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Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to your question or click on the highlighted
question.
Can you do anything
to Make Me Feel Comfortable?
My biggest fear is going to the
dentist.
For the patient who loses sleep over the thought of going
to the dentist we have "sleep sedation" available.
We use I.V. Sedation and oral medication. This is where
you are asleep for all dental procedures. Most treatment
is completed in one or two visits. YOU WILL NOT FEEL ANY
PAIN, FEAR, OR ANXIETY.
For those who prefer we also provide nitrous oxide, and
have stereo headphones to help eliminate the sound of the
handpiece.
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What Tooth Whitening
Options Are Available?
The two major types of tooth whitening systems are in-office
(active) or passive (bleaching your teeth at home while
supervised by the dentist).
The tooth whitening at home involves wearing a custom-fitted
appliance-containing tooth whitening solution. You wear
this tray for usually one hour a day for a 7-14 day period
or until you get the desired color for your teeth. This
type of system is usually much more affordable than the
power whitening in the office.
The various over the counter products give the least predictable
results. The active system is done in the office "power
whitening". This usually takes one to two visits
of one hour each.
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Is Whitening For
You?
Teeth whitening are successful in 90% or more of patients,
though it may not be for everyone. Consider teeth whitening
if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, or tea
stains or you were born with gray teeth. Teeth darkened
with the color of yellow, brown, or orange respond better
to bleaching than stains caused by fluorosis (brown
or white spots), smoking, or tetracycline (gray color).
The second type of stains will lighten, but not as dramatically.
If you have very sensitive teeth, or teeth with worn
enamel, there are now bleaching materials designed specifically
for sensitive teeth.
The active ingredient in the whitening process is hydrogen
peroxide solution, which releases oxygen. The oxygen
works on the teeth by breaking down the protein stains
in the teeth without harming the tooth itself.
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How Long Does
Whitening Last?
Lightness should last from 1 to 5 years, depending
on your personal habits.
People, who smoke, drink a lot of coffee or tea will
have results that do not last as long. However, it
is easy to touch up their whitening after several
years or for the special occasion.
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What Are Realistic
Whitening Expectations?
No one can really predict how much lighter your
teeth will become, because every case is different.
But you can realize a two to three shade improvement
using a dental shade guide.
The success rate depends upon your involvement and
your compliance. Whitening does not lighten caps
or crowns or tooth colored fillings such as composite
resins or porcelains.
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What are
the Signs of Gum Disease?
There are several signs of
gum disease that include:
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
your teeth.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Gum tissue that have receded or shrunken
away from your teeth.
• Pus between your teeth when you press
your gums with your finger.
• Pain when chewing.
• Calculus or tartar buildup.
• Teeth that seem loose or that change
position.
• Changes in your bite
• Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in
your mouth.
• Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot
and cold.
The type of treatment you require depends
on how advanced your particular case is.
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Does Dr.
Nolan accept Dental Insurance?
Yes, We accept all traditional dental insurance
where you have a choice to go to any dentist
you want to.
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Does
your office do General Dentistry or Only Cosmetic
Dentistry?
We perform all aspects of general dentistry
including cleanings, fillings, caps, crowns,
bridges, implants, dentures, extractions,
periodontal surgery, root canals, and cosmetic
dentistry.
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What
is Cosmetic Bonding?
A. Cosmetic bonding is a term used to describe
a number of procedures that involve bonding
composite resin to the tooth. Cosmetic bonding
can be used for cosmetic purposes such as
repairing chipped teeth, closing gaps, restore
decayed teeth. We can match the existing
color of your teeth, or even change the
color and shape of your teeth.
Bonding is most often completed in one visit,
and is less expensive than crowns or veneers.
Cosmetic bonding procedures may not require
drilling or anesthesia. The material is
applied, shaped, and hardened using a special
light. The cosmetic bonding material is
not as strong as a natural tooth, crowns,
or veneers. The material may chip or stain,
and may need to be replaced periodically.
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What
is a Porcelain Veneer?
A veneer, fabricated from porcelain,
is a thin, semi-transparent “shell”,
custom made to fit precisely over an existing
tooth. It is like a porcelain fingernail
that is placed on a woman's fingernail
to make your nails look longer.
