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Hi, We Are Your Tooth Advisor.
My Tooth Advisor is your trusted partner for professional dental guidance, designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their oral health. Founded by a highly respected and experienced dentist, Dr. Raulerson, we are committed to bridging the gap between uncertainty and clarity when it comes to dental concerns.
Whether you're seeking a second opinion, need help understanding a treatment plan, or have questions about your oral health, our mission is to provide accessible, expert advice tailored to your unique needs. We've already helped countless individuals gain confidence in their next steps—let us help you take control of your smile with personalized, professional support.
Our approach combines decades of clinical expertise with a deep understanding of patient concerns. Dr. Raulerson and our team of dental professionals recognize that navigating dental decisions can be overwhelming. That's why we've created a platform, My Tooth Advisor, that offers clear, evidence-based guidance in language you can easily understand.
What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized care. We don't just provide generic dental advice—we take the time to understand your specific situation, concerns, and goals. Through our secure consultation platform, you can share X-rays, treatment plans, and detailed questions, receiving thoughtful insights from experienced professionals who truly care about your dental health journey.
We believe that informed patients make better healthcare decisions. Our service extends beyond just answering questions—we educate you about your options, explain complex procedures in simple terms, and provide you with the knowledge you need to confidently discuss treatments with your local dental provider.
Our dedication to patient empowerment has earned us the trust of individuals across the country. From routine care questions to complex treatment considerations, we're here to provide the guidance you need, when you need it most.
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Hi, We Are Your Tooth Advisor.
What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized care. We don't just provide generic dental advice—we take the time to understand your specific situation, concerns, and goals. Through our secure consultation platform, you can share X-rays, treatment plans, and detailed questions, receiving thoughtful insights from experienced professionals who truly care about your dental health journey.
We believe that informed patients make better healthcare decisions. Our service extends beyond just answering questions—we educate you about your options, explain complex procedures in simple terms, and provide you with the knowledge you need to confidently discuss treatments with your local dental provider.
Our dedication to patient empowerment has earned us the trust of individuals across the country. From routine care questions to complex treatment considerations, we're here to provide the guidance you need, when you need it most.
Elevate Your Smile & Feel Empowered.
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Expert Dental Advice
We believe everyone deserves access to clear, professional dental guidance without the stress or confusion. Our expert advice is designed to help you understand your options, feel empowered with your treatment plans, and take control of your oral health journey. With personalized support from a trusted dentist, we're here to empower you to achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
Our advice is rooted in years of expertise and a commitment to providing accurate, reliable recommendations. From reviewing treatment plans to answering your dental concerns, we connect you with proven solutions tailored to your needs. With the guidance from our trusted professionals, you can make informed decisions and feel confident in every step of your oral health journey.
You feel uncertain or overwhelmed about your dental treatment options.
You want a second opinion from a trusted professional.
You have questions about your oral health but aren't sure where to turn.
You're looking for personalized advice to make informed decisions about your smile.
You want to feel confident and in control of your smile.
Your Smile, Our Concern
OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Most patients cringe hearing the word “cavities”. This term is used in dentistry to quickly identify an area of decay, where bacteria has eroded or damaged part of the tooth. This erosion can happen quick, early detection is key, this is why routine cleanings are recommended. When identified early, small areas of decay can be removed and a filling is placed. If decay is allowed to deteriorate the tooth close or even into the nerve space, then root canals are usually recommended with a crown. Very important to note, decay can still erode under and around crowns and bridges. Most patients assume that once a crown or bridge is placed, their teeth are fixed for good. Routine dental care at home and professionally is still very important even after teeth are fixed with crowns or bridges.
When patients hear about “gum health” they just think about the pink stuff between the teeth. Gum health is directly related to bone health around the tooth. The gum and bone around the tooth are the foundation, it’s support structures. Just like a house has a foundation, teeth have a support structure also. It is very important to maintain this support for chewing function. Teeth need a solid foundation for solid chewing. As we use our teeth for chewing, we are putting a lot of pressure and stress on our teeth. If the foundation becomes weak, the teeth will begin to move and even shift into different positions to accommodate the pressure and stress. Flossing is the number one tool we have in maintaining the tooth foundation. Supplementing with a water pik can really enhance the tooth’s foundational health. It is important to have the right tools, but even more important to properly use these tools. Your advisor will be glad to discuss the most effective techniques using these tools.
