Patient Guides
Straight answers to the dental decisions patients ask about most
Plain-language, evidence-based guides — how the decision is actually made, what to ask, and how to check the reasoning yourself. Each article is reviewed by one of our doctors and points to authoritative sources.
These guides are for general education and are reviewed for accuracy by a treating dentist at MSD Dental Studio. They are not a substitute for an in-person exam. For a recommendation about your own teeth, book a visit. See our editorial & clinical-review policy.
Restorative Dentistry
Service overview →Do I Actually Need This Crown?
Wondering whether a recommended crown is necessary? Here is how dentists decide between a filling and a crown, what to ask, and how to check the reasoning yourself.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonRoot Canal or Extraction: How to Decide
Facing a choice between saving a tooth and removing it? Here is what makes a tooth worth restoring, what the total cost of each path looks like, and what to ask.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonGetting a Second Opinion on a Dental Treatment Plan
Been given a large dental treatment plan? Here is when a second opinion is worth getting, what records to bring, and how to tell a useful one from a sales pitch.
Reviewed by Dr. Shantall Di LoretoFilling, Onlay, or Crown? How the Decision Is Made
Three ways to repair a damaged back tooth, and they are not interchangeable. Here is what separates them, and why the middle option often gets skipped.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonReplacing Missing Teeth
Service overview →Why Implant Quotes Differ by Thousands
Two offices quoted very different implant prices? Here is what each stage actually involves, what is usually left out of a quote, and how to compare fairly.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonImplant, Bridge, or Leaving the Gap
Comparing an implant, a bridge, and doing nothing? Here is what each actually involves, what it costs the teeth around it, and when each is the right call.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonShould I Replace a Missing Back Tooth?
Chewing fine without a back tooth? Here is what happens to the teeth around the gap, when leaving it is genuinely reasonable, and how the window narrows over time.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonCheckups, Cleanings & Prevention
Service overview →Smile Design & Alignment
Service overview →Comfort-Focused & Emergency Care
Service overview →Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Front Tooth: What to Do Right Now
Chipped, cracked, or broken a front tooth? What to do in the first hour, when it is a true emergency, and which same-day repairs are possible.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonKnocked-Out Tooth: The First 30 Minutes
A knocked-out permanent tooth can often be saved if you act fast. Here is exactly what to do, what never to do, and why baby teeth are different.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonFacial Swelling From a Tooth: When It Is an Emergency Room Visit
Facial swelling from a dental infection can be serious. Here are the signs that mean an emergency room rather than a dental office, and what to do in the meantime.
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew DillonStill have a question about your own situation?
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