Q. How long do I have to wait until I can eat?
A. It depends on the procedure that is done that day. It can be “immediately” to “wait until tomorrow”.

Q. How much does my insurance cover for this procedure?
A. Every insurance is different so coverage will vary according to the plan you have. Most insurance companies will pre-determine approximately what they will cover.

Q. Will I be numb for a long time?
A. This depends on the individual and the type of anesthesia administered, but usually 3 to 5 hours.

Q. What is the difference between a composite filling and an inlay or onlay?
A. Inlays and onlays are all porcelain or gold and are cemented in. Composites are made of a white filling material usually used to fill smaller cavities.

Q. Why do I need antibiotics for a root canal?
A. Often the reason the need for a root canal is that the tooth is infected. The antibiotic helps to fight the infection.

Q. Why do I need a post and core if I have a root canal done?
A. Often much of the tooth structure is missing following a root canal. A post and core is fabricated to restore missing tooth structure and develop enough retention to then fabricate a crown, or use the tooth as an abutment for a bridge.

Q. Why do I need a crown?
A. A dental crown restores the shape and function of a tooth that is fractured, has a large filling, or is severely damaged by decay.

Q. How long will a crown or veneer last?
A. This sometimes depends on a patient's habits, but insurance companies’ actuarial reports say a about 7 to 10 years is the average longevity of a crown.

Q. What’s the difference between the types of bleaching and how much does it cost? How long will it take and how long will it last?
A. We have two types of tooth whitening available. 
The first form of whitening is done in the home with a professional formula of whitener and trays that are created in our office. The results from this system are great.
The second form is our in office bleaching system known as Zoom! Very effective and also economical in time, Zoom! It is by far, our best system. The whitener cannot be duplicated in any home system. A touch up kit is included with this system as well.
By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. We keep the touch up items in stock.

Q. Should my child have their wisdom teeth extracted?
A. This varies from individual to individual and is often determined by the room available in a patient’s mouth.

Q. What type of toothpaste is the best?
A. We have two musts for toothpaste. 
It must have fluoride in it and...  
It must taste good... if you don’t like the taste of the paste, you won’t brush long enough.

Q. Are spin style toothbrushes really better for brushing?
A. Spin brushes are great for gadget people and children, but once again it’s the time you spend brushing. If brushing is fun, the brushing time is increased.

Q. Do whitening toothpastes work?
A. Whitening toothpaste can help to remove some surface stains, however, they should not be used as a regular daily toothpaste because they can be abrasive to the enamel and irritating to the oral tissues.

Q. Should I be brushing my tongue?
A. Yes, bacteria hides in the nooks and crannies of your tongue, so brushing will help remove the bacteria.

Q. Why do my gums bleed?
A. Bleeding is a sign of gum disease. There are many factors that cause bleeding, from stress to hormonal changes to build up of the plaque and calculus on the teeth.

Q. Is my son or daughter going to need braces?
A. The best person to determine if your child will need braces is the orthodontist. We would recommend that you have a consultation with him or her when your child is about age of 8.

Q. How does fluoride really work?
A. Fluoride works by strengthening the enamel and remineralizing tooth structure. Fluoride is especially important for children when the teeth are newly erupted, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, including braces, patients with recession, rampant decay or patients undergoing radiation to the head or neck. Fluoride has been proven to reduce dental decay, especially on the smooth surfaces of teeth.

Q. Why do I need an x-ray?
A. Radiographs (X-Rays) are necessary because we can't see everything clinically. Radiographs help us see bone levels, decay between teeth, the roots of teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, root canals, posts, the apex or top of the root, restorative material, normal and abnormal anatomical features of the oral structures. Without radiographs it is difficult to achieve the proper diagnoses and treatment.

Q. How often do you take x-rays?
A. Radiographs that show in between teeth, are taken once per year. Radiographs which shows the entire upper and lower jaw are taken every three to five years. Peripherals, which show the entire structure of two to three teeth at a time, are taken as needed. Full Mouth Series (FMS), which is a set of 16 to 18 films is taken every three to five years.