Frequently Asked Dental Questions – Marion, IN

Why are Regular Dental Checkups So Important?

At regular dental checkups, our team is able to examine patients’ mouths for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching), temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), and oral cancer. The more familiar a dentist is with patients’ dental health history, the better able we are to identify the warning signs of various oral health concerns. When diagnosis is made before dental health issues have caused significant damage, patients are able to receive minimally invasive treatments that preserve natural dental structure. When patients only visit the dentist responsively (after they have a toothache, chip, loss, etc.), they are much more likely to need extensive dental restoration or tooth extraction.

What is the Difference Between a Toothache and a Root Canal Infection?

Patients with a generic toothache sometimes fear they have an infection of the interior, pulp, layer of the tooth. These infections and their treatment are often referred to simply as root canals. If you have a toothache and fear you may be suffering from a root canal infection, there are some specific signs you can look for. Root canal infection typically results in sensitivity to changes in temperature that linger after the hot or cold item is removed. Some patients who have root canal infections notice tooth discoloration, infection of the soft tissue around a tooth (pus or inflammation), and bumps or sores at the gum line. If you’re experiencing a toothache, contact us right away as early intervention is the safest and most effective way to treat oral health concerns.

Can I Bring My Kids to Your Dental Office?

Absolutely. We love working with kids of any age. We offer many preventive, educational, and orthodontic treatments that are especially important for developing smiles.

Do You See Emergency Patients?

We encourage patients to contact us right away in the event of a dental emergency. Place a call to our dental office, and we will try to schedule an appointment the same day you contact us. Additionally, we help you protect your oral health and stay safe until you reach our Marion, IN dental office. After hours, please call our regular line for information on how to get in touch with our team.

Should I Get a Dental Implant or a Fixed Bridge?

The decision to replace a missing tooth with dental implant or fixed bridge is largely a personal one. However, each has unique benefits patients should consider. A fixed bridge replaces a missing tooth by connecting a replacement to two crowns. These crowns are placed over surrounding healthy teeth to connect and stabilize the replacement tooth. A fixed bridge is effective, permanent, easily maintained, and minimally invasive. A dental implant, on the other hand, uses an implant post surgically inserted below the gum line to support a dental crown. Because there is a minor surgical procedure, patients with better oral and overall health will be better candidates. However, once the implant post is successfully positioned, it serves as a prosthetic root making an implant supported crown the most natural looking and feeling option. Additionally, the replacement of the root structure allows patients to avoid impacting healthy teeth in order to stabilize the prosthetic and protects and restores gum and bone tissue density.

When Should My Child be Examined for Orthodontic Treatment?

We recommend children and parents begin discussing orthodontic care with our team as early as 7 years of age. By this time, kids are developing permanent teeth, and we can begin planning for orthodontic care.

How is Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treated?

Gum disease is one of the leading oral health concerns in the US, and it is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults over 30. Proper at home care and regular dental office visits are typically enough to prevent periodontal disease, but when it does occur, Bruner Dental can help. For patients with mild forms of gum disease, gingivitis, more frequent professional cleanings may be enough to reverse the damage. For those with severe forms of periodontal disease, periodontitis, more extensive treatment may be necessary including scaling and root planing, antibiotic treatments, laser therapy, and even oral surgery.