Frequently Asked Questions

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Our office is very up-to-date on insurance. As a matter of fact, we have a computer program that links to a national database of insurance companies. We can look up your insurance provider by your employer name. We are part of many providers and HMO plans. We’ll do our best to maximize your benefits. We will complete your claim forms and even help argue your case if your claim is denied. Click here to read more about Insurance Information.

If your carrier is up-to-date (in over 70% of the cases), the claims will be transmitted online before the end of your treatment day! In addition to filing the claim, we will initially ask you only for your estimated co-payment before starting the procedure. Please understand that this is only an estimate and is based upon the information available to us. Once your carrier has paid the claim, any difference will be due upon receipt of our statement. If your insurance company postpones payment for more than 90 days, we ask that you make the remaining payment while we work together to get the insurance company to pay you their obligations. After the 60-day grace period, the remaining balance is subject to 18% APR. The range of benefits depends solely on what your employer wishes to pursue. Some plans cover as little as 30% or as much as 100% of dental services, with most falling in the 40-80% range. Most plans also have a yearly maximum.

If you don’t have insurance, and have trouble affording treatment, we will work with you to come up with a financial plan.

Yes, We have CareCredit ® available in our offices. Call us for more information on financing options.

Yes we do, we provide a one on one meeting with the doctor to discuss treatment plans.

Full name, phone number, and insurance information.

Yes we do, we will provide emergency appointment within 24 hours of receiving the phone call.

We work diligently to make sure you'll always know what the next steps are. Your hygienist will help you understand what interval is needed to keep your mouth healthy. We'll schedule your sequential appointment before you leave. We will also send you a card, give you a call, e-mail, or even a text message when you're due for your next visit. Please note that, especially if you've never been into our office, the ADA says most people need to see a dentist three times each year. Make an appointment today and we'll help you figure out what schedule is best for you.

We have different types of sedation options including IV sedation, Nitrous sedation, and oral sedation for nervous patients, more information can be found in the procedure section of this website.

Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.

There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.

Some of the most common reasons are:

1. Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
2. Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc. Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
3. Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
4. Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
5. Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – May also contribute to bad breath.
6. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
7. Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
8. Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
9. Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
10. Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.

Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with you dentist.

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush.
• Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas.
• Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
• If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.
• See your dentist regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend more frequent visits.
• Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
• Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
• Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor. Ask your dentist about antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that causes dental disease. Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Teeth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste. Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.

Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth. Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone. Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.

Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gum line. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth. Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

A dental cleaning is recommended every six months, although we recognize that each person is unique and we will let you know if your particular situation requires being seen on a different schedule.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health. These include:

• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any sings of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
• Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
• Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the beginning of periodontal disease!
• Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
• Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
• Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.

• Invisalign
• Veneers
• Braces

Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of amalgam (silver) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this blended metal to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy is due to claims that the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems.

Although studies indicate that there are no measurable health risks to patients who have silver fillings, we do know that mercury is a toxic material when we are exposed at high, unsafe levels. For instance, we have been warned to limit the consumption of certain types of fish that carry high levels of mercury in them.

There are numerous options to silver fillings, including composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, and gold fillings. We advise you to avoid amalgam fillings for both health and cosmetic reasons.

Anyone who has a missing tooth can be a candidate for dental implants.

A candidate for sedation dentistry is someone who is nervous of dental treatments, or afraid of pain.