Do I really need to have my teeth professionally cleaned?
Yes. Even if you brush and floss after every meal and before bed, bacteria-harboring plaque can accumulate in the tiniest crevices, grooves and pits. Overtime, the teeth will begin to decay in those areas, which may result in pain and partial or total tooth loss.
What should I expect at my cleaning and exam consultation?
Your cleaning and consultation will consist of a visible examination of the teeth and gums. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you may also require x-rays for a more comprehensive view of your teeth. You’ll also consult with concerned specialist about any oral health problems you may have been having or questions that you may have. The cleaning will follow, during which a dental hygienist/doctor will use special instruments to remove hardened plaque from your teeth. Finally, your teeth will be polished and discusses any treatment recommendations the doctor may have for you.
What types of guidelines should I follow after my visit?
In between dental cleanings and consultations, be sure to maintain good oral habits at home. This includes daily flossing and brushing after meals. It’s also important to use a fluoridated toothpaste.
Did you know…
that your jaw bone and gums should naturally hug the roots of each tooth, encircling the base of the crown to hold it in place? But when gum disease is allowed to progress, the gums can recede and begin to create ‘pockets’ around the teeth that will only become deeper with time. As bacteria proliferate in these pockets, patients experience further bone and tissue loss. Gum surgery is often the most conservative solution for patients with advanced gum disease – otherwise leaving the option of eventually having the teeth extracted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for gum surgery?
Gum surgery may be right for you if you need crown lengthening for a restoration, you want to cosmetically enhance your gum line, or you have 3mm or greater pockets around your teeth due to periodontal disease. To find out more about gum surgery and your options for treatment, schedule an appointment with our concerned specialist, Periodontist.
What should I expect during a gum surgery?
Gum surgery is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. Most patients feel no discomfort during the procedure, and you may be under mild sedation for its duration.
Will I need to follow any special instructions following my gum
surgery?
Although the surgery itself should not be uncomfortable, you will experience sore and swollen gums in the days immediately following the procedure. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling in the hours after the treatment, and consume only a soft diet for the first few days after the procedure. Doctor may prescribe pain medication as well as antibiotics to ensure your recovery is free of complication. Be sure to keep the surgical site clean, and schedule a time to return if you have sutures that need to be removed.
Are dental implants right for me?
You may qualify for dental implants if you have missing, broken or severely decayed teeth and are in relatively good overall health. The only way of determining if implants are right for you, is to schedule a consultation with the doctor to identify whether you have adequate bone support and healthy gums that will support the new tooth structure.
What should I expect if my dentist and I decide dental implants are right for me?
The placement of dental implants is a multi-step process that typically takes between 6 and 9 months to complete. It begins with a surgical procedure during which a titanium rod is placed where a previous natural tooth root once was. The gums are sutured shut over the implant, where is will stay for several months while it heals and begins fusing with the surrounding bone. Due to the nature of implant placement and its average procedure time of between 1 and 2 hours, you’ll be sedated and/or anesthetized for the duration of the treatment. At the conclusion of the healing period, you’ll return to be fitted for permanent crowns and have them placed.
What type of post-treatment care will I require?
It is normal to experience some discomfort, including bruising and swelling following a dental implant procedure. However, inflammation and pain may be managed with over-the-counter medications or pain medication as prescribed by Doctor. You may be asked to eat only soft foods for approximately 2 weeks until the surgical site heals.
There are several reasons why you could need a tooth extraction.
The most common cause of tooth extractions is severe tooth decay and cavities. However, many patients also undergo extractions for impacted teeth – particularly wisdom teeth. Other causes for extraction include advanced periodontal disease, cracked teeth, and teeth that are severely malformed. Although many circumstances that require extraction are unavoidable, some could be prevented with regular visits to the dentist for exams and cleanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a tooth extraction?
Only your dentist can tell you if you need a tooth extraction. However, you may be a candidate for the procedure if one or more of your teeth are decayed so severely that a filling or other restoration is not a possibility for treatment.
What should I expect during my tooth extraction appointment?
If you and Doctor decide to extract one or more teeth, you will be scheduled to return for oral surgery at a later date. You will be given a local anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure, and you may be prescribed medications to help manage pain in the hours following your extraction.
What type of post-treatment care will I need to follow?
