Frequently Asked Questions

Simple answer—NO! Dental Amalgam fillings have been around for over 100 years and studied continuously. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND STUDY SHOWING ANY TOXIC EFFECTS PRODUCED BY SILVER FILLINGS. The silver fillings are not attractive and, while durable, many patients prefer to have more cosmetic tooth colored restorations placed. The amalgam (silver) fillings are limited to passive (non-stressed) areas of the teeth. In high stress areas, the more durable all ceramic inlays and onlays are now the preferred treatment.

For individuals with missing teeth, Dental Implants are a revolutionary method of tooth replacement. The process involves placing permanent anchors into the jawbone on which dental restorations are installed. Because they are anchored into the jawbone, these Implant Restorations are as close to natural teeth as modern Dental Technology can create.

The Facial (front) surfaces of teeth can be overlaid with permanent Porcelain Facings. These facings can change the shape and color of the teeth to improve their appearance. Laminates are custom fabricated to fit exactly and produce the desired appearance.

Dental appliances replace missing teeth. Removable appliances (Partial Dentures) replace teeth by clasping existing teeth and support artificial teeth by resting on the gums. Fixed Bridges are crown supported appliances cemented permanently onto Existing Teeth and have Artificial Teeth (Pontics) fused to them. Gaps caused by missing teeth are closed and the spaces are filled in by the artificial teeth suspended over the empty gum areas (thus the name Bridges).

A composite (or tooth-colored filling) consists of hard crystalline powers suspended in a polymer resin material that is soft and putty like until chemically hardened. This restorative material is chemically attached (Bonded) into and onto the tooth to produce a cosmetically acceptable tooth colored restoration.

Often, a tooth will have too large a cavity to be ‘Filled’ properly. In these instances, the outer surface of the tooth is prepared to receive a custom restoration that completely covers and protects the tooth. This restoration covers the tooth like a hat. This is the reason that these types of restorations are called Crowns.

A Dental Filling is exactly what the name implies. Removing decay from a tooth leaves a hole. This hole is then ‘filled’ up with a Restorative Material. The smaller cavity the less ‘filling’ it needs. When a tooth gets a cavity, the decay progresses rapidly and can become a large hole. Frequent Dental Checkups can catch problems before they get too big.

A CEREC Crown is a Tooth Colored, Non-Metallic Milled Ceramic Dental Restoration. It is produced using STATE-OF-THE-ART CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design & Computer Aided Milling) methods. This Technique is accurate to within 10 microns (that's 10 1000's of a millimeter). A human hair is 50 microns in diameter. The CEREC System is used to design very lifelike, strong, conservative Dental Restorations. The use of Computer Milling Machines can drastically shorten the time needed to provide this service.

There is increasing evidence pointing to a direct link between gum disease and heart disease, as well as, other serious medical problems. Medical Researchers are actively pursuing the relationship between the changes that occur in the immune system when oral infections are present. These changes in the immune system are also linked to Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Alzheimer’s syndrome, Arthritis, and other Medical Conditions.

The stock answer to this question is TWICE A YEAR. For some individuals, however, this is not often enough. In order to prevent PERIODONTAL DISEASE from developing, many people have to have their teeth cleaned every three to four months.

Scaling and Root Planing is a Periodontal Procedure used to remove Infected Debris accumulating sub-gingivally (below the gum line). Local anesthesia can minimize any discomfort.

At approximately 6 years of age, children start loosing their baby teeth. This is a median age and the norm is plus or minus 2 years. In other words, anywhere between 4 and 8 years old is considered normal.

An Athletic Mouth Protector (Mouth Guard) is very cheap insurance against PERMANENT Dental Injuries. Custom or semi-custom mouth guards are very useful in preventing Oral-Facial Injuries (Injuries to the jaws and teeth). In the rough and tumble world of children’s sports, a Mouth Protector should be worn during ANY contact (or potential contact) sports activity. In organized school athletics, the sport with the lowest percentage of Oral-Facial Injuries is FOOTBALL! What is the reason for this? FOOTBALL PLAYERS CANNOT PLAY WITHOUT A MOUTH GUARD! Unfortunately, this is not true for Baseball, Basketball, Volley Ball, Soccer, Bicycling, Skate Boarding, or Gymnastics. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF INJURY THAN FOOTBALL! Athletic Mouth Protectors can be purchased at a sports store for less than ten dollars. If necessary, for a better fit, we can fabricate a custom appliance. For more information, contact us.

