Crown Build Up:

Definition

Fracture or decay can cause a portion of a tooth to break off and in some cases, there isnt enough tooth structure to place a crown. Thats when we build it up with a plastic material giving the tooth more body so the crown has something substantial to hold onto. Oncethe tooth is built up, we can place a crown.

Post & Core:

Definition

After the RCT, the dentist will have to replace the missing tooth structure. They place a post in the canal where the root was and secure it with core material. Then the crown is placed on top.

Bridge:

Definition

A bridge is two natural teeth that are crowned and theyre holding a fake tooth in between. It takes two visits to complete a bridge. We prep the crowns and take the impressions on the first visit. At that time, well have you wear a temporary bridge and three weeks later, you come in to have your permenant bridge delivered.

Veneers:

Definition

A veneer is a thin custom-made shell that covers the front side of the tooth. A veneer takes 4 visits. First, we take impressions for a wax up. It helps the patient figure out what they want and it helps the actual appointment to go smoother. Next, It takes about 2 weeks for the wax bite to come in so we can make the final decisions and anytime after that is when we prep the veneers. 2 weeks later, we deliver the permenant. 

TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint:

Definition

TMJ disorders are aches and pains related to the jaw joint. In between the upper end ofthe lower jaw and the socket is a disk made of cartilage. It acts as a cushion so the bones dont rub against each other. Clinching, grinding, chewing gum, etc can cause stress on the disk wearing it down.

Bruxism:

Definition

Bruxism is when you clench your teeth during the day or grind them at night. Stressdul situations, problem sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth may be responsible.

Vertical Loss:

Definition

Bite collapse occurs in one of two situations. A patient can grind their teeth so aggressively, and reduce the biting surface so extensively that the upper and lower jaws rotate closer together than normal. Bite collapse can also happen when enough teeth are lost to remaining teeth and supporting bone are unable to withstand normal biting forces, and begin to tip sideways, resulting in over closure of the jaws.

If the teeth in one jaw no longer have opposing teeth in the other jaw to bite against, they will often extrude. Sometimes they can keep extruding until they are functioning on the gums of the opposing jaw. Generally, as they extrude, the bone and gum tissue which surrounds them extrudes along with them.

Implants:

Definition

A dental implant is much like a natural tooth. We send you to a specialist where they perform surgery to insert a metal post beneath your gum and into the bone. It fuses to the bone in your jaw and acts like the root of a tooth. Then well place a crown on top  to function like your other teeth.

First, we refer you out to a specialist for a free consult. From there, well receive his report regarding your diagnosis and if you accept treatment, the specialist will place the implant. Once the implant has integrated and we get the okay from him, youll come back to our office to take the impression for the final restoration.

Inlays & Onlays:

Definition

An inlay fits within the contours of a tooth, in an area that we have prepared. An onlay covers the biting surface and one or more cusps which is the peak of the tooth.  These fillings are often used when the amount of lost tooth structure is more than what a regular filling can replace but less than what you would need a crown to repair.

These dental restorations usually require two or more visits. Well prepare the tooth during the first visit by removing the tooth decay and/or existing filling. An impression is made of the prepared tooth, the opposing teeth and the bite. From the impression, the model or mold is made in a lab. The mold is used for the final inlay or onlay. A temporary filling protects the tooth until the next visit when it is removed and we place the permanent one on. At that time, well check the restoration for fit and make some final adjustments if need be.

Root Canal Therapy:

Definition

The nerve is like the powercord of the tooth and RCT is needed when the decay has gone down and touched the nerve. Thats when we go in and clean out that space that is dead and since the tooth is no longer stable, it has to have a crown placed to bring it back to it maximum fuctionality.

Composite Filling:

Definition

Composites are used to repair a tooth that has been cracked, fractured, or has decay. We clean out the bacteria and fill it with a tooth colored filling which acts as a barrier and stops the bacteria from leaking into the nerve.

Amalgam Filling:

Definition

Amalgams are typically used for filling cavities on the back teeth since theyre stronger and long lasting. We clean out the bacteria and fill it with a silver colored filling which acts as a barrier and stops bacteria from leaking into the nerve.

Crowns:

Definition

A crown is mostly used to cover or cap a tooth when it has been sverely damaged or decayed. We remove all the decay or old filling andbuild the tooth back up so it has a strong surface. Then we cement the crowm on top.

