FAQ's

• Q: Which type of toothbrush should I use?
  A: The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.
• Q: Is one toothpaste better than others?
  A: Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride and is approved by the American Dental Association.
• Q: How often should I floss?
  A: Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy. To maintain optimal oral health, you should floss at night before bed with nothing to eat or drink afterwards, except water.
• Q: What's the difference between a "crown" and a "cap"?
  A: These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" and the gold or stainless steel ones as "crowns".
• Q: What's the difference between a "bridge" and a "partial denture"?
  A: Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.
• Q: What about "silver" fillings versus "white" fillings?
  A: Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. While fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, "white" fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.
• Q: Do I need to have a root canal just because I have to have a crown?
  A: No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.
• Q: If my doctor determines that I need a Scaling and Root Planning Procedure, can I just receive a regular Prophylaxis instead?
  A: The type of cleaning you need-regular cleaning, deep cleaning, or periodontal maintenance-is determined by your treating dentist based upon the clinical condition of your teeth and gums, as well as you history of periodontal disease and treatment.
  
  A prophylaxis is sometimes referred to as a "regular cleaning." It is considered a preventive procedure where the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth. The dentist may recommend this procedure at regular intervals for patients whose gum health is generally good (healthy gum color and texture, minimal plaque and debris, and shallow gum pockets around the teeth). A regular cleaning may also be appropriate for a patient with a gum condition limited to gingivitis, or gum inflammation.
  
  Periodontal scaling and root planning is often referred to as a "deep cleaning." A dentist will recommend scaling and root planning (SRP) when a patient shows signs of gum disease. These signs may include the finding of deeper gum pockets, loss of support for the teeth that is visible on x-rays, bleeding gums, and accumulation of plaque and tartar below the gums. SRP procedures are generally completed in quadrants (or sections of the mouth) and usually require the dentist or hygienist to numb the treatment area so that the crown and root surfaces of the teeth can be thoroughly scaled and contaminants removed.
  
  If your treating dentist determines that you need a "deep cleaning," you will not be able to receive a regular "prophy" because it is not a sufficient treatment to reestablish or maintain your dental health.