Post-operative care following a tooth extraction is essential for healing and preventing complications. You will be instructed to avoid certain foods and also keep the surgical site clean at all times. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, it is important that you complete the course of treatment to prevent infection. Finally, you may be advised to avoid smoking or drinking through a straw, as doing so may delay the healing process and cause a condition known as ‘dry socket.’
Many patients associate root canals with pain and discomfort.
But local anesthetics and advancements in modern dentistry have made root canals highly tolerable procedures that are often no less comfortable than getting a standard filling. Upon completion, a restored tooth that has undergone a root canal will blend in with surrounding teeth – virtually undetectable to the average eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for a root canal?
You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the healthy and diseased portions of your tooth. For more information about root canals and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam and consultation at your earliest convenience.
What should I expect during my root canal treatment?
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
What type of post-treatment care is required after a root canal?
It is normal for teeth to become inflamed after a root canal, potentially causing sensitivity for the first several days following treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration is complete.
Did you know…
that early childhood caries is the most common chronic disease in children? It is far more prevalent than other common childhood illnesses, such as asthma. Furthermore, tooth decay and gum disease that begins early in life are likely to progress over time, potentially leading to a lifetime of oral complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages of children do pediatric dentists treat?
A pediatric dentist will treat patients from birth through adolescence. The Indian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that young patients begin visiting a pediatric dentist no later than the first birthday when most children already have a first tooth. Children will continue to visit the dentist periodically throughout childhood to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
How can I make a pediatric dental appointment?
Our staff is happy to assist you through the process of making the first appointment for your child. Simply call our office to speak with one of our helpful staff members and schedule your child’s visit. We aim to make your child’s experience as comfortable as possible.
Did you know…
that cosmetic dentistry is more than just teeth whitening? Your cosmetic dentist is also capable of transforming your smile’s shape, color, alignment, as well as filling in gaps and discreetly restoring decayed or damaged teeth with tooth-colored fillings. In fact, modern advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible for patients to achieve nearly perfect teeth with cosmetic enhancements and restorations that are virtually undetectable to friends, family and peers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
You may be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry if your healthy teeth have imperfections that you would prefer to be changed to enhance the appearance of your smile. It is important to recognize that esthetic dental treatments are not meant to alter your overall appearance, but rather to provide a positive change that compliments the health and natural appearance of your teeth. If you think cosmetic dentistry is right for you, contact your cosmetic dentist today to schedule a consultation.
What should I expect from my cosmetic dental visit?
Due to great strides in dentistry, cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry can overlap in a single visit. You can expect your cosmetic dentist to discuss health implications, as well as esthetics at your appointment.
What types of cosmetic treatments are available to me?
There are many types of cosmetic treatments available, from in-office teeth whitening to total smile make-overs. The types of treatments available to you will depend on your overall goals, but may include professional whitening, tooth-colored fillings, bonding, crowns, veneers, or dental implants.
What should I expect after receiving a cosmetic treatment?
You will receive special care instructions following your treatment. For example, if you have your teeth whitened you should avoid highly pigmented beverages and foods for several days to prevent staining. On the other hand, a dental implant make-over may require a significant amount of down time, as well as a temporary, but limited diet.
Did you know…
that orthodontic treatments can be successful for patients of all ages? Because of advancements in subtle orthodontics, adults are beginning to represent nearly half of all orthodontic patients . Invisialigners or Clear Correct aligning trays are nearly invisible and so discreet that they have no effect on your day-to-day interactions. Although every patient is different, most adults can expect to wear Clear Correct aligners for between one and two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for Clear Correct?
To find out if you are a candidate for Clear Correct, you must first schedule a consultation with Doctor. Together, you can analyze the condition of your teeth and discuss your personal cosmetic goals.
What should I expect during my invisialigners or Clear Correct treatment
If Invisialigners or Clear Correct is right for you, your treatment will begin with impressions and imaging of your teeth. Those images and impressions will be used by Clear Correct to produce a prescriptive set of custom aligners designed to slowly move your teeth into alignment. You’ll wear those aligners at all times with the exception of when you are eating, brushing or flossing your teeth. Though you will not need to visit us to have your braces adjusted, you will check in from time to time to monitor progress.
Will I need to follow any special guidelines when treatment is complete?
Once your treatment is complete, you will no longer wear Clear Correct aligners, but will likely require a retainer. Retainers are removable oral appliances designed to help retain the new position of your teeth and prevent them from moving back to their prior position.
