FAQ

As a Central Ave Dental patient you can expect to receive individualized attention and care that is customized for you. This may entail a single whitening procedure, or it can be a more comprehensive approach involving a combination of procedures. Among the options to obtaining whiter teeth are porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and/or Zoom! teeth whitening. Regardless of the treatment plan you choose, you can be assured that your results will be as dramatic or as subtle as you wish.

With Zoom! teeth you’ll see noticeable results after the first visit. This first treatment will usually take about an hour. However, though immediate results are impressive, within a couple of days of undergoing the Zoom! teeth whitening procedure some patients find that their teeth become even whiter. Dazzling results that can last for years with proper maintenance and oral hygiene.

We welcome patients with complex dental problems, including ill-fitting dentures. At Central Ave Dental, with our expertise in cosmetic dentistry, we craft dentures with extraordinary care and precision to ensure that they not only look — but also feel –completely natural. Because we use only the finest materials, our dentures are remarkably hard wearing and durable. They allow you to eat, speak, and smile with utter confidence.

Many people share your particular anxiety. We both understand and empathize with this feeling. At Central Ave. Dental we take special care of our patients. After all, you’ve entrusted us with your oral health despite your apprehensions about visiting a dentist. We pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve with the most advanced and effective technologies and techniques to provide virtually painless treatment for a wide range of dental problems. Our compassionate dentists and staff are perhaps our greatest asset. We’re totally focused on your overall comfort and satisfaction. As a patient of Central Ave. Dental, you can expect to be treated with the respect, patience, and kindness you deserve. We take your anxieties seriously.

Yes, absolutely. If you have a dental emergency we will accommodate you as best we can, to promptly and efficiently to alleviate your discomfort. If a follow-up appointment is necessary for a more permanent, long-term treatment, then we’ll schedule that too. We fully recognize that tooth pain and other oral health problems do not adhere to a foreseeable schedule.

With proper care and maintenance, regardless of the procedure, your results will last for many years. The effectiveness of any cosmetic dentistry treatment is heavily dependent on many factors, including the experience and talent of the dentist performing the procedure, the quality of the materials used, and the technology available. We maintain the highest standards of professionalism, care, safety, and attention to detail. Whatever the industry standard is for durability of a certain treatment, you can rely on Central Ave. Dental to meet or exceed it.

• Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.
• If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
• Do not bite hard or chew on silver amalgam fillings for 24 hours.
• You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days.
• Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.

• Crowns and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the tooth/teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.
• You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness, and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; it should subside after the placement of the permanent crown(s).
• Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
• A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material or soft metal. It can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible. To avoid losing your temporary crown, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.
• Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side). If it is difficult to get the floss between the temporary and surrounding teeth, refrain from flossing until you receive your permanent crown.
• After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if after 2-3 days the bite still feels uneven or if you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
• Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

It is important to remember that adjustment to the feel of your new bite [and to the way your teeth fit together after your new smile makeover] takes time. Your brain may take several days to recognize the new position and thickness of your teeth if the bite was altered — or the position of your teeth was changed. If you continue to feel discomfort or detect any high spots or problems with your bite after several days, contact our office to schedule a follow up appointment to make any necessary adjustments. Hot and cold sensitivity is normal, as your teeth will require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure. You can also expect your gums to be sore for a few days. To help alleviate that, warm salt-water rinses three times a day will reduce your discomfort and swelling. A mild pain medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen should ease any residual discomfort after the procedure. If speech is affected, do not be alarmed, this will subside quickly and you’ll adapt to speaking normally. It is important that you take your daily oral hygiene seriously, as daily brushing and flossing is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth: keep your regular cleaning appointments to ensure healthy teeth and gums.

Remember that any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances such as nuts, ice, and sticky candies. Minimize or avoid foods that will stain your teeth such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries, and/or make sure to rinse with water thereafter.

Some people grind their teeth at night. If this is the case, let us know and we will provide you with a custom made mouth-guard, which should also be worn if you engage in sports. Adjustment to the look and feel of your new smile takes time.

• Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad that has been put over the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed and pressure applied for another 45 minutes.
• If you are supervising children who have had an extraction done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue. It can cause serious injury to their soft tissue.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of your extraction. Also, do not rinse your mouth and do not use a straw for drinking. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages. Do not brush on the day of the surgery; you can gently resume your brushing and flossing the day after.
• You may experience some pain, bruising around your lips, and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication prescribed for you will help to minimize your discomfort.
• Please take all the medication you have received based on the provided instructions.
• During the first 2-3 days after surgery a diet of soft food and liquids is recommended (soup, yogurt, milkshakes and juice).
• For more complex surgical procedures, including Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant Surgical Procedures, etc: You will receive an ice wrap which should be worn for the rest of the day until you go to bed on the day of surgery (10 minutes on and 5 minutes off). Instructions for various surgical treatments will have some unique directions, which will be supplied to you at the time of your treatment.
• Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns. In case of serious emergencies call 911.

• You may experience some discomfort and bleeding the day of the surgery.
• Take all medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
• Apply an ice bag on your face over the surgical site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
• Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.
• DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
• DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
• There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
• Do not smoke, spit, or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
• Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of serious emergencies call 911.

• You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
• Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
• Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth; do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.
• Continue your brushing and flossing.
• Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay in placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
• Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling, or if you have any questions.