How can we help you?
We value the relationships we build with our patients. Any time you have questions about your care – or any other question related to dentistry – we want you to feel secure and confident asking us. No question is ever silly or stupid!
It's important that you understand the treatment we recommend and why we recommend it. We've found that patients who are informed about their care feel empowered – and usually have the best long-term results.
We've addressed some of the most common questions we hear in our office below. If your question isn't here or you'd simply like more information, don't hesitate to call our Chesterfield, MO dental office or email us using the secure online form on the Contact page of this website.
Preventative Dentistry
The short answer is yes!
At Hurley Family Dentistry, we understand life gets busy with work and family, but it is important to keep up a regular schedule of dental examinations and cleanings because the six-month checks allow us to detect disease early. Early detection of cavities can mean the difference between a filling versus a crown or – even worse – an extraction.
Your cleanings are also a key treatment in the fight against periodontal disease. Cleanings allow us to remove debris from beneath the gumline (where your toothbrush and floss have a hard time reaching), significantly reducing your risk for this chronic infection. At your six-month check, we'll also look for any signs of developing periodontal disease so that we can begin treatment early, when necessary.
Cavities and periodontal disease aren't the only things we're looking for at your examinations, either. Oral cancer is a very serious threat and can strike just about anyone at any age. The early detection of a cancerous lesion in the mouth greatly increase one's survival rate.
We take your dental health and your overall health seriously. Regular preventive cleanings and checks go a long way toward reducing risk and could even save your life.
First, taking x-rays has gotten a lot easier with modern technology. Digital x-rays are a lot quicker and also lower your exposure to radiation.
Radiographs help the doctor to properly diagnosis the presence of disease, and we are not just talking about cavities. Radiographs help a dentist detect abcesses, cysts, and tumors that many times are symptom free. Also, many times waiting until a dentist can see you or until symptoms develop means that the cavity is large and most likely requires additional treatment other than a filling.
A dentist cannot cure periodontal disease. A dentist can, however, treat and manage periodontal disease.
The first step to treat and manage periodontal disease is a deep cleaning where the dentist or hygienist cleans the tartar and calculus that extends below the gums to prevent further destruction of bone. Antibiotics may also be placed locally during this treatment.
If a patient does not respond to this first step of treatment, a more aggressive treatment may be needed or may be referred to a specialist, called a periodontist. While certain procedures performed by periodontal specialists, like bone grafting, can repair and replace lost periodontal bone, it is not possible to regrow this bone.
Prevention of periodontal disease is a crucial part of your preventive care. Routine cleanings and exams will help reduce your risk of developing this chronic condition and increase the chances of identifying it as early as possible.
Periodontal disease does not just affect your oral health. Studies are linking periodontal diseases to more and more chronic systemic health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Your health matters to us, and we want to give you the tools you need to live a long and healthy life.
Periodontal disease may be diagnosed as either aggressive or chronic.
Aggressive periodontal disease typically occurs during the adolescent stage of life and is caused by bacteria. Hormonal changes often play a role (which is also why pregnancy gingivitis – a gum disease flare-up during pregnancy – can occur).
Chronic periodontal disease is the most common type and is caused by lack of adequate oral hygiene. If a person goes a long period of time without having their teeth cleaned, they develop tartar or calculus. Tartar and calculus irritate the bone. A person starts to lose the bone around their teeth because of tartar/calculus.
This situation can quickly become quite serious. As your bone begins to deteriorate, gaps open between your gums and your teeth, providing a place for bacteria to reproduce. The infection and inflammation continue the cycle and will eventually cause significant damage to your dental health. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of lost teeth in American adults.
In its early stages, periodontal disease is easy to reverse. Improved home care and more frequent cleanings will restore your health. In its later stages, however, further treatment will be needed. Additionally, only procedures like bone grafting can restore lost periodontal bone.
If you are showing any signs of periodontal disease, such as bleeding when you brush or floss or sore, red, puffy gums, please call our office to schedule an evaluation.
The number one reason a dentist recommends a night guard is due to nocturnal clenching and bruxism (grinding). Most people do not know they are clenching or grinding their teeth because they do it subconsciously while sleeping. Clenching and grinding has many detrimental effects on a person’s dentition. Untreated clenching and grinding can lead teeth to chip and crack, which can lead to teeth requiring crowns or, even worse, extraction. It is also believed that clenching and grinding can cause abfraction (wedges or notches in teeth at the gum line).
One of our goals is to provide long-term preventive solutions that reduce your risk for dental conditions and injuries. Nightguards can be a smart investment in your long-term dental health, especially if you are already showing any signs of grinding or clenching. This condition sets off a vicious cycle that can have serious long-term consequences.
If your partner has told you that you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep or you've noticed some of the other signs that point to nighttime bruxism such as pain in your jaws, a sense that your teeth are loose, teeth that look unusually short, or frequent headaches, please call our office today for an evaluation.
Sealants are a preventive measure that many dentist are using to help prevent or delay the onset of a cavity on your child.
Children typically start getting their permanent teeth around the age of six. Most children do not have adequate oral hygiene or hand dexterity at that age to properly brush and floss their teeth. Typically, permanent teeth have more peaks and grooves than our baby teeth, which means it is more likely that food will become stuck in these teeth. A sealant fills in the grooves of the teeth, which prevents food from getting stuck. If food is not stuck on our teeth, a person is less likely to develop a cavity.