Dr. Douglas P. Magner, DDS

Starts with a thorough medical history review, dental exam, cleaning, x-rays and oral hygiene instruction. If this is not effective, root planning and/or antimicrobial treatment may be required.

If you have allergies, a cold or sinus infection, you may experience pain in your teeth, typically in your upper back teeth. This can be relieved by using a sinus pain reliever which acts to help clear the fluid and mucous in your sinus. It may also be helpful to breath in steam or use a netti pot. If you have a sinus infection, you may require antibiotics to clear up the infection

It varies how many implants it takes to replace all your teeth based on the volume and quality of bone you have in your jaws, the type of restoration you desire and on your personal habits such as if you grind your teeth or have a diet which consists of foods hard to chew such as raw carrots and nuts. For a non removable restoration, I like to place a minimum of 6 implants in the upper jaw to support a 12 tooth restoration and 5 implants in the lower jaw to support a 12 tooth restoration. If the distribution of the implants is not ideal it may be advisable to include fewer teeth in the restoration or opt for a removable restoration.

Sometimes yes, if you need antibiotics, but first use warm salt water rinse 4x daily and brush well. If this doesn't resolve in 48 hrs, see the dentist.

If your gums are inflamed and bleeding you may experience mild discomfort during and the day of your cleaning but feel great within a short time unless you are diagnosed with a more extensive problem

If you need a crown because you have a ot of decay it will restore your tooth. If you want crowns to make you front teeth look nicer but your teeth are basically OK you should ask about veneers as they require less removal of your natural tooth structure. Crowns will not ruin your teeth but require removal of tooth structure unless it is already missing .

Braces rearrange teeth by placing force onto the teeth in the direction you want them to move. This causes the bone around the teeth th to remodel so that the teeth will become stable in a new position as long a the teeth and bone were healthy to start with. You should be evaluated before you begin orthodontics to be sure you have no gum disease.

Brush your teeth more often and keep your aligners clean as well by brushing them and rinse with mouthwash

If you have been instructed to wear your retainer everyday you should make every effort to do so. If you didn't wear your retainer because you misplaced it or forgot to do so, resume wearing it again as soon as possible. If it is difficult to get it in, contact your dentist to see if an adjustment can be made

Yes, Dentists can fill cavities that occur between teeth, but sometimes have to remove some healthy tooth structure to gain access to the cavity. It is important to remove all the decay and place the filling material onto healthy tooth structure.

You should be able to floss between a bridge if you have the correct aids to do so. Often, there is a missing tooth so there is an easier gap to negotiate, but sometimes your natural teeth are connected together. No matter, it is still important to floss or use a WATERPIK to remove accumulated food and plaque to maintain healthy gums and prevent decay. There is a myriad of aids available in most drug stores such as: Superfloss which can be threaded under a bridge as well as used to floss natural teeth; Proxabrushes made by Gum, Oral B, TePee and other companies come in various sizes and configurations and can be used to clean under bridges as well as between your natural teeth; Soft Picks are flexible, rubbery, serrated tooth picks which are thin and will not stab your tissue, but will clean around your teeth and bridges; There are also floss threaders, which I have heard are now hard to find in stores but may be available through your dental provider. The Waterpik or electronic flosser might be the best choice for anyone with poor dexterity. These aids are also suitable to use around dental implants.

If your tooth hurts when you touch it, it may mean that the tooth has been traumatized, possibly from grinding or clenching. It can also occur because the ligament on the tooth is inflamed from infection and mean the tooth needs periodontal treatment or perhaps needs a root canal. If the pain sensation is mild, it may improve on its own, but to be certain, it is best to visit a dentist to be evaluated.