Frequently Asked Questions
Your Dental Questions, Answered
We know visiting the dentist can come with a lot of questions—and we’re here to make things simple. Below you’ll find clear answers to the most common questions patients ask about treatments, comfort, insurance, and more. If you don’t see your question here, our team is always just a call away.”
Checkups & Cleanings
How Often Should I Schedule Checkups and Teeth Cleanings?
The standard set by the American Dental Association is that patients should visit their dentist at least every six months to maintain optimal oral health. For most people, this frequency is adequate to prevent major oral health concerns and catch issues in the earliest stages to avoid the need for invasive and costly dentistry procedures. However, everyone is different, and there are some people who will benefit from more frequent visits to their dental office, including:
- Expectant mothers – hormonal changes during gestation dramatically increases the risk for gum disease. In fact this is so common the condition has its own name – pregnancy gingivitis. For this reason, women may need to visit the dentist for more frequent teeth cleanings without additional dental x-rays during pregnancy.
- Individuals with chronic oral health concerns – gum disease, frequent cavities, and other chronic oral health issues can escalate quickly, irreversibly damaging smiles. For this reason, patients with these conditions need to visit the dentist a little more often, usually every three or four months, to ensure they avoid serious health concerns.
- Tobacco users – anyone who smokes, vapes, or otherwise uses tobacco products will need to visit the dentist more often. Not only do these product stain teeth, dry mouth associated with tobacco use also increases development of calculus (tartar), which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, tobacco users are at elevated risk for oral cancer. For these reasons, your dentist will likely recommend quarterly visits to the dentist.
- Individuals in cancer treatment – many of the treatments associated with cancer can increase oral health concerns, so it’s beneficial to visit the dentist at least three or four times each year.
- Those with chronic illnesses – chronic, systemic illnesses like HIV/AIDs, heart disease, and diabetes, have symptoms and/or common treatments that may impact oral health. If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness, talk to you dentist about the need to adjust your preventive dentistry plan.
Why Do I Need to Visit the Dentist Every Six Months if I Brush & Floss Daily?
While daily tooth brushing and flossing are essential aspects of preventive dental care plans, they still won’t prevent all oral health concerns. Even the most diligent at-home oral hygiene routine may miss certain areas. For example, patients often have tiny, deep crevices in the biting surfaces of teeth where even a single tooth brush bristle won’t reach. However, microscopic oral bacteria can accumulate there, producing plaque that hardens into calculus within hours. The same is true of the pockets between teeth and gum tissue. Some patients have deeper pockets that can’t be effectively cleaned through flossing alone. There are many difficult to clean areas on every person’s teeth where calculus will develop, damaging dental structures and soft tissue. The hard, stuck-on calculus deposits need to be removed by a professional. For this reason, you still need to visit the dentist at least twice a year for a preventive dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning.
These regular preventive dentistry appointments may actually save you a significant amount of time and money compared to the alternative of repairing your smile after problems arise. When serious oral health concerns, like advanced tooth decay and gum disease develop, your discomfort, time in the dental office, and out of pocket treatment costs can be significant. Compare that with scheduling regular trips to see us for quick checkups and cleanings, and the right choice is clear.
What Happens During a Dental Checkup & Teeth Cleaning Visit?
When you visit our Millersville dental office for preventive dentistry appointments, you will, be greeted warmly by our friendly dental team and caring dentists. We know how important it is for our patients to feel welcome and right at home in our Millersville dental office, and we always want to ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and taken care of. During these visits, we’ll perform quite a few preventive dental services, including:
- Capturing any necessary diagnostic x-rays and/or intraoral images of patient’s oral and facial structures
- Performing a thorough dental exam, including oral cancer screening and measuring periodontal pockets to screen for developing gum disease
- Completing cleaning of your teeth to remove bacteria, plaque, and calculus buildup in even the hardest to access areas
- Providing necessary education and resources to promote great oral health and hygiene every day
I’m in Pain & I Need Help
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
To determine whether you require root canal therapy or not, you will need to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists. The process will include taking an x-ray of the painful tooth so that we can determine the severity of the problem and whether it can be treated in a less invasive way. It may also be possible that the tooth cannot be saved if the infection or damage is too serious, in which case, we will recommend tooth extraction.
However, if we find that you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, there is a good chance that we will recommend you for root canal therapy:
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Significant pain occurring in the tooth, face, or jaw
- Gum inflammation
- Tooth that appears cracked or chipped
- Loose tooth
- Tooth discoloration
- Inability to eat normally
The Root Canal Process
Root canal therapy is used to remove the tooth’s inner nerve, also known as the dental pulp, after it has developed an infection or damage. This can cause the pulp to swell and create a lot of pressure within the tooth, which as you can imagine, isn’t very comfortable! Once the pulp is removed, the interior of the tooth is cleaned, shaped, and filled to prevent further infection. At a follow-up appointment, it can be topped with a crown, and it can be expected to look and function normally for many years to come.
I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth
What Are Tooth Colored Fillings Made From?
Our conservative tooth-colored filling restorations are made from composite resin, which is a mixture of plastic and glass. These materials are combined and shaded to seamlessly mimic the appearance of the surrounding natural teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings VS Amalgams?
For more than a century, dentists relied on metal amalgam filling to repair damaged or decay teeth. Many of our patients still have one or more metal fillings, but studies indicate that there may be negative long term health effects from these metal amalgam fillings, which often included mercury. In addition to the potentially toxic effects of mercury and other metals, the restoration process for metal fillings involves removing healthy tooth structure to create wedges that hold the filling in place. Once in position, the amalgam metal will expand and contract at a rate that’s higher than the tooth’s structure. This increases the risk for additional tooth damage, leaves space between the tooth and filling where bacteria can accumulate, and the filling may eventually break away from the tooth.
