What is tooth decay (caries or cavities)?

Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities — a highly Preventable disease caused by many factors.

Who is at risk for tooth decay?

The answer is… everyone who has a mouth. We all host bacteria in our mouths which make everyone a potential target for cavities. Risk factors that put a person at a higher risk for tooth decay include:

• Persons with diets high in sweets, carbohydrates, and sugars
• Persons who live in communities with limited or no fluoridated water supplies although fluoride has been found to render skeletal bones brittle in high concentrations.
• Children and senior citizens

Why should I spend a lot of money on a root canal? Why not just pull the tooth?

Losing a tooth can be the beginning of many more lost teeth. Saving the Tooth maintains space, keeps other teeth from shifting, and eliminates the need and cost of a bridge or implant. Although seemingly expensive, it is actually quite cost effective. Increasing evidence however shows that root canals can lead other problems such as local bone infections, other systemic problems and even some types of cancers.

What are dental implants?

Dental Implants are made of titanium and placed directly into your jawbone surgically. Once they integrate with your bone, a crown, bridge or denture is placed over the implants. They are proven and predictable forms of tooth replacement which are also the least invasive with respect to the remaining teeth. In other words there is no need to cut down or grind one, two or even three adjacent teeth in order to replace missing ones with a bridge.