FAQs

A: There are numerous ways to improve a smile. One is simply through color. Our teeth pick up a lot of stains through our diet and habits, i.e. smoking, coffee, tea, and even such things as blueberries. In addition, as we age, the protective coating on our teeth known as enamel begins to wear away and eventually becomes thinner showing the inner yellow color. Bleaching our teeth through proper methods can dramatically aid in the enhancement of ones smile. However, there is more to a smile than simply color, teeth shape, contacts, teeth position etc…. All of these aid in how we smile and when we smile. Here at Agave Dentistry we look forward to partnering with each of our patients to improve their smile from color to crowns. Come visit us to see how we can improve your smile.

Dental implants are a great resource to use when restoring missing teeth or to help secure a denture in place. In addition, an implant will look like a tooth, act like a tooth and function like a tooth without the risk of a cavity. It is a great resource for many people. We are qualified to take you through the whole process from initial diagnosis to implant placement and complete restoration. We welcome your questions to see if an implant is the right restoration for you.

A: Many people grind or clench their teeth for a variety of reasons, stress being one of them. Typically, grinding and clenching occurs while one is sleeping and not realizing it. For a trained professional, however, it is usually easy to recognize and diagnosis. Through habitual grinding and clenching, teeth can flatten and trauma can occur to existing fillings or other restorations. A possible treatment option is the fabrication of a night guard. A night guard is a device that covers your teeth and is worn at night, when the grinding or clenching happens. The use of a night guard causes the wear to occur on the device and ultimately protects your teeth and any restorations.

A: Typically, many dental exams and cleanings happen every six months. For others, it may be more beneficial to have cleanings every two to four months, depending on the severity of gingivitis or periodontal disease. There are different factors to consider to determine how often an exam or cleaning should be done. We provide a thorough comprehensive exam to determine the health of your teeth. If you have not had a dental exam or cleaning for a while, call Agave Dentistry today and schedule your comprehensive exam. We look forward to serving you.

A: A crown is needed when a tooth has a large decay or cavity that compromises the function of the tooth or if the tooth has a large restoration that has a cavity underneath it. Another reason for the need of a crown is if the tooth has been fractured or broken but is still restorable. Whatever the need, a crown is used to restore the tooth both functionally and aesthetically. A dental crown can restore the tooth back to its original size, shape, and color. Further, a crown surrounds the tooth and makes it strong again. Badly broken or decayed teeth can be strengthened with dental crowns. In addition to restoring the tooth, dental crowns can be used to change the shape, size, and color of an existing tooth or close a space or spaces between teeth and correct minor rotation and positions of existing teeth for a better functional or aesthetic appearance. Dental crowns can improve the general appearance, adding to the patient’s self-confidence and desire to freely smile.

A: It is recommended to bring a child into the dental office as soon as their baby teeth begin to show. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which is get your child accustomed to the dental setting. If a child feels comfortable, then they are more likely to be consistently seen and therefore a healthier mouth. In addition, as a child grows and the primary teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth (adult teeth) there are a lot of things to look for, i.e. spacing, missing adult teeth, third molars (wisdom teeth) etc… All of these possible complications can be easily corrected with appropriate treatment as long as the child is seen regularly. At Agave Dentistry we welcome children and adults of all ages.

A: There are many things that cause tooth sensitivity from cavities to recessive gums. Cavities are literal depressions or holes in a tooth caused by bacteria. As the bacteria grow and multiply, the size of the cavity grows as well. The continued growth into the tooth gets closer and closer to the inner portion also known as the pulp. The closer in proximity to the inner portion of the tooth creates sensitivity. If the sensitivity is ignored then the sensitivity typically will become painful. The sensitive tooth caused by a cavity is a warning sign to get the tooth fixed.

Another causative agent for tooth sensitivity are recessive gums. This is when the gums have become reduced in height from the point where they were at initially. This does not happen immediately, but over time. This can happen through friction applied by a toothbrush when brushing, heavy biting or grinding and age. Teeth become sensitive as enamel (the outer portion of the tooth) is worn away exposing the inner layer, or dentin. Sensitivity increases the closer we move to the innermost part. Even slight removal of the enamel increases sensitivity.

A: Truly, in order to prevent anything, it is essential to understand what is the cause. It would be an injustice to answer this question with a simple: bush, floss and visit your dentist for a good cleaning every six months. While this is a good practice for anyone to do, it is not all, nor is it a “one size fits all”. To better answer this question we will break it down into three parts, i.e. tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. First, tooth decay, what causes it and how to prevent it. The causative agent in tooth decay is that of bacteria. The bacteria that cause tooth decay are found in the oral cavity shortly following our birth and stay with us throughout life. They love sugary foods like that of simple carbohydrates and sugars, the food that stays on the teeth longer allows better access and nutrition for the bacteria. Another major culprit is that of sugary drinks, i.e. pop, energy or sports drinks. Not only do these drinks have a large amount of sugar in them, they create an acidic environment in the mouth. The bacteria that cause tooth decay love an acidic environment, they thrive in acidic environments. So not only is it best to minimize the intake of these substances, but it is imperative to continually keep the area clean, i.e. brushing, flossing etc. as well as regularly seeing your dentist for a checkup and a good cleaning.

A: Really, a simple answer to this question is found in one word, time. Spending time cleaning your teeth, gums and tongue will pay you back in the long run with an overall healthy mouth. There are a lot of products out there that promote good oral health, from toothbrushes to toothpaste to mouthwash. Which one is better? Really, this all comes down to which one someone prefers. Each one of us like different things, like that of taste and texture, the companies that produce these products have catered their products to meet such desires. But, the best toothbrush with the best toothpaste will not do any good unless they are used properly. This is spending time practicing good oral hygiene.

A: In order to answer this question it is best to describe how a toothbrush, whether it be a manual or an electric, is effective. A toothbrush is used to actively clean off the plaque, the soft sticky substance that adheres to a tooth following any food or drink, from the tooth. The purpose of the toothpaste is to bring into the cleaning process small abrasive substances and chemical protective agents to assist the body in fighting the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. As one cleans with a manual toothbrush it works only when it is placed against the tooth and with minimal amount of pressure. An electric toothbrush works in much of the same way as a manual toothbrush except that it does all the movements of cleaning on its own through either vibration or circular motions. Another benefit that an electric toothbrush has is that a majority of them have an internal timer that shuts off when the average time for brushing is complete. This cuts out the guesswork as to how long one should brush their teeth. With this in mind, if an electric toothbrush is used as a manual then it could actually do damage to the gums. However, if one struggles to brush their teeth, either through dexterity means or muscle deficiencies then an electric toothbrush would be best. Whichever is chosen, the key is to spend the time cleaning.

A: There are a lot of products out there that promote good oral health, from toothbrushes to toothpaste to mouthwash. Which one is better? Really, this all comes down to which one someone prefers. Each one of us like different things, like that of taste and texture, the companies that produce these products have catered their products to meet such desires. For the most part, most of the toothpastes are very similar to one another other than the ones that are compounded to alleviate sensitivity. Whichever one you choose it works best when it is used.

A: Every insurance company is different in their benefits and their coverage. For the most part, a majority of insurance companies cover what they call preventive procedures, i.e. cleanings, exams and x-rays. After the preventive treatment, it becomes somewhat complex as to what is covered, what is not covered and what is partially covered. Here at Agave Dentistry we strive to gain the most accurate accounting possible for every patient and their insurance. We never want you to overpay for a procedure or overpay for insurance. If you have insurance, come into our office and we will assist you in determining the best possible options that are available to you. In addition, if you do not have insurance we will work with you in determining the best options at the most reasonable cost.