On Cavities, Gum Disease, and Achieving That Radiant White Smile

How can I have a cavity if my tooth doesn’t hurt?

You can actually have a large hole in your tooth without it causing a major toothache unless or until the nerve becomes hypersensitive or infected. However, the larger a hole gets, the harder it is to repair conservatively. So, it’s always better to find a cavity in its smaller state through X-rays and fix it when it’s tiny, which is less time-consuming and costly and offers us a better chance of saving more of your natural tooth.

How can you tell if I have gum disease?

Gum disease is a bacterial disease. The bacteria slowly destroy the bone that holds your teeth in your skull. So, the biggest warning sign is when we see bone loss on an X-ray. Other signs are bleeding when the hygienist measures around your teeth and stinky breath. We want to find gum disease as early as possible before it can enter your blood stream and travel to your brain or heart. We can also take samples of the bacteria in your mouth and look at it under a microscope or send your sample to a lab to determine exactly which bacteria are present. Gum disease is a particular threat to Type 2 diabetics because it can negatively affect blood sugar. We always want to identify and treat gum disease as soon as possible.

What’s the best way to whiten my teeth, and how can I avoid/treat sensitivity when I do?

While there are many ways to whiten teeth, the tried-and-true way is with custom-fitted dental trays. These can be worn day or night. And whitening will last longer when it’s done slowly over time. We often see tooth sensitivity in patients who grind or clinch their teeth. For them, we recommend whitening during the day in two 30-minute intervals to lessen the length of time the trays are in the mouth. It can also help those with sensitivity to use a product with lower peroxide levels. We also have a desensitizer product that’s very effective for reducing sensitivity when used prior to whitening.

How effective is AI in detecting cavities, cysts, and abscesses?

We use Pearl AI, which is extremely effective. But even with the best technology, the doctor shouldn’t check their brain at the door. AI is a great tool for showing patients what we can see in their mouths. It displays cavities in color for the patient to very clearly see and our patients love that. AI improves efficiency and accuracy, but it shouldn’t replace the experience and clinical judgment of a dental professional.

Will a same-day crown be as strong as one made in a lab?

Absolutely. Our patients love same-day crowns because it means they don’t have to wear unreliable temporary crowns. Your same-day crown is made by using a scanner. Then, our office essentially becomes the lab manufacturing your crown out of the same material as one from an offsite lab, zirconia porcelain, making it every bit as strong, beautiful, and reliable.