Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do I need a root canal?

A. Root canals are needed when the pulp or tissue inside the tooth dies. Bacteria enter the pulp and cause its death. Symptoms such as throbbing, or hot and cold sensitivity, are common when nerves die. When left untreated, an abscess can occur. Root canal therapy is a procedure we use to remove the pulp tissue and replace it with a rubber material called gutta-percha.

Q. What are splints?

A. Splints are used in the mouth for a number of reasons, ranging from night grinding (bruxism) to TMJ problems. It is basically a plastic wafer which covers your teeth and prevents the top and bottom teeth from contacting. Dr. Prehn will advise if splints are needed in your situation.

Q. If I have dentures, do I need to see a dentist on a regular basis?

A. We strongly recommend that all patients see a dentist on a regular basis, even if you have dentures. Dentures need to be monitored for retention fit to prevent your jaws from shrinking at a more rapid pace than normal. Every oral exam includes a review of your soft tissue to check for cancer and other problems.

Q. Does my dental insurance pay for everything?

A. Dental insurance helps with the cost of dental care, but it never covers 100% in most situations. Basically, insurance companies will try to maximize their profits by decreasing the benefits paid for your dental health. Prehn Dental works with all insurance companies to maximize your benefits, and we advise patients not to rely on their coverage for complete dental care.

Q. What does D.D.S. stand for?

A. D.D.S. stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. It is similar to a Medical Doctor degree obtained by your personal physician. Dentists are trained in all aspects of oral health with an emphasis on head, neck, and oral regions.

Q. Can I have my dental treatment done at the hospital?

A. Absolutely. All procedures can be performed under general anesthetic in an out-patient basis at either the Wausau Surgery Center or Wausau Hospital Center. Dr. Prehn is on staff at both of these institutions to treat patients that require general anesthetic procedures.

Q. Does Dr. Prehn make referrals to specialists?

A. Dr. Prehn utilizes all area board-certified specialists in Central Wisconsin for the care of your dental health. After a thorough examination, you will be referred to a specialist if needed to care for your particular condition. The Wausau area offers a full variety of specialists, including oral surgery, endodontia, periodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. If a specialist can better handle your particular situation, you will gladly be referred.

Q. Does the staff of Prehn Dental attend continuing education?

A. Yes, Dr. Prehn's staff is well trained and attends regular seminars and courses to maximize their ability to treat your dental conditions. Continuing education is an important part of Prehn Dental.

Q. Does Dr. Prehn attend continuing education courses?

A. Most definitely. Continuing education is an important part of Dr. Prehn's philosophy when treating patients. Regular attendance and participation in the local study club comprised of prominent dentists, as well as enrolling in coursework offerings throughout the country is taken by Dr. Prehn to better serve your dental needs.

Q. What is an intra-oral camera?

A. Intra-oral cameras utilize fiber optics to visualize oral conditions. This new technology helps Dr. Prehn explain patients' dental conditions and allows the patient to see on the computer screen what we are seeing in the mouth.

Q. What is a sealant?

A. An acid etched, bonded plastic material used to fill the grooves of teeth to prevent decay.

Q. Are sealants necessary?

A. Sealants are an excellent way to prevent decay from the biting surface of permanent teeth. Dr. Prehn recommends sealants on children's first permanent or 6-year molars and other permanent teeth as they erupt to prevent decay on the biting surface.

Q. If my teeth are dark, will teeth whitening work for me?

A. Bleaching is a new technique that allows us to lighten teeth under many circumstances. To determine if bleaching is right for you, a consultation will be necessary. Another option available to patients is porcelain veneers if bleaching is unable to garner the desired results.

Q. Are implants a good option for me?

A. Implants are becoming more common place in today's dentistry. Dr. Prehn utilizes implants for various treatment plans including dentures, partials, and missing teeth. It is an exciting alternative to removable appliances. A consultation is necessary to determine if implants are a viable option for you.

Q. Why do my dentures keep falling out?

A. Removable dentures stay in the mouth by suction. As one ages, bone shrinks and dentures become ill-fitting. Even under the best circumstances, dentures have limited retention and decrease functional chewing and taste. In most cases implants are an exciting alternative to help dentures stay in place and increase the satisfaction of this particular appliance.

Q. Why do dentists take so many x-rays?

A. X-rays are an important part of your dental treatment. Without x-rays, dentists are unable to give patients a full diagnosis and offer available options. X-rays are the eyes beneath the surface that allows us to determine the health of your supporting structure and of your teeth. X-rays are taken on a regular basis to keep ahead of any disease process and to enable us to give the best treatment for oral disease.

Q. Does Dr. Prehn utilize specialists?

A. Dr. Prehn utilizes all area board-certified specialists in Central Wisconsin for the care of your dental health. After a thorough examination, you will be referred to a specialist if needed to care for your particular condition. The Wausau area offers a full variety of specialists, including oral surgery, endodontia, periodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. If a specialist can better handle your particular situation, you will gladly be referred.

Q. Why are my teeth sensitive after fillings are placed?

A. When fillings are placed, teeth can sometimes be sensitive to hot and cold for a period of time. This is a normal response as it takes awhile for the body to calm a tooth down after a filling has been placed.

