Frequently Asked Questions About Dentists in Chandler AZ

You should visit a dentist at least once every 6 months. This ensures healthy gums and teeth and also allows us to treat any concerns that may arise in a conservative manner.

The most common dental procedures are cleanings, gum therapy, fillings, crowns, whitening, extractions and root canals, there is a wide range of costs associated with each procedure.

Yes, absolutely. Any patient in pain will be accommodated immediately, we want to be able to get you out of pain as soon as possible.

Symptoms for cavities can start from hot, cold or sweet sensitivity and can progress to pain on chewing, constant throbbing ache to swelling and abscess formations. The earliest sign of gum disease is bleeding, puffy gums. Patients may also start noticing bad breath, tooth sensitivity and white, yellow or black hard deposits on their teeth and around the gums which cannot be dislodged with brushing. In advanced cases of gum disease, they may notice that some teeth are loose and move when chewing.

It is important to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and floss at least 1 time a day. Studies show that Electric toothbrushes do a better job with plaque control than manual toothbrushes. In addition, if you show signs of dry mouth, gum disease, decalcified spots, or increased likelihood of developing cavities, certain medicated oral products should be used after consulting with your dentist.

The most common type of filling materials used are silver amalgam and composites.

Silver amalgam is the metallic restoration most commonly used in the past several decades. Unfortunately, there are now, a lot of concerns regarding the mercury used in these restorations. Being metallic, they also expand and contract with heat and cold, leading to leakage under the filling causing cavities and large cracks which cause the teeth to fracture off partially/ completely.

Composite restorations are tooth colored and more conservative in nature because they bond chemically to the tooth. But ultimately with any kind of dental restorations, it is very important to have good oral hygiene habits and routine visits to prolong the life of the restorations.

If you have a dental emergency, such as a broken tooth, severe toothache or swelling, call a dentist immediately. These concerns will not go away without appropriate treatment and in rare cases, it can lead to life threating situations. Also, the sooner the tooth is addressed, the more the chances that it can be saved and retained. We have some great options for replacing missing teeth now - a- days, but we still prefer to retain patients’ own teeth for as long as possible.

There are always some minor risks associated with any dental procedures, but most of them are easily managed. Always make sure to have a detailed discussion about these risks with your dentist before you do any dental treatment.

A lot of times, fear of a dentist or dental anxiety arises from a lack of communication and understanding what is entailed in each dental procedure. If you have dental anxiety please convey it to your dentist. They can have a detailed discussion with you about what exactly causes your anxiety and propose some solutions accordingly. For example, for a lot of patients the sound of the dental drill causes anxiety, we suggest using noise cancelling headphones to listen to your favorite music or podcast to drown out the sound. This is just one example of the solutions offered. Talk to your dentist to tailor recommendations specifically for you.

Fluoride in small quantities is extremely beneficial in preventing dental cavities. Community water fluoridation has been one of the most powerful and successful public health measures aimed at reducing the incidence of dental cavities. That being said, anything in large doses can be harmful. If you do not want to have fluoride as past of your dental care, please talk to your dentist about the alternatives available and risks and benefits of each.

When it comes to replacement options, dental implants are the closest comparison to natural teeth. They mimic a tooth’s function and esthetics to a great extent. They also provide a long shelf life compared to many other dental procedures. They can function individually or as part of an Implant bridge or a hybrid prosthesis. All these make dental implants the most favorable option for replacing missing teeth.

Pregnant women can and should see a dentist. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause gums to become puffy and bleed. Advanced gum disease has been linked to giving birth to low weight pre-term babies, so it is extremely vital to have dental care during pregnancy to avoid painful dental emergencies. Your dentist will communicate with your OB-GYN and request a dental clearance, so that adequate precautions are taken while addressing your dental needs.

There are several OTC products available for at home whitening. Always talk to your dentist prior to using them. For professional whitening, talk to your dentist about options that are most suited for your teeth. The degree of whitening, the ease of use and the discomfort associated with the procedure vary from person to person.

Bad breath or halitosis is caused by oral bacteria. Dehydration, some foods, dry mouth caused by medications, inadequate brushing of the tongue, gum disease, tooth decay and abscess can all lead to bad breath. Treatment varies according to the cause and can be something simple such as adequate hydration or something more involved like extraction of an abscessed tooth.

A General dentist is someone who is qualified to do multiple procedures such as cleaning, filling, crowns, whitening, etc. An Orthodontist is a specialist who focuses on jaw growth and development in children and addressing misaligned teeth in both children and adults.

Clove oil is shown to have some benefit in gum pain, but almost all toothaches and gum pain need some form of intervention and treatment.

The degree of pain during or after a root canal depends on the condition and severity of the infection in the tooth prior to start of treatment. There are several advanced anesthesia techniques now available to help with pain during the procedure itself. Post -operative pain is generally controlled with a combination of medications and hot and/or cold therapy.

Pain relief during dental procedures is generally provided by local anesthesia.

We do not offer sedation dentistry in our office but we can prescribe oral anxiolytics for patients with severe dental anxiety.

The incidence of cavities is related to a lot of factors. Diet, oral hygiene habits, medications used, quantity and type of saliva, your unique oral bacterial flora, hereditary factors, presence of malocclusion or bruxism, presence of systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, acid reflux, habits such as tobacco and marijuana use, your age are just a few of these factors that determine your susceptibility to developing cavities. Your treatment recommendations should be tailored depending on the factors that are applicable to you.

During your first dental visit in our office, we have you fill out a detailed health history including a list of medications that you use. We then take a full set of x-rays, intraoral pictures and oral scans. We evaluate your jaw, gums, teeth and your bite and create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to you. We dedicate a lot of time to your initial visit so we may best understand your long-term goals for your oral health as well as address any and all concerns that you may have about your teeth.

Yes, dental care is very necessary and very safe for children. Addressing concerns with baby teeth can prevent damage to the permanent teeth that are developing below them. Monitoring jaw growth and development and alignment of teeth is also very vital to preventing jaw and teeth problems in future. Early intervention can sometimes reverse conditions that can become full fledged concerns later in life. Sleep related breathing disorders are on the rise in children and routine visits help in early detection and treatment.

We see toddlers as early as 12-18 months old. But you need to take your child to see a dentist at least by the time they are 2 years old. We can suggest good oral habits early on. Seeing the dentist regularly also removes any fear of the dentist and creates a positive association in the growing child’s mind. This in turn ensures that they will grow up with good oral hygiene habits and will never hesitate or be afraid to seek dental care as adults.