FAQ
Why is dental health important?
Everyone knows that taking care of your teeth helps to maintain a beautiful smile, prevents toothaches and allows you to chew your food properly; but did you know that gum disease could lead to serious health issues? Expectant mothers are at increased risk for pre-term babies, diabetics have a greater difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels and studies are showing a link between gum disease and cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and stroke. Immunocompromised and elderly patients are at a greater risk for pneumonia as well.
I have a tooth that is bothering me, why should I save it?
Your teeth work together to help you speak and chew. When a tooth is lost it places an increased workload on the remaining teeth causing them to breakdown more easily, leading to costly maintenance and possibly the loss of more teeth.
My Dentist says I need a root canal, what is that exactly?
Root canal treatment involves the careful removal of the pulp, commonly known as the "nerve" from the hollow center of a tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and filled allowing the tooth to heal normally. In some cases a crown may be necessary to protect the tooth from future damage or infection.
How long will a root canal treated tooth last?
As long as the root(s) of a treated tooth are nourished by the surrounding tissues, your tooth can remain healthy and possibly last a lifetime, although it is still susceptible to decay so good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important to prevent problems.
Does whitening your teeth really work?
Although results vary among individuals, anyone will see improvements with a dentist-prescribed tooth-whitening process. Some of the factors that can affect results are: length of time spent bleaching, existing fillings and restorations and types of stain.
I don't like my smile, is there a way to improve it?
Porcelain veneers can be fabricated and placed on the fronts of teeth. This can dramatically improve someone's smile. They can be used to close gaps between teeth, fix cracked or chipped teeth or to cover up badly stained or discolored teeth.
What are implants?
Implants are metal posts surgically placed beneath your gums. They act as artificial roots for teeth. They can be used to replace a missing tooth as well as to stabilize a loose denture.
Can a dentist treat snoring?
Many people can find relief from snoring while wearing a custom made dental mouth appliance at night that moves the lower jaw into a forward position. This increases the breathing space in the airway tube, thereby increasing the capacity of the airway and preventing soft tissue vibrations that cause snoring. The prevention of snoring is important in that the struggle for air can result in rising blood pressure, which damages the walls of arteries increasing the risk of stroke.
Why do I need to get my teeth cleaned so often?
Good home care as well as regular dental visits can help prevent gum diseases such as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease if left untreated can lead to tooth loss and may also contribute to other diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and pneumonia and can be associated with premature and low birth weight babies.