Dr. Joseph C. Ferraro

Dental crowns or "caps" can protect a tooth that has a large restoration better than replacing it with a larger filling. The remaining tooth structure around the filling is often weaker and more prone to fracture and recurrent decay which can lead to tooth loss. Current dental materials allow us to make crowns of ceramic material which looks just like your tooth in shape and color, and does not easily fracture giving you years of protection for your tooth. We also are able to scan the tooth for a crown, no more messy impressions! The digital file is sent to a dental lab that will mill your crown and design the proper shape and color.

Hi,

Great question! A popular method is all on four, meaning four implants are placed to support a fixed hybrid prosthesis. We often add one or two more to provide additional support depending on your bite.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Sometimes crown margins are prepared slightly above the gum line to allow for crown margins that are easy to clean. While in posterior areas this is more ideal, in areas we call the aesthetic zone it may be unsightly especially if the tooth below the crown is the not the same color. If this is an esthetic concern the crown would need to be remade to lower the crown margin at or slightly below the gum level. If crown margin is short of the preparation model, we call this an open margin, the crown should be remade to protect from future tooth decay and tooth sensitivity.

Your bite may feel slightly different after a new filling is placed; this will normally go away within a few days. If you feel like you're hitting a speed bump when chewing your food or are experiencing pain after a day or two of the procedure, call your dentist to have the filling adjusted and checked. Sometimes we will also take another radiograph of the tooth to check the root and ligament around the tooth as well as the filling itself.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

This is a great question and the answer is yes. Missing teeth can affect how you position your tongue also anterior missing teeth will make it difficult to get lip seal and make it harder for your tongue to position correctly, causing speech concerns. Tooth replacement is often easy to do and can protect your remaining teeth from further damage.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Great question. Veneers can help repair cosmetic concerns on teeth without having to do as much tooth reduction as a crown would require. Crowns are needed when there are large fillings, root canals, fractures, multi-surface decay areas, severe attrition (wear) and certain bite problems. Veneers can correct mis-shaped or mis-aligned teeth that are otherwise healthy, lengthen teeth and improve color.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Great Question! While hydrogen peroxide can help control bacteria, it will not stop progression of dental decay in your tooth as there is damaged tooth structure in the cavity which has to be removed in order to protect your tooth from further damage.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

If you have a tooth with failing endodontics and it has been deemed "not restorable", implant therapy is a great option to replace the tooth. I would not recommend an implant as a replacement for root canal therapy. It is usually best to restore and retain your natural teeth.

This is a commonly asked question, it can vary, your dental health, oral hygiene, and the treatment itself are all factors of longevity. I have seen composites that are ten years old that look great and others that need replacement. In my opinion it is the material of choice for smaller dental restorations as I can be very conservative with tooth removal to place a composite. I personally do not use amalgam anymore. Well placed composites can give many years of service, however if there is a larger filling or weak tooth structure around the filling a crown would be the better choice for longevity and tooth protection.
Schedule an evaluation today- See you at the office Dr Joe Ferraro

A local anesthetic is normally used to allow for a comfortable root canal procedure. Most patients experience no discomfort during the procedure. If you feel any pain occurring, placing additional local anesthetic will immediately alleviate the discomfort. Always best to discuss your concerns about a procedure with your dentist prior scheduling the appointment which often eliminates most concerns or fears about treatment.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Your discomfort should be temporary, but best to see your dentist for an examination and possible palliative care to alleviate your sensitivity. A professional tooth cleaning followed by a fluoride varnish application with a prescription of an Acidulated Calcium Phosphate toothpaste can help remineralize your teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Great question! You may have an open contact or irregular shaped contact that is allowing food to get trapped between your teeth. Recession or bone loss around teeth can also cause spaces for food to collect. Often, the tissue is inflamed in these areas. There are also other causes and an examination by your dentist is advisable to help you maintain normal oral health. Gingival bleeding is a sign of inflammation, and should never be ignored.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

A commonly asked question. Unfortunately, whitening will not lighten the restored part of your tooth. From your description, it sounds like a ceramic crown will solve your problem. Schedule a visit with your dentist to discuss treatment and provide a long-term solution to protect your tooth.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Well done on maintaining your dental health and seeking needed care! Root canals on front teeth are the same procedure as back teeth. Front teeth are usually a bit easier to access and often have less canals than your molar teeth. Your dentist will access the pulpal chamber from the back side of your tooth or lingual surface. Once the pulp chamber has been accessed the root canal is shaped and cleansed with files and rotary instruments. I liken this part of a root canal to cleaning a swimming pool, then a sealer is used to keep bacteria and foreign particles out of the canal to help you maintain a healthy tooth.

