Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If the chip in your tooth is small and located in the right place, we may be able to repair it using dental bonding. Our doctor will perform an exam to determine if dental bonding can benefit you.

Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options:

• Dental implants look life-like and natural.
• The actual implant piece of the dental implant is made of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
• Dental implants are the most secure and stable.
• Dental implants prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw tissue healthy and preventing changes in the shape of your face.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

If you are in pain, then you are having a dental emergency. Call us right away so that we can examine you, diagnose the problem, and create a treatment plan. Other signs that indicate the need for an emergency appointment include:

• A pimple-like lesion on your gum
• A broken or cracked tooth
• A foreign object lodged between your teeth
• Swelling in the gum
• A broken or lost dental restoration such as a filling or a crown

We will do our very best to get you in the same day for dental emergencies. If this is not possible, we will see you the next day at the latest.

The goal of an emergency dental appointment is to address the immediate need, resolve your problem, and relieve your pain. If we believe further care is needed, we will schedule you a regular appointment to follow up and set up an appropriate treatment plan to prevent future problems.

Understanding the process can often remove a great deal of the fear surrounding dental procedures. During a root canal, the goals of treatment are to stop the infection, prevent further damage, and relieve your pain.

We begin by making sure that you are numb and comfortable. The next step is to open your tooth. We then use special instruments to carefully and thoroughly clean out the infection from your tooth and remove the infected or damaged nerve. If necessary, we may place an antibiotic treatment to prevent re-infection.

The cavity in your tooth will be filled and sealed, and a crown may be placed. You may experience some soreness following the procedure as part of your body’s natural reaction to any type of perceived injury, but this will quickly fade and you will feel much better.

When the interior of your tooth is infected, it can cause a lot of pain and is likely to damage the nerve. If left untreated, the infection could spread in your body. Root canal therapy removes the infection and relieves the pain, restoring the tooth and allowing us to save it.

The techniques used to perform root canals have advanced considerably, making this routine procedure no more uncomfortable or inconvenient than a filling. Many people who need a root canal are currently in pain, and a root canal will relieve your pain and save your tooth. After your procedure, you may experience some swelling and discomfort, but this should go away quickly.

One of the most well-known treatments for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which uses a machine to keep air moving through your airway while you are sleeping. While this treatment is effective, many people fail it for a variety of reasons. Another effective treatment is an oral appliance that is worn while you sleep. This device is customized to fit your mouth and holds your airway open so that you can continue breathing while you sleep.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are having trouble tolerating CPAP therapy, call our office for an evaluation to find out if an oral appliance is right for you.

Snoring can sometimes be a symptom of a serious condition called sleep apnea. If you snore and also notice that you have trouble with daytime fatigue or drowsiness, mood swings, and headaches, call your physician to be evaluated for sleep apnea.

We can provide you with a comfortable mouth piece that will open up your airway while you sleep. More oxygen is allowed to enter the bloodstream, and both you and your significant other will rest easier.