FAQs

Any kind of colored food/drink (coffee, red wine, dark tea, blueberries, etc.) will definitely stain your teeth. Unfortunately, there is no escaping this simple fact. Now that being said, there are few things you can do to delay the staining process:

• Try to practice moderation when consuming colored food/drinks, try not to eat/sip all day;
• If possible, choose a cold instead of hot drinks (iced coffee, tea vs. hot)... teeth get stained much faster in hot environment as compared to cold;
• Try to drink through a straw (avoid the fronts of your teeth)
• After finishing your drink/food immediately rinse your mouth with water and try to chew sugarless gum with xylitol – Spry/Trident (this will increase salivary flow and reduce the amount of coloring substance left in between your teeth, which get the most of the stain)
• Lastly, visit your dentist for your regular cleanings preferably every 4-6 months depending how fast your teeth get stained.

If the stain becomes intrinsic, a tooth whitening procedure is the only way to reverse the staining. I recommend an in office whitening followed by custom trays for take home use. Follow this advice for the next 6 months and you will hear people complimenting on your smile again!

Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance is based on procedure codes.  Dental insurances pay a percentage of procedures. Usually between 50 - 100% depending on which plan your employer chose and which procedure you need treatment for.

Feel free to ask the staff any questions you may have about your particular insurance plan.  But your plan is usually determined by your employer and your actual insurance company.  We will do our best to maximize your benefits.

The best approach to optimal dental or medical care is to be preemptive or preventative and not wait for a crisis to erupt. Unfortunately, many people wait for the crisis to come before making a dental appointment. 

Certain chemicals like prostaglandin, given off when there is marked pain, inflammation or infection, sometimes interfere with the effectiveness of local anesthesia. In such a case, often an anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil and, possibly, an antibiotic should be taken for a day or so before solving the problem. From then on, things should be smooth sailing. We will not proceed with treatment if you are not comfortably numb. If you feel any discomfort during the procedure, raise your left hand and we will stop and give you more local anesthetic and time to get numb. We promise.

Cavities may or may not casue discomfort; even though it doesn't hurt, you tooth is deteriorating.  With the help of x-rays the dentist can detect hidden tooth decay.  When cavities are small they are much easier and less expensive to treat!

I recommend that all patients visit the dentist at least two times per year.  Some patients, however, may need to come more frequently depending on their oral health, particularly their gums.

There are a variety of options to replace missing teeth:
1. Implant
2. Fixed Bridge
3. Removable Partial Denture

These options can be discussed in great detail with Dr. Orlando

This is a question that my patients frequently ask, and my answer is always the same, "It depends."  The development of wisdom teeth need to be checked during regular exams with dental x-rays to determine whether there is enough space for them to erupt through the gum or if they should be removed.  

Third molars are the last teeth to erupt and usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21 but can begin causing problems as early as age 13. The teeth do not always have enough space at the back of the lower and upper jaw and develop at an angle causing the tooth to jam and become impacted. When this happens, a cyst can form in the tissue surrounding the tooth causing deterioration of the jawbone or the tooth in front.

Sometimes the wisdom teeth only partially erupt and become prone to recurrent infection and decay. This condition can lead to swelling, pain and difficulty opening the jaw. The development of wisdom teeth can be painful and is often associated with sore throats, headaches and gum infections.

As a general recommendation, usually if you are under 25 years of age you may want to consider removing your wisdom teeth before they cause you any discomfort.  As you approach/exceed 30 years of age it is more routinely done as needed due to swelling, discomfort, infection.

The normal arrangement of teeth following the removal of one tooth is lost with time. The teeth in front of the space drift back creating spaces between the front teeth; teeth behind the space tilt forward; and the tooth above the space erupts down. As teeth drift out of position, changes in the bite can lead to clicking of the jaw, headaches and jaw pain. Also, hard to clean areas are created which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Please check out these links which can further your knowledege about periodontal disease.  Always remember, a healthy body starts with a healthy mouth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLDL8NhNxWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHdm6TMzeJU&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8iabVWyj1s&feature=related

http://www.towniecentral.com/Dentaltown/Article.aspx?aid=2022

Periodontal diseases are gum diseases that affect the gums, gum tissues, and the teeth. The term periodontal translates as “around the tooth.” Under the umbrella definition of periodontal disease, one will find diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis which are both serious infections of the gums. The harmful effects of gum disease include potential tooth loss, and individuals can actually have periodontal disease and not even be aware that they have it until the condition worsens.

Chronic periodontal disease is a lasting bacterial infection which has harmful effects on the bones that support one’s teeth as well as the gums and tissues surrounding one’s teeth. It has been determined by a variety of studies that some 75 percent of adult tooth loss is due to the existence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease does not discriminate; it can have an effect on one or all of an individual’s teeth, and it can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and races. The onset of periodontal disease and issues with the gums is instigated by plaque and the bacteria in plaque in most cases. Plaque is a colorless film that forms on the teeth continuously; the substance is sticky and clings to one’s teeth, which later causes the gums to be severely irritated and infected.

What is periodontal disease? It is a disease occurring in the mouth of an individual that, over time, can produce a loss of teeth, as well as a variety of other major health issues. Periodontal disease is something that needs to be treated as soon as possible to secure the longevity of one’s oral health.

In its early stages, one can have periodontal disease without being aware of it. This is why it is very necessary for people to get regular dental checkups and evaluations so that a trained professional in the field of dentistry can identify if the individual has periodontal disease. As periodontal disease progresses and the periodontal infection gets worse, an individual will be able to recognize that he or she has periodontal disease by the following signs and symptoms:

* The chronic presence of bad breath and gingivitis
* Red, irritated, and swollen gums
* Gums bleeding after brushing (a toothbrush may appear reddish or pink after brushing)
* Sore and achy gums
* Itchy gums
* Gum recession (individual’s teeth will have a longer appearance than usual)
* Pain and irritation upon flossing
* Increasing gaps forming between the teeth
* Tooth loosening and tooth loss
* Improperly fitting dentures or appliances
* Minor to significant changes in one’s jaw-line or bite
* Difficulty eating and chewing
* Tooth sensitivity

Any of the above symptoms, either singularly or combined, is an indication that an individual should seek out a professional. The signs listed above are indicative of periodontal infection which requires treatment in order to restore one’s oral health. One should contact a general dentist as soon as possible to schedule an evaluation and to develop a plan of treatment.

I like to explain a veneer as a process for your tooth similar to that of a press-on-nail for your fingernail.  A porcelain veneer is made of ceramic and once bonded to your tooth is as strong as our tooth structure.  Veneers are esthetic treatment options to restore spacing between teeth, discoloration, rotations, chips, etc.  A veneer is a long term treatment option as opposed to cosmetic resin bonding, which has a shorter esthetic lifespan.

Check out this article to better understand how cavities form in your teeth!