faq

Emergency Care

Help! My tooth just chipped/fell out/started hurting so much I can barely think straight

When you have a dental emergency, you can’t wait for office hours. You need treatment now. We offer same-day emergency dentistry appointments in Park City so you can be seen when you need it. Don’t worry if you don’t have insurance or are visiting the area, we have payment options available. Don’t wait and risk more damage to your teeth and gums. Call immediately and let one of our emergency dentists take care of you.

At Home Dental Care

Which type of toothbrush should I use?

Any toothbrush—standard or electric—will do the job if you brush twice a day and come in for a cleaning twice a year. When selecting a toothbrush, choose one with a smaller head and soft bristles to easily clean around each tooth and stimulate your gums (harder bristles can cause some damage if you “scrub” the tooth in a harsh way; if your bristles are splayed out, you might be brushing too hard!).

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, we suggest OLAS bamboo (they have softer bristles for our more aggressive brushers) or WooBamboo (which come in adult or child sizes and have eco-friendly packaging).

If you want to consider an electric toothbrush, we recommend Sonicare and Oral-B electric toothbrushes.

Which toothpaste is best?

Most kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride, which helps reduce dental decay. When you select a toothpaste, look for one that includes fluoride and that tastes good enough to keep you brushing! Our office uses Colgate Total, which is helpful in boosting periodontal health.

Dental Procedures

 

What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?

Amalgam (silver fillings) was the previous standard for filling cavities and has been replaced by tooth-colored or “white” composite fillings. While amalgam merely filled a hole in a tooth, the current composite material bonds to and actually strengthens the weakened tooth. Plus, the composite material is better looking and blends with the surrounding teeth. In some situations, if a filling is not enough, the dentist may suggest a crown for overall oral health.

What’s the difference between a “crown” and a “cap”?

Caps and crowns are the same thing! They’re both restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by “capping” all or most of the tooth—after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel.

Do I need to have a root canal just because I have to have a crown?

With advances in technology, we can frequently add a crown without needing to do a root canal! However, most patients who need a root canal will then need a crown to keep the tooth spacing in the right place and give the teeth normal form and function.

What’s the difference between a “bridge” and a “removable partial denture”?

Bridges and partial dentures are both replacements for missing teeth: a bridge permanently attaches to either an implant or the adjacent teeth, and a partial denture is attached with clasps that hook to the adjacent teeth and is removable. Most of our patients have preferred a bridge over a partial denture.

Cosmetic Procedures

 

What if I’m not confident in my smile?

We believe that every smile is beautiful and that there’s no “right” smile; however, we also know that feeling confident in life can be much more challenging if you don’t feel confident with your smile. We offer consultations and a range of services, including crowns, veneer, implants, and even bleaching to assist you in designing a smile that will build your confidence.

Office Questions

 

Do you take my insurance?

We are in network with most major dental insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah, Cigna, Delta Dental, Dental Select, and Metlife. If your insurance is not on that list, call our office today to hear about other plans not listed here or to talk about other payment options, including our Albion Dental Plan.