Frequently Asked Questions

What type of services does 1187 Dental provide?
We provide an array of dental services including cosmetic, restorative, teeth whitening, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal therapy and bonding. In addition, we provide routine care, digital x-rays and nitrous is available for patients.

What should I do if I have bad breath?
Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Some common culprits are:
Morning time

Certain foods such as garlic, onions, etc.

Poor oral hygiene habits

Periodontal (gum) disease

Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances

Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Tobacco products

Regular visits with your dentist help you avoid bad breath. Review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.

How often should I brush and floss?
Brushing and flossing helps control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Plaque comes from a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before going to bed at night.

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?
You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits. Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.

A good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.

How can I tell if I have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?
You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits. Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.

Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Having regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist. Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva, is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque is not left behind to do its damage.

Other than poor oral hygiene, there are several other factors that may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Certain tooth or appliance conditions
Many medications – Steroids, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure meds, oral contraceptives.
Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and puberty
Systemic diseases
Patients with a family history of tooth loss should pay particular attention to their gums.

Some signs and symptoms of periodontal disease to look for:
Red and puffy gums
Bleeding gums
Persistent bad breath
New spacing between teeth
Loose teeth
Pus around the teeth and gums
Receding gums
Tenderness or Discomfort

How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?
If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth, or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to a more beautiful, confident smile.

Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.

There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over. Ask your dentist how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic Procedures:
Teeth Whitening
Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Crowns (caps)
Dental Implants

Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine!

What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?
Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.

Veneers may be used to restore or correct the following dental conditions:
Severely discolored or stained teeth

Unwanted or uneven spaces

Worn or chipped teeth

Slight tooth crowding

Misshapen teeth

Teeth that are too small or large

With little or no anesthesia, teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the front surface of the teeth to allow for the small thickness of veneers. The veneers are carefully fitted and bonded onto the tooth surface with special bonding cements and occasionally a specialized light may be used to harden and set the bond.

Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?
Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth. Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

Teeth whitening treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened. Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!

What type of insurance is accepted?
We accept most major dental PPO insurance plans.

Is financing available?
Yes! Ask us about CareCredit.

Will the procedure hurt?
A patients comfort is very important to us and we will do everything possible to relieve any anxiety about a procedure. Services such as teeth fillings, root canals and crowns may require a safe, effective sedative agent, nitrous oxide.

Is nitrous oxide/oxygen safe?
Very safe. It is the safest sedative in dentistry. It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic.