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4 Smiling Patient: Dawn
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After:
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Q. What can be done if I have old and unsightly fillings?
A. Old, unsightly fillings can now be replaced
with esthetic filling materials such as resins
and porcelain fillings
or crowns.
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Smiling Patient: Tony |
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Q. What can be done if I have excessive or uneven
gums?
A. Excessive or uneven gums can be corrected with
cosmetic surgery, a gum
lift, resulting in a more even, pleasing smile.
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Smiling Patient: Kim |
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After: |
Q. What can be done if I have stained or discolored
teeth?
A. If you have stained or discolored teeth, but
otherwise like your smile the way it is, all you may need are
whitening procedures
to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
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Smiling Patient: Stacy |
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After: |
Q. What can be done if I have missing teeth?
A. Missing teeth can be replaced with predictable results using
fixed bridges or dental implants.
After nearly 30 years in dentistry, Dr. Joe
has been asked every question you can image. Nothing shocks
him and there is nothing he won’t answer. Here are some
of the more common questions regarding Root Canals, Crowns and
Bridges, Hygiene, Fillings and Bleaching that we have been asked.
If you don’t find the answer to your question, feel free
to contact Dr. Joe or Dr. Eric and they will provide you with
your answer as soon as possible.
1. HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS DO I NEED FOR A ROOT CANAL?
Endodontic (root canal therapy) can often be completed in one
visit. More severe or resistant infections require multiple
visits. Following the root canal treatment, two separate procedures,
the post and core and the crown can often be completed in the
same visit, if there is enough time allotted for the entire
procedure group to be done.
2. WHAT DISCOMFORT WILL I HAVE?
About 25% of our cases report discomfort after treatment when
they have developed a serious infection. An appropriate medication
is prescribed according to the infection severity.
3. DO YOU NEED A CROWN AFTER A ROOT CANAL?
Almost all root canaled teeth require a crown
due to the brittle tooth condition resulting from the pulp removal.
Properly treated and restored endodontic teeth are among the
highest predictable procedure in dentistry.
1. WILL I BE SORE AFTER TREATMENT?
There is generally soreness around the gum line. Pressure and
temperature sensitivity is occasionally seen for a few days.
Do call for an appointment soon if the bite feels high or "off"
once the anesthesia wears off. It is much better to polish a
high spot before the tooth develops a pain or bruised feeling.
2. WHEN CAN I EAT?
Thirty minutes after the anesthesia wears off.
3. HOW LONG WILL I BE NUMB?
Anesthesia for the lower is usually 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours
for the upper.
4. WHAT IF THE TEMPORARY CROWN COMES OFF?
Avoiding hard or sticky foods will keep the temporary crown
in place. If the temporaries do come out call our office for
re-cementation or apply a small amount of denture paste to the
temporary.
5. HOW LONG CAN I BE IN TEMPORARIES?
Temporaries remain in place for 3 weeks usually and up to 3
months if extractions are necessary, and 6 months or longer
if periodontal surgery is required.
6. DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL BEFORE A CROWN?
No, root canals are not required prior to crowns; but if necessary,
can be done after the crown is cemented.
1. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TARTAR CONTROL TOOTHPASTE?
Tartar control toothpaste reduces the severity of tartar formation
and makes its removal somewhat easier for the patient. Some
people develop a burning sensation from these pastes and either
switch to another brand or stop their use. A number of our patients
have developed more sensitive teeth after using a tarter control
toothpaste. We recommend they stop using these toothpastes.
2. WHEN DO I CHANGE MY TOOTHBRUSH?
Once every 3 months.
3. DO I NEED A SONICARE TOOTHBRUSH?
The SONICARE has shown dramatic improvement for our patients
who are not proficient with manual brushing and flossing. Depending
on your maintenance level you may benefit from the SONICARE.
4. DO YOU HAVE TO FLOSS WITH THE SONICARE?
Yes, it does not eliminate the need for flossing.
5. WHAT KIND OF MOUTHWASH OR TOOTHPASTE SHOULD I USE?
Use an ADA recognized toothpaste with Fluoride and Breathless
mouthwash on a routine basis.
6. WHY DO I NEED TO BE PRE MEDICATED?
Millions of bacteria are present in the mouth even a routine
cleaning can cause these bacteria to enter the blood stream
and settle on a damaged heart valve or Prosthetic and produce
a life threatening infection. See your physician for an accurate
diagnosis and recommendation of your specific needs.
7. DO YOU RECOMMEND THE WATERPIK?
It is most useful for removing plaque AFTER flossing for people
with extensive bridge work or patients with braces. Although
not completely effective in plaque removal it can be helpful
in reducing gingivitis especially when used with Breathless
or Peridex.
1. WILL I BE SENSITIVE TO HOT AND COLD?
Normal tooth preparation sometimes causes transient thermal
sensitivity. Usually decreasing within a few weeks. Extensive
decay and preparation may result in sensitivity for several
months. Three tablets of Ibuprophen (200mg x 3) should be helpful
during the healing time after fillings and crowns. Of course,
do not take Ibuprophen if you are allergic to it or aspirin.
2. WHEN CAN I EAT?
Eating can occur 30 minutes after anesthesia wears off.
3. WHY DO I NEED A POST?
Posts are used to extend the crown portion of the tooth into
the solid root after a root canal.
1. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Currently this process, also known as Whitening,
will hold stable for approximately 3 years. Re-treatment is
very simple using an original mouthpiece, new touchup kit, and
new chemicals.
2. HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?
About one hour with the BRITESMILE method. Approximately two
to four weeks for each arch when using bleaching trays.
3. DOES IT HARM MY TEETH?
The chemicals in BRITESMILE have been used for many years with
no harmful effects documented or reported.
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