The most common reason for loose-fitting dentures is a process known as bone resorption, where the gums begin to shrink due to them no longer needing to hold your teeth in place followed by bone loose.

Yes, dental cleanings can help reduce bad breath by removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that cause it. Regular cleanings at Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville can keep your breath fresh and your mouth healthy.

Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic dental procedures. However, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost of a replacement tooth like the extraction. But typically the implant, crown and procedure are not covered.

Even if your teeth feel fine, small problems can develop without noticeable symptoms. Regular exams allow your dentist to catch issues early, when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat. Preventive care is key to avoiding bigger, more complicated dental concerns down the road.

Clear Aligners are used primarily for straightening, whereas veneers help with the cosmetic appearance of teeth. Clear Aligners are an alternative to braces whereas veneers are described as an alternative to false teeth because they are a capping system.

Most insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment, including Clear Aligners, up to a certain amount. To ensure that you get the most from your insurance plan, our staff will work closely with you to correctly submit the documents. We want you to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible so you can enjoy the benefits of Clear Aligners treatment on any budget.

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture.

Typically, six to eight weeks after the extractions. This allows sufficient time for the mouth to heal. We will re-examine your mouth to ensure enough time has passed prior to fitting your dentures.

In most cases, yes—regular patients often have their exam and cleaning completed during the same visit for convenience. Your hygienist will perform a gentle, thorough cleaning either before or after your dentist’s evaluation, depending on your individualized schedule.

However, if this is your first visit with us, we typically begin with a comprehensive new patient exam rather than a cleaning. This allows your dentist to take digital X-rays, evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and existing restorations, and discuss your goals before recommending the right type of cleaning for you.

Some patients may need a deeper level of cleaning or periodontal therapy rather than a standard hygiene visit, and identifying that first ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective care. Once your exam is complete, we’ll review your findings and schedule the right cleaning appointment to match your needs.

A soft food diet is recommended for the first 2-7 days.

The Clear Aligners process is generally less painful than traditional metal braces, but patients often experience some degree of discomfort during treatment.

Most complete coverage dental insurance policies include some restorative coverage, typically up to 50% of the cost of dentures is covered. Co-pays and regular deductibles still apply.

This is case-by-case question, but, generally not anyone under the age of 16.

There is typically very little postoperative pain. Some patients say the sensation is similar to having a "pizza burn" in your mouth. Swishing with a mouthwash may protect the uncovered surgical area and improve the healing process.

The most common reason for loose-fitting dentures is a process known as bone resorption, where the gums begin to shrink due to them no longer needing to hold your teeth in place followed by bone loose.

Clear aligners can effectively treat many orthodontic issues, including crowded teeth, gaps, and mild to moderate bite problems. However, severe cases may require traditional braces. During your consultation at Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville, we will assess your situation and recommend the best treatment option.

Immediately after the surgery and for a few days you will likely experience some soreness or discomfort. After all, this is a major dental procedure. However, most pain should be manageable and should not hold you back from normal daily activities.

You will need to visit Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville every 6-8 weeks for check-ups to ensure your treatment is progressing as planned. These appointments are usually quick and help us monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Dental Implants are a safe well-established treatment. Contemporary dental implants have been used for over 30 years.

A dry socket is a condition that may result after a tooth extraction if the blood clot is dislodged and lost. The dry socket leaves nerves exposed, which is very painful. This condition requires a dentist to clean the wound and places a special dressing into the socket.

To keep your aligners clean and clear, rinse them with lukewarm water and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the plastic. At Point Meadows Dentistry, we provide detailed care instructions to our Jacksonville patients to ensure their aligners stay in great condition.

Clear aligners may cause a slight lisp or change in speech initially, but this is usually temporary. Most patients at Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville adjust to speaking with aligners within a few days.

Non-abrasive, tartar control toothpaste are best suited to care for the surface of the implant. Avoid toothpaste with baking soda, too much fluoride, and those designed for smokers.

The length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of your case. On average, treatment with clear aligners at Point Meadows Dentistry takes about 12 to 18 months. During your consultation in our Jacksonville office, we will provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific needs.

SureSmile® Clear Aligners use a series of custom-made plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth into alignment. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, gently moving your teeth until your treatment is complete.

Yes. Clear aligners like SureSmile® are highly effective for treating mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. For more complex cases, your dentist will advise if additional treatment is needed.

Treatment time varies by case, but most patients complete their SureSmile® journey in 6 to 18 months, depending on the severity of alignment issues and how consistently aligners are worn.

Veneers generally last between 7 and 15 years, depending on material. After this time, the veneers would need to be replaced.

The cost of veneers is not typically covered by insurance. To be certain, check with your dental insurance company.

