FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:  Nacogdoches, Texas

What is Zoom Whitening?
It’s an innovative teeth-whitening treatment administered by Nacogdoches Dental. In as little as 60-90 minutes and with little to no sensitivity, your teeth could be up to 8 shades whiter.

How long does it take?
Zoom is performed by Nacogdoches Dental in as little as 60 minutes. Results are instant and no follow-up visit is required.

Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes. Whitening with approved hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide products has been proven safe through extensive research. Nacogdoches Dental can provide you with the safety information associated with Zoom Whitening.

Why should I have my teeth whitened by Nacogdoches Dental?
Nacogdoches Dental has the professional whitening experience to quickly and safely achieve deeper, longer-lasting results. Over-the-counter products, like toothpastes and strips, are minimally effective in removing surface stains.

Does Zoom cause tooth sensitivity?
Zoom effectively whitens teeth with minimal to no tooth sensitivity because it uses a unique, light activated technology to rapidly whiten teeth and minimize pain.

How long will by results last?
Results depend on many factors, including tooth structure, personal habits, physical health and oral hygiene. To maintain whitening results, consult with Nacogdoches Dental.

How can teeth be straightened in only six months with adult braces?
Nacogdoches Dental uses the Six Month Smiles^® technique to move your teeth quickly and safely with clear adult braces. The key components of the treatment are the use of unique, clear braces and a primary focus of moving the teeth that show when you smile.

Six months sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal braces for the whole time?
No! Six Month Smiles^® uses clear braces that are barely visible to gently straighten your teeth.

How are Six Month Smiles^® braces more comfortable than regular braces?
Six Month Smiles^® uses low force to move teeth gently. Many people think that the accelerated braces treatment means simply “tightening” regular braces to get the teeth moving, but that is not true. Six Month Smiles^® utilizes standard orthodontic mechanics, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite.

Do Six Month Smiles^® braces damage the teeth, roots, or gums?
There are no more risks of root damage or other issues than those associated with traditional orthodontics. Since the forces used with Six Month Smiles^® braces are lighter and teeth are seldom extracted, there are actually even fewer risks involved with Six Month Smiles^®.

Will I have to wear a retainer?
Yes, as with any teeth-straightening treatment a retainer is necessary to maintain the straighter position of your teeth. If you don’t want to wear a removable retainer, you can have a bonded retainer placed. There are a variety of options that you can choose from according to your personal preference and situation.

What’s the catch?
There is no catch. If you are an adult (15 years and older) with crooked or spaced teeth and you’re not looking for a major alteration to your bite, this could be the solution for you! Most adults ARE candidates for Six Month Smiles^®.

How does it work?
The Onset^® Approach provides Nacogdoches Dental a way to buffer anesthetic immediately before the injection in vitro (outside the body) rather than the status quo in vivo buffering process. It relies on the patient’s physiology to buffer the anesthetic. Bringing the pH of the anesthetic toward physiologic before injection has an important effect on injection comfort. Additionally, researches attribute reduced injection pain to the rapidity with which pain signals are blocked when using buffered anesthetic.

What is periodontal (gum) disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to damage to the gums, tissue, and bone around your teeth. The destruction of tissue and bone causes pockets to form around teeth. Nacogdoches Dental offers Arestin^® with scaling and root planing to help address some of the symptoms of gum disease.

What is scaling and root planing (SRP)?
For periodontal (gum) disease treatment, dental professionals use a common mechanical procedure known as SRP. Scaling removes bacterial plaque, tartar, and stains from the surface of teeth and their roots. Planing smoothes the rough areas on the roots of teeth to promote healing. This procedure is also known as a deep cleaning.

Why would you use an antibiotic to treat periodontal (gum) disease?
Bacteria are the cause of gum disease. And antibiotics kill bacteria. Scaling and root planing (SRP) removes a great deal of bacteria that cause periodontal infection. But this procedure can’t reach all bacteria that hide in the bottom of pockets. That’s why Nacogdoches Dental may decide to add a locally administered antibiotic (LAA) such as ARESTIN^®.

How do I know if I’m at risk for periodontal (gum) disease?
There are many factors that may put someone at risk for gum disease. Nacogdoches Dental will consult with you about specific risk factors. One important factor that can lead to gum disease is poor oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and regular dental cleanings help prevent plaque buildup. This helps guard againstgum disease.

What is the best way to protect against periodontal (gum) disease?
Regular dental checkups are critical to the prevention of more serious oral infections and good brushing and flossing habits are vital to strong oral health. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily. Use an American Dental Association^® (ADA) accepted antimicrobial rinse as as directed.

Can periodontal (gum) disease travel in saliva?
Possibly. Kissing and other forms of salivary contact can transfer bacteria that cause gum disease from one person to another.

What is an implant?
Dental implants are made of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called “osseointegration.” A dental implant is composed of three parts: the titanium implant that  fuses with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the top of the implant; and the crown which is fitted onto the abutment and looks like your natural teeth.

Do implants move?
Implant-retained teeth never slip, make embarrassing noises or decay. Once dental implants are integrated with the bone, they look identical to your natural teeth and perform the same role: allowing you to chew, smile and laugh freely.

How are dental implants traditionally placed?
When placing dental implants using traditional methods, your dentist will make an incision to open your gum tissue, and then drill a hole into the bone where the dental implant will be placed. Since the implant will serve as the
tooth’s root, it will be implanted deep into the bone.

How do minimally-invasive implant techniques differ from traditional techniques?
Minimally-invasive implant techniques, unlike traditional implant techniques, require fewer instruments and do not require large incisions into your gums, therefore resulting in less healing time. Most patients report that they feel little to no post-operative pain after having their implants placed.

Do implants placed using minimally-invasive techniques cost less than implants placed traditionally?
In most cases, yes. Consult with the Nacogdoches Dental team for details.

How many appointments does it take?
With minimally-invasive implant techniques, your dentist can place a single implant in as little as seven minutes. This means that many implant procedures can be completed in two appointments.

Are dental implants permanent?
With proper care and routine dental check-ups, your dental implants should last a lifetime.

Are dental implants as strong as natural teeth?
Yes, in fact, dental implants are actually considered to be stronger than natural teeth and provide full functionality.