Professional Services

+ Why are dental cleanings important?

Having routine teeth cleaning is one of the most critical steps you can take to preserve the health of your teeth and gums. But plaque and bacteria build up no matter how good your oral hygiene practices are at home. Cleaning removes plaque, calculus, and bacteria that cause decay, gum disease and chronic bad breath, getting into areas that aren't easy to reach by brushing and flossing alone. Plus, regular teeth cleaning can help your teeth look whiter and brighter naturally, without the need for bleaching treatments. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in over two years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.

+ What happens during a teeth cleaning appointment?

During your dental cleaning appointment, our dental professional will check for any inflammation, bleeding , and plaque buildup. A scaling equipment will be used to remove all the bacteria and debris that normal brushing cant. Finally, a mild polishing paste will be used to clean your teeth and apply a protective layer on top. At Great Care Dental, we will also take note of areas you might be missing with your at-home routine, and give you guidance on how to address these areas most effectively.

+ How often do I need to schedule a routine teeth cleaning appointment?

The American Dental Association guidelines recommend both adults and children have routine teeth cleaning performed every six months – or at every regular office visit. If you have gum disease, you may need more frequent cleanings (about every three to four months) or in-depth cleaning to help prevent the disease from progressing.

+ How can I take care of my teeth at home?

Toothbrushes, mouthwash, and floss are all available at our clinic. During your visit, we’ll be glad to show you the proper way to brush and floss your teeth to keep them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

1. Brush your mouth morning and night, concentrating on all areas of your teeth and gums
2. Use an electric toothbrush for maximum cleaning effect
3. Some patients can benefit from a good mouthwash after brushing
4. Daily flossing helps to remove plaque and tartar in between your teeth

+ When do I need fillings?

Composite fillings are ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, or changing the shape of teeth. If your teeth are decayed or broken, a filling may be the best option to repair your tooth and prevent further damage to your smile.

+ What is a composite filling and how is it different than a traditional metal filling?

Unlike amalgam ("silver fillings"), composite resin filling can be customized and are the most aesthetically pleasing option. Composite fillings bond directly to the tooth and require less drilling than metal fillings.

+ What will my teeth look like after receiving a composite filling?

Composite fillings are created to match the shade and color of your existing teeth. A restored tooth will look and feel as natural as your own!

+ What are Crowns?

A crown, like a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth but has had extensive damage or root canal treatment.

+ How will the Doctor make a Crown for me?

1. We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication 3. The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
3. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
4. You will come in again for permanent crown fitting

+What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a specially designed titanium that replaces your natural root. Traditionally, people with missing teeth have difficulty talking and chewing. Over time, their bone and bite start to distort as well as they lose bone support. Since dental implant has an unique ability to fuse with the bone, it is the only method to halt bone loss!

+What should I expect during my dental implant procedure?

Placing an implant is a safe procedure and achieved with very little discomfort. Our dentists at Great Care Dental are specially trained to ensure that your procedure is both comfortable and successful. After the implants are placed in the bone, it will take 4-6 months for the implant to fuse to the bone and become your replacement tooth root. A special crown will be designed to fit on top of the implant and look as life-like as your natural teeth.

+What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?

1. They look and feel like natural teeth
2. They can last a lifetime with the right care
3. You don’t need any adhesives
4. They improve appearance, comfort, and speech
5. They're the only tooth replacement option that can halt bone loss

+ Do I need an extraction?

Nobody enjoys having their teeth pulled. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable, when there is advanced periodontal disease, or if the tooth is ingrown. Depending on each patient's situation, a dental implant may be recommended.

+ Why do I need to take out my wisdom teeth?

When your wisdom teeth are well-positioned and healthy, they are very important. But if they’re too big for your jaw size, if they emerge from the jaw crooked or if they’re impacted and don’t come down through the gum, there can be serious problems, ranging from the disruption of nearby teeth to the formation of cysts under the gum.

+What is periodontal disease?

Gum disease starts out as gingivitis, or inflamed and bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can quickly progress to periodontitis. In this case, bone that normally support the teeth are eaten away. It can also lead to chronic bad breath, tooth loss, and constant teeth pain.

+What causes periodontal disease?

Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and diabetes are some of the factors that contribute to periodontal disease. Most adults have some sort of gum disease and nearly 50% of adults in America have periodontitis. Luckily, our dentists can help you take care of your oral health and treat gum disease

+How do I treat gum disease?

