Whitening (bleaching)uses tooth-bleaching gels that oxidize out the stain. It is not uncommon for teeth to become slightly sensitive during the whitening process. Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth and makes a custom-fitted tray, which you fill with the whitening gel and wear up two hours daily. We recommend 30 minutes at first and then increase the amount of time each day as long as the sensitivity is absent or mild.

Prolonged gel contact with gum or soft tissue may cause gum irritation. Potential irritation can be minimized by not allowing gel to stay on gums/lips. Please do the following:
-Use less gel.
-Upon placing trays, wipe excess gel with absorbent material such as cotton swab or cloth.

Your gums should heal normally in a few days. If this does not occur please call our office.

Whitening treatments can cause tooth sensitivity among some patients: To minimize sensitivity do the following:
-Use a sensitive toothpaste or a high floride toothpaste.
-Try whitening every second or third day.
-Try wear your tray for only 15 minutes, instead of 30 minutes.
-Avoid hot or cold beverages for 30 minutes after treatment.

If you experience severe tooth sensitivity discontinue treatment and call our office. If you have mild/moderate sensitivity and the above suggestions do not releive your pain discontinue bleaching and call our office.

Some people are born with teeth that are more yellow than others. Others have teeth that yellow with age. Your natural tooth color can also be affected by many factors. Surface stains and discoloration can be caused by:

-Tobacco (weather smoked or chewed)
-Drinking coffee, tea, or red wine
-Eating highly pigmented foods such as cherries and blueberries
-Accumulation of tartar deposits, which result from plaque that has hardened.

Internal stains can be caused by:
-Treatment with the antibiotic tetracycline during the time teeth are forming
-Yellowing or graying of the teeth as part of the aging process
-Trauma to the teeth that result in blackening or graying of the tooth (usually just one tooth).
-Ingesting too much flouride when teeth are forming (birth to age 16)

If you have a denture, make sure to remove them daily. Do not sleep in them. Your gums need a chance to have unimpeded circulation. Dentures tend to restrict blood flow. Plaque can accumulate on your denture and on your gum tissue. Use a very soft toothbrush to gently brush your gums. Be sure to keep your dentures clean by brushing them daily with a denture brush and a mild soap. Store your dentures in water when they are not being worn.

Bring the partial or denture here for repair. Do not try to glue the plastic yourself. Do not use superglue, you may destory your denture/partial. Normally, if the denture/partial is repairable and you come in first thing in the morning you will have it back by the end of that day. If not you may need to come back the next day. Please call our office for an appointment.

Teeth with large fillings can easily break or fracture. Call us as soon as possible to have the tooth evaluated and restored. If the broken tooth is not treated, more serious problems can develop. Broken teeth may or may not be sensitive to air and temperature changes. Sensitivity and pain are not nacessarily an indication of how badly the tooth is damaged.

See us as soon as possible to have the crown/bridge recemented. If this is not possible, you can use a denture adhesive(Fixodent) or temporary cement (Tempit) to place the crown back on. Both of these products can be purchased at local drug stores. It should not be difficult to put into place. When you cannot put the crown in correctly, save it, and bring it to your appointment. We will do the cementation. The reason the crown came out may make it impossible for the dentist to recement the old crown. That decision will be made during your examination.

Swollen gums are a sign of an infection. The infection may be caused by a dying nerve inside the tooth or a periodontal (gum) problem. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Call us as soon as possible. The swelling may not be accompanied by pain. Either way, it needs immediate attention.

Place the tooth in milk, saline or the patient's saliva. Do not try to scrub or wash the tooth. Get the tooth and the patient to us as soon as possible. The faster the tooth can be repositioned, the better the odds that the tooth can be saved. Time is crucial. The above does not apply to baby teeth, they can not be reimplanted. If you are unsure bring the tooth to us.

A Toothache or a sensitive tooth can be caused by several different types or problems. At times it is a sign of a dying nerve inside the tooth. Over-the-counter pain relief medication can temporarily relieve the pain. Contact us for an appointment as soon as you notice the problem. Slight pain if left untreated, can progress into severe pain and/or swelling. Commonly tooth pain can be eliminated with endodontic treatment (root canal)

Yes. In orthodontic and dental practices worldwide, Invisalign has been effective at straightening. Nine out of ten patients are "very or extremely satisfied" with their Invisalign experience.

Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging technology to map the complete treatment from start to finish. From this plan, a series of custom-made aligners unique to your treatment is produced. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and gradually moves your teeth, before being replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

It depends on the kind of treatment you need as well as how long it takes. Invisalign treatment is often similar to the cost of traditional braces. If you have orthodontic insurance coverage, Invisalign is normally covered to the same extent as conventional braces.