Frequently Asked Questions

X-rays help dentists evaluate teeth, roots, jaw placement, and detect periodontal disease, abscesses, and abnormal growths. New patients typically need full mouth X-rays; follow-up patients may need periodic imaging.

Full mouth or panoramic X-rays should occur every three years; cavity-detecting bitewing X-rays every 12-18 months, depending on individual decay history.

Bleaching uses carbamide peroxide in gels (10%-22% concentrations) placed in custom mouth guards. Treatment typically lasts 1-2 weeks, 2-4 hours daily.

Temporary tooth sensitivity may occur but usually subsides post-treatment. Results fade gradually; annual touch-ups maintain whiteness.

Sealants are thin plastic films bonded to molar and premolar chewing surfaces, creating physical barriers against decay by preventing food particles and bacteria from penetrating tooth grooves.

Waterford Dental Associates replaces missing sealants free of charge for patients who maintain a regular recall schedule.

Crowns restore broken-down teeth, seal cracks, protect weak teeth, support root-canal-treated teeth, and cover discolored teeth. They're fabricated from porcelain, cast gold, or a combination, after tooth reduction and impression-taking.

There is a strong correlation between dental disease related to plaque and the incidence of hardening of the arteries, heart disease, and stroke. Bacterial substances from gum disease may contribute to arterial buildup and blood clots, particularly affecting those over 50.

Wisdom teeth (third molars) typically erupt between ages 16-25. Impacted or problematic teeth should be extracted if they cause infection, decay adjacent teeth, develop cysts, interfere with the bite, or hinder restoration of adjacent teeth. Individual assessment is necessary.

Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue (containing nerves and vessels) from the tooth's canals, then fills the cleaned canals to prevent reinfection. This preserves teeth that would otherwise be lost to deep cavities, fractures, or trauma.

Warning signs include red or swollen gums, bleeding during brushing/flossing, receding gums, loose teeth, pus between gums and teeth, persistent bad breath, bite changes, and exposed roots. Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss.

Cavities develop when mouth bacteria form plaque that interacts with sugary or starchy food residue, producing acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Regular checkups, proper hygiene, and reduced carbohydrate intake help prevent progression to painful nerve infections.

Implants are titanium artificial tooth roots surgically anchored in the jaw. Abutments hold replacement teeth, bridges, or dentures in place. Benefits include independence from neighboring teeth, a natural appearance, easier cleaning, and elimination of the need for removable dentures.

Tooth loss causes remaining teeth to shift and drift into the gap, adjacent teeth to erupt abnormally, and additional stress on the bite. These shifts create periodontal problems, breakage, and misalignment — and the problems compound with multiple missing teeth.

Modern composite resin fillings work for both front and back teeth and offer cosmetic improvements. Situations requiring complete dryness during placement — like some subgingival cavities — may call for inlays, amalgam, or crowns instead.

Yes. Mercury in dental amalgam is not poisonous. The amount released during normal chewing is minimal — less than typical dietary mercury exposure — and decades of research support its safety.