Q. If I get a crown done, does this prevent a root canal?

A. In many cases crowns prevent the need for root canals. However, if the decay or fracture was extensive, the nerve can die, resulting in a root canal after a crown is done.

Q. I brush my teeth twice a day, why do I still get cavities?

A. Cavities are caused by many factors including home care, diet, and genetics. If you are only brushing, and not flossing, you are missing 50% of the bacteria in your mouth. If your diet and home care is good, then genetics plays a most important factor in how fast teeth decay. A common cause of decay in the last few years has been the increase in soda intake. Even diet soda causes decay due to high acid levels in soda.

Q. Do crowns last forever?

A. Crowns or caps are used to restore teeth if a substantial part of the tooth is broken down. Even in the best of situations crowns seldom last forever. Crowns need to be cared for even more than natural teeth.

Q. At what age should a patient first see Dr. Prehn?

A. We would like to see children by the age of 3, by that time all of the baby teeth are fully erupted. We like to acquaint the child to Dr. Prehn and his hygienist with a friendly appointment. If the parent notices a problem earlier, the child should be seen.

Q. Why are mouth guards necessary?

A. Mouth guards are used to protect teeth from injury when involved with sports. Teeth are very sensitive to any type of impact, and mouth guards diminish the chance of displacement or fracture when involved in contact sports.

Q. What is laughing gas?

A. Nitrous Oxide sedation (laughing gas) is an analgesic used to relax patients prior to dental treatment. Sometimes it prevents the need for local anesthesia, but in most cases we utilize it in conjunction with local anesthetic for dental treatment. It does not put you to sleep, but relaxes you to a point that even the most apprehensive patients accept dental treatment with ease.

Q. Will you file my insurance claim?

A. Prehn Dental will electronically and manually file insurance claims for all of our patients. We work with your insurance carrier to maximize your benefits. We do not tailor our treatment plans based on insurance limitations, but we will work with them as much as possible to insure that you receive the most out of premium dollars.

Q. What type of toothbrush should I use?

A. The type of toothbrush that Dr. Prehn recommends is normally a soft-bristled tooth brush. Either electric or manual can be utilized. Medium and hard-bristled brushes have a tendency to wear away tooth structure - especially at the gum line. If you have any questions regarding your situation, please feel free to ask Dr. Prehn.

Q. When should I floss my teeth?

A. You should floss only the teeth you want to keep! Seriously, you should floss your teeth, at least daily, in order to prevent periodontal disease and decay. It takes 24 hours for bacteria to build up in the mouth, thus the need to floss daily!

Q. Why do my gums bleed?

A. Gums bleed for various reasons, but the most common is a condition called gingivitis. When gums bleed, it is usually the body's way of telling you that there is a bacteria and/or disease process happening beneath the gum line. If your gums bleed for more than three days, you should seek dental care to evaluate the underlying cause.

Q. Why do my teeth "hurt" after having them cleaned?

A. In many cases, the dental hygienist (or Dr. Prehn) will need to go below your gum line to remove deposits that have adhered to the root surface of your teeth. When this occurs, the teeth can be sensitive after the cleaning appointment - it is part of the process of cleaning teeth if a patient has a calculus or other hard deposits. Normally, a cleaning appointment is painless, but if there are places where the hygienist (or Dr. Prehn) had to remove deposits, you can have some post-operative discomfort.

Q. How does "sensitive" toothpaste work?

A. Most sensitive toothpastes work by placing potassium nitrate ions into the sensitive area of the tooth. Roots of teeth are like sponges and when the potassium nitrate ions go into the surface of the teeth, it helps de-sensitize the tooth and that is why most sensitive toothpastes need to be used on a daily basis.

Q. Is tartar-control toothpaste right for me?

A. My experience with tartar control toothpaste is that it is not necessary except for extreme situations. In my experience, most patients that use tartar control toothpastes create sensitivity at the gum line from the abrasives that are present in the toothpaste. If you brush on a daily basis, most any toothpaste will work at removing plaque and pathogen structures.

Q. Are electric toothbrushes a good option for me as a patient?

A. Lately, patients ask about Spin brushes or electric toothbrushes. My opinion is that these are an excellent way to increase home care for patients; especially for patients who have braces, disabilities or have a hard time manipulating a manual toothbrush.

Q. What can you do for my sensitive teeth?

A. First and foremost, the most conservative approach is to try a sensitive toothpaste (such as Sensodyne). If that does not work, fluoride rinses, fluoride gels, and even some topical applications of chemicals can be placed in an office setting to decrease sensitivity.

Q. How often do I need X-rays?

A. Most patients understand that x-rays are an important part of diagnosing your dental condition. It depends on the situation as far as how often (and what type of x-rays) are taken.

• Panoramic x-rays (an x-ray that goes around the outside of your head) are taken on an average of every 3-5 years.
• Bitewing x-rays (which are x-rays where you bite down on a tab) are most often taken every 1-2 years depending on your dental condition.
• Periapical x-rays are taken on an "as-needed" basis to diagnose decay on the roots and the bone structure around your teeth.