CROWN & BRIDGE

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
Dental bridges can last 5 to 7 years and even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular prophylaxis, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.

Will It Be Difficult to Eat With a Dental Bridge?
Replacing missing teeth should actually make eating easier. Until you become accustomed to the bridge, eat soft foods that have been cut into small pieces.

Will the Dental Bridge Change How I Speak?
It can be difficult to speak clearly when teeth are missing in the front or anterior areas. Wearing a dental bridge with the anterior teeth in their proper relationship will help you speak properly.

How Do I Care for My Bridges?
It is important to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong as the success of the bridge (depending on the type selected) depends on the solid foundation offered by the surrounding teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate how to properly brush and floss your teeth. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule will help diagnose problems at an early stage when treatment has a better prognosis. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important.

Q.What exactly is Tooth Whitening?
A.It is the whitening of the teeth sometimes referred to as bleaching. Over the years we get a buildup of organic pigments on our teeth turning them yellowish in color. With tooth whitening we can regain the natural whiteness of our teeth and in most cases we can even go lighter.

Q.What do they use to whiten the teeth?
A. a peroxide based gel called Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide

Q: I have heard of in office treatment and home treatment. What is the difference?
A: One is done in the dental chair and is usually done in about one hour. The other is done at home and can take a few weeks.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Office whitening takes about 1 hour at the dental office.
Home whitening usually takes 1-2 weeks but there are a few things to take into consideration. First of all the color of your teeth when you begin the treatment and how light you want your teeth to be.

Q: Is one better than the other?
A: Not necessarily, it is dependant on you. Some people want immediate results while others don’t mind taking the time to do it at home. However when you have it done in the office it is often recommended that you continue at home for a week or so to get the final results that you want to achieve.

Q: How do I put it on my teeth?
A: Your dentist will make you some soft plastic trays that will fit over your teeth. These are usually quite comfortable and people hardly notice that they have them in their mouth.

Q: Will it hurt my tooth enamel?
A: No there is no damage done to the teeth at all.

Q: Will my teeth be sensitive?
A: You might experience some sensitivity but usually if you use a desensitizing tooth paste it will control any sensitivity you may. Also depending on how and when you use the gel can make a difference but you will be advised about this at your dental office.

Q: Will my teeth get yellow again?
A: You may notice a slight change in color several months down the road but that can be taken care of in just a couple of nights every 6 months or so. A lot depends on you if you are a smoker or if you drink a lot of tea or coffee you might notice a change sooner. Generally though your teeth will not return to the color they were when you started.

Q: Why can’t I just buy it from the pharmacy?
A: The product that a pharmacy or any other store can sell you is not nearly as effective as what you can get from your dentist.

Q: Do they use the same product to do in office whitening that is used at home?
A: Basically yes but you may have heard of laser whitening and this is a special light that is used when whitening the teeth in the office. It is a laser type light that speeds up the process of the whitening.

Q: Is the laser light safe?
A: Yes it is absolutely safe .

Q1: What is Zoom 2 Tooth Whitening?
A1: Zoom 2 is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentine. You may have seen the Zoom process used on TV'S Extreme Makeover.

Q2: How long does Zoom 2 Chairside Whitening take?
A2: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by 45 minutes of bleaching. (A cleaning is recommended prior to the actual Zoom! whitening session.)

Q3: How does the Zoom 2 In surgery Chairside System work?
A3: The Zoom 2 light activated whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentine, bleaching coloUred substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom 2 light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the Zoom 2 lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom2 gel by 26% or more, giving an average improvement of up to eight shades and maximum of 12 shades.

Q4: What will I experience during the Zoom 2 Chairside Procedure?
A4: During the procedure, patients may listen to music. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty ndergoing the entire procedure .

Q5: How long do the results last?
A5: By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Weekender or Nite White gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.

Q6: Are there any side effects?
A6: Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom 2 light generates minimal heat which is the usual source of discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure, but always dissipate. You can also ask your dentist to supply you with anti-sensitivity toothpaste for use prior to treatment.

Q7: What causes tooth discoloration?
A7: There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Q8: Do many people whiten their teeth?
A8: More people than you might imagine. A bright sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom 2 Chairside Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.

Q9: Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
A9: Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.

Q10: Is whitening safe?
A10: Yes. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom 2 is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

What Are Dental Implants?
A natural tooth consists of a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the part hidden under the gum, within the awbone). It is the root that actually holds the natural tooth in place.

When a person is missing a tooth, the dentist must decide how to re-create the crown portion, and he must choose the best method to hold it in place. Dental implants were created for this purpose.

Dental implants are metallic cylinders that are placed into the jawbone where original teeth once existed. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a replacement tooth in place in a spot where a tooth is missing. Dental implants can also be used to secure loose teeth in place by being installed alongside the loose teeth and anchoring to them with splinted crowns. This will allow the loose teeth to function better and last longer in the mouth.

Dental implants are made of a surgical metal called titanium, because it is the most compatible with human biology,The titanium alloy is the same material that is used in other implants such as hip and knee replacements. They are surgically placed in the jawbone, right in the dentist’s office, using a local anesthetic. Approved and tested implant systems are very successful. In fact, some have lasted more than 20 years with a better than 90% success rate. Patients who have good oral hygiene and take care of their new teeth can enjoy implants that last a lifetime.

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