Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bioclear is a versatile, minimally invasive treatment that works beautifully for a wide range of patients. If you're bothered by gaps between your teeth, dark triangles at the gumline, chipped or worn enamel, or small and misshapen teeth, Bioclear may be an excellent solution for you. It's also a wonderful alternative for patients who want the look of veneers or crowns without the removal of healthy tooth structure that those treatments sometimes require.

Ideal candidates are patients who are looking to improve the appearance of their smile in a conservative, long-lasting way. Because Bioclear uses injected composite material to wrap and strengthen the tooth, it works especially well for patients with black triangle spaces,  those small, dark gaps that can appear between teeth near the gumline—a notoriously difficult area to treat with other methods.

Most patients in good general oral health are strong candidates for Bioclear, though it may not be the right fit for every situation. The best way to find out if Bioclear is right for your smile is to schedule a consultation with your dentist, who will take the time to evaluate your needs and walk you through all of your options.

As your children's dentist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you are making each day affect your son or daughter's oral health such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach are between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.

Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.

Aesthetically pleasing orthodontic treatments are here to stay because more people are choosing to correct cosmetic and oral problems without detracting from their appearance. With clear aligners and clear braces, you can improve your smile while keeping your treatment invisible. You may even be able to combine the two treatments if needed.

Although your top priority is fixing your teeth and having the healthiest mouth possible, straightening your smile discreetly is probably a close second. Here’s how two popular invisible orthodontic treatments compare so that you can discuss them with your dentist.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are similar to metal braces and include non-removable brackets, wires, and sometimes rubber bands.

• Work well for any age group
• Can fix more severe oral issues and jaw misalignment
• Treatment time varies from one to three years
• Must take special care to remove food particles from brackets and avoid hard or sticky foods
• Brackets are plastic or ceramic

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are removable trays that you wear for a certain number of hours per day and require discipline to wear them consistently.

• Best for older teens or adults
• Can fix mild orthodontic issues
• Treatment time averages one year
• You remove the trays to eat and can eat whatever you want
• Made of plastic

We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry services such as veneers, porcelain crowns, bonding using tooth-colored composite, and even orthodontic treatments like Invisalign. All our dentistry is done with an eye toward aesthetics. We know that it's important that your teeth are both healthy and attractive. If you'd like to find out which of our services can help you meet your goals, call our office to schedule your consultation.

Dental crowns are designed to be very durable and to function much like your own teeth. You need to use common sense, however, and avoid biting down directly on foods like hard candy or nuts. A broken crown is not just costly to replace, but you may also damage underlying healthy tooth structure.

Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options:

• Dental implants appear the most life-like and natural.
• The actual implant piece of the dental implant is made of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
• Dental implants are the most secure and stable.
• Dental implants prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw tissue healthy and preventing changes in the shape of your face.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

When you think of reasons to get orthodontics, you may envision a set of shimmering, straight teeth. Cosmetic improvements are definitely one of the most common reasons to get orthodontics.

But did you know that certain oral conditions can lead to more serious issues, which require increasingly costly, invasive treatments? The benefits of orthodontics even reach as far as your overall health.

The following are just a few benefits of orthodontic treatment:

• Improved self-confidence. When you feel like you need to hide your smile, it can affect your relationships and how you feel about yourself. Not only that, but a healthy-looking smile can make a good impression at work and in any situation when you need to feel confident.
• Healthier gums. Gums of misaligned teeth may harbor more bacteria. Periodontal, or gum, disease is a health concern that can affect your heart, too, and even contribute to stroke and diabetes.
• Decreased risk of tooth damage. Teeth that protrude further than other teeth are more at risk for chips and fractures.
• Less wear on teeth. Teeth that protrude or rub against over teeth due to jaw misalignment are worn down relatively quickly, weakening the tooth structure.
• Easier dental hygiene. When your teeth are aligned properly, you can more easily remove food particles by flossing and brushing.

Since most of us don’t routinely analyze the insides of our mouths, you may wonder how you can detect the signs of oral cancer. In addition to oral cancer screenings with your oral surgery specialist, call the doctor’s office if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Bleeding in your mouth that doesn’t stop or a sore that doesn’t heal
• A lump or thickening in the lining of the mouth
• Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
• Red or white patches on the soft tissues in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing

Additional symptoms that may signal a problem include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and ear and/or jaw pain. Check your tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, teeth, face, and neck for changes, and call your oral surgery specialist if you have any concerns.

Factors that increase oral cancer risk:

• Tobacco use
• Heavy alcohol use
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Excessive sun exposure
• Fair skin
• Poor oral hygiene
• Poor nutrition
• Gender (men are more prone to oral cancer than women)

Prevention is always the best way to avoid oral cancer. Discontinuing tobacco use may be the single most effective way to lower your risk, even if you’ve been using it for years.