Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you're experiencing a dental emergency, take these steps before your appointment:

• For a cracked or broken tooth — Rinse your mouth with warm water. Applying a cold compress to your face will help control swelling. If you find broken tooth pieces, bring them with you to your appointment.
• For toothache or pain — Rinse with warm saltwater. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen as directed on the package. Avoid aspirin if you're experiencing bleeding.
• For swelling — Apply a cold compress to your cheek in 20-minute intervals. Swelling can be a sign of infection, which requires prompt treatment.
• For an object stuck between teeth — Gently try to remove it with dental floss. Never use sharp objects like pins or knives to poke at it.
• For bleeding — Apply gentle pressure with a piece of gauze or a tea bag to the area for 15–20 minutes.
• Knocked-out tooth — Rinse the tooth gently if dirty, but don’t touch the root or any attached tissue. Try placing it back in its socket, but don’t force it. Otherwise, keep the root moist by placing it between your cheek and gums or in a container of milk or saliva. Don't use water. The faster you see us (ideally within an hour), the better chance we have of saving the tooth.

Call our emergency dentist in Pampa at (806) 665-0921 as soon as possible so we can provide further guidance and schedule you for the earliest available appointment.

After removing a tooth, the bone that once held the roots in place begins to shrink and recede. This natural process is called resorption. Socket preservation is a specialized procedure performed during tooth extraction to minimize bone loss and maintain the shape of your jaw for future tooth replacement.

How Socket Preservation Works

During socket preservation, Dr. Mohr places bone grafting material directly into the socket after removing the tooth. This material becomes a scaffold for new bone growth. A protective membrane is often placed over the graft, and Dr. Mohr places stitches to help the healing process.

Why Consider Socket Preservation?

This procedure is particularly important if you're considering dental implants in the future. Implants require adequate bone volume for proper placement and support. Without socket preservation, you might need more extensive bone grafting procedures before an implant can be placed.

Planning for Your Future Smile

Even if you're not immediately planning tooth replacement, socket preservation gives you more options for the future. Dr. Mohr can discuss whether socket preservation suits your situation during your extraction consultation. This preventive approach to bone maintenance can save you significant time, discomfort, and expense in the future.

For more information about socket preservation or to schedule an extraction consultation, call our Pampa, TX, dental office at (806) 665-0921.

With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last 10–15 years or even longer. However, their lifespan depends on several factors specific to each patient.

The Lifespan of a Dental Crown or Bridge

The durability of your crown or bridge is influenced by:

• Oral Hygiene Habits — Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings help prevent decay around the edges of crowns and under bridges
• Bite and Chewing Patterns — Heavy grinding or clenching can put extra stress on dental restorations
• Foods You Eat — Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can potentially damage or dislodge crowns and bridges
• Location in the Mouth — Restorations in the back of the mouth, where chewing forces are strongest, may wear faster
• Materials Used — Different crown materials (porcelain, metal, or a combination) have different durability profiles

Long-Lasting Crowns and Bridges in Pampa, TX

Dr. Mohr selects high-quality materials and works with excellent dental labs to ensure your restorations are designed to last. To maximize the lifespan of your crown or bridge, we recommend that you:

• Brush twice daily and floss carefully around your restoration
• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
• Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bite non-food items
• Keep up with regular dental checkups so we can spot any issues early

If you notice any changes in how your crown or bridge feels or if it becomes loose, contact our Pampa dental office right away at (806) 665-0921.

Tooth-colored composite fillings typically last 5 to 10 years but can last even longer with proper care. Their durability depends on several factors specific to your dental situation:

• Filling Size and Location — Larger fillings and those on chewing surfaces experience more wear and may not last as long as smaller fillings or those in less-stressed areas. Fillings in your back molars, which handle the most chewing force, typically experience more pressure than those in front teeth.
• Oral Health Habits — If you grind or clench your teeth, play contact sports without a mouthguard, chew ice, or use your teeth as tools to open packages, your fillings may wear faster.
• Oral Hygiene Routine — Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings help prevent decay around filling edges, extending their lifespan significantly.
• Dietary Choices — Frequently consuming acidic foods and beverages can gradually break down the composite material.

