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
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Do dentures lead to receding gums?
When you have natural teeth, the roots of the teeth spread the force of chewing way down into the bone. When you have dentures, the force is just on the top of the gum covering READ MORE
When you have natural teeth, the roots of the teeth spread the force of chewing way down into the bone. When you have dentures, the force is just on the top of the gum covering the bone. This pressure causes the bone to be destroyed over time, the gums along with it. The reason they sell so much denture adhesives is that all those folk have the same problem...years of bone destroying force only on the tops of the gums. Implants can help slow down the bone loss, by spreading the force deep down into the gums.
Can I rinse my mouth with hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide kills germs. The problem is that it kills good and bad germs. If you rinse with hydrogen peroxide on a regular basis, you can get fungal infections are in your READ MORE
Hydrogen peroxide kills germs. The problem is that it kills good and bad germs. If you rinse with hydrogen peroxide on a regular basis, you can get fungal infections are in your mouth. It is okay to use it occasionally at one and a half percent for 30 seconds.
Are zirconia implants better than titanium?
I, personally, have 6new implants in my mouth, placed in December. I chose titanium for mine...
Why my front teeth suddenly have small gap?
Teeth are not "set in stone," and they can move. Because they can, orthodontists can open and close spaces between teeth, upright teeth and rotate teeth. In your case, sometimes READ MORE
Teeth are not "set in stone," and they can move. Because they can, orthodontists can open and close spaces between teeth, upright teeth and rotate teeth. In your case, sometimes the pressure of the tongue when you swallow, or sometimes because of breathing difficulties when you sleep (can be caused by enlarged tonsil) put pressure on those front teeth and push them toward the lips, opening up the small space.
How can I fix a gap in my front teeth without braces?
Yes, you can close small gaps in teeth with quartz-filled resin fillings. That process is known as “bonding.” You can also close the gap‘s with porcelain veneers, but that requires READ MORE
Yes, you can close small gaps in teeth with quartz-filled resin fillings. That process is known as “bonding.” You can also close the gap‘s with porcelain veneers, but that requires work done by a laboratory and is much more expensive than the bonding. One concern is that the problem that caused the teeth to move apart will continue after you’ve had bonding done and another gap will open up.
Straightening one tooth?
Usually, an orthodontist is able to fix this situation with a retainer. Then he can bond a fixed retainer on the tongue side of the lower front teeth, to minimize this recurring. READ MORE
Usually, an orthodontist is able to fix this situation with a retainer. Then he can bond a fixed retainer on the tongue side of the lower front teeth, to minimize this recurring.
Regular dental cleaning?
We have several patients who request that we use anesthetic before doing a dental cleaning. Primarily, that is for patients who have had gum disease, lost bone around the teeth, READ MORE
We have several patients who request that we use anesthetic before doing a dental cleaning. Primarily, that is for patients who have had gum disease, lost bone around the teeth, or very infected gums (bleed easily).
Do small cavities need to be filled?
Small cavities do not always "have to be filled." Sometimes cavities are so small that a filling would do more damage to the tooth than the cavity is doing. Sometimes cavities READ MORE
Small cavities do not always "have to be filled." Sometimes cavities are so small that a filling would do more damage to the tooth than the cavity is doing. Sometimes cavities are so small that they are called "incipient" or "just beginning" and they can sometimes be reversed with use of fluoride and excellent home care and dietary changes. Your dentist call tell you if yours happens to be in one of those categories.
Are dental implants safe to have?
Think of dental implants like tiny versions of knee and hip replacements. I've been restoring them for over 25 years, and have 4 of them myself. Definitely safe!
Will I need an anesthesia for a filing?
If the filling will need to be deep into the tooth, or if the tooth has been sensitive, most people prefer having anesthetic, so they won't feel any pain.
Is it good to floss your teeth?
Most people think that the main purpose of floss is to remove food pieces caught between the teeth. Although floss will do that, the more important purpose is to remove the biofilm READ MORE
Most people think that the main purpose of floss is to remove food pieces caught between the teeth. Although floss will do that, the more important purpose is to remove the biofilm that coats the teeth. When you eat, a film forms on the teeth (like egg yolk on a plate). Brushing will remove the biofilm from most of the teeth, but not the part in between where teeth touch. Bacteria that cause decay and gum disease hide in the sticky biofilm. So by flossing daily, you're removing the biofilm and reducing the chance of decay and gum disease...which recent studies also show can increase the chance of Alzheimer. Best time to floss is after the last time you eat during the day.
Adult tooth is loose. What should I do?
Trauma to a tooth should be checked by your dentist, to see if the tooth might be fractured or displaced. Sometimes it is recommended to splint the loose tooth to the adjacent READ MORE
Trauma to a tooth should be checked by your dentist, to see if the tooth might be fractured or displaced. Sometimes it is recommended to splint the loose tooth to the adjacent teeth, similar to splinting a broken arm with a cast, and in this case, to stabilize the tooth. Although some injured teeth can be eventually lost from the damage, many others will tighten without treatment. Your dentist sees this type of accident regularly, and will be able to check with an Xray for damage that is not visible, and will be able to advise you on your particular situation.
