We strive to be your premier choice when you’re looking for a Venice, FL dentist. We make our patients our priority, and we’ll always go above and beyond to deliver top-notch dental treatments and care. One of the ways that we put our patients first is through patient education and making sure that they're always aware and knowledgeable about both their dental health and also the dental process. For the benefit of our patients, we’d like to provide a list of some of the most frequently asked questions and our responses to them.
What Will Occur at the Initial Examination?
The initial exam with your Venice, FL dentist will involve:
- A Panoramic X-Ray
- Four Bitewings
- An Oral Cancer Screening
- Periodontal Examination
- A Thorough Examination of each tooth, including existing restorations and problem areas, if any
After this initial exam, there will be a follow-up consultation appointment where the doctors will present treatment options, the time involved and the cost of each option.
How Often Are X-Rays Taken and Are They Dangerous?
Dental X-rays are necessary in maintaining the health of a patient’s mouth; many problems can only be revealed with an X-ray examination. How many need to be taken depends entirely on the patient’s individual health needs. However, in our Venice, FL office, exposure to radiation from dental X-rays is minimal. We use a state-of-the-art digital X-ray system where the exposure to radiation is 90% less than the old film type of X-rays.
What Is TMJ and What Are Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the ball and socket joint that connects the lower jaw to your head. TMJ disorders will typically cause pain in the jaw, neck, and around the ear and you may have trouble with opening or closing the jaw.
What Causes Dry Mouth and What Are the Consequences?
Dry mouth is caused because of a reduced flow of saliva and can eventually lead to tooth decay and loss of taste. Some of the reasons this can happen include:
- Age
- Head and neck radiation for cancer treatments
- Mouth breathing
- Medications that include muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and pain relievers
There are many over-the-counter products that can relieve dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum is another great way to help.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is usually caused by bacteria that grows on the soft tissue of the gums. Other factors that can cause it include genetics, tobacco usage, and certain medications. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums and it’s reversible with regular brushing and flossing. An advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, occurs when the bacteria has already destroyed bone. While this stage usually isn’t reversible, the bone can be maintained through deep cleanings or gum surgery.
How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Overall Health?
Gum disease can lead to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
What Is a Biopsy?
A biopsy is the process of removing a small piece of tissue so that a pathologist can identify the condition and potentially rule out cancer. A surgical biopsy removes a piece of tissue and will require local anesthetic. A brush biopsy is a brush that removes a superficial layer of cells.
How Often Should I See My Venice, FL Dentist?
Most people should see the dentist every six months. However, there are some people who should be seen on a more frequent basis. These people include those who:
- Have a greater risk for oral diseases.
- Have active periodontal disease.
- Have poor hygiene.
- Use tobacco.
- Have certain other medical conditions.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that’s inserted into the jawbone. It’s essentially an artificial root that can be used to support a crown, a partial denture, a bridge or a full denture.
Will Dental Implants Cause Any Pain?
Dental implants are placed while a patient is under local anesthesia so there should be no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Any post-operative discomfort is minimal and patients will be able to go about their normal activities the next day.
How Long Will It Take to Place a Dental Implant?
It will typically take 2 hours or less for the procedure of placing an implant.
How Long Will the Entire Dental Implant Process Take?
From start to finish, it will generally take from 3-9 months.
How Long Will Implants Last?
Dental implants can often last around 25 to 40 years. However, with proper care, a dental implant may even last a lifetime.
What’s the Success Rate of Dental Implants?
Dental implants have about a 97% success rate over a 10-year period.
How Do I Take Care of My Dental Implants?
One of the great things about dental implants is that they require the exact same care as the rest of your teeth. Just continue with your daily brushing and flossing along with regularly visiting your Venice, FL dentist. This will help ensure the success of your dental implant.
Does Dental Insurance Pay for Dental Implants?
Typically, they won’t. However, we’ll be glad to look over your insurance and see if it’s covered.
Contact Your Venice, FL Dentist Today!
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with your Venice, FL dentist, you can give us a call at (941) 484-3885. We can’t wait to hear from you!