Dr. Jonathan Scharf

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

It's : It's ok but i would prefer to see you use a sonicare children's electric toothbrush. The head is smaller and it will do a great job. You're lucky he... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Arnold Malerman agrees1 doctor agrees

A member asked:

Best home remedy for a toothache? i have what i'm sure is a toothache. it hurts, and i've never had tooth pain like this before. is there anything i can do at home to make it go away, or at least go away until i'm able to see a dentist?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I'm : I'm not trying to be smart but the best home remedy is your telephone. Take an otc pain med and call for an emergency appointment now!

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Louis Gallia agrees1 doctor agrees

A member asked:

What is the best way to whiten teeth? i've been a heavy coffee drinker for years and would like to have white teeth again. i am thinking about laser whitening because it seems to work the best.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Of : Of course start with a good cleaning to remove surface stain. My presonal preference is in office whitening as opposed to otc types. The uv light ac... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Pain when i bite down after getting a filling? i got a new filling two weeks ago, the third one i've had total. with this filling though, there's some pain every time i bite down. should i go back to the dentist and get this checked out?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Your : Your bite sensitivity can be anything from a minor bite adjustment to a "loosening" of the bonding adhesive--you must get it checked.

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Will people be able to tell that i've had tooth bonding done? i'd like to fix some small imperfections in my teeth with bonding, but am kind of worried for some reason that people will notice i've had it done. i don't think anyone but me notices the imper

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

A : A good cosmetic dentist can evaluate your situation to determine what kind of result you can expect. In most situations bonding when properly applied... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

Does smoking cause the gums to recede or is it chewing tobacco? i was gueing that chewing cause the gums to deteriorate but some say its smoking. can i have some opinions?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I can assure you that both smoking and chewing are extremely dangerous habits that affect the tissues in the mouth. Chewing has a direct effect on th... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

How long after a crown lengthening do you have to wait to get an impression for a final crown? i had a root canal performed, followed by a crown lengthening last week, and am now waiting to get an impression done for the final crown. this whole process se

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

This : This can vary depending on the extent of the crown lenghtening and your body's ability to heal. In my office we usually allow a minimum of 8 weeks fo... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

I have chipped my tooth that is the front tooth and don't have dental insurance so about how much would it cost to fix it and how i actually think both of the two top middle are chipped one worse than the other.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

We : We cannot give a fee without seeing the exact problem. It could be anything from a minor reshaping to a bonding, veneer or crown. The fees vary grea... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

If i don't wear a retainer after braces, will my teeth go exactly back to how they were? i have not been good about remembering to wear my retainer, and am beginning to wonder if i really even need to.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

They : They may not go exactly back to where they were but they may end up where you don't want them to be. If your orthodontist told you to wear it, then i... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Any thoughts on dentists using papoose boards for fillings in children? my three year old son is going to need a filling, unfortunately, and our pediatric dentist says he will need to use a papoose board. i'm not comfortable with this, and haven't heard o

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I understand your apprehension but consider the risk of injury if your child is moving about uncontrollably during a procedure. You may want to talk ... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 53-year-old female asked:

Had 2 crowns on front teeth done why does it hurt had 2 crowns on front teeth done 3 weeks ago had shots to numb . for the last 3 weeks fell like i have something underneath the tooth, like a small seed and pain where the shots were. is this normal

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I'm : I'm not certain if you now have permanent or temporary crowns. It is not uncommon to have some discomfort with temporary crowns but in any case i wou... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

How much does laser teeth whitening damage your teeth and gums? i'd like to get my teeth whitened, and have read that laser teeth whitening can cause your teeth to be tender. does it do any permanent damage?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

In : In office light (laser or uv) activated tooth whitening does not cause damage to the teeth or gums in the hands of a competent clinician. You may exp... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

If your crown has darkend a little what can you do to get them back to the natural color they were when you got them... .

