Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have a therapy dog in training to help you feel more at ease. Sometimes an individual may require a prescription medication to get through their appointment which will be evaluated at the time of examination. No IV sedation or Nitrous Oxide utilized in our office. 

Mouthwash for flavoring, chlorhexidine if prescribed by your dentist. 

Dr. Frey's recommendation: Add a capful of Listerine Whitening with warm water to your water flosser to help reverse gingivitis. Because of it's antibacterial properties, hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen that helps destroy bacteria which may help battle periodontal disease.

The best way for patients to improve the appearance of their smiles is to start with a healthy foundation. Dr. Olga Frey provides a full evaluation for her patients to uncover any hidden dental conditions that may interfere with patients’ desires to have cosmetic procedures. Once she determines that the patient’s teeth and gums are completely healthy, she can provide a cosmetic dental treatment plan that addresses the patient’s aesthetic concerns.

Some of the cosmetic procedures she offers include:

Professional teeth whitening – A custom professional take-home whitening system can improve the patient’s tooth color by several shades with two to three weeks of use. Dr. Frey will discuss whitening time as well as frequency to help her patients achieve the brightest smile while avoiding common side effects.

Cosmetic dental bonding – Cosmetic bonding is an economical and non-invasive treatment that fixes minor flaws in a patient’s smile, such as gaps, chips, misshapen, or damaged teeth.

Porcelain crowns – Dental crowns provide stability and can improve the appearance of patients’ smiles by covering worn or damaged teeth.

Porcelain veneers – Porcelain veneers are the gold standard for patients wishing to make dramatic changes to their smiles. Veneers cover the patient’s natural teeth and can address aesthetic conditions such as short or worn teeth, deeply stained teeth, and misaligned teeth.

Dental implants have 3 parts: a bio-compatible, small titanium post, an abutment, and then the dental restoration. The post is implanted into the jaw bone via a simple surgical procedure. The implant integrates with the jaw bone acting as the tooth root and providing a solid foundation for an artificial tooth.

A dental implant is used to replace missing teeth due to disease or lack of oral hygiene as well as missing teeth due to injury or trauma.

How long is the process?

If you need any pre-treatments such as a bone graft or tooth extraction that will be performed first.  Then you will move on to the surgical phase where the implants are surgically placed. This will require 3-6 months of healing time.

During this time, you will have a healing cap on the implant. Last is the attachment of the abutment and the dental restoration. The entire process can take anywhere from 6-9 months.

The national success rate for implants is over 95%. Factors like smoking greatly increase your chance of implant failure.

Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease characterized by bad breath, bleeding, sensitive, and swollen gums. Periodontal disease occurs because calculus (tartar) and bacteria develop beneath the gum line. Sensitive gum tissue develops an infection and can cause bleeding during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis may develop into the more serious periodontitis if not treated promptly. Sometimes, in its early stages, gingivitis can be reversible.

Treatment for gingivitis includes professional dental cleanings in conjunction with follow-up visits to ensure that the gums are healing properly. The dental hygienist will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques to improve home care as well as recommend a re-care schedule that will support patients as they heal. In addition to the patient’s home dental care, Dr. Frey’s hygienist will also gently and thoroughly remove the plaque and bacteria above and below the patient’s gum line to promote proper healing.

As periodontal disease progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat. In some cases, site-specific antibiotics may be required to contain the infection. The hygienist will closely monitor the patient as he or she heals and make necessary adjustments to their treatment. Each patient is different and customized hygiene care will help restore the patient’s health as quickly and effectively as possible.

Teeth become sensitive for a wide variety of reasons. One example is gum recession, a condition where gums expose the underlying dentin. This allows air and changes in temperature from food or beverages to come into contact with this sensitive area of the tooth, sending uncomfortable and even shooting pains through the tooth. A number of treatments can help alleviate sensitivity, from certain toothpastes and gels to fluoride treatments, as well as procedures such as gum surgery. 

