How can I prevent Gum Disease?
Prevention is the key factor in fighting against gum disease. It is essential to keep your teeth and gums clean. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
Proper brushing and flossing techniques is equally important. Be sure to see your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and dental exams, so that any early signs of gum disease can be detected and treated appropriately.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are commonly placed on children’s permanent back teeth because they are more prone to cavities. Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wear at regular dental check-ups.
What causes Bad Breath?
Halitosis is a clinical name for bad breath. According to dental studies, about 85% of people with bad breath have dental conditions such as gum disease, cavities, poor oral hygiene, bacteria on the tongue and/or oral cancer.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a metal device usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor an artificial tooth or teeth such as a crown, bridge or denture.
What is a Veneer?
A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They are custom made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. Veneers can be used to treat dental conditions such as a slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth or even be used to close spaces in between the teeth.
What is a Crown (Cap)?
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Most frequent Reasons for crowns:
– Broken or fractured teeth.
– Cosmetic enhancement.
– Decayed teeth.
– Fractured fillings.
– Large fillings.
– Tooth has a root canal.
I’m a new patient at Karen Dental, what should I do when I come to my appointment?
After you arrive at our office, you will meet our friendly staff who will help you get started by filling out your new patient paperwork. This will help us get to know you better and allow us to get in touch with you.
When you sit down with the dentist, you will be able to tell us your dental and medical history and any problems you have with your teeth. Once the dentist conducts a thorough oral exam, we will be able to diagnose any problems you have and recommend a comprehensive treatment plan that suits your needs and gives you a healthy smile.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry and is it right for me?
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses all procedures and techniques (such as teeth whitening, bridges and crowns, porcelain veneers, and white fillings) used to improve your smile. If you take a look at your smile in the mirror, and don’t like what you see we can discuss options that are available to help you common problems fix such discoloration, and crooked or missing teeth.
My teeth contain Silver Fillings, can they be replaced even if they haven’t fallen out?
Yes, silver fillings can last up to 8 years before they need to be replaced, however if you want to replace them earlier you can certainly choose to replace them with white fillings that are more cosmetically appealing.
What can I do about my yellow teeth?
We offer several teeth whitening options to choose from. To suit the needs of our patients, we offer procedures that can be done directly in our office or in the privacy of home.
What’s the difference between a Crown and a Bridge?
Bridges and crowns and bridges are used in restorative dentistry to improve the look of your smile and the stability of your teeth. Crowns are used to fix a single damaged tooth, whereas a bridge is used when more than one tooth is missing.
I haven’t been to a dentist office in a long time, should I still come in?
Yes, it’s never too late to come in for a checkup and gets your teeth health evaluated, even if you haven’t seen a dentist in years. In fact, you’d be surprised at how dental technologies have changed over the past 10 years.
When will my baby get his/her first tooth?
Baby teeth usually start coming out between 6 and 8 months after birth. Although some children may get theirs sooner or later. It’s important to check up on the health of your child’s teeth since they are needed to learn how to eat and speak properly. As your child grows up, these teeth also help to guide their permanent teeth into the correct position.
My child has spaces between his/her baby teeth, is this a problem?
No. In fact, these spaces are perfectly normal and a good sign, since it indicates that your child is less likely to required braces as they get older.
When do permanent teeth begin to appear?
Permanent teeth usually begin to appear when a child turns 6, and by age 12, they should all have come out.
I want to try Teeth Whitening. Is it safe?
Absolutely. Teeth whitening is a very safe method of dental bleaching that uses a peroxide-based solution to removes stains and discoloration.
What the difference between Cosmetic Bonding and Veneer?
Bonding uses a tooth colored composite material to fix the shape and color of a tooth. Veneers are porcelain pieces that are attached outside the tooth. The benefit of veneers is that they have a stronger bond and they never discolour.
I want am considering cosmetic services, will my insurance cover them?
This depends on your dental policy and the type of procedure. Cosmetic dentistry can cover a variety of procedures, from teeth whitening, to correcting misaligned bites, to fixing crowded teeth. We can help you interpret your dental insurance descriptions and complete your forms to ensure you are receiving all entitled coverage benefits.
On TV, I’ve seen people getting new smiles overnight, is this possible?
Television can often be misleading. However, cosmetic procedures can be performed very quickly thanks to advances in technologies. For instance, teeth whitening can be done in an hour, while veneers and crowns can be created and attached in just a couple weeks.
I want a cosmetic procedure on my teeth, am I vain to want this done?
Not at all! A white healthy smile is a very important and attractive feature. Once you start feeling good about your smile you’ll also feel healthier and happier about your body.