Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a life-threatening or severe injury, call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room. We can treat a variety of traumatic dental injuries, including teeth that have been chipped, moved, or knocked out entirely. Please call our office for assistance.
Initial Oral Examination
Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, periodontal probing, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We will also take x-rays, which may include the panoramic x-ray for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth as well as the bite-wing x-ray series for proper diagnosis of cavities of posterior teeth.
Implants
Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants integrate (biologically attach) to the jawbone and act as a foundation for an abutment (above-the-gum attachment) and an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.
Veneers
Veneers are thin customized forms of porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers can be used on teeth with uneven surfaces or those that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or malpositioned.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a precious metal or porcelain or both, placed on the top of a carefully prepared tooth. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Whitening procedures have effectively restored the smile of people with stained, dull, or discolored teeth.The darker tissue of your teeth, the dentin, can become exposed as the outer layer of enamel is worn away by the effects of aging or things like caffeine and tobacco.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root.
Toothaches
Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and other matter. Sometimes, a toothache can be caused or aggravated by a piece of debris lodged between the tooth and another tooth. Avoid placing an aspirin between your tooth and gum to relieve pain, because the dissolving aspirin can actually harm your gum tissue.