Have Any Questions?
If you have any questions not answered in our F.A.Q. contact us here!
My insurance booklet says I am covered once a year for recall, but my dentist wants me in for cleanings more frequently than that. Will this be covered?
Cleanings that include periodontal scaling of teeth are different than a recall examination. Most insurance allows a number of “scaling units” measured by units of time, to allow for more frequent cleanings spaced throughout the year. A recall exam is when your teeth will be polished, and you will see the dentist for a check-up. This may be at the same time as the scaling is completed, or not. We can send a predetermination form to your insurance company to let you know how many scaling units the company will cover so you can plan accordingly.
I have not been to a dentist in many years. I am nervous to come because I am afraid that I will be judged for not seeing a dentist in so long. Should I be nervous?
Not to worry. As dental professionals we recognize that sometimes life gets in the way of taking care of your mouth. We will provide a judgement-free environment where we can take stock of what needs to be done to get your mouth back to health. Leaving it longer does not make it any easier so let us help you get back on track. If you want to talk privately with the dentist about your concerns there are lots of opportunities to do so during a new patient exam.
I am very nervous about dental work. Do you offer sedation options to help me?
Absolutely. We offer Nitrous Oxide sedation, which is an inhaled gas that offers a calming feeling. Nitrous oxide is not addictive, it is not a narcotic, and you will not feel drowsy after the procedure. The main side effect is dizziness or nausea, but this is usually only during the procedure and the dose can be scaled back for your comfort. We also can prescribe a sedative for you to take before appointments if it is medically advisable and appropriate for managing your anxiety about dentistry. We strive to make dentistry as stress-free as possible. Please feel free to talk to us about options to make the process more comfortable for you.
I have children. When is it appropriate to take them to the dentist for the first time?
We normally like to start seeing little ones at about age 2, unless obvious signs of tooth decay or other dental problems are noticed earlier. Please see our Kids Dentistry section for more information about dentistry for kids.
How can I make an appointment?
Are you taking new patients?
We welcome new patients and look forward to getting to know you.
I have had x-rays recently at my previous dentist. How do I get those transferred? Are they useful?
There are many reasons why a patient might change dentists. If you are new to the area or ready for a change, we can help make the transition easier. We can contact your previous dentist on your behalf to get any recent radiographs or pertinent records. This involves you signing a release form which allows us to request the information. If there are no up-to-date x-rays (about 6 months in most cases) we will update them at your new patient exam but the previous x-rays can still be helpful in identifying progression of problems if applicable.
I have chipped my tooth! Is this an emergency?
This depends on how big the chip is and if there is any pain. A chipped tooth as the result of trauma is an emergency if there is blood from the gums around the tooth, if there is blood from the inside of the tooth coming from the chipped area, or if there is movement of the traumatized tooth. This may require immediate care to stabilize the tooth and/or treat the exposed pulp. Our emergency on call service is available to our existing patients through our main telephone line. If the tooth is simply chipped, it can likely wait until the next business day. If part of a molar is lost around an old filling, the same rules apply. If there is bleeding from the tooth, or pain beyond hot/cold sensitivity, you may require immediate care. If not, we will get you in as soon as possible the next business day for examination and to begin treatment.