FAQs

The best way to prevent plaque and tartar is by brushing and flossing daily. Your teeth and gums will stay clean if you have a daily hygiene routine. It will minimize the risk of gingivitis or tooth decay as you age.

When bacteria surrounds the teeth and enters the gums, it can cause gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become irritated, inflamed and bleed. To prevent the condition from worsening, regular cleanings are recommended. The hygienist may also show patients proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Periodontal disease is a broader term for gingivitis. It begins with little or no symptoms, but like gingivitis, it is caused by bacteria that surrounds the teeth and enters the gums. The gums become irritated, inflamed and bleed. If not treated, the condition only worsens. Symptoms include bad breath, gum recession, gum sensitivity to acidic foods, abscesses, tooth pain and tooth loss.

Immediate attention is necessary. Through a series of periodontal cleanings, root planing and scaling, laser therapy and local antibiotics, the condition can be controlled. Severe cases may require surgery.

There are a few but none that should cause alarm.

Silver fillings are known as amalgam fillings and have been around for decades.

Made from a metal alloy, the metal expands and contracts as hot and cold food or drinks are placed in the mouth. This allows for little bacteria to enter the tooth once it is filled. The tooth remains healthy and strong.

White fillings, also known as composites, are made of plastic or glass polymers. Cavities are filled with a substance that will look and feel just like an tooth. This restoration is created with a resin material and fits tightly into a tooth to prevent decay. Rather than a gray or silver material in your mouth, the composite color will match the tooth color.

There are numerous ways. Dental procedures that will improve the look of your smile include teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns or bridges and dentures.

Contact Riverview Dental today at 860.423.5518 to speak to a member of our team. A customized treatment plan will be prepared just for you.

Whitening is a cost-effective and safe procedure to restore teeth to their original sheen. Over the years, fluoride has been added as a whitening product because it reduces the risk of tooth and gum sensitivity. Tooth whitening is monitored by your dentist and only done after an exam and a comprehensive cleaning are completed.

Whitening can last for years, if maintained properly. Beverages such as coffee, tea, cola and wine will reduce the whitening. Remember, if it can stain a white shirt, it will stain your smile!

If you have gaps between your teeth or want to change a tooth’s color, bonding is a treatment to consider. The immediate results are amazing. In only a few hours, you will notice a difference in the look of your teeth. Like whitening, bonding can last for years if maintained. Drinking coffee, tea, cola and wine may change the color over time.

Crowns are a permanent cosmetic procedure that covers a damaged tooth. A crown can change the size, shape and color of a patient’s teeth in as few as two visits.

It’s a replacement for a missing tooth or a missing tooth root. Made from titanium, this screw-like object is inserted under the gum and into the upper or lower jaw bone. After several months, the implant and bone fuse together, creating an anchor for the new tooth. There is little discomfort during the procedure.

Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Implants look and function like natural teeth. An implant is maintained by routine cleaning visits and decreases the possibility of bone loss, periodontal disease, tooth movement, and further tooth loss. Implants are a replacement option for dentures because the implant replaces only the tooth that is missing. A traditional bridge would involve the adjacent teeth to create a false tooth in between.

Almost everyone. Advancements in dentistry, and specifically dental implants, make most people candidates. There can be exceptions, but the exceptions are usually because of chronic illnesses, heart disease or severe osteoporosis.

The average implant procedure requires 3 to 4 visits. The first visit is to X-ray the implant area, take an impression that will serve as a surgical guide, and create a temporary prosthesis to cover the implant.

The next visit will place the implant after a local anesthesia is applied. A minor incision is made by the dentist where the implant will be placed. The implant is then inserted into the jaw bone and sutures close the wound. The procedure.

You will return in about three months when the porcelain crown is ready to cover the implant.

Fees vary from dentist to dentist. Schedule a consultation to discuss the procedure with the dentist and confirm all fees.

With routine cleanings and proper home care, an implant can last about 30 years.

Call Riverview Dental at 860.423.5518 to discuss payment options.