Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What should I expect during my check-up appointment?
A. One of our staff members will compile and update your medical and dental history at the beginning of your visit. We will then address any immediate concerns, examine your teeth and gums, take x-rays of your teeth as needed, screen you for oral cancer, and professionally clean your teeth. The doctor will then review your oral and dental profile and discuss our findings and diagnosis with you. Depending on your needs and desires, we will make any necessary recommendations and continue to adhere to a treatment plan that best suits you. Depending on the extent of any recommended treatment, we will plan to treat you in our office, however, referral to a specialist is sometimes necessary. We will review oral hygiene instructions, discuss your options for treatment and the associated fees, and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
Q. What does “painless dentistry” mean?
A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
Q. What if I have a dental emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the doctor’s emergency contact number. If its a serious emergency, please go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes. We submit to almost all types of dental insurance. We also accept most major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. For extensive treatment plans, we can also assist you in obtaining low or no interest rate financing through CareCredit.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. Yes! There are several methods available for whitening teeth to include in office or at home whitening. Zoom! whitening is done in our office. It is painless, has great results, and is typically one session lasting about one and a half hours. During your treatment, you can read, watch TV, or relax in a quiet, comfortable environment.
For at home whitening, there are several methods. Custom-fit trays can be made from impressions taken of your teeth and professional strength gel is available for use on a daily basis until you are satisfied with the results of your whitening. You can also use professional strength (available only through your dentist) or over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips. These products typically require several weeks of use to acheive the best results.
To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any whitening program. It is very important to use any whitening product, professional strength or over-the-counter only under the supervision of a dentist, as too much whitening can damage the teeth. Please follow any and all product label instructions as well as any instructions from your dentist.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth, or teeth that do not respond to normal whitening methods?
A. Cosmetic dentistry may be needed to complete the enhancement of your smile and can be acheived with several methods. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Cosmetic bonding utilizes a tooth colored composite material made of resin/plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and composite bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth and can serve to enhance the color and shape of your teeth as well as close minor spaces. These can be considered after maximum whitening is achieved.