Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Dental implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options:

• Dental implants appear the most life-like and natural.
• The actual implant piece of the dental implant is made of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
• Dental implants are the most secure and stable.
• Dental implants prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw tissue healthy and preventing changes in the shape of your face.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Dental implants are the gold standard for teeth replacement, providing a long-term, reliable solution. However, if the bone in your jaw is degenerative or genetically thin, the dental implant may fail. Dr. Capati can perform bone grafting in the area so that the dental implant has a strong support.

Bone needs stimulation to grow, and if a tooth is missing, the body begins to reabsorb bone in the empty space. This process can result in facial hollowness, changes to your gum line, and even misalignment of other teeth.

One of the main benefits of dental implants is that it stimulates bone growth in the area of the missing tooth. In this process, called osseointegration, the post of the dental implant fuses with the jawbone, causing new bone growth around the post and better oral health.

If you don’t have enough bone in the area of a missing tooth, Dr. Capati can perform a bone graft using your own tissue or a biocompatible synthetic material. The bone graft will stimulate new bone cell growth and allow you to benefit from a dental implant.

Bone grafting is a routine procedure that requires local anesthesia and sometimes sedation, if needed. Dr. Capati can tell you if you’re a good candidate.

Dental lasers are versatile tools that enable dentists to perform a wide range of procedures with enhanced precision, comfort, and efficiency. This advanced technology has revolutionized modern dentistry, offering patients minimally invasive alternatives to traditional treatment methods.

Dental lasers excel in soft tissue procedures, including gum disease treatment, where they remove infected gum tissue while promoting healthy tissue regeneration. They're ideal for correcting a gummy smile, precisely reshaping excess gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth surface. Lasers also perform frenectomy procedures to release restrictive lip or tongue ties, and can treat cold sores, canker sores, and other oral lesions with minimal discomfort.

For cosmetic concerns, laser depigmentation effectively removes dark spots or patches on the gums caused by excess melanin, creating a more uniform, pink appearance. The procedure is quick, comfortable, and provides immediately visible results with minimal recovery time.

Additional laser applications include crown lengthening, biopsy procedures, and exposing wisdom teeth for easier extraction. The precision of laser technology means less bleeding, reduced swelling, faster healing, and often little to no need for anesthesia or sutures.

Our practice uses state-of-the-art laser technology to provide comfortable, effective treatment across numerous dental procedures, enhancing your overall experience and outcomes.

Yes, adults can absolutely receive lip and tongue tie release treatment, and modern dental laser technology has made the procedure safer, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before. While these conditions are often identified and treated in infancy, many adults live with undiagnosed lip or tongue ties that contribute to various oral health and functional issues.

When the frenulum, which is the band of tissue connecting the lip to the tongue or gums to the floor of the mouth, is too tight or thick, restricting normal movement, it is known as a tongue or lip tie. In adults, untreated ties can cause speech difficulties, challenges with eating certain foods, jaw tension, headaches, sleep apnea, and even contribute to gum recession or gaps between teeth.

Laser frenectomy offers significant advantages over traditional surgical methods. The dental laser precisely removes or releases the restrictive tissue with minimal discomfort and no need for scalpels or sutures. The laser simultaneously cauterizes the area, resulting in less bleeding, reduced infection risk, and faster healing times. Most patients experience only mild discomfort following the procedure and can return to normal activities within a day or two.

The treatment typically takes just 15-30 minutes and can be performed with local anesthesia. Many adults report immediate improvements in tongue mobility and comfort, with continued functional improvements developing over the following weeks as they retrain their oral muscles.

If you've experienced unexplained oral health issues or functional limitations, a tongue or lip tie evaluation may reveal the underlying cause and provide a path to relief.

BOTOX® has emerged as an effective treatment option for temporomandibular disorder (TMD), offering relief for patients suffering from jaw pain, tension, and dysfunction. When used for TMD, BOTOX works by temporarily relaxing the overactive muscles responsible for jaw clenching and grinding.

TMD often results from excessive muscle activity in the masseter and temporalis muscles, which control jaw movement. These muscles can become tense, fatigued, and painful due to chronic clenching, grinding (bruxism), or stress. BOTOX contains botulinum toxin, which blocks nerve signals to these muscles, reducing their ability to contract forcefully. This relaxation decreases muscle tension and alleviates the pain and discomfort associated with TMD.

The treatment involves strategic injections into the affected jaw muscles. The procedure is quick, typically taking only 10-15 minutes, and requires no downtime. Patients usually begin experiencing relief within a few days to a week, with full effects developing over two weeks. Results typically last three to six months, after which repeat treatments may be needed to maintain benefits.

BOTOX for TMD can reduce symptoms including jaw pain, headaches, facial tension, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. It also helps prevent teeth grinding damage that can lead to worn enamel and broken dental work. While BOTOX doesn't cure TMD, it provides significant symptom management and can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include physical therapy, oral appliances, and stress management techniques.

Consult with our team to determine if BOTOX therapy is appropriate for your TMD symptoms.