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Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for visiting the Frequently Asked Questions portion
of our interactive website. This page is a tool to help you better
understand your dental health, and to answer any questions you
may have.
Please review the listing of Previously Posted FAQ’s to
see if your concern(s) have already been addressed. If not, please
send us an email and we will be glad to answer your question in
a timely fashion!!
For your convenience, this section is divided into subject categories.
The categories for FAQ’s are listed on the tool-bar to your
left, or you may choose from one below after reading the category
descriptions.
Hygiene
FAQs
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis - an inflammation of the gums - is the initial
stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause
of gingivitis is plaque - the soft, sticky, colorless film of
bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums. If the plaque
is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins
(poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis.
At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since
the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are
not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become
periodontitis and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.
How
Do I Know if I Have Gingivitis?
Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen,
tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Another sign of gum
disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth,
giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gum disease can cause
pockets to form between the teeth and gums, where plaque and food
debris collect. Some people may experience recurring bad breath
or a bad taste in their mouth, even if the disease is not advanced.
How Can I Prevent Gingivitis?
Good oral hygiene is essential. Professional cleanings are also
extremely important because once plaque has hardened and built
up, or become tartar, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove
it.
You can help stop gingivitis before it develops by:
- Proper
brushing and flossing to remove plaque and debris and control
tartar buildup
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Eating right to ensure proper nutrition for your jawbone and
teeth
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Avoiding cigarettes and other forms of tobacco
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Scheduling regular checkups with your dentist
Today’s question was answered by Jeannine Wilson, staff Hygienist.
To ask Jeannine a question, click
here.
Financial FAQ’s
What are the payment options for my dental work??
Please keep in mind that payment is expected at the time of service,
just like in any other business, whether or not insurance is involved.
We will work directly with you to offer a variety of payment options
that will allow you to plan effectively for optimal dental treatment.
Do you offer Cash Discounts?
We offer a Prepayment Courtesy Adjustment that allows for a 5%
discount to be given when cash or check is used to pay for treatment
at the time of service. This is our most ecomonical option and
must be made by cash or check, not credit card. This discount
is available for restorative procedures only. The discount does
not include routine appointments scheduled with our hygiene staff.
We are happy to accept Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, and all
Banking Debit cards.
What is a Dedicated Healthcare Credit Card?
We offer the use of the Dental Fee Plan by Capitol One, a company
that offers financing for up to 60 months. Interest rates may
be interest-free for up to one year, after which typical credit
card rates would apply, or competitive fixed rates. The Dental
Fee Plan requires no initial down payment, no prepayment penalty,
and covers dental fees from $1000 - $25,000. Our Treatment Facilitator
or Administrative staff can guide you through the process of obtaining
this form of credit, usually within twenty minutes of submitting
the application over the telephone. You may also obtain pre-approval
by visiting the Dental Fee Plan website.
Today's questions were answered by Treatment Coordinator Tammy
White. To ask Tammy a question, click
here.
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Dental
Treatment FAQs
Why is porcelain kinder than silver amalgam to teeth?
Silver amagam has been a material used in dentistry for
over 160 years. While is has its place and is economical,
in the long run it is very unkind to tooth enamel. As it
ages, it becomes tanished and swollen in size. As it swells,
it causes cracks in the tooth structure often leading to
more costly crowns. Neither resin fillings nor procelain
onlays cause tooth fractures. In fact, they actuallystrengthen
tooth structure and can prevent the need for future crowns.
Do you guarantee your work?
Dental treatments cannot be guaranteed, but reasonable assurances
of longevity can be given. Dental restorative treatment,
like any other form of reconstruction using manmade materials,
has a life-expectancy. Dental restoration can last formany
years depending on size, location in the mouth, type of
material used, chewing habits of the patient and most importantly
of all, oral hygene of the patient and frequency of maintenance
visits with the hygene department.
I
had a cavity filled but the tooth didn't hurt until I had
the filling done. Why should this be and why not wait until
something hurts before doing fillings or crowns?
When a tooth decays or has a fracture, often there is no
noticeable pain associated with it until the decay orfracture
gets near the inside of the tooth where the nerve is located.
If someone waits until there is noticeeable pain, most often
the treatment required is far more extensive and expensive
than treating earlier. Anytime someone has dental work done
there is the possiblity of having some short-term sensitivity.
In by far the majority of cases, this is minor in nature
and passes within a week or two.
I
have old silver fillings. Should I have these replaced,
and if so, what are my options?
Silver fillings are like other products that have a usefull
life expectancy. As in a carton of milk that has a "use
by date" stamped on the carton, all dental fillings
have a "use by date". A proper examination, utilizing
an intra-oral, close-up camera can help determine whether
or not a filling has passed its "use by date".
Old silver fillings expand through corrosion with age, usually
after ten years, causing tooth enamel to crack. A much better
restoration in today's dentistry is a bonded, ceramic restoration
which is tooth colored, doesn't expand with time and strengthens
the tooth rather than weakening it.
Why don't you participate with Delta Dental?
Participating with Delta obligates a Dentist to follow the
dictates of a third party. We believe the patient and the
Dentist should determine what is in the patient's best
interest, not an insurance company. Delta Dental
participation forces a Dentist to chose inferior products
and services in order to comply with a contractual agreement
with Delta. While we do not "participate", this simply means
we do not accept assignment of benefits. We go to great
lengths in filing your insurance forms to make sure you get
maximum benefits from your plan. The benefit check goes to
you within a few days of receiving care in our office. You
simply pay our office at the time of service. You can be
sure of receiving the best of what is currently available in
modern dentistry without compromise due to influence from an
insurance company which is interested in its bottom line and
not in the health of your mouth.
Today’s question was answered by Dr. Kuball. To ask Dr.
Kuball a question,
click here.
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