patient education
Need to know something before your appointment?
We offer a variety of services and surgeries, get educated on whatever your treatment plan involves.
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Straightening your smile doesn’t have to dramatically affect your life or appearance. With SureSmile aligners, we can gradually reposition your teeth both discreetly and efficiently. We’ll digitize your smile by taking impressions and/or scanning your teeth to then send it off to our off-site lab, where custom aligners will be made. Once the clear aligners are received in our office, we’ll bring you in for a fitting and in some cases add discreet tooth colored buttons to help move teeth and you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile. You’ll wear each set of aligners for approximately two weeks before changing to new aligners. Typically you’ll visit our office every four to six weeks to examine your progress. You will wear your aligners for 22 hours of the day but they are removable for easier cleaning and you’ll still be able to enjoy your favorite foods and beverages while straightening your smile.
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Composite resin fillings are mostly known as “tooth colored fillings” because they are the most aesthetic choice since they blend right in with the enamel of your teeth. After the dentist numbs the area, your dentist will thoroughly clean the area to make sure no decay or bacteria gets trapped under your new filling. Then, composite resin filling is applied to the tooth in soft layers, which is hardened by a special curing light. Once your composite filling is installed and polished, your tooth can resume its normal function with all the aesthetics of a natural human tooth.
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What is a root canal? Inside of your tooth is live tissue mass called pulp, which surrounds the nerves that live in the middle of your tooth. If the pulp becomes infected by decay going into the nerve or close to the nerve it may cause pain, infection or swelling. Trauma to a tooth can also cause your nerve to naturally die and in result needing a root canal. A root canal is a non-surgical procedure that removes the infected nerve/pulp from the tooth and then sealed and filled with a nice, cleaning filling material called gutta-percha.
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Full denture replacement involves using multiple implants to support a full set of teeth that are often called “all on four”. Typically four to six implants are placed on each arch of your mouth. This is used to stabilize the denture from rocking and moving, and helping stimulate the jaw bone to prevent future bone loss. Once implants are placed a traditional denture may be worn while the implant heals and integrates with your bone. Typical healing time for implants at 4-6 months. If you already have a current denture some can be modified or a new denture may need to be made. A full denture with implants can be removed for daily cleaning.
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A free consultation with our doctors to see if you are a good candidate for KoR Whitening will be your first step. Once our doctors select that KoR in-office whitening is a great fit for you we will fabricate custom whitening trays that will properly fit you by taking molds of your teeth. Patients will start by conditioning their teeth for two weeks while they sleep. During the KoR process, nearly all patients experience only low to typically no tooth sensitivity. The KoR procedure is comfortable and 100% safe for your teeth and gums. Once you return to your office 2 weeks after conditioning at home you will notice your teeth are already looking a few shades lighter. We will insulate your gums and perform 3 sessions of 20 minutes, so expect to be in our office for approximately an hour and a half. The KoR Whitening system works by restoring your teeth’s youthful ability to absorb oxygen. The oxygen from its whitening gel is absorbed deeply into the tooth, dissolving and removing the stain molecules. KoR Whitening is an award winning whitening system that is known to whiten teeth 5 shades.
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A free consultation with our doctors to see if you are a good candidate for our Bleach for Life bleach trays. Your assistant will take impressions to design a custom whitening tray that will fit your unique dental structure comfortably. Once your custom whitening trays are made you will be given our take home whitening gel, bleach trays, a case for your bleach trays, instructions on at home bleaching wear and care and models of your teeth. What makes Bleach for Life so unique. Run out of whitening gel, no problem stop by and we are happy to give you more.
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To clean your teeth properly, you should brush up/down and in a circular motion to remove the plaque at the base and chewing service of your teeth. You should pay special attention to your molars and make sure to spend a total of two minutes brushing your teeth daily. You should avoid hurting yourself by brushing gently with a soft or extra soft toothbrush only. A manual toothbrush only cleans as well as the person that is using it. If you brush your teeth too aggressively, then your toothbrush may cause damage to your enamel and gums. If you miss a spot, then your toothbrush will miss a spot as well.
An electric toothbrush does most of the work for you so you are less likely to cause unknown damage to your enamel and gums. Bad breath is a symptom of food and plaque which have become lodged in the nooks and crannies between your teeth and along your gums. An electric toothbrush is better at removing plaque, stains and helps get rid of bad breath. Electric toothbrushes have apps, brushing timers, and pressure indicators to help promote healthy brushing habits while making your teeth feel great and the cleanest they have felt after brushing.