If your front tooth does not have any decay or filling a small filling is placed on the back of your tooth to seal the access. If there is decay or previous fillings present, a ceramic crown, which will match the shade of your other teeth is recommended to prevent your tooth from further damage. In some cases where there has been deterioration to the enamel and coronal portion of your tooth the part (the visible portion of the tooth, a fiber post may be also placed in the root canal after the sealer has been placed to provide additional retention for your crown. (A fiber post is a tooth colored fiber resin material that gives additional support inside your tooth.)

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Recurrent canker sores may be an indication that your immune system or nutrition is lacking. I recommend a vitamin B supplement and probiotic. Also, over-the-counter treatments like Kanka can help comfort pain associated with canker sores.

Best to see your dentist for more professional remedies, laser treatment and steroid oral rinses will often more quickly improve symptoms. Also, annual oral cancer examinations will rule out other concerns than can look like canker sores.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Very good question! There may be times antibiotics are indicated especially if there is purulence (pus) present when opening up an infected tooth. This is not the situation for the majority of root canals we treat. In the past, antibiotics were routinely prescribed, you may have noticed over the past few years we are not recommending antibiotics for many procedures where it was used in the past. Examples of this are joint replacement after one year, (unless there was complications, uncontrolled diabetes, or patients have a compromised immune system, prophylactic medication for heart murmur. For most endo a full course of antibiotics or any is not required. Best to talk with your dentist for their recommendation as each situation is customized to the health history of the patient.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Great question! Baking soda will not damage your teeth, however, it is best to use a fluoridated toothpaste to clean your teeth for the best protection. There are baking soda toothpastes sold over-the-counter.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

The ingredients in oral ulcer mouth gels contain benzocaine to numb, an antiseptic and an ointment to cover the sore area, swallowing a small amount is of no concern and not harmful.
Best to have oral sores checked by your dentist for professional care and treatment options.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

Sorry your son fell and chipped his tooth, very disheartening for a parent, especially your first child. Most small chips are more concerning to the parent because of esthetics and not for the child. As your child can be managed in a dental setting. there is plenty of time to fix the problem if required.

I find most very young children need a little time to warm up to the office, so we decide when to fix or if it needs to be fixed on an individual patient basis, as each child is so different when they will allow us to do simple procedures. Have your dentist perform an oral exam on your child best to bring in at age one for a dental exam, we may only take a look at such a young age, but examine for growth and development concerns, tongue tied, and other oral function. It also allows your child to get use to the dental office so if they need work at ages 3 or 4 we have a better chance of creating a nice experience for your child.

Dr. Joe Ferraro

This is a very good question, and one that is related to an important topic of sleep apnea and sleep deprivation. Usually, grinding teeth at night indicates airway concerns and I would suggest seeing your dentist and a possible referral for a sleep study. These can now be done at home for most patients, but must be diagnosed by a sleep specialist. In some cases, an oral appliance can be fabricated, and for others a C-PaP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device is used to aid in providing adequate breathing to maintain oxygen levels in the brain while sleeping.

Another concern during sleep apneic episodes, the person will waken and while this is occurring acid reflux occurs and stomach acid can go into the oral cavity. This can also irritate the esophagus, trachea, and cause upper respiratory irritation. Chronic acid reflux leads to increased dental disease.

There are many that have compromised airways, and when in deep sleep, the muscles are very relaxed, closing the airway. Bruxism is one way the body responds, much like a reflex to open airways during sleep. Please seek professional care from your dentist as chronic nightly bruxism is highly correlated with sleep disturbances.

Again great question and a very important topic related to dental health!

Dr. Joe Ferraro