If you have a dental emergency during normal business hours, please call our office at 503.774.4663, and we will make every effort to see you in our office that day. If you have a dental emergency after our normal business hours and you are currently a patient of record, call 503.869.0138 for assistance.
Amalgams have proven to be a safe and effective restorative material over a long history of usage. From an environmental standpoint, we have a special filtering system in the office that eliminates the release of materials into the water system.
Composites have also been a safe and effective restorative material for quite some time. Originally used for aesthetical fillings in the front of the mouth, composites have been through numerous modifications and improvements to where they have the strength to withstand the higher forces in the back of the mouth. Recent concerns about BPA have caused a re-examination of the materials, with findings well within safety levels.
Sometimes composites can protect a tooth better than amalgam. Dr. Sass would be happy to evaluate the situation and give you advice on what's best for you.
Dr. Sass strongly believes prevention is important to the overall health of your teeth and can prescribe various fluoride treatments for children, teens, and even adults.
When the first teeth erupt, not only can your child get familiarized with our office, but we can also help with establishing good home care routines. Options may exist for strengthening non-erupted and developing teeth for some children.
There is no literature that we have found showing any structural changes or irreversible damage to the tooth due to whitening products. On a microscopic level, no changes to the integrity of the tooth have been documented. Whitening products simply clean the tubules of a tooth by way of an oxidative or free radical process.
All bleaching products can cause some degree of tooth sensitivity. This sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air can cause discomfort. This is a normal and expected side effect that is TEMPORARY.
It may take up to 2 weeks of bleaching until it is fully integrated into the tooth and we can see the results. Depending on your dietary habits, most people achieve a stable color for 6 months or even longer. We supply prescription touch-up whitening gels and recommend 1-2 applications every 4-6 months.
The main thing is to allow proper clotting after the procedure. This process starts minutes after the procedure and continues 24 hours or more. It's important to not exert yourself and protect the site by AVOIDING – hard foods, straws, spitting, and smoking, to name a few. If you are having any problems, Dr. Sass is just a phone call away.