Dr. Deborah G. Anders

Toothbrushes | Crowns vs. Caps | Bridge v. Partial Denture
Root Canals with Crowns | Sensitive Teeth

Any additional questions can be forwarded to Dr. Anders through her email - andersdds@bellsouth.net

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.

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What’s the difference between a “crown” and a “cap”?

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".

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What’s the difference between a “bridge” and a “partial denture”?

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.

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Do I need to have a root canal just because I have a crown?

No. While most teeth which 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.

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Is it possible for my teeth to be more sensitive if I brush?

The general answer is a definitive no, if you are brushing correctly. The outside layer of your teeth is made of enamel. This is an extremely hard substance that is very wear resistant. Our suggestion though, is to always use asoft tooth brush so as not to harm the surrounding gums when you brush.

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