FAQ

  • General Dentistry FAQ

    Visiting the dentist regularly not just takes care of oral health but keeps the entire body healthy. Dental care is essential because:

    • It helps in preventing tooth decay.
    • Gum diseases can be prevented, which can further lead to loss of teeth and bones.
    • It prevents bad breath.
    • It offers you an appealing smile and improves your self-confidence.
    • It gives you whiter and brighter teeth by preventing them from any stains or discoloration.

    Everyone, whether children, teenagers, or adults, should visit a dentist for a regular check-up every six months. Patients that are at risk of oral cancer or gum diseases need to visit a dentist more than twice a year. Our experienced dentists at Accu Dental will advise how often you should schedule an appointment with us.

    We are not completely free of bacteria through brushing. Flossing decreases the number of bacteria in our mouth by removing those areas missed by your toothbrush. When you floss, you reach the bacteria hidden between your teeth and tiny spaces. If bacteria isn’t removed, they multiply ultimately causing tooth decay or gum disease.

    Talk to our doctors first to rule out any potential infection. If sensitivity is general in nature without underlying issues our doctors will likely prescribe sensitivity toothpaste which contain strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, and is effective in treating sensitivity. Within a few weeks, you should observe some relief from sensitivity. 

    Experts including our experienced dentists recommend fluoride for dental health because it helps prevent tooth decay by making your enamel resistant to acid attacks and plaque bacteria. Some studies have revealed that children who drank fluoridated water had less dental decay. Applying fluoride reverses early decay and helps prevent osteoporosis – a disease that leads to degenerative bone loss.

    Oral injuries require immediate attention and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. However, until you reach the dentist’s office, given below are some of the tips you can follow:

    • Rinse your mouth to eliminate any dirt or debris.
    • Gently lick or clean the tooth under tap water. Never scrub the tooth or hold the root of the tooth.
    • Reinsert the tooth back in the socket.
    • If you cannot put the knocked-out tooth into your mouth, keep it moist by placing between your gum and cheek or in a small jar of milk.
    • Call Accu Dental dentists in bay area or monterey area immediately. For a successful restoration, you need prompt treatment.

    With a visual examination of your mouth, many conditions and diseases of the surrounding teeth and tissues cannot be identified. When a dentist takes an x-ray, it reveals:

    • Hidden areas of decay between the teeth or below fillings.
    • Bone infection.
    • Periodontal diseases.
    • Dental abscess.
    • Any developmental abnormalities.
    • Any tumor.

    X-rays helps doctors at Accu Dental to do a comprehensive diagnosis, and may save you time, money and effort by detecting any hidden oral issues at an early stage.

  • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

    Any patient that wants to lighten the shade of the tooth and is in good physical and oral health and is free of cavities and infection is a good candidate for professional chairside teeth whitening procedure.

    The cost varies for different treatments. It depends on factors like the material used, the type of treatment done, and its durability. At Accu Dental, we offer excellent cosmetic dental treatments at affordable prices and different payment options.

    While cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the overall look of teeth, the permanency depends on the type of treatment done. While braces may correct the teeth within a year or so, dental implants may potentially last forever depending on overall oral hygiene and upkeep.

    The treatments are varied depending upon what is desired by the individual. People with excess gum tissue may have “gummy smile”. Gum contouring and reshaping may bring about the beautiful smile in you. People with discolored teeth can do professional chairside teeth whitening to flaunt a bright smile. Teeth deformities like overcrowding or gaps in between can be treated with Invisalign or other invisible braces. Lost teeth can be replaced with dental implants or bridges. Other cosmetic dental treatments include:

    • Smile analysis and planning
    • Full mouth restoration
    • Dental bridges
    • Dental Veneers
    • Tooth-colored fillings

    General dental treatment oversees the good and health of teeth and gums while cosmetic dentistry is more involved with the aesthetic appearance of your teeth and smile. A general dentist can practice cosmetic dentistry with some training and experience, but general dentistry focuses mainly on maintaining your mouth’s health and infection free, whereas cosmetic dentistry offers comprehensive treatments to improve and preserve the way your smile appears and feels.

    Cosmetic dentistry is a combination of art and science which renders you a healthy and flawless smile. Treatments like teeth whitening, contouring, bonding, veneers, teeth alignment and other smile makeovers are all a part of cosmetic dentistry.

  • Orthodontics FAQ

    Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that concentrates on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial abnormalities. It is also known as dentofacial orthopedics.

    An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has an additional two to three years of experience in this field. They are experts in straightening your teeth and correcting the jaw’s skeletal discrepancies, improving your smile’s functioning. Orthodontic or metal braces consultation at Accu Dental are always complimentary.

    The American Association of Orthodontists suggests children make their first visit to an orthodontist at around age seven. However, Orthodontics is not just for children or teenagers. According to a study, approximately one in every five orthodontic patients is over 21. Our Orthodontist at Accu Dental can advise you if you or your child is a good candidate for full or limited Orthodontic treatment after the free exam.

