Common Dental Questions
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.
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