The first step in treating gum disease is to clean out the bacteria and debris underneath the gums. The most common procedure is a scaling and root cleaning procedure. Several other options are available and can be customized to your treatment plan. Our dentists may also prescribe special anti-bacterial mouthwash and recommend the use of electric toothbrush.

+What should I do to prevent needing a root canal?

At Great Care Dental, we focus on comprehensive examinations and evaluations of teeth, including their interiors, to help spot issues in their very earliest stages so more extensive damage can be avoided. We believe in using a more conservative approach whenever possible, providing the most in-depth examinations to ward off decay, infection and damage in all areas of the tooth so root canal can be avoided whenever possible.

+Are there alternatives to root canals?

In general, it's almost always better to preserve the tooth when possible. A single lost tooth can cause bone atrophy, weakening the roots of neighboring teeth and causing a “domino effect” of additional tooth loss over time. However, if you are not a good candidate for a root canal, dental implants an ideal tooth replacement method. Implants are the best, long-term option to replace a tooth!

+What are the causes of teeth grinding (bruxism)?

1. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety
2. Obstructive sleep apnea
3. Abnormal bite or missing teeth

+What are some negative consequences of teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding can lead to a number of problems including:

1. Headaches and muscle pain
2. Loss of tooth struction & shortening of teeth
3. Gum recession
4. Teeth sensitivity
5. Cracked and broken teeth
6. Damage to the bone structure of the jaw joint

+What are some things I can do to protect my teeth?

Grinding most likely happens at night due to airway issues. A sleep study and consultation with a dental specialist will rule out more serious causes. To protect your teeth from being worn down, we can create a night guard customized to your teeth.

+Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth in a row. They latch onto the remaining gum line and any intact adjacent teeth. Even if you only have one tooth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining tooth serves as a natural anchor.

+Complete Dentures

When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Our dentists can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.

+Option A: Oral-B Professional Whitening Kit

Great Care Dental is partnering with Oral-B to offer a dental professional exclusive whitening kit, with a much better delivery technology than commercial whitening sets. This take-home kit is the most affordable and easiest option to whiten your teeth. Whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, and professional whitening strips will brighten your smile over the following weeks. This kit offers the best whitening products at a much lower price than any retail stores.

+Option B: Take-home Custom Whitening Tray

This teeth whitening method uses custom-made, thin plastic guards which are supplied with and are designed to hold a teeth whitening gel to whiten your teeth at home. The teeth whitening process involves wearing the gel-filled trays for 1 hour, during seven to ten sessions.

This teeth whitening process takes longer than Zoom whitening but are just as effective!

+Option C: Phillips Zoom Light-Activated Whitening

Zoom whitening is the fastest, and most effective whitening option. It uses a combination of whitening gels and light activation to help gels penetrate to deeper layers of the tooth surface for significant results in just one office visit. Because it reaches the deeper layers of the tooth surface, results also last longer than many other types of teeth bleaching treatments.

+What can I do to prevent teeth staining and discoloration?

That depends on how well the teeth are cared for after whitening is complete. With proper brushing and flossing an routine teeth cleaning, results can last a year or more. Touch-up treatments may be performed with custom-fit take-home trays and over the counter whitening kits.

+How often will I need to have whitening treatments to keep my teeth looking their best?

Most staining and discoloration of teeth is related to the foods and beverages that are consumed. Foods and drinks with dark colors, including coffee, red wine, tea, colas, berries and some spices all contain pigments that can stain teeth. Poor oral hygiene habits and infrequent professional cleanings can also contribute to a dull, dingy smile. To prevent staining, brush and floss soon after meals and use a straw when consuming beverages known to stain. Also be sure to have teeth professionally cleaned every six months to remove stains and to learn how to improve brushing and flossing techniques.

+What about my fillings or crowns?

Because fillings or crowns stay the same color during the teeth whitening process, they may need to be replaced to match the lighter color of your teeth after completion of the treatment.

+Is tooth whitening safe?

Yes, tooth whitening is one of the least invasive cosmetic procedures available. Whitening strips away the stains on your teeth and gives you a refreshed, white smile. While some patients may feel some sensitivity after the procedure, this is common and will subside within the week.