    • Make sure you brush your teeth after each meal and floss once a day.
    • Use fluoride-based toothpaste and ask our expert dentists at Accu Dental whether you need a fluoride rinse too. You can prevent cavities.
    • Brush your retainer gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste to keep it clean. You can also soak it in a denture cleaner as suggested by your dentist. Never put it in boiling water or the dishwasher.
    • When undergoing Orthodontic treatment, try avoiding food with more sugar content. Consuming foods with higher sugars may increase the number of bacteria in your mouth that can lead to potential cavities and decay.
    • Avoid sticky, chewy and hard foods or any food that can get stuck in your braces.

    An orthodontist recommends braces to improve the malocclusion of your teeth. If you have misaligned teeth and want a straighter smile, consider braces to correct the condition. At Accu Dental our Orthodontist can provide various types of braces:

    • Clear braces.
    • Ceramic braces.
    • Lingual braces.
    • Invisible braces.
    • Traditional metal braces.

    The time required to align your teeth varies from one patient to another. The factors influencing the Orthodontic length of treatment are age, amount of misalignment, preconditions before starting Orthodontic treatment (e.g fix cavities or remove infection with Root Canal treatment), bone density, compliance and a person’s bodily response to braces. The treatment time may range from 6 months to 36 months approximately. Majority of the Orthodontic cases are treated within twenty four months.

    Braces will not hurt for the most part, although you can experience slight discomfort for a few days initially as the parts of your mouth get used to the new braces.  

  • Dental Implants FAQ

    Dental implants offer a replacement for missing teeth. They are not actually teeth but a prosthesis used in replacing missing teeth, which are small titanium posts inserted into the jawbone. On top of that, a crown, fixed bridge, partial denture, and full denture can be attached. It takes a few weeks to few months for the implants to integrate with your bones. After the implant integrates solidly with the bone, an abutment is attached to the implant to provide the proper transfer of forces to the implant and for alignment with the rest of the teeth.. Finally, a crown is screwed on to the abutment.

    Anyone who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth can get dental implants. An ideal candidate must exhibit good oral health and have enough bone structure to accommodate implants. Schedule a complimentary consultation with our dental implant expert doctors at Accu Dental to learn whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

    Dental implants can replace teeth lost to decay, gum disease, or accidents. They can potentially last for a lifetime and improve appearance, confidence, and the capability to eat your favorite foods and continue your active lifestyle without the need for a removable attachment or a dental bridge. Implants are made of titanium metal and won’t decay or rust with time.

    Generally the expense required to replace a single tooth with a dental implant is about the same as replacing it with a fixed bridge. Some insurance plans may cover dental implant treatment. The cost of the implants also depends on the patient’s needs, bone quantity and region. We offer affordable dental implant solutions with third party financing options. Our treatment coordinators at Accu Dental can give you a no obligation quote along with the complimentary implant consultation with our implant doctors.

    Dental implant treatment is regarded as one of the safest treatment options in the field of dentistry. It is the only method of restoring teeth that stimulates natural bones underneath the missing tooth. However, any medical procedure can have some problems. Therefore, choose a knowledgeable, trained expert implant dentist who can minimize any complications and offer successful treatment. You must discuss your health history with your dentist, plus any habits that can affect the treatment.

    Dental implant treatment is not a painful procedure. However, you will feel a little discomfort. For patients who are anxious about the treatment, you have nothing to worry about as you can be fully or partially sedated or numbed with the help of anesthesia. Our implant dentists will keep your comfort in mind with the goal of the best implant treatment outcomes.

    If you take good care of your dental implants, they can last for decades. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.

  • Invisalign FAQ

    Invisalign treatment offers an alternative treatment to typical braces. It allows you to adjust misaligned teeth without the worry of maintaining regular and non-removable braces.

    Invisalign has several benefits over traditional methods:

    • Invisalign braces are invisible, so you can flaunt your smile without even letting anyone else notice the braces.
    • They are removable so it doesn’t interrupt normal oral hygiene routines.
    • Invisalign doesn’t put any restrictions on food habits so you are free to eat what you want.
    • The treatment duration is shorter compared to traditional braces although the traditional braces are preferred for complex teeth misalignment conditions.

    Firstly schedule your complimentary consultation with our Invisalign dentists, who will then customize the treatment type to be done according to your smile and requirement. Then the aligners are created accordingly. An individual has to wear an aligner for 20-22 hours a day. Patients are required to change the set of aligners periodically which can vary from two to four weeks.

    The cost is more or less similar to that of traditional braces. The cost may vary based on complexity and length of treatment. Longer the treatment, the more set of aligners you need to reach the end of treatment. Our treatment coordinators at Accu Dental can give you a no obligation quote along with the complimentary Invisalign consultation with our Invisalign dentist.

    Some patients may experience minor discomfort for a few days at the beginning of every new stage of the treatment when they place a new set of aligners. The discomfort is completely normal because the aligner is applying pressure on various teeth to push them in a certain direction of alignment. This is a sign that the aligners are working.

    As every orthodontic treatment takes some time to adjust in your mouth, Invisalign also takes a few days to adjust to your mouth. Many patients share their experience that they notice no changes while they speak. However, some may find a little difficulty for the first few days. As soon as you acclimate to your aligners, you will return to your normal speech once again.

    It is effortless and easy to maintain your aligners. Just like you brush your teeth, brush your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste and rinse them well with luke-warm water. At Accu Dental, our dental experts will provide tips to take good care of your aligners.