They are permanently bonded, held in place
by a special resin that adheres the back
of the veneer to the front of the tooth.
The veneer is used to close spaces or
gaps between teeth, restore broken or
chipped teeth, or change the color of
stained or discolored teeth permanently.
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How
long does Bonding or Veneers Last?
Bonding is when tooth-colored resin
or enamel like composite material is
adhered to teeth and sculpted into the
proper shape. The material hardens and
is polished to match the texture and
color of natural teeth.
Bonding usually lasts from three
to eight years, but may last up to 15
years.
Veneers may also last up to 15
years.
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What
causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath is not an insignificant
concern since most of the US population
suffers from it at one time or another,
and millions of dollars are spent
on non-prescription products, such
as sprays, mints, and mouthwashes
to remedy the problem.
Most patients with halitosis are
aware of their problem and treat it
themselves with OTC products. When
halitosis becomes so bad then the
patient seeks the advise of the dentist.
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How
is Bad Breath Treated?
Halitosis has its origins 90% of
the time from the mouth. The most
common cause of halitosis of non-oral
etiology is a bacterial sinusitis.
The primary cause of halitosis is
due to poor oral hygiene in which
food particles are not completely
removed from the teeth and gums.
Other major causes of halitosis
are periodontal disease, tooth decay,
bad fillings, or after oral trauma
or oral surgery. We know how to
treat your chronic halitosis by
eliminating contributing dental
disease.
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What
can I do to Fix these Old Silver
Fillings?
"I have a
lot of old silver fillings which
have been in my mouth for at least
15 years and look like they are
coming apart."
Silver amalgam fillings are made
of 50% mercury and 50 % silver
alloy which eventually needs to
be replaced. Did you know that
the average life span of a silver
filling is about seven years.
Your dentist can tell you when
they need to be replaced due to
breakdown, leakage, or recurrent
decay.
If your concern is COSMETIC, there
are many new methods available
to replace the fillings with beautiful,
functional long lasting restorations.
There are white filling materials,
porcelain inlays, porcelain veneers
and crowns that can be used to
give you the smile you want.
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Who
should I believe?
"I just
went to a new dentist for a
checkup. I asked him to check
a cap that was put on one of
my front teeth by my former
dentist. He informed me that
I did not have a cap on any
of my teeth. I know my last
dentist fixed a broken front
tooth and said he capped it."
You have just experienced a
very common misunderstanding
that we see as dentists today.
Terminology used in dentistry
is not 100% uniform throughout
our profession. Both dentist
were probably "correct".
The word "cap" as
used in dentistry by different
dentists can refer to a number
of different things. A pulp
cap refers to a calcium containing
dressing placed under a deep
filling to stimulate healing.
A full crown, made by a dental
laboratory which completely
covers the outside of your tooth
is frequently called a cap.
A partly broken tooth may be
built up by your dentist in
the office with a bonded filling
material. This is called a cap
or “crown” by some
dentists. This sounds like what
you probably had done.
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What
can I do?
"I
cannot stand the sound of
the drill. I think I need
a root canal or a filling
but I am scared to call a
dentist. I feel like I am
starting to get a toothache
and I certainly don't want
to lose my teeth. I have not
been to a dentist for over
5 years."
Dental technology has come
a long way over the last five
years. We can use a technology
called "sleep dentistry"
whereby all your dental work
can be done in one or two
visits and when you wake up
you will be at home. You can
have a choice so that you
will hear nothing and be totally
comfortable.
Also, if you have a new cavity
that requires a filling, there
is “air abrasive equipment
that replaces the drill for
removing decay. It is quick
, silent, and in most cases
you do not need a shot of
anesthetic because there is
no heat or vibration to cause
pain.
Our patients love it. It does
not work for all cavities,
but with your dislike of the
drill and the noise you should
see a dentist that uses these
technologies.
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Please
note:
Dr. Nolan replies personally
to as many dental questions
as he can within the existing
time constraints of running
a full time dental practice.
As we are sure you know, the
volume on the internet can
be huge.
Ask
Dr. Nolan Get a direct
response on any question
Thank
you for visiting our website.
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