Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS
Sealants are a thin, plastic coating
that are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the
premolars, and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant
quickly bonds into the depressions and groves of the teeth forming a protective
shield over the enamel of each tooth.
Typically, children should get sealants
on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this
way, the dental sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years
of ages 6 to 14. However, adultswithout decay or
fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.
Sealants can protect the teeth from
decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing
at regular dental check-ups.
Several different options are
available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer, close spaces
between teeth, or repair chipped or cracked teeth. Among the options are
bonding, crowns, veneers, and re-contouring.
Dental bonding is a procedure in
which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to
the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately
"bonds" the material to the tooth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped
"cap" that is placed over a tooth. The crowns, when cemented into
place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and
above the gum line. Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental
porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored
materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells
are bonded to the front of the teeth. Recontouring or
reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure
in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length,
shape, or surface.
Each of these options differ with
regard to cost, durability, "chair time" necessary to complete the
procedure, stain resistant qualities, and best cosmetic approach to resolving a
specific problem.
Several different options are
available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer, close spaces
between teeth, or repair chipped or cracked teeth. Among the options are
bonding, crowns, veneers, and re-contouring.
Dental bonding is a procedure in
which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to
the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately
"bonds" the material to the tooth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped
"cap" that is placed over a tooth. The crowns, when cemented into
place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and
above the gum line. Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental
porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored
materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells
are bonded to the front of the teeth. Recontouring or
reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure
in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length,
shape, or surface.
Each of these options differ with
regard to cost, durability, "chair time" necessary to complete the
procedure, stain resistant qualities, and best cosmetic approach to resolving a
specific problem.
If you fear going to the dentist,
you are not alone. Between 9 percent and 15 percent of Americans state they
avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. The first thing you
should do is talk with your dentist. In fact, if your dentist doesn’t take your
fear seriously, find another dentist. The key to coping with dental anxiety is
to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your
fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best
ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.
The good news is that today there
are a number of strategies that can be tailored to the individual to reduce
fear, anxiety, and pain. These strategies include use of medicines (to either
numb the treatment area or sedatives or anesthesia to help you relax), use of
lasers instead of the traditional drill for removing decay, application of a
variety of mind/body pain and anxiety-reducing techniques (such as guided
imagery, biofeedback and deep breathing, acupuncture, mental health therapies),
and perhaps even visits to a dentophobia clinic or a
support group.
First, it’s important to note that
more than 25 percent of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and
who only drink alcohol occasionally. To answer your question, the following are
the common signs and symptoms of oral cancer:
- Swellings/thickenings, lumps, bumps, rough
spots/crusts/,or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the
mouth
- The development of velvety white, red, or speckled
(white and red) patches in the mouth
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or
pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
- Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed
easily and do not heal within two weeks
- A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the
back of the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving
the jaw or tongue
- Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or changes in the
voice
- Ear pain
- A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
– a change in your "bite"
- Dramatic weight loss.
- If you notice any of these changes, contact your
dentist immediately for a professional examination.
You and your dentist will be
long-term oral health care partners; therefore you need to find someone with
whom you can be comfortable. To find a suitable dentist to meet your needs,
consider asking the following questions as a starting point:
- What are the office hours? Are they convenient to meet
your schedule?
- Is the office easy to get to from work or home?
- Where was the dentist educated and trained?
- What’s the dentist’s approach to preventive dentistry?
- How often does the dentist attend conferences and
continuing education workshops?
- What type of anesthesia is the dentist certified to
administer to help you relax and feel more comfortable during any
necessary dental treatment?
- What arrangements are made for handling emergencies
outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague
or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)
- Is information provided about all fees and payment
plans before treatment is scheduled? (If you are comparison shopping, ask
for estimates on some common procedures such as full-mouth X-rays, oral
exam and cleaning, and filling a cavity.)
- Does the dentist participate in your dental health
plan?
- What is the dentist’s office policy on missed
appointments?