Frequently Asked Questions

The radiation exposure from dental x-rays is much less than the exposure you would get from the x-rays taken by your physician. In fact, you will absorb more radiation by spending a day out in the summer sun. Dental radiographs or x-rays expose the patient to very small amounts of radiation. New digital x-rays can cut that amount down by close to 90% over traditional film x-rays. Your doctor uses these images to detect pathology such as decay, tumors, cysts or other abnormalities not evident to the naked eye. They are an integral part of a complete dental examination.

Yes. Your crown is more than likely a porcelain fused to metal crown. The black line you see is the area where the metal and the porcelain meet. Replacing this crown with a full porcelain crown will alleviate that line.

Diet sodas are better only in the fact that they do not have sugar in them. Even diet soda can be bad for your teeth due to the acidity caused by the carbonation. It is OK to drink sodas in moderation. The damage that they can cause is directly related to the time your teeth are exposed to the liquid. Therefore, do not drink sodas all day long. Try to rinse or brush afterward, and limit the number of sodas you consume each day.

Since they bond to the tooth, composite fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking. Since broken teeth are very expensive to restore, composites can save a lot of expense over the long run. Composite fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth and teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam, if correct techniques are used. Composites are mercury-free. Mercury in the fillings is viewed by some as being toxic.

A dental implant is a titanium fixture placed in the bone of your jaw to replace a missing tooth. The implant replaces the root structure and then a crown can placed on top of it to replace the tooth.

Loose dentures, are ill fitting dentures. Many times a reline can make them fit again. Sometimes the bony support under the dentures is not sufficient anymore and implants can be used to stabilize the denture.

Fluoride acts to make teeth more resistant to decay. In children, this is important for the development of their adult teeth. In adults, fluoride acts to strengthen and in some cases reverse small areas of decay. If you do not live in area which has fluoridated water, ask us about fluoride rinses or supplements.

A veneer is a thin ceramic facing that is bonded to the front of your tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces, straighten crooked teeth and change the color of yellow or stained teeth.

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment without the use of conventional metal braces. A series of computer generated, clear plastic aligners are used to move teeth. They are removable and very comfortable to wear. They do not interfere with speech or your everyday activities. This type of treatment does have some limitations and we can evaluate you to see if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment.

Periodontal disease is a condition where, due to the accumulation of bacteria, tartar and stain, a low grade infection has occurred. This infection results in the loss of bone around the teeth. This loss of bone can result in the instability and eventual loss of those teeth. We can treat this disease and halt its progression.