Dentists

Dedicated Dentists You Can Trust

If you have been looking for a Cary, NC dentist, then look no further. Our team of dentists provides compassionate, skilled, and dedicated service to all of our patients. With over 20 years of experience assisting patients in Cary, we have the experience to provide the care that you need and deserve. Schedule an appointment with Alliance Dentistry today. We offer cozy, plush leather chairs in our waiting area to make you as comfortable as possible.

Table of Contents

• Dedicated Dentists You Can Trust
• How Our Dentists Can Help You
• Common Dental Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
• Cary Dentist Infographics
• Cary Dentist FAQs
• Alliance Dentistry, Cary Dentists
• Contact Our Cary Dentists Today

Preparing For Your Dentist Visit if You are Scared

The dental chair has not been your friend. You dread going every year, and quite often, you find a convenient out to take the annual trip. While everything has been going along fine, it only takes one time for you to bite into a hard object to make your toes curl. Cracking a tooth is not only painful, but it can also end up in significant dental work if not addressed quickly. Don’t let your fear of dentists keep you from seeking preventative and emergency treatment.

Our team of dentists have taken extra steps to ease the mind of those patients with a real fear of the chair. We offer calming and pleasant office decor, meditative music, and separate examination areas behind closed doors. These strategies were created to make even the most nervous patient feel at ease. When calling our dental office, ask what we do for patients who are afraid of the visit. We will invite you in to speak to the dentist in advance of your first dental appointment. You may get a tour and find out some of the ways our office aims to keep you at ease.

Take a Reliable and Comforting Person 

Some people in your life may have a natural calming effect on you, while others may hype you up. When taking a trip to the dentist, ask someone you trust to go with you. Choose someone who is a calming influence. Avoid anyone else who shares your fear of the dentist. Ask this person to stay with you during your treatment. Just having someone there with you to focus on may help keep you at ease. Another person can also listen to what the dentist has to say and help you process once you leave. An extra set of ears when you are nervous can be a positive addition.

Learn Relaxation Techniques 

Some of the reactions you have when you are worried are physiological ones. It involves an increase in heart rate, which leads to rapid breathing, sweating, and lightheadedness. If you can learn to control these responses, you may be able to keep them at bay. Meditation and relaxation breathing may help you to calm yourself when you start feeling these physical effects of fear. The good news is that you can use these exercises in other areas of your life that may create stress. A visit to a dentist is necessary for maintaining your health. Therefore, learning to overcome your fear is essential.

How Our Dentists Can Help You

Alliance Dentistry brings unmatched experience across the dental care continuum in multiple settings: hospitals, research clinics, and private practices. As a patient, you need a dentist who is knowledgeable, local, and caring. Our deep practice background offers insight, familiarity, and confidence to all patients. Contact us now to request an appointment with the dentist that is right for you and your family. This foundation shapes our collaborative approach to patient relationships as well as the diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments we offer.

What We Stand For

Simply put, Alliance reflects our shared core philosophy. As a husband and wife team, we are allies both at home in NC and in our approach to providing exceptional oral care to our Cary, NC patients. We build collaborative relationships with our patients and have developed a network of first-rate specialists. We’re committed to facilitating optimal dental health. 

Timothy C. Raczka, D.D.S.

Common Dental Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

No matter how old you are, it is important to make your oral health a top priority. Proper oral hygiene practices can help you avoid dental diseases and improve your overall health. Here are a few common dental myths you shouldn’t believe:

• If you’re not in any pain, you don’t have to see a dentist.
  
  

Too many people wait until their tooth is sore to go to our dentist. If you avoid seeing a dentist until you feel pain, the problem may be more difficult and expensive to treat. Even if you don’t notice anything alarming, it’s wise to visit our office twice a year for a checkup. We can detect early signs of cavities and other problems through an exam and X-rays.

• The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be.
  
  

This could not be farther from the truth. When you brush your teeth with too much force, you can wear down the enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to damage. To avoid this, brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

• Going to the dentist is painful.

A common fear people have about visiting the dentist is experiencing pain. However, with the advances in dental technology, many patients don’t feel any discomfort during dental procedures. If you do feel pain during a procedure, let our dentist know immediately.

• Dentists don’t want to deal with nervous patients.

Dental phobia is not uncommon and most dentists in Cary, NC understand this. That is why we are  very accommodating to nervous patients. If you feel nervous during your appointment, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns to our team.

• If your gums bleed, you should stop flossing.

Many people are alarmed when their gums bleed and leave them alone. However, you should not do this. The bleeding is due to inflammation resulting from excess plaque between your teeth. If you continue to floss regularly, the bleeding will subside.

• Poor oral hygiene only affects your mouth.

The effects of poor hygiene go past cavities and gum disease. If you neglect your gums, for example, you can increase your risk of heart problems. The bacteria in your gums can enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart, which can trigger a heart attack. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to diabetes complications and respiratory infections. 

Cary Dentist Infographic

Cary Dental Statistics

Dental health is essential, but challenges remain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26% of adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay, while 46% of adults aged 30 or older show signs of gum disease. Among children, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that 42% of kids aged 2-11 experience cavities in primary teeth. Access to care is also an issue—25% of U.S. adults skip dental visits due to cost (American Dental Association). Fluoridated water has improved dental health, reducing cavities in children by 25%, per the CDC.

Regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene remain essential for prevention. Call our Cary dentist to address all of your family’s dental needs.