Durable, High-Quality Materials

Dr. Chris Mohr uses high-quality composite materials and precise placement techniques to extend the lifespan of your fillings. During your regular checkups at Pampa Dental Arts, we'll monitor your existing fillings for signs of wear or leakage, allowing us to address any issues before they become problems.

If you notice changes in your filling, such as roughness, cracks, or sensitivity around the tooth, call our dentist in Pampa, TX, at (806) 665-0921 for an evaluation.

When a tooth is severely infected or damaged, there are two options: save it with root canal treatment or remove it completely through extraction.

Why We Recommend Root Canal Treatment 

In most cases, Dr. Mohr recommends root canal treatment whenever possible. Here's why: 

• Preserving your natural tooth offers significant benefits. Natural teeth work together, each playing an important role in speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper alignment. Once extracted, a tooth leaves a gap that can cause neighboring teeth to shift, creating bite problems and potential jaw pain.
• Root canal treatment addresses the infection while keeping the natural tooth structure intact. Modern techniques make this procedure comfortable, and success rates are extremely high. After treatment, your tooth can function normally for many years or even a lifetime with proper care.
• Extraction may seem simpler initially, but it creates the need for tooth replacement, which is an additional expense. Without replacement, you risk bone loss in your jaw, shifting teeth, and changes to your facial appearance over time.

Special Considerations for Tooth Extraction

That said, there are situations where extraction might be the better option:

• When a tooth is too severely damaged to save
• If the infection has destroyed too much supporting bone
• When financial considerations are a priority

Dr. Mohr offers both root canal treatment and tooth extractions at our Pampa, TX, dental office for your convenience. During your consultation, he’ll evaluate your situation and recommend the best option for your long-term oral health. Call (806) 665-0921 to schedule an appointment and discuss the right solution for your needs.

For most patients, Dr. Mohr recommends dental checkups every six months. This schedule allows us to monitor your oral health, remove plaque and tartar buildup, and catch potential issues before they become serious problems.

Your Personalized Dental Checkup Schedule

However, dental care isn't one-size-fits-all. Some patients may need more frequent visits, including those who:

• Are being monitored for gum disease
• Have a history of frequent cavities or rapid tartar buildup
• Experience medical conditions like diabetes that can affect oral health
• Are pregnant or experiencing hormonal changes that impact gum health
• Smoke or use tobacco and face higher risks for oral health problems

On the other hand, if you have excellent oral health with minimal history of dental problems, Dr. Mohr might occasionally suggest extending the time between visits. During your first visit to Pampa Dental Arts, Dr. Mohr will evaluate your oral health situation to recommend the ideal checkup schedule for your needs.

It's Never Too Late to Start

Even if it's been years since your last dental visit, please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment. We'll help you get back on track with your oral health without judgment or lectures. Your dental health journey can restart anytime, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Call Pampa Dental Arts at (806) 665-0921 to schedule your next dental checkup with Dr. Mohr.

At Pampa Dental Arts, we will customize your first visit based on your needs. When you call to schedule, our friendly front desk team will ask questions about your reason for visiting. This helps us determine whether you should see Dr. Mohr directly or one of our skilled hygienists first.

Routine Care First Visit

If you are due for a routine checkup and don’t have any urgent concerns, your first appointment will typically be with one of our hygienists. During this visit, Dr. Mohr and our team:

• Help you complete new patient paperwork
• Review your medical and dental history
• Perform a thorough exam and comprehensive dental cleaning
• Take digital x-rays to establish a baseline record
• Discuss findings and recommendations
• Create a personalized dental care plan

Emergency or Specific Dental Concern

If you're experiencing pain or discomfort or have a specific dental concern that needs attention, we'll schedule you with Dr. Mohr. At this visit, he will:

• Review your medical and dental history
• Discuss your current symptoms or concerns
• Examine the problem area
• Take necessary x-rays
• Explain your treatment options
• Develop an immediate care plan

In most cases, Dr. Mohr will address your immediate concern during this first visit to provide relief and get you back to your usual routine.

