General Dental Care
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A dental cleaning is the mechanical removal of plaque or tartar that has built up on the surfaces of the teeth. A dental cleaning is able to remove hardened bacteria and food particles that cannot be removed at home with normal brushing. Depending on the patient’s condition, a cleaning is recommended every 3-6 months.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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As we eat food every day, many food particles get trapped in between our teeth or on the surfaces of our teeth. With good brushing and flossing, most of the food particles can be removed. However, a small amount may remain, which necessitates a dentist or dental hygienist to remove it for you. Also, our mouths are home to many different types of bacteria. They like to form colonies on the surfaces of the teeth and hide in the pockets of your gums between your teeth. They can cause cavities and gum disease. Without the mechanical removal of these bacterial colonies, many oral issues can arise- cavities, gum disease, bad breath- to name a few.
Unfortunately, many patients experience their gums bleeding with light brushing or flossing. This is a common sign of unhealthy gums. The goal of a dental cleaning and maintenance is to avoid bleeding, inflamed gums by removing the cause of the inflammation- plaque and tartar. Overall, the goal is to maintain healthy gums and tissue that surround our teeth and hold our teeth in place.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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The cost of a cleaning depends on the type of cleaning. The type of cleaning depends on the patient’s oral condition and diagnosis. Generally, a standard dental cleaning can be around $100-150. If a patient has periodontitis, a different treatment is necessary. It is more extensive than a general cleaning. Commonly called “deep cleanings,” this treatment often requires local anesthesia, more appointments, and will cost around $... All treatment will be explained before being rendered.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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A standard dental cleaning often includes the use of an ultrasonic scaler and hand scalers. In other words, a specialized dental instrument is used by the dentist or dental hygienist. They will use these instruments along with water to remove plaque, tartar, and calculus. Local anesthesia may be used if necessary, depending on how deep the calculus has built up and the patient’s comfort. Again, if a more extensive cleaning is required due to periodontitis, the treatment experience will be different. A patient with periodontitis will almost always receive local anesthesia and more bleeding during the treatment. Patient comfort is our priority. Proper numbing will be done to decrease discomfort as much as possible.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
Dental Cleanings
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Filling comes from the words “to fill.” A filling is any procedure that uses synthetic materials to replace missing tooth structure. The technical term is a direct restoration. It is because this procedure restores a tooth directly in the patient’s mouth. A tooth may require restorations for many different reasons.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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To understand the need for a filling, we have to understand the most common reason patients need a filling - cavities. A cavity is caused by caries, which is an active disease process inside the tooth that infects the tooth and decays it. If it is not removed, then the decay will continue to grow and eventually spread to the root of the tooth, causing great pain and then necessitating a root canal. Not all fillings are required because of cavities. Sometimes, teeth may fracture due to trauma. Other times, they may simply wear down over time. Regardless of the cause, if the tooth is missing its structure, patients may experience sensitivity, discomfort, pain, or even lose that tooth. Therefore, a filling is necessary. Other times, patients may choose to have fillings because of esthetic reasons. Some esthetic concerns can be addressed with a filling.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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The best way to prevent cavities is by brushing and flossing as recommended. Generally, patients are recommended to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. Many of the bacteria grow by consuming the nutrients from our food. Properly removing all food particles with good brushing and flossing is necessary to keep teeth healthy and clean. Minimizing acidic drinks, such as lemon juice and soda, is also important to keep the minerals in our teeth. Acid from the acidic things we eat or drink can strip our minerals that protect our teeth. Try to drink out of a straw, or eliminate them all together. Foods high in sugar are not recommended. Longer times between meals/snacks can also help strengthen our teeth. It gives our mouths time to reset the pH, lowering the acid level, which is important for the health of our teeth. Regular dental visits which include fluoride varnish can also help prevent cavities. Fluoride strengthens our teeth so that there is less chance for them to become cavitated. Regular cleanings are necessary to remove the plaque or calculus build up that we cannot remove with our toothbrushes at home. All in all, there are many things we can do to help keep our teeth strong. Unfortunately, once there is a cavity, you must get a filling to restore the tooth.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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The cost of a filling largely depends on how large the filling will be and where it will be. Fillings can range from $90-$400.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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There are different types of fillings. The most modern kind of filling are composite restorations, which are teeth colored. The shade of the composite is chosen to match your other teeth next to it. This is the most natural looking restoration. There are also amalgam restorations that are silver colored. Our office does not do amalgam restorations.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
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It is important to understand that composite restorations do not last a lifetime. In fact, many composite restorations will need to be replaced due to esthetic reasons (discoloration), wear over time, or new cavities that may form. A restoration that lasts 5 years is considered standard. However, this length of time heavily depends on the patient’s oral care- how well that area is brushed, flossed, and cleaned. There are restorations that last a lot longer than 5 years, while there are many that last a lot shorter.
Updated by Dr. Debora Oct. 2023
Fillings
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A root canal is a treatment that removes infected pulpal tissue from inside the tooth. Each tooth has a pulp- which consists of many types of tissue including nervous tissue. When a cavity is into the pulp, this means that bacteria has entered the inside of the pulp. The tooth will now need to have the infected pulp removed from its root and the entire tooth must be carefully cleaned and disinfected. Then, the roots are filled with synthetic material so that the roots cannot get re-infected.
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The most common reason for a root canal is when a cavity has reached the “center” of the tooth, the pulp and root(s). This means that the infection has spread inside the tooth, necessitating a root canal to disinfect the tooth. If left untreated, the tooth will continue to decay and eventually it will need to be extracted. No tooth will no longer be able to be saved. Another reason for a root canal is trauma. Due to heavy impact, the pulpal tissue may die inside the tooth. Or, if there is a fracture of the tooth, it can fracture at the pulpal level which would necessitate a root canal.
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The infection has spread to the pulp, which is where the nerve is housed. When this nerve is infected, there is sharp, lingering pain. It can feel like an intense headache or shooting pain. It can come and go randomly, and can occur in the middle of the night. People often take pain medication to relieve the pain temporarily. But unless a treatment is done for the tooth, the pain will return. Eventually, the pain may go away completely. This means that the pulpal tissue is now necrotic (dead) and the infection has spread beyond the tooth. This is a bad situation that necessitates a root canal treatment as soon as possible.
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The cost of a root canal treatment depends on the type of tooth and its location. Some teeth have complicated roots that would require the patient to go see a specialist, called an endodontist. A root canal averages anywhere from $700–$1500. There are some root canals that can cost lower or higher than that range.