Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our patients. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please feel free to ask us at your next consultation.
Q. What is done at a child's first appointment? A. If the child is seen early, between 2 and 3, the appointment consists of an oral examination. Dental X-rays are usually not taken unless there is a suspicion of tooth decay. A dental cleaning is done when necessary. Early growth and development can be assessed as well.
Q. When should a child be seen by an orthodontist? A. A great many orthodontic problems are related to growth and development problems or crowded teeth. Growth problems are best dealt with at the earliest possible time. We encourage early consultation since this gives the orthodontist the best chance to treat the child at the appropriate time.
Q. What type of toothpaste is best for a child? A. A fluoride containing, children's toothpaste should be used when the child is old enough to spit. Only a pea sized drop of toothpaste should be used.
Q. Are silver fillings safe? A. Yes, silver amalgam fillings have been used for well over one hundred years and have been demonstrated to be overwhelmingly safe.
Q. What is the best filling material for a tooth? A. All materials have advantages and disadvantages. The choice is made by considering what characteristics are most important. If a great deal of the tooth needs to be replaced a stronger material such as gold or porcelain is quite often the best choice. For smaller fillings generally silver amalgam or tooth colored composite are used depending on appearance considerations.
Q. How much will my dental insurance pay? A. This is an impossible question to answer in a specific way. There are dozens of dental insurance plans and they differ in the percentages of various services they cover and the maximum dollar amount they pay in a given year. Some services may not be covered at all. We will do everything we can to determine what your specific dental plan covers.
Q. Does tooth bleaching/whitening harm the tooth? A. No, bleaching is safe and effective
Q. What is tooth bleaching/whitening? A. It is actually a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of enamel (the outside layer of tooth structure). The system uses a mild solution retained in a custom fitted appliance that slips over the teeth.
Q. what causes tooth discoloration? A. There are many causes. The most common include: aging, consumption of staining substances, trauma (injury), tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, nerve degeneration and old restorations.
Q. Who may benefit from tooth whitening? A. The process may not be for everyone. This can only be determined by your dentist, following a thorough oral examination and diagnosis. The tooth lightening system is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored natural teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile. Once the cause of your tooth discoloration is detected, your dentist can recommend which whitening system will work best for you.