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 checkup 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,
including MasterCard and Visa.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for bleaching the teeth: in
office, overnight or daily. 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. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth
and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your
existing teeth. 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.
Other
frequently asked questions
