EXPERT
Dr. Richard Raymond Pence, DDS MAGD
Dentist
Dr. Richard Pence is a Dentist practicing in Denver, NC. Dr. Pence specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
53 years
Experience
Dr. Richard Raymond Pence, DDS MAGD
- Denver, NC
- UNC School of Dentistry
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Dental deep cleaning?
No way without seeing you to check what was done to advise you on this. I’ve had hygienists who were very gentle, but not thorough, and hygienists who were very thorough, but not READ MORE
No way without seeing you to check what was done to advise you on this. I’ve had hygienists who were very gentle, but not thorough, and hygienists who were very thorough, but not so gentle. The rule in our office is not to hurt the customers. To give more anesthesia if it bothers the patient, and sometimes the topical “paint on” type helps. I hope they can help you stop the gum disease before you have any bone loss (permanent).
Mouth ulcer?
Those mouth ulcers are thought to be caused by a virus. They usually last about two weeks. They’re very uncomfortable but nothing that we really have can make them go away any READ MORE
Those mouth ulcers are thought to be caused by a virus. They usually last about two weeks. They’re very uncomfortable but nothing that we really have can make them go away any faster.All you can do is get something from the drugstore that numbs the place that makes it feel a little better or have your dentist put some debactorol on the ulcer.
How do you find out if the abscess root is still up there?
An X-ray is the only way to be sure
Untreated dental abscess?
What you have is the same as having a splinter in your hand, and leaving it long enough to start getting gangrene. Would you remove the splinter? Would it get better if you left READ MORE
What you have is the same as having a splinter in your hand, and leaving it long enough to start getting gangrene. Would you remove the splinter? Would it get better if you left it?
How do you stop the pain of braces tightening?
When I had braces at your age, I just took ibuprofen or aspirin 4 times daily, starting the day (morning) of the tightening, and continuing for 3 more days (400mg)
Braces, 7 year old swollen cheeks and bruising?
You can go to the pharmacy and buy a product called “Zilabrace” a put it on the inside of each cheek. It feels like your finger feels when you get superglue stuck to it. The pharmacist READ MORE
You can go to the pharmacy and buy a product called “Zilabrace” a put it on the inside of each cheek. It feels like your finger feels when you get superglue stuck to it. The pharmacist will have similar products if you can’t find it. The Orthodontist is correct. The cheeks toughen up after a few weeks.
Why do I have dark spaces between my teeth?
The dark spaces are caused by a receding gums. The gums used to fill those spaces but because of damage to the gums from gingivitis or gum disease or loss of bone around the teeth READ MORE
The dark spaces are caused by a receding gums. The gums used to fill those spaces but because of damage to the gums from gingivitis or gum disease or loss of bone around the teeth causes the black triangles
Chipped molar?
Yes, it can be fixed. Usually do not do dental work in the 1st trimester, but you should be fine.
Single broken incisor misalignment after braces?
The crown and retainers should take care of it...but make sure the new crown looks very closely like the ones next to it...it isn't easy for the dentist to make a crown look just READ MORE
The crown and retainers should take care of it...but make sure the new crown looks very closely like the ones next to it...it isn't easy for the dentist to make a crown look just right for a front tooth. The lower incisors need to be perfectly straight or the upper crown can also start to get misaligned again. Wear your retainers!
How do you brush correctly with braces?
I would recommend a Braun/Oral B or Sonicare electric toothbrush and follow the directions it gives you. Especially need to find one that has a timer. With braces, you probably READ MORE
I would recommend a Braun/Oral B or Sonicare electric toothbrush and follow the directions it gives you. Especially need to find one that has a timer. With braces, you probably get 4 times as much bacteria trapped in your teeth and it isn't easy to clean them. Usually your orthodontist will give helpful instructions. BE SURE to avoid soda/soft drinks/energy drinks. They are very acidic and can be quite destructive when your teeth are more vulnerable.
Why do I have dry mouth and cheeks?
Dry mouth is a real problem. Saliva lubricates the mouth to make chewing food easier, it neutralizes acids in the foods you eat, and it replaces minerals in your teeth when acid READ MORE
Dry mouth is a real problem. Saliva lubricates the mouth to make chewing food easier, it neutralizes acids in the foods you eat, and it replaces minerals in your teeth when acid damages them. Many of my adult patients have to take antihistamines, blood pressure medication, or diabetic medications. All of these meds can cause dry mouth. It can also be caused by diseases in your body. If you are not taking meds that may have dry mouth as a side effect, then check with your physician. Please reduce or eliminate acidic beverages (sodas, energy
drinks, etc.) just check the labels for acids. and use an ADA approved Fluoride toothpaste. Your dentist can prescribe a stronger one of those, if decay has been occurring.
drinks, etc.) just check the labels for acids. and use an ADA approved Fluoride toothpaste. Your dentist can prescribe a stronger one of those, if decay has been occurring.
Should an abscessed tooth be pulled?
An abscessed tooth should be checked to see how much of the tooth is still intact, and if the tooth can be made healthy and comfortable again. If it can be made back like new, READ MORE
An abscessed tooth should be checked to see how much of the tooth is still intact, and if the tooth can be made healthy and comfortable again. If it can be made back like new, you will have 3 choices:
a. Keep the tooth, which may require cleaning out the infection, sealing up the roots To keep infection out, and possibly a crown to strengthen the tooth. (I had this done to one of my teeth, 45 yrs ago. Still doing fine!)
b. Have the tooth removed. This can cause shifting and tilting of the nearby teeth over time. This is usually done only if the abscessed tooth is not restorable, or the cost of repairing the tooth is just too high for you to pay. Don’t do it if you can help it.
c. Do nothing..just let it hurt (not a great choice, and can be dangerous!)
a. Keep the tooth, which may require cleaning out the infection, sealing up the roots To keep infection out, and possibly a crown to strengthen the tooth. (I had this done to one of my teeth, 45 yrs ago. Still doing fine!)
b. Have the tooth removed. This can cause shifting and tilting of the nearby teeth over time. This is usually done only if the abscessed tooth is not restorable, or the cost of repairing the tooth is just too high for you to pay. Don’t do it if you can help it.
c. Do nothing..just let it hurt (not a great choice, and can be dangerous!)