Children, who most of the time are not fond of brushing their teeth find electric toothbrushes to be more fun.
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Water flossers are a handheld device that sprays high powered streams of water or mouthwash in steady pulses. The water floss, like traditional floss, can help remove food and debri from between your teeth which can help reduce gingivitis, the early form of gum disease. The convenience these devices provide over traditional flossing for patients that are in traditional braces or other orthodontic devices are extremely helpful to maintain good oral hygiene. For example, patients may find it much harder to effectively maneuver thread floss around their hardware. Water flossing may be an effective alternative. Most water flossers are affordable and easy to find at your local grocery store or pharmacy.
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder also known as TMJ is a problem related to your complex jaw joint. If you have had symptoms like pain in the morning with your jaw or white eating or talking or a “clicking” sound you may have TMJ. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ disorders can develop for many different reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide. We have many exercises and treatments that may help with your TMJ.
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Many people are afflicted with bruxism, or teeth grinding. Some people may do this consciously during the day, but it is a larger problem at night while you are asleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums. The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your spouse's sleep if loud enough. If you grind your teeth you should consider a night guard. The night guard, which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing. At your dental appointment you will have impressions of your teeth taken and have the night guard created in our office or by a lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for years.
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Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. A bridge is permanent, it is not something that you take in and out of your mouth. The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for a bridge. After the abutments have been created, a PVS impression or digital scan is taken of the area which is sent to the dental lab. The lab is able to use the impression or scan to create a custom bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft you a permanent bridge. If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.
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A missing tooth can be a huge burden. Not only can it change the way you eat, it can also make a big difference in how you smile. Some people become embarrassed or even self-conscious to smile. Dental implants have a number of advantages over other tooth replacements. Bridges can be a great replacement for missing teeth but that involves treatment on the teeth next to the missing tooth. A dental implant only involves the missing tooth area. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots used to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. A complete implant consists of 3 parts. A titanium post, which replaces the root of your missing tooth. An abutment that is screwed into the titanium post. A dental crown or bridge that is either connected to the abutment or the crown or bridge is cemented to the abutment at your final restoration. Once the implant is placed in the bone it will need to heal for 4-6 months before it can be restored. This healing period we are wanting to bone to integrate with the threads of the implant. After your implant is completely healed a natural-looking restoration will complete your implant procedure. Advantages of implant is the longest-lasting tooth replacement option, optimal stability means you can eat, smile, brush and floss with confidence.
Need to know something after your appointment?
If you’ve had treatment recently, please take the proper steps according to your plan.
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After leaving our office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first 48 hours. You should go rest and relax with no physical activity. Keeping blood pressure lowered will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Aside from normal hygiene, it is best to completely leave the implant alone for the first 2 weeks after placement.
Minimal bleeding is expected after implant surgery. Minimal bleeding after surgery may continue for several hours and mix with your saliva causing reddish/pink slava for the rest of the day. The best way to stop bleeding is to fold (2) pieces of gauze over your surgery site and gently bite for 20 minutes ensuring pressure on the surgical site. If sutures material is used during surgery it may last anywhere from 2 to 7 days and should be left alone. Gut sutures will look like a see-through string and are self dissolving and will not need to be removed. Liquid sutures will look like a purple sab over the surgical site. You will be asked to return to the office for a 1 week follow-up appointment.
Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and healing. The swelling will not become apparent until 24 hours after surgery and will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After this time, the swelling should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days. Swelling may be minimized by using ice packs. Apply the ice pack to the outside of your face for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes while awake for the first 24 hours.
Some discomfort is normal after surgery. If you do not have an allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil) we recommend taking this prior to the local anesthetic wears off. More severe pain may require a narcotic pain medication to be prescribed. Narcotic pain medication will make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate mechanical machinery while taking that prescription. Alternating Ibuprofen (2 tablets/200mg each) and the narcotic medication every 3 hours as needed. Once you feel like you can stop taking the narcotic, use Ibuprofen and Tylenol. All medications should not exceed the recommended dosage.
Antibiotics will be prescribed at or before your appointment. It is advised to finish the full round of antibiotics and take as directed. Women: Some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for the following two months.
Nausea and vomiting may occur from taking pain medication or antibiotics on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill or antibiotic with soft food and a large glass of water.
Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the implant will be substantially reduced by cigarette and/or vaping chemicals.
Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days. Avoid all rinsing or swishing for the first 24 hours after your procedure. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with warm salt water. (½ teaspoon salt and 4 ounces of warm water) Avoid commercial or alcohol mouth rinses. Bad breath is common and will disappear as healing occurs. Two to three days following surgery, white possible hard tissue may be seen in the surgical site. This signifies normal, healing tissue. It’s not unusual to see the silver implant healing cap appear through gum tissue following the procedure. If this silver healing cap comes off in the 4-6 month healing period please contact our office at (360) 667-5676
Foods to eat while healing include applesauce, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, milkshake (no straw), mashed potatoes, eggs, pancakes, creamed cereals, soups (be careful-not too hot), pasta, ice cream and protein shakes.
While healing you will be turning to our office every 6 weeks for follow up appointments on your implant. At this appointment we will take an x-ray and your doctor will evaluate your site. Any questions can be answered at this time. These appointments are normally short. After 4-6 months of healing your implant will be ready to engage the tooth and you will be able to use your implant as a normal tooth.
Please contact our office if you have any uncontrollable pain, excessive or severe bleeding, fever/chills, excessive warm swelling occurring a dew days after procedure or reactions to medications such as rash, itching or breathing problems.
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After leaving our office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first 48 hours. You should go rest and relax with no physical activity. Keeping blood pressure lowered will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
Minimal bleeding is expected after implant surgery. Minimal bleeding after surgery may continue for several hours and mix with your saliva causing reddish/pink slava for the rest of the day. Before leaving our office we will be placing your denture in your mouth made by the denturest. You are to keep your denture in without removing it for the first 24 hours. You will have an appointment made with your denturist the following day. Your denturest will take your denture out for the first time. If sutures material is used during surgery it may last anywhere from 2 to 7 days and should be left alone. Gut sutures will look like a see-through string and are self dissolving and will not need to be removed. Liquid sutures will look like a purple sab over the surgical site. You will be asked to return to the office for a 1 week follow-up appointment.
Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and healing. The swelling will not become apparent until 24 hours after surgery and will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After this time, the swelling should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days. Swelling may be minimized by using ice packs. Apply the ice pack to the outside of your face for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes while awake for the first 24 hours.
Some discomfort is normal after surgery. If you do not have an allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil) we recommend taking this prior to the local anesthetic wears off. More severe pain may require a narcotic pain medication to be prescribed. Narcotic pain medication will make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate mechanical machinery while taking that prescription. Alternating Ibuprofen (2 tablets/200mg each) and the narcotic medication every 3 hours as needed. Once you feel like you can stop taking the narcotic, use Ibuprofen and Tylenol. All medications should not exceed the recommended dosage.
Antibiotics will be prescribed at or before your appointment. It is advised to finish the full round of antibiotics and take as directed. Women: Some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for the following two months.
Nausea and vomiting may occur from taking pain medication or antibiotics on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill or antibiotic with soft food and a large glass of water.
Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the implant will be substantially reduced by cigarette and/or vaping chemicals.
After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with warm salt water. (½ teaspoon salt and 4 ounces of warm water) Avoid commercial or alcohol mouth rinses. Bad breath is common and will disappear as healing occurs. Two to three days following surgery, white possible hard tissue may be seen in the surgical site. This signifies normal, healing tissue. It’s not unusual to see the silver implant healing cap appear through gum tissue following the procedure. If this silver healing cap comes off in the 4-6 month healing period please contact our office at (360) 667-5676
Foods to eat while healing include applesauce, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, milkshake (no straw), mashed potatoes, eggs, pancakes, creamed cereals, soups (be careful-not too hot), pasta, ice cream and protein shakes.
Occasionally after surgery small edges of bone may become exposed, most commonly on the tongue side of lower teeth. If these occur, either they will work their way out naturally or you may call our office to make an appointment for their simple removal. Bone spurs are your body naturally shedding bone it does not need anymore.
While healing you will be turning to our office every 6 weeks for follow up appointments on your implant. At this appointment we will take an x-ray and your doctor will evaluate your site. Any questions can be answered at this time. These appointments are normally short. If you are having problems with ill fitting dentures or sore spots please contact your dentures for adjustments. It is normal to need multiple adjustments on a new set of dentures.
