Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is common for dental plans to exclude treatment that is covered under the company's medical plan. Some plans, however, go on to exclude or discourage necessary dental treatment such as sealants, pre existing conditions, adult orthodontics, specialist referrals and other dental needs. Some also exclude treatment by family members. Patients need to be aware of the exclusions and limitations in their dental plan but should not let those factors determine their treatment decisions.

Exposure to all sources of radiation-- including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental X-rays -- can damage the body's tissues and cells and lead to the development of cancer. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of X-rays is extremely small.

Advances in dentistry over the years have lead to the low radiation levels emitted by dental X-rays. Some of the improvements are new digital X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to the small area being X-rayed, higher speed X-ray films that require shorter exposure time compared with older film speeds to get the same results, and the use of film holders that keep the film in place in the mouth (which prevents the film from slipping and the need for repeat X-rays and additional radiation exposure). Also, the use of lead-lined, full-body aprons protects the body from stray radiation (though this is almost nonexistent with the modern dental X-ray machines.) In addition, federal law requires that X-ray machines be checked for accuracy and safety every two years, with some states requiring more frequent checks.

When describing the Implant procedure the most common question is "Is that painful". The answer is no it does not have to be!  Most of our patients describe minimal pain after having implants placed.

If teeth are not in contact with another tooth they will move towards the open space.  This can create problems with your bite.  If one tooth starts to move it can disrupt the alignment of your entire mouth.  Out of place teeth can be very difficult to correct and require expensive, time consuming procedures such as an orthodontics to correct.

This is why it is important to restore any missing teeth as soon as possible with either a Implant, Bridge, or Partial Denture.  You can discuss with your dentist which options would be best for you.

Yes!  Our Digital Scanner and In Office Milling Unit allow us to make beautiful and durable crowns in a single visit.  You will never have to have a temporary!

A smile design is when we place crowns or veneers on your front teeth to make them whiter and straighter.  This creates a bright beautiful new smile.  We use state of the art new technology to create this custom smile just for you.

A tooth with a large filling has a significant amount of tooth structure missing this makes it much more likely to fracture.  A Crown encompasses the entire remaining tooth structure making resistant to fractures.  In this way crowns are a much more stable and long lasting restoration.

A smile design is when we place crowns or veneers on your front teeth to make them whiter and straighter.  This creates a bright beautiful new smile.  We use state of the art new technology to create this custom smile just for you.

Yes! It always best to have your tooth examined as soon as you start feeling discomfort.  We almost always can work you in the same day you call.

In a perfect world everyone would brush and floss twice a day. Plaque builds up over time and this sticky bacterial film can solidify and turn into calculus or tartar. This cement-like substance is removed by the hygienist at your regular cleaning visits. A six-month interval not only serves to keep your mouth healthy and clean, it allows potential problems to be found and diagnosed earlier.

If teeth are not in contact with another tooth they will move towards the open space.  This can create problems with your bite.  If one tooth starts to move it can disrupt the alignment of your entire mouth.  Out of place teeth can be very difficult to correct and require expensive, time consuming procedures such as an orthodontics to correct.

This is why it is important to restore any missing teeth as soon as possible with either a Implant, Bridge, or Partial Denture.  You can discuss with your dentist which options would be best for you.

If bacteria from a deep cavity or crack reaches the pulp (or nerve) of the tooth it will become infected.  This infection will not clear up on its own.  You may or may not experience pain from an infected tooth.  The nerve chamber inside your tooth needs to be cleaned and disinfected.  This is done during a root canal  procedure.

Only a dentist can diagnose if you actually need a root canal or not.  Some signs that your pulp tissue may be infected are hot cold sensitivity with lingering pain, pain when biting, and constant or throbbing pain.  If you experience any of these symptoms listed above you should call us to have it checked out.  We have a series of diagnostic tests we can run on your tooth determine if indeed it does needs a root canal or not.