FAQs

Clear aligners are designed to straighten your teeth over time. When you wear clear aligners, they will exert pressure on your teeth, slowly shifting them into a proper alignment. You will receive a series of aligners to switch over to on a designated timeline provided by Dr. Gekht.

You must wear your aligner at least 22 hours a day. Failure to comply can result in slower results. In extreme circumstances where you are not wearing your aligner consistently over a longer period, your teeth may even begin to revert to their previous position, resulting in a complete re-evaluation of your treatment timeline.

Thanks to the continued evolution of clear aligner technology, more people qualify for this treatment than ever before. In most cases, both teens and adults will be considered good candidates. This will be determined by an evaluation performed here at our office. If you are deemed a good candidate, a personalized treatment plan will be provided to you.

This question has no proper answer because it will vary from patient to patient. However, when looking at averages, clear aligner treatment usually lasts anywhere from 12-18 months. The treatment timeline you are provided will depend on your unique case and compliance. Wearing them less will result in an extended treatment timeline.

The most efficient way to keep your aligners clean is to clean your mouth with proper brushing and flossing. Doing so before putting on your aligners will help keep food and other buildup off them. There are also cleaning solutions you can use to submerge your aligners for cleaning.

If you have healthy teeth and gums but are missing one or more teeth, creating a gap in your smile, you are a perfect candidate for a dental bridge. You may visit our office for a consultation and examination to ensure your candidacy.

While it will take multiple dental appointments, getting a dental bridge is not at all difficult. The first appointment will involve preparing your teeth for the dental bridge. Your dental bridge will then need to be crafted at a lab. This can take a few weeks. Your bridge will then be ready to be placed in your mouth when you return for your second appointment.

A dental bridge is just that – it bridges the gap between teeth. It is a popular tooth replacement option for missing teeth that consists of artificial teeth (called pontics) that rest on a framework with dental crowns on either end, used to anchor it in place over your natural teeth.

You can expect your dental bridge to last between 10-15 years. Proper brushing and flossing and avoiding bad habits that could break the bridge are all important if you want it to last as long as it should.

Because a smile makeover’s primary objective is to restore your smile to a state of health via a series of restorative and cosmetic procedures, almost everybody is a good candidate.

A smile makeover can undoubtedly fix your crooked teeth. Procedures that can be included within a smile makeover treatment plan can include dental veneers. Veneers are very thin porcelain shells that are applied to the front surface of teeth to conceal various cosmetic imperfections, including crooked teeth. However, you may be better off asking about orthodontic options, including clear aligner treatment for more major alignment issues.

The answer to this question depends on how many treatments will be included in your personalized smile makeover treatment plan. Some treatments are quite simple and can be completed within a single visit. Dental bonding is a good example of this kind of treatment. Others, such as porcelain veneers, will require multiple visits with us to complete. No matter how long your smile makeover takes, the results will be worth it!

Getting more than a single treatment completed within a single appointment is possible. This depends on how long the treatment is and how invasive it may be. Now, more than ever, dentists routinely perform more than a single treatment within one appointment. You will need to talk with our team to discuss the specifics of your treatment plan and which treatments can be performed together.

Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring your teeth’ function, health, and appearance. Restorative dental treatments include fillings, bridges, dental crowns, and more. Restorative dentistry can combine and utilize various branches of dentistry, such as periodontics, prosthodontics, and endodontics, to diagnose and treat your teeth and gums.

Cavities are a major inconvenience as they can lead to toothaches and sensitivity. When left untreated, it eventually leads to infection and severe oral complications. Finding a dentist offering restorative dental services should be your first step, as they can remove any decay and fill the cavity with a filling to ensure no further problems arise.

This depends on the cause and extent of the break. If a tooth is breaking due to decay, this likely means the decay is fairly extensive and has gone untreated. A root canal could be required to save the tooth. If your tooth is broken due to some physical trauma or other accident, your dentist will likely be able to save and repair your tooth as long as there is enough tooth left to do so.

The goal of any dentist should be to save your teeth whenever possible. You are always better off with your natural teeth than artificial ones. When you have a tooth extracted, it can lead to further dental health issues if not replaced. This includes loss of jawbone density, shifting teeth, and more. Extraction should always be the last resort.

A dental crown is a hollowed-out false tooth crafted to fit over your natural tooth. It is crafted to completely encapsulate your trimmed and shaped tooth all the way to the gum line. A dental crown restores tooth functionality while also being aesthetically pleasing, matching your natural tooth’s shape and shade.

Dental crowns made of porcelain can usually be expected to last around 15-20 years with proper care and maintenance. The porcelain ceramic used to craft a crown is incredibly durable and comparable in hardness and strength to your enamel.

When it comes to caring for your dental crown, there is nothing special that you need to do. You just need to care for it as you would a natural tooth. Brush, floss, and rinse at home as part of your oral hygiene regimen. See your dentist twice a year for a checkup and dental cleaning. And try to avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens or pencils and overly hard food.

Dental crowns can be utilized for many reasons, both restorative and cosmetic. When a tooth has extensive decay, requiring significant material to be removed, a crown can be used to reinforce the weakened tooth. The same goes for a tooth hollowed out due to a root canal procedure. Crowns are great for cosmetic purposes as well!

Getting a dental crown should not cause any pain or discomfort. Your mouth will be numbed to ensure you feel no discomfort as your tooth is trimmed and prepared to create space for the crown. Finally, the crown will be placed over the prepared tooth and secured using dental cement.