FAQs
Just the Answers You're Looking For
- How do I know when it is time to come in for a checkup?
- Why are checkups recommended every six months, even for people with great oral health?
- I brush every day, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
- My smile is missing teeth. What do you suggest I do?
- Does your office use lasers?
- How can I improve my smile?
- How can I make my smile brighter?
- Is teeth whitening safe?
How do I know when it is time to come in for a checkup?
We recommend that patients with good oral health schedule a checkup and hygiene visit twice each year. If you need more frequent visits, we'll let you know. Checkups are important because, even if you don't notice any pain or problems with your teeth, we may find signs of potential problems. For instance, demineralization is a precursor to decay, oral cancer often goes undetected until the later stages, and gum disease can be very stealthy. At your hygiene appointment, we'll clean plaque, tartar, and hardened food particles from your teeth. We'll also make sure your gums are healthy and strong by using our revolutionary Florida Probe to detect gum disease. As a bonus, we'll offer you a free in-office teeth-whitening procedure.
Why are checkups recommended every six months, even for people with great oral health?
We use DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection to find cavities in the earliest stages, and often that means that you don't see or feel them. Early detection allows us to provide the most conservative treatment, which saves you time, expense, and possible discomfort. We also use the Florida Probe to more precisely diagnose gum disease, another sneaky problem that we try to catch early. This villain has been linked to stroke, heart attack, osteoporosis, and other health risks, and it is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults.
I brush every day, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
In your checkup, we can look for the cause of your bad breath, also known as halitosis. Some patients suffer from bad breath caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or a smelly substance put off by bacteria. With modern procedures and products to promote fresh breath, our team can help you regain your confidence!
My smile is missing teeth. What do you suggest I do?
You'll need to first schedule a consultation with Dr. Britton. He can assess your oral health and discuss options for replacement teeth. In general, you can choose from crown and bridgework, partial or full dentures, or dental implants. As the most natural prosthetic to natural tooth structure, a dental implant offers the most long lasting, comfortable, natural-looking choice.
Does your office use lasers?
We use many kinds of lasers for precise, comfortable dentistry... DIAGNOdent is our cavity-detection laser. It will scan your teeth to find decay and areas prone to decay, and we will not have to inspect each of your teeth with a traditional dental hook.
Our soft-tissue laser allows us to treat gum disease and perform artistic gum lifts. You will need no stitches after laser surgery, and bleeding is minimal. Most patients recover more quickly after laser surgery than they do following traditional surgery.
How can I improve my smile?
That sounds like an easy question to answer, but it isn't! Your smile is unique, and we won't compromise your individuality with smile enhancements. Smile design dentistry done right requires an initial consultation in which we will discuss your goals, preferences, and options for care. Generally speaking, we may suggest porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, white crowns, and/or replacement teeth. After your comprehensive evaluation and consultation, we'll present a smile makeover plan for your new smile. We offer digital imaging for smile previews, as well.
How can I make my smile brighter?
We offer in-office teeth whitening treatments, which consist of a lightening gel applied to your teeth and a curative light. The whole procedure takes only about an hour, and most patients find their teeth lighten eight-to-10 shades overall. We also offer custom-made take-home trays with professional teeth whitening gel for safe and effective teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home. Home teeth whitening yields excellent results – up to eight shades or better! Two weeks of use produces optimal results, but if your teeth reach the desired shade before then, simply discontinue treatment.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Absolutely. We bet you didn't know that teeth whitening, in some form, has been around since the 1700s. Modern teeth whitening uses safe and effective bleaching gel to melt away stains and discoloration. Choose from our in-office treatment or our convenient take-home teeth-whitening kits.