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

It : It depends somewhat on the material that the crown is made of, but if it's not surface stain that can be polished off the usual remedy is to remake th... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Does a frenectomy require stitches? i'm going to be having a frenectomy done as part of my orthodontic treatment, and would like to know if i will need stitches afterwards. and is it a long recovery time?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Frenectomy : Frenectomy is recommended when there is fibrous attachment between teeth interfering with orthodontic closure of spaces. It is a simple procedure but... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

How often should dental x-rays be taken? is this something that needs to be done during both dentist appointments a year, or can it just be done on one? it's my least favorite part of the visit. i have a small mouth, and it hurts to bite down on those tra

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The standard guideline is bite wing x-rays (the 4 you bite down on) once a year and a full mouth complete series or panoramic x-ray once every 3-5 yea... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Am i in any serious trouble i had five teeth pulled 15 hours ago and at least two of them had an abscess. the dentist could not drain them before pulling because the pus was still hard. i have been on anti biotics for 41 hours. now the pus is draining ove

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

You : You have been put on antibiotics to contain the infection and to prevent its spread. The draining that you are experiencing is the infection leaving ... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Martin Raff agrees1 doctor agrees

3 thanks

A member asked:

Our two year is going in for her first dentist visit. what should we expect? i know we should have had her in when she got her first baby tooth, but we didn't. what should we expect, and what will be different from a normal adult visit to the dentist?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I recommend that children be seen at 30 months for their first visit. Going for a ride in the chair, light cleaning and exam. Just get to know the r... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Is it easier to floss a child's teeth while they are lying down? i have a really difficult time getting my three year old to sit still while i try and floss. at the dentist though, while he's lying back in the chair, he seems to be fine. is this the key m

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

It : It may be that or it may just be the fact that it's in a dental office and it's not you so the interaction is different. Try laying him back in your ... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Is it normal for a tooth to be hurting and throbbing after a root canal? root canal was done this past week, tooth is now hurting and throbbing.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Dr. : Dr. Funari has given you most of the possibilities. I would still suggest a call to your dentist to evaluate your discomfort and direct you as to wha... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

What is this lump on my gums? i discovered a sort of bump on my gums in the far back by a bad tooth. at first it was hard and it freaked me out, but now it almost feels like it's collecting puss. it doesn't really hurt at all. it's softer now. i'm going t

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The best peace of mind will come from knowing that as soon as you make an appointment you will have started on the road to finding the solution to you... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Any extra problems when getting braces as an adult? i'd like to get braces and never had them as a kid. is there anything extra, or extra problems that adults need to worry about?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I agree with the above answer in that adults present with a greater amount of dental work and periodontal issues than children. The good news is that... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

Can porcelain veneers be whitened? just had porcelain veneers put on......2 weeks ago....i wish they were whiter.....

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Porcelain : Porcelain is not a material that responds to chemical whitening. If they are not white enough they would need to be remade.

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Redo a root canal i had a root canal that has become abscessed and needs to be redone. general dentists tell me that i need to find a specialist (a many hour drive). my question is why is a specialist needed? if this dentist was just plan old incompetent,

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I don't think the issue is incompetence-actually recognizing the difficulty of retreatment and referring you to a proper specialist with the skill and... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Is there anything i can do to stop grinding my teeth other than getting a night guard? i grind my teeth, and my dentist says i need a night guard, but my insurance won't cover any of it and i can't afford it. is there anything else i can do that might sto

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The above answers are basically true. It is very difficult to stop night grinding--it's just a habit that seems to be stress related. If you can't a... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A male asked:

Is eating burnt popcorn bad to eat? not totally burnt just a little.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Since : Since this is a dental site i assume that you are referring to the implications that eating the hard kernels have on your teeth. I know it's fun to c... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

How long can i wait to have a cavity filled? i have a hole in a molar that i'm pretty sure is a cavity, but my next dentist appointment is three months away, and my insurance only covers two check-up visits a year. is it okay to wait the three months?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Even : Even though your insurance covers only two checkups a year there is usually provision for emergency treatment in between. Do not wait--go get it look... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Bassman agrees1 doctor agrees

