Frequently Asked Questions
Many people are uncomfortable with visiting the dentist. Your comfort is our highest priority and our office is designed so that you can enjoy a relaxing dental visit. Our chairs have gentle massagers that help you relax and keep your mind on other things. Nitrous oxide is also available upon request, which also helps with comfort and relaxation. For entertainment and distraction, you are welcome to bring your stereo headphones to listen to music.
If your doctor has recommended a crown, it is either to correct a broken tooth, strengthen a weakened tooth, or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to cavities (decay). The decay in your tooth eats away at healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it. A crown can then be placed, restoring the look and function of your tooth while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain or full metal (gold or silver) and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long lasting smile.
Yes, we do offer digital x-rays. Digital x-rays use less radiation and are safer for you than traditional film x-rays. You will find that in our dental practice we researched the latest technology to find the solutions that promote your overall health, safety and comfort.
Most people want to have a nice smile since it is one of the first things others notice about you. You may be interested in a few minor adjustments or may have concerns that need more attention. Some smiles can be enhanced with simple whitening or bonding treatments. Other smiles need porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges; gum contouring; periodontal therapy or a combination of all these techniques. Dr. Anderson will recommend a treatment plan for you based on your goals, areas of concern and the overall condition of your oral health.
By replacing missing teeth either with a bridge or implant, you will alleviate the problems associated with missing a tooth and give your smile back its beautiful, full appearance. A bridge is one solution for replacing a tooth. By using neighboring teeth as the supportive structure, your dentist places a porcelain restoration into the vacant space, restoring the functionality and look of your smile. A dental implant is also an excellent solution. Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post directly into the jawbone. Once the post has bonded to the bone, it can act as a new, solid support for a natural looking, porcelain restoration. Implants can replace a single tooth, or an entire set of teeth, offering more function and permanence than traditional dentures.
During your first appointment, your overall oral health will be assessed with a comprehensive oral evaluation. Digital x-rays will be taken of your teeth to identify areas of decay, cracked teeth and malfunctioning restorations. Our goal is to preserve as much of your teeth as possible by catching decay in its earliest states. We’ll also assess your gums and recommend the appropriate hygiene treatment for you.
Over the years patients have given us the compliment of referring family and friends to our practice. Our reputation for excellent dental care depends on two things: our good work and your beautiful smile. Your confidence in our care motivates us to continue to strive for excellence. Thank you for your referrals. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.
Gums affected by gingivitis become red and inflamed, often bleeding during brushing or flossing. Timely treatment can reverse this condition. However, if these conditions are ignored, your gum disease can worsen, becoming a condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more difficult to treat.
Gums affected by periodontal disease become red and inflamed, often times bleeding during brushing or flossing. If treated in a timely manner, these conditions can be reversed, preventing periodontal disease from developing. Periodontitis is much more difficult to treat.
Periodontitis affects your gums, bone and teeth in a manner that cannot be reversed. To prevent tooth loss, you may require more extensive, specialized treatment from your general dentist or even a periodontist. If left untreated, periodontitis results in tooth loss – teeth either fall out on their own or must be extracted. If you don’t catch periodontitis in its early stages, you may require extensive surgery to save your teeth and may put yourself at risk for other serious health problems.
According to Caesy Dental Education, “Ailments associated with periodontal disease include respiratory disease, pneumonia, strokes, ulcers, difficult-to-control diabetes, low birth weight babies, and infective endocarditis, a dangerous infection of the heart valves. Researchers recently discovered that this chronic infection in your mouth creates an open doorway for plaque bacteria to enter the blood stream. These bacteria – Streptococcus sangguis – may cause blood clots that can block your arteries and even trigger a heart attack.”
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – premolars and molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids and guarding again disease-causing bacteria. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. However, toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to efficiently extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.
Most dental pain brought on by chewing is caused by a fracture, or crack, in the tooth. The pain can be corrected by placing an inlay/onlay or a porcelain crown. You want to correct the pain as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth.
Porcelain veneers improve your smile by correcting a multitude of cosmetic concerns including: gaps in teeth; chips and broken teeth; dull or yellowing teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional means; a “gummy smile”; and crooked teeth. Porcelain veneers broaden, straighten, whiten and beautify most any smile. This procedure can be done in as little as two clinical visits. Many of our patients feel like this was the best improvement that could have been done for their overall confidence. Ask us about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile at your next visit or send us an email.
Dentist directed at-home whitening and in-office whitening procedures are both effective ways of brightening your smile. In either case, your dentist customizes the treatment to ensure your happiness with the results.
Your Opalescence™ home whitening kit involves a special tray that is customized to fit over your teeth and powerful, prescription-strength whitening gel, which is inserted into the tray before you wear it. Dr. Anderson gives you detailed instructions about how long you should wear the tray each day, and the gel won’t migrate to your gums. You should expect the entire home whitening process to take between two and four weeks, leaving you with a dazzling smile.
We understand that dental emergencies may happen outside of our regular business hours. To accommodate for the unexpected, we have a dentist on-call 24/7 for emergencies that happen after hours or on the weekends. Our on-call dentist will be able to speak with you over the phone to assess the emergency and meet you at the office if necessary.