Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Periodontitis?
• What Causes Bad Breath?
• Pregnancy Gingivitis - What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?
• How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?
• Is Diabetes linked to Gum Disease?
• What is tooth Whitening and am I a good candidate for it?
• How Much does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?
• Are Veneers all the same?
• Why do I need to go to a Top 3 dentist vs. any other dentist or referral source?
• Can any general dentist do Cosmetic Dentistry?
• Where do I start if I need Dental Implants?

1. Question: What is Periodontitis?

   Answer: Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible. The gum tissue and bone that surround and support your teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out. Periodontitis occurs when the early stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is left untreated.

   Periodontitis has also been linked to serious health problems such as an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. Periodontitis could also cause higher blood sugar levels.

   Some researchers have even suggested that gum disease can cause premature birth and low birth weight.

   Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of periodontitis. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and regular check ups with your dentist are the best ways to prevent periodontitis. back to top

2. Question: What Causes Bad Breath?

   Answer: According to dental studies, about 85% of people with persistent bad breath (also known as halitosis) have a dental condition that is to blame. These conditions could be one or more of the following:

   • gum disease
   • cavities
   • poor oral hygiene
   • oral cancer
   • Dry Mouth (xerostomia)
   • bacteria on the tongue

   If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition, mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it. back to top

3. Question: Pregnancy Gingivitis - What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?

   Answer: When I was pregnant, I woke up one morning with red, puffy and very tender gums. I had pregnancy gingivitis. Pregnancy gingivitis is a condition caused by increased hormone levels that can cause swollen, red and tender gums. It is often accompanied with bleeding when you brushyour teeth.

   According to the American Academy of Periodontology, about 50% of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This condition is most common between the second to eighth month of pregnancy. If you experience the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis, be sure to visit your dentistto see if you need more frequent dental cleanings or other treatment.

   The best way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene and to visit your dentist and dental hygienist for regular check ups and cleanings. While good oral hygiene is important to everyone, it is even more so with pregnant women.

   Be sure to floss everyday, brush your teeth at least twice a day and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse such as Listerine or Crest Pro-Health Rinse. back to top

4. Question: How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?

   Answer: Adults and children should change their toothbrush every 3 months because they become worn out and are not as effective as they once were. Exceptions to this would be if you were using an electric toothbrush, and the manufacturer states otherwise. Some electric rechargable toothbrushes have very good brush heads that only need to be changed every 6 months. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4 - 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with hot water after every use and change it after you have been sick.back to top

5. Question: Is Diabetes linked to Gum Disease?

   Answer: Studies show that people with insufficient blood sugar control seem to develop gum disease more frequently and more severely then people who have good management over their diabetes.

   • Diabetes slows circulation, which can also make the gum tissues more susceptible to infections.
   • Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, which increases the probability of the gums becoming infected.
   • High glucose levels in saliva promotes growth of bacteria that cause gum disease.
   • People with diabetes who smoke are far more likely to develop gum disease than people who smoke and do not have diabetes.
   • Poor oral hygiene is a major factor in gum disease for everyone, but it is even more so for a person with diabetes.

   Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

   • Red and swollen gums
   • Gums that tend to bleed easily
   • Gums separating from the teeth
   • Loose teeth
   • Frequent bad breath
   • Change in the way your teeth fit together
   • Change in the way partials or dentures fit

   Prevention

   • Maintain good control over your blood sugar levels.
   • Do not smoke.
   • Good oral hygiene and regular dental check ups are essential in preventing gum disease.
   • Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.

   Be sure to tell your dentist and hygienist that you have diabetes so that he can detect any signs of early gum disease.

   There are two major stages of periodontal disease, gingivitis and periodontitis. People with diabetes tend to develop gum disease more frequently than others. However, if it is diagnosed in the early stage (gingivitis), it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage (periodontitis) may follow which includes bone loss and is irreversible. back to top

6. Question: What is tooth Whitening and am I a good candidate for it?

   Answer:Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, has become extremely popular over the last several years. It's a great way to improve your appearance, it's reasonably priced, non-surgical and non-invasive.

   As with everything else, teeth whitening isn't perfect and it isn't for everyone. Before you decide to have your teeth whitened, you should talk with your dentist. Your dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. Knowing the facts can help you with your decision also:

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #1

     Teeth whitening procedures are not covered by mostdental insurance plans.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #2

     Tooth colored fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers will not lighten when your teeth are bleached.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #3

     Teeth whitening toothpastes can make your teeth appear a little lighter by removing stains, but they do not actually bleach your teeth.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #4

     Teeth whitening does not produce the same results on all types of teeth discoloration. Someone with yellow tinted teeth would probably have great results with bleaching, while someone with gray tinted teeth might be disappointed because gray tinted teeth don't bleach as well.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #5

     Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are common side effects of teeth whitening treatments.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #6

     If you have any cavities, they should be filled before you have your teeth whitened.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #7

     Teeth whitening kits from the dentist produce faster results because they contain a stronger peroxide bleaching agent than whitening kits purchased over the counter.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #8

     Touch ups are usually needed to maintain your desired shade, depending upon habits such as smoking, drinking coffee and tea and eating certain foods which will stain your teeth.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #9

     People with gum disease shouldn't get their teeth whitened.

   • Teeth Whitening Fact #10

     It's a good idea to have a dental cleaning prior to having your teeth whitened to remove surface stains.

