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Ask the Dentist
We offer answers to frequently asked questions, along with topics in the news about these subjects. Click to learn more.
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Dr. Teresa D AdamsDr. Siegel DDS
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry for patients too fearful to go to the dentist
Are you a candidate for sedation dentistry?
Questions and answers about sedation dentistry
Sedation dentistry facts
Sedation dental care information
Cosmetic Dentistry
Replace silver fillings with white tooth fillings
Cosmetic dentistry fixes cracked, worn, discolored or broken teeth
Tooth whitening dentistry to fix discolored, dark or stained teeth
Cosmetic dentistry painlessly repairs broken teeth with dental bonding
Tooth-colored restorations
Poor self-image, resulting in low self-esteem
Smile with porcelain veneers
Cosmetic dental crowns
Replace unsightly silver-mercury fillings
Why have dental crowns?
What are dental crowns made of?
Care of dental crowns
Composite veneers
Porcelain veneers
Veneers for discolored teeth
Gum Disease
Gum disease during pregnancy
Gum disease infects almost 80 percent of adults
Infections in joint replacements can be instigated by severe gum disease
Periodontal gum disease - silent and deadly
Some dental problems are easy to see - plaque!
Gum and bone disease that goes undetected
Oral disease - gingivitis
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry for patients too fearful to go to the dentist
Once you've experienced sedation dentistry, you'll probably never be afraid to go to the dentist again.
You'll be sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, as if you were relaxing. You'll wake up refreshed, with little or no memory of what was accomplished. Because you are completely comfortable, we can do years of dental treatments in as little as one or two visits.
We can replace crowns or dentures, restore sore gums to good health, whiten yellow or stained teeth, fix a chipped tooth, and more. People with very busy schedules can get the dental care they need, easily and quickly.
Imagine being able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain. No wonder so many patients say: "Thank you. Sedation dentistry changed my life."
Are you a candidate for sedation dentistry?
People who have . . .
- High fear
- Traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty getting numb
- A bad gag reflex
- Very sensitive teeth
- Complex dental problems
- Limited time to complete dental care
People who . . .
- Hate needles and shots
- Hate the noises, smells and taste associated with dental care
- Are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth.
Questions and answers about sedation dentistry
Will I feel any pain?
Most patients feel no discomfort whatsoever during their treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards.
Will I be unconscious?
No, you will be in a deeply relaxed state, and you will be responsive.
Will I be monitored?
Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are monitored during the entire visit. You are never alone.
How long will I be relaxing?
Depending on your needs, from two to six hours.
Will someone need to accompany me?
Yes, due to the sedative effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to our office and home again.
Sedation dentistry facts
Tell me more about Sedation Dentistry
It Really Works! You really can relax through your dental appointment.
It Is Safe! We will give you a small pill prior to treatment, no intravenous tubes or needles.
You will have little or no memory of the experience. You probably won't remember any sounds or smells.
You will relax for up to five or six hours after taking the pill. The time you are relaxing will vary depending on your needed treatment.
Complex dental treatments that often require six to eight appointments, can be done in as little as one at Soft Touch Dental Care! All while you relax.
People who have difficulty getting numb will find that relax dentistry eliminates this problem.
Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.
Sedation dental care information
We will give you a small pill to take an hour prior to your dental appointment. Your companion will accompany you to the office. By the time you arrive, you will be very drowsy.
When you arrive in our office, you will be escorted into the comfort room, covered with a thick, warm blanket and placed on a monitor to watch your vital signs. After you are comfortable, the experienced clinical team at Soft Touch Dental Care will take care of your dental needs.
When your treatment is completed, your companion will return you home to finish your comfortable, relaxing day.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Replace silver fillings with white tooth fillings
Many people in the Ellicott City area have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had "cavities". These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.
However, over time, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient.
At Soft Touch Dental Care we can provide you with composite fillings that are made of a porcelain-like material that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched to the natural tooth, making them "invisible".
Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They are especially suited for smaller cavities and for patients who may be allergic to metal fillings.
Please don't hesitate to call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250 with any questions you may have about the benefits of replacing silver amalgam fillings with invisible composite fillings.
Cosmetic dentistry fixes cracked, worn, discolored or broken teeth
Cosmetic Dentistry Fixes Cracked, Worn, Discolored Or Broken Teeth At Soft Touch Dental Care.
For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth. The only other alternative was gold and that was too expensive for most folks.
Now there is a new and economical way to restore teeth in the Ellicott City area using tooth-colored resin fillings. The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix. We bond the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light. This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.
Once completed, the tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings. Resin restorations can range from $150 to $350 per tooth.
Please call our office at (443) 276-0250 with any questions you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.
Tooth whitening dentistry to fix discolored, dark or stained teeth
Tooth Whitening Dentistry To Fix Discolored, Dark Or Stained Teeth At Soft Touch Dental Care
Tooth whitening involves the placement of a bleaching solution on the teeth to eliminate stains and discoloration. The solution is held in place by a custom-made, see-through tray that fits over the teeth - much like a mouthpiece worn by a professional boxer.
Bleaching is a safe, effective and relatively easy means of producing a whiter smile.
Two whitening methods are available at Soft Touch Dental Care: Power Bleaching with a Laser, done at our office, and At-Home-Bleaching, which provides for home use (not to be confused with over-the-counter whitening products available in local Ellicott City area drug stores).
The difference between the two is the strength of the whitening agent and the time it takes to get effective results. Power bleaching usually takes three to six visits, while home bleaching may take up to four weeks of regular use.
Sensitive teeth, or those that are chipped, eroded or weakened by cavities, should be repaired or protected before they are bleached.
Please don't hesitate to call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250 with any questions you may have about the benefits of tooth whitening or tooth bleaching for a whiter smile.
Cosmetic dentistry painlessly repairs broken teeth with dental bonding
Cosmetic Dentistry Painlessly Repairs Broken Teeth At Soft Touch Dental Care
Bonding is typically painless and can yield dramatic results in a single office visit. Essentially, bonding hides any natural flaws through the placement of a thin plastic coating on the front surface of the teeth.
After treating the tooth surface, we apply a putty-like bonding material that is then sculpted, shaped and colored to suit your needs. A high-intensity light causes the plastic to harden after which the new surface is smoothed and polished.
Bonding can lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked or malformed teeth. At Soft Touch Dental Care we can even utilize it to change the shape or color of a single tooth or if necessary to remake your entire smile.
Please call our office at (443) 276-0250 for a cosmetic consultation.
Tooth-colored restorations
Tooth-Colored Restorations
For over 100 years, dentistry has restored teeth primarily with a material made of mercury and silver. It has done its job well, although we have had to live with its weaknesses. Those weaknesses consist of cracking teeth due to expansion of the material, and restorations turning black as the silver in the material corrodes.
Now we have many ways to provide tooth-colored restorations at Soft Touch Dental Care. We can use adhesives to bond tooth parts that look and act like teeth. We can provide a bright, healthy and strong smile with these exciting new techniques in adhesion dentistry.
Please don't hesitate to call us at (443) 276-0250 if you believe you would benefit from these advancements. Together we can help bring a smile back to your face.
Poor self-image, resulting in low self-esteem
Poor Self-Image, Resulting In Low Self-Esteem Can Be Fixed At Soft Touch Dental Care
The appearance of the teeth has a dramatic effect on both the person's attractiveness to others and on their own self-image and self-esteem. Studies have shown that a person's appearance will have a strong effect on their social and career success, by influencing how others perceive them.
While the appearance of the teeth is one of the most important contributors to facial beauty, it is also probably the most often neglected when improvements to appearance are sought. A person with low self-esteem connected to their facial appearance, can often be greatly helped by dental procedures.
Dental makeovers at Soft Touch Dental Care have become more common, less invasive, and more effective in correcting deformities and dental problems. The effect of these procedures can be nothing short of dramatic both in terms of appearance and also in terms of correcting, at least partially, personality deficiencies caused by poor self-image. Ugly teeth are no longer a matter of fate; they are now becoming a matter of choice.
Please call our office at Soft Touch Dental Care with any questions you may have about the benefits of a dental make-over.
Smile with porcelain veneers
Smile With Porcelain Veneers
When teeth require significant changes in their shape or contour, veneers may be the answer. By placing veneers, small or misshapen teeth can be built up to regain a more natural appearance, spaces between teeth can be closed by making the teeth wider and teeth that are too short can be lengthened.
The veneer is actually a thin piece of porcelain similar in size to a fingernail. Once it is "bonded" onto the tooth it becomes extremely strong. We also blend the veneer in with the remaining tooth structure so that it is unnoticeable to the naked-eye. Once in place, it looks, feels, and functions just like a regular tooth.
At Soft Touch Dental Care we can use porcelain veneers to change the shape and color of a single tooth or, if necessary, revamp an entire smile. Porcelain veneers can also be used to correct teeth that have been worn from clenching and grinding.
Please call us at (443) 276-0250 for a consultation. You may ask any of our professional team, questions you may have about the benefits of porcelain veneers.
Cosmetic dental crowns
Cosmetic Dental Crowns Are Now Available At Soft Touch Dental Care
A Crown for a Tooth
Teeth are often restored with fillings of silver or composite plastics. These materials can often accomplish the aim of replacing the part of the tooth that has been lost in a strong and good-looking manner.
However, there comes a point where the damage to the tooth has removed too much structure to hold a filling. The restoration must be done by a technique that will attach to the remaining tooth, stand up under heavier use and meet more elaborate cosmetic requirements.
