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Dr. Brenda D. Berkal

Dentist

Dr. Brenda Berkal is a Dentist practicing in Derry, New Hampshire. Dr. Berkal 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.
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Dr. Brenda D. Berkal
  • Derry, New Hampshire
  • Tufts University
  • Accepting new patients

What can I do about my yellow teeth?

If the enamel on your teeth is intact and healthy, I'd recommend a professional cleaning, then home lightening. Custom fitted trays to hold lightening gel on your teeth is the READ MORE
If the enamel on your teeth is intact and healthy, I'd recommend a professional cleaning, then home lightening. Custom fitted trays to hold lightening gel on your teeth is the most effective way to brighten your teeth.

How should I prepare for a tooth extraction?

Keep your mouth as clean as possible beforehand. Healthy gums heal faster. If you are having sedation, do NOT eat for 8 hours ahead of time. If you are just having the tooth numbed, READ MORE
Keep your mouth as clean as possible beforehand. Healthy gums heal faster. If you are having sedation, do NOT eat for 8 hours ahead of time. If you are just having the tooth numbed, it is fine to eat before the procedure. Basically, relax. Be confident in your dentist or oral surgeon. They should take good care of you. You don't need to do anything, but show up, and afterward, follow the instructions you are given.

How do you stop your wisdom teeth from hurting?

Frequently, there is not enough room for wisdom teeth. See a dentist or oral surgeon to get an X-ray and evaluate the space. They may need to be removed. Until then, warm salt READ MORE
Frequently, there is not enough room for wisdom teeth. See a dentist or oral surgeon to get an X-ray and evaluate the space. They may need to be removed. Until then, warm salt rinses are a slight help.

Is it hard to chew because of TMJ?

TMJ dysfunction is certainly one possible cause of difficulty chewing. Do you have pain in front of your ears, or is discomfort more on your teeth? A well trained dentist can help READ MORE
TMJ dysfunction is certainly one possible cause of difficulty chewing. Do you have pain in front of your ears, or is discomfort more on your teeth? A well trained dentist can help you figure out what is going on.

Brenda Berkal, DMD

What are the best crowns for front teeth?

A dentist who has seen your teeth can give you the best advice. If the color of the teeth doesn't need to be changed too drastically, e.max can be a good option. How much space READ MORE
A dentist who has seen your teeth can give you the best advice. If the color of the teeth doesn't need to be changed too drastically, e.max can be a good option. How much space is there? Do you grind your teeth? There are many questions ghat help determine the best solution.

Is a periodontal follow up needed if my gingivitis is mild?

Gum infection is treatable, but not curable. Someone who has had gum infection is always more susceptible to further gum infection. Ongoing follow-ups will help manage the disease. READ MORE
Gum infection is treatable, but not curable. Someone who has had gum infection is always more susceptible to further gum infection. Ongoing follow-ups will help manage the disease.

Can root canal treatments cause diseases?

Evidence has found root canals to be safe and effective. There are no scientific studies showing correlation to any disease. Infection from a tooth can potentially be fatal.

How can I straighten my teeth?

Do NOT try "do it yourself" braces! A dentist or orthodontist can make sure your teeth are healthy enough to move and determine the best way to move them.

How can I prevent dental cavities?

It takes 3 things to develop a cavity: a tooth, bacteria, and carbohydrate. Since complete elimination of any one of the three is impractical, meticulous brushing AND flossing, READ MORE
It takes 3 things to develop a cavity: a tooth, bacteria, and carbohydrate. Since complete elimination of any one of the three is impractical, meticulous brushing AND flossing, as well as limiting sugary foods is best.

Brenda Berkal, DMD

How do you heal tooth nerve damage naturally?

If the irritation was very minor, avoiding biting on the tooth might help it heal. If there is pain that is not provoked by anything, or pain to heat, or the tooth is discoloring, READ MORE
If the irritation was very minor, avoiding biting on the tooth might help it heal. If there is pain that is not provoked by anything, or pain to heat, or the tooth is discoloring, there is probably no "natural" way to help it settle down.

Should I get a second opinion about having a root canal?

