FAQs

Cosmetic bonding is an exciting technological advancement in dentistry. We can now create beautiful smiles without capping or crowning your teeth. Problems, such as discolored or darkened teeth, can be changed without local anesthesia.

A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned, and are referred to as abutments. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics.

Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as precious metals (gold), semiprecious metals, porcelain, or a combination of metal fused to porcelain. Appearance and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.

Root canal therapy (endodontics) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In 95% of these cases today, however, this is no longer true. We believe in saving teeth and we will make every effort to save yours.

There are several reasons why you may need a root canal. The most common are a physical blow or a constant striking of a tooth in the opposite jaw that traumatizes the tooth and deep decay or a very large filling.

Regardless of the initial cause, the tooth pulp becomes irritated and an abscess (infection) occurs. Bacteria from your saliva grows within the tooth pulp, causing pressure and pain. In some cases, the face may swell. Eventually the pulp dies, causing the bone around the tooth to be destroyed.

Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque is most harmful when these bacteria form into colonies-that takes about 24 hours. If not removed daily, plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other by-products in the mouth.

Plaque irritates gums, causing them to become red, tender, and swollen. It causes the gums to bleed easily. If not removed, plaque hardens to form calculus (tartar) around the necks of the teeth. Eventually, the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth is destroyed by the irritants in plaque.

The gums pull away from the teeth and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. These pockets become filled with more plaque. Eventually, the jawbone supporting the teeth is destroyed. Periodontal disease is usually a slow, painless, progressive disease. Most adults with gum disease are unaware that they have it. If diagnosed early, however, the teeth can be saved.

A porcelain veneer is a thin covering on the front of a tooth to beautify teeth that are discolored, stained badly, or have unsightly spaces. Tooth preparation is minimal.

Crown and bridge treatment is a long-term method of replacing missing teeth. A crown is placed on an individual tooth (somewhat like a thimble over your finger) where there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling.

A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned, and are referred to as abutments. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics.