Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most people benefit from regular dental exams and professional cleanings, but the right schedule depends on your individual oral health. Some patients may need more frequent visits because of gum disease, a history of cavities, dental restorations, or other risk factors.

What Happens at a Routine Visit?

At Select Dental Care, we start by getting to know how your teeth and gums are doing. Your dentist checks for cavities, gum disease, tooth wear, damage, and other changes. We may also use x-rays when clinically appropriate to look for concerns that aren’t visible during a regular examination.

Your professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can’t completely remove. We clean and polish your teeth and can offer practical advice based on what we see.

What About Kids?

We welcome children and help make dental visits a positive experience from an early age. Our "happy visits" give younger children a chance to become familiar with our team and the dental environment in a relaxed setting.

Why Keep Up with Regular Visits?

Regular cleanings and exams help us monitor changes over time and identify potential problems early. They also allow you to ask questions and stay informed about your oral health.

Book Your Dental Cleaning in Redmond, OR

Contact Select Dental Care to schedule an appointment and keep your smile on track.

The timeline for a crown or bridge depends on the type of restoration you need and your individual oral health. We explain the process before treatment and let you know what to expect at each stage.

How Long Does a Crown Take?

CEREC same-day crowns in Redmond can streamline the dental crown process. We use digital scanning and CEREC technology to design and create the restoration in our office, allowing us to complete many crowns in a single visit.

How Long Does a Bridge Take?

A dental bridge generally requires preparation of the supporting teeth, digital scans or impressions, and time to create the custom bridge made by a trusted local lab according to our instructions. We may place a temporary restoration while your final bridge is being made, followed by an appointment to check the fit and secure it in place.

Your timeline may vary depending on the condition of your teeth and whether you need additional treatment first.

Restore Your Smile with Crowns and Bridges 

Contact Select Dental Care to schedule an evaluation and learn which restoration may be right for you.

Dental implant treatment usually takes several months because your jawbone needs time to heal and integrate with the implant before we place the final restoration. The exact timeline varies depending on your oral health, the number of teeth you replace, and whether you need additional treatment first.

What Happens First?

We begin with a comprehensive examination and appropriate digital imaging to assess your teeth, gums, and jawbone. We also discuss your goals, medical and dental history, and whether implants are suitable for your needs.

How Is the Implant Placed?

When you’re ready, we place the implant into your jawbone. At Select Dental Care, we use X-Nav® technology to support guided implant placement. This technology combines 3-D digital imaging with computer-guided planning to help us carefully plan the implant’s position.

After placement, the implant needs time to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. This healing period is an important part of creating a stable foundation for your restoration.

When Do I Get My New Tooth?

Once the implant has healed sufficiently, we place the abutment and custom restoration. In some cases, you may need additional treatment, such as bone grafting or gum disease treatment, which can affect your overall timeline.

Considering dental implants in Redmond, OR? We’ll explain each stage, provide a personalized treatment plan, and help you understand how long your individual treatment may take.

The lifespan of dentures and partial dentures varies from person to person. With proper care, a well-made denture or partial can provide comfortable function for years, but it may eventually need adjustment, repair, or replacement as your mouth naturally changes.

Your gums and jawbone can change over time, particularly after tooth loss. These changes may affect how your denture fits and can cause it to feel loose or uncomfortable. Normal wear can also affect the teeth and materials used in the appliance.

Regular dental visits allow us to check the fit of your dentures or partials and monitor your overall oral health. If you notice persistent discomfort, sore spots, difficulty chewing, or a change in how your denture fits, let us know rather than trying to adjust it yourself.

Daily care also helps keep your denture clean and in good condition. Clean your appliance as recommended, handle it carefully, and continue caring for your gums and any remaining natural teeth.

Need a Denture Adjustment or Replacement?

If your denture no longer fits comfortably or you’re considering dentures or partials in Redmond, OR, contact Select Dental Care to discuss your options and schedule a consultation.

Recovery after a tooth extraction varies depending on the tooth, the complexity of the procedure, and your overall oral health. Many people return to their normal activities relatively quickly, although the extraction site takes longer to fully heal.

Tooth Extraction Recovery

It’s common to experience some tenderness, swelling, or mild discomfort after an extraction. We provide specific aftercare instructions to help protect the extraction site while it heals. Following these instructions closely can support a smoother recovery.

For the first few days, you’ll generally need to take care around the extraction area and avoid activities that could disturb the developing blood clot. We’ll explain what to eat, how to clean your mouth, and when to resume your normal oral hygiene routine.

If you experience increasing pain, significant swelling, prolonged bleeding, or other symptoms that concern you, contact our team so we can advise you on the next step.

Need a Tooth Extraction in Redmond, OR?

If you have a damaged, painful, or problematic tooth, don’t wait until it becomes more uncomfortable. Contact Select Dental Care to schedule an evaluation and discuss your treatment options.

General family dentistry in Redmond covers the everyday dental services you and your family need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. At Select Dental Care, we welcome patients of all ages and provide care tailored to each patient’s oral health, needs, and stage of life.

