FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Throughout the years, patients have been asking us a number of questions that have been coming up quite often. Here are just a few of the more commonly asked ones, but if there's a question you have that we haven't answered here, please feel free to call us to find out more. Perhaps we'll even add it to this list!

General questions:

• How do the doctors and their staff keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?
• How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
• Do you accept patient referrals?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
• What payment options you provide?
• How can I ask the doctor questions directly?
• How can I whiten my teeth?
• What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
• What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
• I really don't like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
• My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
• I brush everyday, but my breath just isn't fresh. Is there anything I can do?
• Do I have to floss everyday? Is it really that important?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
• Why do I need a complete oral examination?

Specialty areas:

• What are dental implants?
• Am I a candidate for implants?
• Are there different kinds of implants?
• Do I have enough bone?
• Will this take a long time?
• Whom should I consult for my implant treatment?

General questions:

How do the doctors and their staff keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Our doctors and staff are big believers of continuing education. Just because they've finished their dental training in a formal school doesn't mean they've stopped learning. Every year they make a point of taking hundreds of hours of continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies.

How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

We will schedule you ahead of time for your next cleaning and check-up, and our staff will follow-up with you to make sure you are aware of your next appointment.

Do you accept patient referrals?

Referrals are always welcome. We're always looking forward to new patients so we can provide the same excellent level of dentistry that we provide to our existing patients.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

We accept many plans. Call us today and let us show you how to maximize your benefits.

I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

Don't panic, we can fix it. You'll want to call us right away and by talking to you we can tell you if you need to come in for emergency dental treatment, or if you can wait until the next business day. Most patients, after talking to us, are instructed to re-adhere the piece onto the tooth with a little bit of toothpaste. Yes, this is something you can try at home! Or, you can try using an over-the-counter dental cement found in most drugstores to place the temporary back.

What payment options you provide?

Patients can pay by cash, check, and all major credit cards, including Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. We also have a dental patient financing program to help patients extend payments when necessary. Our flexible payment plans, including interest-free financing, will take the fear out of dental expenses. We help process your insurance forms and also offer free consultations and second opinions.

How can I ask the doctor questions directly?

You can click here to ask questions directly to our doctors, and they will get back to you quickly. Or you are welcome to call our office with any questions that you might have. Of course, we'd love to answer your questions in person as well. Stop by anytime.

How can I whiten my teeth?

If you're like most of our patients, you want the simplest way possible to whiten your smile. Our revolutionary in-office whitening system, ZOOM! whitens your teeth in less than two hours. Patients can sit back and enjoy their favorite movie while their teeth become whiter and whiter. By the end of the appointment, most patients have achieved a seven to nine shade difference in their smile. The single appointment procedure is quick and easy, allowing you to get back to your busy life with a brilliant white smile the same day.

Or ask how we can whiten them in a few weeks with a take-home DayWhite and NightWhite whitening systems. Don't put up with yellow or stained teeth any longer.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

We use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures. We dispose items whenever possible, and we pride ourselves on a clean and neat facility. We follow all OSHA and American Dental Association requirements.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

Our team is highly trained, dedicated, and known for their professional, yet friendly, skills in customer service and patient care. But what makes us unique is that we don't focus on just the broken tooth, we pay attention to your entire oral and dental wellness--your face, head, neck, and jaw, and how your smile looks and feels. We hope you will feel free to ask us about any of these services.

I really don't like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand that some patients are very nervous about going to the dentist. For those patients, we offer nitrous oxide and other medications, as needed. If you have extensive dental procedures to be performed, we can give you a tiny pill and you can sleep while we do the rest. We also offer DVD movies, CD headphones, and video goggles to really help take you away from the dental procedure being performed.

My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Bleeding gums is often a sign of infection in the gums or even in the bones, and you may be a candidate for non-surgical periodontal treatment. Our goal is have you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Please don't wait any longer to address this problem.

I brush everyday, but my breath just isn't fresh. Is there anything I can do?

Disorders of the oral cavity may cause up to 90% of all the cases of halitosis. Some of the more common causes are: a dry mouth due to lack of flow of saliva during sleep, denture wearing, food retention, poor oral hygiene, dental decay, gingivitis, gum disease, an unclean tongue, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Most of these factors cause an increase in bacteria in the oral cavity. These bacteria produce compounds like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide. Collectively they are known as volatile sulphur-containing compounds or VSC. These are the compounds responsible for bad breath.

What's the treatment? We will work with you to institute an effective home care program that includes conventional tooth brushing and flossing, daily irrigation of the oral tissues and regular scraping or brushing of the tongue. We may also recommend an oral rinse that is available only through your dentist.

One of the main sources of bad breath is periodontitis, and we will work on eradicating or greatly controlling gum disease, which in turn will eliminate bad breath.

Do I have to floss everyday? Is it really that important?

The use of dental floss is essential in preventing gum disease. Most oral health problems are related to dental plaque--the soft, sticky layer of bacteria on the surface of gums and teeth, particularly along the gum-line. When dental plaque grows it releases toxins that irritate the gums causing gingivitis. If left untreated it may lead to more serious form of gum disease (periodontitis). The toothbrush can't reach difficult areas in the mouth, like between teeth and along the gums. Using dental floss at least once a day provides effective removal of dental plaque and cleaning between the teeth.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

If your teeth are crooked, you don't necessarily need braces. When you come in for a consultation, we can talk to you about several other options, including porcelain veneers and instant orthodontics. If you're a candidate for this sort of treatment, the whole process will take about two visits rather than two years, as is usually the case with braces.

Why do I need a complete oral examination?

Our doctors are extremely interested in your oral health, and prides herself on our thorough and complete oral examination. Below is a partial list of what we do for you during a complete oral examination. During and oral exam, we thoroughly check teeth for:
• Fractures
• Decay (cavities)
• Abscesses
• Tightness of crowns and/or bridges if present
• Occlusion (bite), looking for high spots on fillings

We check the gum tissue for:
• Bleeding (a sign of periodontal disease)
• Periodontal pockets
• Abscesses
• Infections
• Unusual discoloration in the gums that may be a sign of systematic disease

Check the other soft tissues, including the tongue, for:
• Oral cancer
• Any other pathology

We finally put all the findings together for a treatment plan, a plan of action to restore (or maintain) optimum oral health. Please understand we make a treatment plan during every complete oral examination, even if the treatment plan is simply to have you return in six months for your next examination. We accept professional responsibly for the finding and the recommendations. We are highly trained and experienced and are often capable of performing such through exams relatively quickly, for your comfort and convenience.

Specialty questions

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or crown or a set of replacement teeth.

Am I a candidate for implants?

Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or decay. They are especially practical for patients who can no longer wear removable dentures. Your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and medical history.

Are there different kinds of implants?

There are many shapes, sizes and brands of implants available. Our specialist implant dentist will know which implant is the right one for you.

Do I have enough bone?

It is important for a patient to have enough bone to support the implant. If you do not have enough bone, there are many safe and effective ways to correct bone deficiency. Your dentist will assess this and advise you if additional bone material is needed.

Will this take a long time?

Treatment time can vary greatly depending on your needs. Each situation needs a separate evaluation; our specialist dentist will be able to give you an approximate timetable.

Whom should I consult for my implant treatment?

Your general dentist is your first resource for this service. The key is the implant dentist's training, experience and credentials. Our staff of specialists include general dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons who perform the surgical and/or restorative procedures. We have a highly qualified in-house oral surgeon whom we will happily refer you to if you would like.