FAQ

One benefit of using ClearCorrect aligners is that they’re appropriate for patients of all ages, from teens to seniors. Adults and teens both love ClearCorrect because aligner treatment won’t mar their smile as metal brackets and wires can. ClearCorrect aligner trays are comfortable to wear, and since they’re removable, oral hygiene is easy.

Treatment times with ClearCorrect average about 12 to 15 months for adults and about 24 months for teens.

Traditional orthodontic treatment for kids starts earlier with their first evaluation around age seven. At this age, the first molars have appeared, and their positioning can tell your doctor whether or not orthodontics might be necessary.

Although teens can wear ClearCorrect, compliance can be an issue since the aligners need to be worn at least 22 hours per day. The advantage of traditional orthodontics for teens is that they are always working, and your teen doesn’t need to remember to put them back in after meals or during sports activities.

If you are seeking orthodontics for yourself or your teen, please call Dewey Dental. Dr. Nathan Bulleigh will be happy to evaluate your needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

The cause for tooth decay in children is the same as adults – bacteria.

During the day, a film called plaque develops on your child's teeth. Plaque is filled with bacteria that need something to feed off of, and sugar is their favorite meal. When your child consumes sugary snacks or drinks, the bacteria in plaque start feeding off the sugar and produce acid as a result.

It is the bacteria that start the process, but it is the acid that damages teeth and causes cavities.

There are several ways you can help your child avoid decay:

• Oral hygiene – You need to make sure your child’s mouth is clean and healthy even before baby teeth start to appear. Baby or primary teeth play an important role and need to be protected. Ask your dentist for hygiene instructions depending on your child’s age.
• Healthy diet – Now that you know that sugar is one of the culprits that cause tooth decay, you can make healthier choices about what your child eats and drinks. Choose fruits and vegetables over sugary snacks and read nutrition labels for sugar content when you do buy packaged snacks.
• Routine dental visits – At Dewey Dental, we like to see kids starting around age one or when the first baby tooth appears. You should then plan on dental appointments for your child every six months to stay a step ahead of cavities and get helpful oral health tips from Dr. Bulleigh.

If your child is ready for their first dental checkup, please call us to arrange an appointment. We love working with children, and we look forward to getting to know your child!

Bridges and partial crowns are both restorations, but they perform very different functions.

A bridge is used to fill the space left by a missing tooth. It is typically a three-piece unit that includes a crown on either side of a pontic (artificial tooth). The crown attaches to adjacent teeth, and the pontic sits in the empty space.

Partial crowns, also called inlays and onlays, are porcelain restorations that we use when a tooth is damaged but not so damaged that it requires a full crown.

The process for making an onlay or inlay is the same as that used for a crown. Dr. Bulleigh starts by preparing the tooth to receive the restoration, taking impressions of the tooth to create a model, and sending the information to a dental lab where a ceramic inlay or onlay is customized for you.

The difference between inlays and onlays is that an inlay is made to fill the space at the center of a tooth, and the onlay sits over the biting surface.

If you still have questions about the difference between a bridge and partial crown, please call Dewey Dental to arrange an appointment. Dr. Bulleigh will be happy to meet with you to evaluate your needs and explain which type of restoration is appropriate for you.

Dewey Dental is a family practice, and we love treating patients of all ages, especially kids! As a father of five, Dr. Nathan Bulleigh knows that children have unique needs and need to be approached in a gentle, reassuring way. He takes his time with children because he knows that the first few visits set the stage for the way they'll feel about dentistry for the rest of their lives. Starting kids out by taking our time and working at their pace will ensure that they continue to have a positive attitude about taking care of their own oral health.

We like to see children as early as one year old or when the first baby teeth appear. Baby teeth are essential for proper dental development, so we must keep them healthy and intact until they’re ready to come out on their own. As soon as your child is comfortable with us, Dr. Bulleigh will examine their mouth and begin to monitor their dental development and check for any signs of decay.

If your child does need dental work, please don’t worry! In addition to being extremely gentle with children, we also offer safe, calming nitrous oxide. All your child needs to do is sit back and inhale, and in a few moments, they’ll start to feel very calm and comfortable. Many children who would not otherwise be able to receive treatment benefit from nitrous oxide.

If it’s time for your child’s first appointment, please call Dewey Dental. We look forward to welcoming both of you to our practice!

At Dewey Dental, we love welcoming new patients to our practice and expanding our dental family! Dr. Bulleigh and our team understand the importance of good oral health and how it contributes to a better quality of life, and we want everyone to enjoy this benefit.

Upon arrival at our office, a friendly team member will welcome you warmly. You can fill out your paperwork online using our Forms page. If you prefer, you can complete the forms at our office, but please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. We know your time is valuable, so that we want to make sure we see you promptly at your appointed time.

If your X-rays aren’t current, we will take updated images so we can document the condition of your teeth. Dr. Bulleigh will review the information, perform an examination, and complete an oral cancer screening.

You will then meet with Robyn, our skilled hygienist, who will perform your cleaning and talk to you about any problems or questions you have. She will be happy to provide tips for keeping your smile clean and healthy between visits.

Using the information we gather, we will map out a personalized treatment plan to get your oral health back on track and discuss insurance and financing.

Our team would love to welcome you to Dewey Dental! Please call us at (918) 534-3170 to arrange your appointment.