If patients suffer from bruxism (excessive clenching and grinding), their teeth may also feel sensitive to changes in temperature or to pressure. Bruxism can be treated with a nightguard, often relieving sensitivity, as well.

If patients have a specific tooth that feels sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, they may require a root canal. Once of the most common symptoms of an infected tooth includes sensitivity to pressure and temperature. Root canal therapy can alleviate these symptoms and restore the patient’s comfort. 

Finally, another common cause of tooth sensitivity is the overuse of whitening products. Too much whitening gel, leaving the trays in for too long, and whitening too frequently can cause acute tooth sensitivity that is not serious should go away once the patient takes a break from whitening their teeth.

Yes, sweets and foods with acid, like candy and soda, could stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer and gum disease.

While teeth are strong enough to chew ice and tear open packages, this can break them and stress your jaws. Gritting or grinding down on teeth when you're stressed may crack them.

Biting your nails is another bad habit. It pulls your jaw out of position and changes how your teeth fit together.

 There's no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from between teeth and under the gum line. If you don't, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and teeth loosen.

While the Waterpik Water Flosser is extremely effective, it is still not a replacement for traditional floss!

It’s so important to floss because that process removes bacteria colonies from teeth and gums. The Waterpik or Water Flossers simply rinse these areas. Ideally, patients should use both.

1. Fill the reservoir with warm water and place firmly on the base.
2. Select a tip and click into the handle.
   Note: If this is the first use, set the pressure control dial to high. Point the tip into the sink and turn on until water flows. Turn unit off.

3. Start with the lowest pressure setting, lean over the sink, place tip in your mouth.
4. Turn unit on. Close lips enough to prevent splashing, let water flow from your mouth into sink.

5. Aim the tip at the gumline.
6. When finished, turn unit off and use the tip eject button to remove the tip.

If you have any of these issues or see your child having trouble chewing or complaining of soreness:

Mouth sores
Jaw pain
Redness
Swollen face or gums
Tooth sensitivity
Broken teeth
Dry mouth
Bleeding gums
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

Getting checked out right away prevents more serious problems and infections.

Dental X-rays help dentists visualize diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a simple oral exam. In addition, X-rays help the dentist find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life.

How Often Should Teeth Be X-Rayed?

The frequency of getting X-rays of your teeth often depends on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months; others with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit their dentist regularly may get X-rays only once a year. If you are a new patient, we take X-rays as part of the initial exam and to establish a baseline record from which to compare changes that may occur over time.

How Safe Are Dental X-Rays?

Exposure to all sources of radiation -- including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental X-rays -- can damage the body's tissues and cells and can lead to the development of cancer in some instances. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of dental X-rays is extremely small, especially when using digital X-rays.

Did you know...

For every single x-ray taken in our office equals two bananas you've consumed.  And every full set of x-rays (18) taken is the same amount of radiation as walking around the Grand Canyon for two days. That means 10 full sets (180) of x-rays would equal a 6 hour plane flight.

Teeth whitening is an affordable and safe way to bleach stains from teeth, giving them a brighter and healthier appearance. As people age, their teeth become stained and darkened from the foods and beverages they consume as well as from lifestyle choices such as tobacco use.

While teeth stains are a common side effect of aging, thanks to modern dentistry, patients don’t have to tolerate a dull smile as they age. Teeth whitening provides an affordable and safe way for patients to conveniently improve the appearance of their smiles in their own homes.

Olga Frey, DMD, offers a custom professional take-home whitening system. Her team will fabricate flexible, comfortable trays in her Providence, RI dental office and provide enough whitening gel for patients to achieve their desired shade.

Whitening under the supervision of a dentist is the safest and most effective way to eliminate stains. Over-the-counter products can provide less desirable results and cause more tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Plus, they can also be difficult to use, unlike a custom whitening system designed to fit the patient’s teeth perfectly and keep whitening gel from seeping onto the gums, creating irritation.

Clean teeth always whiten more effectively. Dr. Frey may recommend a professional cleaning to remove calculus prior to beginning any whitening treatment.