Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry services such as veneers, porcelain crowns, bonding using tooth-colored composite, and even orthodontic treatments like Invisalign. All our dentistry is done with an eye toward aesthetics. We know that it's important that your teeth are both healthy and attractive. If you'd like to find out which of our services can help you meet your goals, call our office to schedule your consultation.

Modern dental materials and technology have dramatically improved the appearance of dental crowns and bridges. The porcelain used in today’s crowns and bridges can be color-matched to blend perfectly with the shade of your natural teeth. With proper placement, your dental restoration should be virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options:

• Dental implants appear the most life-like and natural.
• The actual implant piece of the dental implant is made of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
• Dental implants are the most secure and stable.
• Dental implants prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw tissue healthy and preventing changes in the shape of your face.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

It will take your mouth some time to get used to the feel of dentures. After a few months, however, you will feel comfortable eating and speaking with your dentures in and experience little to no soreness or discomfort. If you ever do experience soreness or if your dentures aren’t fitting right, please let us know.

We welcome all ages in our office! We are happy to discuss your scheduling needs, so just give us a call and speak with our friendly front desk staff!

You probably see the words general dentist on local signs and online, but may wonder what that means.

Just like your primary care physician, your general dentist is your main point of contact for your oral health. General dentists provide most non-specialty services that patients of all ages need to stay healthy.

This includes preventive dentistry such as:

• Dental exams
• Cleanings
• X-rays
• Fluoride treatments
• Dental sealants
• Mouthguards for sports
• Nightguards

General dentists also repair teeth that suffer from decay, fractures, or trauma. Restorative dentistry refers to:

• Fillings
• Bonding
• Dental crowns

Teeth replacement is a big part of general dentistry and is designed to keep your smile looking good and to make sure you can eat a healthy diet.

• Bridges
• Partial dentures
• Dentures

Since cosmetic dentistry is not a dental specialty, most general dentists are the ones who will be designing a beautiful smile and offering enhancements such as:

• Teeth whitening 
• Cosmetic bonding
• Tooth-colored fillings and crowns
• Porcelain veneers

If you have a dental question, need help or advice, your general or family dentist will be able to make treatment recommendations for you. If you require a trip to a specialist, general dentists usually have specialists in their professional network that they know and trust.

The appropriate treatment for your gum disease will vary depending on how far your disease has progressed and any contributing factors such as hygiene and other health conditions. Some of the treatments recommended for gum disease include:

• An increased dedication to excellent oral hygiene
• Antimicrobial rinses and other products
• An antibiotic medication that is placed in the gum pockets
• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
• Laser therapy
• Gum surgery

We will discuss your situation with you and recommend the treatment that we believe will be the most appropriate for your unique needs.

Since most of us don’t routinely analyze the insides of our mouths, you may wonder how you can detect the signs of oral cancer. In addition to oral cancer screenings with your oral surgery specialist, call the doctor’s office if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Bleeding in your mouth that doesn’t stop or a sore that doesn’t heal
• A lump or thickening in the lining of the mouth
• Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
• Red or white patches on the soft tissues in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing

Additional symptoms that may signal a problem include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and ear and/or jaw pain. Check your tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, teeth, face, and neck for changes, and call your oral surgery specialist if you have any concerns.

Factors that increase oral cancer risk:

• Tobacco use
• Heavy alcohol use
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Excessive sun exposure
• Fair skin
• Poor oral hygiene
• Poor nutrition
• Gender (men are more prone to oral cancer than women)

Prevention is always the best way to avoid oral cancer. Discontinuing tobacco use may be the single most effective way to lower your risk, even if you’ve been using it for years.

We provide a number of different services that are designed to address your unique dental needs. Our dedicated team of professionals will work with you to develop a treatment plan that ensures your continued oral health and leaves you with a beautiful smile you can be proud of.

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) take a lot of wear and tear. Besides chewing, swallowing, and talking, the joints can experience overuse from gum chewing, yawning, and teeth clenching and grinding. If TMJ symptoms affect your quality of life, an oral surgery specialist can diagnose and treat the problem.

If you experience headaches, neck or jaw aches, clicking or popping in your jaw, pain around your ear, sensitive teeth, or jaw pain when eating or yawning, you may have a TMJ disorder.

Here’s what can lead to TMJ pain:

• Arthritis is common in older adults and can also occur in your jaw joints.
• Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) tightens your facial and jaw muscles and puts stress on your temporomandibular joints. Bruxism can also cause extra wear on your teeth.
• Poor posture causes the muscles of the jaw, neck, and face to tighten, causing pain and other symptoms.
• Trauma to your jaw can lead to a TMJ disorder later on.
• Misaligned teeth may impact your bite and how your joints fit together.

As you can see, decreasing stress, taking care of your oral health, and wearing a night guard are all ways to prevent TMJ pain. If conservative treatments don’t give you relief, talk to your oral surgery specialist about TMJ surgery.