Sealants:

Definition

A sealant is a plastic material that is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. It bonds to the depressions and grooves of the tooth and acts as a barrier to protect the tooth from plaques and acids.

Scaling and Root Planing & Perio Maintenance:

Definition

Scaling is the process of removing tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. Root planning is the process of smoothening the root surfaces and removing any infected tooth structure. When you have gum pocketing, the pockets will have deepened, thereby allowing tartar deposits to form under the gum line.

Normally, we recommend two appts for SRP’s. Patients typically come in for an hour and a half to complete one side and come in a week or two later to complete the other side. After that, well schedule you for a 30 day re-evaluation where we begin your perio maintenance.

Perio maintenance is more complex than a regular cleaning because you have bone loss so there's more tooth to clean and the more tooth surface, the more area for bacteria to hold onto.

Porcelain Crowns

Advantage: Porcelain crowns or new reinforced resin are considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, as it is so easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth.

Disadvantage: The thickness of the porcelain required for pleasing aesthetics also requires that more tooth structure needs to be removed. It is more difficult for your cosmetic dentist to get an ideal fit where your gum meets the crown. Gingival inflammation appears to be more common with porcelain crowns than gold crowns.

Gold Crowns

Advantage: The preparation of a tooth for a gold crown is the simplest and least complicated preparation as there is minimal tooth structure removal with as much as possible of the healthy tooth structure remaining untouched. While porcelain is hard by comparison, it may cause wear on opposing teeth over the years where gold is not as likely to do so. Gold is also easier to fit to the area where the tooth and crown meet for a better fit. Gold is also a healthier environment for the gum tissue. 

Disadvantage: The biggest disadvantage to gold crowns is the cosmetic aspect, unless it is being used in the back of your mouth. 

Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Advantage: Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns have a very natural appearance. Plus, theyre stronger than a regular porcelain. Disadvantage: They have a metal substructure and require an opaque below the porcelain. This can make the translucency of natural teeth difficult to replicate. Occasionally a darker line will be visible at the edge of the crown, near to your gum when it recedes with age.

Bitewing: Shows the crowns of several upper and lower teeth on one small film. Films of this type are useful for showing tooth decay between and changes in the underlying bone caused by gum disease.

Periapical: Shows several teeth completely including the crowns, all of the roots and some of the surrounding tissue on one small film. A PA can show disorders like impacted teeth (blocked from erupting), fractures, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and characteristic bone patterns of systemic diseases.   

FMX: It’s a series of x-rays that show all the teeth, roots, and related areas of the jaw.

Pano: Shows upper and lower teeth, large portions of the jaw. Its used to detect unerupted or impacted teeth, cysts, retained root fragments, fractures and other conditions of the jaw.

Digital: An electronic image that can be saved to the computer and viewed on the screen. If necessary, we can transmit x-rays via email to an ins carrier or other dental office. 

Bleaching:

Definition

Age, smoking and drinks such as red wine, coffee and soda can stain or darken tooth enamel. Teeth grinding often causes the bitten edges to have a discoloration. Teeth whitening can help to lighten and brighten the teeth and transform a smile. Typically, a bleaching appt takes up to 2 and a half hours. We’ll cover your gums with a liquid that turns into plastic so only your teeth are showing. Then we apply two rounds of whitening. The first round will be for 30 minutes with the light. Then we suction it all off and apply a second round for another 30 minutes with the light again. During this appointment, we also take upper and lower impressions for take home trays.

Implant - metal post in the bone

Abutment - A connection to the implant that anchors the crown

Crown - screws onto the abutment.

Pontic - Artifical tooth (crown)

Abutment Crowns - adjacent prepared teeth supporting the pontic.

Insurance:

Indemnity

PPO

HMO

Non-Preferred Provider

Dual Coverage 

Coordination vs. Integration

Birthday Rule vs. Gender Rule

Discounts

Indemnity - Ins bases fees off UCR

PPO - Contracted w/ Ins Carrier

HMO - Select a provider from the list

Non-Preferred Provider - Not contracted w/ PPO plans/Ins

Dual Coverage - Ins for yourself and a dependent on someone else's

Coordination of Benefits

                      Traditional - when the beneficiary receives up to 100% of expenses from a combination of primary and secondary plans.

