Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my teeth sensitive?
If you live in Pennsylvania, it is important to understand the reason that teeth become sensitive. Very often, it is due to the enamel on the outside of the teeth wearing away. Enamel can wear away due to age, what you eat and improper oral health care. While brushing with desensitizing toothpaste can help, you need to continue visiting the dentist to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy. Otherwise, the sensitivity can increase. During your dental exam, let us know about the discomfort you have been feeling so that we can discuss ways to reduce it by using methods such as a fluoride treatment or sealant.
What should I do to prevent gum disease and tooth decay?
You can prevent periodontitis by taking simple steps that include brushing your teeth after meals, flossing on a daily basis and rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. This will help to remove bacteria and sugar from your teeth and gums before they can turn into plaque. Eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar can also help to keep your gums healthy. At Deering Dental, we further recommend having your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year so that we can remove plaque and tartar from hard to reach places. This will ensure that your gums remain healthy.
What are the signs of gum disease?
You may have gum disease if your gums are red and swollen or bleeding. It is natural for this to happen from time to time after eating something that irritates your gums or brushing too aggressively. If, however, this happens on a regular basis you probably have some type of gum disease. Another symptom is bad breath, loose teeth, pain while chewing, sensitive teeth or teeth that appear longer. If you live in the 18036 area, we can examine your gums and let you know what the source of your problem is. Noticeable symptoms include:
- Bad Breath
- Gum Recession
- Tooth Pain
- Tooth Loss
- Gum Sensitivity to Acidic Foods
- Abscesses
What causes Periodontal Disease?
In short – bacteria. When bacteria remain on the teeth, it can form plaque and tartar. When this substance becomes stuck in between the teeth and gums, it can lead to gum complication. The best way to prevent this is to brush and floss several times throughout the day along with visiting the dentist for regular teeth cleanings.
How Do You Treat Periodontal Disease?
At Deering Dental, there are several ways that we treat gum disease. Dr. Deering will make a recommendation after examining your teeth and gums to determine what the source of the problem is and what should be done to address it. The treatment plan is often dictated by the severity of the periodontitis. We recommend that patients throughout Pennsylvania look for the signs of gum disease and schedule an appointment immediately so that the least invasive procedure can be used to correct the problem. Once the disease has progressed too far, more significant procedures may be necessary to heal the gums. At times, this involves surgery.
What is the Difference Between a White Filling and a Silver Filling?
Our cosmetic fillings are safer for your health. This is because they are made of resin or a plastic material. Silver fillings are typically not silver, but a metal alloy comprised of several materials, among them mercury. There have been numerous health warnings regarding the overexposure to mercury, which is why pregnant women are warned to stay away from tuna. While many people believe amalgam fillings are perfectly safe, the data can be contradictory from study to study. If you want to avoid the risks that come with mercury exposure, have tooth-colored fillings placed, or have your existing silver ones replaced, visit our Coopersburg PA dental office.
How Can I Improve My Smile?
According to the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, the top cosmetic dental treatments are:
- Teeth Whitening — Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure for lightening (bleaching) teeth.
- Dental Bonding — Dental bonding is an option for fixing a broken tooth, chipped tooth or cracked teeth.
- Dental Veneers — Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed for closing gaps or disguising stained teeth that don’t respond well to whitening treatments.
- Dental Implants — Dental implants are considered by some to be more attractive than dentures for replacing missing teeth.
To find out what procedures will work best for you, call 610-282-1122 and schedule a consultation.
What is Tooth Whitening?
There are two main types of professional bleaching, and each rely on our professional grade whitening solution. They are entirely safe and will transform the appearance of your teeth without the risk of sensitivity. One option is to visit the dentist and have an in-office whitening treatment that works in around one hour. The second is to have custom whitening trays created that you can wear at home. At Deering Dental, we have patients that enjoy both options, so it really becomes a matter of choice. To discuss this further, we invite you to call 610-282-1122 and schedule a consultation with our Coopersburg dentist office.
What is Bonding?
Restorative bonding uses a tooth-colored resin material to reshape your tooth so that the damaged tooth looks like your naturally occurring tooth. The resin is applied to the tooth then shaped. It is then hardened in place with a special dental light, effectively bonding it to the tooth. This requires the skill of an expert dentist who understands how to make the restored tooth blend in with the surrounding ones. At Deering Dental, we are experts at doing so and will ensure that, regardless of the type of restoration you receive, your smile will look amazing.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell that is made out of porcelain or ceramic. The shade of the veneer, along with its shape and size will be made to match your surrounding teeth so that it blends in perfectly.
