These are some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to call us if you need additional information. We are always pleased to assist you.
GENERAL 1. Q: Is it possible to keep my teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime? A: Yes, with routine dental and preventive care combined with excellent oral hygiene.
2. Q: Is dental treatment painful? A: No, when proper techniques are used, dental treatment can be extremely comfortable and pain free.
3. Q: What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss? A: This a sign that Periodontal Disease is present and needs to be treated. This is what leads to tooth loss.
4. Q: Are dental x-rays harmful? A: No, our equipment is state of the art and minimizes patient exposure.
5. Q: Is it possible to make my teeth whiter? A: Yes, we offer professional teeth whitening.
6. Q: What can be done with my gaps? A: Gaps may range from wide spaces between the teeth, to a missing tooth or teeth. Gaps, or diastematas, are efficiently closed by use of bonding with composite resin, veneers or crowning.
7. Q: What can be done with my worn and irregular teeth? A: Worn teeth are usually a sign of "bite problems". Worn teeth can be restored with some form of reconstruction, veneers and/or crowns.
8. Q: How do you know if you have an inflamed/infected tooth nerve? A: Some signs are heat and cold sensitivity, swelling and pain, or a bad taste in your mouth. Or, you may experience no symptoms at all, and not realize that you have a dental problem until your Dentist discovers this before you get symptoms.
9. Q: Is it important to floss your teeth? A: Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the buildup of plaque & deters the onset of gingivitis & periodontal disease.
10. Q: When should a child have his/her first dental appointment? A: A child should have his first dental appointment no later than his third birthday. Many dentists recommend a child have his first appointment when the first tooth comes in.
11. Q: Who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted? A: Anyone who is in danger of developing impacted wisdom teeth (third molars that only partially erupt or get trapped or stuck in the jaw) should have them removed so that they do not damage adjacent molars & cause other oral problems. In addition, anyone who is getting dentures should have their wisdom teeth removed. DENTAL IMPLANT 1. Q: WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS? A: A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone. As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration. After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.
2. Q: WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS? A: We begin with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical and dental history, and a full clinical examination of the entire mouth and missing tooth area. The clinical exam should also include specific X-rays. After assessing the patient, a comprehensive treatment plan can be devised. From that point, implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia. The length of the healing time is based on the quality and quantity of bone, as well as the type of implant placed. After adequate healing is allowed to occur, the implant can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT 1. Q: WHAT IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT (RCT)? A: Root Canal Treatment (RCT) involves the removal of infected damaged pulp form the diseased tooth. After that the hallow pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, filled and sealed. RCT can be done on all teeth as long as they are firm and restorable.
2. Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RCT? A: RCT saves teeth that would otherwise be extracted. Although the pulp has been removed, the tooth is still anchored in the bone and can be still be used for biting and chewing.
3. Q: WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO RCT? A: Extraction is the only other alternative. The extracted tooth will have to be replaced by a denture, bridge or implant. Otherwise neighbouring teeth will move into the space, creating problems with eating and cleaning. These can lead to gumdisease and new cavities.
4. Q: IS RCT PAINFUL? A: RCT is a relatively comfortable procedure and it involves no pain since the tooth will be aneesthetised during treatment. However you may have some discomfort after each appointment due to the inflammation of the surrounding tissues. A mild analgesic will usually take care of the discomfort. If you experience severe pain, then you should call your dentist.
5. Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ROOT CANAL DISEASE? A: Root canal disease can manifest itself with a wide variety and combination of symptoms. Common symptoms of root canal disease include: -Lingering sensitivity to cold liquids, Lingering sensitivity to hot liquids, Sensitivity to sweets, Pain to biting pressure, Pain that is referred from a tooth to another area, such as the neck, temple, or the ear, Spontaneous toothache, such as that experienced while reading a magazine, watching television, etc., Constant or intermittent pain, Severe pain, Throbbing pain, Pain that may occur in response to atmospheric pressure changes, such as when flying or scuba diving, Pain that may occur in response to postural changes, such as when going from a standing to a reclining position, Swelling If you have any of these symptoms and concerns, please contact us because you might have root canal disease or another dental problem. Some of these symptoms may also be attributable to decay, defective fillings, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, or other tooth or bite-related problems. On other occasions, the symptoms may even be caused by disorders that are not related to the teeth. 6. Q: WHY ROOT CANAL? A: Many people alarmed when their dentists tell them they need root canal therapy. While dentists are sympathetic to fears of pain, we also want you to know that root canal therapy has three purposes: i) Stop the toothache ii) Prevent bacteria and pain from spreading into the jaw iii) Maintain the original tooth instead of replacing it with a denture or bridge The root canal is actually a channel that runs from the root of the tooth, which connects to the bone, up to the top surface of the tooth. The canal contains blood vessels, nerves, and the complex cells that make up the living tissue inside the tooth. This lifeline inside the tooth is called the pulp. When a tooth is decayed or cracked, bacteria can get to the pulp. The acid from the bacteria irritates the pulp and it becomes inflamed; it’s the same process you watch when other parts of your body become infected. When the pulp tissue becomes inflamed, it’s harder for blood to flow to the tissue, and the resulting pressure creates pain inside your tooth. 7. Q: WHAT ARE ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE? A: A root canal procedure limits the infection and keeps it from destroying the tooth. During the root canal treatment procedure, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected tissue, carefully cleans, disinfects, and shapes the root canal space inside the tooth, and then fills and seals this space. It may take one or more appointments to complete the procedure. A protective restoration should be placed after root canal treatment has been completed in order to restore the tooth to function and help prevent tooth fracture. We think of a root canal as washing the invasive bacteria out of the root, filling it with a biocompatible material that soothes the area, then sealing it back up again. Fill it with a solid filling or a crown, and you’re as good as new.