                      Non-Duplication - If the primary pays the same if not more than what the secondary would have paid, then the secondary is not responsible for any payment at all.

                      Maintenance - reduces covered charge by the amount primary has paid and then applies deductible and co-insurance criteria. In this case, the secondary plan pays less than what it would under the traditional agreement leaving the patient with a portion.

                      Carve out - Is when secondary first calculates the normal plan what would paid, then reduces the amount by the amount paid by primary.

Birthday Rule - For dependents, it goes by month not year. Which ever parent was born in Jan as opposed to Dec is primary for children.

Gender rule - Sometimes, the female is primary or visa versa.

Discounts - Any type of discount or courtesy must be submitted on claim to ins.

Crown Build Up:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:   

Strengthens the tooth.

Provides retention for the crown.

May reduce sensitivity by providing insulation for the sensitive inner pulp.                                                                         

Disadvantages:                                                                                  

A crown buildup is an additional cost to the crown procedure.

Risks & Alternatives:                                                                                                      The only risk involved is if the pins could potentially be inserted too close to the nerve.                                                                                                                                             No alternatives.

Post & Core:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:                                                                                                                                                                                     Supports the remaining tooth structure.

Provides better stability and retention for the crown.

It plays an important part in saving teeth that have been severely damaged by fracture or decay.  

Disadvantages:                                                                                                                                                                                            A post and core  is an additional cost to the crown procedure.                                                                                                             Risks & Alternatives:                                                                                                                                                                                 If the post, overtime, becomes loose, it could fracture the root resulting in tooth extraction.                                                                    No alternatives. 

Bridges:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Restores your smile

During speech, your tongue pushes against the back side of your upper teeth to achieve proper pronunciation. A bridge can help restore the way you speak.

Maintain the shape of your face

Losing a few teeth may affect your bite. People often favor chewing on one side if they are missing teeth on the opposite side. Over time, this may cause bite issues and even TMJ problems. A bridge may help prevent TMJ disorder and chewing problems.

Whenever a tooth is lost, the teeth around the space tend to shift, tilt, or drift into that space. A dental bridge would prevent undesired changes in the nearby teeth.

Disadvantages:

You have to maintain the cleanliness of it because if youre not flossing it will decay and replacement. 

Depending on hygiene, you have to replace the bridge every 7-10 years.

The dentist has to remove the bridge and everytime you do, youre taking away more tooth structure.

Risks:

If you replace that area with a bridge and the tooth in front and behind are in good condition, you have to cut down those teeth to support the bridge. And when you cut down those teeth, they’re more susceptible to RCT and decay.

When you lose teeth, you start to have bone loss because when the tooth is gone, there is nothing to stimulate the bone. If you replace it with an implant, the bone around that is stimulated.

Alternatives: A removable partial usually has replacement teeth attached to gum-colored plastic bases connected by metal framework. They may attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps. Inserting and removing your bridge takes practice. It may feel awkward for the first few weeks. However, your mouth eventually should become accustomed to it. 

If you choose to do nothing, the teeth around it will start to shift and that will affect your bite, create spacing as the teeth shift, and the upper tooth will start to fill that lower space creating sensitivity on the root which will eventually lead to an extraction. The tooth will continue to come down and the roots will be exposed.

Youre third option is to go with an implant. Its much like a natural tooth. A metal post  is placed beneath your gum and into the bone. It fuses to the bone in your jaw and acts like the root of a tooth. Then well place a crown on top to function like your other teeth. This is more expensive and takes 6-9 months to complete, but it doesnt effect the adjacent teeth and requires less maintenance.

Veneers:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

They provide a natural tooth appearance.

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.

Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape-veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative to bonding.

Disadvantages:

Veneers are more costly than composite resin bonding.

Veneers are usually not repairable should they chip or crack.

Veneers may not exactly match the color of your other teeth. Also, the veneer's color cannot be altered once in place. If you plan on whitening your teeth, you need to do so before getting veneers.

Though not likely, veneers can dislodge and fall off. To minimize the chance of this occurring, do not bite your nails; chew on pencils, ice, or other hard objects; or otherwise put pressure on your teeth.

Veneers are not a good choice for individuals with unhealthy teeth: those with decay or active periodontal disease.

Individuals who clench and grind their teeth are poor candidates as well.

