EXPERT
Dr. Paul R. Brand, DDS
Dentist
Dr. Paul Brand is a Dentist practicing in Plymouth, NH. Dr. Brand 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.
Dr. Paul R. Brand, DDS
- Plymouth, NH
- Accepting new patients
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How is dental bone loss treated?
I have to assume you’re taking about dental bone loss due to periodontal disease (gum disease). When there is substantial bone loss, it is imperative that the periodontal disease READ MORE
I have to assume you’re taking about dental bone loss due to periodontal disease (gum disease). When there is substantial bone loss, it is imperative that the periodontal disease is treated by a periodontist (a dental specialist) in order to stop the progression of the disease. It is almost impossible to replace the bone loss successfully, even though local bone grafts work to support a dental implant, larger areas of bone loss usually do not allow for replacement.
Is it normal to have jaw pain after oral surgery?
Not sure what the specifics of “having oral surgery” you’re referring to, but ANY surgery is bound to cause discomfort just from the procedure itself - does it hurt next day after READ MORE
Not sure what the specifics of “having oral surgery” you’re referring to, but ANY surgery is bound to cause discomfort just from the procedure itself - does it hurt next day after you accidentally cut yourself? Of course!
Can a dental bridge be done in one day?
It can if a dentist uses an in-office porcelain milling unit, but we always opted for stronger materials when doing a bridge that could be under greater stress (back teeth for READ MORE
It can if a dentist uses an in-office porcelain milling unit, but we always opted for stronger materials when doing a bridge that could be under greater stress (back teeth for instance), which requires placing a temporary bridge to allow fabrication of the bridge in the lab. A one-day bridge would be acceptable if the area was under less stress, like the front of the mouth, but some patients place inordinate amounts of stress on all their teeth, which would lead to premature failure of this kind of bridge.
Does sugar cause gum inflammation?
Sugar causes inflammation in your entire body when you consume it, so reducing sugar in your diet will reduce the overall inflammation level in your whole system. The major cause READ MORE
Sugar causes inflammation in your entire body when you consume it, so reducing sugar in your diet will reduce the overall inflammation level in your whole system. The major cause of gum inflammation, though, is the reaction your immune system has to bacteria sitting on your teeth at and below the gum line (hence the need to brush more frequently and FLOSS correctly every day).
What is the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning at the dentist?
A "deep cleaning" is usually the lay term used for describing periodontal scaling and root planing, which is needed by those patients who have deeper than normal gum pockets. If READ MORE
A "deep cleaning" is usually the lay term used for describing periodontal scaling and root planing, which is needed by those patients who have deeper than normal gum pockets. If you have normal (2-4mm) gum sulci (the gum pockets), then you do not need "deep cleaning" - it's when patients develop deeper (4-6mm and beyond) pockets that scaling and root planing is
needed; unless you haven't been to the dentist in a long time, where significant calculus (tartar) has formed.
needed; unless you haven't been to the dentist in a long time, where significant calculus (tartar) has formed.
Will titanium implants trigger airport security?
No, not at all
Can a salt water rinse heal a tooth infection?
If it’s truly an infection in your tooth, a saltwater rents won’t do anything at all because it can’t get to the infection. Even antibiotics won’t cure it - you either need to READ MORE
If it’s truly an infection in your tooth, a saltwater rents won’t do anything at all because it can’t get to the infection. Even antibiotics won’t cure it - you either need to have the infection treated by a dentist or, unfortunately, have the tooth removed, which then creates other problems.
How do you tell if a tooth crown is not fitted properly?
There are several ways to tell if a crown doesn’t fit properly. If your floss catches on it when you go down below the gum line that’s not a good sign, or if you get food stuck READ MORE
There are several ways to tell if a crown doesn’t fit properly. If your floss catches on it when you go down below the gum line that’s not a good sign, or if you get food stuck between your teeth because the contact isn’t tight with the next tooth; lastly, you ask a good dentist to examine it and that is the most reliable way in which to tell if the crown fits properly.
How long does a crown last on a front tooth?
A crown on any tooth can last for years and years if it’s kept very clean - the factor that sometimes brings people to replace a front crown is the shade - teeth darken over time READ MORE
A crown on any tooth can last for years and years if it’s kept very clean - the factor that sometimes brings people to replace a front crown is the shade - teeth darken over time and the crown doesn’t. This can be dealt with by whitening your teeth if the crown begins to look lighter than your other teeth.
Do you wear Invisalign to sleep?
Yes, absolutely - if you don't wear the aligners to bed, most of the movement that would have occurred during the day would be lost and the treatment would either be ruined entirely READ MORE
Yes, absolutely - if you don't wear the aligners to bed, most of the movement that would have occurred during the day would be lost and the treatment would either be ruined entirely or require multiple corrections with new scans/impressions and redoing the aligner sequences. The closer to wearing them 100% of the time the better, except for eating and brushing/flossing. 22 hours a day is ideal.
