FAQs
Find Answers to Your Questions
- Does it hurt?
- What are the advantages of a white filling as opposed to silver?
- What’s involved in having an implant placed and restored?
- Does my insurance cover the costs of the procedure?
- How can you tell that I grind or clench my teeth at night?
- What does that click that I hear when I open and close my mouth mean?
- How come you finished the procedure before the movie ended?
- Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed?
- Why do you ask me to complete a form inquiring about my sleepiness or sleep habits?
- I hate numbness. Can you reverse it when the dental procedure is completed?
- Do you handle emergencies?
Does it hurt?
We get this question frequently, because, as we all know, the mouth is very sensitive. Dentistry can be accomplished today in a comfortable manner, and we take the time and effort to make it happen. We have a mouth rinse that, after swishing for 40 seconds, numbs the entire mouth for 40 minutes. Our local anesthetics are administered very slowly and with gentle shaking of the tissue to make it comfortable. We use a very soluble local anesthetic which minimizes the number of injections. Read some of our patient testimonials!
What are the advantages of a white filling as opposed to silver?
White fillings, better known in the dental field as composite restorations, are state of the art. They are more time-intensive and technique-sensitive than silver restorations, but if done by a caring and thoughtful clinician, they have many advantages. The teeth can be restored more conservatively and with less sensitivity than with silver alloy. Once placed, white fillings don’t expand, corrode, or cause fractures of the restored tooth like silver fillings can do. The best reason by far, however, is that composite restorations are invisible in your mouth. No ugly, gray teeth anymore when you smile or converse!
What’s involved in having an implant placed and restored?
Please visit our Dental Implants Page for more information. Briefly, implants are small, titanium screws that the body accepts as a natural part of your anatomy. New bone grows around the threads of the implant “fixture.” Usually, 3 to 4 months time is needed for bone growth to occur, after which time, a post or “abutment” can be attached to the fixture. Then a crown can be made and cemented on this abutment. Dental implants require adequate bone structure for placement, but once secured, they last most people a lifetime.
Does my insurance cover the costs of the procedure?
Dental insurance unfortunately has a yearly allowance or maximum that varies from patient to patient. It’s not unlimited like medical insurance. Whatever the benefit amount, it helps to reduce your net costs for dental care. Dental insurance maximums have not kept up with the inflation and are close to the same levels they were when dental insurance was conceived some 40 years ago. We advise our patients to let the doctor diagnose your dental needs, not the insurance carrier.
How can you tell that I grind or clench my teeth at night?
During your comprehensive exam, the dentist evaluates the jaw joint (TMJ) and movements of the jaw. He takes a complete history, and the teeth’s surfaces are closely examined with magnification. By listening to the joints function with an device similar to an ultra-sound, he can determine the level of damage the TMJ have sustained. All these tests and more help the dentist answer this question. Most people deny that they grind their teeth unless their spouse tells them otherwise. This destructive habit can destroy one’s dentition faster than tooth decay. Thus, diagnosis and proper treatment is essential a healthy, attractive smile.
What does that click that I hear when I open and close my mouth mean?
The click or “pop” means something is amiss in the joint, usually as a consequence of hyperactivity of muscle groups that control the opening and closing of the jaw. If it goes away, it usually means the joint problem is getting worse or the muscle hyperactivity was eliminated by improving the way the upper and lower teeth mesh and function together. Sometimes wearing a plastic mouthguard at night can solve the problem. We often recommend an “NTI” device to keep the back teeth from touching while you sleep, thus eliminating the muscle hyperactivity.
How come you finished the procedure before the movie ended?
Our patients usually opt to watch a movie during longer dental procedures, allowing them to “tune out” what we’re doing in their mouths. This makes the procedure less stressful and seems to make time fly by faster. If this is the only complaint we get, we’re happy!
Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth that need removal are usually found in the jaws that are too small to house them. When the dentist advises removal, he considers the future problems that will likely develop if nothing is done. Wisdom teeth come out easily when patients are between the ages of 14 and 18 years. Increased risk complications (up to four times) occur after the age of 20. After our window of opportunity is gone, we have to weigh-in the risk of complications before proceeding with removal of third molars.
Why do you ask me to complete a form inquiring about my sleepiness or sleep habits?
This form helps us diagnose a serious, often overlooked medical problem: sleep apnea. It means you stop breathing more than five times per hour during sleep. The form, combined with an oral exam, helps the dentist determine whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea. It’s a “silent” disease that kills. We also check blood pressure and pulse to help identify signs of stroke and heart disease, because sometimes people see their dentist more regularly than their physician. We refer patients for an overnight sleep study if we suspect a problem.
I hate numbness. Can you reverse it when the dental procedure is completed?
Yes. We now have Oraverse in the office. This new drug is administered into the same numb area as the local anesthetic at the start of a dental procedure. It speeds up the un-numbing! Our office has been using it since it came out on the market with marvelous results!
Do you handle emergencies?
We try to see emergency cases the same day, if possible. Dr. Cannon reserves time for emergency patients. Call our Irvine dental office if you have a dental emergency.
Let our family take care of your family. Call our Irvine dental office to schedule a checkup, second opinion, or consultation with Dr. Cannon. Located in Irvine, our practice serves Tustin, Newport Beach, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Hills.