FAQ’s

The American Dental Association recommends that you see your dentist on a regular basis, but the exact schedule should be determined by your dentist. While every patient's needs are different, most patients need to visit Sevier Dental for check-ups and cleanings twice a year to maintain good oral health.

When it comes to toothbrushes, brand names don't really matter, but bristle type and size do. Look for a soft bristle brush, as medium and hard bristles can irritate your gums and possibly even cause gum recession. It's best to choose a small head because it allows for more precision while brushing. Remember that you don't need to scrub hard to do the job right. As long as you're brushing twice a day (two minutes at a time) and seeing Dr. Sevier for your check-ups and cleanings on schedule, you're doing great.

The brand of the toothpaste isn't important -- but it is important to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It's fine to use any flavor of toothpaste that you enjoy as long as it's got fluoride. You can use a toothpaste made just for sensitive teeth if you suffer from teeth sensitivity. While whitening toothpaste won't typically harm your teeth, it's also not likely to have any significant effect. Sevier Dental offers both custom whitening trays and professional grade whitening strips if you need teeth whitening help.

You should floss your teeth once a day. Flossing every night is the best way to remove food particles and bacteria from the tiny crevices between your teeth, and it's also an effective way to keep your gums healthy.

Crowns are tooth restorations that completely cover your tooth to protect it after damaged portions are removed. Crowns are often placed on your teeth after Dr. Sevier removes old fillings, fractured tooth structure, or decay from your tooth. Caps are simply a nickname for a type of crown. Many patients call tooth colored restorations -- those typically made of porcelain or metal fused to porcelain -- caps, while metal restorations are simply called crowns. The term "crown" is actually correct for both.

Bridges and partial dentures are sometimes confused because they're both replacements for groups of missing teeth. A bridge is a teeth replacement that's attached to either a two of your natural teeth or to dental implants. Bridges work much like dental implants -- they're solid and permanent. Partial dentures clip into place, attaching to your natural teeth for support. Since partial dentures are removable, they're less stable and they're generally less popular than bridges.

The U.S. Public Health Service issued a report back in 1993 that stated there is no reason not to use silver fillings (amalgam.) Even though silver fillings are safe, many patients prefer tooth colored composite fillings for several reasons. Tooth colored fillings blend in perfectly with your natural tooth, so they're unobtrusive. Another advantage is that tooth colored fillings bond to your natural tooth seamlessly, which helps strengthen the tooth after it's weakened by decay. Tooth colored fillings also tend to be less sensitive to temperature than silver ones do. While tooth colored fillings are preferred for most situations, they may not work in cases where your tooth has very serious decay. In this situation, a crown might provide a better result.

No, not always. If you have a root canal, it's usually best to have a crown placed afterwards to strengthen the tooth. However, there are also situations where you may need a crown, but don't need a root canal. For example, you may need a crown to strengthen and protect a cracked tooth, but in that situation a root canal might not be needed.

Have more questions? Contact Sevier Dental anytime to get answers or to schedule an appointment!