Frequently Asked Questions.
Which Type of Toothbrush Should I Use?
The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.
What is the Best Brand of Toothpaste?
We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride as this will decrease the incidence of dental decay.
How Often Should I Floss My Teeth?
Flossing your teeth at least once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.
What's the Difference Between a Cap and a Crown?
These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" and the gold or stainless steel ones as "crowns".
What is the Difference Between a Dental Bridge and Partial Dentures?
Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.
What is the Difference Between Metal and White Fillings?
Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. Dr. Barkhodari also prefers tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, white fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.
Do I Need to Have a Root Canal Just Because I have a Crown?
No. While most teeth that have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.
Where is NB Smile Design Dental Office Located?
You will find NB Smile Design (Dr. Barkhodari's dental practice) at Suite 550 (5th floor) of the 2001 Union Street multipurpose building. It is conveniently located in the heart of Cow Hollow and the building is found next door to Equinox on Union Street and at the crossroads of Union Street and Buchanan Street.