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Q:1 Why do I need x-rays?
X-rays are important tools that provide the dentist with vital information, and show the condition of your teeth beyond what he/she can see- the root tips, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays enable the dentist to diagnose the presence or degree of periodontal (gum/bone) disease, abscesses, cavities and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. In most cases, new patients require a full set of mouth X-rays to evaluate oral health status, and for comparison of future x-rays. Follow-up patients require yearly X-rays to monitor their gum condition or any areas of tooth decay.
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Q:2 What is a cavity?
By definition, a cavity is a “hole”. In dentistry, a cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay, which can be caused by plaque build up. Tooth decay occurs when the infection, if a cavity goes untreated, it can result in sensitivity, breakage of the tooth, or if it penetrates into the nerve, you end up with a root canal.Untreated cavities are financial problems waiting to happen. The longer you allow a cavity to form, the bigger it gets, the more extensive the damage, and the more costly the restorative treatment.
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Q:3 How is a Root Canal Treated?
When the pulp chamber (nerve) gets infected it can result in an abscess. If left untreated, the result is pain and the infection can enter the bloodstream and become life threatening. The main causes of infection are deep cavities and fractured or broken teeth. A root canal is the procedure in which the infected nerve is removed from within the tooth's roots. The canals are then sterilized, medicated and filled with a special filling material. The access site is restored and the tooth is built back up to be prepped for a future crown.
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Q:4 What is an abscess?
A pus filled pocket in the bone at the apex (tip) of the tooth's root. After the source of the infection is treated, the abscess will drain and disappear.
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Q:5 What is a crown?
A crown, also referred to as a cap, is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. It is designed to look like your natural tooth. Crowns prevent further damage to the tooth, such as breakage due to lack of strength caused by large restorations. A crown is especially needed after a root canal in which a non-vital tooth becomes very brittle and weak due to lack of blood supply and nourishment to the tooth.
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Q:6 What is a veneer?
Veneers are thin slices of porcelain bonded only to the front of the teeth. They are generally used for cosmetic reasons such as, to cover gaps, reshape mal-positioned, crowded or chipped teeth, or to whiten stained teeth.
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Q:7 What is an implant?
An implant is the very best option for tooth replacement. An implant is a titanium screw that is placed and anchored into the bone- just like a real tooth. It takes 4-6 months healing time before the implant is ready for restoration -which is the placement of a crown on top of the abutment, which is screwed into the actual implant.
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Q:8 What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an active infection in your gum tissue that affects the bone around your teeth. Bacteria cause acid build-up in your mouth that creates toxins that eat away at the bone around your teeth and cause red swollen and sore gums. Once the bone is lost, it never grows back, and if left untreated, and too much bone is lost, the result is little to no support for your teeth, which become loose and eventually lost.
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Q:9 How is periodontal disease treated?
A deeper cleaning called scaling and root Planing is required to clean the bacteria out of the deep gum pockets surrounding the teeth. This is a non-surgical therapy that usually requires 2 - 1 hour appointments; each appointment focuses on one half of the mouth. After the scaling root Planing is complete, you will return 6 weeks later for a follow up, and from there are put onto a 3-4 month periodontal maintenance schedule to help prevent further periodontal disease and keep your smile healthy!
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Q:10 Why do you not place amalgam "silver" filling in your practice?
Over the years, when it comes to amalgam fillings, we have seen more harm than good. Amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. There are health concerns due to the mercury content, the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury are believed to cause a variety of health problems. In addition, since these filling are metal, they expand and contract with temperature change. When you drink something cold, the metal shrinks, allowing bacteria to flow down in between the filling and tooth, causing decay, and when you drink something hot it expands, putting excess stress on the tooth causing cracking and breaking of the tooth structure. In our practice, we use composite "white" filling, which actually bond to and become part of the tooth.
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Q:11 What is Clear Correct, how does it work?
Clear Correct, also referred to as "clear" or "invisible" braces, is a series of clear, hard plastic trays that you wear for 2 weeks at a time, as you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, with each tray - until they have straightened to the final position. Each set of trays, move the teeth about 0.25 millimeters. The trays are to be worn 24 hours a day only to be removed to eat, drink, brush, and floss. The total treatment time averages form 9 to 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.