FAQ

FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, please contact our dental office. We would love to hear from you!

Click on a question below to see the answer.

Yes, dental bridges are a highly effective way to treat missing or failing teeth. They are crafted from a material that looks identical to your other teeth and can be color-matched to blend in seamlessly with your treatment plan. The material is strong and durable, so you can feel confident in the treatment you receive. The restoration is also designed to look and function like your original tooth while preventing further recession of gum tissue along your gumline. This removes the common symptoms of a missing tooth, such as shifting teeth and jawbone deterioration in the area. Thanks to their long-lasting design, patients can enjoy a lifetime with their new smile after treatment.

The cost of getting a dental bridge depends on many factors, including the number of teeth being replaced, the type of material used for the restoration components, and the dentist’s fee. Typically, the cost is comparable to getting a crown or implant. However, some dental insurance plans may cover at least a portion of the cost of a bridge. Talk to your dentist to learn more.

A dental crown is used to restore a tooth that has been broken or weakened by decay, as well as for cosmetic enhancement. The crown fits over the affected tooth like a cap and is bonded into place for a secure fit.

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including metal alloys, porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, or a combination of these materials.

Metal alloy crowns are typically used on molars because of their durability. Ceramic and porcelain crowns are aesthetically appealing and are frequently used to improve the color, shape, and size of teeth. Zirconia crowns are ideal for patients with allergies to metals or porcelain. During your consultation, we will recommend the best type of dental crown for your needs and lifestyle goals.

The length of your dental implant procedure will depend on the type of implant you receive. If you are replacing a single missing tooth, the surgery for a typical single-stage dental implant can take about one hour. If you have several missing teeth and require a bone graft before the placement of a dental implant-supported restoration, the procedure could take several hours. Your dentist will be able to better estimate the length of your timeline after a thorough assessment of your oral health.

Of course! Dental implants are made from titanium, a metal that is biocompatible with human tissue. Titanium is one of the strongest metals available and is often used in knee and hip replacements. Feel free to ask us any implant questions you might have, including how they compare to other tooth replacement options and how they will affect your oral health in the future.

Although there are many situations that can arise that would require you to visit the dentist, there are a few that are more urgent than others. These situations are the kinds that require immediate treatment in order to prevent further damage and discomfort.

Some of the most common emergency situations include:


  • A knocked-out tooth or teeth
  • Severe oral pain that interferes with your ability to function normally
  • Bleeding cannot be stopped after cleaning and applying pressure to the bleeding site.
  • Severe swelling of the face or mouth
  • Toothaches that last longer than a day or two and cannot be relieved through regular at-home care
  • Broken wires or brackets on the braces
  • Traumatic injury to the face and mouth that requires stitches and/or surgery
  • Damage to a tooth that has cracked or broken off entirely
  • Facial trauma that causes jaw fracture or other permanent damage
  • Sinus infections that are accompanied by severe facial pain and fever
  • Serious allergic reaction to a medication that makes you unable to breathe
  • Dental abscesses that cause severe pain and swelling as well as drooling
  • Bitten tongue or lip that is still bleeding heavily
  • An impacted wisdom tooth that is impossible to fully remove from the gum line
  • Signs of oral cancer include sores in the mouth that do not heal within a week or two, red or white patches inside the mouth, sores that do not go away within two weeks, lumps or thickening of the skin, or areas of chronic irritation on the roof of the mouth.

Restorative dental procedures address oral health problems, restore damaged teeth, and improve smiles overall. They’re commonly used to repair broken and decaying teeth, replace old dental treatments, and even straighten misaligned ones.

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a procedure designed to save a tooth that is badly decayed or has become infected due to an injury or untreated cavity. During a root canal procedure, one of our dentists removes the diseased pulp from the tooth’s root, cleans the area to eliminate any bacteria or infection, and then fills the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling to protect it from further damage.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, it is important to schedule an appointment with your general dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause of your pain and the most appropriate treatment option. While our dentists may recommend a root canal for the treatment of your toothache, it is also possible that a different dental treatment may be recommended to manage your condition.

The amount of time it takes to complete a root canal procedure varies depending on the number of canals, the complexity of the case, and any complications that may arise. Typically, the procedure takes between one to two hours to complete. Additionally, most dental offices schedule only one or two patients at a time to ensure complete focus is given to each patient’s procedure. This means the dentist is able to devote the time and attention necessary to provide the best possible treatment results.

For at-home whitening, your dentist will provide a bleaching gel tray that fits over your teeth and can be kept overnight or for several hours during the day. The gel in the trays contains peroxide that dissolves stains caused by coffee, wine, cigarettes, and more. You can choose to buy your whitening kits online or from a dentist’s office.

Teeth-whitening strips are thin plastic strips that are coated with a peroxide-based gel. These strips adhere to the front of your teeth and can be used regularly at home over the course of a few weeks to achieve the desired results.

Professional teeth-whitening treatments utilize a stronger concentration of bleaching agents than over-the-counter products can achieve. After your teeth have been professionally cleaned, a light-of-an-in-office treatment is used to activate the bleaching agent. Your dentist will also use a special light during your visit to continue brightening your smile after the treatment is complete.

Choosing the best treatment option will depend on the current state of your smile and your goals. Discuss your options with the dentist at your next appointment so you can make an informed decision about your oral healthcare needs.

Professional teeth whitening treatments work by applying a special gel to your teeth and activating it with a specialized light. This helps to break up stains that have formed on the teeth and make them whiter. However, not all teeth are the same, so some discoloration will be easier to correct than others. This is why it’s important to consult with your dentist before starting any whitening treatment to determine if an at-home kit or in-office treatment is best for you.

Our dentist in Portland provides a wide range of dental services. From cleanings and exams to root canals and dentures, we can treat a wide variety of oral health problems.

The skilled dentist in Portland can perform an oral health assessment to determine the cause of your pain and come up with an effective treatment plan. Even if you think you’re suffering from a specific condition, it is possible that your symptoms could be caused by a different problem that requires treatment. This is why it’s important to see a dentist instead of self-diagnosing. Rather than treating the symptom, the dentist will be able to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and find the best way to treat them.

If you are an adult with mild to moderate misalignment, this removable and virtually invisible aligner system may be able to meet your needs. Clear aligners can correct mild cases of overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. Our dentist in Portland can help you determine if clear aligners will best suit your individual needs.

For the best results, you should wear your clear aligners for about 22 hours a day. The key here is consistency – wearing them for the appropriate amount of time each day is important if you want your teeth to shift into their proper positions.

If you do not wear the aligners for the recommended amount of time every day, you may still experience results, but they will not look as nice or be as long-lasting as if you’d worn them the recommended amount of time.

Location

5861 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97221

Office Hours

MON - WED 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

THU - THU 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

FRI - SUN Closed

Get in Touch

Email: info@pacificwoodsdental.com

Phone: (503) 292-5483