Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. However, depending on the state of your periodontal (“gum”) health, you may need to see a dentist as often as every 3-4 months.
Q. What should I expect during my appointment?
A. Celeste, our Patitent Care Coordinator, will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer and take digital x-rays of your teeth as needed. Upon careful review of your records, a custom treatment plan will be formulated.
Q. What does “painless dentistry” mean?
A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We pride ourselves on using the latest in computer and anesthetic delivery to reduce discomfort. We even have a no-injection, 20-minute anesthetic that can make even a hygiene visit more enjoyable and comfortable.
Q. What if I have an emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the doctor’s emergency contact number.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for whitening the teeth: in office, overnight or daily. Brite Smile bleaching is done in our office. One session generally lasts one to one and a half hours, and you can relax with our radio or cable television during the treatment. For overnight whitening, we make an impression of your teeth and create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The overnight bleaching process takes approximately two weeks.
Other over-the-counter daily whitening products are available, but it is important to use any whitening product only under the supervision of a dentist. To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any whitening program.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
A. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Also, bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth, and looks and feels beautiful and natural.
