Frequently Asked Questions

It comes down to how deep the damage runs. Small cavities get fillings, larger fractures need crowns to cap the tooth, and root canals are necessary when decay reaches the inner pulp. Daniel R. Bodily DMD diagnoses this through exams and x-rays.

Bonding is like spackle for a wall-tooth-colored resin sculpted onto a chip in one visit. Veneers are thin custom shells bonded to the front of teeth, better when you're also reshaping, resizing, or whitening multiple teeth at once.

The implant post acts like an anchor in your jawbone. At Daniel R. Bodily DMD, we handle the restoration side-attaching the abutment and custom crown that screws or cements onto your existing post to complete the tooth.

Bridges are fixed in place, anchored to neighboring teeth like a permanent bookshelf spanning a gap. Partials are removable and rely on clasps. Bridges suit one or two missing teeth in a row; partials handle multiple gaps more economically.

Most pediatric patients should come in every six months, the same as adults. Catching small issues early prevents minor toothaches from snowballing into cavities or worse. Daniel R. Bodily DMD provides pediatric services alongside routine adult care.

X-rays show what your eyes can't-decay between teeth, problems below the gumline, bone loss, or trouble brewing under existing fillings. It's like checking under the hood of a car that runs fine; small problems caught early save the whole engine.

Professional whitening typically fades within months to a couple years depending on diet and habits. Veneers are bonded restorations that can last well over a decade with proper care, since they're a physical shell rather than a surface treatment.

Strength and customization. Professional whitening uses higher-concentration agents applied under supervision, with better protection for your gums. Store-bought strips work gradually with weaker formulas and a one-size-fits-all fit that often misses curved teeth.

Traditional crowns generally require two visits spaced a couple weeks apart-one to prep the tooth and take impressions, and a second to cement the permanent crown after the lab fabricates it. You'll wear a temporary crown in between.

Toothaches rarely resolve on their own because they signal an underlying issue-decay, infection, a crack, or nerve involvement. Waiting often turns a filling-level problem into a root canal or extraction. Get it evaluated as soon as it's persistent.

The biggest drivers are the type of restoration (filling versus crown versus implant), how many teeth are involved, the materials chosen, and whether diagnostic x-rays or follow-up procedures are needed. Insurance coverage also varies widely by procedure type.