Dr. Michelle Tessaro & Dr. Mario Menechella

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Patient Education - Most Frequently Asked Questions

At Stoney Mountain Dental Care, we believe that education is the key to productive patient/dental office relationship. Every day in our dental office we speak with our patients to answer any questions that they may have regarding the health and maintenance of their teeth and oral condition, our goal is to ensure they leave with the information they need.

Listed below for your reference are the questions that we are asked most often: (click question to see the answer):

“A: Yes, Stoney Mountain Dental Care continues to grow and accept new patients. Walk-ins and emergencies are also welcome. Call us to schedule your appointment. ”

“A: Bleeding after brushing or flossing can be unsettling. It can also be a sign of an otherwise mostly silent disease — periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss. It is a build-up of bacteria from plaque and tartar that can inflame or infect gum and bone.

Periodontal disease causes deep pockets to form in tissue between the gums and teeth. This sometimes gives the appearance of puffy or receding gums. During dental exams, we routinely examine your gums. There are a number of treatments for bleeding gums and periodontal disease, including removing plaque and tartar below the gum line. These treatments, performed in a dental office, are called scaling and root planing. They allow the gum to heal and become healthy again. We recommend daily brushing and flossing as well as regular checkups and cleanings to help prevent periodontal disease. ”

“A: Many of us who grew up before the time of fluoridated water have a mouth full of silver fillings. These fillings known as amalgams, have proven to be extremely durable restorations, but they are not very pleasing to the eye.

Fortunately, recent advances in dental materials have made it possible to use tooth coloured filling materials. These materials can be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and are used to achieve long lasting and attractive restorations. In our practice, we use tooth coloured materials for almost all of the fillings that we place. We even use these materials to replace old amalgam fillings that have started to deteriorate or that simply detract from the appearance of our patient’s smiles. ”

“A: Many of our patients have asked us about replacing very old crowns that have deteriorated or crowns that do not blend well with their natural teeth. We will ensure that the shade is matched and the crown is shaped precisely for a very natural, indistinguishable appearance that is also functional. ”

“A: Dental bonding is a simple, painless and affordable procedure that has many uses, including:

• repairing chipped or cracked teeth
• closing spaces between teeth
• reshaping teeth
• covering badly stained teeth

Bonding involves the application of a tooth-coloured resin. The dentist prepares the tooth for bonding by placing a mild chemical on it to roughen the surface. Using a shade guide, the dentist selects a shade that closely matches your tooth and then mixes and tints the resin. The resin is applied in thin layers and then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser. The dentist then shapes and polishes the resin to smooth it and give it a natural look.

The procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. You can even get several teeth bonded in one visit. No special techniques are needed to care for bonded teeth - just good oral hygiene. ”

“A: You may have heard a lot about cosmetic dentistry, and for good reason. Cosmetic dentistry holds the promise of a brighter, more attractive smile. Restoring the beauty of your smile through cosmetic treatments can do wonders for your sense of confidence. We offer a wide range of treatments that can improve the colour of your teeth, repair chips and cracks, and cover dark stains. We can also help with crowded and crooked teeth.

If you have any questions about the appearance of your smile and the possibilities offered by cosmetic dentistry, speak to us today. ”

“A: Having a tooth knocked out is one of the most serious dental emergencies. It can be caused by accidental falls, sports-related trauma, fighting, car accidents and even by biting on hard food. However, the damage can be fixed. If you act quickly, there's a good chance the tooth can be saved.

Immediately contact and get to a dentist right away when a tooth is broken or knocked out. If your dentist can put the tooth back in place within an hour, there's a good chance that the supporting tissues will reattach and hold the tooth in place.

If you can find the tooth after the accident or injury, bring it with you when you seek medical help. Pick the tooth up by the crown - this is the part of the tooth that you see in the mouth – and avoid touching the root end. Do not wrap the tooth in tissue or gauze or scrub the tooth. This will damage the delicate cells on the root needed to attach the tooth back to the gum. Place the tooth in a cup of milk (or water, if milk is not available) to keep it moist. Remember: get to a dentist as quickly as possible. The chances of saving the knocked out tooth are much greater if the dentist is seen within an hour. ”

“A: Sometimes the body’s immune system will fight and heal infections on its own, but often it needs some help. When it comes to oral infections such as tooth and gum infections, only your dentist can make that call. This is why it is so important to have infections and abscesses examined by a dentist.

Oral infections are a serious health matter. Symptoms include tooth, gum, and jaw pain, lumps or pus-filled abscesses, and weeping or bleeding gums. Left untreated, they can affect your overall health.

Your dentist can diagnose an infection during an oral examination. They will feel your gums, gently tap your teeth, and take x-rays to determine the extent of the infection and whether it has spread.

If your dentist feels the infection is harmful, or your body is not fighting it effectively, they may prescribe antibiotics. Your dentist will also want to treat the underlying cause of an oral infection to prevent it from reoccurring in the future. Causes may include tooth decay, periodontal, or gum disease, tooth cracks, and weakened fillings.

Don’t ignore the signs of oral infection. Practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, and have your mouth and teeth examined by a dentist. ”