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 appointment?
A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and
dental history during your first visit. We will then
examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer,
make X-rays of your teeth as needed and complete a TMJ
(temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your
dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If
treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces
(orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to
treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We
will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and
help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
During regular follow-up visits, we will examine your
teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your
teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will
discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and
answer any questions you may have.
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 an 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.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental
treatment?
A. Yes. We accept many types of dental insurance and will
process your claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment.
We offer a low interest rate payment plan and also accept
most major credit cards.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for bleaching the
teeth: in-office, overnight or daily. One session of in-
office bleaching generally lasts one and a half to two
hours, and you can read or relax during the treatment. For
overnight bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and
create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill
the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and
wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The
overnight bleaching process takes approximately two
weeks.
Other over-the-counter daily bleaching products are
available, but it is important to use any bleaching product
only under the supervision of a dentist. 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 bleaching program.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth
or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
A. We have many different procedures that can help these
problems. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your
natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached
to the fronts of your existing teeth. Veneers can be
positioned to close gaps. Bonding utilizes a composite
material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and
correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers
and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.