FAQ

To eliminate bad breath (halitosis), maintain a strict oral hygiene routine: brush twice daily, floss, and clean your tongue. Stay hydrated and avoid tobacco. If bad breath persists, it often indicates underlying issues like gum disease, cavities, or dry mouth that require professional treatment.

Immediate relief can come from sugar-free gum, drinking water, or antimicrobial mouthwash. Long-term solutions require addressing the source, such as plaque setup or gum infections. Regular dental check-ups are essential to remove tartar and identify any medical causes.

“Morning breath” occurs because saliva production decreases while you sleep, allowing bacteria to multiply in the dry environment. This is normal but can be minimized by thorough brushing and flossing right before bed.

Bad breath is primarily caused by bacteria on teeth and the tongue breaking down food particles. Other common causes include gum disease, cavities, dry mouth (xerostomia), smoking, and strong-smelling foods like garlic or onions.

Tartar (hardened plaque) simply cannot be removed by brushing at home. It requires professional scaling tools used by a dental hygienist. Trying to scrape it off yourself can scratch the enamel and damage your gums.

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that can be removed effectively by daily brushing and flossing. However, if left for more than 24-48 hours, it mineralizes into tartar, which then requires professional removal.

A dental crown is a custom-made “cap” placed over a damaged or decayed tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are often used after a root canal or to repair a fractured tooth when a filling isn’t enough.

The recommended crown depends on the tooth’s location. For front teeth, Zirconia or E-max are preferred for their superior aesthetics. For back molars that endure heavy chewing forces, full Zirconia or gold are often recommended for maximum durability.

Single crowns (specifically implants) are generally preferred because they don’t require filing down adjacent healthy teeth, unlike a bridge. They also make flossing easier. However, a bridge might be a faster or more suitable solution depending on bone quality and budget.

A core buildup (“Mivne”) is the foundation built to replace missing tooth structure, usually after a root canal. A crown is the final protective cap that goes *over* that buildup to seal the tooth and restore function.

Zirconia is a very strong, white ceramic material used for dental crowns. It offers excellent durability for back teeth while looking natural enough for front teeth. It is biocompatible and does not cause metal allergies or grey lines at the gum line.

A monolithic crown is made from a solid block of material (usually Zirconia) with no layered porcelain on top. This makes it virtually unbreakable and ideal for grinders or back teeth, though it may lack the slight translucency of layered aesthetic crowns.

Acrylic crowns are typically used as temporary restorations. They are made of plastic-like material and are not durable enough for long-term use. They protect the prepared tooth for a few weeks while the permanent ceramic or zirconia crown is being fabricated.

The cost of dental implants varies widely because it typically includes three parts: the implant screw, the abutment, and the crown. Additional procedures like bone grafting may also be needed. A simplified “implant only” price often doesn’t tell the whole story.

With proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution, often lasting 20 years or even a lifetime. However, the crown on top of the implant may need replacement after 10-15 years due to normal wear.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line. It acts as a replacement for the tooth root, providing a stable foundation for a replacement tooth (crown) or bridge.

The process usually involves stages: 1) Placing the implant into the jawbone. 2) Healing period (osseointegration) where bone grows around the implant. 3) Placing an abutment (connector). 4) Attaching the custom-made crown. This can take several months to ensure stability.

Clean dentures daily by brushing them with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner (not regular toothpaste). Soak them overnight in water or a mild denture-soaking solution to keep them moist and maintain their shape. Rinse thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

It is generally recommended to remove dentures at night. This gives your gum tissues a chance to rest and recover from the pressure of wearing them during the day. Sleeping without them also promotes better oral hygiene and prevents fungal infections.

To whiten dentures, use commercial denture cleaning tablets or soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water (for acrylic dentures). Do not use bleach or hot water, as these can weaken the structure and alter the color of the gum portion.

Denture costs vary significantly based on the type (full vs. partial), material quality, and fixing method. Basic acrylic dentures are more affordable, while flexible or metal-frame dentures cost more. Implant-supported dentures are a premium option offering superior stability.

“Permanent dentures” often refers to implant-supported dentures. Unlike traditional removable ones, these are anchored to dental implants surgically placed in the jaw, offering a secure fit that doesn’t slip and allowing you to eat tough foods with confidence.

Pain and swelling typically peak 24-48 hours after wisdom tooth extraction and gradually improve over 3-5 days. Most discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. If severe pain persists beyond a week or you experience a “dry socket,” contact your dentist.

The cost depends on the tooth’s position. A simple extraction of a fully erupted wisdom tooth is similar to a regular extraction. Impacted teeth requiring surgical removal involve higher fees due to the complexity of the procedure.

Standard tooth extraction costs are relatively moderate compared to restorative treatments. However, if the tooth is broken at the gum line or requires surgical intervention, the price will reflect the additional time and expertise needed.

A simple wisdom tooth extraction can take as little as 20 minutes. However, if the tooth is impacted or requires cutting the gums/bone, the procedure can take 45-60 minutes per tooth.

In some healthy cases, an “immediate implant” can be placed at the same appointment as the extraction. Otherwise, a healing period of 3-4 months is typically required to allow the bone to regenerate before placing the implant safely.

Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days: yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and cool soups. Avoid hot foods, spicy items, and anything crunchy or sticky. Crucially, do not drink through a straw, as the suction can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.

Molar extractions can be slightly more complex than front teeth due to their multiple roots. The cost varies depending on whether it’s a simple forcep extraction or requires surgical sectioning of the roots.

Rest for the remainder of the day. Bite on gauze to stop bleeding, apply ice packs to reduce swelling, and take prescribed medications. Avoid rinsing vigorously, spitting, or smoking for at least 24 hours to ensure proper healing.

Surgical extractions involve lifting the gum tissue, removing bone, or sectioning the tooth. Therefore, they are priced higher than simple extractions due to the need for surgical equipment, anesthesia, and sterile setup.

Private hygienist fees vary based on treatment length and additional procedures (fluoride, deep cleaning). Prices typically reflect the level of expertise and time dedicated to each patient.

Generally, you can eat immediately after a standard cleaning. However, if you received fluoride, wait 30 minutes. If anesthesia was used, wait until the numbness wears off to avoid biting your cheek.

A thorough dental hygiene appointment typically takes between 45 to 60 minutes. This ensures enough time for cleaning, polishing, and oral hygiene instruction.

A dental hygienist removes tartar (calculus) and plaque that brushing misses, polishes teeth to remove stains, and provides preventative treatments like fluoride. They also educate patients on proper home care to prevent gum disease.

If fluoride was applied, avoid hot drinks like coffee for 30 minutes. If air polishing was used to remove stains, it is best to avoid staining drinks for about 2 hours to keep the results.

No, professional cleaning protects your teeth. It removes harmful tartar that causes gum disease and bone loss. While you might feel temporary sensitivity, the procedure is safe and vital for long-term health.

It is highly recommended to avoid smoking for at least a few hours after a cleaning, especially if gums are sensitive or fluoride was used. Smoking immediately can irritate the gums and stain clean teeth.

Most patients should visit a hygienist every 6 months. Patients with gum disease, braces, or high cavity risk may need to visit every 3-4 months for optimal maintenance.

Filling costs depend on the material used (amalgam vs. white composite) and the number of tooth surfaces involved. Composite fillings, which match the tooth color, typically cost more than silver amalgam fillings due to the material and technique required.

Back teeth (molars) often require larger fillings to withstand chewing forces. The cost is generally higher than smaller front tooth repairs because they often involve multiple surfaces and take more time to restore properly.

The procedure starts with numbing the area. The dentist then removes the decayed portion of the tooth using a drill or laser. The area is cleaned, and the filling material is layered in, hardened with a special light, and finally polished to match your bite.

A simple filling usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If multiple teeth need filling or the decay is extensive, the appointment may take an hour or longer.

For children, we prioritize comfort and speed. We use gentle techniques and often apply a topical gel before any injection. We explain the process in kid-friendly terms (like “sugar bugs”) to keep them calm while we remove the decay and place the filling.

A filling is a dental restoration used to repair minor to moderate tooth damage caused by decay (cavities) or fractures. It restores the tooth’s integrity and function while preventing further bacteria from entering.

Avoid chewing on the numb side of your mouth to prevent biting your lip or cheek. If you had a white composite filling, you can eat as soon as the numbness wears off. For silver fillings, avoid chewing hard foods for 24 hours while they fully set.

Front tooth fillings focus heavily on aesthetics. We use a tooth-colored composite resin that perfectly matches your natural shade. The material is carefully sculpted and polished so the repair is invisible seamlessly blending with your smile.

Root canal costs vary depending on the tooth’s complexity. Front teeth typically have one canal and are easier to treat, while molars have 3-4 curved canals and require more time and expertise, resulting in a higher fee.

A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly decayed or infected tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it, and then filling and sealing it.

Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is often less painful than extraction recovery. The procedure itself is pain-free thanks to anesthesia (similar to a filling). Extraction leaves an open socket that can be sore for days, while a root canal saves the tooth and heals faster.

A root canal typically requires one or two visits, usually lasting 60 to 90 minutes each. The duration depends on the infection severity and the number of root canals in the tooth.

The total price includes the root canal procedure, a core buildup (post) to strengthen the tooth, and the crown itself. Since it involves three distinct procedures, the combined cost reflects the complete restoration of the tooth’s function.

The dentist makes a small opening in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. They use small files to remove the infected pulp from the canals, disinfect them, and seal them with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

Common signs include severe toothache upon chewing, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration (darkening) of the tooth, and swelling or tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms, and it’s found during a check-up.

You should wait until the numbness from the anesthesia wears off, usually 2-4 hours, to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Once the feeling returns, you can eat soft foods but try to chew on the opposite side until the permanent restoration is placed.

This is a major myth! Modern root canal treatment is very similar to getting a routine filling and is generally painless. In fact, the procedure is designed to *relieve* the intense pain caused by the tooth infection.

Without treatment, the infection will spread beyond the tooth root to the jawbone, causing an abscess (pus-pocket) and bone loss. This can lead to severe pain, facial swelling, and ultimately, the loss of the tooth requiring extraction.

A root canal is performed when the soft tissue inside the tooth (the pulp) becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or a crack/chip in the tooth.

Treating childhood cavities starts with prevention like fluoride varnish and sealants. If a cavity forms, we treat it promptly with a small filling to save the baby tooth. Baby teeth are crucial for guiding permanent teeth, so saving them is important.