A member asked:

My top and bottom two teeth go in. i wnat to know what i can do to fix that. the rest of my teeth are perfectly in line. nothing but i have a minor bleeding disorder. i am a dancer and would for once like to have a nice smile. but i do not want braces. i

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

IT'S : It's difficult to diagnose this way but there are altenatives to braces such as invisalign which is much less intrusive and may correct your problem. ... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Crown prep still hurts after 6 weeks. desperate for relief. willing to get a root canal if there's a small chance it will help. i had a crown prep done 6 weeks ago. for a week afterwards, i felt a sharp pain when biting down on food and an ever-present d

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The fact that it getting better may be an indication that you wil be ok if you can hang in. If you can't, a root canal will probably give you immedia... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Are dental caps different from crowns? i'm going in for my first crown in a few weeks, but have also read about dental caps, and am a little confused. are caps and crowns the same thing?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Most : Most dental proceedures and ailments have a scientific name as well as a more commonly used name more familiar to the patient (i.e. Periodontal diseas... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Why are my teeth not evenly stained? i do probably drink too much coffee, but i noticed recently that my teeth aren't evenly stained. my top two front teeth look like they have white or light yellow lines in them. what could those be?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

There : There are two types of staining-extrinsic-coffee, tea, red wine, etc. And intrinsic-color from the underlying dentin layer of your teeth. Surface irr... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Will laser teeth whitening also whiten my crowns? i'm thinking about have my teeth whitened, but also have a few crowns. will laser teeth whitening provide an even look, or does it react differently on surfaces that are not real tooth enamel?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Porcelain : Porcelain and other filling materials do not respond to the whitening process although I have seen badly discolored front fillings brighten slightly d... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Howard Schneider and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

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A member asked:

What dental cap material lasts the longest? i'm not real concerned about what they look like, but i do want to choose the kind that last the longest.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

It : It cetainly would be difficult to accept a front tooth capped in full gold, but if we are talking areas that are not of esthetic concern, gold will st... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

What can i do to help my tooth/gum? my tooth on the left upper side of my mouth and gum surrounding it is in extreme pain. i recieved a filling replacement for it several weeks ago and at first it was fine and i felt much better, but as for the last sever

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The reason for your pain may be complex but your solution is simple--call your dentist immediately. This is not a situation to fool with!

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Can a tooth usually be saved if it has an abscess? i have an extremely painful abscessed tooth that i'm going to see my dentist about in two days. i'm really worried that i will lose the tooth, and would rather have a root canal or almost anything else th

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I congratulate you for knowing the importance of saving teeth as opposed to unnecessary extraction. Without an exam and x-ray it's hard to know your ... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Sandra Eleczko and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

3 thanks

A member asked:

Can a septocaine shot for dental work, leave a bruise on the outside of your jaw? i informed the dr. of this, and he said it was part of a reaction to the septocaine. i also had an abrasion further away from the injection. i know his assistant left the su

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Bruising : Bruising can occur after any injection, but in this case it really sounds like nothing more than a bruise and not an allergic reaction. Bruising can ... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Can gingivitis cause bleeding gums? when i brush my teeth, and sometimes even if i just put pressure on my upper gums with my tongue, they bleed. what could be causing this?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Bleeding : Bleeding gums indicate that there is a problem. It may be a dental problem, or it could be a systemic medical issue. Start with your dentist, as thi... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Arnold Malerman agrees1 doctor agrees

A member asked:

Why does my crown feel "loose"? i got my first crown a little over a month ago, and it's always felt "loose" to me. i don't really know any other way to describe it. if i touch it with my finger it feels secure, but there's something about it that just fe

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Very : Very simply, if it doesn't feel right get it checked. There could be a number of reasons for the sensation that you are experiencing but only a clini... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Teeth gum problems my teeth all are just messed up.i have bone loss and bad gums.iam 42 and just want to cap them all.can that be done.and if so what's the expense