Services may include:

• Dental exams and cleanings to monitor your oral health and help prevent problems
• Fillings to repair teeth affected by decay
• Crowns and bridges to restore damaged or missing teeth
• Root canal treatment to treat infected or inflamed teeth
• Extractions when a tooth cannot be predictably restored
• Dentures and partials to replace multiple missing teeth
• Children’s dentistry including positive introductory or “happy” visits
• Emergency dentistry for urgent pain, injuries, and dental concerns
• Preventive care to help you maintain your smile between appointments

Can My Whole Family Visit Select Dental Care?

Yes. We see patients across different stages of life, including toddlers, children, teens, and adults. For younger children, we focus on creating positive early experiences that help them become comfortable with the dental environment.

We also take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and answer your questions rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Looking for a Family Dentist in Redmond, OR?

Whether you need a routine checkup, treatment for a dental concern, or care for your child, contact Select Dental Care to schedule your next visit.

A dental inlay or onlay repairs and strengthens a tooth when a traditional filling cannot provide enough support, but the tooth still has enough healthy structure to avoid a full crown. These custom restorations allow us to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible while restoring its function and appearance.

With CEREC technology, we can digitally design and create certain inlays and onlays in our Redmond dental office, offering a precise, comfortable restoration without the need for traditional impressions.

How Are Inlays and Onlays Different?

• Inlay — An inlay repairs damage within the chewing surface of a tooth, fitting between the tooth’s natural cusps.
• Onlay — An onlay covers a larger area and extends over one or more cusps. We may recommend an onlay when damage extends beyond the center of the tooth but does not require a full crown.

Is an Inlay or Onlay Right for You?

We examine your tooth, assess the extent of the damage, and discuss your treatment options before recommending a restoration. We consider your bite, oral health, and the location and condition of the tooth to determine which option best meets your needs.

Inlays and Onlays in Redmond, OR

Have a damaged or weakened tooth? Contact Select Dental Care in Redmond, OR, to schedule an appointment and explore your restoration options.

When bacteria reach the inside of a tooth, they can cause inflammation or infection that may lead to persistent pain, sensitivity, or swelling. Root canal treatment removes the infected tissue and cleans the inside of the tooth so we can seal and preserve it.

At Select Dental Care, we use GentleWave technology to enhance the cleaning and disinfection process. Rather than relying solely on traditional instruments, GentleWave uses advanced fluid dynamics and acoustic energy to help move cleaning solutions throughout the root canal system.

Why Do We Use GentleWave?

Root canals can have small, narrow, or complex areas that are difficult to access with instruments alone. GentleWave helps circulate cleaning solutions throughout the canal system, including areas that may be difficult to reach mechanically. Our goal is to thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth while preserving as much healthy natural tooth structure as possible.

What Happens During Treatment?

We begin by numbing the tooth to keep you comfortable. We then access the inside of the tooth, remove the infected or damaged tissue, and use GentleWave to clean and disinfect the root canal system.

After cleaning, we fill and seal the canals. Depending on the condition of your tooth, we may recommend a crown or other restoration to protect it and restore its strength.

What Happens After a Root Canal?

You may experience some tenderness for a few days following treatment. We provide clear aftercare instructions and monitor your progress as the tooth heals.

Gentle Root Canal in Redmond, OR

Experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity? Contact Select Dental Care in Redmond, OR, to schedule an evaluation and find out whether GentleWave® root canal treatment may be right for you.

Tooth-colored fillings are designed to blend with your natural teeth, making them a discreet option for restoring teeth affected by decay or minor damage. The composite material can be matched to the shade of your tooth, so the finished restoration is less noticeable when you smile, talk, or laugh.

How Do You Match the Filling to My Tooth?

Before placing the filling, we consider the color and appearance of your natural tooth. We layer and shape the composite material to restore the tooth’s natural contours and function. Once the filling is hardened, we check your bite and polish the restoration for a smooth finish.

Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Strong?

Tooth-colored composite fillings in Redmond can provide durable restoration for many cavities, particularly when the size and location of the filling make composite an appropriate choice. However, no filling lasts forever. Its lifespan depends on factors such as:

• The size of the restoration
• The tooth’s location
• Your bite
• Oral hygiene
• Everyday habits

Regular dental exams allow us to monitor your fillings and the surrounding tooth for signs of wear or new decay.

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Redmond, OR

Contact Select Dental Care to schedule an exam and learn which restorative option is right for you.

Dental veneers can provide a long-lasting cosmetic solution when you care for them properly. Their lifespan varies depending on the type of veneer, your oral health, bite, and everyday habits.

What Can Affect the Lifespan of Veneers?

Your veneers can last for many years with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, and attending routine exams help protect both your veneers and the natural teeth underneath.

Your everyday habits also matter. Avoid biting your nails, chewing on ice, pens, or other hard objects, and let us know if you clench or grind your teeth. If you grind at night, we may recommend a custom night guard to help protect your teeth and veneers.

Can Veneers Be Repaired or Replaced?

Veneers can sometimes be repaired, but replacement may be necessary if a veneer becomes significantly damaged, worn, or no longer fits properly. We can assess your veneers during your regular dental visits and let you know if we notice any concerns.

It’s also important to remember that veneers improve the appearance of your teeth but don’t protect you from cavities or gum disease. Your natural teeth and gums still need regular professional care.

Enhance Your Smile with Veneers

Contact Select Dental Care to schedule a consultation. We’ll assess your smile, discuss your goals, and help you understand whether veneers are right for you.