The crown is the dental restoration that can strengthen and restore the entire top of a tooth. The crown can also be part of the attachment of a fixed bridge for the replacement of teeth. The tooth is strengthened because it is covered from the outside with a casting of metal or ceramic that will wrap up and splint the tooth.
The chewing of the tooth can be improved because it can be reshaped to match more efficiently with the opposing teeth. A crown can improve cosmetics by the use of modern ceramic processes that produce translucency and color that is more natural than has ever been possible.
Please call our office at (443) 276-0250 for a cosmetic consultation.
Replace unsightly silver-mercury fillings
Replace Unsightly Silver-Mercury Fillings At Soft Touch Dental Care
Tooth-colored "resin" fillings
For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth. The only other alternative was gold and that was too expensive for most folks.
Now at Soft Touch Dental Care there is a new and economical way to restore teeth using tooth-colored resin fillings. The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix. We bond the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light. This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.
Once completed, your tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings. Resin restorations can range from $150 to $350 per tooth.
Please call us at Soft Touch Dental Care with any questions you may have about the benefits of resin restorations.
Why have dental crowns?
"Why have dental crowns?"
The crown serves two important functions. First, it restores the appearance of your teeth and your face. If your tooth is severely decayed or cracked, the dentist will need to restore it prior to preparing a cap. Teeth also support the muscles in our faces, so anything less than a full tooth may affect the way you look.
Second, a crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.
For more information on dental crowns, call (443) 276-0250.
What are dental crowns made of?
What Dental Crowns Are Made Of
At Soft Touch Dental Care our dental crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain.  Crowns also can be made of stainless steel, but those crowns are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear.
Porcelain crowns usually are built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. We will choose a porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth.
Porcelain crowns usually are so carefully matched in color, they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them.
New materials are now available that allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns in some cases. They have a beautiful life-like appearance and short-term studies support their success, with long-term trials ongoing.
Crowns also can be made of all gold. Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance. At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. At Soft Touch Dental Care we will discuss the types of materials available if we recommend a crown.
Call us at (443) 276-0250 for a complete evaluation of your cosmetic needs.
Care of dental crowns
Care Of Dental Crowns
An Ounce of Prevention Is Still the Rule!
Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed well and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum disease.
Regular brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!
Dental crowns that reflect light with a natural healthy glow are now available at Soft Touch Dental Care.
Composite veneers
Composite Veneer
The major advantage of the composite veneer is treatment time. If composite is used, the veneers can be done in one appointment. The dentist will actually make the veneer directly on the prepared tooth.
The veneer is then smoothed and polished to look like your natural teeth. Since it takes only one appointment, you can leave Soft Touch Dental Care with a brand new smile.Â
One of the disadvantages of composite veneers is that they are not as strong as the porcelain veneer and therefore are more prone to fracture. However, if a fracture does occur, they can be easily repaired because the same material that was used initially to make the veneer can be added in the same manner to fix it.
Another disadvantage is that the color, although stable, is not as stable as the same porcelain veneer restoration. This means that over time the veneers may get darker or turn yellow. Eventually this change in color can warrant the replacement of the veneers.
If you have any questions regarding composite veneers, please feel free to call our office at (443) 276-0250.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain Veneer
A porcelain veneer requires a longer treatment time. At the first appointment, your teeth are prepared and an impression is made of them. Temporary veneers are made out of plastic and placed on your teeth. They are used to protect your teeth while the real porcelain veneer is being fabricated. You can also use them to evaluate the look and feel of your teeth so that any changes you desire can be incorporated into your real veneers.
At the second appointment, we remove the temporary veneers and bonds the porcelain veneer to your teeth. Once the dental veneers are cemented, color alteration is no longer possible. Dental cement is applied between the dental veneers and tooth.Â
Although they are thin, a porcelain veneer is much stronger than the composite veneer, so the risk of fracture as compared with composite veneers is much less. However, if a fracture does occur, repairing it is more difficult and may result in the veneer having to be remade.
In general, the porcelain veneer can be used in a greater variety of situations with a higher level of predictability. Since they are made outside the mouth, the shape and color can be easier to control, thus enhancing the final result.
Once teeth have been veneered, they will require periodic treatment and regular visits to Soft Touch Dental Care. The result is a beautiful and long lasting smile you will love.Â
Please call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250 with any questions or concerns regarding veneers.
Veneers for discolored teeth
Veneers for Discolored Teeth
There are many situations that arise that lend themselves to treatment with veneers. One indication is for restoring teeth with discoloration that have been unaffected by the more conventional tooth whitening approaches, such as bleaching. Some examples of this are teeth that have severe tetracycline (an antibiotic) staining or discoloration from a previous injury to the tooth. Veneers are considerably more durable and stain-resistant than bonding. If you have any questions about veneers for discolored teeth, please call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250.
