FAQ

Am i a candidate for dental implants?

Almost anyone that has lost a tooth, several teeth, or even all of their teeth is a candidate for dental implants. In fact, the profession has undergone great advances in the capabilities of dental restoration. Conventional restorative dental crowns, bridges, partial and full dentures now are considered old-fashioned and obsolete to the more successful treatment of dental implant–supported restorative dentistry.


Aesthetic presentation can be very important in our society. One may feel ashamed of a missing front tooth. In many cases, the use of crowns, bridges, and partial dentures don’t present an acceptable solution. A dental implant can be very natural in appearance. Current implant restorative techniques are the best alternative to your original teeth!


Of course, each patient has specific needs. The doctors at each ClearChoice Center fully evaluates each candidate to determine the most appropriate plan of dental treatment. The doctors assess patients’ specific dental conditions, and determine the treatment approach that will provide the best long-term functional and aesthetic results.


Although you will discuss and evaluate any medical conditions with the doctors at ClearChoice before surgery, the doctors at ClearChoice Centers have provided dental implants for patients suffering from diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and patients who take multiple medications.

What is Porcelain Veneers and Crowns?

If you've ever wondered why so many individuals in public life have such perfect smiles, you might be surprised to find out how many of them have had cosmetic dental work! One way that we can make your smile more attractive is to place porcelain laminate veneers or jacket crowns. Porcelain veneers are translucent, thin laminates made to improve the esthetics (shape, spacing, color) of natural teeth, to correct crowding, or to replace composite bonding. If you already have crowns on your front teeth, replacement with all porcelain jacket crowns may give you a more natural, attractive appearance. Or think about cosmetic repositioning as an alternative to orthodontics with the placement of porcelain veneers as seen below. Porcelain veneers and crowns are extremely lifelike and hold their brilliance, unlike bonding which often appears bulky or fake. Although porcelain is an extremely translucent material, it is also very strong. Porcelain veneers and crowns are permanent restorations, and they can be expected to last for many years. Also, there are no food restrictions - once they are cemented you can eat normally (apples, corn on the cob, etc.) - porcelain simply covers the imperfections in your own smile! Porcelain jacket crowns and laminate veneers both require two office visits. At the first appointment we remove any old bonding and prepare the teeth. We also take impressions and choose the shade and shape of the porcelain. When you leave the office, temporary bonding is used to cover the prepared teeth. Approximately one week later, the porcelain veneers or crowns are permanently cemented at the second appointment. You may find the solution to your individual dental problem by viewing the before and after photos of our patients who have had cosmetic dentistry improve their smiles. With digital imaging software, we can show you how cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile before you begin treatment.

What are the risk factors to gingivitis?

a) Poor oral hygiene b) Tobacco smoking c) Predisposing (plaque-retentive) factors Poor technique when restoring teeth can result overhanging fillings such as amalgam fillings; which occur frequently at interproximal sites of teeth. Overhangs render interproximal cleaning and hence, result in plaque-induced inflammation. Others include: badly-designed dentures, wearing orthodontic appliances, tooth malalignment, food impactions in between teeth, defective crown/bridges margin and lack of lip-seal or mouth-breathing. d) Hormonal changes For certain individual cases, effects of gingivitis are exaggerated during puberty, menstruation, taking oral contraceptives and during pregnancy (starting at third month from gestation and peak at six months, complete resolution only at parturition). e) Systemic disease such as Diabetes Mellitus Severe uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus increased risk of developing gingivitis. However, well-controlled diabetics will minimize the growth of disease. f) Drugs interaction Some degree of gums inflammation is seen in epileptic drugs (phenytoin/epanutin), immunocompressive drugs (cyclosporin) and calcium channel blocking drugs to treat cardiac arrest, angina and hypertension (nifidepine). g) Decreased immunity such as leukemias and HIV/AIDS related diseases h) Genetic factors i) Old age j) Poor nutrition and low socioeconomic status

When do you need an RCT?

RCT is generally indicated in situations where the endodontal diseases have progressed and are affecting the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. The conditions which might require RCT and their possible associated signs and symptoms include:

Do I have gum disease?

If you notice your gums become: redness, swollen and shiny soft or spongy texture and ulcerated gums that are tender to touch spontaneous bleeding occurs while brushing or even flossing sometimes it may also produce a foul odor Comparatively, a healthy gum will appear coral-pinkish, firm in texture, knife-edged well-contoured stippling and do not bleed easily.

How does gum disease occur?

Dental plaque formation is a natural, physiological process. Clinically, it is seen as a structured, resilient, yellow-grayish substance that adheres tenaciously to the tooth surfaces. Plaque is a bacteria biofilm which is a complex association of many different bacterial species living together in a single environment in our mouth. It is not a haphazard collection of bacteria but it is a community of microorganisms coexists at a state of balance. However, when disruption of this balance occurs, it may cause alterations in your mouth and resulting in destruction of gum tissues. Gingivitis is very common and ranging from mild to severe inflammation. Sometimes it can be very mild that you are not aware of having the condition as well.