FAQs

The type of toothbrush is more important than the brand of toothbrush. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because you can more easily and completely get around each tooth and are less likely to injure your gums. A medium or hard brush can irritate your gums and may even cause gum recession. No need to scrub your teeth vigorously if you are maintaining a twice per day brushing habit and visiting our office every six months to one year for checkups and cleanings.

There isn’t one specific brand that is better than another, but whichever brand you choose, it should contain fluoride. This helps decrease the chances of tooth decay. So, choose what tastes best to you—as long as it contains fluoride!

To help prevent cavities from forming in those hard-to-reach places between your teeth, we recommend flossing at least once a day. Flossing is also important for healthy gums.

A “crown” and a “cap” are essentially the same thing. Dentists refer to the restoration of the tooth with a covering made of gold, porcelain, composites, or stainless steel as “caps.” However, patients will often call tooth-colored restorations “caps” and gold or stainless-steel restorations “crowns.”

A “partial denture” replaces missing teeth and is removable. Partial dentures attach to the teeth with clasps. A “bridge” also replaces missing teeth but is permanently attached to the teeth or implants. Many patients prefer bridges over partial dentures.

Silver or “amalgam” fillings were the only kind used in the past. Although a report from the U.S. Public Health Service stated there is not a health reason not to use them, many patients today prefer the white or tooth-colored composite fillings. The white or tooth-colored fillings bond to the teeth better, strengthening teeth affected by tooth decay. A couple other benefits to the tooth-colored fillings are they look better and aren’t as sensitive to temperature as silver fillings can be. However, if a tooth is badly damaged, a crown may be a better solution.

Often a root canal and crown go hand in hand. If you have a root canal, you will likely need a crown to help make the tooth stronger and bring it back to normal form and function. But if you need a crown, it doesn’t always mean you need a root canal as well.