Gum Disease
Gum disease during pregnancy
Gum Disease During Pregnancy Can Be Treated At Soft Touch Dental Care
Many mothers have experienced gum disease, dental pain and/or tooth extraction during or shortly after their pregnancy. This is often seen as being a "normal" side effect of being pregnant. However we feel that dental disease, which is an infection of the teeth and/or gums, is not "normal" for any patient.
There are three basic events that happen during pregnancy which make the patient more susceptible to dental disease. First, hormonal changes may make the gums more susceptible to gum disease.
Second, pregnant women tend to eat smaller, more frequent meals, exposing their teeth and gums to sugars and acids more often. Third, cravings for "junk foods" and inadequate oral hygiene pose an increased threat to the teeth and gums.
Pregnant women in the Ellicott City area are advised to schedule a dental evaluation and receive preventive dental care at Soft Touch Dental Care. Personalized oral hygiene instruction will be given to fight disease and promote overall good health for the mother and her baby.
Please call us at (443) 276-0250 to schedule a complete examination.
Gum disease infects almost 80 percent of adults
Gum Disease...Can Be Helped At Soft Touch Dental Care
The American Dental Association says that over 75-80% of all adults, even in the Ellicott City, Catonsville and Towson area, have or will have some form of gum disease.
Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It can be divided into several categories.
The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.
The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively. These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss. At Soft Touch Dental Care the treatment is more involved at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery.
Please call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250 for a complete evaluation of your potential gum disease.
Infections in joint replacements can be instigated by severe gum disease
Infections in joint replacements can be instigated by severe gum problems. Call us for help.
We strongly recommend a thorough dental examination for presence of tooth and gum infection prior to joint replacement.
Periodontal disease is a commonly occurring oral infection of the adult population (80% of adults are affected) destroying the bony support of the teeth. This infection slowly progresses over the lifetime of the patient and is often manifested in the advanced stage in the senior population.
Because of the lack of any discomfort to the patient until total loss of bony support to the teeth, many adults are unaware that they have this infection until they visit Soft Touch Dental Care. However, the bacteria from this bone destroying disease, especially in the more advanced cases, has been attributed to possible infection of joint replacements.
Candidates for joint replacements who have not been seen in over a year should consider a thorough dental evaluation of their teeth and gums before surgery.
Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment of gum infections and tooth abscesses may take from two weeks to two months before the patient reaches adequate health before surgery.
If you have any questions about infection in joint replacements, please call our office at (443) 276-0250.
Periodontal gum disease - silent and deadly
Periodontal Disease - Silent And Deadly
Periodontal disease can go on for years without pain and without detection unless specific examination procedures are performed.
Visual oral examination by itself (even by a dentist) will not reliably detect periodontal disease until it has reached an advanced stage.
Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement of pockets (the crevice between the tooth and gum) with a periodontal probe. At Soft Touch Dental Care effective prevention and treatment is available, but the damage caused as the disease progresses is irreversible.
Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement. Although the procedure is simple, painless and requires only a few minutes, millions of American adults have never had it done.
Some signs of periodontal disease are: bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, breath odor, receding gums, mobility of teeth.
Call our office at (443) 276-0250 to schedule exam for periodontal disease today.
Some dental problems are easy to see - plaque!
Some Dental Problems Are Easy To See - Plaque!
One of the easiest problems to spot is a build-up of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the teeth.
Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease.
Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is missing teeth. Many patients we see assume that if they are still able to eat, they are O.K.
But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are more likely to be lost as well.
At Soft Touch Dental Care our focus is in the treatment of problems such as these. Call our office at (443) 276-0250 for the care you need.
Gum and bone disease that goes undetected
Gum And Bone Disease That Goes Undetected
We feel that prevention is an overused word in our vocabulary but we all know it works. You see it in what you do every day. Who wouldn't rather prevent a crisis than manage one?
In the Ellicott City area awareness of gum and underlying bone disease is very low. Only 50% of the population visits a dentist on a regular basis. Of that 50%, 80% have some degree of gum and bone disease. It is an epidemic. Were this any other disease, we would be calling on the CDC for immediate action!
Please feel free to call Soft Touch Dental Care at (443) 276-0250 for complete details on how we can help you detect and prevent gum disease.
Oral disease - gingivitis
Oral Disease - Gingivitis...How We Can Help
Gingivitis is the most common periodontal disease, affecting 90% of the population, including our local Ellicott City area community. It is an infection of the gums caused by bacteria that form plaque.
In small amounts (when it is newly formed), plaque is invisible and relatively harmless. But when left to accumulate, it increases in volume and the proportion of harmful bacteria grows.
These bacteria release toxins that result in inflammation of the gum tissue. Eventually, the plaque hardens and forms hard deposits called calculus or tartar.
If not properly treated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a periodontal disease in which there is loss of the bone that supports the teeth.
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