How can we help you?
We are happy to answer questions about our services and procedures.
These are a selection of some common questions that patients have. If your question isn't answered here, please contact our office. It's important to us that our patients understand their dental care.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Whether you need a filling, dental crown, or root canal depends on how much of the tooth is damaged and whether the nerve inside the tooth is affected. At Harte Dental in Milton, MA, your dentist will examine the tooth and may take an X-ray to determine the most appropriate treatment.
A filling is commonly used for a smaller cavity or minor tooth damage. A crown may be recommended when a tooth has a large cavity, significant fracture, or is too weakened for a filling alone. A root canal may be needed when decay, a crack, or an injury reaches the pulp—the nerve and blood supply inside the tooth—and causes inflammation or infection.
Symptoms such as tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling, or pain when biting should be evaluated by a dentist. Early treatment can sometimes help preserve more of your natural tooth and prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
Not necessarily. Yellow teeth can be completely healthy. Natural tooth color varies from person to person, and teeth often become more yellow over time as enamel becomes thinner and the naturally yellowish dentin underneath becomes more visible.
Yellowing can also be caused by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, certain foods, medications, and normal aging. However, a noticeable change in the color of one tooth or new discoloration can sometimes indicate decay, trauma, or another dental problem.
At Harte Dental in Milton, MA, we can evaluate tooth discoloration to determine whether it is simply cosmetic or related to your oral health. If your teeth are healthy but you'd like a brighter smile, we can also discuss professional teeth-whitening and cosmetic dentistry options.