Frequently Asked Questions
The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. An electric toothbrush with a small head is highly recommended, since they generally do less damage, and allow the patient to be more thorough without worries about manual dexterity. We are happy to demonstrate use of both manual and electric toothbrushes. back to top »
There are many different types of toothpaste, most of which are perfectly fine to use. It is important to match the toothpaste you use with your specific needs, such as sensitivity, dry mouth and high fluoride. In general, use of a fluoride-containing toothpaste that is not abrasive is recommended. We help each patient decide what kind will be right for them. back to top »
Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy. back to top »
These are restorations to repair and secure a fractured tooth or a tooth at risk of fracturing due to the large size of its restoration. A crown covers the whole tooth and is often the only way to support weak tooth structure during normal eating activities. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, ceramic or porcelain fused to metals. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns", however, patients often refer to them as "caps". back to top »
Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutments (or adjacent) teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures because they do not need to be taken out to be cleaned and usually are much more esthetic. back to top »
No. While most teeth that have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal. In addition, most teeth that need crowns, do not need to have a root canal first. back to top »