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. Brite Smile bleaching is done in
our office. One session 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. 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.