Every dentist or dental professional at our Edgewood dental office loves meeting new patients. We love speaking with new patients, discussing new ways to treat any problems and providing great dental tips. Collectively, the dentists in our office have decades of experience. There is hardly anything that surprises us today. We’ve treated patients of all ages and dental complications and understand how patients think, the things the worry about, and what gives them comfort and confidence in our office.
Today we want to address some of more frequent questions we field in the office. That doesn’t mean that weren’t not happy to answer your questions, but maybe this blog will clear up a few things for you.

Q: When will I need a filling? Will my tooth hurt?
A. There is no one symptom or alert in the brain that can tell a patient when they need a filling. The only way to know if you have signs of tooth decay is to visit the dentist. Our state-of-the-art office uses modern technology during your cleanings and exams. When you maintain your regular cleanings and exam, twice a year, we can check you for signs of tooth decay or other dental problems. We do not recommend waiting until you’re in pain. If you’re in pain, it’s possible the decay has reached the dentin or root of the tooth. That can lead to more extensive and expensive restorative treatments.

Q: Are dentures as good as dental implants?
A. The short answer here is no. But we’ll explain it a little more. Dentures are no fixed to the jawbone. Dental implants are. Dental implants are made from titanium and naturally fuse to the jawbone. The dental implants can be restored with either crowns, bridges, or dentures. The biggest difference between dentures and dental implants is the biting force. Dentures can give you about 25 to 50 percent of the biting force of natural teeth, while dental implants can give nearly 90 percent the biting force of natural teeth.

Q: Can I straighten my teeth without braces?
A. Yes, there is a way to straighten your teeth without having brackets fixed to your teeth. A more popular option for adults is Invisalign. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear plastic trays that are removable. The best part is that the aligners are virtually invisible. You can also remove these aligners for easy eating and cleanings. The average treatment time for Invisalign is between 12 to 18 months. Invisalign is an ideal treatment for patients with mildly crooked teeth.

Q: How long does it take for a dental crown?
A. Placing a dental crown can be done at our Edgewood dental office in one visit — or about two hours. We use a technology known as CEREC that allows us to prepare the tooth, design the crown, and fabricate the crown in one dental visit. Most dental office require at least two visits for their dental crown procedures, and you’ll wear a temporary crown for a few weeks while your final restoration is being created.That doesn’t happen here. We do everything in house, saving you time and hassle.

These questions a wide range of dental topics, but they also represent the different treatments we do at our office. We’re happy to answer more of your questions, and, of course, meet you in public. Call our office today at 859-474-7830 or use the online form to schedule an appointment with us.