Risks & Alternatives:

It is possible, over time, for the veneer to come off or for decay to develop. In that case, a new veneer may be required and because enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.

The process is not reversible.

You could choose to whiten your teeth. It typically takes an hour and has the potential to whiten your teeth 6-10 shades. However, after treatment you’ll need to follow up at home with daily whitening to ensure your long lasting results. But be aware that the upkeep is key because your teeth overtime will yellow.

Composites are an alternative because they can restore small chips and cracks in teeth. They can fill small gaps between unevenly spaced teeth and they can build up teeth that are small and misshapen.

Porcelain crowns are an option for restoring damaged or misshapen teeth as well. They do have an advantage over veneers in that they can restore larger areas of damage including cavities and deep fractures. They cover all sides of the tooth and can help make it stronger and more resistant to further damage over time. The placement of crowns does require the removal of much tooth structure though. And they are typically used to restore one or two teeth whereas veneers are often placed on all visible teeth.

TMJ:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

There are no advantages when diagnosed with TMJ.

Disadvantages:                                                                                                                                                                              Symptoms of TMJ may include pain in or around the ear, tender jaw muscles, click or popping noises in the jaw, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, pain when yawning or chewing, headaches, or jaw joints that feel they are locked, stuck or go out.                                                                                                                                                                                                  Risks & Alternatives:                                                                                                                                                                                 There are  many things that could causes TMJ such as: the misalignment of teeth, stress, bruxism, gum chewing, fingernail biting, or occupational tasks or habits such as holding the phone between your head and shoulder. To help TMJ, eat softer foods, avoid chewing gum and biting nails, modify the pain with heat packs, practice relaxation techniques to control jaw tension such as meditation. If necessary, exercise to strengthen jaw muscles, medications may be prescribed, or a night guard.

Bruxism:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

There are no advantages when diagnosed with bruxism.  

Disadvantages:

In addition to headaches, toothaches, and a sore face, grinding can wear away or fracture tooth enamel and eventually loosen teeth. 

Risks & Alternatives:

To help prevent bruxism, a night guard is made of soft material to fit your teeth. It slips over the upper and lower teeth and prevents contact between them. It relieves some of the pressure of grinding and clenching which can damage the jaw joints.

Vertical Loss:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

There are no advantages to vertical loss.       

Disadvantages:

Bite collapse changes your facial appearance and can cause TMJ.

Limits your options for restorations.

Quality of life because you can’t chew or speak well.

Loss of teeth causes periodontal disease and decay.

There is a lot of time, effort and expense that goes in to restoring your mouth to its maximum functionality. 

Risks & Alternatives:

Vertical loss can cause TMJ because your joints are not use to the amount of pressure. Also, if you don’t have enough bone in the front, you’re stuck with a collapsed bite unless you extract all the teeth and receive full upper and lower dentures. 

To repair vertical loss, it all depends on the case. Normally we find a way to open your bite to take the pressure off all the front teeth by using temporary dentures or composite material.  Then well use braces to bring the teeth back in.

Implants:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

When dental implants are completed, they look and feel as natural as real teeth.

They restore proper oral functioning. By replacing missing or badly damaged teeth, normal chewing and bite can be re-established. This keeps surrounding teeth, gums and jaw functioning in a healthy manner.

They are typically more comfortable in your mouth than other options, especially removable dentures.

Implants are permanent.

 Disadvantages:

Implants are a major investment, which with the proper hygiene and routine maintenance, can last you a lifetime.

To receive an implant, you’ll have to attend several dental appointments over a period of months.

 Risks & Alternatives:

As this procedure is surgery, it is very important to take your general health into consideration. Pre-existing health conditions may affect the outcome such as poorly controlled diabetes or high blood pressure. Any other recent or current health issues or treatments may also influence the timing and advisability of treatment.

Nutritional status also influences the ability of the bone to heal and heavy drinking, smoking or taking recreational drugs may affect the outcome as well.

The primary of the alternatives to dental implants is the dental bridge. The dental bridge does not anchor into the gum or jaw. Instead, the bridge anchors to the teeth that surround the gap left by the missing teeth. This alternative to implants generally lasts 5 to 10 years and is permanent until it is time to replace it. It provides the patient with a good looking and real looking teeth. The dental bridge also assists the patient with the avoidance of dental shifting, TMJ and the decay of the teeth that are left in the mouth.

