FAQs on Dental Care

At Hedrick Family Dentistry quality of care is very important to us. Here are some frequently asked questions that we have received. If you have any other questions on your dental care please don’t hesitate to call.

The type of bristle and the size of the head of the toothbrush is more important than the brand of the toothbrush. It is recommended to use a soft toothbrush with a small head because medium and hard brushes can contribute to a recession of the gums and cause irritation too. 

Flossing your teeth should happen at least once a day to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth. It is best to floss after each meal however we understand that can be difficult at times. Your gums will remain healthy and strong with regular flossing.

IV sedation is a relaxation medication that is injected through a small needle inserted in your hand or arm. Then a local anesthetic is administered for pain relief. 

When we restore a severely damaged tooth the restorative material is called a crown. It is placed after removing all the old filling, fractured tooth structure and/or decay. The crown is usually made of gold, porcelain, composite or stainless steel. The term “cap” is an old term for a restoration that covers a tooth that has work done to it.

The purpose of bridges and partial dentures is to replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to the each of the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. 

No. Even though most teeth that have had root canal treatments do need crowns to return the teeth to the normal form and function, not every tooth that needs a crown will need a root canal.