Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmetic Dentistry

1. Is bleaching my teeth safe?

   Bleaching teeth is a safe and effective means to remove stains and discolorations from teeth. For optimum results and safety you should have a thorough oral examination from your dentist prior to beginning any tooth whitening procedure.

2. Which method of bleaching is the most effective, the “in office” procedure or the “at home overnight” procedure?

   The “in office” procedure and the “at home overnight” method produce the same degree of whiteness. Your choice should be one that fits your lifestyle. If you are a light sleeper or have difficulty sleeping then the in office procedure is probably the best for you.

3. I have a gap between my front teeth. Can that be changed?

   There are several ways to close spaces between front teeth. The space can be closed using cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns or orthodontics.

4. My upper front teeth look short and the edges are thin and chipping. What causes that?

   Teeth that appear shorter than normal or thin on the edges have been worn away from clenching or grinding habits. This is commonly called “wear” and is not a normal condition associated with advancing age. It is a condition that is treatable. When it is treated and the teeth are restored to their original length and shape a more youthful appearance is a wonderful cosmetic benefit.

5. What is cosmetic bonding?

   Cosmetic bonding is a procedure that involves using a tooth colored restorative material to change the shape of a tooth. It can be used to restore missing tooth structure if a tooth is fractured. It can be used to close gaps between teeth and it can be used to lengthen that have become shortened from wear.

6. What are porcelain veneers?

   Porcelain veneers are ultra thin, custom made laminates that are bonded to teeth to close gaps between teeth, lengthen teeth, or cover discolorations that do not respond to bleaching.

7. Cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers appear to correct the same problems. How can I know which one is right for me?

   Your dentist can help you decide which procedure is best for you. Cosmetic bonding material is not as strong as porcelain so there are limitations to how much missing tooth structure can be restored.

8. My smile is “gummy.” Can anything be done about that?

   Gummy smiles can occur for several reasons. Gummy smiles can occur if the gum tissue is too long and covers the top part of a tooth. This condition makes the teeth appear square and short. It often occurs in adolescents who have had orthodontics. Treatment for this is simply trimming the excess gum tissue away, revealing the natural tooth structure. Another reason for a gummy appearance of the smile is that the upper jaw is just too big and too long. This requires surgery from an oral surgeon. One final reason for a gummy smile is that the upper lip is “hyper mobile” and moves up too much when a person smiles. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this.

Gum Disease

1. My gums bleed easily. Is this normal?

   Bleeding gums are not a sign of a healthy mouth and are not normal, however they are common. Bleeding gums can be a minor, very treatable condition or they can be a sign of more serious problems that require extensive treatment. Your dentist can determine the cause of your bleeding gums and recommend treatment.

2. I was told I have pockets around my teeth. What does that mean and what can be done about it?

   A pocket around a tooth develops because of bacterial plaque. When bacterial plaque collects on a tooth it causes inflammation in the gums. The gums swell slightly and pull away from the tooth. The bacteria in the plaque can then get under the gum and breed and grow. When the bacteria colonizes there it secrets toxins that breakdown the bone that holds the tooth firmly in your mouth. The resulting space from the breakdown of the bone is called a pocket. If the pockets around your teeth are shallow then the treatment usually consists of a “deep cleaning” or “scaling.” If the pockets are moderate to severe then treatment from a specialist, a Periodontist, is required.

3. My gums are receding. What causes that and what can I do about it?

   Receding gums can be caused from several things. If your teeth are crowded and one or several teeth are pushed out of alignment then the gums covering those teeth are thin. With the progression of time this thin tissue begins to recede. Another common cause of receding gums is a poor bite. Severe forces on teeth from grinding or clenching can cause the gums to recede. To rectify the problem of receding gums the cause of the recession should be identified and corrected. Once that is accomplished then the missing gum tissue can be grafted back in place.

Implants

1. What is an implant?

   An dental implant is a structure that is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw that us used to replace a missing tooth or stabilize a denture.

2. Who is a candidate for implants?

   Almost anyone is a candidate. People with compromised immune systems, teenagers who are still growing, and uncontrolled diabetics are not candidates for dental implants.

3. How long does it take to place an implant?

   The procedure can usually be accomplished in less than and hour and requires only a local anesthetic.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint or Jaw Joint)

1. My jaw joint clicks. Should I be worried?

   A joint that clicks is not a normal joint. Usually, a joint clicks because the cartilage disk that is inside the joint is not in the right position and when the joint moves the disk “clicks” back into position. Many times a clicking joint can be a stable joint and not a cause for concern. However, sometimes a joint that clicks can be unstable and progress to a joint that can “lock open” or a painful joint that makes eating difficult.

2. My jaw joint used to click all the time and now it has stopped. Does that mean that my “TMJ” is cured?

   Unfortunately, a jaw that clicked in the past and no longer clicks is probably a joint that has progressed farther along the continuum of joint disease and would be considered an unstable joint.

3. I grind and clench my teeth at night and sometimes when wake up in the morning I can’t open my mouth all the way. It feels like my joints are stuck. Is this normal?

   No, this is not normal. Grinding and clenching teeth is a very destructive force and can damage joints as well as teeth. The act of grinding the teeth pulls on the cartilage disk in the joint and displaces towards the front of the joint. This impedes the motion of the joint so it makes it difficult to open.

4. I have a night guard but I grind on it all night. Is this normal?

   A night guard should relax the muscles of the face and decrease a person’s need to grind. If you are grinding on your night guard it is probably not the right guard for you.