After 4-6 months your implants will be ready to engage with your denture. You will first come to our office and have locator abutments placed on your implants and then have an appointment with your Denturist to convert either your existing denture or your Denturist might make a new denture before loading hosings.
Please contact our office if you have any uncontrollable pain, excessive or severe bleeding, fever/chills, excessive warm swelling occurring a dew days after procedure or reactions to medications such as rash, itching or breathing problems.
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Before you receive your permanent crown/bridge you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should brush the area gently and while flossing you should not pull up because your temporary can become dislodged. If you need to floss your temporary crown or bridge pull your floss down but then pull one side of your floss through. It is important to keep the area clean- but to be cautious. You should avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in. While chewing we recommend chewing on the opposite side of your mouth that your temporary is in.
There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Ibuprofen or Tylenol if the pain does not go away. Rinse with warm salt water if gums are irritated. This will help the gum tissue heal quicker. In a ½ of cup of warm water add 1 tsp of salt and rinse for 1 minute and then spit out. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
Temporaries are not strong and may occasionally break or come off. If your temporary crown or bridge comes off while the lab is making your custom crown or bridge please call our office to make an appointment to either cement your existing temporary back on or make you a new temporary.
Foods to avoid with temporaries:
– Sticky foods (Carmel, taffy, gum, tootsie rolls, gummy candies)
– Soft breeding such as bagels or sandwich rolls
– Avoid hard nuts or candy
– Avoid eating staining foods as they could stain your temporary (Red sauces, curries, red wine, black coffee and berries)
When the permanent crown or bridge is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural tooth and/or teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know by calling and making an appointment. Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth. You should brush and floss regularly.
If you any questions or concerns please call our office at (360) 667-5676
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After the surgery you will need to rest. No heavy lifting for the first 48 hours. You can expect for the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery and you will bite down firmly to apply pressure to the site. You may remove the gauze after 20 minutes. If bleeding continues, place more gauze given to you at the office and apply steady pressure by biting down for 20 to 30 more minutes. If you are one blood thinner or bleed easily you may have to bite down firmly on a black tea bag for 20 to 30 minutes to help clot your blood. Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat as this could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain, appling the ice pack for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Foods to eat while healing include applesauce, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, milkshake (no straw), mashed potatoes, eggs, pancakes, creamed cereals, soups (be careful-not too hot), pasta, ice cream and protein shakes. Foods to avoid are small seeds, grains of rice or sharp pokey chips or breads.
When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can disturb the extraction site and loosen any sutures and slow the healing process. The same goes for smoking. Do not spit or swish any liquid in your mouth. If you feel the need to spit, add some water into your mouth and let it fall out of your mouth. Do not drink carbonated beverages or alcoholic beverages for the first 72 hours. Over-the-counter- pain medication (Ibuprofen, Aleve, and Tylenol) may be taken as directed on the bottle to relieve discomfort. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed until they are all gone, even if symptoms dissipate. Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills or other medications. If pain medication or a mouth rinse is prescribed take as directed If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don't feel that the extraction site is healing properly call our office to schedule a follow up appointment. (360) 667-5676
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Your endodontic (root canal) treatment is now complete. Please note root canal treatment is like a mini surgery on your tooth, so soreness is not uncommon for a few days and can range from mild to severe. Before anesthetic wears off it is advised to take an ibuprofen and/or tylenol to help maintain an acceptable comfort level. Please do not chew or attempt to eat on the affected side while you are still numb.
Discomfort may occur because of the existing infection and inflammation of the gums and tooth ligaments as well as the manipulation of the tooth during treatment. The gums may be sore and the tooth is often tender up to a few weeks when biting and chewing. Over the counter medications are recommended to take such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Aspirin, Motrin or Tylenol if discomfort occurs. Rinsing with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water) will help with any gum discomfort. In unlikely event that swelling, fever or severe pain should occur, please call our office at (360) 667-5676
If antibiotics were prescribed, please take them as directed and finish the whole bottle.
A permanent filling was placed at the end of your treatment. Endodontically treated teeth have been weakened by previous decay and fillings. All root canal teeth need a crown. It is necessary for these teeth to receive additional protection to protect these teeth against future fracture, decay and protect the root canal. Delay in obtaining a final restoration may result in fracture and/or possible loss of the tooth. Till permanent restoration is completed (crown), it is advised to avoid crunchy or hard food to prevent tooth fracture. Your tooth may be made shorter to help protect the tooth till a crown is placed.