FAQ

Contact Us

We are always available to speak with you to answer questions, address your concerns or schedule an appointment. Please feel free to contact us through our office phone numbers or e-mail address. After hours, you may contact us through our answering service.

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. Some patients may require more visits depending upon the health of their teeth and supporting tissues.

Q. What should I expect during my appointment?

A. At the first visit, your doctor will perform a comprehensive exam and diagnostic records will be taken. We will schedule a second appointment with a dental hygienist based upon the findings of the first appointment. The duration and treatment approach at the second visit is customized to reflect your dental 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 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.

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 accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Prepayment discounts and short-term payment plans are available for major work. Long-term payment plans can be applied for through a health care credit plan known as CareCredit.

Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?

A. Our office has several methods available for bleaching the teeth. The most popular are the take home bleaching trays. For take-home bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and create bleaching trays that fit your bite. Each day you fill the trays with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The take-home bleaching process takes approximately two to four weeks.

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 attached to the visible areas 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.

Q. What kind of toothbrush should I use?

A. Adults should use a small to medium size toothbrush with soft bristles. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to brush all areas of the mouth thoroughly, specifically the back of the mouth, which can be hard to reach. Children should use small toothbrushes with soft bristles. People with sensitive teeth can benefit from using gentle, soft bristled toothbrushes. Many kinds of toothbrushes are available. Our staff can help you decide which type of brush is most suitable for you.

Q. How often should I replace my toothbrush?

A. The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. With each use, the bristles become worn and cleaning effectiveness decreases. Depending on your oral health, you may need to replace your brush sooner. Typically, children need to replace their toothbrushes more regularly than adults.

Q. Is a powered toothbrush more effective than a manual toothbrush?

A. Generally, manual toothbrushes are not as effective as powered toothbrushes. Our office has seen excellent results with patients who use Sonicare toothbrushes. Children may find brushing with a powered toothbrush more exciting. If you have difficulty using a manual toothbrush, a powered toothbrush may be much more comfortable and easier to use. Regardless of what toothbrush you choose, be sure to select one you like and find easy to use.

Q. Is one type of toothpaste better than others?

A. Yes, depending upon your specific needs.  However, we recommend you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means it has been assessed for safety and effectiveness. Studies consistently show that fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent dental decay.

Q. How often should I floss?

A. You should floss once daily to prevent cavities from forming in between the teeth. Flossing also helps preserve the health of your gums.

Q. Should I brush or floss first?

A. As long as you brush and floss thoroughly, it does not matter if you brush then floss, or floss then brush. But flossing before brushing enables the fluoride in your toothpaste to better reach the areas between the teeth.

Q. What's the difference between a cap and a crown?

A. A cap is the same as a crown. Both restorations are designed to restore a tooth that is severely broken, fractured or decayed by literally covering or capping the tooth. Dentists often use the term crowns. But most people call stainless steel or gold restorations crowns, and tooth-colored restorations caps.

Q. What's the difference between a partial denture and a bridge?

A. Both are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge is sometimes called a fixed partial denture. It fills a space previously occupied by a tooth.  A fixed bridge is the most popular, and consists of a filler tooth called a "pontic" attached to two crowns, which fit over existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.

A partial denture is removable, and typically consists of replacement teeth attached to gum-colored bases that are connected via metal or acrylic framework. The denture is attached to natural teeth with either metal clasps or precision attachments, which are virtually invisible.

Q. If I get a root canal, do I need a crown?

A. Nearly all the time yes. While, most teeth that have root canals need a crown, not all teeth that need a crown require a root canal.