I don’t floss, because I’m afraid my fillings will fall out.

If flossing causes your fillings to fall out, they should be replaced anyway. Once a filling has been placed, the tooth should function and be able to be cleaned normally, unless specified by the dentist who placed it. A restoration/filling may de-bond over time or a cavity may have formed under the filling, leading to it being loose. In both cases the filling should be replaced. Please floss your teeth once daily!

Will my bonding/crowns whiten when I whiten my teeth?

Unfortunately, whitening products will only alter the appearance of your natural tooth structure. If you are coming in to have a white filling (composite restoration) or crown placed on a front tooth and are not happy with the current shade of your teeth, please whiten to your desired shade prior to your dental appointment.

Amalgam vs Composite

Composite fillings/restorations are tooth colored. Amalgam restorations are silver in color. Amalgam restorations, in general, last longer than composite restorations. Depending on the location of the decay/cavity and amount of remaining tooth structure, one material may be recommended over the other material. Front teeth will always be filled with composite restorations.

Can I get a cavity under a crown?

Yes, if you have natural tooth structure in your mouth, it is possible for that tooth structure to have a cavity. The area where the crown meets your tooth is called the margin of the crown. It is very important to keep this area clean so that a cavity does not form. If a cavity does form, the entire crown may need to be removed and redone.

My gums/gingiva bleed when I floss or brush, should I still be brushing and flossing my teeth?

Yes, please brush and floss your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Lack of brushing and flossing can lead to gingivitis, which is an infection of your gingiva/gums. When your gingiva is inflamed, it readily bleeds whenever touched. In order to regain the health of your gingiva, you should brush and floss regularly. Once that build up/plaque remains on the teeth for a few days, it becomes calculus/tartar. It is unlikely you’ll be able to remove calculus/tartar yourself at home. In that case, make an appointment with one of our hygienists so they can remove it for you. Removing the calculus is the first step in having healthy gingiva that does not bleed. After the cleaning, it is up to the patient to continue brushing and flossing, so the tissue stays healthy.