Composite resin fillings not only look great within your smile, but they also preserve more dental structure and actually strengthen the tooth. After decayed or damaged structure is removed, the putty-like composite resin is directly applied to the tooth and hardened in place. It fills in all the small crevices and chips in the dental structure, holding the tooth together firmly and sealing out bacteria. In the long term, composite resin protects and strengthens teeth, ensuring a healthier smile.
How Are Tooth Colored Fillings Placed?
Another benefit of tooth-colored fillings is how quickly and easily they can be placed in just one visit. We begin by removing decayed or damaged tooth structure and disinfecting the tooth. Next, we combine the composite resin, ensuring it blends with your surrounding teeth. Then, we apply the filling material directly to your prepared tooth where it seeps into all of the pits and grooves in the dental structure. Once molded in place, we use a curing light to harden the filling material. Finally, we smooth, seal, and polish the filling, recreating your damaged tooth structure.
How Do I Care for Tooth-Colored Fillings?
After your tooth is repaired, you can go back to your daily brushing and flossing routine as usual. You should also call to schedule a visit for dental checkups and teeth cleanings two times each year, so we can help you avoid additional dental damage and monitor your filling for signs of damage. Additionally, we recommend the following changes to your daily oral hygiene routine to extend the life of your filling:
- Use a soft or ultra soft bristled toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpastes to avoid unnecessary wear.
- Because composite resin will stain like tooth enamel, you should avoid using tobacco and eating or drinking dark-colored foods and beverages.
- If you grind or clench your teeth at night, you should wear a mouthguard to prevent damage to your teeth and the filling.
- If you participate in sports, you should wear an athletic mouthguard during all practices and competitions.
- Don’t use teeth to open packages, chew your fingernails, eat ice, or bite into other hard objects that may damage teeth.
I Am Missing Teeth
What Are My Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?
You may be a candidate for dental implants, bridges, or dentures depending on your oral health, the number of teeth missing, and your long-term goals.
Dental implants are often considered the gold standard because they replace both the tooth and the root, helping preserve jawbone health while providing a natural look and feel. They are a great option if you have healthy gums and adequate bone structure.
Dental bridges are a fixed solution that anchor an artificial tooth to the neighboring teeth. They’re a good choice if you’re missing one or two teeth in a row and your surrounding teeth are strong enough to support the restoration.
Dentures may be recommended if you are missing several or all of your teeth. Modern dentures are custom-made for comfort and appearance, and can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
The Shipley’s Dental Care team will evaluate your overall oral health, bone density, lifestyle, and budget to recommend the solution that best fits your needs.
How Soon Should I Replace a Missing Tooth?
It’s best to act quickly when you lose a tooth, because leaving the gap untreated can lead to a number of oral health problems. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth often begin to shift into the empty space, which can cause crowding, misalignment, or changes in your bite. Over time, the jawbone beneath the missing tooth may also begin to deteriorate, since bone needs stimulation from tooth roots to stay healthy. This bone loss can affect the shape of your face, make future tooth replacement more difficult, and even weaken support for nearby teeth. Acting early not only helps maintain your oral health and facial structure but also ensures that treatment options like dental implants, bridges, or dentures are more effective and predictable.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Missing Teeth?
It’s best to act quickly when you lose a tooth, because leaving the gap untreated can lead to long-term problems. Nearby teeth may begin to shift, which can cause misalignment and bite issues. The jawbone beneath the missing tooth may also weaken over time, affecting stability, chewing comfort, and even facial appearance.
Replacing a missing tooth early helps preserve your oral health and restore your smile. Depending on your needs, your dentist may recommend a dental implant, bridge, or denture. At Shipley’s, our Dental Care Membership Plan makes this care more affordable by covering preventive services and offering discounts on treatments—including tooth replacement—so you can protect your smile with confidence.
How Long Do Dental Implants or Bridges Last?
With proper care, implants can last decades or even a lifetime, while bridges often last 10+ years.
I Would Like to Enhance My Smile
What is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a customized treatment plan that combines cosmetic and restorative procedures—such as veneers, whitening, bonding, or crowns—to improve the appearance and function of your smile.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that bond to the front of your teeth to improve their shape, size, and color.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional whitening uses safe, dentist-approved solutions to remove stains and lighten tooth color, providing brighter results than over-the-counter products.
My Child Needs a Dentist
When Should My Child Have their First Dental Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth coming in.
What Happens at My Child's First Dental Visit?
The dentist will gently check your child’s teeth, gums, and bite, answer your questions, and provide tips for at-home care.
What Should I Do If My Child Has a Dental Emergency?
Call your dentist right away. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, keep it moist (in milk or gently back in place) and seek care immediately.
I Want to Treat My TMJ with Botox
What is TMJ Botox Treatment?
TMJ Botox treatment involves injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin into the muscles around your jaw. The goal is to relax the overactive muscles that cause jaw pain, tension, and teeth grinding (bruxism), helping to relieve discomfort and improve jaw function.
Is TMJ Botox Safe?
Yes. When administered by a trained dental or medical professional, Botox is considered safe for TMJ treatment. Side effects are generally mild and temporary, such as slight bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site.
How Long Does it Take to Work?
You may start to notice relief within 3–7 days after treatment, with the full effect typically appearing within 2 weeks. Results generally last 3–4 months, after which follow-up treatments may be recommended.