Did you know…
that the teeth naturally darken as we age? Furthermore, certain foods, beverages, medications and habits can contribute to a darker, yellowed, or stained smile. However, it is possible to erase years of stains in a single professional whitening session and sustain those results for many years with proper maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening if you are experiencing discoloration, but otherwise have healthy teeth and healthy gums. Schedule a consultation with our Sri Hasya Dental Care to find out if tooth whitening could be right for you.
What Type of Post-Treatment Care is Required After Having My Teeth Whitened?
It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity following a professional whitening agent. You may be instructed to avoid consuming highly pigmented beverages for at least 24 hours to prevent the teeth from becoming stained again. Examples include tea, coffee and wine.
Did you know…
that dental veneers are a conservative way of completely making over your smile? In fact, veneers are a go-to cosmetic procedure that has become popular with celebrities who want a brighter and more symmetrical smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for dental veneers or laminates?
Dental veneers may be right for you if you are looking for an alternative to crowns and caps. Veneers can help you if you have gaps between your teeth or teeth that are broken, chipped, irregularly shaped or misaligned. To find out more about whether dental veneers are right for you, contact us to schedule a consultation.
What should I expect when I get my dental veneers?
Before dental veneers can be placed on the teeth, the surface of the teeth must be prepared for bonding. After administering a local anesthetic, Doctor will buff away approximately half a millimeter from the surface of the teeth. You’ll then bite into a mold that will be used to form your veneers in a dental lab. When the veneers are ready, you’ll be asked to return to have them fitted, bonded and adjusted for shape and color.
Will I need to follow any post-treatment care instructions?
There is no special care required for dental veneers, and normal brushing and flossing can be resumed immediately. Because veneers are usually placed over the course of two appointments, it is normal to experience some sensitivity between the first and second visit when the teeth have been reduced in preparation for bonding.
Did you know…
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years in the average patient.
Many parents choose sealants for their kids because it is more affordable and less invasive to prevent cavities than it is to treat irreversible dental decay.
Sealants are white or clear in color, making them virtually invisible when talking, smiling or eating.
Dental sealants cover approximately 90 percent of the tooth structure and are 100 percent effective when fully preserved on the teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if dental sealants are right for my child?
Sealants may be right for your child if he or she has molar teeth that are healthy and free of decay. Schedule a dental consultation for a complete examination to determine if dental sealants could be a preventative health solution for your children.
What should I expect when my child gets dental sealants?
Your child will not experience any pain when sealants are placed. There is no drilling, and the entire tooth is left intact for the procedure. The tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and treated with a special gel before the sealant is painted on and cured. Although your child may at first feel the sealants on his or her teeth, the sealants are very thin and easy to adapt to.
Are there any special care instructions to follow after the sealants are placed?
Normal eating habits can be resumed after dental sealants are applied, although the sealants should be checked at every dental appointment for deterioration. Sealants that are damaged or missing can be replaced.
Did you know…
that more than 60 percent of adults are missing one or more teeth? Approximately 10 percent are missing all of their teeth – requiring a prosthetic solution that will restore function and aesthetics to their smiles. Many of those dental patients choose partial or full dentures to replace missing teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for dentures?
You may be a candidate for dentures if you are missing one or more teeth and are in need of an affordable prosthetic solution. Most denture wearers find that partial and full dentures can restore much of their original tooth function – not to mention create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. To find out if dentures are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist at Sri Hasya Dental.
What should I expect when being fit for dentures?
If you have any decayed or damaged teeth that need to be removed, they will be extracted before your dentist takes a mold of your remaining gum structure, as well as the roof of your mouth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab for denture fabrication. When the completed dentures are completed, you will return to your dentist for a final fitting.
Will I need to follow any special instructions to care for my new dentures?
Yes. Dentures are removable prosthetics that will need to be cleaned and brushed daily. You should also brush your gums daily to prevent infections caused by bacteria. Your dentures should be kept in water when they aren’t in use to prevent them from warping. Keep in mind that it may take some time to adjust to dentures as you learn how to use the muscles in your cheeks and tongue to keep them in place. But over time, you should begin to feel more comfortable with your new prosthetics.
Did you know…
that the Etruscan civilization were the first to use crowns as a means of restoring damaged teeth? In fact, the materials they used – ivory, gold, and bones – were still the standard in dentistry as recently as the 20th century, when porcelain crowns were first invented. Today, crowns and bridges are customized specifically for the patient’s bite and can usually be placed in as little as one or two dental visits. With proper cleaning and regular dental check-ups, crowns and bridges can last many years, or even a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a crown or bridge right for me?
