Listed below are some of the most asked questions we receive here at the office. If there is something else you needed to know about cosmetic dentistry and your option, you can use the "Ask Dr. I" form at the right. If the answer to your question would help others, it may even get posted here! Just click on the question to reveal the answer.

1. Is bleaching safe or does it damage the tooth?

Many studies have been performed and have thus far shown no evidence of any changes to the actual surface of the tooth using a 10% bleaching solution.

2. Are there any side effects to tooth whitening?

You may experience discomfort due to sensisitivity from the bleaching gel. This is a quite normal and expected side effect. Should the discomfort turn into pain, you should discontinue the use of the bleaching gel until you are comfortable enough to continue again. Bleeching does not need to be done consecutively. The whitening results you desire may take a little longer with discontinued use, but you will begin to see a difference once you begin using the gel again.

3. How long will it take for my teeth to become their whitest?

Results vary by person and by the colorization of their teeth. For some patients, results can occur in a matter of days, while with others, it may take months. We advise patients that you should begin whiten around 2 to 3 weeks after beginning an at home treatment program.

4. Why do I need X-Rays?

X-Rays are a standard part of any dental examination. With X-rays, we can see things that we otherwise would not be able to catch like cavities between teeth, worn out fillings and cavities under fillings, and receding bone levels from peridontal disease.

5. When do I need a crown?

A crown is required when a large cavity has eaten away at the majority of a tooth, there isn't enough healthy tooth left to fill with a filling. In this case, a crown is used to cover and strengthen a tooth that may otherwise break if left unprotected.

6. When do I need a bridge?

Bridges are inserted when you are missing a tooth. Teeth give each other support. When you chew your food, and are missing a tooth, the teeth that are next to the open hole begin to shift. This shiting eventually becomes more dramatic, causing the tooth to extrude out of it's socket, and eventually losing the tooth. It becomes much more difficult to chew your food as your bite changes. Bridges are crafted in a dental laboratory to fit your mouth perfectly. A bridge helps to bring back that bright, healthy smile that a missing tooth can so dramatically change.

7. How long do porcelain veneers and dental crowns last?

The amount of time a porcelain veneer or dental crown (cap) lasts depends on many different factors, including at-home care, a patient's commitment to follow-up visits with the dentist, and the quality of the crown or veneer.

8. Why should I floss?

The majority of cavities and disease begin between teeth, where the bristles of your brush are too large to fit. Daily flossing helps to keep your teeth healthy by getting into those tights spots you cannot reach by brushing. When first beginning to floss, you should expect your gums to bleed a bit. This is normal and should go away within a few days. If it does not, contact your dentist immediately.