Schedule Your First Dental Checkup

If you have specific concerns or questions before your first appointment, please don't hesitate to call our Pampa, TX, dental office at (806) 665-0921. We look forward to meeting you soon!

While the best teeth are natural teeth, custom dentures look, fit, and feel better than ever before. At Pampa Dental Arts, we carefully custom-craft dentures for each unique smile, and we won’t be happy until we know you’re delighted with the results.

How Modern Dentures Have Improved

Wonder what has changed about dentures to make them so realistic-looking? Here are some improvements you may not have considered:

• Lighter, more flexible materials move naturally with your mouth
• Advanced technology ensures proper fit and function
• High-quality acrylics and porcelains mimic the translucency of natural teeth
• Customized color-matching complements skin tone, hair color, and facial features
• Personalized gum tissue appearance looks realistic and natural

The result? Dentures that look so natural that others will think it’s just your own beautiful smile.

Realistic-Looking Dentures in Pampa, TX

If you've been hesitant about dentures based on stories from previous generations or old stereotypes, we invite you to discover how today's dentures can provide a comfortable, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Call Pampa Dental Arts at (806) 665-0921 to learn more about your options.

Our team is pleased to serve patients from throughout the Northeastern Texas Panhandle, including Canadian, Wheeler, White Deer, Shamrock, Perryton, McLean, and beyond.

Most adults with missing teeth are good candidates for dental implants, but certain factors can affect your suitability for this treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Mohr will evaluate:

Dental Implant Requirements

• Jawbone Density — Successful implants need adequate bone to support them. If you've been missing teeth for some time, you may have experienced bone loss. In many cases, bone grafting procedures can build up the area to support implants.
• Overall Health — Certain medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease, may affect healing. Let Dr. Mohr know about all health conditions and medications during your consultation.
• Gum Health — Healthy gums are important for implant success. If you have gum disease, we'll need to treat it before proceeding with implants.
• Smoking Habits — Smoking significantly reduces implant success rates by affecting healing. Quitting smoking before implant placement greatly improves your chances of success.
• Commitment to Oral Hygiene — Implants require diligent home care and regular dental visits to remain healthy.

Even if you've been told you're not an implant candidate, procedures like bone grafting or sinus lifts may be the solution you need. Dr. Mohr works with specialists who can address these needs, making implants possible. If traditional implants aren't right for you, we can discuss options like bridges or modern dentures to restore your smile.

Get Started with Dental Implants

Ready to learn more about dental implants? Call our Pampa, TX, dental office at (806) 665-0921 to schedule your consultation.

We proudly serve patients throughout the Northeastern Texas Panhandle, including Canadian, Wheeler, White Deer, Shamrock, Perryton, McLean, and beyond.

The lifespan of cosmetic dentistry treatments depends on several factors, including oral hygiene, the types of foods you eat, and lifestyle factors like smoking. Here are some general guidelines for each type of service we offer. We also welcome you to call Pampa Dental Arts if you have questions.

• Professional Teeth Whitening — In-office whitening results typically last six months to two years, depending on your habits. If you smoke, drink coffee, tea, red wine, or consume staining foods, the results will fade faster. Occasionally, using take-home touch-up trays can extend whitening results significantly.
• Dental Bonding — Composite bonding generally lasts four to eight years before needing touch-ups or replacement. The lifespan depends on your oral habits—biting fingernails, chewing ice, or using your teeth as tools can damage bonding.
• Porcelain Crowns — High-quality porcelain crowns are the most durable cosmetic option, typically lasting 10–15 years or longer with proper care. While the porcelain won't decay, good oral hygiene is important to protect the natural tooth structure underneath. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings help prevent decay at the crown margins, the most common reason crowns eventually need replacement.

Call Us with Your Cosmetic Dentistry Questions

During your consultation with Dr. Mohr, he will discuss the expected lifespan of your dental work and provide personalized care instructions. Call Pampa Dental Arts at (806) 665-0921 to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry options.