Q: Which type of toothbrush should I use?
A: We only recommend the SonicCare® electric toothbrush.
A soft toothbrush is recommended but there is absolutely no clinical evidence to suggest that medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession. Gum recession is caused by a condition called abfraction, not tooth brush abrasion! A small head allows you to get around each tooth easier.
It's definately to your benefit to visit our office at least twice a year for prevention.
Q: Is one toothpaste better than others?
A: Not significantly. However, it's advisable to use a baking soda, peroxide and fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of gingivitis and decay . We do not recommend the 'all natural' tooth pastes due to their lack of evidence.
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.
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". A "cap" is a slang term that has no real definition. Anything can be considered a cap
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 always 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), we use a mercury free amalgam only when necessary. We prefer tooth-colored restorations because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help seal a tooth weakened by decay. White restorations are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, "white" restorations 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.
