Frequently Asked Questions

 Scroll down this page to read all of the questions and answers.

1.   May I come in to your office just to get a cleaning?

2.   Is flossing really that important?

3.  I'm about to have my sixty fifth birthday.   Are there special dental concerns for me?

4.  It seems every one I know has wonderfully white teeth.  I want them too.  What are my options?

5.  My mouth isn't perfect.  I'm not looking for perfect teeth.  How will I be treated as a patient?

6.  When is the first time my child should visit the dentist?

7.  I have dentures.  I was surprised when a friend told me that I still needed to go to the dentist.  Is that true?

8.  I think I need a crown on a tooth now.  Does that mean I'll have to have a root canal too?

9.  Everybody is talking about implants. Can you please explain what all that means?

1.  May I come in to your office just to get a cleaning?

Yes, we invite patients to make cleaning only appointments.  You will get a thorough, comfortable, ultrasonic cleaning which may take up to fifty minutes (not a quick, inadequate cleaning). And at no additional charge to you, you'll receive a screening exam by the dentist. It's a wonderful opportunity for a cleaning and to meet our office staff and me. You'll be able to get a feel for who we are and the kind of total treatment we offer. Or, if you would prefer to simply come and tour the office, and speak with me, we'll be happy to schedule a convenient time to meet.  It's your choice - one of the hallmarks of our practice.

2.  Is flossing really that important?

Since it is simply impossible for a toothbrush to clean plaque from between the teeth, flossing is essential. The tooth has five sides, and while brushing can get three of them, it misses two surfaces.When teeth are not properly cleaned, bacteria work to form the material known as plaque, which leads to gingivitis (gum irritation and disease) and cavities or decay. A regular combination of brushing and flossing removes the bacteria which triggers this unhealthy cycle.

3.  I'm about to have my sixty fifth birthday.  Are there special dental concerns for me?

There are special concerns for you because you have entered your second set of cavity prone years. At this point, the ability to taste foods which are salty, sour and bitter diminishes; however, the ability to taste sweet things is not lessened. As a result, we naturally gravitate toward those things that have a good and noticeable taste. The extra sweets then can produce decay. Additionally, there may also be more root exposure due to other problems such as gum recession or gingivitis. Since the roots are more porous, and harder to clean, decay occurs more easily.  But, there is good news! Just as flouride treatments are important in the children's cavity prone years, they are also important and do make a significant difference in adults. We offer both in home and office treatments.  The key is a good concentration of flouride.  If we provide two office treatments per year, decay is reduced by 50%!  Needless to say, one should always use a flouride toothpaste as well.

4.  It seems every one I know has wonderfully white teeth.  I want them too.  What are my options?

There are several ways to achieve a whiter smile.  We offer both in office processes, at home kits, or a combination - again, patient choice. The take home kits include a custom fitted mouth tray and whitening gel. The in office method involve opening the enamel rods of the tooth by raising the temperature of the teeth with a hot water bath and gauze. The whitening solution is then able to penetrate more deeply into the tooth itself.  Some people choose a combination of these methods. Or, for those who have a more permanent type of staining, such as that from long term antibiotic usage as a child, these methods will not work. Good news: veneers (a thin layer of porcelain applied over the actual tooth) can restore the bright smile you're wanting. here are always options to give you beautiful, white teeth - no matter what the problem.

5.  My mouth isn't perfect.  I'm not looking for perfect teeth.  How will I be treated as a patient?

All of our patients receive the same high level of care - no matter what services they have chosen. That's what we emphasize to our patients - we'll tell you the options, and you decide what works for you. Since you are satisfied with the appearance of your teeth, our goals will be to work with you in keeping your mouth as healthy as possible. In this way, you can retain teeth, maintain adequate nutrition, avoid pain and discomfort, and reduce the risk that mouth and gum problems bring.Your teeth significantly impact your health - and not everyone knows that - but they should!   Did you know it has an effect in diabetes, heart attack, and systemic infection?   So, we want to work with you so you can have healthy teeth that function well for you.

6.  When is the first time my child should visit the dentist?

A child should have his first appointment scheduled between the ages of two and three years of age. This is primarily so the first exposure is done in a positive way and the child learns that going to the dentist is routine, keeps teeth healthy, and is a pleasant experience.   (Much different than when I was a child). Typically, the child only needs an exam and a cleaning with our flavored cleanser and gentle revolving cleaning brush. Coming early can also alert us to many problems - such as decay from juice or milk bottles. And at slightly older ages, we begin flouride treatments which can reduce the incidence of cavities in children by 50%.

7.  I have dentures.  I was surprised when a friend told me that I still needed to go to the dentist.  Is that true?

Often people think that when they have dentures, trips to the dentist have ended. While visits are still necessary, they should be only for an annual check- up. The reason is that having dentures does cause a certain amount of stress in the mouth. This leads to disease such as denture stomatitis or painful mouth sores. Over time, these sores can actually lead to the inability to keep your dentures in your mouth (and all the problems associated with that), as well as increase the chance of oral cancer. And ill fitting dentures can actually stimulate excess tissue to grow in your mouth.  This may need to be trimmed prior to being fitted for new dentures.

8.  I think I need a crown on a tooth now. Does that mean I'll have to have a root canal too?

The need for a crown does not mean there is a need for a root canal. A crown replaces only the part of the tooth structure above the gum line and actually sits on the remainder of the natural tooth where the nerve is.  A root canal is not needed if that nerve has remained healthy.

9.  Everybody is talking about implants. Can you please explain what all that means?

Implants are really root replacements which use titanium screws. These can then be used to secure different types of replacement teeth which include crowns, bridges, full or partial dentures. They allows us to make something moveable become non-moveable by anchoring them to the bone. This anchoring provides for more functional teeth and a healthier mouth.  Implants were originally used exclusively in the elderly. Today anyone who loses a tooth can have it replaced with an implant and a crown.   This can avoid crowning healthy adjacent teeth to make a bridge. A newer technology, implants have helped a number of individuals, and may be a more costly option.