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General Dentistry Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When would you consider tooth bleaching?

A. You would consider tooth bleaching if your teeth have yellowed with age or are stained from tobacco, tea, coffee or food.

Q. What are the practical expectations of tooth bleaching?

A. Every case is different, but generally there is a two-shade improvement as seen on a dentist's shade guide. The success rate relies on the types of stain involved, your compliance, and the material and method used.

Q. How long does tooth bleaching last?

A. Depending on your personal habits such as smoking and drinking coffee or tea, tooth whitening should last from one to five years.

Q. Do over-the-counter bleaching products work?

A. Some over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, but many of the products can damage teeth with extended use or misuse because they are too abrasive or use ill-fitting trays. Some materials contain titanium dioxide that actually put a temporary pigment coating on the teeth. Although small doses of titanium dioxide are considered safe, the net effect is to put a layer of "paint" on the teeth that is soon lost.

Q. What is orthodontics?

A. Orthodontics, also known as malocclusion or “bad bite”, is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Q. What is an orthodontist?

A. An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone specialized training to require the advanced qualifications and specialized skills required to give their patients quality treatment.

Q. What causes orthodontic problems?

A. Most orthodontic problems are inherited, but some are acquired.

Q. What is the importance of orthodontic treatment?

A. Orthodontic treatment is important because crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may lead to conditions tooth decay, but eventually cause gum disease and tooth loss. Malocclusion (bad bite) can also lead to pain associated with TMD.

Q. What does orthodontic treatment involve?

A. Orthodontic treatment usually involves wearing braces prescribed and designed by the orthodontist. You may feel some tenderness as the teeth start to move. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces can slowly move teeth through their supporting bone to a new desirable position.

Q. How long does orthodontic treatment take?

A. Generally, orthodontic treatment time with braces ranges from 1 to 3 years. Early treatment procedures may take only a few months. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient's mouth and face, the cooperation of the patient and the how severe the problem is.

Q. How much does orthodontic treatment cost?

A. The actual cost of treatment relies very much on the individual case and depends largely on the length and complexity of treatment.

Q. What toothpaste should your child use?

A. You should use a match-head sized amount of toothpaste. The use of toothpaste should not begin until 2 years of age.

Q. When should you start taking children to see a dentist?

A. It is recommended that children see a dentist by age one and definitely by 16 months of age.

Q. How often should a child see a dentist?

A. It is recommended that the child be seen every six months after the initial examination.

Q. Why is it important to care for primary or baby teeth?

A. It is important to care for primary teeth because they are much more susceptible to tooth decay than the permanent teeth. There are many other reasons.

Q. How are digitized X-rays beneficial?

A. Digitized X-rays reduce the exposure of radiation to the patient, and eliminate the film and darkroom processing within the dental office.

New Dentistry, A Partnership For Your Health And Well Being

A world of opportunities for dental health awaits us in the new dentistry. Using the old dentistry, dental professionals did their best to provide a high quality of service given the state of knowledge and technology at that time. Through advancements in treatment, research, and the desire of the dental profession to do more and do it better, the new dentistry has emerged. It is based on a foundation with specific characteristics that are of great benefit to us as consumers.

• Efficiency: Your time and your resources are valuable to you, and your dental professional recognizes this. New treatment techniques and methods have considerably reduced the amount of time that the dental care now takes. The return on your investment in dental health is excellent.
• Comfort: Not only are the dental chairs and the office environments more comfortable and pleasant, improvements in the use of local anesthetics and new equipment provide more comfort than ever before.
• Collaboration: The dental relationship is now based on the value that you can derive from your dental team and what you want for your dental future rather than just on the techniques and procedures your dentist can do. Through continuing education, your dentist has the skills and knowledge to help you make decisions for your dental health in a positive and informed way.
• Predictability: New materials and advances in treatment provide you with opportunities to maintain your dental health throughout your life. With the innovative cosmetic dentistry and specialized approaches to reclaiming teeth that formally would be lost, your dental professional can help create and maintain teeth and gums. Predictable treatment, effective prevention methods, and the longevity of treatment are now part of any treatment plan.
• Thoroughness: Advances in assessment and diagnosis now enable dentists to make thorough evaluations of your overall dental and oral health. The outcome is a plan for your health that will give you peace of mind, knowing you can have a well-informed dental plan in place.
• Prevention: This characteristic of the new dentistry has received much publicity in recent years. It has been proven over and over again that there are several measures that you can take as a consumer of dental care to create and maintain your dental health in collaboration with your dental team. It bears repeating again - flossing and brushing combined with regular dental hygiene checks are your greatest allies in maintaining your teeth and a bright smile.
• Precision: The new dentistry utilizes instruments and technologies that are far advanced from what was available even 15 years ago. Both general dental professionals and specialists have access to technologies that provide precision in diagnosis and treatment. The value for you is higher quality care.

The dental profession has established a strong foundation for a pleasant smile and a healthy dental future for all of us. Improvements are continuously being made to this foundation. You can choose to avail yourself of these improvements by asking your dentist, "What can help me to maintain my dental health?" They have the knowledge and the desire to help you, including information about a wide range of dental payment plans.

By Brian DesRoches, PhD

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.