Prehn Dental Office

We encourage patients to schedule their 6-month cleaning (and in some extreme cases, 3 or 4 months) in advance because we think it is an important part of your dental health.  Time flies by, and in most patients, if a prior appointment has already been made, they will see the importance of the appointment and keep their cleaning and exam current.  Also, if you have certain days or times that work best for you, you have first choice of securing the most requested time slots. 

After root canal therapy has been performed, a Dentist normally recommends a crown.  This is because after a root canal has been performed, the nerve of the tooth is gone but the tooth remains in your mouth with the periodontal ligaments attaching the tooth to the bone.  However, the tooth is not “living” from the inside and the tooth becomes dark and brittle and this is why we recommend crown coverage to restore the tooth to proper function.  Also, many times you needed to have root canal therapy performed because the tooth is really broken down and crown coverage is just the next logical step in maintaining your dentition. 

Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance usually has a maximum amount they pay out toward your dental health each year.  If it is not used, it expires and starts over at the calendar year of your insurance plan.  Many times, crowns, periodontal therapy, and other treatments are necessary.  If you put them off until the following year, you basically lost the benefit that you and or your employer have paid for.  We encourage you to maximize your insurance benefits as much as possible for the sake of our dental health! 

At Prehn Dental, we will discuss with you the different types of toothpaste.  Some whitening and tarter control toothpastes can be very abrasive on the teeth and cause a lot of sensitivity but some patients experience no side effects, at all.  The bottom-line is that all toothpastes have been approved by The American Dental Association and have gone through rigorous testing to prevent injury to your teeth.  We will discuss this, in more detail with you, at your cleaning appointment as to the type of toothpaste that is best for you.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have.