FAQ
How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup?
What Are the Best Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home?
-Using products that contain fluoride.
-Limiting snacks that are high in sugar.
-Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables.
-Avoiding tobacco in any form.
What is the best way to brush my teeth?
When the brush is at the correct angle, it’s just a gentle little jiggle back and forth, brushing only one or two teeth at a time. There is a fine line between brushing too hard and not brushing hard enough.
The aim of brushing is for the bristles to penetrate the gap between the teeth to remove the soft plaque and prevent its build-up.
Brushing requires a system. Brush all the teeth in order, brushing inside and outside. You will find it easier if you can see what you are doing – brush your teeth in front of a mirror.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. Always use the right brushing technique; using poor brushing techniques can damage the teeth and gums
Is brushing your teeth enough?
How should I floss my teeth?
You would ideally floss your teeth every day; if possible before you brush your teeth. If you eat, take some floss with you and clean the gap between your teeth where bacteria grow and plaque builds.
The key to flossing is in the way you hold the floss. Take a decent length and wrap the floss tightly around the middle finger of each hand; it should be locked onto each finger. Use a gentle sawing motion against the side of each tooth, moving the floss backward and forward. If this is difficult for you, talk to your dentist and get him to give you a practical demonstration. Your dentist will suggest the best oral hygiene methods for you, and will show you how to use them.
There are times when your gums may bleed or become sore after brushing and flossing. This is not a cause for panic because sometimes we may brush a little too hard and push the gum down slightly; or, if we haven’t used floss on a regular basis, your gums may become inflamed and will bleed more easily.
If the bleeding persists, please contact with your dentist.
What are the Veneers?
-teeth that are stained and can’t be whitened by bleaching
-chipped or worn teeth
-crooked or misshapen teeth
-uneven spaces or a large gap between the upper front teeth
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain Veneers are either composed of Leucite-reinforced ceramic or Lithium Disilicate (also known in the market as the Emax Veneer)
What are the Benefits of porcelain veneers?
– They have a natural-looking surface
– Less tooth enamel needs to be removed than with a crown
– They don’t stain easily
What is a crown?
They are typically bonded to the tooth by dental cement
If you have tooth decay, your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth before making the crown. In this case, your tooth may need to be built up to support the crown.
Your tooth may also need to be built up if it’s damaged. You may have a local anesthetic for this procedure.
How do you know which one is right for me (Crown, Veneers)?
What are the Steps to place porcelain veneers?
The dentist makes an impression before and after the teeth prepared. The dentist also decides on the veneer shade that will be best for your smile.
The impression is given to the oval dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneers to fit your teeth. This may take several days. The dentist will give you temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
At the next visit, the dentist places the veneers on the teeth to check the fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the veneers are bonded to the tooth.
Further changes may be made at a later appointment.
What’s the difference between a veneer and a crown?
A veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain or other materials, about 0.2- 0.3 millimeters (mm) in thickness, that’s bonded to the front of your existing tooth.
A crown is about 1 – 1.5 mm or more in thickness and covers the whole tooth. It can be all porcelain, porcelain fused to a metal alloy (PFM), or an all-metal alloy.
Whether a veneer or a crown is right for you will depend on the condition of your teeth and what you’re trying to fix.
Common conditions for restoration are:
discolored teeth
chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
decayed or weakened teeth
crooked teeth
Both crowns and veneers are color-matched to your teeth, except for all-metal crowns.
How do I choose a toothbrush and toothpaste?
Select a toothpaste that contains fluoride which will combine with minerals in your saliva to toughen your tooth enamel and help prevent decay.
What are the types of dental crowns?
porcelain
ceramic
zirconia
metal
composite resin
a combination of materials
For example, you could have a porcelain crown that’s fused to metal, as opposed to an all-porcelain crown.
What are the factors your dentist have to consider when selecting the material for your crown?
– How much of the tooth will show when you smile
– Position of your gum tissue
– Function of the tooth that needs the crown
– How much natural tooth is remaining
– Color of the surrounding teeth
You can also talk to your dentist about your personal preference.
Who needs a crown?
When do I need a crown?
– Severely worn down
– Cracked
– Weakened
– Crowns are also recommended following a root canal on a tooth because the tooth is more fragile and needs protection.
What are the dental crown procedures?
Your dentist will remove part of the outer layer of the tooth.
An impression will be made of your trimmed tooth and the surrounding teeth.
The dentist will put a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it.
the impression will be sent to our lab that will make the crown. This step may take several days.
When the crown comes in, you’ll return for the second visit, so your dentist will cement the crown to your tooth.
Same-day procedure
With a same-day procedure, you can skip the temporary crown step.
The dentist takes digital pictures of your mouth.
Using the digital scan from the photos, the dentist creates the crown right there in the office. You may have to wait about 1 to 2 hours until the crown is made.
Once the crown is ready, your dentist cements it into place. The entire process takes about 2 to 4 hours.
You might even be able to head back to work while you’re waiting, depending on your specific situation.
Not all dentists have the technology to make same-day crowns. Ask your dentist if this option is available.
Dental crown care
Once the crown is in, it’s important to take good care of it. Careful attention to your crown can prolong its life.
How to protect my crowns or veneers?
Flossing daily can help keep all your teeth in tip-top shape.
Avoid hard foods. Chewing ice or hard foods might cause your crown or veneers to crack.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, your dentist may recommend a nightguard to protect your crown and surrounding teeth.
How to take care of my Temporary dental crown or veneers?
Brush as usual but be extra gentle. When you floss, try to pull the floss out from the side of the tooth instead of snapping the floss back upward, which could dislodge the crown.
Call your dentist if your temporary crown or veneers comes off or breaks while you’re waiting for the permanent crown or veneers.
Your dentist can fix it or make a new one for you.
If my crown is chipped what to do?
The porcelain used for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns may break away, revealing the metal structure underneath. These chips may not need to be repaired if the metal is still intact.
Crown or veneers knocked out or loose what to do?
Do you have an allergic reaction to a dental crown?
What is Gum disease?
You must inform your dentist about it.
How long do dental crowns last?
For example, a 2016 study Trusted Source subjected three different types of monolithic crowns to “high bite forces” and found that monolithic zirconia crowns were the least likely to split or crack.
A monolithic crown is a crown made from a solid piece of material, such as zirconia.
However, researchers used models for their experiments. They also warned that variations in crown placement and other factors could affect the results in an actual person.
As a general rule, gold crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns tend to last the longest.
All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns may look more natural, but they’re usually not as strong as the metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal versions.
When taken care of, crowns can last many years.
Is it normal for gums to bleed after brushing teeth?
How Can I Improve the Whiteness of My Teeth?
Treat stains caused by coffee, wine, tobacco, and pigmented foods with at-home whitening or have professional, in-office whitening done regularly. For internal discoloration, consider composite bonding or the application of veneers to the affected teeth, which provides a more permanent solution.
Can I whiten my teeth at home?
How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems?
Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken?
What Is Tooth Sensitivity and Why Do I Have It?
Receding gums
Tooth grinding during sleep
Chipped or fractured teeth
Tooth whitening
Orthodontics and fillings
Talk to your dental professional, and they will examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your sensitivity.