Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on the questions to see the answers

What age do you start seeing children?
We welcome children as young as 18 months.

What are sealants?
Sealants keep tooth decay at bay for kids as well as adults. Typically applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth as a micro-thin layer of plastic, sealants are completed quickly and easily during a single dental visit.

What is CEREC, and what are its benefits?
For restorations, we feel no better tool exists these days than CEREC. In fact, we’ve dedicated an entire page (link) of our site to it. We think you’ll be as impressed with CEREC as we are.

What causes gum disease?
Bacteria begin in the mouth as plaque, which brushing and flossing help remove. What isn’t removed hardens into a buildup known as tartar. The bacteria that ultimately harbor beneath the gum line, as a result of tartar buildup, cause periodontitis (gum disease).

What is a root canal?
Dental pulp, which holds blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, is vital to a tooth’s formation and development. A root canal involves removing diseased or damaged dental pulp from inside a tooth, thereby saving the tooth from extraction.

Why are my teeth sensitive?
Teeth become more sensitive as enamel wears down and/or gums recede, causing tiny cells within to be over stimulated. Since hot and cold temperatures make teeth expand and contract, the microscopic cracks that result allow for sensations to pass through to the nerves. If your teeth become sensitive enough, they may affect your eating, drinking, and even breathing habits.

Why are X-rays important?
X-rays, or radiographs, help properly determine your oral health. They allow us to see what can’t be seen with the naked eye, catch diseases in the early stages, and introduce us to potential tumors, cysts, or impacted teeth.

Why do my gums bleed?
Gums typically bleed when plaque lingers on the teeth at the gum line. If left unchecked, this leads to gingivitis (inflamed gums) and, eventually, periodontitis (a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease).

Why are regular check ups important?
Regular check ups allow us to keep your teeth as clean and tartar-free as possible, and also stop potential problems before they take hold. This ultimately saves you time, money, and discomfort. We would certainly rather discover a problem when it is easily correctable than give you the bad news that your tooth may not be salvageable due to neglect.