FAQs
COSMETIC CARE
- They stain over time, may chip, and need to be replaced more often.
- Porcelain veneers are thin layers of stacked porcelain fabricated in the lab and bonded to teeth.
- It usually takes two visits. Slight tooth reduction and some anesthesia are required.
- Porcelain veneers are stronger than dental bondings and less prone to staining.
RESTORATIVE CARE
- Persons with diets high in sweets, carbohydrates, and sugars
- Persons who live in communities with limited or no fluoridated water supplies
- Children and senior citizens
GUM CARE (PERIODONTALCARE)
ORTHODONTICS/ BRACES
- Brackets, metal or plastic, clear or tooth-colored bonded to teeth.
- Lingual-type brackets that attach to the back of teeth are hidden from view.
- Bands that cover most teeth with metal bands wrap around the teeth.
ORAL SURGERY
- Bacteria and plaque build-up
- Cysts development (a fluid-filled sac)
- Tumor development
- Infection
- Jaw and gum disease
Wisdom tooth extraction involves:
- Removing the gum tissue that presides over the tooth.
- Gently detaching the connective tissue between the tooth and the bone.
- Removing the tooth.
- Suturing the opening in the gum line.
- In individuals who smoke before their recommended time. Smoking: decreases healing, decrease blood supply to the protective blood clot, brings toxic products to the area, injuries the gum tissue, and the negative pressure of sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site.
- If you do not care for your extraction site as instructed by staff.
- Not following your home care instructions.
- Sucking action from smoking, sneezing, coughing, spitting, or sucking within the first 24 hours.
- Women taking oral contraceptives are more susceptible.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
According to the American Dental Association, the difference between saving and losing a knocked out tooth, is the thirty minutes following the incident. To save the tooth, follow these steps:
- Rinse the tooth in tap water.
- Avoid scrubbing the tooth.
- Insert the tooth into the empty socket quickly.
- If you are uncomfortable inserting the tooth, put the tooth in milk or water Get to the dentist immediately.
Canker sores are shallow, painful sores in your mouth. They are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. You may get them on the inside of your lips, the insides of your cheeks, the base of your gums or under your tongue. Canker sores are different from fever blisters, which usually are on the outside of your lips or the corners of your mouth.
Anyone can get canker sores, but women people in their teens and 20s get them more often. Canker sores may run in families, but they aren’t contagious. Causes of canker sores are unknown but they may be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, food allergies, spicy foods and menstrual periods.
Treatment
Canker sores usually go away without treatment. However, for pain relief your dentist may recommend medicines such as Anbesol, Oragel, Orabase and Zilactin-B, which may prevent your canker sores from becoming irritated by eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. These medicines can be applied directing on the sore with your finger tip or a Q-tip. Gently dry the sore with a swab before applying. Do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after applying.
Prevention
Unfortunately, causes of canker sore formation are unknown. However, using toothpaste that does not contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), avoiding hard, crunchy or spicy foods and chewing gum may help reduce mouth irritation. Brushing your teeth after meals, using a soft toothbrush and flossing every day will also keep your mouth free of food that might cause a canker sore. If you get canker sores often, or if they’re very painful, talk to your dentist.
Operculitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue found over partially erupted teeth. The most frequent site is the mandibular third molar region. The heavy flap of gingival tissues covering portions of the tooth crown of the tooth makes an ideal pocket for debris accumulation and bacterial incubation. In the acute phase, pain and swelling in the area are prominent features. Symptoms of a sore throat and difficulty in swallowing may be present. A partial contraction of muscles of mastication, causing difficulty in opening the mouth (trismus), may also be experienced. Abscess formation in the area may occur, leading to marked systemic symptoms of general malaise and fever.
Treatment involves careful cleaning below the flap and saline irrigation. It may also require antibiotic therapy if the condition warrants. Your dentist may decide to incise the gingival flap to make the area self cleansable. If in the third molar area it may require the extraction of the tooth.
MISCELLANEOUS BRUXISM – (Paranormal tooth grinding)
Bruxism is the term that refers to an incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times. Bruxers (persons with bruxism) are often unaware that they have developed this habit, and often do not know that treatment is available until damage to the mouth and teeth have been done. Damage caused by bruxism often includes the following symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Abraded teeth
- Facial pain
- Oversensitive teeth
- Tense facial and jaw muscles
- Headaches
- Dislocation of the jaw
- Damage to the tooth enamel, exposing the inside of the tooth (dentin)
- A popping or clicking in the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ)
- Tongue indentations
- Damage to the inside of the cheek
The symptoms of bruxism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a dentist or your physician for a diagnosis.
Although this habit is unintentional, oral health specialists often point to excessive stress and certain personality types as typical causes of bruxism. Bruxism often affects persons with nervous tension such as anger, pain, or frustration, and/or persons with aggressive, hurried, or overly-competitive tendencies.
Treatment for bruxism:
Treatment may involve:
Behavior modification
Night Guard
– A specially-fitted plastic mouth appliance may be worn at night to absorb the force of biting. This appliance may help to prevent future damage to the teeth.
Biofeedback
-Biofeedback involves an electronic instrument that measures the amount of muscle activity of the mouth and jaw — indicating to the patient when too much muscle activity is taking place so that the behavior can be changed. This is especially helpful for daytime bruxers.
All I can say is that I love Dr Gently and his staff. They always make you feel like family and always get quality work when needed. They explain everything as they go so your not blind sided . I would recommend them to anyone

A wonderful experience. You will be treated wonderfully by all the staff. Lovely Office. Dr. Gentling is engaging and informative through all your treatment process. I was referred by a neighbor and it could not have been a better experience.

Great visit to the BA Dentist Office!! any time you get a good results, it’s great visit!! Office staffs were very friendly and my hygienist was very gentle and through, Doctor Gentling was very knowledgeable to pointing out the dark shadows in my front tooth and gave me couple of options.
