This article, part two of two, strives to address some of the questions most frequently asked of dental professionals.

The Dentist in Encinitas: Introduction

In this article, PART 2, the dentist in Encinitas will strive to answer some of those questions that patients like you frequently ask. Remember, a fundamental component of maintaining an exceptional standard of oral health and hygiene is knowing how to. So, in the interest of your information and education, here are some FAQs:

Ask the Dentist in Encinitas:

Question 3: If you lose a tooth right at the back of your mouth where it can’t be seen, do you still need to go to the expense of getting a dental implant placed?

The short answer to this is: absolutely yes! The dentist in Encinitas is entirely acquainted with the fact that the majority of patients opt for teeth replacement technologies, such as dental implants, for aesthetic reasons. After all, having gaps in your smile does not exactly conform to the common perception of ‘beauty’. However, when you lose teeth, more than just your smile becomes compromised… even if the tooth is right at the back of your mouth where it cannot really be seen. The tooth root plays a vital role in keeping the bone tissue in the jaw stimulated and, well, alive really! One of the biggest problems associated with tooth loss is the development of bacterial infection, acute and chronic conditions such as periodontal disease and atrophy in the jaw bone. It is for this reason, as well as the destabilizing affect that a missing tooth has on the adjacent teeth, that the dentist in Encinitas will want to replace missing teeth before the bone tissue in the bare socket has a chance to become re-absorbed by the jaw. In summary, missing teeth should always be addressed by dental implants or similar teeth replacement devices.

Question 4: Isn’t it normal for gums to bleed when you brush?

No, bleeding gums are not normal, but it can be explained by a variety of factors according to the dentist in Encinitas. The most common cause of bleeding gums is simply brushing too hard… so ease off your strokes a little. You might also want to change your toothbrush to one that has softer bristles, or ideally, get yourself an electronic toothbrush. If the bleeding is still present then you should seek immediate professional attention from the dentist in Encinitas. You could have periodontal (gum) disease, which is actually frightfully common amongst people in the United States. Bleeding gums are indicative of a chronic and acute bacterial infection of the soft tissue surrounding the teeth that, if left untreated, can cause serious and permanent damage to your oral health and aesthetics. The dentist in Encinitas will be able to determine the presence and extent of the infection (if any) and prescribe you a course of treatment before those nasty disease-causing pathogens have a chance to permanently mar your smile!

Other causes of bleeding gums include vitamin C and K deficiencies, injury or trauma caused by an accident, removable dentures or brushing/flossing too hard or an allergy to dental whiteners, mouth fresheners or certain medications. According to the dentist in Encinitas, bleeding gums can also be caused by certain systemic disorders or chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, liver disorders, cardiovascular diseases and kidney disorders.

While the technology is highly advanced, the concept is rather simple. The more clearly a dentist can see the miniscule intricacies of a tooth, the more efficient and effective the doctor will be when performing a procedure.

Drs. Coffey and Henninger, each an Encinitas cosmetic dentist with Encinitas Dental Art, recognize the benefits of microscopic dentistry and offer it to their patients.

“There’s really no comparing the level of quality one can achieve,” says Dr. Coffey, a well-known member of Encinitas cosmetic dentistry for more than 26 years. “Not only does the technology drastically enlarge the tiny size of the inside of a tooth, it can also illuminate it. I can see things now I never would have seen before with the naked eye.”

“The benefits are two-fold,” adds Dr. Henninger. “The patients feel good that their procedure has been done perfectly, but there’s also the added benefit of knowing inside myself that nothing was missed. That’s because it virtually can’t be missed.”

A root canal is a good example. The root is like a very thin, tiny straw that holds even smaller debris. The doctor’s objective is to clear away as much debris as possible. What is normally a painstaking task is made infinitely easier when enlarged many times its normal size.

“I get to see it all,” says Lorraine Carter, a patient of Encinitas Dental Art for over 10 years and fan of the Encinitas dentists. “And when the doctor shows me what he was trying to achieve, I can actually look and see that he was successful.”

“That’s the beauty of microscopic dentistry,” Dr. Coffey adds. “When we put the images of their tooth on their own ceiling monitor for them to view, patients get to see what’s going on in their tooth and it gives them a sense of confidence that they’re in good hands. It’s invaluable.”

Wouldn’t all this technology cost more for the patient? “We are competitively priced with any dentist in Encinitas,” offers Sash Bivin, on staff with Encinitas Dental Art for 20 years. “Of course there may be an Encinitas dentist with slightly lower rates, but when one compares the value, the choice becomes a very easy one to make. We’re really operating at the highest levels of Encinitas cosmetic dentistry.”