Cosmetic Dentistry Questions and Answers

Wait at least one hour. If you can, wait until the numbness goes away; otherwise eat soft foods so you don't chew on your cheek.

You can eat and drink immediately.

Usually, it takes between 3-5 hours for the numbness to wear off. Your comfort is not only important during treatment, it is also important in the hours and moments immediately following your treatment. That's why Dr. Sexton invests in OraVerse – the first and only product that rapidly reverses the effects of your local dental anesthetic. OraVerse is safely administered by Dr. Sexton after your dental procedure and has been proven effective in patients ranging from 4 to 92. Reduce lingering numbness and get back to your normal routine twice as fast with this breakthrough technology.

Most of the bleeding will stop in 30-45 minutes if you keep heavy pressure on the extraction site. If it bleeds more than one hour, put ice on your cheek for 10-15 minutes at a time and keep pressure on the site.

Yes, for any work we do at our office you should be fine. The anesthetic we use is mild and only has a local effect on your oral and facial tissues. The only concern for small children is that they may chew on their cheek.

Your comfort is our highest priority. We offer painless, injection-free air abrasion fillings whenever they are applicable. We also have nitrous oxide to help anxious patients relax. For most procedures, a mild, local anesthetic provides a pain free appointment. For some procedures, there may be some mild discomfort when the anesthesia wears off. In these cases, an over-the-counter pain medication is usually adequate.

With our digital x-rays and our cavity-detecting laser, we are able to detect decay at very early stages and keep the restorations conservative. The amount of sugar and acid in the diet can affect decay rates. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as getting the right amount of fluoride will help lower decay rates.

A crown is usually needed when too little tooth structure is present to support a filling. A root canal is needed when the nerve inside the tooth dies or becomes chronically inflamed. After a root canal, a crown is generally indicated due to the brittle nature of the dead tooth. However, needing a crown does not necessarily mean you need a root canal.

A core is a buildup of the tooth. It is needed because there is too much old filling in the tooth, or the tooth is broken down or decayed too much for the crown to fit properly to the tooth.

Fluoride is only toxic if you ingest it in large quantities. In smaller quantities it is extremely beneficial to your teeth. Our fluoride varnish treatment is designed to administer the right amount of fluoride over an extended amount of time giving you its optimal benefit.

Every time you come into our office for a regular dental check up you are examined for oral cancer. Oral cancer is a very fast growing, aggressive cancer. Early detection usually means a better prognosis and successful treatment. Facts about oral cancer: *We know that oral cancer kills more people than skin cancer and cervical cancer. *Approximately 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. *Five-year survival rate is less than 18%. *Early detection increases survival rate to 80%. Our team is committed to seeing those numbers drop through early detection. We will be doing an intra-oral and extra-oral exam each time you come to our office for a hygiene appointment.

Periodontal disease affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Your gums will be red and bleed easily, but you may become accustomed to the irritation and the soreness can be minimal. Bone has no pain receptors. The destruction of supporting bone can progress without pain until the teeth are loose and it is too late to treat the disease. It is imperative that gum disease be detected and treated early to minimize the loss of bone support.

Yes! Periodontal disease may be passed from parents to children and between couples. Researchers suggest that the bacterium that causes periodontal disease is passed through saliva. This means that when a family or couples come into contact with each other's saliva, they're at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Based on research, the American Academy of Periodontology recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the A.A.P recommends that all family members see a dental professional for gum disease screening.

You may be able to maintain your dental health with two cleanings a year, but many people find that their mouth and teeth stay healthier when they are cleaned more frequently. We set your cleaning schedule based on your personal needs and this could be as often as four times a year. If you have heavy plaque and tarter build-up you may be a good candidate for more frequent treatment. Also, if you are generally healthy but have certain systemic conditions, such as diabetes, or taking specific medications, you may require more frequent cleanings. Most insurance plans are designed to cover a portion of the total cost of your treatment. While twice a year insurance limitations are common, that type of arrangement has no relationship to what you really need.

Fluoride has many benefits. In children, it helps to strengthen the permanent teeth that are forming. It is vital for strong decay-resistant teeth. It is one of the most effective elements in preventing tooth decay. It combines with the enamel to strengthen it against decay. It may also reverse microscopic cavities by enhancing the process in which minerals are incorporated into the teeth. The most effective way to get fluoride is by drinking water containing the right amount of the mineral (about 1ppm parts water). The benefits for adults are that it helps with sensitivity. It is good for exposed root surfaces, which are more susceptible to decay. It also helps prevent recurrent cavities around fillings and crowns. In our office, we recommend an in-office application, which has a high concentrate of fluoride, and then we send a prescription strength toothpaste home with patients for use at bedtime.

X-rays help us diagnose many conditions. The most frequent use of x-rays is to detect cavities. Most people need these x-rays once a year. However, your decay rate may indicate a different protocol. A full mouth x-ray or series of x-rays is also needed every five years. Other x-rays are taken based on need. X-rays help us see conditions not visible to the eye, such as decay between the teeth, bone loss, and other abnormalities.

Dental insurance is a wonderful supplement to a patient's healthcare budget, but should not be thought of as a pay all. We are diagnosing based on your dental needs, not your insurance coverage. Insurance companies do not always have your best interests in mind; they are restricted to what your employer has negotiated for your policy. We will always present the best treatment for your conditions.

Do you accept my insurance?

Are you taking new patients?

It usually takes 2-3 days for antibiotics to be effective. Then the pain or swelling will start to go away. In cases of severe infection, it may take longer, or you may need an additional antibiotic prescription.

We like to see children beginning at one year of age. For more information on this please go back to the home page and click on One Year Exam for a more thorough explanation.

Usually a crown is recommended for a tooth that has had numerous or large fillings in the past and there is no longer enough tooth structure to support a filling. If too large of a filling is attempted, the tooth could chip, crack, or fracture. If the tooth were to fracture below the gum line, the tooth could be lost. Teeth that have had root canals are especially susceptible to fractures. Crowns support weakened teeth so that they can last many years.