Why do I need a regular dental visit?
How often should I Schedule My Dental Check Ups?
Are X-Rays Harmful?
My teeth are yellowish in color, is this healthy and what can I do to make them look whiter?
What are my options for whitening and improving the appearance of my teeth?
What is gum disease? Would I know if I had it?
What are dental implants?

Part of my goal in this website is to provide you with up-to-date information about dental procedures and proper dental care. Below are the answers to some of the most common dental questions. Please keep in mind that the following information is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for a professional dental exam.

Why do I need a regular dental visit?

• My first objective is to keep your teeth and gums healthy, and the best way to do that is with regular visits. I believe in preventative care and early detection, so that I can take care of potential problems before they require costly treatments. That’s why I advise my patients to arrange pre-scheduled Maintenance Visits to keep them healthy and problem-free.

How often should I Schedule My Dental Check Ups?

• Everyone is different, so it depends on the individual. People who have lowered resistance, specific dental conditions, or those who aren't the best brushers and flossers need more frequent maintenance visits. Based on my evaluation of your dental health, I will recommend a customized schedule for your maintenance visits from every two months to every nine months based on your dental conditions.

Are X-Rays Harmful?

• No, unless given in excessive doses.  Dental X-rays produce a fraction of the radiation of most other medical X-rays.  Studies show that the amount of radiation from a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles is equivalent to aproximately 72 dental X-rays.  Using modern dental techniques, we have cut that amount in half.  We use a lead apron with a thyroid protection and have lead in our walls.  In addition we use long-cone technique which reduces scatter, and ultra sensitive film.
  

My teeth are yellowish in color, is this healthy and what can I do to make them look whiter?

• Yellow is a natural color for teeth. Often our teeth become more yellow as we grow older. This is normal. If you would like to have whiter teeth, you can consider several options, including bleaching, bonding and laminates.

What are my options for whitening and improving the appearance of my teeth?

• For my patients considering cosmetic dentistry, I first recommend that they try the high tech, state of the art, painless technique called Digital Imaging before committing to any procedure. After taking a photograph of your existing smile, I scan it into a computer to show you a digital "after’ picture of what your smile could look like after treatment. With digital imaging, you have the ability to see the results before you commit to a procedure such as getting your teeth straightened, whitened, bonded or laminated.
  
  
• Bleaching. Many of my patients choose to whiten their teeth with the bleaching process because it is effective, safe, and convenient. Bleaching brightens discolored teeth and reduces stains caused by food, tobacco and the normal aging process. I offer my patients two types of bleaching methods: one is done entirely in the office, the other is an at-home procedure. For certain patients with severe discoloration, bonding or laminates might be the most effective solution.
  
  
• Bonding is a procedure in which tooth-colored materials are applied to the enamel of your teeth. Bonding can fill in gaps, repair chips and cracks, and cover up discolored teeth that will not respond to bleaching. In bonding I "paint" a tooth-colored plastic or porcelain material to your tooth surface. After the material hardens I sculpt it into shape and polish it to match your surrounding teeth. Bonding is often completed in one visit and does not require the use of anesthesia or drilling. Unlike capping (crowning), bonding does not involve reducing a tooth in size. Bonding restorations need to be renewed periodically, however with good oral hygiene and slight dietary changes (such as avoiding staining foods, dark lipsticks and cigarettes) the newest bonding materials can last ten years or longer.

• Porcelain Laminates are thin, customized shells or veneers made from tooth-colored porcelain that are designed to cover the front side of your teeth. Laminates treat the same dental problems as bonding: they cover permanently stained or discolored teeth, fill in small gaps between teeth, and repair broken, chipped or crooked teeth. They are permanently bonded directly to your tooth, usually without the need for an anesthetic. Most laminate procedures require two office visits: one to prepare your teeth and take impressions for making the laminates and the second to affix the laminates to your teeth. While laminates can chip or peel if you do not care for them properly, they are more stain-resistant than bonding and can last a long time, usually with minimum maintenance or lifestyle changes.

What is gum disease? Would I know if I had it?

• Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection that attacks the gums and bone supporting the teeth. In its early stages, gum disease is not apparent to the patient. The best chance of early detection is with frequent check-ups. If your gums are bleeding, even slightly, it is often a sign of gum disease. Detected early, gum disease can be treated non-surgically. If the disease advances, it can become extremely serious, and can even lead to tooth loss. This is another reason why preventive care is so important: it saves your teeth as well as your money.

What are dental implants?

• Dental implants are artificial teeth that look and feel exactly like natural teeth. Titanium roots are placed in the patient's bone.  Dental implants are a viable solution for many patients who are in reasonably good health and are currently missing teeth or are at risk of losing teeth. An evaluation consisting of dental and medical history, oral exam, X-rays, CAT scans and other diagnostic tests are necessary to determine if the individual is a good candidate for an implant.