Do you get gum pockets with braces?
Gum pockets are caused by bacteria. Having braces makes it more difficult to clean your teeth. In our office, we have patient with braces (when they are not doing a great job cleaning), READ MORE
Gum pockets are caused by bacteria. Having braces makes it more difficult to clean your teeth. In our office, we have patient with braces (when they are not doing a great job cleaning), come in for cleanings every 3 or 4 months. If you leave plaque and bacteria on your teeth long enough, it can cause decay of the teeth, inflammation of the gums, and possible permanent bone loss.
Canker sore or wisdom teeth?
ACV is acidic and won't help either problem. Canker sores are caused by a virus, and you have to count on your immune system to get it to go away. That usually takes 14 days from READ MORE
ACV is acidic and won't help either problem. Canker sores are caused by a virus, and you have to count on your immune system to get it to go away. That usually takes 14 days from the time you noticed it. In the meantime, you can help with the pain by going to the drug store and getting some Zilactin or a topical anesthetic that the pharmacist recommends. Those things DO NOT make the canker sore go away any faster, just helps with the pain.
What can dentists do for enamel loss?
Enamel loss can be caused by many different things. I have had some patients who lose enamel because they didn’t like the color of their teeth and they brush very hard. Others READ MORE
Enamel loss can be caused by many different things. I have had some patients who lose enamel because they didn’t like the color of their teeth and they brush very hard. Others have digestive problems where stomach acid can dissolve the enamel in the teeth. And it’s also possible to have developmental problems from birth where enamel is not strong. We cannot put enamel back to its original condition but we can Discover the cause of the enamel loss, treat the cause, and then try to ameliorate the symptoms of the cause...such as veneering the teeth or using extra fluoride, and soft brushes only.
How do you tell if a tooth crown is not fitted properly?
That would not be possible for a patient to tell if the crown has a slight "fitting" problem. In our office, there are several tests the crown must pass to be acceptable: 1. It READ MORE
That would not be possible for a patient to tell if the crown has a slight "fitting" problem. In our office, there are several tests the crown must pass to be acceptable: 1. It must look good, as close to its neighbor teeth appearance as possible (not "stand out") 2. It must fit the tooth around the edges, with no gaps 3. It must touch the adjacent teeth tight enough to keep food from catching, but light enough so dental floss won't break when you pass it through the place where the crown touches neighbor teeth. When using thin unwaxed floss, you put it through the area where the teeth touch the crown, and it should catch slightly. If the floss doesn't catch, food will trap. If the floss breaks, then it's difficult to clean4. It must fit the opposing teeth that fit against it when biting, chewing, or just closing. It must not feel "high" or like when you close, the new crown does not touch the opposing tooth 1st, before other teeth. If it passes those 4 tests, you are probably good to go.
Dry socket?
The sucking motion from smoking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming in the extraction site...as it is quite fragile for the 1st three days after the extraction. We recommend READ MORE
The sucking motion from smoking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming in the extraction site...as it is quite fragile for the 1st three days after the extraction. We recommend not smoking or even drinking through a straw to avoid losing the clot, but if you do lose the clot and you get an infection of the bone (dry socket), then you can go back to the dentist and have the socket cleaned out and soothing medication is placed in the site. You usually have to repeat that treatment over several days.
Will an exposed tooth nerve eventually die?
Likely in an adult, worse the older you get, but not always at your age, if it isn’t damaged too badly for too long a time, and the dentists kills the bacteria and treats it.
Root canal?
When the nerve in the tooth gets infected, the bacteria comes out the end of the roots and out into the bone. When the root canal is completed, the inside of the tooth is clean READ MORE
When the nerve in the tooth gets infected, the bacteria comes out the end of the roots and out into the bone. When the root canal is completed, the inside of the tooth is clean and sterile and it is sealed up..keeping anymore bacteria from going into the bone. The patients immune system will eventually kill all the escaped bacteria in the bone (slowly, like ants taking away a sandpile). When I had a root canal, the tooth didn't hurt afterward, but didn't feel normal for 7-8 months. If you don't finish the treatment, you let the bacteria win and it'll keep hurting. If you chew hard things on the tooth before the root canal and crown are completed you can crack the tooth, which means you may still lose it. SO, my advice is complete the treatment, and if the doc says no cracks and no bacteria, get your crown done and you're good. I've had mine done 30 year or more ago & it's still good.
How is a fissure sealant done?
The tooth is isolated from saliva, ideally with a rubber dam to isolate it, then cleaned, and then a mild acid is applied to the surface...which etches the enamel and allows a READ MORE
The tooth is isolated from saliva, ideally with a rubber dam to isolate it, then cleaned, and then a mild acid is applied to the surface...which etches the enamel and allows a strong bond to the sealant. Then the acid is rinsed thoroughly, dried, and the sealant is applied to the deep grooves in the tooth. After application, the sealant is hardened with a LED or Halogen curing light. When properly applied in a non ice-chewing patient, the sealant can last years.
