Do you have a burning question about your upcoming appointment? We've compiled a list of the most asked questions for each of our services. If we don't answer your question here, reach out to us, and we'll be sure to supply answers.
Dental Implants
Are Dental Implants Permanent?
While not indefinite for all users, they certainly can be. With healthy habits firmly in your routine, implants can last just as long as well-maintained teeth; a lifetime. The following are proper ways to care for your implants:
- Brush twice a day with soft-bristled toothbrushes
- Floss carefully once a day
- Use recommended toothpaste
- Be gentle while brushing
How Long Will It Take to Recover?
Depending on how quickly you tend to bounce back, it will be somewhere between four to six months. While some may heal sooner and others later, that's the average we see for those during the osseointegration process.
Dental implants are metal, and the structure holding your teeth and gums is bone. When the titanium screw anchors directly to the bone, it begins to grow around the implant. This is a lengthy process, which is why the recovery time tends to average out to five months.
Clear Aligners
Do Clear Aligners Work Well?
Invisalign® and other clear aligners are a safe and reliable alternative to traditional metal braces. Over the past several years, there has been a rising shift in their popularity, as aligners can correct several types of misalignments:
- Shifting
- Over-bite, under-bite, and crossbite
- Overcrowding
However, clear braces, as many call them, can't fix all cases. Severe instances of shifted teeth may need metal braces to correct. Overall, for most cases we catch early on, clear aligners are a great choice.
Are Clear Aligners for All Ages?
While a great option for teens and adults, those without a full set of permanent teeth shouldn't use these products. If a younger child wore a set of aligners, this might impede the eruption of the remaining teeth. If this happens, treatment would need to be restarted, often with the use of braces.
We find that teens and young adults especially prefer clear aligners over traditional braces. Mostly due to aesthetics, but with school sports, clear aligners require fewer visits than braces.
Family Dental Care
Do Different Ages Need Different Care?
Yes. Many individuals assume any dentist can perform any oral procedure. However, children, seniors, and pregnant women have vastly different oral health risks, goals, and precautions.
Child care is all about teaching and explaining proper oral hygiene techniques and encouraging healthy tooth eruption. In this stage, during treatments, we keep an eye on the future to prevent infections, cavities, etc.
As the patient ages, attention shifts more to prevention until some regrettably reach restorative stages. With the sweeping arch of different needs over your life, it's imperative to seek the right dentists. Luckily, our team has the knowledge and experience to care for all ages.
When Should I Make My Child's First Appoint?
As soon as a tooth crests the ridgeline of the gums, we'd welcome your child with open arms. It's crucial to make these early appointments to ensure that all is well and that the coming teeth grow straight.
Same-Day Crowns
Are CEREC® Crowns the Same as Lab-Made Ones?
There is virtually no difference between CEREC® crowns and those from a lab. The only differences are:
- Greater efficiency and patient satisfaction
- A quicker return to normalcy
- Healthy mouth functionality
Furthermore, CEREC® or chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics are natural-looking, durable crowns. After taking a scan of your mouth and downloading that information to the milling machine, it will craft the crowns from blocks of ceramic.
After we hand-inspect the crafted crowns, we will reference the coloring sample we took earlier as we scanned your mouth. With our in-house dyes, we will alter the color of the crown to match your current shade.
All of this happens in a single visit. In the past, a lab would have used the same technology to perform what we can in-office. There is no better way to fill in your smile than with same-day porcelain crowns.
Are Same-Day Crowns Durable?
Porcelain has the same durability as enamel. It's susceptible to staining, chipping, and breaking, just like teeth. However, the gums underneath must be cared for to avoid implant failure.
Simply by brushing your teeth twice a day and avoiding crunchy, sticky, and sugary snacks, they can last a lifetime.
Teeth Cleaning
Are Bi-Annual Appointments Needed?
We highly suggest that everyone visit the dentist twice a year and for good reasons. A common misconception is that cleaning is just clearing teeth of plaque and tartar. It is not. It's an exam, a cleaning, and an educational experience.
What are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning Services?
Our professional staff of hygienists and dentists will:
- Remove plaque and tartar buildup you may have missed
- Notice the onset of disease to provide early treatment
- Provide tips to improve your brushing and flossing
We deliver these three benefits with a gentle hand, offering the most comfortable experience no matter what service you require.
Do You Have More Questions?
Is your upcoming appointment still leaving you with questions? Either contact us for the answers or check out our testimonials, as they too can prove insightful. And if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to book your appointment.
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
