Our Indianapolis Family Dentists Answer Your Questions
Below is a list of some of the questions we get asked most frequently from our patients. If you have a question that isn't answered below, feel free to give us a call at (317) 926-5467 and our team at Meridian Dental Care will be happy to assist you and schedule you an appointment.
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces and available to both adults and children in order to correct any crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth. They are virtually invisible and are made of a thermoplastic that look similar to whitening trays. They are custom-made to comfortably fit your teeth and can straighten your teeth faster than the traditional option!
Every patient is different, so there is no guarantee on how long your particular treatment will take. No two smiles are the same, so your case can only be determined by what your dentist tells you!
The average treatment time takes about 12 months for adults, whereas traditional metal braces are known to take up to 2 years. Teens' time will vary, as well.
When you wear Invisalign, your Indianapolis dentist will tell you to wear them for a majority of your day, about 22 hours. The only time that you're supposed to take them off is when you're eating your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, and when you're brushing your teeth.
You'll be different kinds of aligners throughout your treatment because your teeth will be shifting positions overtime. Once a certain period is completed, you'll be moving onto the next, and so on until your treatment is finished! Dont be afraid to ask us any questions that you may have; schedule your appointment or consultation today by calling our office at (317) 926-5467.
1.Firstly, make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gumline. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
1. Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand .You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches in between for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gumline as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
- gums that bleed while brushing
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- pus between your teeth and gums
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in short amount of time, usally within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist's office applying a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth after they have been protected with a special shield.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time. Usually the trays are worn a couple hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks depending on the product.
Over the counter whitening
Over the counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration gel than both in-office bleachin and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are cheaper, they typically are less effective than methods that can be performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over the counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, which can result in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.
While the total time it will take for us to place your dental implant in our Indianapolis office will vary by the total number being placed and location, a straight-forward procedure will usually take your doctor only about an hour to complete.
No- it is not. Most of the time your implant will be placed while under general anesthesia, much like if you had any other procedure performed. Following the dental implant placement, you may experience minor discomfort- but time for healing is relatively short because there are no open wounds.
From the beginning consultations to you being completely healed- the entire process of dental implant placement can take between 2 and 9 months, typically. In the first phase of treatment, the implant will be placed and will need to fuse to your jaw bone- this can take several months. Following that, the permanent restoration will need to be created and placed by your Indianapolis dentist- which typically involves less time.
Eating nutritious, soft-textured food and drinking plenty of water is required after dental implant surgery. We will work with you on developing a diet that meets all of your specific dietary needs beforehand. You should avoid chewing on the direct site of the implant for a decent amount of time after surgery if at all possible.
In order for a dental implant to last- it must not only be placed and fused successfully but treated for carefully after placement too. If all of these conditions are met, it is not unusual for a dental implant to last 40 years or even longer.
As it is with most investments- price can be relative. A dental implant may be more expensive than getting a denture to replace your teeth immediately, but can save you money in the long term in the event you break a denture/need to replace it, etc. Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of implants- but you should inquire from yours beforehand to make sure. Although there is a price tag attached to most things- the natural feeling and look you will get from a dental implant we consider to be priceless.
Call the #1 providers of dental implants in Indianapolis today for more information!
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups to the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