Partial dentures are great removal alternatives to dental implants when there are some teeth left in the mouth. They are not as common as the dental bridge, but they are easy to care for and removable. These dentures can be removed from the mouth for easy cleaning and refreshing. They are held in the mouth through the use of clips that are attached to the teeth that are remaining in the mouth. These dentures are very comfortable and easy to use.

Inlays & Onlays:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Inlays and onlays are durable and last longer. 

They are more resistant to stains and discoloration than fillings and crowns.

They provide additional strength to support damaged teeth.

Fillings can expand and contract after they are placed due to temperature changes. These are custom fit to the individual before they are placed.

They are easier to clean so bacteria is less likely to enter the treated area.

 Disadvantages:

They take more away from the tooth’s natural structure than a composite filling would.

They’re almost as expensive as a crown and if you have insurance, it uses a big portion of your maximum.

 Risks & Alternatives:

There aren’t really any risks involved with inlays and onlays.

A cheaper option would be to have a composite filling done. They don’t last as long but they require less tooth removal and only one office visit. Another option is a crown. It’s a little more expensive than inlays and onlays but there is less surface for decay to occur.

RCT:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:
Root canal therapy is an excellent way to save a tooth that would otherwise die and need to be removed.

Disadvantages:

If a tooth is sick, there are no disadvantages to root canal therapy. 

Risks & Alternatives:
On rare occasions, however, root canal therapy may need to be redone to ensure that all of the infection has been removed.

If you choose to do nothing, the bacteria will not be removed and will work its way to the tip of the root and into the bone creating an abscess. You could choose to extract the tooth, but be aware; the space caused by the missing tooth will cause the surrounding teeth to shift into that space. This shift could cause misalignment in your mouth that can result in problems with your jaw.  Shifting teeth are harder to clean which makes them more susceptible to gum disease, decay, or additional tooth loss.

If you elect to extract the tooth, your best plan would be to replace it with a dental appliance such as an implant or bridge. This of course would add more expense to your treatment aside from the loss of your tooth. 

Composites:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

The tooth-colored appearance of composite fillings is more cosmetically appealing than dental amalgam.

Only a small amount of your healthy tooth is removed before a composite filling is applied. This means less chance of any fracturing or chipping of the teeth, and ensures that the structure of the tooth is a lot more naturally strong.

You can use your fillings immediately after they have been placed in your tooth. Composite fillings are usually light cured – using a bright light to harden the mixture so it sets within your tooth.

Because they bond the material, it restores most of the original strength of the tooth.  

Disadvantages:

They are generally more expensive than amalgam fillings due to the amount of time it takes to insert and properly place the filling.

Composites aren’t normally covered by insurance carriers and they typically are downgraded to an amalgam.

Composite fillings are not permanent. They may eventually have to be replaced.

Risks & Alternatives:

No risks are involved.

If you don’t want a composite filling, there is always the alternate benefit of an amalgam. It’s a silver filling that is cheaper. They are stronger than composite fillings but require additional tooth structure to be removed.

 Or you can receive and inlay/onlay. While, fillings can expand and contract due to temperature changes, inlays/onlays are custom fit to the individual before they are placed.

They are more expensive than fillings; almost as expensive as crowns and depending on the review, the insurance might downgrade them to the alternate benefit of an amalgam filling.

Amalgams:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Strong and long lasting so they’re less likely to break.

Least expensive type of filling.

Can stand heavy biting pressure

Most ins companies if not all cover amalgam fillings.

Disadvantages:

Some experience a period of sensitivity after the filling is completed.

More tooth structure is lost because we have to make a bigger preparation.

Must wait a few hours before heavy biting.

Silver weakens the teeth making them more susceptible to breaking.

Risks & Alternatives:

Very small amounts of mercury in the form of vapor can be released as the fillings wear.

If you don’t want an amalgam filling, there is always the alternate benefit of a composite. It’s a tooth colored filling that is a little more expensive but cosmetically pleasing. They require less tooth structure to be removed and are less likely to fracture.

Or you can receive and inlay/onlay. While, fillings can expand and contract due to temperature changes, inlays/onlays are custom fit to the individual before they are placed. They are more expensive than fillings, almost as expensive as crowns and depending on the review, the insurance might downgraded them to the alternate benefit of an amalgam filling.

