Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.
Click on a question below to see the answer.
Dental Cleaning
What is calculus?
Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
How often should I see the dentist?
Regular preventive visits are the best way to keep your gums healthy and your teeth cavity-free. You can expect to see the dentist every six months so that our dentists can monitor any changes in your oral health and provide prompt treatment recommendations as needed.
Do dental cleanings hurt?
No, we strive to make sure cleanings are a comfortable experience for our patients. Your cleaning is handled by a trained dental hygienist who gently yet thoroughly cleans, polishes, and flosses your teeth. Patients who have gingivitis may experience some discomfort, tenderness, or bleeding. However, you can prevent the discomfort caused by gingivitis by attending regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings.
Dental Implants
What if I don’t get an implant?
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, it’s important to replace them as soon as you can. Missing teeth can impact your oral health as well as your overall physical well-being, causing problems biting, chewing, and eating properly. You also have a greater chance of developing gum disease, TMJ, crooked teeth, and other issues if you go without replacing your missing teeth.
Do implants hurt?
You will require a minor surgical procedure to place the implants in your jaw. Following your procedure, it’s normal to experience some pain and swelling while your mouth heals. Our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and prescribed pain relievers (as needed) to help you manage any discomfort you may experience.
What are the pros of getting an implant?
Implants provide you with many benefits, such as replacing one or more missing teeth with affecting adjacent teeth, restoring natural bite strength and function, and filling gaps in your smile to restore your confidence.
How long do implants last?
Dental implants are strong, durable, and will last many years. You can extend the lifespan of your implant up to 20 years or more through good at-home care and regular dental checkups. On occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear and tear over time.
What do dental implants do?
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and provide a fixed solution for dental crowns, bridges, and full or partial implant dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances and can restore your smile to the fullest.
Invisalign
Can teens get Invisalign?
Yes, many teens can enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile with Invisalign Teen! Invisalign Teen helps our young patients straighten their teeth and improve their smiles without the need for the metal mouth that comes with traditional braces. This treatment option uses a blue indicator dot on the aligner, so you and their dentist know if your child is wearing their aligners properly.
Is Invisalign covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. Many major dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment the same way they cover braces. Your insurance may cover up to 50% of your Invisalign treatment, depending on your coverage. Our team will help you understand your insurance coverage and maximize your benefits whenever possible.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign is a flexible treatment that can be tailored to your needs. We’ll have to perform a full assessment of your teeth during your consultation so we can provide you with a breakdown of all treatment costs. That said, Invisalign is comparable to the cost of braces, making it affordable for most patients.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign corrects the same dental problems as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that Invisalign trays are almost invisible when worn and are removable, which means they can be removed at will. Usually, new trays are necessary every two weeks, and progress between appointments can be seen with the naked eye as your teeth slowly shift into the correct alignment.
Veneers
Are veneers permanent?
Veneers are a permanent cosmetic procedure. They need a thin layer of enamel to be removed from your teeth prior to placement and are bonded to the remaining tooth structure. For this reason, only a trained dental professional can make repairs or adjustments to your veneers.
How long do veneers last?
The lifespan of your veneer depends on the type you choose, and your veneers will eventually need to be repaired or replaced just like any other dental work. A set of ceramic veneers will last 20 years or more, which is why we recommend it to our patients.
Do veneers hurt?
Generally, no. Patients who receive 2-4 veneers typically experience no discomfort. However, patients who receive eight or more veneers may experience some sensitivity or tenderness in the gums. Your dentist will take every precaution during your veneer preparation and administer local anesthetic or sedation as needed to ensure your comfort.
How long does it take to get veneers?
On average, you can expect the process of getting your veneers to take 3-4 weeks. You’ll visit our office 2-3 times during this time, from your initial consultation to the final fitting and application. While you wait for your final veneers to come back from the dental lab.
What do veneers treat?
Veneers create a brighter, straighter, and more uniform smile without the need for teeth whitening, orthodontics, or other treatments. They are used to mask the appearance of crooked, misshapen, discolored, chipped, cracked, gapped, or worn-down teeth.
Whitening
What does teeth whitening treat?
Our dentists recommend teeth whitening treatment to remove stains and improve the appearance of teeth that appear yellow, brown, or dull. Brighter teeth help hide cosmetic flaws such as chips or cracks that may otherwise make us worry about the quality of our smiles.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
During an office visit, your dental professional will apply the whitening gel and, depending on the system being used, will shine a light source directly onto the teeth. The entire office visit generally takes about 90 minutes with immediate results. The dentist generally cleans your teeth and places some sort of protective barrier on your gums before the whitening begins. The gel sits on your teeth for several minutes before the dentist washes it off. It is usually reapplied several times before the procedure is over. Many people report increased sensitivity in their teeth during this process, but new gels contain sodium fluoride, which reduces this side effect significantly.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
While the total cost of your treatment will depend on your unique needs as determined by your dentist, take-home whitening is generally a more affordable treatment option than in-office whitening. Our team will provide you with a complete breakdown of all treatment costs and payment options.
How long does teeth whitening take?
Philips Zoom take-home whitening provides noticeable results in as little as two weeks. Wear your trays twice a day for at least fourteen days for dramatically brighter teeth.
Emergency
What does a dentist consider to be an emergency?
Generally speaking, a dental emergency refers to any problem that needs immediate treatment. This may be to stop bleeding, alleviate severe tooth pain, treat a tooth infection, or save a damaged tooth.
What if I’m not experiencing any pain?
Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether you need emergency care. What may seem like a minor inconvenience can cause more painful and expensive issues later if left untreated. If you experience a problem with dental repair work or dental prosthetics, be sure to call us right away to schedule an appointment. This can include a loose or missing filling, broken crown, damaged dental bridge, or a cracked or broken denture.
What are the most common dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies are more common than you might think! Our doctors and team treat a wide range of common emergencies in our Bridgewater dental office, such as infected teeth, bleeding teeth or gums, mouth sores, knocked-out teeth, and chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.
Can you see me now for a same-day emergency appointment?
Our doctors and their team will do everything we can to see you! That’s why we make ourselves available 24/7 for after-hours or weekend emergencies. Walk-ins are also accepted as scheduling permits. No matter when your dental emergency occurs, we are here to give you the care you need.
Can the ER help with a tooth?
We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and your first instinct may be to go to the hospital. Emergency rooms are the best choice for medical emergencies, but they aren’t set up to handle dental emergencies. Unless you’re experiencing severe symptoms of uncontrolled bleeding or swelling, you should contact your local dentist right away. Our experienced dentists have the advanced training and fully-equipped facilities needed to provide relief.