Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do I need a root canal, can’t we just take the tooth out? 5. Why do I need my wisdom teeth out, they aren’t bothering me? 6. Why do I need braces, my teeth look good? 7. Why do I need a crown, can’t you just fill it? 8. When does my child need to start seeing a Pediatric dentist? 9. What do I do, if my temporary crown comes off? 10. What should I do, if my extraction site starts to bleed?
1. Why do I need a root canal, can’t we just take the tooth out? Endodontic treatment helps patients keep their teeth for their lifetime. Root canal treatment is needed for many reasons. The most common reason is decay or broken tooth structure that involves the pulp chamber where the “live part” of the tooth is located. The tooth has both the nerve and blood vessels within the pulp chamber. This is a sterile area. The body’s blood stream is connected to the apex (tip of the root) at this point. Once the pulp chamber is contaminated, there is no turning back. Either an extraction or root canal must be done. Most of the time root canal therapy is the better choice. In addition, all treatments (bridges, implants, or partial dentures) are not as good or long lasting as restoring the affected tooth.
2. Do you take my insurance? We take all insurances except HMO or DMO’s. Those plans are set up not to improve the patients dental conditions. They supposedly “maintain” the patients dental health. In our opinion HMO and DMO plans do a poor job and often the patient is harmed. We do not participate in any of those plans. We are members of most PPO (Preferred Providers). Our business and insurance staff are highly trained to help our patients maximize their insurance benefits, therefore minimizing the cost to our patients.
3. Do you provide financing? Yes. We offer different payment plans depending on the needed treatment. For braces, which usually take 18 to 24 months treatment time, we offer up to 20 months no interest financing. We work with our patients to assist them in short term payment plans. We also offer Care Credit that provides long term payment plans for qualified patients. Our office always offers a 10% discount for full payment up front for large cases. We take all major credit cards for your convenience.
4. What is a dental implant? A dental implant is used when patients have missing teeth. If the bone condition is within normal limits and the patient is in good health, dental implants that are made of titanium metal are placed into the bone below the tissue. After the implant heals, an implant part (neck/post/abutment) is inserted into the implant. This part sticks out above the tissue. The final restoration (a crown or denture) fits over this implant part. The different parts of this procedure are usually provided by different dentists that do not work together. A surgeon (periodontist or oral surgeon) places the implant and a dentist or prosthodontist restores the implant (makes the crown or denture.) The patient usually has to go to more than one dental office to get this work done. We have multiple doctors and specialists in our office. This allows our patients to have this work done under one roof. The doctors have the opportunity to work together and to have direct communications with the patient. We feel this system works great for the patients and affords the best opportunity for optimum care. Please call our office for a FREE Dental Implant Consultation with our Board Certified Periodontal Specialist.
Very few people have enough room for wisdom teeth. Therefore, the wisdom teeth get trapped behind the 12 year (2nd) molars. The wisdom teeth often damage the 2nd molars necessitating root canal treatment and crowns. Sometimes the damage is not identified until it is too late and the 2nd molar has to be removed. Wisdom teeth that partially come through the gum tissue often times trap food particles under these tissue flaps. The trapped food then causes infection. Sometimes these infections are very painful and require antibiotics to control the symptoms. Sometimes the trapped wisdom teeth have developmental cysts that form around them. These cysts continue to grow and destroy large parts of the jawbone. Unless specific radiographs (x-rays) are taken the cysts will go undetected for years. It is routine to remove wisdom teeth in the late teenage years, it is easiest for the patient and doctor at this time. All dental schools in the United States recommend removal of wisdom teeth before age 25 if they are not fully erupted, not in occlusion or the patient is not taking care of them.
6. Why do I need braces, my teeth look good? Orthodontic treatment (braces) improves the esthetics and appearance of the patient’s teeth. Many people seek orthodontic care for this cosmetic improvement. The most important job of the general dentist is to help patients keep their teeth for a lifetime. Teeth are a unit; they work together and supply strength and support for each other. They protect each other. When they are not in proper alignment they bang into each other and problems will eventually occur. These improper forces over long periods of time usually results in deteriorating tissue (gum and bone) that cover the roots of the teeth. This deterioration can lead to gum disease (periodontitis) and eventually early tooth loss. Overlapping teeth make it difficult to thoroughly clean them. Bacteria collect in these areas and eventually can lead to gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Braces can help people keep their teeth for their lifetime. Make an appointment with one of our orthodontic specialists for a FREE orthodontic consultation today.
7. Why do I need a crown, can’t you just fill it? A small conservative filling is the best treatment for small decay. When the decay is extensive or the tooth structure is significantly broken down a filling will not stay in and would only be a temporary fix, like a tire patch. The tooth will further break down and can be irreversibly damaged if not protected with a crown. A crown completely covers the tooth and protects it from further damage. Crowns are made specifically for each tooth by a dental laboratory; therefore they take 2 appointments to make. A well made crown blends in with your other teeth and should match the surrounding teeth so closely that one cannot tell which tooth is the crown.
8. When does my child need to start seeing a Pediatric dentist? It is recommended to have your child’s first dental visit by age one (1yr). The reason for early visits is to evaluate dietary habits and oral hygiene practices to prevent early childhood decay. Children are more prone to get cavities then adults. Cavities spread quicker and do more damage in a shorter time than in adult teeth. Cavities can be prevented by having early and regular visits to the dentist.
9. What do I do, if my temporary crown comes off? A provisional crown usually referred to as a “temporary crown” is fabricated from an acrylic resin or a thin tin shell resembling a crown. The temporary is fabricated chairside in the dental operatory and is placed while the dental laboratory is fabricating your permanent crown. The temporary is generally in place for approximately 2 to 2 ½ weeks and is cemented with temporary dental cement. While every effort is made to keep your temporary in place for this period of time it is not uncommon for your temporary crown to become dislodged/break. This does not necessitate an emergency. There are several actions you can take to manage this matter. 1. Do nothing and return to the Dental office the next morning and have the temporary refabricated/recemented by the dental staff. 2. If your tooth is sensitive without the temporary, you may apply a tiny amount of toothpaste to the inside of the temporary and place it back on your tooth. The temporary crown is like a “key in a lock” it will only fit one way. Gently manipulate the 3. For a more secure fix to this problem, your local drug store sells a product called “Temporary Dental Cement”. Ask the
10. What should I do, if my extraction site starts to bleed? If there is some residual bleeding or oozing follow this procedure: First, you should have been sent home with some extra gauze for just this reason. Fold a piece of the gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on, dampen the gauze and place directly over the extraction site. Apply The gauze has no magical powers, they do not stop the bleeding; The pressure from biting does. Therefore; you must place the gauze in the appropriate place or it will not stop bleeding. You may also apply an ice pack to your cheek, as this will also aid in stopping the bleeding. Be calm, sit down and relax the pressure will stop the bleeding.
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