Fillings in general expand and contract due to temperature changes, however, amalgams move at a different rate than the tooth, resulting in tooth fracture.

Crowns:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Crowns are highly effective in strengthening and supporting misshapen or badly broken teeth.

They prevent the teeth from infection and ultimately restore the m to their full functionality.

If they’re an anterior crown, they definitely improve your smile.

Disadvantages:

A crown is one of the more costly procedures that typically require two visits. It also takes up a lot of your insurance maximum.

Over time, the crown can become loose or dislodged. Patients should expect to have their crown replaced after 10 to 15 years.

Risks & Alternatives:

If you don’t keep it well flossed and clean, it can re-decay around the margin, it may require a replacement.

The only alternatives would be to do nothing about the tooth and eventually resulting in RCT or losing it.  

Sealants:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Prevent food and bacteria from getting trapped in the grooves of a tooth.

Make the tooth more cleanable.

Relatively inexpensive.

No anesthetic required.

No tooth removal required.

Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.

Disadvantages:

Sealants are not permanent. They generally last about five years with normal wear, but can wear off or chip off earlier in certain instances. Also, sealants do not prevent tooth decay between teeth or the onset of gum disease.

Risks & Alternatives:

If you choose not to do a sealant, using fluoride toothpaste can help protect teeth from decay. A dentist can even prescribe it in the form of a gel, mouth rinse, or tablet. Fluoride is a great defense against tooth decay! It makes teeth more resistant to decay, repairs tiny areas of decay before they become big cavities, and it makes germs in the mouth less able to cause decay. It helps the smooth surfaces of the teeth the most. However, it is less effective on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Or you can wait until decay is detected and consider your options then. It could result in a filling, RCT, or crown.

Scaling and Root Planing & Perio Maintenance:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Scaling and root planing helps the gums to reattach to the tooth roots. This will reduce gingival bleeding, diminish inflammation, and cause the spaces around the teeth to decrease.

Perio maintenance helps keep your periodontal disease under control and eventually will bring your mouth to more of a healthier state.

Disadvantages:

You may occasionally experience sensitivity following PM procedures. This happens when unwanted deposits are removed from root surfaces, sometimes making teeth sensitive to temperature changes, acids produced by oral bacteria, and touch.

If you wait too long in between SRP appts, there’s a chance the bacteria can migrate to the other side of your mouth. That’s why we suggest you don’t wait for more than 1-2 weeks in between. Plus, it’s a disease so the sooner we have it under control, the better.

You’ll have to commit to multiple visits of continuing care. 

The bacteria is the same bacteria that clogs your arteries when you have cardiovascular disease. You tend to bleed when scaling the teeth and the bacteria gets into the blood stream which is throughout your body.

You may occasionally experience sensitivity following PM procedures. This happens when unwanted deposits are removed from root surfaces, sometimes making teeth sensitive to temperature changes, acids produced by oral bacteria, and touch. With that being said, the hygienist can prescribe you perio med which is a fluoride rinse that reduces the inflammation and sensitivity.

Risks & Alternatives:

If you choose to do nothing, you’ll be forced to consider prosthetic options. Overtime, your mouth produces plaque. Eventually, that plaque will harden and turn into tartar. The tartar works its way below the gum line and it releases toxins that destroy the bone resulting in tooth loss.  

Bleaching:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

Alternatives

Advantages:

Whitening improves your appearance.

In addition, a whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving way to a more youthful and energetic appearance.

Disadvantages:

Some patients may experience sensitivity to cold and some may be more chemically sensitive than others, resulting in sore gums or teeth.

With people variances with stains and characteristics, not all people get a flush white color.

Teeth whitening is not permanent. It is a temporary lightening and brightening of the teeth's enamel. In order to maintain the brightness, repeat treatments are necessary.

Risks & Alternatives:

Teeth whitening may not work on all teeth. Brownish teeth do not bleach well. Grayish teeth bleach even less well. If you have bonded or tooth-colored fillings, bleaching will not lighten those areas. In fact, it may cause these areas to stand out.

If bleaching isn’t for you, there is always veneers.  They are thin custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front side of the teeth and are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shapes or slightly crooked, chipped or worn. A veneer typically takes two visits.