Questions for Your Charlotte Holistic Dentist
At Gentry Dental we believe that educating our patients is key! We want our patients to be involved with their oral health and comfortable making decisions, which is why we spend the extra time with each patient understanding concerns and answering each question.
We invite you to contact our office with any questions you may have about your overall oral health, about the services we offer, and of course questions related to insurance and billing. We are here to help and hope that you can use us as a resource!
After years of practicing, Dr. Gentry and her team have encountered several questions that commonly are asked, which we have answered below. Feel free to browse these frequently asked questions to help guide you on your oral health and understand our services.
We hope that you can find the information you are looking for and look forward to hearing from you.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Now that using metal amalgam for dentistry is becoming a thing of the past, composite resin, which is tooth-colored, is now the material of choice for dental fillings. While we know that this material is much more aesthetic, is it as durable and long-lasting as metal?
The answer is - yes! Composite resin actually provides better durability than metal fillings because it is bonded directly to your teeth.
What sets tooth-colored fillings apart?
Direct bonding protects against the breakdown that happens naturally over time with metal fillings. The metal reacts to temperature changes by contracting and expanding, causing the filling to pull away from your tooth, and allowing bacteria back into it that causes decay and breakdown.
Tooth-colored fillings don't require the removal of as much of your natural tooth as metal fillings do to place them successfully. This means that more of your natural tooth structure is preserved.
Composite doesn't react to temperature and can also be blended, so it matches your tooth, providing the aesthetics you want. A tooth-colored filling naturally complements your smile so no one will notice your dental work.
Contact Our Barclay Downs, NC Dental Clinic
Would you like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Barclay Downs? Contact Gentry Dental today for more information.
Composite resin is not only an excellent material for aesthetics, but it is also very durable. Tooth-colored fillings made with composite can last around 10 to 12 years with excellent home care and regular checkups with Dr. Gentry.
Composite Dental Fillings in Charlotte
One of the secrets of the success of composite fillings in Charlotte, NC is that the material is bonded directly to your tooth, unlike amalgam metal fillings. This provides a seal, and the filling becomes a seamless part of your tooth's structure that adds strength and protects it.
Composite also does not react to hot and cold like metal fillings do, which means they don't pull away from the tooth and breakdown as amalgam fillings are known to do.
Just like your natural tooth, keeping your teeth clean and free of decay will help protect and maintain your filling. Be sure to brush twice each day and floss once consistently.
Why does treating decay matter?
If Dr. Gentry has recommended a filling for you, it is important not to ignore or delay getting your treatment. If tooth decay is left untreated, it will progress further into your tooth and could reach your nerve where it will cause an infection. At that point, root canal therapy would be needed to preserve your tooth.
Contact Dr. Gentry today to schedule your appointment and maintain your dental health.
If you are not happy with the appearance of your smile, the good news is that there are some excellent cosmetic options that Dr. Gentry can help you with including:
- Dental Implants - Excellent for replacing one or multiple missing teeth.
- Teeth Whitening - Gentry Dental offers options for both take-home and in-office whitening treatments.
- Porcelain Veneers - Veneers can give you the "Hollywood" smile you've always dreamed of.
- Invisible Braces - Invisalign or Six Month Smiles can align your teeth with efficiency and discretion.
- Tooth Colored Fillings - Can restore the damage caused by tooth decay or repair other small cosmetic issues such as gaps, chipping or discoloration.
- Full Smile Makeover - A treatment plan designed to address many issues that will return both function and aesthetics to your smile. The plan may include one or a few cosmetic treatment procedures.
Next Steps To Improve Your Smile in Charlotte
If you would like to learn more about what might be possible for your smile, the first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Gentry to discuss your goals for your smile and oral health. Dr. Gentry may take photos and x-rays, and she'll perform a thorough examination to determine your treatment needs. Then she will create a treatment plan that is customized for your specific needs.
A beautiful smile is just a phone call away! Contact Gentry Dental today to schedule your consultation.
Have you ever thought about the impact your smile has? It is actually one of the first features that people notice when they meet you, so it can truly make or break your first impression on others. If you're not happy with the appearance of your smile, you may tend to hide it, even if you are doing it subconsciously without realizing it. This may cause you to seem 
unapproachable or unhappy.
Cosmetic dentistry in Barclay Downs, NC may be the solution you need, and Dr. Heather Gentry is the dentist who can help you!
Cosmetic Services at Gentry Dental
- Teeth whitening
- Porcelain veneers
- Cosmetic bonding
- Invisible braces
- Dental implants
- Porcelain crowns
- Tooth-colored fillings
Maybe you need just one or two of these services to achieve your dream smile? Or Dr. Gentry might suggest combining a few for a full smile makeover. The good news is that smile makeovers can often be done in phases so that treatment comfortably fits into your schedule and budget.
Contact Our Barclay Downs, NC Dental Clinic
Don't live with a smile you don't love any longer! A consultation with Dr. Gentry is the first place to start. Give us a call today to schedule yours.
Composite Resin For Restorations
Remember in the past when you used to get a silver filling if your tooth had a cavity? These metal restorations often broke down over time and would have to be replaced. Well, the good news is that the days of having to live with these unsightly metal restorations are gone! At Gentry Dental we offer tooth-colored fillings.
Composite Resin For Cosmetic Procedures
Because composite resin is such a versatile material, if you have other small cosmetic concerns such as chipping, gaps between your teeth, size discrepancies, or staining on your teeth, the composite can be used to eliminate these issues as well.
Contact Our Charlotte Dental Clinic
If you have some concerns about the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, talk with Dr. Gentry about the possibilities of dental bonding using composite resin to restore your smile. Contact Gentry Dental today to learn more!