747-9545.
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