Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
What is air abrasion?
Air Abrasion
The drill-less approach to dental work, air abrasion is a modern alternative to the dental drill. Air abrasion is used to prepare a tooth for cavity restoration. Abrasive particles are blown in a fine stream through a hand-piece onto the tooth, removing tooth matter in virtual silence, eliminating the high-pitched whine most patients associate with a dentist's office. Air abrasion also reduces a patient's need for injections. Frequently recommended for children and patients who are afraid of needles, air abrasion is the no drills technique that may be a good choice for you.
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Why do I need dental cleanings?
Cleanings
Optimal oral health begins with routine cleanings of your teeth and gums by a professional dentist. Brushing twice a day and regular flossing will keep your mouth healthy between dental visits. A professional cleaning goes well beyond brushing and flossing alone. During a professional cleaning, plaque and calculus - a hard, yellowish substance - are removed from teeth surfaces, between teeth, and below the gum line. Once thoroughly cleaned, your teeth are polished to pearly perfection. When indicated, cleanings may be followed by a fluoride treatment.
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How can you whiten my teeth?
Teeth Bleaching and Whitening
Just about everyone wishes they had whiter teeth. Fortunately, there is an easy, way to make your teeth whiter with bleaching - a dental technique that can give you a dazzling, bright smile!
Although teeth seem very hard, the enamel has microscopic pores that discolor over time as we age, from smoking, and from staining substances that we eat and drink. In some cases, enamel discoloration occurs during early tooth formation from antibiotic and fluoride consumption. Bleaching simply removes stains from the enamel of your teeth.
Almost anyone can benefit from teeth whitening, and bleaching is ideal for patients who have healthy teeth and would like to have a brighter, more attractive smile. Bleaching will not change the shade of existing bonding, veneers or crowns.
Most over-the-counter products such as "whitening" toothpastes and gels are ineffective because they contain a low percentage of carbamide peroxide, and are not used in a concentrated form directly on the teeth.
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Can you repair a cavity without ruining the look of my teeth?
White fillings
White fillings allow us to restore decayed or broken portions of your teeth almost invisibly. They have contributed much to dentist's ability to improve smiles. They are suitable for use in front and most back teeth. Elimination of unsightly areas of decay or discoloration will enhance your confidence to smile. We prefer the white fillings over the older technology of silver fillings that tend to turn black over time.
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What is gum disease?
Periodontal Treatments
Periodontal (gum) disease is recognized in its early stages - known as gingivitis - by the symptoms of red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Caused by the virulent bacteria found in plaque that attack the soft tissues of your mouth, periodontal disease can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. Our office performs periodontal treatments that help to reverse the damage done by the disease. In the later stages of periodontal disease, cosmetic dental techniques can be performed to restore your mouth's good health and appearance. Once under control, regular examinations and cleanings will help you maintain healthy and disease-free teeth and gums.
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What is the difference between bonding and veneers?
Dental Bonding
Teeth that are chipped, discolored, stained, or misaligned can make you want to hide them - and your smile. Dental bonding at our office can correct these problems quickly and painlessly. To restore your smile's natural beauty, Dr. Payne paints a thin coating of bonding material over the discolored or damaged teeth and shines a light to harden the material. The results of dental bonding are stunning and immediate. Dental bonding does not generally last as long as porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers conceal imperfections like gaps between teeth and discolored, chipped, cracked, and crooked teeth just like dental bonding. But porcelain veneers last much longer and tends to be more natural looking. Porcelain veneers at our office are tooth-colored, thin shells that cover the front surfaces of teeth. Because they are so strong, porcelain veneers by Dr. Payne practice are amazingly natural looking and long lasting.
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What are crowns?
Dental Crowns
Like veneers, crowns hide unsightly chips, cracks, stains, or misaligned teeth, but unlike veneers, crowns also provide strength to damaged teeth. Dr. Streko uses all porcelain crowns to cover and protect an injured, damaged or sensitive tooth, while restoring its original size and shape. Crowns are typically recommended to attach bridges and cover dental implants or root canals, teeth with large fillings, or teeth that are severely discolored or misshapen. Crowns add strength and restore beauty to your smile.
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How can migraines be treated in the dental office?
Migraines and the NTI-tss system
Did you know that...
Millions of people suffer from chronic headaches and migraines.
Since its approval by the FDA, the NTI-tss dental device has been successful in treating migraine problems often times eliminating the need for medication. The basic premise of this small and highly effective appliance is that it causes the muscles around your jaw, head and neck to relax. Over 79% of migraine sufferers found relief once they began wearing the NTI-tss device to sleep each night.
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What are implants?
Implants
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone. As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration. After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.
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What is Invisalign?
Invisalign®
As another option to perfect your smile, we now offer Invisalign orthodontics. Invisalign® is a breakthrough in orthodontic science that straightens teeth using a series of nearly invisible, removable, thin plastic trays called Aligners. Using the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, we can diagnose and treat most cases in about half of the time of traditional braces. It's great for adults as well as teens. The future is now with removable, invisible Invisalign orthodontics.
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Who needs reconstructive dentistry?
Dental Reconstruction
The art of Full Mouth Reconstruction or FMR, allows Dr. Payne to fully rebuild worn, broken down teeth to ideal proportions and function. For many adults, years of mismatched crowns, fillings, and other dental work can change the bite so significantly, that the teeth work poorly. For others, years of grinding and wear have left the teeth short and flat. With FMR, not only are the teeth and bite restored, but also mid-face wrinkles or deep lines can be eliminated. Mid-face lines around the nose and mouth can be caused by a collapsed bite and worn down teeth. FMR rebuilds the teeth and bite which in turn supports and fills in the mid-face tissues and thereby give a young look to the face.
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I'm afraid of losing all of my teeth. What should I know?
Dentures
If you've lost all of your teeth, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth can benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You'll be able to eat and speak- things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
There are two types of dentures. A regular full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which can take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. In our office we take measurements and make models of the patient's jaw during preliminary appointments. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Denture wearers must take good care of their mouths. It is recommended to brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.
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Casey System
We also offer the Casey system to help answer many questions. The Casey system is a video based teaching program that explains the numerous treatment options available to you today.
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Trained in Dental Sleep Medicine
Our office is now trained in dental sleep medicine. Our training through the Sleep Medicine Network allows us to treat snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliances effectively. If CPAP is not working for you, oral appliances are a great option, and is often covered by your medical insurance.
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