ROOT CANAL

1. HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS DO I NEED FOR A ROOT CANAL?
Endodontic (root canal therapy) can often be completed in one visit. More severe or resistant infections require multiple visits. Following the root canal treatment, two separate procedures, the post and core and the crown can often be completed in the same visit, if there is enough time allotted for the entire procedure group to be done.

2. WHAT DISCOMFORT WILL I HAVE?
About 25% of our cases report discomfort after treatment when they have developed a serious infection. An appropriate medication is prescribed according to the infection severity.

3. DO YOU NEED A CROWN AFTER A ROOT CANAL?
Almost all root canaled teeth require a crown due to the brittle tooth condition resulting from the pulp removal. Properly treated and restored endodontic teeth are among the highest predictable procedure in dentistry.

CROWN AND BRIDGE

1. WILL I BE SORE AFTER TREATMENT?
There is generally soreness around the gum line. Pressure and temperature sensitivity is occasionally seen for a few days. Do call for an appointment soon if the bite feels high or "off" once the anesthesia wears off. It is much better to polish a high spot before the tooth develops a pain or bruised feeling.

2. WHEN CAN I EAT?
Thirty minutes after the anesthesia wears off.

3. HOW LONG WILL I BE NUMB?
Anesthesia for the lower is usually 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours for the upper.

4. WHAT IF THE TEMPORARY CROWN COMES OFF?
Avoiding hard or sticky foods will keep the temporary crown in place. If the temporaries do come out call our office for re-cementation or apply a small amount of denture paste to the temporary.

5. HOW LONG CAN I BE IN TEMPORARIES?
Temporaries remain in place for 3 weeks usually and up to 3 months if extractions are necessary, and 6 months or longer if periodontal surgery is required.

6. DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL BEFORE A CROWN?
No, root canals are not required prior to crowns; but if necessary, can be done after the crown is cemented.

HYGIENE

1. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TARTAR CONTROL TOOTHPASTE?
Tartar control toothpaste reduces the severity of tartar formation and makes its removal somewhat easier for the patient. Some people develop a burning sensation from these pastes and either switch to another brand or stop their use. A number of our patients have developed more sensitive teeth after using a tarter control toothpaste. We recommend they stop using these toothpastes.

2. WHEN DO I CHANGE MY TOOTHBRUSH?
Once every 3 months.

3. DO I NEED A Rotadent?
The Rotadent has shown dramatic improvement for our patients who are not proficient with manual brushing and flossing. Depending on your maintenance level you may benefit from the Rotadent.

4. DO YOU HAVE TO FLOSS WITH THE Rotadent?
Yes, it does not eliminate the need for flossing.

5. WHAT KIND OF MOUTHWASH OR TOOTHPASTE SHOULD I USE?
Use an ADA recognized toothpaste with Fluoride and CLO-SysII on an alternating basis. You could use just CLO-SysII if you use a Anti-Cavity Fluoride rinse or gel. CLO-SysII is one of the only toothpastes that actually kills germs on contact.

6. WHY DO I NEED TO BE PRE MEDICATED?
Millions of bacteria are present in the mouth even a routine cleaning can cause these bacteria to enter the blood stream and settle on a damaged heart valve or Prosthetic and produce a life threatening infection. See your physician for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation of your specific needs. If you have an accurate diagnosis (echocardiogram) of your heart condition, we will know what to prescribe.

7. DO YOU RECOMMEND THE WATERPIK?
It is most useful for removing food particles for people with extensive bridge work or patients with braces. Although not completely effective in plaque removal it can be helpful in reducing gingivitis especially when used with CLO-SysII Oral Rinse or Peridex.

FILLINGS

1. WILL I BE SENSITIVE TO HOT AND COLD?
Normal tooth preparation causes transient thermal sensitivity. Usually decreasing within a few weeks. Extensive decay and preparation may result in sensitivity for several months. Three tablets of Ibuprophen (200mg x 3) should be helpful during the healing time after fillings and crowns. Of course, do not take ibuprophen if you are allergic to it or aspirin.

2. WHEN CAN I EAT?
Eating can occur 30 minutes after anesthesia wears off.

3. WHY DO I NEED A POST?
Posts are used to extend the crown portion of the tooth into the solid root.

BLEACHING

1. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Currently this process will hold stable for approximately 3 years. Retreatment is very simple using an original mouthpiece, new touchup kit, and new chemicals. At Suwanee Dental Care, we have three options for keeping your smile white after you have bleached them: you can buy additional touch-up kits, you can purchase the BriteSmile Assurance program that lets you get two additional one-hour whitening treatments in our office for half price, and you can purchase the add-on home bleaching systems at a discount when you do our in-office bleaching systems. This way the effect of your bleaching lasts as long as you like.

2. HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?
Approximately two weeks for each arch using the NiteWhite or Day White systems. You may treat both arches at the same time or separately. When we do the in-office BriteSmile system, the results occur in one hour. Zoom also takes about one hour.

3. DOES IT HARM MY TEETH?
The chemicals in Nite White and Day White have been used for many years with no harmful effects documented or reported. BriteSmile also has been found to be entirely safe to teeth. Zoom is equally kind to the teeth and has both the in-office gel and the home gel for whitening teeth.

What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration and removes stains from the enamel and dentin of the teeth. Nite White, Day White, and Zoom! Take-Home use a mild solution retained in a custom filled appliance that is worn over your teeth while you sleep or during the day.

Why can only a dentist get my teeth their whitest?
You can only get Nite White and Day White from your dentist. Prior to beginning treatment, your dentist will examine you to determine whether you have any untreated cavities, tooth decay, or unhealthy teeth. Then, a custom-fitted tray is made by taking an impression of your teeth, which gives you a personalized tray and allows you to achieve optimum results.

What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging, consumption of staining substances (coffee, teas, colas, tobacco), trauma, tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, excessive fluoride, and nerve degeneration.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
Almost anyone. However there are some cases where the treatment may not be effective. A dentist will determine a viable candidate for the process through a thorough oral examination and diagnosis. Tooth-lightening is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile.

Can I bleach while I'm pregnant or lactating?
To date, there has been no testing done on the effects of using a professional tooth-whitening system while pregnant or lactating. Therefore, we do not recommend that you use Nite White or Day White if you are pregnant or lactating.

Why aren't my teeth whitening evenly?
Sometimes the biting edges and the sides of the teeth whiten more quickly than the rest of the teeth. This occurs because your enamel is thinner in these areas and responds faster to the whitening process. As you continue to use Nite White or Day White, the rest of your teeth will catch up and the color will even out.

Is the process safe?
Yes! research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe for teeth and gums. In fact, many dentists consider this whitening process the safest cosmetic procedure available today.