How often should I visit the dentist?

If you have tooth or jaw pain, trouble chewing, difficulty in talking or opening your mouth, discoloration of your teeth or gums, clicking or grinding in your jaw, or sores in your mouth that don’t go away, you should visit the dentist immediately.  Otherwise, you should get a check up at least once every six months to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy.

What age do you recommend young children start their dental experience?

Children may start as young as three years old, when all of their primary teeth have erupted and they are able to sit in the chair and follow directions. The best way to deal with a young child is to have them come in and watch during the cleaning of a parent or sibling, before they are ready for their own cleaning, so they can get accustomed to the office and they can see what is expected. The hygienist can give them a ride in the chair; they can play with toys and can get a toothbrush of their own. The age at which your child will be ready for a full cleaning varies and children will be treated differently depending on their behavior. If your child has dental pain or decay at a younger age, we can examine him/her to determine if there is a problem, and may refer the child to a pedodontist for more extensive work.

Do I need x-rays?

X-rays are necessary to provide a proper diagnosis. Lack of pain is not an indication that there are no problems. X-rays allow us to detect areas of decay and bone loss before they become major problems. We will take check up x-rays on an average of one time per year. For those patients with few or no fillings and good oral homecare we may be able to take them once every other year. We utilize digital x-rays so that the exposure is cut by as much as 90%. Pregnant women will not have routine x-rays taken.

Do you offer financing?

Yes, our office gladly offers financing options through Care Credit and Capital One Healthcare Finance.  Patients can choose from a variety of payment options to cover the cost of their dental procedures.  We also accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, debit cards, checks and cash.  Unless payment arrangements are made in advance, all co-payments are expected at the time of service.

Do you accept my dental insurance?

We are a participating office only with Delta Dental.  We will file claims with all insurance companies.  Most companies will pay their portion of the treatment costs directly to our office.  Our computer will estimate your co-payment on the day of treatment and unless other payment arrangements have been made, the estimated co-payment is expected that day.  Our estimates are fairly accurate, but may differ from actual payments due to differences in what has been contracted between your employer and insurance company.  When the insurance payment is received, any excess is sent directly to the patient, and any shortfall will be billed to the patient.  Some insurance companies pay the patient directly.  In this case, payment is expected at the time of treatment, and the insurance company reimburses the patient.  Your insurance is a contract provided by your employer and is between you and the insurance company.  We will do everything we can to expedite claims for payment, but the patient is ultimately responsible for the cost of treatment.  If you have a PPO dental plan, we will be able to see you and file claims for you, but there is generally a slightly higher co-payment for treatment by a non-network provider.  Any HMO plans require that you be seen at a participating office and you will receive no reimbursement if you are seen at our office.

How long does it take to whiten teeth?

There are multiple ways of whitening teeth.  Our in-office ZOOM procedure takes about an hour of a scheduled two-hour appointment.  A form of peroxide is placed on the teeth and a special light activates the gel to whiten the teeth.  Impressions are taken and small trays are made to allow the patient to follow up with additional home bleaching.  These trays can also be used for many years of occasional touch-ups. 
At home teeth whitening can take a week to a few weeks of wearing small trays for about two hours every day.  After more than twenty-five years of bleaching experience, the tray bleaching has still proven to be the most effective method.
We also utilize a stronger version of the Crest White-Strips than is available over the counter.  These strips are worn twice a day for thirty minutes each time, for three weeks.  Many patients have found that although this method does not yield the same results as the in-office or tray bleaching, it will lighten the teeth enough that they are happy with this cost-saving technique.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Teeth whitening is fairly painless.  Some patients experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a day or two following Zoom teeth whitening, but this is normal and will subside shortly following the procedure.  Using dental products with fluoride can help strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Can I replace my old metal fillings with tooth-colored fillings?

Yes.  Tooth-colored filings can be stronger and more attractive than metal fillings.  Many of our patients decide to replace their metal fillings in order to achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.  However, not all silver fillings can be easily replaced by a tooth-colored filling and may require a cap.  A consultation with x-rays can help determine what treatment is recommended.

Do you place silver (amalgam) fillings?

We only use the resin, tooth colored, fillings on our patients.  There is a controversy over the use of mercury in the silver filling material.  Although the evidence does not prove that the silver fillings are harmful, we have elected not to place any new silver fillings.  The tooth colored fillings are esthetically pleasing and can be stronger than silver because they are bonded to the remaining tooth structure.  The American Dental Association does not recommend that new resin fillings replace old silver fillings although many of our patients elect to do so for cosmetic purposes.

How long do porcelain veneers and crowns last?

This depends on several factors.  In rare cases, they may become chipped or cracked if a patient bites into something hard.  Most insurance companies will cover the replacement of a crown after 5 years.  With proper brushing and flossing, and regular professional dental cleanings, they can last many years.

Should I bond my teeth or place porcelain veneers?

Bonding will last an average of about five years.  With proper brushing and maintenance porcelain veneers should last about twice as long.  Bonding can usually be completed in one visit; porcelain veneers generally take two visits because there is a lab process involved.  The porcelain veneers can cost about twice as much as bonding, but will have a better appearance for a longer time because the porcelain will not change color over time the way bonding can. Bonding and veneers both require removal of anywhere from a minimal amount to about 1½ mm. of tooth so that the subsequent restoration will not add any bulk to the tooth.  The process is not reversible, but we have not seen any cases where the patient has wanted them removed.  Unless they are being placed to eliminate decay or broken teeth, most insurance companies do not cover either the bonding or veneers because they are considered cosmetic.

Is root canal therapy painful?

Although you shouldn’t feel any pain during a root canal (the tooth and surrounding area will be adequately numbed prior to treatment), recovering from root canal therapy can be uncomfortable.  Chewing may be affected during the healing time.  However, the soreness you experience after a root canal should subside within a few days of the procedure.  New technology allows the root canal process to be far less painful than in the past.

What are some of the benefits of dental implants?

They function in a way similar to natural teeth.  They are strong, durable, and are like having your own teeth back again.  Implants can be indistinguishable from natural teeth and provide a secure fit in the jaw.  They improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the mouth, provide superior tooth replacement, and are highly effective in correcting speech problems related to missing teeth.  Implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth, or to anchor a partial or full denture.  Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of placing or restoring implants.  A consultation and treatment plan will help determine if implants are the treatment of choice.  Alternatives are always offered, and treatment can be sequenced so that the best results can be achieved within any budget.

If I have missing teeth, do I have to get dental implants?

No.  There are other solutions for replacing missing teeth, including dentures and bridges.  There are benefits and drawbacks related to each type of tooth replacement procedure, and some procedures may not be appropriate for some individuals.  We will evaluate your case and decide which options will give you the most pleasing and comfortable results.

What if I have a question that is not answered here?

You can either call directly or use the e-mail option of the web site to ask any questions, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  The site is checked daily by one of our staff members.