What are Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. Dr. Deering will typically use a crown to restore a tooth that has been damaged, but they can also be used for cosmetic purposes in order to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can be made in three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic. Where the crown is located will determine the best material to use. For example, front teeth should have an all-ceramic crown, if possible, since it looks the most natural. Patients throughout Pennsylvania will often use ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look natural but have the durability that only metal can provide.
What is a Dental Implant?
An implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental prosthetics may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
At Deering Dental, we often discuss the benefits of dental implants with our patients. It is important to deal with tooth loss immediately, because once the tooth and root are gone, the jawbone will no longer receive stimulation from that area. This is problematic because without the stimulation, the body begins to think the jawbone is no longer necessary and begins to leach calcium from it. This process of resorption can lead to devastating changes in the face, giving off a sunken appearance. Dental implants are the best solution for preventing this, because an implant replaces both the tooth and root. In this procedure, a titanium rod is implanted under the gums and secured to the jawbone. The bone and metal will fuse together through the process of osseointegration, and once complete, a new tooth can be secured to the post. The result is a tooth that looks, feels, and behaves entirely natural. If you lead an active lifestyle and do not want to be constrained by tooth loss, dental implants are the best option for you. If you live in Coopersburg, PA, you have access to expert dental care, and we recommend that you call 610-282-1122 to learn more about this innovative procedure.
Who is a candidate for Dental Implants?
If one or more of your teeth have fallen out, you may qualify for dental implants as a way to permanently replace the missing teeth. In order to find out, schedule an appointment with our Coopersburg dentist office by calling 610-282-1122. Dr. Deering will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before you can get started, your gums need to be healthy, and your jawbone needs to be strong. If, Dr. Deering identifies any cavities or signs of gum disease, this will need to be treated first.
What does the Dental Implant Procedure Involve?
Once you are cleared for the procedure, the staff at Deering Dental will take an impression of your mouth so that the new teeth can be created in a dental lab. Each tooth will be made to match the size and shape of the surrounding teeth along with having a perfect color match. This way your smile will appear completely natural once done. Patients throughout PA are delighted with the results since no one can tell the difference between which teeth are real and which ones are synthetic.
The next step in the procedure is to have a metal post implanted under the gum line. This aspect of the procedure is what sets a implant apart from other forms of cosmetic dentistry and Dr. Deering is a true expert at performing the procedure. The metal post is secured to the jawbone in order to create a durable, synthetic root system that rivals the strength of natural roots with one exception – metal can’t become infected. Over the course of a couple of months, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together. This creates a level of durability that cannot be replicated in any other type of procedure.
Afterwards, Dr. Deering will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at the surface of the gums. The new tooth is attached so securely, that patients can eat their favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more, without fear of their tooth becoming loose or falling out. Patients throughout PA enjoy the benefits that come from never having to worry about their tooth again.
How Much Does a Dental Implant Cost?
The cost of an implant will vary from dentist to dentist. Call 610-282-1122 to schedule a consultation to discuss the procedure and its associated costs.
How long does a Dental Implant last?
With routine dental hygiene scheduled and proper home care, the implant should last a lifetime.
Does your office offer financing for services provided?
Call Deering Dental at 610-282-1122 to discuss the options we have available to make your perfect smile today!
Surgical Instructions
At Deering Dental, we will do whatever we can to keep you comfortable during your procedure, and part of that is helping you to be prepared. We believe in patient education and will go over the procedure with you step by step. Since each patient and surgery is unique, our overview here is more generic in nature, and Dr. Deering will want to take time with you individually. Typically, however, you will want to avoid eating food for a few hours (possibly starting the night before). This is standard protocol when receiving anesthesia. We also recommend that you purchase some ice packs and place them in the freezer. You should plan ahead and buy soft foods, plenty of water, and anything you need to relax and stay comfortable, which should certainly include ibuprofen.
Post Op Instructions
As a general rule, you can expect there to be some level of bleeding that is temporary and can be controlled with the gauze that we give you. You can also expect there to be swelling. This is where most of the discomfort comes from. To control it, you will want to place an icepack on your face for 15 minutes at a time, rest for 15 minutes and then use it again. Just be careful not to irritate your skin, and use a light cloth if you need to. Simultaneously, you should use ibuprofen to keep the swelling and discomfort at minimum. The ice is typically only used for a day or two where the ibuprofen may be needed for a week or so. At Deering Dental, we may also give you antibiotics to take in order to prevent an infection. When it comes to food, you will want to stick with things that are soft and either do not require chewing (like soup) or can be chewed very easily (like steamed vegetables). Buying these items ahead of time will make your recovery easier. Just remember to take it easy and not to push yourself. It is best to follow Dr. Deering instructions than to risk irritating your surgical site.
