Frequently Asked Questions
We encourage our patients to ask questions about their
dental care. Here are some questions that we receive most
often.
If my tooth doesn’t hurt, why do I need to
have a crown?
If your tooth already has large silver fillings, they
may be showing signs of wear such as cracking. Even
if the tooth doesn’t hurt, cracked fillings can let
decay back into your tooth—which means you could ultimately
lose it.
Crowns are great for restoring teeth that are fractured
or that have very large fillings. They not only strengthen
the tooth but are also very natural in appearance.
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Can you show me what my teeth will look like
ahead of time?
Yes. We do it in three-dimensional wax models so you
can really get an idea of what it will look like.
Although many dentists use imaging software to show patients
what their teeth will look like, we’ve found that it’s
not always possible to do what the digital image shows.
That’s why we prefer to take an impression of a patient’s
mouth and then do a simulation in wax of veneers or whatever
cosmetic procedure we’re suggesting. Instead of just looking
at a picture, you can actually see how your teeth would
look and how your bite would work.
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At what age should my child first see a dentist?
We usually suggest a child should be three or four
years old—as soon as they’ve had some kind of “away
from mommy” experience like preschool. Before we
schedule an appointment, we’ll usually have children
come in with their mom to “test drive” the dental
chair. If the child is okay with this, we can schedule
an appointment. If he/she is uncomfortable or upset,
we may suggest holding off a bit longer. The idea
is to make the dental office a comfortable place
for them to visit; we do not want to traumatize them
in any way.
Of course, if your child is in pain or has a dental problem,
we’ll be glad to examine him/her at any age from infant
up.
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Do
you accept my insurance plan?
We will work with you to maximize your benefits under
your specific insurance plan. We have a staff member
who does nothing but insurance claims. She previously
worked for insurance companies, so she knows all the
ins and outs of the insurance process.
We do accept assignment of benefits from some companies,
but you will be responsible for any portion of your fee
that is not covered.
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What do I do if I have an emergency and the
office is closed?
Please call the office number. The recording will tell
you to press 3 to get in touch with our answering service.
The service pages the doctor on call, who will then
call you back as soon as possible.
We have you covered 24/7 in the event of an emergency;
one of the three doctors in our practice is always on call
and ready to assist you.
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I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What
happens if it comes off or breaks?
For more information, please refer to post-care
instructions.
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What will happen on my first visit to your
office?
We are very thorough in our initial exam. We will take
any necessary x-rays, do a periodontal exam, oral cancer
screening, and intra oral camera examination on all
our patients. In some cases photographs and models
of your teeth may also be necessary.
We always take the time to talk with you about your needs,
your expectations, your fears and your concerns. We’ll
also go over the financial aspect of your treatment so
you’re aware of your financial responsibilities and your
options for payment. Then we’ll prioritize treatment in
the way that is best for you.
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What different payment options do you provide?
We accept cash and credit cards, and offer some discounts
for prepayment. Just ask!
For longer-term treatments, we work with several different
financing companies so you can choose the option (including
some 12-month, interest-free plans) that works best for
you.
We do accept insurance as partial payment on your dental
treatment; you are responsible for any part of the treatment
not covered by your insurance.
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What makes you different from any other dental
practice I could visit?
We believe in delivering quality dental care for our
community while maintaining the highest standards of
our profession. What sets us apart is explained in
our mission statement:
“We care about helping people and we’d like to give them
more than they expect... We want patients leaving our office
feeling uplifted, as though they’ve had a great experience.
Our key words are genuineness, cheerful, gentleness, caring,
trustworthy, honesty, respect, efficiency, and follow through.” 
In the practical sense, that translates into details
like extended hours (we’re here 12 hours a day Monday through
Thursday, until 5 p.m. on Friday, and even six hours on
Saturdays).
We have a wide range of expertise, so you can get all
your dental care in one office. That improves communication
about your treatment if more than one dentist is involved
in your treatment—when you’re getting an implant, for example.
There are many other things that set us apart, such as
our large hygiene department, which has real expertise
in maintaining your soft tissues; and our state-of-the-art
equipment, such as digital x-rays.
We invite you to make an appointment and see for yourself
why we are a very different type of dental office than
you’ve ever visited before.
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My
gums bleed when I brush. Is this something that I
should be concerned about?
Bleeding is always a sign of a problem. If your fingers
were bleeding, wouldn’t you be concerned?
Bleeding gums are no different. They are one signal that
you may have periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is
a serious problem—it can lead not only to tooth loss, but
has also been linked to systemic problems such as diabetes,
stroke and heart disease.
So if you gums are bleeding, call our office right away
to have them checked out.
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