For most people, visiting the dentist twice a year is sufficient. However, some individuals may need more frequent visits if they are at a higher risk for conditions like periodontal disease. High-risk groups also include smokers and people with diabetes.

A standard dental appointment typically includes a professional cleaning, an exam by a dentist, and X-rays. During the exam, the dentist will check your teeth surfaces, review X-rays, and screen for oral cancer. They will also discuss your health history, including past dental issues, allergies, medications, chronic conditions, and any recent surgeries or illnesses.

Crowns are used in a variety of situations. If a cavity is too large for a filling, a crown helps preserve the tooth's strength. Crowns also protect weak teeth from fracturing or restore already fractured teeth. They are commonly used to protect teeth after root canal treatments, to secure bridges, or to improve the appearance of teeth by altering their shape or color. Additionally, crowns are used to cover dental implants.

Most people qualify for dental implants. However, some conditions may prevent implant placement. Your dentist will help guide your decision, considering factors like osteoporosis or uncontrolled diabetes, which can hinder healing and increase the risk of implant failure.

Teeth whitening is most effective on yellowed natural teeth but does not work on crowns, veneers, fillings, or bridges.

Braces apply constant, gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into the correct position. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. They consist of two main components: brackets, which are affixed to your teeth, and an archwire, which connects the brackets. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your ideal bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment. The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire returns to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jawbone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side remodels. The tooth moves in that direction, and the new bone grows behind it. Elastic bands may also be worn to help fix your bite. Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. For this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn as directed and changed every day.