   Generally, you can tell if you are a good candidate for tooth Whitening. If you hold a white piece of paper next to your teeth, if your teeth are white in comparison to the paper, then you can enhance the color of your teeth. If you have white spots on your teeth, then those spots will get whiter and the discrepancy in the color will appear more and the results are not good, if your teeth are yellow in comparison to the paper, then you will get the best results. If your teeth are gray in tone compared to the paper, then you will get the least results and you are not a good candidate for whitening. back to top

7. Question: How Much does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?

   Answer: This is a broad question and the answer can vary as widely as the question "how much does a car cost?" The answer is that the price varies depending on the quality, design, and workmanship that you desire from the finished product as well as the care and attention that you receive along the way. Although sometimes inquiries are only about cost, that should not be the determining factor. Just as if you were selecting a brain surgeon, or even a restaurant or hotel for that matter, you wouldn't want to make your selection based on price alone.

   Ask yourself: What is my smile worth to me? How does it make me feel? How will a gorgeous new smile change my life? Like all purchases, cost is relative to value. To some, a luxury vehicle is expensive, but to others, it's a great value. No two patients are alike and here, treatment is tailored to the individual wants and needs of the patient. The cost of our cosmetic procedures for any one patient can range from as little as a few hundred dollars to thousands. That's because cosmetic procedures can run the gamut from entry-level procedures such as teeth whitening to complex full-mouth restoration. There is no cookie-cutter approach to cosmetic dentistry. Each patient should have the benefit of a prescribed treatment plan best suited to bring about their individually customized, beautiful smile.

   The cost of Cosmetic Dentistry could vary from several hundred dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars. All depending on your specific needs and desires. Each cosmetic dentistry case must be evaluated on a case by case and a thorough examination and evaluation of your condition and conditions and why your teeth look the way they do must be considered prior to any estimates being given to you.back to top

8. Question: Are Veneers all the same?

   Answer: If you want to improve your smile, beautiful custom-made porcelain veneers and crowns are the platinum standard that world-class cosmetic dentists use to create gorgeous smiles. Sometimes referred to as porcelain laminates, veneers are thin, custom-made moldings that resurface the face of unsightly teeth.

   You may have seen people with unnatural looking dental work that is easy to spot. Perhaps their teeth are unnaturally white, opaque, and blocky, or maybe you've spotted the tell-tale signs of dark metal showing between the porcelain and the gum line. We want our clients' smile to appear so naturally beautiful that people will only assume they were born with it. To get this type of result takes a combination of artisans, the cosmetic dentist and the master ceramist.

   The first step in the fabrication of the veneers is for the cosmetic dentist to design them in conjunction with the clients' desires. This is where artistry, science, training, and knowledge of materials merge. The dentist must specify the shape, thickness, and colors. Natural teeth are not pure white, but rather have subtle colors, hints of yellow, blue, pink, and these vary throughout each tooth. The cosmetic dentist must communicate the exact specifications for the ceramist to follow.

   The most beautiful, realistic restorations are individually hand made by a master ceramist. Each veneer or crown is crafted from special tooth-colored porcelain to create the most natural smile possible.

   Veneers are natural looking, and can actually improve the strength of your natural teeth because only a minimal amount of natural tooth is altered to fit the veneer. The veneer is also very secure, as it is tightly bonded to your natural tooth. Veneers are also stain resistant and can transform even the darkest teeth to a brilliant white.- back to top

9. Question: Why do I need to go to a Top3dentist vs. any other dentist or referral source?

   Answer: All dentists are not alike. The level of their training is the key to your success, the number of successful cases and the number of years in practice. Without the training, a dentist could be practicing for 20 years, doing the same wrong things or using the same old techniques as he was taught back in dental school. His patients would never know, because they would not know any better either. Top3Dentists.com has done the research on each and every dentist's credentials, and training, the dentists each one have their own personal page on our site that they show their own Before and After photos as opposed to some sites that they buy STOCK PHOTOS of before and after cases, and you can see the number of years the dentists have been practicing. So you have all the tools to make the best decision on your dentist. back to top

10. Question: Can any general dentist do Cosmetic Dentistry?

    Answer: Not all General Dentists are qualified to perform Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures. There are no formal University programs today that teach Cosmetic Dentistry and it is not considered a specialty. Because of this, any General Dentist, can call themselves a Cosmetic Dentist. Cosmetic Dentistry is a field that requires more than a one day course in doing veneers. Understanding the materials, and the products are a key component to Cosmetic Dentistry, as well as working and COMMUNICATING with a highly trained master ceramist and laboratory. back to top

11. Question: Where do I start if I need Dental Implants?

    Answer: Your first step is to visit one of the top 3 dentists in your area. You would start by looking up an implant dentist. If the implant dentist does the restorative or the crown part of the implant, then they would treatment plan you for the implants by first finding out what your overall desires and goals are. If they do not perform this procedure, then you would want to visit one of the top 3 dentists in the Prosthodontics/Full Mouth Rehabilitation section. Once you and your top 3 dentist decide on the outcome and the shape of the teeth that you desire, a wax up of the teeth is done to find the proper position of the teeth, a CT scan of the jaw along with the Wax up in place (with Barium Sulfate) to make sure the implants are positioned in the proper place. Please note that there are many dentists who can take a one day course and start placing dental implants when they have had no training whatsoever, and you would never know. This is why Top3dentists.com was created to make sure the credentials are there, you can view the dentists' before and after photos, years in practice and their level of training. back to top