HYGIENE

1. How often should I change my toothbrush?
   Once every 3 months.
2. What kind of toothbrush should I use?
   Hard bristles were once recommended but are now thought to be too abrasive to the teeth and gums. We now suggest a soft, rounded-end nylon bristle brush. Be sure to discard brushes when the bristles are bent or frayed or approximately every three to four months.
3. What is the right way to brush my teeth?
   Begin by placing the head of the brush beside your teeth, with the bristles angled against the gum line (where the teeth and gums meet ). Think of the brush as both a toothbrush and a gum brush. With the bristles contacting both tooth and gum, move the brush back and forth several times across each tooth individually. Use a short stroke and a gentle scrubbing motion, as if the goal were to massage the gum. Don't try to force the bristles under the gum line; that will happen naturally, especially with a brush that has soft, flexible bristles. Brush the outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Then use the same short back-and-forth strokes on the inside surfaces. Try to concentrate harder on the inside surfaces; studies show they're more often neglected. For the upper and lower front teeth, brush the inside surfaces by using the brush vertically and making several gentle up--and-down strokes over the teeth and gums. Finish up by lightly scrubbing the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. You should also brush your tongue for a fresher breath.
4. What is the right way to floss?
   Flossing Technique First, take a piece of floss about 20-24+ inches in length. Wind the floss around your 2 middle fingers and grasp 1/2 inch of floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Insert the floss between your teeth carefully. Hold the floss taught and curve it around one of the teeth. Scrape the floss up and down against one tooth and then the other (not in a sawing motion). The main purpose is to remove the film of plaque on your teeth, not just food particles! Using a new part of the floss, continue flossing, even tooth surfaces which have no tooth next to them. Rinse thoroughly to remove any loosened particles.

ROOT CANAL

1. How many appointments are needed to perform a root canal?
   Endodontic (root canal therapy) can often be completed in one visit. More severe or resistant infections require multiple visits. Following the root canal treatment, two separate procedures, the post and core and the crown can often be completed in the same visit, if there is enough time allotted for the entire procedure group to be done.
2. What discomfort will I have?
   About 25% of our cases report discomfort after treatment when they have developed a serious infection. An appropriate medication is prescribed according to the infection severity.

3. Do you need a crown after a root canal?
   Almost all root canaled teeth require a crown due to the brittle tooth condition resulting from the pulp removal. Properly treated and restored endodontic teeth are among the highest predictable procedure in dentistry.

CROWNS AND BRIDGES

1. Will I be sore after treatment?
   There is generally soreness around the gum line. Pressure and temperature sensitivity is occasionally seen for a few days. Do call for an appointment soon if the bite feels high or "off" once the anesthesia wears off. It is much better to polish a high spot before the tooth develops a pain or bruised feeling.
2. When can I eat?
   Thirty minutes after the anesthesia wears off.
3. How long will I be numb?
   Anesthesia for the lower is usually 3-4 hours and 2-3 hours for the upper.
4. What if the temporary crown comes off?
   Avoiding hard or sticky foods will keep the temporary crown in place. If the temporaries do come out call our office for re-cementation or apply a small amount of denture paste to the temporary.
5. How long can I be in temporaries?
   Temporaries remain in place for 3 weeks usually and up to 3 months if extractions are necessary, and 6 months or longer if periodontal surgery is required.
6. Do I need a root canal before a crown?
   No, root canals are not required prior to crowns; but if necessary, can be done after the crown is cemented.

FILLINGS

1. Will I be sensitive to hot & cold?
   Normal tooth preparation causes transient thermal sensitivity. Usually decreasing within a few weeks. Extensive decay and preparation may result in sensitivity for several months. Three tablets of Ibuprofen (200mg x 3) should be helpful during the healing time after fillings and crowns. Of course, do not take ibuprofen if you are allergic to it or aspirin.
2. When can I eat?
   Eating can occur 30 minutes after anesthesia wears off.
3. Why do I need a post?
   Posts are used to extend the crown portion of the tooth into the solid root.