Can screws come loose after jaw surgery?
You didn’t say if you’d had the surgery or are just anticipating possible complications, but in 35 years, we never saw the loosening of screws since ultimately they incorporate READ MORE
You didn’t say if you’d had the surgery or are just anticipating possible complications, but in 35 years, we never saw the loosening of screws since ultimately they incorporate into surrounding bone. Implant screws loosening, yes, but screws in jaw bone? Nope.
At what age do gums start receding?
There is no particular age at which an individual’s gums recede even though gums do tend to recede over time. There are other factors that influence gum recession besides age, READ MORE
There is no particular age at which an individual’s gums recede even though gums do tend to recede over time. There are other factors that influence gum recession besides age, such as the way in which your teeth fit together, if you grind your teeth, and the type of tissue that you were born with (some gum tissue is more fragile than others).
How do I calm down before going to the dentist?
It sounds like you need to explore whatever fears you have about going to the dentist with someone who can help sort out what triggers anxiety the most. It may be finding a sympathetic READ MORE
It sounds like you need to explore whatever fears you have about going to the dentist with someone who can help sort out what triggers anxiety the most. It may be finding a sympathetic dentist who can talk to you about this at length (they do exist) or maybe a counselor who can help with it also. We had many patients who had significant anxiety about going to the dentist, but they managed to overcome it by having assurance that we would explain everything in detail beforehand and being understanding when they had trouble with anything. Identifying what has created this anxiety about dentistry is the first step.
Best wishes in your quest.
Best wishes in your quest.
What is the difference between root planing and scaling?
Those two terms usually go together - scaling removes the hardened calculus (tartar) and root planing smooths the root to allow for better healing.
Do fillings make your teeth stronger?
Fillings do not make your teeth stronger. On the contrary, every cavity you get that requires a filling to be placed makes your tooth weaker. It's like putting another hole in READ MORE
Fillings do not make your teeth stronger. On the contrary, every cavity you get that requires a filling to be placed makes your tooth weaker. It's like putting another hole in a joist in your house and filling it with something strong - the material filling that hole can be monumentally strong, but the joist is still weaker and prone to cracking/breaking from stress - just like your teeth.
Can bonding help sensitive teeth?
Yes, bonding can help reduce sensitivity in teeth, but it depends on whether you have generalized (most or all of your teeth) sensitivity or if it's localized to a few teeth, where READ MORE
Yes, bonding can help reduce sensitivity in teeth, but it depends on whether you have generalized (most or all of your teeth) sensitivity or if it's localized to a few teeth, where bonding would be most effective. If you have worn enamel where the sensitivity is located that would also be a good indication for bonding to be done.
How long does it take to get used to veneers?
That’s too broad a question to answer without knowing what it is that you’re concerned about. Some people “get used” to them right away because they are just thin layers of either READ MORE
That’s too broad a question to answer without knowing what it is that you’re concerned about. Some people “get used” to them right away because they are just thin layers of either porcelain or composite resin, but everyone adapts differently to changes, especially in the mouth if you’re a sensitive person.
Can you get gum disease with dentures?
Classical gum disease, or periodontal disease, isn't possible when teeth aren't present. The only soft tissue diseases that can be present with dentures would be non-periodontal READ MORE
Classical gum disease, or periodontal disease, isn't possible when teeth aren't present. The only soft tissue diseases that can be present with dentures would be non-periodontal in nature, like a fungal infection or other, non-periodontal disease.
Does wisdom teeth pain come and go?
Yes, it does. Wisdom teeth start to erupt a bit, then stop and become silent for a while. It's always wise to make sure your dentist has viewed your wisdom teeth, both clinically READ MORE
Yes, it does. Wisdom teeth start to erupt a bit, then stop and become silent for a while. It's always wise to make sure your dentist has viewed your wisdom teeth, both clinically and via X-rays to make sure they're not more problematic (they can cause other problems that aren't always evident until later).
How should I sleep with tooth pain from braces?
Although it will slow down the movement of your teeth if you take it frequently, NSAID medications like Ibuprofen and Naproxen help significantly with discomfort from orthodontic READ MORE
Although it will slow down the movement of your teeth if you take it frequently, NSAID medications like Ibuprofen and Naproxen help significantly with discomfort from orthodontic appliances and you shouldn't have to keep taking them since discomfort abates quickly after your teeth begin to respond to the braces. Just take it for a day or two and you should find that you don't need to keep taking it. That way, the braces can work more effectively since the NSAID medication actually slows down the orthodontic movement.