If you are not having symptoms, can your dentist show you your X-ray? A dark space at the tip of the root is a likely indication of needing a root canal. Many abscessed teeth have READ MORE
If you are not having symptoms, can your dentist show you your X-ray? A dark space at the tip of the root is a likely indication of needing a root canal. Many abscessed teeth have no symptoms and are picked up on routine films. If you are still not feeling right, then get a 2nd opinion.

Brenda Berkal, DMD

Can toothache cause an earache?

If you have a toothache, see a dentist! A toothache is an infection. Infections that are not treated can spread. The back teeth are close to the ear, the pain could be"referred" READ MORE
If you have a toothache, see a dentist! A toothache is an infection. Infections that are not treated can spread. The back teeth are close to the ear, the pain could be"referred" or it could be a separate infection. Seek care.

How do you soothe an irritated tooth?

Pain on biting or releasing the bite may mean there is a crack in the tooth. A dentist can evaluate how severe the crack is, and what the best option is. There are no home remedies READ MORE
Pain on biting or releasing the bite may mean there is a crack in the tooth. A dentist can evaluate how severe the crack is, and what the best option is. There are no home remedies that would fix this.

How do you rebuild tooth enamel?

You can strengthen remaining enamel with some fluoride and calcium toothpastes and topically applied gels. Enamel that is missing cannot grow back. Enamel can be protected or sometimes READ MORE
You can strengthen remaining enamel with some fluoride and calcium toothpastes and topically applied gels. Enamel that is missing cannot grow back. Enamel can be protected or sometimes replaced, depending on how your teeth fit together.

Which are the best dental implants?

There are many good, reputable implant brands. The one that best fits your circumstance, and with which your surgeon is most familiar is probably the best for you. The major brands READ MORE
There are many good, reputable implant brands. The one that best fits your circumstance, and with which your surgeon is most familiar is probably the best for you. The major brands should be the easiest to add the teeth.

How long does a dental bone graft last?

Your surgeon can give you the most accurate answer, knowing the extent of the graft that is needed. The time to place the graft is probably less than you expect. Several days your READ MORE
Your surgeon can give you the most accurate answer, knowing the extent of the graft that is needed. The time to place the graft is probably less than you expect. Several days your mouth may be somewhat sore. I expect there will be stitches for possibly up to 2 weeks. The bone should be durable. (Following up with implant placement in 3 or 4 months is usually ideal.)

Brenda Berkal, DMD

Do wisdom teeth always hurt when they come in?

Wisdom teeth do NOT always hurt when they come in. Teething at any age, can be annoying. It should not be extremely painful. Some wisdom teeth can push against the tooth in front READ MORE
Wisdom teeth do NOT always hurt when they come in. Teething at any age, can be annoying. It should not be extremely painful. Some wisdom teeth can push against the tooth in front which can prevent them from erupting completely. Wisdom teeth can be hard to clean, which makes gum infection more likely. For major pain, you should see a dentist.

When should I be concerned about bleeding gums?

Healthy gums do not bleed. You should see a dentist!

Can an x-ray show if you need a root canal?

If the nerve or pulp of a tooth has been unhealthy for over a month, "stuff" (a technical term) leaks out of the tip of the root and starts to eat away the jaw bone. A black space READ MORE
If the nerve or pulp of a tooth has been unhealthy for over a month, "stuff" (a technical term) leaks out of the tip of the root and starts to eat away the jaw bone. A black space by the tip of the root indicates missing bone. Early in the course of an abscess, before the "black hole" shows up, looking VERY closely at the X-ray, a very thin white line just outside the entire surface of the root may "disappear" at the tip of the root. So, yes, X-rays can show that a root canal is needed.

Brenda Berkal, DMD

How do you take care of a dental bridge?

There are fixed bridges, which you cannot remove. There are also removable partial dentures which should come out for sleeping. You can always ask your dentist what is recommended. READ MORE
There are fixed bridges, which you cannot remove. There are also removable partial dentures which should come out for sleeping. You can always ask your dentist what is recommended. For a fixed bridge: brushing and using a threader to floss underneath and clean the internal surfaces of the neighboring teeth is best. For a removable partial: careful brushing and flossing of the neighboring teeth, cleaning the appliance with its own brush (it can be bigger and slightly firmer than a brush for teeth), as well as soaking the appliance in an appropriate solution while you sleep.

Brenda Berkal, DMD