When patients hear about “gum health” they just think about the pink stuff between the teeth. Gum health is directly related to bone health around the tooth. The gum and bone around the tooth are the foundation, it’s support structures. Just like a house has a foundation, teeth have a support structure also. It is very important to maintain this support for chewing function. Teeth need a solid foundation for solid chewing. As we use our teeth for chewing, we are putting a lot of pressure and stress on our teeth. If the foundation becomes weak, the teeth will begin to move and even shift into different positions to accommodate the pressure and stress. Flossing is the number one tool we have in maintaining the tooth foundation. Supplementing with a water pik can really enhance the tooth’s foundational health. It is important to have the right tools, but even more important to properly use these tools. Your advisor will be glad to discuss the most effective techniques using these tools.
Ever gone outside on a cold windy day without a jacket? Tooth sensitivity typically is due to root exposure. The gum tissue around the tooth is like a jacket that provides protection of the root surface. If the gum tissues have receded down and the root is exposed, cold water or even air can feel like being out in the cold without your jacket. Looking at teeth under a microscope, the enamel part small holes. These holes allow nutrients to pass through the tooth. Looking at the roots with that same microscope, those holes get very large. When those holes are not covered by your gum, then air and water can pass through and signal the nerve which is interpreted as sensitivity. Toothpaste companies have developed formulas to aid in sensitivity. However, it is not recommended to use a toothpaste for “whitening and sensitivity”. Tips and tricks can be discussed with your advisor to reduce your discomfort from sensitivity.
With the advancements in dentistry, patients with missing teeth typically have four options. Those four options include implants, bridges, dentures or nothing. Now the last option is not what a dentist would like to do, but let’s face it, many people live a healthy long life with missing teeth. The challenge with missing teeth is to determine which option is best. It is always recommended to look at the whole mouth and the overall health of the patient before just replacing missing teeth. While all four options mentioned above have great positive effects, each solution may also come with some negative effects or long-term concerns. Also keep in mind, each mouth is unique, so what works for one mouth, may not work for another. This is where you can benefit the most from your own personal tooth advisor, that can guide you through these options. Weighing the risks and benefits to determine the best options for you.
Straightening teeth has changed greatly over the past 20 years. It used to be mostly just a teenager focused treatment but has really evolved into treatment for everyone with permanent teeth. Aligner technology (clear trays) offers more convenient and esthetically pleasing treatment. However, keep in mind, not all orthodontic treatment should be done with aligners. Wires and brackets still have an advantage in certain cases. While in orthodontic treatment, overall hygiene is critical to long term success. It is also highly recommended that orthodontic treatment always be monitored by a local dentist or orthodontist, not acquired online or through the mail.
Teeth whitening is most successful when done by a professional oral health care provider. The two main products are an “in-office” or “at-home” whitening kits. The “in-office” product uses a light activated whitening gel and usually takes 2 hours to complete. The “at-home” products use a clear tray system that can be worn 1 to 2 hours each day. Both products use the basic same material, just the concentration is higher “in-office” and monitored by the oral health care provider. Either option usually results in 2 or 3 shades lighter teeth. Our natural teeth colors are unique just as skin color is unique, so expectations of whitening results should be realistic. Whitening also becomes a maintenance issue. Certain foods and drinks can stain our teeth so whitening may have to be repeated based on your diet. Please use caution considering all the products and claims made about how to make a whiter smile. Your personal tooth advisor can guide you through the best products and procedures to obtain a brighter and more realistic smile.