Yes, bondings and crowns are alternative options. Veneers may be the best option for individuals who want to change the color and shape of their teeth more than just a little bit, but not enough to require a crown.

Porcelain veneer does not damage your natural teeth by any means. In fact, it protects your natural teeth from further decaying as well as other damages. Fragile teeth can be dangerous, as they can be broken down anytime. With veneer, porcelain lamination is added around the teeth to give strength.

We offer some type of numbing for the first part of the veneer process. Once you are numb, you shouldn't feel any pain. Most patients who have two to four veneers experience little to no pain after the procedure. Patients who have eight or more veneers may feel some soreness in the gums and maybe the jaw.

Wisdom teeth are believed to be evolutionary and were at one time helpful to our distant ancestors who ate diets that consisted of rougher foods. As their teeth wore down or fell out, wisdom teeth provided back-up and replenished the worn out teeth!

Left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. In severe cases, the bacteria can travel toward the heart and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve, or a blood vessel. This can cause a condition known as Bacterial Endocarditis. Another severe outcome is Ludwig’s angina, a condition where the infection restricts one’s airways.

If you're having one tooth extracted, the entire process can be completed in 20-40 minutes. However, if you're having multiple teeth extracted, you should expect to spend a little more time in our office.

You won't need a sick note for this. You can drive immediately after the procedure, as long as only local anaesthetic was used.

An Abcess is a condition where a pocket of pus (caused by a bacterial infection) builds up around the tooth. Every year approximately 200,000 Americans suffer from the crippling pain from an infected tooth.

When performed by a dental professional, teeth whitening is an effective and safe way to brighten your smile. The most common side effect of whitening is temporary tooth sensitivity. In extreme cases the sensitivity can last up to a few days. It’s important to consult your dentist, to make sure you are a candidate for teeth whitening and to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Veneers generally last between 7 and 15 years, depending on material. After this time, the veneers would need to be replaced.

The cost of veneers is not typically covered by insurance. To be certain, check with your dental insurance company.

Yes, bondings and crowns are alternative options. Veneers may be the best option for individuals who want to change the color and shape of their teeth more than just a little bit, but not enough to require a crown.

To avoid a hypersensitive reaction, we may recommend take-home bleaching trays with a lower concentration of carbamide peroxide – which is not as potent as hydrogen peroxide.

In-office bleaching is not a permanent solution. Like your teeth prior to the treatment, they will remain susceptible to stains. We will recommend you follow-up your treatment with a lower-percentage bleach in-home treatment that can be kept on the teeth for longer periods of time.

Wisdom teeth are believed to be evolutionary and were at one time helpful to our distant ancestors who ate diets that consisted of rougher foods. As their teeth wore down or fell out, wisdom teeth provided back-up and replenished the worn out teeth!

Left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. In severe cases, the bacteria can travel toward the heart and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve, or a blood vessel. This can cause a condition known as Bacterial Endocarditis. Another severe outcome is Ludwig’s angina, a condition where the infection restricts one’s airways.

If you're having one tooth extracted, the entire process can be completed in 20-40 minutes. However, if you're having multiple teeth extracted, you should expect to spend a little more time in our office.

You won't need a sick note for this. You can drive immediately after the procedure, as long as only local anaesthetic was used

An Abcess is a condition where a pocket of pus (caused by a bacterial infection) builds up around the tooth. Every year approximately 200,000 Americans suffer from the crippling pain from an infected tooth.

Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic dental procedures. However, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost of a replacement tooth like the extraction. But typically the implant, crown and procedure are not covered.

Immediately after the surgery and for a few days you will likely experience some soreness or discomfort. After all, this is a major dental procedure. However, most pain should be manageable and should not hold you back from normal daily activities.

Dental Implants are a safe well-established treatment. Contemporary dental implants have been used for over 30 years.

There is typically very little postoperative pain. Some patients say the sensation is similar to having a "pizza burn" in your mouth. Swishing with a mouthwash may protect the uncovered surgical area and improve the healing process.

A soft food diet is recommended for the first 2-7 days.

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture.

A dry socket is a condition that may result after a tooth extraction if the blood clot is dislodged and lost. The dry socket leaves nerves exposed, which is very painful. This condition requires a dentist to clean the wound and places a special dressing into the socket.

While most people can expect some discomfort during and after a root canal procedure, excessive pain is not normal.

Between a root canal and a tooth extraction, a root canal is the preferred choice because it works on fixing your natural tooth. If a tooth is too far compromised, we may recommend an extraction, followed by a dental implant to replace what was lost.

You can generally expect one or two appointments of about 90 minutes each. The first appointment is general to remove all infection from the root system of the tooth, and on the second visit the root canal is cleaned, disinfected, shaped, measured and filled to prevent any further infection.