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FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
How often should I see a dentist?
Our office and The American Dental Association (ADA)
guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least
twice a year for a checkup and professional
cleaning.
What should I expect
during my appointment?
One of our trained professionals will compile your
medical and dental history during your first visit.
We will then examine your teeth and gums and take
digital X-rays of your teeth as needed. After we
review your dental profile, we will discuss a
diagnosis with you. We routinely develop short term
and long term goals and treatment plans for all of
our patients to help you establish a goal of
lifelong dental health. We will always discuss all
of your options for treatment and costs involved to
help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
During regular follow-up visits, we will examine
your teeth and gums, 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.
What does “painless
dentistry” mean?
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.
What if I have an
emergency?
Please call our office as soon as you determine that
you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work
you into our schedule if you have a dental emergency
during regular business hours. If an emergency
arises after regular business hours, over the
weekend, or during holidays, the answering machine
at the office will provide you with the phone number
for the answering service which will page one of the
doctors.
Are payment plans
available for my dental treatment?
Yes. We accept many types of dental insurance and
will process your claim. We also accept most major
credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa.
Can the dentist
whiten my teeth?
There are several methods available for bleaching
your teeth. The most common method is the at-home
overnight bleaching. For this method, we make an
impression of your teeth and create a custom made
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.
We do offer an in-office Power
Bleaching procedure. This method is more expensive,
but it is quicker for those patients who can’t wait
to brighten their smile!
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.
What if I have a gap
in my teeth, a chipped tooth, or teeth that do not
respond to normal bleaching methods?
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.
A thorough examination and treatment plan at our
office will help you determine which option is best
for you.
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