Most people hear root canals and literally panic. Many patients that need a root canal are already in pain and pain can create fear. However, root canals can be a viable option to reduce pain and keep the teeth. Also, the term root canal is not great at describing what is really being done. Many patients feel that a root canal somehow removes the root. During a root canal procedure, the root is not removed, rather what is inside the root is being removed. There are nerves, arteries and veins in roots that can become necrotic from bacterial invasion or even injury to the tooth. Once this damage has been done, a root canal cleans out the necrotic tissue and replaces it with a material to seal the canal. No matter how well the root canal procedure is carefully completed, bacteria can still find ways to affect the tooth and roots, so sometimes the need to “re-treat” a root canal is possible.
Initially let’s correct the term TMJ. Patients always say to the dentist, “I have TMJ”. Well technically, if you have a lower jaw, you have TMJ. This acronym stands for Temporomandibular Joint. It would be the same if you went to see an orthopedic doctor and said, “I have a knee”. If you suffer from pain in this joint, right in front of the ear, then you really have TMD. That stands for temporomandibular dysfunction. There can be many reasons pain can be associated with this area. Usually, the pain comes from the muscles controlling the lower jaw or it can be the ligaments holding the joint together. Sometimes it can involve both the ligaments and muscles. Once that is identified, then the root cause must be determined. This could be grinding or clinching our teeth at night while we sleep or could be from just chewing too much gum. TMD can sometimes be very difficult to treat. Surgery may be required but many times what helps is palliative treatment during painful episodes. Your personal tooth advisor can help navigate these treatments.
Wisdom teeth don’t make you wise! They are called this because they usually erupt around the age of 18 to 24, when kids were thought to gain their adult wisdom. Whether a young adult is wise at that age is not a discussion covered here! Let’s keep it to the teeth. Many teenagers get their wisdom teeth removed because they just don’t have enough room for the teeth to properly erupt. Sometimes the teeth partly erupt, meaning you can see part of the tooth in the mouth. Those must be monitored closely for the presence of decay, and they are hard to keep properly clean. Wisdom teeth also have the highest rate of never developing or can be oddly shaped with strange root systems. They are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get! There is also a large nerve that runs inside the lower jaw that can be closely associated with wisdom teeth. Damage to this nerve can cause numbness of all the teeth on one side of the lower jaw, so careful extraction by an oral surgeon is often required.
Dental Implants have changed the dental industry significantly over the last 20 years. It has created another viable option for missing teeth. Think of a dental implant as a “man made root”. The implant is placed into the bone of the upper or lower jaw and allowed to heal. Once this healing has completed, a crown can be attached to the implant by a piece we call an abutment. So, there are 3 parts to a typical implant for a single tooth. The implant, an abutment and then the crown. As mentioned, the implant is placed in the bone, so there are times when the bone must be modified to accept the implant. Modification of the bone may involve something called a bone graft. After a natural tooth is removed, there is a hole in the bone where the root used to be. If nothing is done, the hole will shrink down and fill in with soft tissue, but the height of the bone will be much lower than when the natural tooth was present. Loss of this bone height will affect whether an implant can be placed or not. Hence bone grafts are an attempt to keep the bone height in the area for the implant to be placed. Implants are a great option and are used more each day. They also do bring in some complications worth noting. The implant itself can become infected or the bone around an implant can still erode which is the support structure holding the implant intact. There are still risks of failure, but the success rate is much greater and a successful implant can be life changing.
Seeing a dental hygienist must be incorporated in personal hygiene to remain healthy. Having teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months is highly recommended. Even dentists have their teeth cleaned on a regular basis. It is just impossible to do a thorough job without someone else using both hands, having a different point of view and specialized instruments. Allowing the dentist to exam the teeth at a minimum of once per year, helps to catch possible problem areas before they become major concerns. Preventive care is also a TEAM effort. Brushing, flossing and the use of a water pik are necessary to have a long lasting beautiful smile. Please ask your advisor for tips that will help your home care.
Most patients start by saying, “I have a stupid question?” The real stupid question is the one not asked! No concerns are invalid. With your personal tooth advisor, you are welcome to ask anything tooth related. From brushing techniques, to what is this bump on my gum, to how we place an implant. Your questions are our specialty!
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