EXPERT
Dr. Tatiana O. Lucas
Dentist | General Practice
Dr. Lucas wants to inspire and educate her patients on the importance of oral care, healthier and happier smiles! She provides her patients with the most appropriate and current dental therapies available. Her goals are to educate her patients about oral health, offer ethical individualized dental care, and create a relaxing atmosphere where her patients can feel comfortable during treatments. She believes that it is important to learn about and incorporate the latest advances in dentistry and to regularly participate in continuing education events to deliver to her patients great dental care. Dr. Lucas has been voted BEST DENTIST two years in a row by readers of the daily courier newspaper.
22 years
Experience
Dr. Tatiana O. Lucas
- MOUNT PLEASANT, PA
- University of Krasnadar
- Accepting new patients
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What is the best alternative to dental implants?
Generally speaking you may be a candidate for a bridge or a partial to fill the space. The cheapest possible alternative would be a clear aligner with the missing tooth area filled READ MORE
Generally speaking you may be a candidate for a bridge or a partial to fill the space. The cheapest possible alternative would be a clear aligner with the missing tooth area filled in with essentially a painted tooth. A dental exam would be needed to find out if these are possibilities for you and your teeth.
How can I deep clean my gums at home?
Unfortunately you can not. Only dental professional can.
Dental deep cleaning?
Dental cleaning will never cause the issue you describing. This is most likely coincidental. Since you had (according to your story) multiple dental treatments to your teeth, READ MORE
Dental cleaning will never cause the issue you describing. This is most likely coincidental. Since you had (according to your story) multiple dental treatments to your teeth, especially your front teeth, those teeth are at the high risk of developing infection at any time of your life (statistically 20% risk). You definitely will have sensitivity getting worse over lifetime of those teeth again due to the multiple dental treatments. The more the tooth has damage from decay, or the more various dental treatments done, the worse is the health of the tooth in general. So, it is only matter of time when the nerve in the tooth will develop infection. What you describing most likely could be infection on one or multiple teeth, but also it can be an allergy. Sometimes it is impossible to do full diagnosis in person when doctor sees all X-rays and does an exam; it is especially impossible to diagnose over the email or phone. Get an appointment with your dentist, have X-rays and let them evaluate. But one thing is for sure, it is not the cleaning which caused your problem.
Should I whiten my teeth before braces?
You have to be evaluated by a dentist if it is safe to do so - before or after braces. There are many factors which can affect the whitening treatment.
What is the cheapest way to replace a missing tooth?
Partial denture.
How do you know if your teeth have shifted?
If they changed their position from how they were before many months or years ago, they shifted.
What causes extreme pain after tooth extraction?
That depends. You might have had severe infection. The extraction itself is a surgical procedure after which a socket wound is present. It doesn't heal the same as anything outside READ MORE
That depends. You might have had severe infection. The extraction itself is a surgical procedure after which a socket wound is present. It doesn't heal the same as anything outside the mouth. You also might be developing recurrent infection. Go back to the doctor who extracted the tooth, get evaluated. Your body may react in different ways to any medical procedure, and there are many factors which may affect the healing and presence of pain, and it is important to get evaluated.
Can a night guard shift your teeth?
Yes. It can.
Is it OK to rinse with salt water every day?
Yes, it is ok.
Can flossing push food into gums?
No, it can not. Flossing will push food out of your gums and out from between teeth.
How do you floss a permanent crown?
Just like a regular tooth.
How can I deep clean my gums at home?
You can not. Only dental professional can do this.
What toothpaste is best for enamel restoration?
Unfortunately you can not restore enamel with toothpaste. But you can over time strengthen it with the use of Fluoride containing toothpaste like Colgate Total, or any other brand. READ MORE
Unfortunately you can not restore enamel with toothpaste. But you can over time strengthen it with the use of Fluoride containing toothpaste like Colgate Total, or any other brand. Also dentist can prescribe a paste which contains higher Fluoride amounts if indicated.
Can I eat chocolate after a tooth extraction?
Yes, you can, but chew it on the other side of the mouth, and if you still numb where extraction was done, be carefull not to chew up the lip or cheek. If it happens you might READ MORE
Yes, you can, but chew it on the other side of the mouth, and if you still numb where extraction was done, be carefull not to chew up the lip or cheek. If it happens you might need stitches later. Better not to eat while still numb.
How can I speed up the healing of a dry socket?
You can not speed it up by much unfortunately. Keep it clean and don't let food debries to pack in it. If it hurts you can go to your dentist and a special medication for dry socket READ MORE
You can not speed it up by much unfortunately. Keep it clean and don't let food debries to pack in it. If it hurts you can go to your dentist and a special medication for dry socket can be placed in it by a dentist. This doesn't help it heal though, only soothes the pain for a while. It take time and only time for dry socket to heal.
How many times a day should you use a Waterpik?
You can use it as often as you like, it will do no harm, but it will not replace a regular floss. Patients who only use Waterpik and brushing still get cavities between teeth. READ MORE
You can use it as often as you like, it will do no harm, but it will not replace a regular floss. Patients who only use Waterpik and brushing still get cavities between teeth. Nothing is better than floss to clean in between the teeth. This should be done minimum once a day if you don't have any cavities. If cavities present or old fillings, or crowns, flossing should be done at least two times a day.
Do you really need teeth cleaning every 6 months?
That depends on how good patient's teeth, how much decay you have, how many old fillings you have, if you brush and FLOSS regularly and every day at home. Only dentist can tell READ MORE
That depends on how good patient's teeth, how much decay you have, how many old fillings you have, if you brush and FLOSS regularly and every day at home. Only dentist can tell you if you need cleaning and exam every 6 months or more often. Some people need to have cleaning and exam every 3 months if they are considered to be a High risk for decay development. Interval of 6 months is an average recommended interval.
Is it bad to leave a loose tooth in your mouth?
If the tooth is loose because you have periodontal disease, it is bad to leave it in and the tooth have to be removed. If tooth is loose due to trauma- it sometime can be left READ MORE
If the tooth is loose because you have periodontal disease, it is bad to leave it in and the tooth have to be removed. If tooth is loose due to trauma- it sometime can be left in place. All depends on why the tooth is loose. Only a dental professional can correctly evaluate the condition of the tooth and advise the correct treatment.
Can a regular dentist do a bone graft?
Absolutely! Regular dentists can do bone grafts. Some dentists choose not to though and will refer you either to another general dentist who does it, or to an oral surgeon.
Do gums heal from cuts?
Yes, gums do heal from cuts, but time of healing will depend on the severity and depth of a cut. Some cuts have to be sutured up.