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. If your tooth is missing, but its former position is surrounded by other tooth structures, a bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation at our Sri Hasya Dental to determine whether you could benefit from crowns or bridges.
What should I expect when I have my crown or bridge placed?
If you are a candidate for a crown or bridge, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the crown or bridge. If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its color will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your crown or bridge, you may be fitted with a temporary restoration until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown and bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
Did you know…
that TMD alone is not a disorder, but instead a collection of disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint? It is the second most common pain-causing musculoskeletal condition , with women twice as likely to be affected than men. But despite the prevalence and wide availability of treatment, only one out every three people with TMD fails to seek treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if TMJ treatment is right for me?
You will first need to be formally examined and diagnosed with TMJ disorder. You dentist will evaluate the extent of the condition and determine what course of treatment is best for you. Usually, the initial approach involves conservative treatments, such as self-care, physical therapy and bite guards. Medications may also be used to relax the jaw or relieve pain. Patients who do not respond to conservative treatments may be considered for surgery or joint injections.
What should I expect if I undergo treatment for TMJ
TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient, so your experience may be very different than someone else’s. You’ll probably be asked to adopt certain lifestyle changes to help facilitate rehabilitation in your jaw. For example, you may be asked to avoid sudden jaw movements, such as yelling or yawning. You may also need to begin sleeping on your back and take steps to reduce your stress levels.
Will I need to follow any special post-care instructions while being treated for TMJ?
Your post-treatment care instructions will vary according to the type of treatment you receive. If you undergo an aggressive treatment, such as surgery, you may be temporarily subject to an all-liquid diet. You’ll also need to apply ice to the face to minimize swelling and also keep the surgical site clean and dry.
It is recommended that keeping it protected in a sturdy container in between usage. You should also be careful to clean your mouth guard after use and occasionally soak it in cool, soapy water for thorough sanitation. Custom dental mouth guards are designed for durability, but it is important to check your mouth guard for signs of wear every few months. Mouth guards for children and teens must be replaced frequently to account for growing jaws and changes to the teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dental mouth guard?
There are many reasons why wearing a dental mouth guard could be right for you. A few examples include:
Nighttime wear to prevent damage from teeth grinding and bruxism
Tooth and lip protection during high-impact sports, such as martial arts
To serve as a barrier between the lips and oral appliances, such as metal braces
To protect fragile bridgework
What should I expect when my dentist fits me for a mouth guard?
Your visit will consist of taking an impression of your teeth that will be used as a mold for your new mouth guard. You may even be able to leave your dental appointment with your custom mouth guard in-hand.
Should I follow any special instructions?
Before you leave your dentist’s office with your new mouth guard, you’ll receive instructions on how and when to wear it. If you suffer from TMJ disorders or bruxism, for example, you will likely wear your mouth guard at night. If you participate in recreational sports, however, you may only need to wear your mouth guard during physical activity.
Did you know?
Caring for a dental bite guard is simple. You’ll need to rinse it before and after every usage using a soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste and cold water. From time to time, cleanse it with cold water and a mild soap. When not in use, store your mouth guard in a hard, ventilated container and keep it away from hot temperatures that could cause your guard to warp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bite guard?
You absolutely need to be fit for a custom bite guard if you participate in sports or activities that put your oral health at risk. These guidelines also apply to children, who often play sports like football or participate in activities like martial arts, which can cause tooth-related injuries. You may also need a bite guard if your dentist diagnosis you with bruxism, or tooth-grinding. Over time, grinding or clenching the teeth can lead to wear and irreversible damage. Sleeping with a bite guard can protect the teeth from these unwanted side effects.
What should I expect when being fit for a dental bite guard?
Being fit for a bite guard is simple. You’ll visit your dentist, who will take an impression of your teeth and send it off to a dental laboratory. The lab will carefully construct a durable and comfortable new bite guard that you can pick up at your dentist’s office in just days.
Will I need to return to my dentist after getting my new bite guard?
Yes. Although custom bite guards are made of durable materials and designed to last through many uses, they do need to be replaced from time to time. Keep an eye on your bite guard, checking it frequently for wear. Also, bring it with you to your normal dental cleanings and check-ups for a professional inspection. Be sure to tell your dentist if your bite guard no longer offers an optimal fit or if it has become uncomfortable to wear.