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Sounds : Sounds like there may be quite a bit of preliminary work needed even before considering caps. Can't quote in this forum, but i know you need to get a... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What does a pediatric dentist do that's different from a regular dentist? our pediatrician told us it's time we took our baby to the dentist for the first time, but i'd like to know what exactly makes going to a pediatric dentist necessary?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The difference is that a pedodontist focuses on complex pediatric dental problems as well as difficult behavioral management issues. For routine dent... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Arnold Malerman agrees1 doctor agrees

A member asked:

Gum pain and gingivitis? over the last month one of my upper front teeth has become very sensitive, and now the gum above it is also quite sore. is this gingivitis?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

The : The only thing that we know for certain based on you description of the prblem is that it needs immediate attention. It could be a gum abcess or a co... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Why is my tooth hurting when i eat food like when i eat a pizza it hurts a little or when i bite down on sweet bread

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Very : Very difficult to tell you why in this forum but no question you should call your dentist asap! anything from a loose filling to an abcessed tooth-ge... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

About how long will a deep cleaning appointment last? i've been told i need to make an appointment to have a deep cleaning done, and my dentist said an hour. i've read elsewhere that it could take 90 minutes though, and i need to know about how long it co

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Each : Each hygienist or doctor may have a different technique or work at a different pace when deep cleaning. I can't answer for your doctor, but if you ha... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Is there anything that's done differently about pediatric dental exams? we're going to take our year old daughter in for her first dentist appointment, and would like to know what, if anything, is done differently during pediatric dental exams versus norm

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I agree completely with the other answers that you have been given. General dentists as well as pedodontist have the same objectives when doing patie... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Do crowns always need crown lengthening? i'm going to need two crowns, the first i've ever had, and was told that i'm going to need crown lengthening, which sounds really painful. is this a common thing with crowns?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

First : First of all let me say that I have done hundreds of crown lengthenings without having patients in significant post-operative pain. Not all teeth req... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What to do about a cavity with no dental insurance? i believe i have a cavity due to a brown spot in the center of one of my back molars. i don't have dental insurance or a lot of money. what is the best route i should take?

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Unfortunately : Unfortunately the human body doesn't choose who has insurance and who doesn't. The need to repair your tooth remains regardless. You must get it che... Read More

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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Louis Gallia and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 44-year-old member asked:

My daughter has a white thing on her top gums above her tooth..what could it be? she had one tooth pulled due to infection a few weeks ago

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

It : It could be an abcess but also a normal blanching of the gum tissue where the permanent tooth is approaching the surface. When in doubt, check it out... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

I am 27 years old. is laser teeth whitening more effective if you're older? i asked my dentist about laser teeth whitening and he said that he didn't think i'd see much of a difference because of my age. i think my teeth are stained, but maybe they're not

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

I : I don't think age is as important as other factors. The nature of the staining and the original starting shade influence the ability to whiten moreso... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A female asked:

All teeth pull how long do it take foe gum heal for denture

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Healing : Healing time varies depending upon the extent of the surgery (the number of teeth extracted) and the patient's general health. Usually the impression... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Perio cleaning yesterday i saw a perio individual and she stated my mouuth needs perio-quad scaling cleaning. i brush, floss and use listerine 3 times daily to keep teeth clean. i read an article on the internet about a product called dental pro 7. also m

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Rather : Rather than comment on a specific product let's back up a minute and talk about the deep cleaning. Athough you have tried hard to do all of the right... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

Are porcelain fillings generally covered by dental insurance? porcelain really looks like that way i'd like to go with a filling i need done, as it seems like it will last the longest, but i'm concerened that my insurance won't cover it.

Cosmetic Dentistry 51 years experience

Whether : Whether or not an insurance company covers tooth colored fillings varies greatly from company to company and depending on how the contract is written.... Read More

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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago