FAQ's
Recent Questions & Answers
Q. Implant restorations,Crowns and bridges which process would you suggest for person in his mid 60's. I have had some crowns but never an implant or partials. What would you suggest is the best long term solution?
PS what is the approx cost of each process?
Thanks
Gino
A. The absolute best replacement option is implants. Although implants are costly initially, the implant itself is around $1500 per implant and is placed by a specialist (prices vary by specialist). A crown/bridge/fixed denture must then be secured to the implant. Prices for these all vary depending on what type of restoration you are having placed. The good news is, it is worth the investment. Once an implant is placed and has successfully healed, it remains in place for a lifetime, whereas other options, such as partials, become worn or break and must be replaced over time, although partials are a less expensive alternative, around $1,000. If you have dental insurance, this will play a factor in the overall cost. Everything done in dentistry is patient specific, based on his or her needs. You should call my office to schedule a consultation appointment so I can better address your dental needs and give you a more tailored estimate.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. What do with children who still have baby teeth and are ten years old.
A. Children loose their baby teeth at different ages, some as late as twelve years old. As long as the teeth are erupting in the correct order, the age in which they come in is not as important. If you have concerns, schedule an appointment for your child with our office, and we can make sure all the adult teeth are present beneath the baby teeth that have not yet come out.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. We have taken our daughter to 2-3 dentists because she has had problems with her molar on lower right side, it has also been infected. The dentist we normally took her to showed her the needle and wanted me to cover up her eyes so of course like anyone she panicked. The procedure could not be done. Even though a year ago He completed a root canal on her when she was 5 yrs. old then with no problem. Then I was referred to two more dentist and no luck. I would really like for the tooth to be removed but the one dentist wanted to put her in the hospital and the other I needed to have 170.00 before he could do the extraction because our dental insurances which are Metlife and Physicians Mutual will not cover the anesthesia. In desperate need of advice, by the grace of God the tooth is not bothering her currently.
A. There may be a solution to the problem with nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, which we use in our office. Nitrous can safely be used on children, and unlike general anesthesia your child will remain awake during the procedure, the nitrous will allow her to relax. My suggestion is to schedule a consult with our office, and let her know we will only be looking at her teeth that day. Based on my findings during the consult, I will let you know if Nitrous Oxide is a good treatment option for her.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I had some work done and used conscious sedation. This included two crown bridge retainer. They also said they did SCALING/ROOT PLANING for all 4 QUADS. I have has deep clean done before and I know how my teeth and gums look and feel. In this case, they look the same other in the area of the bridge. Do I need to go to another DDS to get a second opinion? They still want to charge me for work they didn't do. How do I handle this?
Thank you for your help - Kelvin
A. I understand your concerns, when conscious sedation is used, often parts of the procedure
are forgotten, which is the benefit. It is possible all of the work was done, you just don't
remember. It is possible that some of the areas/quadrants of your mouth may be more
severe than others, and that is why those areas may be more sore after the procedure. It
does not mean that scaling and root planing was not done in that area, it could just be that
it was not necessary to be as vigorous. Having said that, you know your mouth, and if
you feel that no work was done in the area the dentist states work was done, ask if you
can set up a consult with the doctor to ask why things look and feel differently than your
past experience has shown. It is possible that there is a miscommunication with the front
desk, maybe all four quadrants were on the schedule and billed, but maybe only 3 were
actually completed and the front desk wasn't notified. The most important thing is that
you feel comfortable with the doctor providing the treatment, and that the doctor feels
comfortable providing you with treatment. If you do not feel satisfied with any answer
you receive from them, you can seek a second opinion from a specialist. The specialist
you want to see is a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gum and bone disease. I
hope this information is helpful to you.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
What kind of teeth whitening procedures do you do? DO you use the molds and gels or other?
We offer two whitening systems, in-office and take home trays. Both methods use a gel form of hydrogen peroxide to lighten the teeth. Call our office today for more details!
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. My daughter banged heads with a fellow classmate. After screaming, yelling and crying with blood everywhere -- she resulted in a lost tooth-- after finally finding the tooth--in a very large gym, I observed a tooth that looks like a long bone is attached to it and broken off. She has a concave dip in the front of her gum. Could this be something to be concerned about??
A. After any oral trauma it is necessary to have a dentist evaluate the extent of the injury, even if only baby teeth are involved. Of course if the permanent teeth are injured, the impact of their loss is much greater. Please call for an appointment so I can evaluate her injuries and recommend the appropriate course of treatment.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have always liked the healthcare industry, particularly the dental profession. I am thinking of looking into the dental hygiene program at YSU but am wary because it would be a major career change as I am a non traditional student. Any advise on this profession such as job availabiltiy, pay scale, etc?
A. Dentistry is a wonderful field! If you have an interest, I am sure you will find a career in dental hygiene very fulfilling. Don?t let the fact that you are a non-traditional student stop you, most likely you will not be the only one in your class. There will always be a need for hygienists, when the time comes I imagine you won't have a difficult time finding an office that is right for you. I urge you to contact YSU and meet with program directors there. They have a fantastic program, and I am sure they would be happy to answer any other questions you might have. Best of luck!
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have 2 molars on the right upper side that have had extensive filling over the years. one other tooth was also extracted.the two remaining are now Very sensitive to any pressure, cold, hot or air. I cant even chew on that side. I only have ohio medicaid and would like to know if the remaining two teeth be pulled and replaced with a partial and if that would be covered?
A. It is difficult to know without an exam if the two teeth you are having discomfort with
will need to be extracted, but based on the symptoms you are describing it sounds like
you would need root canals if you chose to keep the teeth, or extractions if you did not
wish to save the teeth. Unfortunately medicaid does not cover the cost of root canals, or
the cost of the crowns that would be needed on those teeth after the root canals were
completed. However, if they do need to be extracted, medicaid will cover a portion of the
cost of the extractions as well as a portion of the partial if you have never had a partial
made, or if the partial you have now is over eight to ten years old.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have been to the Dentist for this before and now there is a problem I have a lose tooth in the back left and it really is painful, I use to go and have a cleaning done every six months, but my insurance was cancelled. Now my teeth are very sensitive,I brush 2 and 3 times aday I have no bleeding, but I know I need them cleaned and probably need that tooth pulled. The biggest problem is the pain.The other dental assistant was impervious to the pain I was in. Is there anything you cad do to help me with the pain if I come to you for the procedure. I now have insurance so that is not a problem. Also do you have any later hrs. or Sat. Thanks for your time.
A. Pain management is always my main concern. Please give my office a call 330-702-0346 to schedule an appointment so I can evaluate the problem you are having with your tooth and resolve it for you. We do have evening appointments.
Recent Questions & Answers
Q. Is it true that a root canal that was done years ago gone bad? My dentist put a crown on my tooth and I have had trouble ever since. He claims he didn't do the rootcanal that it was done before, which is true, but why would he put a crown on it? I now have a bubble on my gum from the infection and he wants me to see someone else. Not real happy that he charged my insurance for the crown, and now wants a root canal done. What do you think?
A. When a root canal is done, the nerve of the tooth is removed, and as a result, the tooth becomes brittle and is at risk for fracture, especially back teeth. In most cases, teeth that have had root canals have had them because of excessive decay. When all of the decay is removed from the tooth, there is usually not a lot of tooth structure left, which does not leave a lot of support for chewing. This is why a crown was placed on your tooth. Unfortunately, sometimes root canals fail. It is likely nothing abnormal showed up on your x-ray prior to having the crown placed, or I am sure your dentist would have had the root canal retreated before placing your crown.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. My son is 10 months old and has his two front botton teeth. He also has his two front side teeth, but not his two front teeth. Is this normal or should I be concerned?
A. Baby teeth erupt in a specific pattern, and usually around the same age for most, although
that is not a great concern. What matters more than the age of the child when the teeth
come in is the order in which they erupt. The first teeth to come in are on the bottom, and
they are the two front middle teeth (the central incisors) and then the two on either side
of those (the lateral incisors). This typically happens at 6-7 months of age. The next
teeth to come in are the same teeth on the top, in that order, the front two (centrals)
which usually erupt at 7-7 1/2 mos, and then the two teeth on either side of those
(laterals) which should be expected around 9 mos of age. If your son has the two front
bottom teeth and those side teeth and no teeth on the top yet, don't worry, his dental age is
just a bit behind, and that is absolutely nothing to worry about. If he has the bottom four
teeth and the two top "side" teeth (laterals) but not the front two (centrals), this would be
a very rare circumstance for these teeth to be missing. Even if this is the case with his
baby teeth, it does not mean this situation will occur with his adult teeth
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Do you do the new lumineer procedure ???
A. Absolutely! Call and schedule a cosmetic consult with me and I will show you photos of cases I have completed. I will take a look and let you know if Lumineers are right for you!
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Hi, my daughter is 4 years old. Her front teeth on the top look a little transparent.
Does this mean they are rotting. I have never taken her to a dentist and she is also complaining about pain in one of the front teeth when she drinks something cold.
A. The transparent appearance of her teeth does not necessarily mean they are decayed, however, the sensitivity to cold can mean something is going on. If there is decay present, even though it is a baby tooth, it will need to be addressed in order to avoid infection and an increase in discomfort. The best thing to do is schedule an appointment with our office, so I can take a look.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Is teeth whitenting covered by insurance?
A. Because teeth whitening is considered cosmetic, unfortunately it is not covered by dental insurance.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have been told I have a sliver of bone from my jawbone coming out of my lower left side of my gums. At first my gums were sore in that area and very swollen and now there is a small opening and I can feel the bone. It is still very sore. I want to know how long it takes for the bone to come out and any other information you might have regarding this subject. Thank you very much.
A. The Sliver of bone you are feeling is likely a small piece of tooth, or a piece of jaw bone that was left during a prior dental extraction. Although the sliver may eventually work its way out, it is not possible to estimate how long that will take. A better course of treatment would be to call our office so that the small piece of bone/tooth can be painlessly removed and end your discomfort.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have a son who will be 8 years old in Augest and he has not even had a loose tooth yet. We see all of his classmates had lost at least one tooth. Should I be concerned, is this normal?
A. Every child dentally matures at a different rate. Teeth are lost and erupt in an age range. What is important is not the age a tooth is lost or erupted, but the order in which it occurs. If a tooth does not erupt when it should in the eruption pattern it could mean that the adult tooth is impacted, remaining in the jaw bone, because crowded teeth or the angle the tooth is facing won't allow it to erupt. It could also mean the adult tooth was never formed. If your son has not had dental x-rays reviewed by a dentist, please call our office today to schedule him for a comprehensive exam.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Hi my teeth are decayed since childhood. Is there hope for them to become white and how?
A. Teeth that are decayed have a dark appearance. Once the decay is removed and tooth colored fillings are placed, the teeth will look more white in appearance. Whitening may also be an option for you. However, in some cases decay has destroyed too much of the tooth, and the tooth cannot be saved with a filling and other options must be discussed. In order to evaluate your situation, I urge you to call our office and schedule an exam, so that I may assist you further.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I have heard that whitening your teeth makes them more susceptible to cavities, is that true and if so why? Thanks.
A. Whitening teeth in no way makes them more susceptible to cavities. Following a dentist's instructions, whitening is a safe way to brighten a smile!
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. What is your recommendation for somebody that has fillings that contain mercury? Should these fillings be replaced or does that depend on the number of teeth containing this type of filling? Thanks
A. Fillings that contain a mercury component, amalgam, better known as silver fillings are completely safe to have in your mouth. Extensive studies have been conducted and no proof has ever been found that would implicate sliver fillings in any way contribute to, or cause any health problems- allergies aside, which are rare. As long as your fillings are not broken and would not need replaced due to recurrent dental decay, or because of a dental issue, the silver fillings are safe to keep in your mouth, no matter how many you have. Cosmetic replacement is a different story. Today, there are materials available that enable patients to have fillings that match the color of their teeth which in many cases make your fillings undetectable. But this kind of replacement is optional and should not be done to replace silver fillings due to unfounded mercury fears.
Recent Questions & Answers
Q. My teeth are pretty sensitive. I heard whitening them makes them more sensitive. True?
A. It is true that whitening can cause sensitivity, but don't let that discourage you. There are post whitening treatments available to help reduce sensitivity. Please give our office a call so I can meet with you and discuss tooth whitening options.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. With all the different brands of tooth paste on the market witch is the best to use and why ?? is there any proof that they really do what they say ????do the whitners in them really work ,or is this a money making gimick just to sell us a product ???????help gel , paste , whitners ,sparkles im so connfused!!!!!what choice is the best?
A. There are so many over-the-counter tooth whitening choices, making a choice can be a difficult one. Lets start with whitening tooth pastes. Here is how they work, they have components in them that are slightly abrasive that helps to remove surface stains from your teeth. Stains that come from things such as coffee and cigarettes. The abrasive components are not strong enough to hurt your teeth in any way, so they are perfectly safe to use on a daily basis. However, the whitening pastes is not likely to lift your tooth shade to something whiter than it was to begin with, but because the surface stains are removed, the teeth will look whiter than they did with the stain present.
Now lets talk about over-the -counter whitening agents such as gels or strips that are applied to the teeth. Some of these products will work well, and produce visible whitening results. However, products sold over the counter are not strong enough to whiten your teeth to that Hollywood white everyone desires. In order to achieve those results, you will need to use a professional strength gel, which is only available through a dentist's office. If you have any further questions about the whitening options we offer, or about over-the-counter products please schedule a cosmetic tooth whitening consult appointment with me, so I can make sure all of your questions are answered.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Could sore gums cause fever and sweling in the face? Thank You.
A. The answer to your question is yes. An abcessed tooth is caused by an infection, which can cause a fever, and swelling as well. An infection of that magnitude could make the tooth as well as the gum tissue sore. If you are having a problem of this nature, call our office so I can evaluate your tooth and provide you with treatment plan options
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Hi...I read recently that older people are getting braces...what is the maximum age that a person would be able to benefit from getting braces...thanks
A. There is great news, anyone at any age can benefit from braces. If you are considering changing your smile, please give our office a call so I can evaluate your teeth and discuss cosmetic options with you.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. What is a root canal and what does it do exactly?
A. A root canal is a procedure that becomes necessary when the nerve of the tooth is injured, either by trauma, or decay. In some instances, the nerve of a tooth can begin to hurt even if no decay is present, or no trauma has occurred. A root canal treatment involves inserting very thin files into the nerve canal in order to remove the affected nerve. Once the nerve of the tooth is removed, the canals are then filled with a material to seal the tooth. If the tooth that has undergone the root canal therapy is a back tooth, also known as a posterior tooth, then a crown will be required to give the tooth added protection from fracture as removing the nerve makes the tooth brittle.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Are there any over the counter drugs that can help severe gingivitis?? Thank you!
A. Gingivitis is a condition caused when the filmy substance that sticks to the teeth, called
plaque, irritates the gum tissue causing it to become inflamed and bleed. It is a condition
that is easily reversible with routine brushing and flossing. And antiseptic agent like
Listerine can help to reduce gingivitis more quickly. Over-the-counter drugs are not
necessary. Gingivitis should not be confused with periodontal disease, which not only
involves the gum tissue, but the bone underneath. Periodontal disease must be
maintained by your dentist, who may decide, depending on the severity to refer you to a
specialist known as a periodontist. In the case of periodontal disease, there is no over-
the-counter drug or quick remedy. It is important to have routine dental visits to ensure
oral health for the teeth as well as the gum tissue and supporting bone.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Are there any over the counter help for bad gingavitis?? Thank you!
A. Gingivitis is a completely reversible condition that involves inflammation of the gum tissue that is evident by puffiness, redness and bleeding. Gingivitis can be stopped with regular brushing and flossing. Listerine is also an over-the-counter product that has been clinically proven to kill the bacteria associated with gingivitis. Gingivitis should not be confused with Periodontal disease, which presents itself in the same way as gingivitis, only periodontal disease includes destruction of the underlying bone. If you are experiencing puffy, red, or bleeding gums you should schedule an appointment with our office, so your condition can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I am considering dentistry as a possible career and would like to know what motivated you to become a dentist and how you find it as a career.
A. There were several things that made Dentistry an appealing field to me. Growing up, my mom was a tooth fanatic, which she of course passed on to me! My experiences in the dental chair were always pleasant ones, and I was fascinated by my visits there even as a young child. When I was a teenager, I had my wisdom teeth removed by a local oral surgeon. I watched the entire procedure with a handheld mirror. When I told him of my desire to pursue dentistry as a career, he allowed me to spend time with him in his office, watching him perform extractions and place implants, which were cutting edge at the time. I knew then that dentistry was the right field for me. I have found it to be a very rewarding career.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. I am looking for a dentist in this area for me and my family. We are currently seeing my cousin but need to switch due to long distance. I am very weary. I was a patient at local dentist and was VERY diapointed. I returned to my cousing to find that not only were my teeth neglected but my children's as well. Can you give me a list of a few local dentists that you would go to? Please help.
A. Our office is located in Canfield, near the intersection of 244 and Tippecanoe. We are a family practice office, and are here to take care of all of your dental needs. We take care of fillings, crowns, bridges, partials, dentures, implant restorations, emergency care, as well as cosmetic procedures such as whitening and veneers. We have evening hours, and are currently accepting new patients age 2 through adult. Please contact our office at 330-702-0346. If you would like us to call you to schedule, please send us your phone number. This information will not be posted to the website for public viewing.
Amber L. Ausnehmer, D.D.S.
Q. Dr. Ausnehmer,
What is the difference in the whitening products sold in stores and the procedure my dentist can do in her office? How effective are both and how long could I expect each to last?
A. The active ingredient in all whitening products is peroxide. Whitening products that are sold in stores have a concentration as little as 1% hydrogen peroxide. The whitening procedure in our office uses 38% hydrogen peroxide. The higher the concentration, the better the result. Of course, results vary from person to person, however some results we have seen have been dramatic. Once whitened, your teeth will always remain lighter than their original shade, however things such as coffee, tea, and cola will make it necessary to touch up from time to time. Even excessive coffee drinkers have reported no need to touch up one year after the procedure. Call our office today to schedule a cosmetic whitening consult to have all of your questions answered, and to see some of our amazing photographs of cases treated in our office.
