Frequently Asked Questions

• Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed when you brush or floss
• You have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.
• You don’t like the way your smile or teeth look
• You have persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
• You are pregnant
• You have pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck
• You have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• You have a medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eating disorders or are HIV positive
• Your mouth is often dry
• You smoke or use other tobacco products
• You are undergoing medical treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy
• Your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up; you have an uneven bite
• You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away

Yes. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits will also help prevent problems from developing. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your overall health since many medical conditions can affect your dental health too.

There is no one-size-fits-all dental treatment. Some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year; others may need more visits. You are a unique individual, with a unique smile and unique needs when it comes to keeping your smile healthy.

The dentist or hygienist will ask about your recent medical history, examine your mouth and decide whether or not you need x-rays. Depending on your treatment plan, the hygienist may use special dental instruments to check your gums for gum disease. Your dentist will evaluate your overall dental health and conduct an oral cancer screening.

Ensuring your experience in our office is as pain-free and stress-free as possible, using all necessary tools and approaches at our disposal.

Please call our office as soon as possible. During business hours, we will work you into our schedule. After hours, please call our office for the doctor’s emergency telephone number.

We offer a no-interest payment plan through a third party provider, and accept major credit cards and many types of dental insurance.

American Dental Association recommends that you seek the advice of dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any bleaching program. In most cases, we currently offer overnight (take-home) tooth whitening, which creates less sensitivity and provides longer-lasting results as compared to the in-office method. We will manufacture custom-made trays that fit your teeth, and provide you with bleaching gel. You will fill the trays with gel and wear them overnight or for several hours during daytime, every day for approximately two weeks.

Your dentist will perform examination and determine the best ways to treat the problem. Two most commonly used approaches include covering the front surfaces of your teeth with ceramic veneers or with composite resin application (bonding).

Soft bristle toothbrush. Recommended tooth cleaning pattern is circular, electric toothbrush may facilitate it, especially in hard to reach areas.

Every 3-4 months or before if visibly worn, for children more frequently than for adults.

As long as your favorite toothpaste is sufficient to keep your teeth clean and disease-free, it is acceptable. However, we recommend use of toothpaste that contains fluoride and carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Studies consistently show that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Further, you should be aware that continuous use of some whitening toothpastes can increase tooth sensitivity.

Once a day, to clean contacts between the teeth. These spaces are extremely narrow, cannot be cleaned by brushing, and are among the most frequent tooth decay spots. In addition, flossing is extremely important for maintaining gum health. It does not matter whether you floss before or after brushing your teeth, as long as you do it thoroughly and daily.

When applied to teeth, these two terms are interchangeable and refer to a restoration that covers the entire tooth surface.

Not necessarily. Your dentist will determine whether tooth decay or fracture is deep enough to require root canal. In many cases, while damage is extensive, tooth may be restored with crown without root canal treatment.

With rare exceptions identified by your dentist, yes. Root canal treatment requires removal of central part of tooth, in addition to the areas of tooth decay that are usually present. This puts the treated tooth at risk of fracture, unless covered with a crown.