Cary Dentist FAQs

How Can I Prevent Cavities?

You can prevent cavities with the use of fluoride. Studied extensively for decades, fluoride exposure has been proven to prevent dental decay.  Because of its role in protecting teeth, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention considers fluoridation of drinking water one of the ten greatest health achievements in the US in the 20th century.

How Does Fluoride Prevent Cavities?

Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in water, soil, rock, and many foods. When exposed to fluoride, teeth can become more resistant to cavities.

The outer layer of your teeth, enamel, is made primarily of the minerals calcium and phosphate, collectively called hydroxyapatite. All day, the enamel loses and gains minerals. Minerals are lost when acids -formed by plaque bacteria and carbohydrates -attack the enamel. This is called demineralization. When calcium, phosphate, and fluoride- from foods, water, and saliva-penetrate the enamel, remineralization occurs. But if there is more decalcification than remineralization, cavities start to form. When fluoride is present and part of the remineralization process, it forms a tough layer called fluorapatite. Fluorapatite is even stronger and better than hydroxyapatite in resisting decay. And fluoride can even reverse early decay.

Where Is Fluoride Available?

Most community water supplies in the United States contain fluoride. Adjustments are made to the level of fluoride in drinking water to obtain optimal amounts for the prevention of tooth decay. Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first city to begin adding fluoride to its water system, back in 1945. Since that time, community water fluoridation has been controversial. Years of rigorous scientific study, however, have shown water fluoridation at appropriate levels to be effective and safe. Currently, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends the fluoride-to-water ratio be 0.7 parts per million, an amount that takes into consideration exposure to other sources of fluoride.

Fluoride is found in certain foods, fluoridated toothpaste, and mouth rinses. In addition, our dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth as a foam or varnish. These treatments contain much higher levels of fluoride found in toothpaste and mouth rinses. Varnishes are painted on teeth and foams are placed in trays which then sit on teeth for one to four minutes.

What Are the Benefits of Fluoride?

Both children and adults reap the cavity-fighting benefits of fluoride. Infants and children from six months to 16 years need appropriate levels of fluoride as primary and permanent teeth come in during these years. Topical fluorides – from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments – are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth.  

Conditions that may put adults at higher risk of tooth decay and would benefit from additional fluoride include dry mouth, gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, and having crowns or bridges. Dry mouth, caused by certain diseases, such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, certain medications, and radiation to the head and neck. Without saliva, teeth are more prone to cavities, because the acids formed during eating cannot be neutralized and remineralization is halted. Gum disease exposes more of the root surface to cavity-causing bacteria. Having crowns or bridges means that the risk of decay is higher at the crown/tooth interface.

Dental Glossary

Our Cary dentist defines common terms patients may encounter. Understanding different aspects of dental care can help you make informed choices about your treatment options.

Preventive Treatment

Preventive treatment is essential in maintaining long-term oral health. This category includes procedures such as routine cleanings, dental exams, fluoride treatments, and sealants. These services help detect issues like cavities and gum disease early on, when they’re easiest to treat. Regular preventive care visits allow us to assess and address early signs of decay or damage, ultimately reducing the likelihood of complex and costly treatments down the road. Our approach emphasizes not just fixing problems but also preventing them, helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy over time.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and rebuilding damaged teeth to restore function, structure, and comfort. It includes procedures such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants. These treatments are designed to address damage from decay, injury, or wear. For example, a filling might be used to treat a small cavity, while a bridge can replace missing teeth. Restorative treatments support daily functions like chewing and speaking and are critical in preserving your overall oral health. We work with you to select the right restorative approach based on your needs, aiming to restore both form and function to your smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is all about creating a beautiful smile that looks and feels natural. This area of dentistry includes procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and contouring. Teeth whitening is a popular, minimally invasive way to brighten your smile, while veneers are thin coverings that can address various cosmetic issues, from gaps to discoloration. Bonding, on the other hand, uses tooth-colored resin to repair chips, gaps, or minor damage, blending seamlessly with your natural teeth. Cosmetic treatments are designed with aesthetics in mind, enhancing your smile’s appearance in a way that’s personally satisfying and boosts confidence.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is a protective cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns are used for several reasons, such as covering a tooth that’s weakened by decay, restoring a broken or worn tooth, or completing a dental implant. They are commonly made from materials like porcelain, metal, or ceramic, each with unique benefits. Porcelain crowns are particularly popular for their natural appearance, while metal crowns offer durability. Placing a crown typically requires two visits—one to prepare the tooth and take impressions and a second to fit the crown. Crowns are essential in preserving damaged teeth and allowing them to function normally.

General Practice Residency (GPR)

A General Practice Residency (GPR) provides additional training for dentists beyond their initial education. This one- or two-year program offers a more in-depth learning experience in general dentistry and involves working in a hospital or clinic setting. Through this residency, dentists gain experience treating patients with a wide variety of needs, often focusing on those requiring specialized care. GPR training covers different areas, such as oral surgery, emergency care, and the management of medically complex patients, enhancing a dentist’s understanding and skill set. For patients, this residency experience means receiving care from a dentist with extensive, practical knowledge. 

If you’re ready to explore your dental care options, we’re here to help. Call us at Alliance Dentistry to learn more about the services we offer in Cary, NC, or to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to being part of your journey to optimal oral health.

Alliance Dentistry, Cary Dentists

Contact Our Cary Dentists Today