Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What causes tooth loss?

Tooth decay and periodontal disease are the most common causes of tooth loss. Tooth decay takes place when most of the tooth's mineral makeup has been dissolved away and a hole (cavity) has formed. While tooth decay primarily affects children, periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects mostly adults. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque, and its earliest stage is known as gingivitis.

 

How many times a day should I brush my teeth?

Most dental professionals recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal (and flossing at least once a day) is also a good way to maintain dental health.

 

What is Dental Implants

Dental Implants, also known as mplant dentistry is the branch of dentistry that involves installing an artificial tooth into a patient's jaw in order to replace or restore a missing tooth.

 

Are there any age limitations for Dental Implants?

No. Any person at any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough bone available in which to place the implants.

 

Is dental implant surgery painful?

No. An effective local anesthetic is used during the surgery so that you do not have any discomfort during the placement of the implants. The mild discomfort you might experience after surgery can be controlled with medications.

 

What is oral/ maxillofacial surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of defects, injuries, and diseases involving the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and neck.

 

Who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted?

Anyone who is in danger of developing impacted wisdom teeth (third molars that only partially erupt or get trapped or stuck in the jaw) should have them removed so that they do not damage adjacent molars and cause other oral problems. In addition, anyone who is getting dentures should have their wisdom teeth removed.

 

What is a periodontics

Periodontics is a process to prevent and treat diseases of the gums and bone around the teeth. Most periodontists are also involved in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.

 

What is a periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious, chronic bacterial infection that attacks the gums and bones that support your teeth.

 

What causes periodontal disease?

The major cause of periodontal disease is the buildup of plaque, which results from the overgrowth of the mouth's naturally occurring bacteria. In order to prevent the development of periodontal disease, an individual needs to maintain sound hygiene practices by brushing his / her teeth and flossing daily.

 

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the roots of the teeth. It marks the early stage of periodontal disease, and it is characterized by red, swollen gums.

 

What are the treatments for periodontal disease?

If periodontal disease is caught at an early stage (when it has not progressed beyond the point of gingivitis), it can be treated with scaling and root-planning (removing plaque around the tooth and smoothing the roots' surfaces). If the disease progresses to a later stage, the patient may need surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums, eliminating the hardened plaque build-up, and repairing the damaged bone.

 

What is prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and parts of the jaw (often using dentures or bridges).

 

What are dentures?

Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually attached to a plate. Simply put, dentures are a set of false teeth.

 

Who needs dentures?

If you have lost most or all of your teeth, you are a perfect candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural teeth remaining, a partial denture is recommended to help improve chewing ability, speech, and support for facial muscles.

 

What is a bridge?

A bridge is an appliance permanently fixed in the mouth to replace missing teeth. It uses remaining teeth to support the new artificial tooth or teeth.

 

What is the best kind of toothbrush?

Generally speaking, a soft bristled toothbrush is best. Whether you use a manual toothbrush or an electric, anything harder than soft, is too hard. Stiff bristles may give you that clean feeling, but they can also abrade your teeth and cause gum recession.

 

How often should I get dental checkups?

For most people, a checkup and cleaning every 6 months is standard duration. Depending on a person's dental health, however, a dental cleaning every 3 to 4 months may be recommended.