Dental Sensitivity is the result of irritated nerves inside the teeth. A number of causes added together push a tooth past the Pain Threshold. Contributing factors include Receding Gums, Root Porosity, Leaking Dental Restorations, Irregularities in the Fit of The Teeth when chewing, as well as others. Usually, simple Dental Procedures can relieve this discomfort.

The most prevalent types of mouth sores (with the exception of hot Pizza cheese) are Apthus Ulcers, which are the intra-oral equivalent of fever blisters that occur on the lips. They are caused by low-grade viral infections that are endemic (everywhere) in the population. Under the right conditions these infections can increase in intensity causing painful eroded blisters. When a case is severe, it can be controlled with the newer anti-viral medicines now available. For more information, please contact us

The chief cause of bleeding gums is a surface infection called Gingivitis. Gingivitis is an infection caused by bacteria in Dental Plaque collecting around and between the teeth. If left untreated, this infection can spread deeper into the gums causing periodontal disease. This condition can destroy the bone support that holds teeth in place. Bleeding gums are also symptoms of other conditions and should be evaluated promptly. Contact us for further information and scheduling info.

Sinus Infections and Sinus Congestion will often put pressure on the roots and nerves of the upper teeth. This pressure causes pain in the affected teeth. Medications can often help relieve these symptoms, but they should be evaluated and concerns of more serious problems eliminated.

Even a healthy Mouth is teeming with various strains of toxic bacteria. When Dental Treatments are preformed, some of these bacteria enter the blood stream and can cause susceptible people to contract serious bacterial infections of the heart. Many Patients with heart murmurs or other medical conditions are advised by their Physicians to take a course of antibiotics before dental treatments. The recommendations by the AMA and the ADA are constantly evolving. The latest guidelines now state that many patients no longer need to take antibiotics before dental procedures. We evaluate every case on an individual basis and coordinate with the Patient’s Physician to assure the Patient’s safety and well being.

When the Jaw Joint is under stress, the support mechanisms can fail and the joint will make noise. These noises are often indicative of a condition known as TMJ – Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome. TMJ can frequently be treated and controlled with conservative treatment options. For more information please contact us.

A thorough Dental Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning) is an important part of routine Dental care. In addition to removing unsightly dental stains, the process of cleaning and polishing the teeth removes the Toxic Film that clings to the surface of the teeth. This Toxic Film, if left on the tooth surface, promotes Dental Decay and Gum Disease. In addition to the cleaning process, Your Dental Professional is able to closely examine every tooth and detect any trouble before it becomes an uncomfortable, expensive problem.

NO, THEY ARE NOT! The healing potential of the soft tissues of the mouth are incredibly high. This allows for a ‘margin of safety’ for individuals with pierced tongues. Unfortunately, there is always the potential for infection. There are also instances of ORAL CANCERS arising due to the irritation from the foreign object. The hard materials from which tongue piercings are constructed pose a serious risk of damage to the adjacent teeth. IN SHORT, PIERCING TONGUES IS REALLY NOT A GOOD IDEA!

YES, this is true. The Chemical and Mechanical Assault inflicted by the presence of Chewing Tobacco makes it THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF ORAL CANCERS IN YOUNG ADULTS. The only SAFE way to use Chewing Tobacco is to throw it away and never use it again!

YES – In a sense. Before Dental Technology developed Modern Denture procedures in the 1930’s, an edentulous (missing all teeth) Dental Patient was faced with poor choices for replacing missing teeth. In George Washington’s day, the only techniques available were crude (by today’s standards) contraptions. These appliances consisted of carved ivory simulations of teeth or extracted teeth (human or animal) attached with wire lacings to a soft wood (usually beech) arch form that rested on the gums. This resulted in a poor fit at best and explains why very few subjects in old paintings are smiling.

Wisdom Teeth (or Third Molars) generally come in between the ages of 18 to 21 years. This is the age when a person is considered an adult (the Age of Wisdom). Unfortunately, the Wisdom Teeth do not behave in a cooperative manner for optimum oral health. They often cause Infection, Pain, and Swelling. Sometimes, A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY can arise with frightening rapidity. In less than 24 hours, an infected Wisdom Tooth can progress from an annoyance to a deadly infection.

A thorough Dental Cleaning can remove stains that cause teeth to darken. In addition, Dental Bleaching Procedures can dramatically Whiten Teeth. We have ZOOM a laser teeth whitening regiment done in the office and a take home teeth whitening regiment. For more information please contact us. Our office number is (281) 256-8771.